Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-15
The war in virginia ofnclal reports
We are enabled to lay before our readers the fol
lowing interesting Official reports
NAVAL BATTERY No. =
NAVAL OAAAchi I'VE l.
Aotryl CpETE Jupo 1p5 1871


Naval BATTERY Nc. l,
AQUA CREIK June End, 1861.
Sir: On THURSDAY, p NJ, as my telegram the
next mo rning apprized you, the enemy engaged US
for short time, and then withdrew. The Wash
ington papers state that one of them had Msssa-
chusetts regn ent board for;the purpose of land
ing One of tie steamers was crowded with men.
On Friday at 1890 z. NJ, two out of three steam
ers abreast Of the battery opened fire upon u.s. and
continued the cannonade for three hours, when
they withdrew. The largest steamer very much
resembled the Crusader. As they kept at long shot
mostly beyond our range, economised ammuni.
ton and only fired ifty-six times. One of the
steamers had riff d gun, the shell from which pen
etrated through our sahd-bank and one of them
exploded IN, and completely demolished the room
occupied by the officers and myself Upon our
part no one was injured but lockers on from the
hills and the opposite shore state that the enemy
was repeatedly struck
Yesterday the steamers which had laid off during
the night were reinforced by the Pawnee, and at
lI:3O A. N. they commenced q brisk cannonade,
which continued without little interruption Until
about 430 P. NJ, during which the Pawnee fired
1872 shot and she'll and the other steamer 207, the
greater portion of the latter being rifed shells.
Our sand banks not being en- bGrbette, we could
only fire as the enemy came within range through
the embrasures. This, added to the long distance
at which he kept, and the necessity of occasionally
repairing damage to the breastwork, combined with
nv desire to save ammunition constrained me to
presented. The houses in the rear were very much
knocked about. and the railroad track torn up in
three or four places, but thanks TO a kind Proyi.
dencp, who seems 10 smile benignly on our csuse
no one with was injured
AS the enemy had on Friday made the building at
the extremity of the wharf his line of sight upon
the battery, had all the furniture. &c. together
with the weather boarding conveyed to the rear OF
the battery, and in the course of the forenoon set
fire to and blew up the platform and the outer end
of the bridge.
have spoken of Commander Thorburn's zeal in
the fret engagement and cannot too highly applaud
the spirit and alacrity, tempered by Difference TO
orders. Of Commander Cooke and Lieutenant 70
bel. With the exception OF Gunners Mate Cunning
ham and Masters Mate Larmour whose services
were Of neshmable value, our guns crews consist
ed only of volunteer militia no stood their grounu
bravely.
We had yesterday, in addition to our guns
small relied one of Captain Walkers battery under
the immediate command of Lieutenant Robertson,
of Tennessee, which rendered efficient service.
In connection with the transportion of the Col
umbiads to the summit of lofty hill cannot speak
in too highly cOmmendsble terms of the zeal and
untiring energy of Lieut. Chss C. Simms.
One of the enemys steamers went up the river
yesterday afternoon, we think for ammunition or
additional force. The Pawnee and another steamer
remained at archor all night, near the Mary land
shore and at this time, Is, A. NJ. occupy the same
position.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant
I