The national Republican., 1861-10-22
THE ATTACK ON THE SEMINOLE.

The Philadelphia Bulletin has received q
private letter from gentleman on board the
U. S. steam sloop Seminole, on her late trip
from Washington to Old Point Comfort, from
which we make the following interesting ex-
tracts:
"UNTTED STATES STEAM SLoOP SEMINOLE,
"OFF FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. l6.
ave arrived here this morning at o'clock,
having left Washington yesterday morning.
Nothing remarkable occurred on the way down
to Quantico Creek. At that point the steamer
Pocahontas. which was some miles ahead OF
us, threw three or four shells into the bushes
at Evansport, or Shipping Point, Va. The fire
was not returned, and she proceeded on her
way.
LAS we neared the Point, at lOa A. NJ, our
decks were cleared for action, all hands at
quarters. matches closed, and everything ready.
At l0.45 they opened on u, win rifed shot
aud she'll. from three batteries, two ON the
bank and one about four hundred yards in-
land, at Evansport. These shot fell twenty
rods short. The Seminole returned the fire
oriskly, and with effect, from her pivot gun
and two medium 32-pounders. We kept on
our course, returning their fire during thirty
five minutes, and receiving theirs during forty
five. We we're fine target for them-a slow
steamer clear against tha horizon, while they
were hid in earth end bushes.
ave ceased firing at 1l.25 A. NJ, after which
they sent several ricocheting shots-and all
handsome ones-at our water line, which luck.
lily fell short. We expended twenty three shells
several-particularly those planted by Cap ain
Gillis in person-with good effect. They sent
US at least thirty ried balls and shells, all splen
didly aimed, their guns being evidently well
manned. Some Of their shot and she'll went
over US, about eight or nine feet clear of the
deck, and only few feet above my head
These fell or burst from twenty to forty rods
beyon on our port side. Some burst just out
side. before reaching u.s. and some just over our
heads Fragments OF shells flew about the deck
and splinters in Thousands.
I'VE ,oere strrtck eleuen times One ball cut
away the main stays. scattering bits of iron
chain down on the deck. One shot through and
shivered the mizzen mast. Several banged
clear through the ship, in at one side and out
at the other One rifed ball came through in
that way, struck and carried away the brass
haud.rail guard around the engine hatch, aud
went out through the opposite side of the ship
This ball went within five feet of me, and sent
piece of brass, bent double like boomerang,
whizzing over my head. How the balls do
hiss, and the shells sing aloud-a perfectly dis
tinct, fascinating, lOcust-like song; but growing
louucT uliu iuotci uo tucy Cohio hcaicI, pluIS
ing, Kissing and bursting through the air. l
was never under fire before, but never was
cooler in my life. / stood by my capstan and
took my notes of the time and the effect of the
balls both ways, jumping out of our own smoke
to see where the balls lodged, &c.-all Just as
matter of course. But l thought of it after.
wards, and it was no joke.
"The fight was severe one, and without
knowing what the other side suffered, / do
know that the Seminole suffered severely. So
soon as we get rid of some expedition now on
hand, we shall probably run in North some
where for repairs.
"The officers and men behaved we'll. Had
Captain Gillis stopped we should have been
blown out of water. Every one says that guns
were never better handled than were those of
the enemy yesterday. Every shot came true.
The only wonder is that no lives were lost.
A number were scratched by splinters. was
hit by them half dozen times.
ave expected a lively time passing Matthias
Point; but either they have NO battery there,
nr thau oil uaI 10. u