Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-07-26
From our Special Correspondent
OUR ANNAPOLIs LETTER.
Annapolis, Md, /
July %, 1861.



FRIEND EoKRL;-
The expedition to which l
luded in my last communication having re-
irned, will forward to you the items which l
altered upon this trip, trusting that they will
c Of some interest to the readers Of the Journal.
We left this harbor on the evening of the 18Th
nst, on the steamer Sophia, now chartered By
ur Government as transport, and commanded
y Capt. Bell, to whom we were indebted for
many acts Of kindness. Capt Nones, of the
expedition was entrusted to the command Of
Lieut.. ]. NJ. Jones, an officer of much experience
and worthy of the post assigned 10 him. We
steamed into the Bay in the light Of the moon,
which tinted the water with its silvery rays |
while the phosphorus in the sea reflected beau-
tifully its clear color.
Sunday morning we deserted Point Lookout,
it is visible for many miles and the grove of trees
upon It which are separated from the adjacent
woods makes it very prominent. On the beach
noticed several dwellings among them; | was
told there were FIVE hotels the spot is a summer
resort for bathers invallds find the situation
healthy and agreeable. In short time we en-
entered the mouth of the Potomac with Virginia
on one side and Maryland on the other to the
southeast we saw Smiths Point, from it light
boat was captured some time since by the same
crew which at present accompanies US,
AT first glance tho row Of houses on Point
Lookout resembles fertilization, but as we ap-
preached il discerned a neatly laid out village
the streets dotted with lofty pines, all forming
quite q picturesque scene The width Of the
Potomac at it's mouth is sixteen miles, but as we
gradually ascend the river il becomes much
smaller and narrower. / cannot look upon Two
such rival States without dcploring the situation
of eaoh, aud ns the theme has been discussed by
ADLER minds than mine will omit any remarks
upon it for the present. A harbor is formed
within the Point and ia called Coinfeld. A fleet
of sail wind-bound was at anchor when we
passed.
OF ST. Georges Island we were hailed and
boarded by Capt Ray, Of the U. $, Schooner
Bailey, he reported fifteen hundred rifcmen ut
Matthias Point and that vessels in passing ii
were fired on. As we proceeded we were again
hailed by officers of the gun hoat Reliance, Capt
Mygatt, who was cruising in the vicinity Of
Ragged Point. Port Tobacco laid to the east Of
u.s. it was here that trade was carried on he
tween the shores Of each of the States | hive
mentioned, but a yigiant watch by our cruisers
soon put an end to the illegal traffic.
Two O'Clock, p. M, we approached Matthias
Point, and from the information which we had
obtained and the character Of tue place it ren-
dered the passage exciting. There ore two i'm
pOriant facts in regard to this locality. The
real Point is the termination Of the ridge of land
by which it is formed, aud the spot where the
gallant Ward fell, is about five hundred yards
below the termination; it is q ravne intersectinq
two high hills. the shore from it is quite exten-
sive and affords place for landing of troops
Capt. Ward saw this and attempted It, but the
fire Of cannon and musRets from the ravine,
rendered the effort useless. The ravine is ele-
waited very little above the water, while the
Point stands at height Of twenty-five feet
above the riYeri both places are fine ranges fol
ordnance. vessel can bear away from the
Virginia side for at least three miles on the
entire journey excepting at Matthias, and you
are compelled to approach within three hundred
yards Of it, hence The Importance Of possessing
such valuable point. Another fact made m,
recolleci il l was engaged in taking my notes
when volley Of musketery was discharged a
us having no armament on board we informed
the 'Pawnee' and Yankee of the occurrence
they stood in and shelled the Point, aud tn,
manner in which the enemy acampcred over th,
hills was really amusing. Our naval vessel
hnd it unwise to leave this portion Of the rivel
even for a short time.
Near sunset we steamed by the AQUA Creel
batteries, those on the winter have been silenced
the adjoining land has been entrenched with for
ti6cations of oil criptions-competeui Judge
deem them almost impregnable-at any rate nj
immense amount Of life must DC sacrificed ii
their attempted reduction. The Pocahonta
with the City Ice Boat lie moored here will
their formidable pieces of cannon.
Wa nossed Mann, vernon and mama ,o Ro,
Washington where we remained far the n;obt
hefore sunrise wa were under weiob for IN,
metropolis. noticing Alexandria and tbe cello.
brated Arlington Heights on our left the shore
are guarded by our gallant soldiers and tho on
eampments extended for miles en;ovod ,b
varied scenery with the old mansions reaches
and passed the celebrated Long BRIDGE an,
landed at the foot of @ street much pleased will
what saw and heard.
Washington is full of officers and soldiers
given to forward and they responded willingly
as the Long Bridge was crossed and the enemv,
oo,,,.,, ontarol choor oC,or o,,ao, No.. 49,. =.
COUNTY e"'eieu '"''' "''e' oneer "un' up 10
the Union and many who no doubt never exnect