New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-03
ANOTHER ATTACK ON ACQUIA CREEK.
The Batteries Defended by 1000 Rebels.
THE PAWNEE ENGAGED.
NUMBERS OF THE REBELS KILLED
Special Disps.oh 10 The N. Y. Thbuna

| First Lieut.. Thomas NJ. Cash states that the
Freedom wa, engaged in the cannOnading at
4a.tqufa Geek on Saturday from IL o'clock a. IN.
until p. m., during which time she fired 26O
shot and SHE'LL nearly every one OF which did
execution.
During her three engagements with the enemys
battery, the Freeborn was struck with six shots,
only one of which penetrated, aud severely
damaged one of the wheels. Another passed
through the side, about twenty feet abaft the
stem, cutting off one of the mandeck beams,
then striking a large knee and cutting it com.
pletely off, bolts and all. The fourth shot passed
through the bulwarks. The fifth and sixth struck
| the port-yard, md bounded overheard. Two or
three shots struck so close to the vessel as to
| throw lid water sufficient to administer a re-
freshiDg bath to the gunners
The Pawnee fired $50 shot and shell, but,
strange to soy, the shell exploded considerable
distance short of their mark. The shot did good
execution. She was the recipient OF live shots
from the enemy, mono of which did material
damage.
The Freedom and Pawnee we're the only two
The Yankee, Anacosta and Reliance were laying
of, firing only occasionally.
Lieut. Cash says there must have been quite
number Of the rebels killed, as they could DO
distinctly seen from the deck Of the FreebOrn
carrying off many of their number on ltters. lie
says all the guns of the inland battery had been
removed to the sand battery on the shore the
night before, from which the entire firing of the
rebels proceeded.
The shot from the enemy we're altogether from
Tiaed cannon, which accounts for their scariiying
effect.
One of the cnsmy's shot struck the Pawnee's
smoke stack another took effect in her mzzen
tOpmast and another penetrated her main yard.
All of the enemys guns were silenced save
one, which WINS discharged only at intervals OF
about 90 minutes, and finally ceased altogether.
As the rebels firing ceased they applied the
torch TO the railroad depot in the vicinity, which,
together with the entire length Of the wharf, was
consumed.
1t il presumed that in view of the formidable
appearance Of tho Federal troops, and the great
execution they have accomplished, the rebels an
o
make sure Of the work 20 vel done, and were
determined to destroy as much u possible before
their arrival.
Ny informant says the depot was completely
riddled with shot, and presented the appearance
Of n pepper box.
Not q man OH either the Pawnee sr Freeborn
was injured in the least on Saturday, and the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed among both officers
and crew during the engagement.
The Freedom carries two 32-pOlnders and u
smaller brass piece. The Pawnee has five guns
on each side, and long Tom. The engagement
Yesterday with the Acqua Creek Battery was the
third in which she has been a participant. Sho
opened tho ball on Wednesday at e p. M, con.
tlnuina her arn1 until dark, resuming operations
on Friday at IN .. H., and continuing her hrlDg
until II III. Too Iauch praise cannot be bestowed
upon her officers and crew for the energy with
which thoy renewed the attack from day to day.
The shot from the enemy which struck the
Freedom have been preserved by the crew as
memeutoes Of the engagement. They are about
"a inches in diameter, about s inches in length,
aud weigh pounds.
The President, accompanied by Secretary Sew
ard, visited tho Kayy-Yard 1T u o'clock this
evening, and went on board the Freedom, es-
corted by Capts Ward and Dabgren. The
President shook the hands of the gnnners with
great cordially and compmented them for their
bravery. The enemy's rfed cannon shot were
handed him for examination az bis request. On
his passing one of them to Mr. Seward thought
| observed scarcely perceptlble shrug of the
Premiere shoulders, as he held the death-dealiDg
instrument in his tiny hands. One Of the Seventy
frst, through his eagerness to watch the move
ments of tho President from the pier, fell over.
board but being an excellent swimmer, soon
reached terra firma.
The Freeborn will remain ut the Yard for
day or two, until the damage to her wheel is
repaired.
TO the Associated Pres.
WAsHisGTos, june ,, 1861.
From messenger direct this morning lat 10 oelock)
from Acquia Creek by the steamer Anacosta, the fol-
lowing facts are obtained relative 10 the contest yestep
day I'll AcquiA Greek:
The engagement commenced Friday, as heretofore
stated, and lasted two houn.
Yesterday Saturday it was renewed and continued
twice that length Of tme The lower, or beach bat
tery. which had been so essentially damaged the day
previous had in the meantime been repaired by the
Confeterater, in force it ID supposed two thousand
strong.
The Freedom yesterday approached TO within about
two miles from the shore, early in the afternoon and
fired four OF five shots, when tue Pawnee entered into
tie conflict taking position TO tie land. For
te trs two hours the fire from tie shore batteries