New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-06
TEE NAVAL sI1rR,IIsH.
Core fpondencs Of The N. Y. Tribune.
Os BOARD rHs GUSBoAr SAusHsEsy. }
JANIS RIVER, orr NEWPORT NEws, Dee q ls6l

Correspondence Of The N Y. Tribune.
Os BoARp rHx GuxBoAr s.usHsKvrt !
JANIS RIVER, NEWPORT NKws, Dec. q, lsol)
At O'Clock this morning, in the cleaning, as
still Law snug in my berth, on board the gunboat
Sausheene. boom came the roar of heavy gun, and
the yell of big she'll passing over US. In about one
minute and half was dressed and on deck. AT
short distances from us lay the little fleet of three
small gunboats-the Helzel, Saybrook, and White
head--in line Of battle aud two miles of up the
river Just disceble in the heavy morning mists ley
the long hull of the rebel steamer Yorktown the mass
hidden by the fog and the smoke Of her guns In an
other minute we opened on her with our 32-pounder
The rest of the feet pitched in with their various ar
maments. Orr orders being positive in case Of at
tack, to fall back tie heavy ships of war lying of
Newport News-we being merely picket guard
we slowly dropped down the River, firing at every
moment, and thus led on the enemy until we were
within three miles of the friga,es. At this moment
we perceived tina. the Yorktown was aground, by
her remaining stationary and working her engines
disconnected. We ran alongside the senior officers
steamer, Capt. Davenport stated this fact proposing
to run up and rake her before sic could get or but
that officer refused on the ground that the eneuy's
metal was heavier and her sides iron-plated, render
ing il imprudent to attack at close quarters with our
small boats. So we had 10 content ourselves with
lying off and prec,icng long-range firing at the pirate
The Yorktowns sides appear TO be only plated
about the bulwarks No signs Of them could be dir
cerned below nor does she draw water enough TO
make it probable that she has plates all over, rs,
with her armament, she would be very deep. With
glass, her decks could be to be crowded with
men--three to four hundred at least. Her firing was
very good, the shells striking all around US, some
times striking within twenty feet Of us, the pieces
flying over Us like a flock Of birds. During the
heaviest firing were surprised TO sce just ahead
Of US, q small whery with an officer and black
man in it. 1t lay in the track Of the Shells and every
few minutes would he half submerged by the BURT
ing Of them on the water After the fight was over
we found it TO be young officer, Capt. Drake De
Kay, of the army, Aid TO General on shore, who
had pulled off alone 10 join in the fun. He came
on board, 10 the great relief of bis niger
who WAS nearly white with fear. The firing
was kept up for about two hours-no dam
age being done on our aide, and our sho,s only
hulng the Yorktown and one or two shells bursting
over her, the effect of which it was impossible to
make out. She then veered around, and firing a
few random shots parting salute steamed rapidly
up the james River. Had we bad ono or two regu-
lar gunboats and not weak tug-bosts with heavy
guns mounted on them, we could have run up and
cut out the rebel asg-sbip; but with tie poor tubs
we have, nothing could be done more than did DO