New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-11-05

4 private letter from gentleman on board the
United States steam.sloop Seminole, on her late
trip from Washington to Old Point, has been pub
lished in the Philadelphia Bulletin The following
are extracts:s
U. s, sTEAm-sLoor SEMINOLE, 4
We arrived here this morning at O'Clock, hay
ing left Washington yesterday morning. Nothing
very remarkable occurred on the way down to
Quantieo creek. At that point the steamer Poca,
hontas, which was some miles ahead of us, threw
three or four shells into the bushes at Transport
or Shipping Point, Va The fire was notreturned
and she proceeded on her way.
As we neared the Point, l03 O'Clock a.. NJ, Out
decks were cleared for action, all hands at quar-
tiers, matches closed and everything ready. Al
l0:45 they opened on u.s. with rded shot and shell
from three batteries, two on the bank and one
about 400 yards inland, at Eyansport. These shot
fell twenty rods short. The Seminole returned the
fire briskly, and with effect, from her pivot CUR
and two medium thirty-two FOUNDERS. We kept
ON our course, returning their fire during thirty
five minutes. and receiving theirs during forty-fiVe
We were a fine target for them-a slow steamer
clear against the horizon, while they were hid in
earth and bushes.
We ceased firing at-1l:25 A. Ne, after which
they senr several ricochetng shots-and all hand
some ones--at onr erine, which luckily fell
short We expended twenty three Shells several
particularly those planted by Captain ellis in
person--with good effect /, They sent US at least
thirty rifed balls and shells, all splenddly aimed
y
their shot and shell went over US, about eight or
nine feet clear of the deck, and only a few feet
above my head. These fell or burst from twenty
to forty rods beyond on our port side. Some burst
just outside before reaching u.s. and some just over
our heads Fragments OF shells few about the
deck and splinters in thousands. ~
We were struck eleven times. One ball cut
away the main stays, scattering Bit. of iron chain
down on the deck. One shot through and shiyered
the mizzen mast Several banged clear through
the ship. In at one side and out at the other. One
rihed ball came through in that way, struck and
carried away the brass handrail guard around the
engine hatch, and W ent out through the opposite
side Of the ship. The bali went within Ave feet OF
me, and sent piece Of brass, bent double like a
boomerang, whizzing over, my head How the
balls do hiss, and the shells sing alouda perfectly
distinct, fascinating, locustlike song but grow
Ing louder and faster as they come nearer, plung-
ing, Kissing, and bursting through the air. / was
never under fire before, but meyer was cooler in
my life. stood by my capstan and took my notes
OF the time and the effect OF the balls both ways
jumping out Of our own smoke to see where the
balls lodged, etc.--al Just a matter OF course
Hut thought of it afterwards, and it was no joke.
the light was severe one, and without know
ing what the other side suffered, | do know that
the Seminole suffered severely So soon as we get
nd OF some expedition now on hand we shall prob.
apiy run "a North somewhere for repairs.
4 Ihe oincers and men behaved well. Had Capt.
| Wins stopped We should have been blown out OF
the water. Every one says that guns we're never
better handled than those Of the enemy Yesterday
/ every shot came true, The only wonder is that
i no ives were lost: number were scratched by
! sphn5efs. was hit by them half dozen times
i ~ :
We expected lively time passing Matthias Point.
but either they have no battery there, or they
allowed US to go by by 1t nnmoested We were
| quarters at dinner to prepare for an emergency.
At this point the channel carries vessels Of our
draught within less than half mile Of the BLUFF
shore. A good battery, wen manned, could COM
niand the river, and could have sunk us yesterday
After piping down, we were second time called
TO action from dinner, and threw shells at the
Point, but without any return. So we were three
times cleared for action during the day.