The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-23

our ire. Many OF these poor fellows
were killed without having fired shot.
After the ships had made one round,
and sealed their fiery circle once, the
order Of battle was changed; certain
ones Of the gunhoats dropped out of their
assigned places, having discovered that
they could take up position which
would enable them to remain stationary,
and still keep up rapid and CALLING fire
on the kort. So, hcnceforth, the other
attacking ships moved in a single line,
the Wabash stlil leading.
-Four of the gunboats ran into the
blight of the river to the north of the
Fort, where they were enabled to keep
up AL ehli!adng fire, that completely
rakcd the entire Notifications of Fort
Walker, and distressed the enemy ex-
ceedingly. These gunboats were the
Ottawa, Curlew, Seneca. and Unadilla.-
they were aftcrward joined by the Po-
cahontas, under command Of Captain
Percival Drayton, South Carolinian,
aud brother Of Brigadier- General Dray-
ton Of the Rebels. Captain Drayton,
though placed in this peculiar and pain
full position, cyincod nc lack of loyalty
to TIE Union, or eagerness to give the
Rebels their due, and the Pocahontas
was most active in the fight until 1t
closed.
Very many of the shot from the shore
batteries were aimed high, especially at
the Bieuville, and other steamers having
: l,, . IL
above the deck, the object evidently
being to cripple the engine aud thus
render the vessel Interchangeable, SO that
she might drift on the shoals aud become
an easy prey. In these attempts they
were not successful in u single instance,
for not one of our ships, save the Pen
gum, winch was immediately taken care
Of by one Of our own boats, was injured
in her steam works, so as to be disabled
for 4 single instant.
The rebels had confidently calculated
on being able to sink the entirc feet in
20 minutes, IS we learned from some
copies OF Southern papers, and from
some of the rebel letters, many Of which
fell into our hands, and in several Of
which this result is confidently predicted,
and is regarded not merely as a g con-
summation dcvoutly to be wishcd,' but
was looked upon almost as an accom-
plished fact. The utter destruction Of
the entre Expedition was considered so
positively assured, and their belief in
the ability of their batteries to put an
eIlcctual quietus upon the prctcnsions Of
Liucom's' feet was so perfect, that in
one or two Of the documents the writer's
lamented the necessity they should be
under of sending the ships to the bottom,
when the Coufcderatcs are 50 much i'll
need of ships. 1t was taken for granted
that the tremendous execution to be
done by their heavy guns, would perfcr-
ate the hulls Of our ships and send them
instantly to the bottom Having this
confident expectation, the rebels looked
eagerly after every fire to see some of our
ships 60 down. They especially concon-
tratcd their guns on the Wabash, and,
as the prisoners aftcrward informed US,
were much surprised that she persisted in
rcnlalng aA0at, When the ships had all
used their battery in safety for the
first time, and had "pcppered them
wtll,' and had all got off without injury,
the astonishment was great, aud the
universal impression began to prevail
that there was some mistake.
For the second time the fleet came
stcaming down; for the second time they
poured in that terrible fire, disn,antling
the guns, SCATTERING the buildings, and
stretching in death numbers OF their men;
and for the second time the feet passed
on in safety, showing not the slightest
sign Of any intention Of going to the
| bottom.
BY this time, new clement began to
mingle with the feelings OF the garrison.
With establishment and wonder that they
had not yet sunk any of the opposing
vessels, began to mingle large, Il very
large proportion Of doubt whether they
could do it..
Without paying more attention to the
barking of the battery at Fort Beauro-
gard, on Bay Point, than to pitch them
an occasional shot merely to let them
know they were not forgotten, for the
I third time the fleet rounded their crcu-
lar track, and came slowly down to pay
their respects again. Again was the
whole fire Of the fort concentrated on
the Wabash, and afterward in turn on
each one of the ships, as they passed in
ii fiery procession before the shore, dcliv-
erlng with the utmost GOODNESS and the
most exact precision their murderous
fire, running even nearer than before,
firing more et'eclualy than ever, and
again steaming away upharmed, and
turning the point for still another round
The utmost CONSERVATION now took
full possession of the rebels, and in an
uncomfortable panic they fed with the
utmost precipitation. The panic at Bull
Run was not more complete; indeed,
not half so much so, for the rebels in
their mortal terror ran for the woods
without stopping for anything whatever.
They left in their tents hundreds of
dollars of money, gold watches, costly
swords, and other valuables, showing
that their fear was uncomfortable and
complete.
The flight was observed first from Tie
little gnnboat Mercury, was communica-
ted to the flagship, and was Immediately
telegraphed to all the fleet.
Capt. John Rogers, now the comman