Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-10-31

stean.soop Seminole on her late trip from Washing
ton to Old Point, has been published in the Phadei-
phia Bulletin. / be following extracts:
Z. S. STEAM-SLOoP SEMINOLE,
Of Fortress Monroe Oct l6, 1861.
We arrived here this morning at o'clock, having
left Washington yesterday morning. Nothing very re-
markabe occurred the way down to QuantIco creek.
At that point the steamer Pocahontas, which some
miles ahead of US, threw three four shells into the
bushes at Transport, Shipping Point, Va. The fire
was not returned, and she proceeded On her way.
AS we neared the Point, at l015 A. NJ, our decks
were cleared for action, all hands at quarters matches
closed and every thing ready. At lO,45 they opened
on u.s. with ritd shot and SHE'LL from three batteries,
two On the bank and one about 400 yards inland, at
kvansport These shot fell twenty RODS short The
Seminole returned the fire brsky, and with effect from
her pivot gun aud two medium 81 Founders. We kept
on our course, returning their fire during thrty-hVe
minutes, and receiving theirs during torty-hVe We
fine target for them-a slow steamer clear against
the horizon while they hid in earth and bushes.
We ceased firing at 1 %, A. M., after which they
sent several rcochetiDg shots-and all handsome ones
at our water pe which luckily fell short. We expend-
cd weDtv-tbree shells severa-parcuary those plant
ed by Captain ellis in peraOn-wlth good effect. They
sent us al least thirty rad balls ard Shells all splendid
~ aimed their guns being evidently well manned. Some
OF t shot aud she'll us, about eight or nine
feet Gear o the deck, and only lew feet above. my
head These fell burst ronitweny to forty rods be-
yOnd Oil port side Some burst Just outside before
reaching U.s. ard some Just beads, Fragments
OF shells flew about the deck and spners IN thousands
We uere struck eleven times One ball cut away the
main stays scattering bits OF iron chain down on the
deck. One shot through and shivered the mIzzen-mas
Several banged clear through the Ship in at one side
and out at the other One rihed ball through 10
that way struck and carried away the brass hand-ral
guard around the engine hatch aud went out through
the opposite side of the ship This ball went within
five feet of me- and sent piece OF brass, bent douoe
like boomerang, whizzng over my head. How the
do and the shells sing aIOud-a perfectly GS-
tinct fascinating ocustke song; but growing louder
and faster they nearer, plugging, blssog and
bursting through the never under IRE before
bur never YVES cooler in my lie. stood by my cap
stan aud took my notes OF the lime and the let OF the
balls both ways, jumping out OF our own smoke 10 see
where the balls lodged, &c.,-a just as matter OF
course But thought of it afterwards and 1t was no
joke
"The fight was a severe one. and without knowing
what the other side suffered do know that the Semi
mole suffered severely. So as we get rid OF some
| expedition now on hand we shall probably tun IN
North somewhere for repairs
"'The officers and men behaved well. Had Captain
ellis stopped should have been blown out OF The
water. Every one says that guns were never better
handled than those OF the enemy yesterday Every sho1
came true. The only wonder is that no lives were lost
A number were scratched by spliners l was hit by
| them hatadozen times.
| awe expected lively time passing Matthias Point
but either they have no battery there they allowed
| US to 90 by it unmoested. We were abreast of the
Point at 25 having been called to quarters at dinner
to prepare for emergency AT this point the cnanne
carries vessels Of our draught within less han nall
mile OF te. bluff shore A good battery =" il manned
coulQ umaud The river and could have sunk ycs
terday. 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"