The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-26

was being erected the spot mentioned by me n my
last ~ containing large number Of troops.
On making this discovery Captain Austin signalsd 70
the Harriet Lane and was ordered open Are. He did TO-
throwing In i've shells from OF his nine inch guns
TWO or three evidently burst In the woods close to the
place where the men were work. but they
pered orwth zeal and activity truly commsndAbls un-
dor the circumstances
Captain Austin then put about. and was proceeding
back 70 Stump Mock, whom IRE opened the Ana
costa from Cockpit Point One Of the guns was very
heavy one, for It threw . shot about half
mile into Maryland shell went within six feet Of the
bows OF the Anacostia whore burst under the water
but did no damage Captain Austin sgnalled for permits
sion 70 stand further in and return the FIRE, which
accorded upon which he went in and opened very brisk
~ from his two heavy guns on the battery Several OF
bis shells burst in good line but beyond tho battery but
one exploded just the Point where the enemy was
ing from. He WAS proceeding in lne STYLE and evil.
IDENTITY determined TO do good stroke Of work, when no
was sgnaed to move out Of range which he did he
supposed.
The enemy not done with him yet however, for II
seems that he had heavier gun in reserve. Al ono
ociaek the enemy was seen TO DO cutting down
trees at the Point, and they began 70 fall
with marvellous rapidty-three or four falling at
time--and in q few minutes they opened
with big fellow, the shots foom which went far beyond
the Anacosa, The enemy fred three rounds this tne
but they not returned by the Anacostia II may
therefore be considered established fact that the
rebels have battery at last at Cockpit Point though
most OF the guns appear TO be ned pieces But some
easy chair gentleman in Washington Is almost sure to
give the fact fat denial and attempt TO prove that
which saw with my own eyes has no real existence,
hke that German Philosopher who undertook 10 prove
that nothing exists
We ran down here from Indian Head and anchored
This morning was awakened ut about Two O'Clock by
the sound Of cannonadng but by tho time reached the
deck the firing lad ceased have subsequently ascer
tanned that the Stepping Stones and the Cnr do Lion
were the recipients of these delicate little attentions
Three rounds were fired at the former vessel but larger
number at the latter which has gone 10 Fortress Moaroe
with quantity of fixed ammunition for the Minnesota
The explosion " ashel on board might havo boon scr
Gus, as large number Of these interesting VIKINGS
were piled up on the deck, for want of sowage room be-
low. The Stepping Stones returned No i0wer than egh.
teen sailing vessels successfully the blockade last
night, though the shone brightly The gannery ol
the rebels, on the whole Is conemptble
The daily routine OF q manofwar has been 50 often
and SO well descrbedin books that II would he unnte-
resting to give description Of IL in newspaper letter.
There are sometimes amusing scenes on board connected
with the necessary discipline ot the ship II Is not 10 DO
expected that crew composed almost entirely OF men
from The merchant service with largo adlnixtnre Of
bran new sailors who never went To sea belpfe,n can
all at acquire all tho methodical habits and fan into
the usares Of men wars men. This must be a work OF
time. We have fno on board the Yankee, COM
pose OF Just such materials, with here and there reg
lar thofoaehgoing man owar's man. captain Eastman
is Determined however 10 bring all hands up 10 the pro
per Standard and he oits no occasion To- Instruct every
man in his duty At master ON Sundays he IL particular
that every man Is attfcl according TO reputation a
who should appear the quarter deck without NJ
boots BACKED with them outside his trowSes, would
be certain OF sharp reprimtad eoald hardly retain
gravity yesterday morning at muster at al
cont, mrs tho part Of some Of tho IL Is rcgu-
ation Of tho service that every sailor shall. small
either his right left arm, 10 denote whether
be belongs to the stsrboard the port watch.
Several OF the men had aiet thus to decorate them
Selves alleging va-iaus FOR tho neglect 0nc
man owned up blue that he did not know how % make
star, upon which Captain Eastman considerably gayo
him till We inosday to learn adding that he must not Ill
toappcar at quarters on tho morning Of that day with
the star his arm. Othors who had not the Of
ignorance, ordered to appear with the badge III,
following morning Captain Eastman asked one Of them
to which watch he belonged lie replied ,the starboard
watch, sr." "rhen put star on yonr sarboard arm"
was the response.
Another Of rorriment, which respect for the
quarter deck forced us - restrain, the manner in
which some OF the men answered 10 their names. few
had answered 'Ycs, sir - when Ca tain Eastman said,
"iont let me hear yes, sirs,' but each man
call out his rating" Such Is the force OF habit, how
over that the very ncxt whose name was cal ed
answered with the objectionable ayes, sir,' upon
which Captain Eastman quietly said "Master-at-Arms,
put that the paddle box, and let him remain ere
till twelve O'Clock" This made tho rest 81 the nen more
ctet0gs and each answered, his name was Called
'.se.an "ordinary seaman ''iandsman.n &c. the
case ,nght be- But the s,a board psddlc boz WAS dos.
tined be eeorat ID similarly to that tho port side
for tbs warroom boy Ia moncnt OF orgetulncss,
nounecd the tab,ocd words, ard was immediately
placed the paddle box. Such are among the mid me
hods adopted by Captain Eastman to- Insure dsci line il
matters apparently Hing, but which are really cssa
! ry 10 insure the efficiency OF the CIV.
An cysicr schooner has Just alongside the Yam
kee having passed the batteries coming up in broad day
| light without being fred at.