The New York herald., 1861-12-31
NEWS FROM FORTRESS MONROE.

FORTRESS MONROK, Dec. 20, \
Via BALTIMORE, Dec. 80, 1851. !
| As tho steamboat Express, which between Old
Point and Newport News, leaving the latter place
this morning, rebel tugboat of Sewalls Point
She wore commodores blue pennant, which was
mistaken at first for flag Of truce; but tho
Express arriving within range tho rebel boat
| fred shot across the bows OF the Express,
| which quickly followed by several shells. The
greatest CONSERVATION prevailed for short time
board tbs Express, which unarmed, and the schoon-
or sherwood, employed 10 bring water from New
port News, which was in tow, was cut adrift.
The Sherwood Immediately deserted by
her crew. consisting Of four men, who escaped
by small boat to Newport News, and the schooner drift
Ing down with the tide, taken possession Of by the
rebel tugboat and towcd to Craney Island Her captain
stuck to her, and was taken prisoner.
The rebel tugboat subsequently made her appearance
for second time bur the Express had crowded
all steam and had reported the circumstances to the
flag ship.
After long delay about half dozen gunboats got
started, and steaning towards the scene, threw few
shells Sewals Point the Pig Point batteries
without producing any effect however, so far known
Had II not been for tho inexcusabls delay in gun
boats getting to the spot the rebel tngboat might have
bean intercepted and the schooner saved.
Tho Sherwood had been lined with zinc and ntted on,
wha valuable force pump for water boat. The loss 10
estimated nj about two thousand dollars The schooner
belonged TO Assistant Quartermaster Noyss.
Tho brig Empire, Crosby sailed yesterday for Port
Royal to open trade She took out cargo OF fresh pro-
visions &c also balloon and chemicals and appsrs
ts for initiating IT, consigned TO General Sherman The
balloon is under the direction Of Professor Sarkweaher
Of the Aeronsutc Department who will make
in the vicinity Of Beaufort.
Tho frgse Brooklyn arrived from the Philadel-
phia Navy Yard this afternoon.
flag OF truce down Norfolk this afternoon
but Il brought back no news.
A note from General Hugsr 10 General Wool announces
that he ready hundred forty prisoners
Of down the James river from Richmond by flag Of
truce, whenever they will be received.
General Wool will send flag Of truce Thursday or
Friday next in answer thereto. No list Of those TO be
released has yet been received by him
OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENCE
FORTRESS MONROE Dec. 20, 1861
Too Hours Engagement Bstceca United Stairs and Rebel
Guaboats--7hs Rcoeis Firing Into tie Ne,epo1 Nesos
Boat-Cattnre Of Schooner in Ton Of the ErrrcssJni
ted States Gunboats Procod 10 RecaptUc the Schooner
They Engage the Relxt Fessei aud Batteries at Se,cals
.Point-Ddy ia Getting hs Boats into acknowledged
fut BeAarior Of Pdsse,ss and 06scsrs Board q the
L1pess-Broouyefa a Mdshipmon--rh The Moral Lesson Of
the Affair, d.
The usual monotony of camp life at this point was
broken to-day by discharge or considerable gunpowder
the part of the navy rendezvousng Hampton Roads
The steamboat Express from Newpsrt News which place
she left A. NJ, had in the schooner Sher-
wood, belonging to the Quartermasters department
tho purpose Of hauling water and when about half way
between the fort and her starting place the captain
steamboat shoot out from Sewalps Point. Having na
hosted from the stern, it thought that Tho
hostile craft bore ilag OF truce, and the Ex
press, instead OF lying TO, proceeded somewhat
out Of her towards tho shore OF SewAs Point
Before the passengers OF the danger threat
enng them shot came whzzing in uncomfortable pros
unity 10 the smoke stack while another went the
hurricane deck The captain Of the Express understand
ing the state OF anars gave orders looss
from the schooner and the engineer put pres
sure of stesn, and Padded a. fast possible 10 th
place. The Express 1t proceeded the flag shir
Minnesota, 70 inform Commodore Godsborough of the
facts, when the Flag Officer Immediately signaized seve
raj gunboats to get uader way.
