Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-06-29
THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE &C.
TON AT MATTHIAS POINT

The following OfHc al account Of the engage
ment at Matthias Peint will be read with interest
UNITED sIATBs STEAMER PAwNss,
Potomac Rirsr, June ~, 1851.
SIR: About shutdown the evening Of the 18th
instant, while at anchor OF Aqua Greek, I re-
ceived an order from Commander Ward "a copy
OF which Is herewith enclosed) to send him two
boats armed and equipped, In command Of Lieut.
Chaplin. This order was immediately complied
with In all Its details and the party left the ship
In tow OF the Resolute at o o'clock a. m. To-day,
ABOUT noon, the Resolute returned with request
from Capt Ward that should send her back If
mad no more important service for her I'M
mediately dispatched the Reliance to Cspt. Ward,
knowing the danger to which our people would
be exposed II he Contemplated landing at
Matthias Point, az feared was his intention,
judging from the nature Of the order he gave me,
to furnish him with such equipments as were ne
osssary to cut down trees on the point and burn
them.
At nine O'Clock this evening the Freedom and
Reliance come up, having been repulsed by the
rebels at Matthias Point, in which Lieut. Chap
lin and his command escaped utter destruction
by q miracle.
1t becomes my painful duty to announce to the
Department the death Of Commander J. Fl Ward,
Of the Freedom. He was shot In the abdomen
"AAAC III tuc nCs "a MS %" gun.
beg leave to call the attention Of the Depart
ment to the gallantry, GOODNESS, and presence of
mind Of Lieut.. Chaplin, Of the Pawnee, com
handing the party on shore. He remained steady
and cool among perfect hail Of musketry from
hundreds Of men, while he collected his own peo-
pie, and made good his retreat without leaving
the enemy trophy beyond a few sand bags and
some axes, and, 80 far as can ascertain, the mus.
ken OF the wounded men. The last man left the
shore with him; and not being able to swim to
the boat with his musket, Lieut. Chaplin took
him on his shoulders, musket and all, and safely
reached the boat without scratch save a musket
hole through the top of his cap.
In consequence OF the want OF ordinary com.
forts In the Freeborn for wounded men, l broup b,
the two wounded men belonging to that vessel
With those two Of this ship, with the remains OF
the late Commander, J. II. Ward, to the NAVY
Yard, Washington, where now await orders
must also call the attention of the Dcpartm en-,
to the bravery Of John Williams, captain main
top OF the Pawnee, who told his men while Law.
Ing on In the boat, that every man must die on
his thwars sooner than leave a man behind, and
when the flagstaff of his boat was shot away and
the ensign fell. he although suffering from a
gun sho: wound in the thigh seized IT In hi,
hand, and bravely waved II over his head
A copy OF the surgeons report Of casualties 4.
herewith enclosed. The wounded have been r.
| moved to the hospital also enclose COPIES OF
orders addressed to Lieut.. Lowry
Lieutenant Chaplins report Of the affair is no
yet ready When II is presented I shall forwarG
| a copy for the information of the Department.
have the homer to be, very respectfully, YOU,
/ Obedient servant, &c Rowan
Camp and Senior Oflcer OF the Potomac
Hon GIDEON WELLRs
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington.
UNITED STATES STBAMsLooP PAwNEE)
Potomac Rtrer, June 81, 1861
Sir: have to report the following causalItie
resulting from the action at Matthias Point TIL,
i afternoon:
4 h'E!sd l.-Commander o. H. Ward. command
Ing Flotilla; gunshot wound of abdomen. plrno.
| Immediately fatal
| wounded dangerously al William T Res.
o s belonging to the Pawnee; guusbot ,yopns
nactnilng both bones Of left leg; second gun
shot wound in soft part Of right fore arm; tbir,
gunsnOt wound Of right hand. 2 VIM. McCben
| ny, belonging to the Thomas Freehorn; punsh,
ssstssStsr5a n1ct3gt5i HRRR ths
OF main'OP Of Pawnee; gunshot wound Of 40,
part OF right thigh. 2. George McKenuv. v.om,,
Oh hotnas Free horni gunshct wound of sof, IA,
| lett 'nigh. Respectfully yours,
l''s"euJ F.M. GusNELL,
| Com r. p Surgeon L. 8. Navy.
\ Commanniuu FIotIlIo g.. Al IN,