Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-20
FURTHER GOVERNING THE FIGHT
ON JAMES RIVER.

2
ON JAMES RIVER.
In the Philsdelphia Press and Iaqsirer we hnd
tbs following accounts Of the 1ght at Fort Dar-
ling. They SEEM 90 conflict with previors
accounts, and with each other, but we give them
for what they are worth.
The Press says:
FoRrREss MONROE, MAY Tsp. m.-The Ste
vens battery, known as the Naugatuck, has lust
arrived here from the scene Of action In front OF
Of the important operations OF Commodore
Rodgers feet in the upper waters Of the james
river
II seems that our iron clad sloop 81. war Galena
proceeded up the river, leading the feet. and
silCncing the many minor batteries that lined the
shore, until the fleet had arrived al poiut In the
James river about eight miles below Richmond
where the Is bluf, upon which series Of
strong batteries have been constructed up TO the
city.
These batteries were found to be mounted with
superior rifed guns Of very heavy calibre.
The 6aiena was moorcd In close to these shore
batteries yesterday morning and opened terrific
fire upon them, the Monitor, Naugatuck, and
other vessels assisting. r--.
At first the shot OF the rebel guns rolled of the
sides Of the Gaiena, making only dents In her
mail but gradually, after five hours Aghting II
was found that the steel pointed balls used by the
rebels were piercing her. Thirty shots struck
her and lodged, whilst two went entirely throug
her, tumbling out on the other side
A shell burst in the Galena dufing the engage
ment which unfortunately killed seventeen OF her
crew and wounded nineteen. But even this sad
accident did not dishearten the brave Capt.ir
Rodgers and his crew. They foug ht on until
dark, and until their ammunition had nearly
given out.
The Naugatuck was ably handled by Cap.a,n
Constable, but, after firing seven magnificent
shots, her bow gun burst, Killing two men and
wcunding three others, including Capt. Consta-
he, who was struck In the heed by piece Of the
living metal. We are happy to learn that he Is
not seriously injured.
A flaw was discovered in the metal, and this
was no doubt, the cause of the explosion
Royal, and late Of the Cumberland, was slightly
wounded.
Commodore Rodgers was wounded painfully,
but not seriously, in the left cheek
These are all the casualties heard of 10 TO the
sailing Of the Naugatuck for Fortress Monroe
The slaughter among the rebels In the batteries
! is said to have been terrible, although they had
the advantage OF our gunboats In having the bat
teres situated on a bluff
The fght will be renewed shortly, when CON-
modore Rodgers hopes to silence the rebel forts
and IL he can pass the or Jtructons known to be
take the city.
A mortar boat was greatly needed during the
action, as with 1t the batteries could have been
taken quite easily.
The Monitor was at last accounts ahesd--no
ball vet fired by the enemy having any effect
upon her iron-ciad turret.
The fngnirer'S account is a. follows:
Last Sunday morning TIE Monitor, Galena and
Naugutuck started for the Rebel Ca pital via the
Arostook and Port Royal.
| They silenced several of the batteries which
lined the shore, and passed some with the mos,
contemptuous silence.
The captain Of the Monitor stood upon the tur-
ret and waved bis cap 70 a battery which he cor
sidered unworthy Of The notice of his ret, -
though three balls struck the Monitors turret
with considerable force.
The OF the fepi a
cess until they arrived to within abou, seven
miles Of Richmond. Here the river takes sharp
turn around preciPitous bluff, folly hundred
and fifty feet in height
Upon the top Of this bluff. the Rebels have
erected most scientific and formidable battery,
mounting guns OF superior range and calIbre
This battery commands the river In the most
effective manner, and It soon became evident 10
our meet that an engagement Of no ordinary char
acfer was imminent.
On last Thursday morning, at seven O'Clock,
our heet formed their line Of battle and COM
menced the reduction Of the Rebel stronghold
From the unusual elevation of the battery, and
the dinculty cur men experienced In getting the
proper range, they were, for a time unable 10 do
any execution. Ia the meantime the battery
poured an incessant IRE OF shell and ball down
upon decks OF our vessels, and did fearful work
The Naugatuck, after several brilliant shots
burst her 10O-pound rihed Parrot gun, killing
the gunner and woundDg several Others Having
no other armament except two boarding howite
zers, and being thus disabled she withdrew from
the engagement
The Galena suffered severely, the rebel shot,
Kidding her deck with great ease and several of
the balls entering her side Fourteen of her crew
were killed and thirteen wounded; the majority
OF the latter, however, will recover. Those who
were killed are terribly cut and mangled, some
beyond the hope Of recognition. For one hour
the Galens was exposed TO the entire fre of the
rebel battery. On accoun: Of the narrowness OF
the channel, she could not "springp or turn SO
as TO work TO advantage.
The Monitor, however, maintained her superior
strength and invulnerability The balls glanced
harmless from her tower of strength and fell into
the placid waters Of the river. For some time
she labored under great difficulty In acquiring
the requisite elevation for hsr guns But having
once obtained II abe poured her missiles with fear
iuI elect upon the battery, and thus enco uraging
her associates the feet belched forth such an iron
hail that the battery was silenced Cor three-quar
ters OF an hour. AT this juncture our vessels ran
while the rebels :e-manneH their guns and az ain
CONNIE need the conflict portion of the feet
came down the river 10 jamestown Island, nearly
opposite Williamsburg
The Monitor and Galena remained in order To
keep the Rebels awake-the Monitor firing regu.
larry once In two minutes, fully sustaining the
reputation of the "cheese box" The Arostook
and Port Royal were not materially injured TIE
action lasted four hours and half consiitutinp
one OF the most brilliant OF the war
About quarter OF mile further I'D the river
the Rebels have made a strong barricade to the
further progress Of . hostile feet They have
sunk the Yorktown and jamestown in the chan
mel, and driven immense piles from one side Of
me river to the other, forming stockade similar
TO that In the entrance TO Norfolk harbor
The guns Of the battery are said to be manned
by the remnant OF the crews OF the Merrimac
Yorktown and jamestown. The firing was ex-
cellent showing great deal OF skill.
Fne Naugatuck escaped serious injury By hav-
Ing her pilot house and deck protected by iron
rails laid transversely
The body Of Mr.. Boerum gunner of the Galena
has been brought here for interment