Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-28

UlfeClCu MN 10 low MS SNIP 10 Llle scene VI
action, which SO delayed him that he did not
arrive until after the enemy had vacated
Capt, Powell acted from the best Of motives,
and under ordinary circumstances from cor
rect principles, but the result was unfortunate,
as the Mcclellan could have driven the rebel
steamers away, and We must have made pms
Oners OF most OF the invaders. Al the request
of Ma OF Arnold laip IN The morning, sent
forward light field gun, which, however, did
not arrive uutil alter tue affair was over.
As propose only brislly To allude to the
volunteers, | respectfully refer you 10 the Oil
cia report marked a., OF the Colonel OF the
regiment The picket Ul this regiment and
the guards sustained lis principal, il rot entire
loss, and behaved well. Capt. Days compa-
ny, on duty with the regulars, did good SER
vice, and the captain Is spoken of by Mayor
Arnold, in terms Ut high appropriations lie had
two men killed Capt Bailey company was
at battery, aud not called out. lie was per
forming his appropriate duty during the fight.
Major Wedges, with companies a, first ar
tillcry, aud Il, third infantry, proceeded be-
hind the Spanish fort about mile from TINS
fort when, from the ObsGurity of the night, lie
tonnd himself and command completely inter
mingled with the enemy. lie was immediate.
~ recognized and made prisoner. The com
mand devolying on Capt, llldt, OF the third
infantry, he dlseugaged his command from
theic perous position, and opened heavy
fire OH the eHemy, and finally with great gall
lantry forced them to retreat, inc being ABLY
supported by Lieut.. Seeley, my assistant ad
jutant general, vino volunteered ior tie occa-
sion,) wth less OF ten killed. Major Ar
mold at this moment came up, and the enemy
retreating, followed on.
During this time, Mayor Fowler aud Lieut..
jackson, whom l had successfully sent on 10
tI,t sfiIII
gimg some OF them collected, and Col. Wilson
also advanced, the enemy pre1ipltately retreat
ing. Major Arnold, Captain Roberts IN. and
Lieutenant Shipley's companies promptly fol
lowed and attacked them as they were en-
barking, the other companies arriving upon
the ground successfully. Captain Robertson
opened a heavy fire at short musket range on
the crowded masses, and Lieut.. Shipley, some
fifteen minutes later, Joined linn, and TINS fire
must have been very effective. This was con-
tinucd 50 long as Ihey were within range.
When they got beyond ii, the major ordered
the men to cease firing and give them three
cheers, TO which there was no response. Dur.
ing the time OF this occurrence, Major Tower
came up with two small companies OF ZUuayes,
and subsequently Col. Wilson, with portion
OF his regiment
When it is considered that less than two
hundred regulars, with some fifty volunteers,
pursued five times their number four miles,
and expelled them under heavy fire, from
the island they had desecrated, ii will, trust,
be considered an evidence Of their having gal.
lantly performed their duty. The plan oI at.
tack Of the enemy was judicious, and ii exc
cuted with ability, might have been attended
with serious loss. But lie failed in all save
The burning Of one halt OF the tents Of the
ZOuaYe regiment, which, being covered with
bushes, were very cOmOustOe; and in riiljng
the trunks of the officers he did not reach with
in five hundred yard; Of either OF the batter
les, the guns Of which he was 10 spike, nor
within a mile Of the fort he was 10 enter pell
nell with the tugitives, retreating before his
victorious arms. have now in my possession
nine spikes taken from bodies OF the dead, de
signed Tor the guns.
Our loss is Of regulars four killed and TWEEN
ty wounded most very slightly, and eight
missing, among whom is Major Wedges. The
Z0uave regiment had nineteen killed. nine
wounded and sixteen missing. The enemy
lost as is known 10 US, fourteen killed (includ
ing one captiin), seven wounded (including
one lieutenanO TWO OF whom have since died,
and five officers and twcnty-t enlisted men,
prisoners. As he was known 10 laye carried
oil some OF his dead and probably most Of his
w0unded-huse in our hands being severely
so-and as the heaviest loss OF the rebels is
supposed TO have been in their boats, at the
embarkatUn, 1t was probably three times as
great in killed and wounded as | have named.
| close with the agreeable duty OF naming
to you the officers engaged, who so faithfully
performed their duty. mention Maj. Wedges
first, who unfortunately was taken prisoner
before a gun on our part was fired, to say that
as second IN command an my executive OF
fcer, he has efficiently and iudustriOusly per.
formed his duty during the whole time