The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-30

o. 8. SrEANER "E. B. HALE"

OfS INDIAN HEAD, OcG 10, 1861.
EDIroR REPuBLIcAx-In my last, the state.
ment was made that the rebel batteries on this
river we're deserted, and that navigation was un-
impeded But the occurrences Of yesterday and
to-day have convinced me that the tactics of our
foes are mighty uncertain" They play des.
perate, but . shrevd game.
Freestone Point, where two weeks ago they
had guns capable of throwing shot and shell
clear over the river and even hundred rods on
the Maryland shore, il deserted. Matthias Point,
where another powerful battery Was placed, now
gives no signs of their presence. Hence, the
conclusion was natural, and generally agreed to
BY the officers Of our feet, that they had given
up their attempt and had Withdrawn their forces
to the interior Of the State. Or in that direction.
Yesterday morning this belief was shaken some,
BY the discovery that the guns from the batteries
les above named, had been transferred to Ship
Point, or Transport, as it is sometimes called.
Here, under cover Of the trees, they have cree.
ted formidable earth work, mounting eleven
guns. Night before last the trees we're felled
and the morning sun shone upon a fortress that
bids fair to give us trouble.
At ten A. n. yesterday, the gun boat Poca.
hontas passed down the river. The rebels con.
tented themselves with firing at her three times,
probably to get the range Of their guns. At
eleven O'Clock, the Seminole steamed down, very
slowly, seemingly challenging the rebels to open
FIRE upon them. They had not long to wait
soon the work commenced. The Seminole did
not seem to be at all anxious to get out of the
way, bat passed along until she had good pc.
sition, when she let 90 broad side at them as
"opening exercise" Then the vork was lively.
A shell from an eleven inch gun larded square
in the center Of their fort. kicking up dust"
and we devoutIy pray, kicking over . few rebels.
The engagement lasted twenty-five minutes.
After it was over other ships passed the battery
without molestation-we ascertained that the
only damage done to the Seminole Was the loss
Of her fore-mast. The Captain and crew were
in high glee-very anxious to steam back and
try it over.
Last night the steamer Mount Vernon, with
troops for Hattsras, passed down in safety
This morning At 4 O'Clock, the gur boat Pawnee
had brisk engagement With the battery, doing
some damage and escaping unscathed. The
Harriet Lane, new Flag Ship, has just arrived.
Com. Craven will take possession to day.
7HS,sday Morning.
I shall endeavor to give you the particulars
of the most remarkable occurrences here, but
Of course the facts that you get by telegraph
will be far in advance Of my communications.
Yet hope to make the details interesting to
your readers. Let me volunteer little advice,
a. to the sensation" reports Of the doings here
and on shore. When you read those GLOWING
accounts," just call every other sentence lie
term the balance little mixed, and then after
thoroughly 6ltering the whole batch believe jus,
What you choose. The accounts of 'move-
nents" and "advances" in the majority Of cases
are sheer fabrications 1t is no unusual thing
for these correspondents to get up "bloody
encounter" ct ten Minutes notice, and the next
day eooly contradict it. Since We have been
here, With al the advantages Afforded BY our
position, il has taken up three days to ascertain
particulars Of transactions only ten miles down
the river. Yet one Of these reliable correspon.
dents vill have fall account written before the
moke clears away. There is one exception
however. Mr.. Slack, the n. 7. Herald reporter,
d . candid, truthful man. he does not cour-
tenance the publication of articles whose only
effect ID to keep the country in q feverish state
Of excitement.
The battery at Ship Point has been busy since
three o'clock this morning. They have changed
their tactics, and nov blaze away at every thing
that passes. All sailing craft display . wonder
fal affection fox the Maryland shoes-they "hus'
L IN the TIM.