Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-06-04

Firing at Acquia Creek.

Firing at Acquia Creek.
correspondent of the Richmond Wing says
that on Wednesday evening last, about sunset,
q war steamer-supposed to be the Pawnee-|
opened fire on the batteries at Acquia Creek, on
the Potomac river, which compliment was re-
turned by our batteries.
The firing was continued by the Pawnee until
fifteen shot, she'll and grape and canister dis
charges had been made. On our part, twelve
Pawnee. The steamer was about two miles out,
so that the effect could not be told, but it was
believed that several struck, particularly the
twelfth, which was shell, and it is thought fell
on the deck-after which she quickly moved off.
The Richmond Examiner says that our bate
ry fired two solid shots GA pounders3 and ten
shells. The shots took effect in the foremost
steamers hull, and shell burst upon her deck.
The gun on our battery was underline direction of
one of the best gunners in the world, Mr.. Cum
ningham, formerly of the Washington Navy
Yard. A gentleman from the Maryland side,
after the she'll exploded, saw, with glass, the
crew pick up from the deck of the steamer some
twenty-five or thirty dead or wounded persons
Only one of our soldiers was wounded-a gen
tleman (McDo ugalD from Fredericksburg-whic
was slight wound on the arm, caused by one of
their shells exploding. The steamers fired IL or
IA shells at the battery. One of the steamers
was supposed to be the Pawnee. Only one of
our guns was used.
The Richmond Blues, who were some four
miles off, hearing the firing, were marched, under
Capt. Wise, to the Greek in Is minutes. Com
pany F, from Richmond city, being only about
mile off, were soon on the ground. A courier
was sent down to Fredericksburg, when the Sc
cond Tennessee Regiment and several other COM
panes, in all, some l 500 men, went up to Ac-
quia Creek. The steamers went off, and have
not since been heard from. It is supposed these
steamers were sent up to try the power of our
battery. The steamers were two or three miles
| off when the firing took place.
| On Friday, the 3lst ult., the firing was renew
ed. The Fredericksburg News of Friday last
says:
| ssFour vessels appeared off Acquia Creek this
morning at 10 O'clock-2 steamers, Tug and
Schooner-and opened fire upon our Battery
which continued till ] P. M.
/ When the troops from here arrived it was al
| over. We learn from Edward White, Esq.,, pri
vate in the Artillery, who. has just returned on
hand car, that none of our men are hurt, the Of
/ fcers' quarters were injured by shell, the enc
my fired wild, big shot, but often over the hill
tops, no attempt to land. M w
/ Walkers Battery fred on them from the lump
the elevation below, and killed some with shell
as was distinctly seen with glass. Walker free
IL shots in two minutes with three of his gun!
and $50 times in all. Marylander came oye
and says they brought some ashore to bury.
i At O'Clock they withdrew, hauled off, ha(
enough-but still in sight. Our men are still
there.''
4 A correspondent of the Richmond Dispatcl
gives the following account of the renewal of tn.
firing on Saturday:
: To-day Saturday about IL O'Clock, the ssAn
II acosta, large three-masted steam propeller
supposed to be the Pawnee, and four other yes
sells, came in sight, three of the steamers open
ing on our battery. The fight was continued fo
SIX hours, the vessels firing 599 shot at us with
out doing the slightest injury, notwithstanding
the fact that the shell fell thick as hail arount
I our battery, and one Of them passed through
port hole and exploded in midst. Our bat
terry fired 100 shots, many of which took effec
on the vessels, one of them carrying away thu
flag of the Anacosta, and another cutting dow
the mast of the large propeller. The las
shot fired was from one of Walkers rifle pieces
which ricochetted and struck the large steame
lust above the water line, Immediately ate
which the fleet got under way and moved off
probably to repair damages.
During the fight our men were as cool as ice
bergs. every one exhibiting bravery and deter
: mnation that would have done credit to veteran
+ soldiers.
During the fight none of our men were killed
and only one Of them slightly injured-not e
nough to prevent his taking part in the fight
Should the enemy attempt to effect landing a
the Greek hereafter, you will then learn with Ger
taInty that SOMEBODY HAS BEEN HURT.