Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-24

now are. Inc prisoners are IN the nan0S o. Tug
Florida authorities, by whom we hope they will be
held securely for further orders from the Confeder
ate Government y,. -..st ...-. 1919.
A Naval Brush at Ship Island.
From the New Orleans Picayune of the 18th, We
find the following of the affair at Ship Island:
On Thursday last, the 4th inst, Captain Higgins,
formerly of the U. S. Navy, and now of the eonfed
crate Army, and aid-de-camp to Major Gen. TwIggs
fitted out the steamer Oregon, commanded by Capt
A. L. Myers and also the steamer Swain, Lieut.
Marley, G. S. N, commanding, for the purpose OF
driving the enemy out Of the Mississippi Sound
The steamers sailed on Friday last both well armed
and manned, and proceeded as far as Bay St Louis,
where they filled up the bags with which they had
provided themselves, with sand. They left the bay
at Q o'clock Saturday morning, for the cruising
ground of the enemy, the Swain taking the main
land or size passage; and the Oregon the outside
and proceeded to Ship Island Pass.
Finding no enemy in sight, the Oregon proceeded
to sea from Ship Island, and soon saw two vessels
and gave chase. They proved to be two fishing
smacks of our own. The Oregon then returned to
Ship Island, and Capt Higgins, who was jp COM
mand of the expedition, deemed it advisab2 take
possession of Ship Island Accordingly he signal-
lied the Swain to come to, and 60 alongside OF the
Island. The Oregon then came alongside of the
Swain, and both proceeded to disembark the men
and munitions of war, provisions, &C., which was
done in very short time, considering they had no
derricks for hosting out the guns.
After the Decentralization, the guns on the boats
were put in battery, protected by sano-bags The
Swain was left at the Island, while the Oregon
proceeded to New Orleans via Pass Christian, for
the purpose of sending dispatch to Gen. Twiggs to
send forward reinforcements of ammunition and
men. The Oregon then proceeded to New Orleans,
~ md inn
mediately ordered to take on board guns, gun car
riages and munitions to reinforce Ship Island Maj.
Gen. Twiggs and Captain Higgins and Major Smith
using every possible effort to get every thing in
readiness The steamer Gray Cloud was also taken
into requsition, and was loaded and got under way
ON Monday morning at II o'clock, also we'll armed.
The Oregon followed the same night, ut II o'clock,
with provisions, and proceeded directly to Ship
Island.
At o'clock, on Tuesday morning, when within
eight miles of the fort on Ship Island, Capt Myers
saw large U. S. steamer and tender lying off
about two miles outside the island. At this moment
our troops at the sand batteries opened fire on the
steamer, which was Immediately returned, and the
battle commenced in good earnest. The Gray Cloud
coming up slowly, the Oregon took off her ammu-
milton and proceeded at to the scene of action,
Major Smith directing the Gray Cloud to follow at
safe distance.
Having arrived at the island, Capt Myers pro-
ceedcd at in his yawl, with Major Smith, with
load of she'll and powder, being received with
cheers by Capt Thorn, of the G.. S. marines, and
the sailors and soldiers, who at once carried the
supplies to the batteries The enemy had fired
some thirty odd rounds of shell and round shot,
which were sunk in the sand, and were used by our
gallant sailors in returning fire. The explosion Of
the enemys shell did no other damage than slightly
to injure one man in the leg.
The steamers Immediately commenced landing
their guns and provisions during which time the
enemy again opened fire. the shot falling Short but
being returned with great effect 1t is supposed
that the attacking steamer, the Massachusetts, was
hulled three times, and shell was seen to explode
over her decks, which, it is presumed, did great
damage, as she Immediately hauled off and put for
the Chandelier Islands, a distance of twelve miles
from our batteries.
Great Credits due to Maj. Gen. Twiggs and Capt
Higgins for the expeditions and prompt manner in
which the island has been fortified and defended
The Battle at Laurel Hill.
CINCINNATI, July ia special dispatch to the
"Gazette" reports that Laurel Hill was evacuated
on the night of the 18th inst The Confederate
troops were overtaken by the advance of the Hes
SLAMS on the 18th, when the rear showed battle to
recover their retreat At the next ford Gen. Garrett
was killed. Col. Ramsey of Georgia, succeeded Gen.
Garrett in command and the pursuit ceased. The
result of the whole affair is that Laurel Hill camp
with equpage forty baggage-wagons, field chest,
and two regimental banners were captured. Four
Georgia Captains and Lieutenants were taken among
the prisoners. Gen. Garnet and twenty of his men
were killed. The Generals body is at head quarters,
awaiting orders from Richmond.
The News from the Northwest.
We learn from gentleman who left Beverly on
Friday, at ten o'clock, that the enemy entered that
place shortly after he left We learn from him also
that we were somewhat mistaken in our account Of
the fight at Rich Mountain The facts are as fol-
lows: Our picket guard consisting of the following
companies: The Upsher Greys Captain Higgn.
botham; Buckingham Lee Guard, Captain Irving
Capt Curry's company from Rockbridge; Hardy
Blues, Capt Mullen, and one other company, and
Capt Deaniels artillery company with one of their
pieces, were attacked near the top of Rich Noun
tain by detachment of the enemy, numbering some
five thousand men.
Our entire force engaged did not exceed $50 men,
but they fought calamity, and although the enemy
had such heavy odds against US, our gallant little
band repulsed them three times, and killed large
number of them. The conduct Of Capt Delaniel on
this occasion, is thus reported by surviving men
pany were killed or driven from their gum and he
wounded, he fired the piece three times, and after
being attacked by the enemy with their bayonets
he shot two of them with his revolver The forces
remaining in the fertilization evacuated their posi-
ton during the night, and nearly all of them es
capped. Our entire loss in killed and wounded and
prisoners will not exceed 200.
Gen. Garnet commenced his retreat from his DO
sition at Laurel Hill Friday night in the direction
of Beverley, and advanced to within three miles oil
that place, when finding the road blockaded he coun
termarched and took the road leading to St. George
in Tucker county, which he had passed. The enc
my were in pursuit of him, and had encamped nea,
the St. George road, and when Gen. Garnett reached
that point and turned off in the direction of St
George, they attacked him in his rear and cut ur
bis army in terrible manner, killing him in the &C
ton. Nothing further has been heard from Gen
Garnetts forces, but it is presumed they made thei
escape with considerable loss in killed and wounded
and stores and munitions ofwar. Enough is known
however, to state that forces have been routed
from the Northwest and the enemy are in possession
Rseh. Enquirer.