The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-18

OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.

OPERATIONS ON The POTOMAC.
-~~-----~~~--~--~--------
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
PoroMAc RIVER, June 10, 1851.
Afoat A9ain-Au Hands at Quavters- OperAauling Of
-Four Vesses-Svmnary -AstomisAing Esstancs Of
l0scramce-A Nan ~ho Cannot Spell his Osuss Name
Arguing the Point-kore Batteries a. Aquia Creek
Battery at Potomac Oeck, dc, de-
The Thomas Freedom left Washington at daylight
after having undergone thorough repair Of the damages
sustained from the enemys shot during the action on the
LIST inst 1t intended 10 substitute gun Of larger
cabre for the long thirty Two FOUNDER mounted on the
forecsstle and the latter had been removed from the
vessel while the former ready to be mounted in a
room bat for unexplained have got back
our favorte old tool, that does its work 30 admirably
The old fellow stand few more hundred shots be-.
fore he completely used up. Among other improve.
meAts to the vessel the building around the drum OF
the steam chimney with thick boiler iron dstanca
Of several inches from the drum, with the intention Of
filing the interval with sand thus aordng protection tn
that part the engine against elongated shot, though IL
may not be Of much use in guarding against round
shot.
The Freedom has In tow the schooner she broughe
from New York as "a tender AMI the old long boat which
erted into a coal barge
tiers nom New York received the crews Of the two
guns were ordered to quarters, and both guns wera
brought TO bear the Virginia Shore Lieutenant Lea
then ordered the new hands taken board at Wsshing
ton-eighteen in number-to muster the hurricane
detk, when each man received a Sharp's rife and sup
ply Of ammunition Eight Of the were then placed
in the boat with their arms and ordered TO overhaul
three small vessels close in to the Virginia SIDE at White
House Point and to bring them alongside the Freeboru
At the same time Captain Ward fred three or four rife
shots across the bow Of long boat the same side tn
bring her to- The captain Of the long lowered hi4
SAIL and afterwards endeavored to alongside the
Feeborn but che constructed to beat up sha
could not and brought up the Maryland Shore Cap.
tain Ward In consequence of the violation of the bock
ade by vessels passing from Maryland over to virginy
with supplies, Hms and munitions for the rebels has de-
ermined to pursue vigorous policy and to render that
game dangerous one to play.
Oneby one, the vessels boarded and brought along
side the Freeborn The first proved to be the schooner
Batchaer according to the elegant specimen of orhogra
ply on her stern On her captain coming BOARD sa
he was belonging TO and from Warrington, and that his
business near the Virginia shore to procure soms
We'll" says Captain Ward, brought you Alongside
for the purpose OF sinking you" "Csptain," the man
won't do that il is all have to depend On. Are vow
not aware That Virgin: il boskaded p inquired our
ss epea that ne was was not
where the President resides and pretend say you hav
not seen the proclamation % The said he had tha
but dared say be had overlooked that inter-
While this conversation being held sloop, which,
per came board the Freeborn he was an old weather.
beaten specimen Of humanity, with huge cavern in he
face filled with tobacco, which he chewed with energy
almost ferocious, while nervous twohing through
his entire frame; but whether from natural inhrmity OF
apprehension was unable to determine. On Lieut. Leo
inquring his name, he told it, but said, in answer to
further question, that he unable to spell IT, 0Wel,S
exclaimed Captain Ward in astonishment You are the
name :" That's my misfortune, SIR Observed we'd tns
poor FELLOW sSc %eeky' and not my fault wish
fortune" replied Captain Ward soothingly; al did not
speak tauntingy but am surprised at such thing be-
ing possible in born American" Lieutenant Lee OBJ
ton Of his violating the laws The old man protested
that he did not know he doing any thing wrong
you could Plead ignorance Of The law IN sxcuse3s
asked Captain Ward. "No, sir" said the man; "but
s@ not to assyed the
cay you are" responded the Captain merely put the
as am; but this sort Of game must be broken up
The skipper Of the schooner here observed wac
"suppoae you to be offered over there i've dollars
to brig over supply of arms2 81 would not do 1t for
skipper "But if you refused you might be Compelled to-
90 IT for nothing and you have no right to place your
self in that poston.'' remarked the Captain.
Captain Ward now took turn two up and down the
hurricane deck, and presently returned to the two skip-
ers ard sad"l had deter mined at first 70 put large
vessels, and silk them in deep water then
i thought ! would put smaller augsr hole
where you would have trouble get them up but
do not like 10 be cruel to any OF you fellows, havo
concluded to let you run your vessels on shore on the
when you get them off, it catch you on the Vir-
ins side again. without permit from the governments,
OIL row; put &C all sail, and run over high and dry
feat as you car"
"But Captain began the skipper of the schooner
Not word" interrupted Captain Ward; "be Off;
and II you don't do what you told, III send board
that may You e 90 20
trf:pg."
without another word Of remonsrance the two shippers
got on board their respective vefse with the aacry of
pair of ampNghters and as they showed of, Captain
Ward eponec them to tell the master of the long boat
to do the same az themselves, under penalty Of being
sunk
1t was amus.ng to see the manner in which both men
vessels and the gpgery manner in which they
vred to get on quietly possible. On nearing the
land each put his helm about causing the 10 get
obliqely on, instead of steering for the bank.
The third vessel, the schooner Rosa, along
side The same order given to the skipper and
the Rosa too stuck the mud AN example that WAS
followed by the long boat This little stroke Of business
disposed Of the Freeborn continued her
river, keeping close in TO the Virginia shore usual
while passing the White House, while the men were at
quarters prepared FOR any attack that might be made
On passing the White house, without discovering
enemy however, the hands called from the guns.
and the magazine, which had been opened, closed
Nothing further occurred till the Freedom passed her old
acquantances the batteries at Aqua creek TO which it
appears ten more have been added since the fight
On reaching the Pawpee, stationed little below Aqua
creek, Commander Rowan came on board her.
1t is evident that the rebels have been busy this
neighoorhood, for passing Potomac creek battery
was distinctly VISIBLE and even the gterng Of the
tinels' bayonets was quite plain. We passed it,
however, without moestation on either eide, but the
Pawnee is keeping bright lookout in that direction.
PROCLAMATION OF A REBEL LEADER.
The following proclamation issued by Colonel Por.
terfeld prior TO the attsck on Philjppi:--
HEADQUARTERS VIRGINIA FORCES
PBuIPPI Va, May 80, 1851.
To THE PROFILE OF NoRTBwEsTERS VIRGINIA.
FI1low CiTIzEss-I am in your section Of Virgil
MIA in obedience 10 the legally constituted au.
thortes thereof, with the view Of protecting