The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-23
THR FIRST ATTACK ON SEWELL,s POINT
BATTERY.
A NORTHERN ACCOUNT.

The following account of the first enpsve-
ment at Seweirs Point, on Saturday last is
from the Washington Republican, 0Govern.
ment organ.j 1t is about as wide Of the mark
as We're the balls from the Federal steamer.
so far as the effect of the assault Ia eoncsrn.
ed
Hampton Roads and their neiehborbood are
IVeiy with business. Saturday witnessed the
aCthai opening OF the war on the part of the
ontted States-the assault upon the battery
atoe"eiis Point, the exterior of line of bat
terles winch guard the Elizabeth river, the
approach TO Norfolk. There are seven batte-
mes now in position, all protec ted by seen tiff
icaliy constructed works. The heaviest is
InhI AT Craney Island, mounting thirty guns.
Two batteries farther inland mount twelve
aud fifteen guns, res pectyeIy. The remaining
batteries are provided with from seven to ten
guns each. These guns part of the spoils
of the hayward at Norfolk, which was de-
suoyed but in small part. They said to
tie ordnance Of excellent description. The
erection OF these batteries has hitherto gone
on disturbed by the fleet, till Friday and
Saturday the attempt was persisted in of
throwing up battery on SeweffS Point -
This posi- ton commands the vessels blockad-
ing James river, and If mounted with heavy
ana effective guns would render that por ton
of the roads tead untenabie.
About noon, therefore O strong party being
observed periscting the earth works, facing
tbem with timber, finishing the embrasures,
&c, the steamer Star date Mon ticelIo) opened
npou the works with two ten Inch guns and
she'll. She had fired 4 number OF times, W hen
the Roads greeted new arrival, in the shape
of the hrst detachment OF Capt. Wards steam
houila, four vessels, thirty six hours from
New \ ork. Capt. Warts own vessel, the
treeborn, Is armed with ten-inch guns for
ward and ait, and twelve FOUNDER boat howit-
GERS on the upper deck. Being sent 10 the
scene of the firing, Captain Ward was hailed
from the Star, and req uested to lay his vessel
close in ashore, ana open upon the uHfinis ned
battery. lie sailed IN " accordingly, and
taking position within five hundred yards OF
the shore, opened with thirty-tWo pound
round shot. He soon drove the party out OF
the work, and WAS not long in hGmmeriuE
two or three of the embrasures In to one. The
defenders, with mounted olhcer At their
head, took refuge in clump of trees near by,
into which Captain Ward presently threw II
shot, which had the effect of routing the
party.
The battery having been pretty effectually
pounded, the Freeborn drew OFF and reported
10 Commodore Stringham, on the flag -shi y
Minnesota.
The cannonade, which was a lively one
was witnessed and heard by people gathered
on ths surrounding shores. Among those on
the wharf at Fortress Monroe Were Sena tors
Wade, Chandler, and Morrill, of Maine, who
were seen listening attentively TO the guns,
SIX miles distant, and Specializing on their
probable effect. The Senatorial party after
wards visited Commodore Strngham, on tn
the houors.
Fortress Monroe is garrisoned by three
thousand troops, which is even beyond the
full complement required for garrison duty.
These are composed of about three hundred
regular troops, second and third artillery
two regiments of Massachusetts volunteers
and one Vermont regiment. The troops are
III splendid order, and in capital spirits. Col.
Dimrnick, of the second artillery, a clever
gentleman and an accomplished officer is in
command
The fleet of Old Point consists of the Min
nesota, alag ship,) auxiliary steam 40 guns
Captain Van Brunt the raZee Cumberland
81 guns, Captain Marston, mag ship of Com
modore Pendergast, superseded at tins port
by Commodore Stringham J brig Perry, c
guns; the steamer Star, and quite 4 fleet OF
armed steam tugs.
More or less prizes are brough in every day
of vessels attempting to run the blockade
principally Of to bacco- laden ships from James
river. One vessel, laden with ship tim Der
cut in Virginia, and bound to St George, in
Maine, had been seized, and the timber con-
verified TO Government uses at Fort Monroe -
For this the Government proposes TO pay It's
value. Among the prizes was one British
bark, whose cargo is valued at $3.50, 900.
The bombardment of the battery at Sewell's
Point, by the steamer Freeborn, appears to be
the opening of offensive operations on The part
of the Government forces in this war
The Freedom, after engaging the battery
was ordered to Washington. On her way M
violating the blockade One of them, n small
craft of forty tons, had slowed away in heI
hold some fifty suspicious looking characters,
who explained that they were Il fishing party
which bad been out since March, aud were
now returning home. They had on board as
the fruits of their labors only two barrels OF
salt shad as provisions. Their craft is now
anchored ut the Navy-Yard at Washington
where they will have an opportunity to ex
plain their vie rs TO the authorities
On the way up, the Thomas Freeborn, a.
daylight on Sunday fell in with the steamship
Baltimore belonging 10 and bound from Balti.
more to Havana, out of her course in the Pc.
tomac river, near the mouth. The Freeborn
mistook her for an enemy, and brought the
guns to bear on her. She finally showed the
American flag. She was boarded and found tC
be aground. Efforts We're made to pull heI
off, resulting in parting both hawsers, and the
Freeborn was obliged TO leave her, to reach
Washingt ton with dispatch.