New Orleans daily crescent., 1861-08-29

sells Driven Of The sesmer PScsit ntas srrack by
%sfSe safsf A@nshsa a. at 'Te os g OF E
steamer Gso1ga Page sesdy sot Fsa
From fte baltimore Republican, Aug. 19I
On Thursday last, it will be remembered, a
rumor reached this city from Washington to the |
effect that heavy firing had been heard in the |
direction of Aqua Greek, a8d it was generally |
supposed that battle had taken place between |
some Of the Government vessels and the Gonfed |
crate batteries at that point but as the information
was said to have ernanated from contraband who !
had escaped into Washington, it was contradctedsi
by the press, and finally denied iu toto by the Gov
eminent. ltnow appears, however, that the infer
NATION " W3s correct, and notwithstanding the vigf-
lance of the Government, the news has reached
this city. -=s r N.6fa..
1t seems that q few days since, information was
received at the War Depart neGt to the effect that
the Confederate steamer George Page had been
duly commissioned as war vessel and being
fully supplied with armament, was being fitted out
for sea. .s..
The vessel, as is well known has been lying for
some time in Aqua Creek under cover OF the im-
Tnense battery at the month Of the creek, which
has already given the Government much trouble,
and as some little danger was apprehended in
event of her escaping from that position, it vas
determined to send fleet OF vessels to the vicinity
to reconnoiter and capture her if possible.
Accordingly, the steamers Pawnee, Pocahontas,
and the Philadelphia Ice Boat, were dispatched to
the mouth of the creek, and subsequently,, the
steam (tug) gunboats Live Yankee, ResoIute, and
Yankee, were also sent to join them the smaller
to prevent the egress Of the Page, all of them be-
ing out of range, however, of The Aqua Creek
battery being about mile up from the mouth Of
the creek.
About O'Clock on Thursday morning, the Poca5
| hontas steamed up and ran down the Potomac to
reconnoiter. When about two miles south of the
mouth of the creek, but few hundred yards from
shore, heavy report was heard ana a shot came
whiZhIng toward the steamer, taking effect in the
stern Of the steamer, but fortunately doing ser
GUS damage.
Immediately afterward the locality from whence
the shot came was discovered by the firing of two
additional shots, both of which passed over the
| deck of the steamer, one near the mainmast and
the other the oremast, and both shots reach
| ing almost entirely across the Potomac.
| The crew of the steamer Immediately piped to
quarters, and everything was prepared for action,
it being the design of the Federalists to return the
| fire, but upon witnessing the long range Of the
guns it was determined to Withdraw to safer To-
| cality. 4
| By this time the remaining vessels came to her
| relief, being attracted by the firing, but being
| somewhat astonished by the range Of the Confed-
crate guns they wisely concluded to leave, which
they did very hurriedy going back to their original
position, where they were protected from the guns
| OF the newly discovered battery by hill which
| INTERVIEWED
| The new battery is situated in a deep gorge be
| tween two large hills. about two miles below the
mouth of the creek, and Judging from the firing, i
| is believed it will command the whole river, from
| shore to shore, the guns evidently being Of the
largest caiber, and from the firing are supposed Il
| be rifed cannon. - ...-r
From the appearance of the battery from th'
river, it was Supposed that it contained ten o
twelve guns, which are believed by the officers O
the fleet to be the l7,000th rified from the
Tredegar Works, near Richmond, recently alluded
to in the Southern papers.
The steamer George Page is fully armed il
said, with Il large guns, and presents very
formidable appearance as she lies in the Creek.
u ince the skirlnish, the feet have kept very shy
OF the river, and do not venture within reach o.
the new battery
1t is stated that information of the skirmish AMI
the discovery of the battery has been furnished t.
the Departments, but it was not deemed proper t.
make it public. 1t is supposed, however, that tn
Government will take Immediate measures to dis
lodge the Confederates, oil communication wit
, Washington can be cut off at this point
Il We have the above particulars from undoubte
f authority, and they may be relied upon as bein
strictly trne.
t The "grand expedition" mentioned in. til
; mornings telegraph, as having started froI
Fortress Monroe, under Gen. Butler, is doubtle:
e intended to capture this battery The Federalisi
will very likely get arge-sized flea in their ear