Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-22
THE ENGAGEMENT NEAR RICHMOND
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
Naval Appointments, &c. Bepo rss from.
Com, Gaoldsbsreugh.

Ger Mexican OF the Eastern squadron. The
Niagara will come north for repairs.
Capt Robert Richie has been ordered to
take charge Of the property at the Norfork
Navy Yard.
Edward Moser of Portsmouth, N. H., has
been appointed Acting Master, and ordered
to Baltimore to command the u s bark Fer
nandina.
James Henderson of Baltimore has been
appointed acting master, and ordered to the
same vessel.
j r Lee of Commodore Dupont's squadron
has been promoted to Acting Master on board
the steamer Wyandotte.
Commander X Hitchcock has been Or
dered to report to flag officer Goldsborough
for the command OF the Susquehannah.
Lieut. W f Hopkins has been ordered to
the Philadelphia rendezvous. a....
Lieat T II Eastman has been ordered to
the U S steamer Keystone State, to relieve
Lieut. Gamble.
Lieut. Bushrod Taylor has been ordered to
the U S steamer Cimerone. at Bordentown,
New Jersey.
The following reports have been received
at the Navy Department, from Commodore
Goldsborough:
"U S Steamer Gaena, off City Point,
James River, Va, May l6.
"Sir have the honor to report that this
vessel, the Aroostook, the Monitor and Port
Koyal, with the Naugstuck, moved up the
river,getting aground several times, but meet
ing no artificial impediments until we arrived
at Wards Bluff, about eight miles from Rich
mond, when we encountered heavy battery
and two separate barriers, formed of piles and
steamboats, and sail vessels.
The pilots both say that they saw the York
town and Jamestown among the number.
The banks of the river we found lined with
rifle pits, from woich shar shooters annoyed
the men at the guns. These would hinder
the removal of the distractions. unless driven
away by land force.
The Galena ran within about 600 yards of
the battery,as near the piles as it was deemed
proper to CO. and let go her anchor, and with
spring sprung across the stream (not more
than twice as wide as the ship IS long), and
then at 6.45 A NJ, opened fire upon the bat
terry. The wooden vessels, as directed, anch-
ored about 1900 yards below. The Monitor
anchored near, and ut 2 o'clock she passed
gjust above the Galena, but found her guns
could not be elevat, d enough to reach the
battery. She then dropped a little below us,
and her shots were effective.
A LOS the Galena had expended nearly
all her ammunition, and made the signal to
discontinue the action We had but six Par
rot charges, and not single filled nine inch
she'll.
We had IS killed and IL wounded. The
rifed 100 FOUNDER of the Naugatuck burst,
L IL hoft +la
| overheard, she is therefore disabled. Lieut.
| Newman, the executive officer was conspicu-
our for his gallantry and effective services.
Mr.. Washbure, acting master, behaved ad-
mirably. These are selected from among the
number.
The Aroostook, Naugatuck and Port Roy
al took the stations previously assigned them,
and did everything that was possible. The
Monitor could not have done bettar.
I he barrier is such that the vessels of the
enemy, even if they have any, cannot posi-
bly, pass out, and ours cannot pass in.
l have the honor to be, Your ob't serv't,
JOHN RoDGERs,
Com. U. S. Navy.
| The following is the report of Lieut. VIM
N Jefiers, commanding the Monitor, IN the
late engagement near Richmond. 1t IS ad-
dressed to Commander Rodgers
"U. s. iron-clad Steamer Monitor,
James River, Va, May 16. !
Sir submit the following report OF the
movements Of this vessel during the action oi
yesterday. Shortly after weighing anchor
from our position near Ringsland creek,
sharp fire of musketry was commenced iron
both banks on all the ships at half past seven
/ discovered an extensive fortihcation on al
elevation Of about 200 feet, with several small
er batteries, all apparently mounted guns
the heaviest caliber. At the foot Of the blui
in the river there is an obstruction formed {
: sunken vessels and steamers secured wit
chains in the shallow water, piled across tn
, river The Galena having anchored a
, about thousand yards distant from tn
Fort and being warmly engaged and l en-
. deavored to pass ahead of her and take o
some of the fire, but fonnd that my guu
, could not be elevated sufficiently to point .
t tie Fort. | then took position on the lin
} with the Galena, and maintained deliber
2 ate fire until the close Of the action, when
company with the other vessels, l droppe
down to the anchorage. The fire of the en-
emy was remark ably we'll directed, but vaInl
!. toward this vessel She was struck thre
times, one solid eight inch shot square on tn
O turret, and two solid shot on the side armo
e forward of the pilot house. Neither cause
r any damage beyond bending the plates.
. am happy to report no casualties. In concl'
q sion permit me to say the action was most ga
, lantly fought against great odds and with tt
= usual effect against earth works. So long
: our vessels kept up rapid fire, they rare
e returned our fire, but the moment our fiji
Il sIackened, they renamed their guns. 1t ";
!. impossible to reduce such works except wi
4 the aid of a land force"
a The following is the report of Lieut.. ID.
Constable, command the steamer 4. A. st
vens (Naugatuck) in the action. TIE repo
is dated May l6, and is addressed, as are Il
others, to Commander Rodgers:
t, SIR Il have the honor to report that
!, yesterdays attack upon the enemy's battel
at Wards Hill, near Richmond, Va, plac,