The schooner in the meantime, having left ito
fate taken by the Northampton (the name ci
the rebel gunboat) and made on with towards Craney
Island The Of the schooner finding themselves
nsuh close proximity to gunpowdcr low srcd the feboa
and in that ro~sd hack TO Newport News for dear
lfe. The United States gunboats Morse, Delaware
~. W.
Graves; Whitehall, Captain Balsier; Narraganset and
Young America, Captain Hamilton, in pursuit OF
she rebel mRraudcr.
The rebel gunboat WIN. Selden now came 10 assist the
Northampton, and both Of thom made stand Tor few
minutes. The schooner, however was still kept tow
and In that position boats opened fire the rebels
The shots bu, the daring rebel crafts
OF and after under the guns the at
Sewals Point Our gunboats then opened fire the last
named batteries, having taken up position within
about three miles OF the shore twenty shells
landed inside OF the rebel with what
effect however, We are unable to determine.
The "due at long range lasted about two hours The
firing caused the most intense excitement The docks
and water fronts facing the OF action hropg
ed with spectators and the ramparts Of the were
lined with officers and men anxiously watching the BON.
bardment. After powder, balls and shells enough had
been expended the order o firing signaized
aud the six gunboats returned their stations The Of
fetal report have not been able TO obtain as yet
This little episode short and boodless it turned
part at least, should not fail to he los to ali
concerned Here, IN broad daylight, the regular boat
plying between two points occupied by at
tackled by the rebels, who daringy approach to within
almost point blank range Of the of the vessels
and capture schooner worth about thousand five
hundred dollars, and allowed escape. We have at
the present moment quite fotla Of gunboats in this
harbor but thvy all hudded together If only one
OF them had been stationed little to New
port News, in hollow termed s'liomes' Hole,n
the rebels would not hare dared to venture such an
expedition. None Of grmboats within six
miles OF the firing the Express and before this vessel
could run that distance, inform the Commodore OF the
facts, and this official order the boats under way
at least one hour elapsed and the intrepid rebels
| plshed all they desired
Besides several thousand gallons of good water on
board OF the Sherwood pump worth hundred
dollars, fell into the enemy's hands II is be hoped
that the Navy Department Hampton Roads will be
more the gii uire, and that efficient Commodore
viii allow those vessels having guns Of heavy caibre on
board 10 plant an occasional shell into the enemy s
l strongholds on tho opposite shore.
What the Department at Warrington will say 10 this
affair is beyond my comprehension; but do know that
the Is viewed dsgracefn in the extreme by all
parties on this point The passengers and in fact all
hands board Of the Express, behaved in shaIneft,
! manner, with the exception Of midshipman Of the
United states rgate Congress- and sick Xouaye coming
to the General Hospital, both OF whom behaved in raj
liant manner and were the only board who had
presence Of mind 10 hoist the American ensign which
had not been flying ut the time she left Newport News
Il is to be hoped that the squadron viii do something
now 10 avsn2e the outrage committed wantonly on an
| unarrned vessel
flag of truce went to Norfolk to-day tak ing up Lien.
tenant Thomas Griffin, released parole tho follow.
ing list OF letters containing money
Edward T. Young First California regt Richmond 81 90
| Arthur Donnelly, Tammany regiment Richmond. . / 90
H. H. Stayson, Co. 18th Mass. Vols Richmond Is 90
| Lieutenant c. A. Freeman. Richmond. ........ 80 90
=. West, Co. X. AID N Y ", Richmond elsewhere 90
g. G. Kohhund, First California regt. Richmond. . 90
w. A. Ludden, Jr., Richmond. Observation-Disclosures. . 40
Corporal J. G. kufty. California regiment Richmond 90
Augustus f. Yergcr, Richmond nd................ / 0O
| David strong. Second Wisconsin Vols Richmoud sn