Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-12

-
Com. Quinn; ConestOga, Lieut.. Com. Phelps /;
Lexington, Lieut.. Com. Shirk advanced bold
ly against the rebel works. The boats went
to the right of Painter Greek Island, immedi-
ately above which on the east shore stand the
rebel Notifications by which movement they
kept out OF range of the rebel guns until they
reached the head of the island, and within
one mile of the enemy. Every man was at
! his quarters, and every ear was strained to
catch the flag officers signal gun for the
| commencement of the action. The Cincinnati
opened the ball, and the others followed suit
! The enemy, not backward, gave an admirable
response. Our boats advanced steadily, re-
ceiving and returning storms of shot and shell,
until getting within three hunndrtd yards of
| of the enemv's works, they came to stand
when they poured a fire into them right and
| left, and with good effect.
The fight was commenced at II go and after
an engagement OF one hour and a quarter the
| enemy struck their colors-and such cheering,
| and such excitement seiged the throats,
arms and caps of the 4 or 500 Scamen Of
the boats can be better immagined that de-
| scrihed. After the surrender, which was
made to flag officer Foote by Gen. Tilghman.
| who defended the fort in most determined
manner, we were informed that the rebel in
| fantry encamped outside the fors numbering
four or five thousand had cut and ran, leaving
only the artillery company in command Of he
| fort. The infantry left every thing in their
| flight, including i large and valuable quantity
! of ordnance stores.
The fort mounted twenty guns and seven
teen mortars, mostly 81 and 81 pounders-oue
! being magnificent lO-inch colum5iad. Our
| shots dismounted TWO Of their guns, and one
of their riied 50 Founders bursted during the
| action. Their gunuers claim to have but
! eleven effective guns worked. Their loss in
| the fort was five killed and ten badly wounded.
The prisoners are Gen. Floyd Tilghman and
staff, aud sixty men.
Gen. Tighman, it is said, is diShearted, and
thinks this of the most damaging blows of
the war In surrendering TO dag officer Foote
the rebel General remarked, 81 am glad to
surrender to gallant otiicer.' Flag officer
FOote replied, s'you do perfectly right, sir, in
surrendering +; but you should have blown my
| boats out Of water before | would have surren-
dered TO you.''
In the engagement the Cincinnati was in the
lead, and, flying the flag officers penant, was
the chief mark. Flag officer Foote and Cap
tain Stembel crowded her defiantly into the
teeth OF the enemy's guns She got thirty
one shots, some of them going completely
through her. The Essex badly crippled
when about half through the fight, and crowd
ing steadily against the enemy, a ball went
into her port side forward port, through a
heavy bulk head and squarey through one of
the boilers, and the escaping steam scalding
and killing several of the crew. Capt. Por-
Ter, MS alu, >. DflllOn. Jf., ana ray master
Lewis were standing in direct line of the
balfs passing. Britton being in the centre OF
the group, shot struck him on the top Of his
head, scattering his brains in every Direction.
The escaping steam went into the pilot house,
instantly killing Ford and Pride, the pilots.
There were six seamen killed on the Essex,
and two officers and II men wounded, and five
missing. The Cincinnati had one killed and
six wounded No casualties on the OF her
boats though the shot and she'll fell upon them |
like hail. Not a man flinched, and with cheer !
upon cheer, sent shot and shell among the en-
emy. Our whole loss is 9 killed, % wounded !
and ) missing.
Our gunboats proceeded on up the river to
the roilroad bridge, which they partly destroy
ed, so as TO prevent the passage of trains. On |
their way they captured eight FOUNDER brass |
cannon, in excellent order. |
The property that tell into the hands of the |!
Union meni is valued at 81 900, 600.
1t is said that the Burnside fleet is still at
Hatteras-that the vessels are all over the |
bar--that 5000 troops had landed-ini that
forward movement would be made. 4 rumor
states, that the rebels had offered to cvacuate
Roanoke Island on condition that Elizabeth |
city should not be attacked. Later advces
state that the feet had moved forward. The
latest is from rebels sources, which state that
the feet had made an attack upon Roanoke
Island and that the Yankees were twice re-
pu iSed. This needs confirm alton.
On the morning OF the 9TH Col. Fredman's
cavalry, went out in the direction of Faifdx
Court House for the purpose Of capturing the
rebel pickets. They swept the country for
some five miles along the line and two miles
beyond the Court House: driving in all the
rebel pickets, save thirteen, whom they cap
tured and brought in, as well Il wagon and
some horses and rifles. One rebel was killed.
Two of our men were wounded
hnI cb knOXVIliH states |
on Sunday the I'd, Whites TennesseeIcavalry
encountered force of Liucoln'S infantry in
Morgan county, Tennessee, estimated at from
one to three hundred, on the mountain side
White charged on the enemy, who were ral-
lied twice by Capt. Duncan, when he was shot
down. The Kentucky Unionists were then
routed and fed in confusion, leav-
ing seven dead.
From the west we learn that, after the re-
luction of Fort Henry, our forces continued
up the river and took possession of the Ohio
and Tennessee Railroad therely y cutting off
The rebel communication with Memphis. Our
forces reduced several batteries their way
lp the river, and took possession of the bridge
over the Tennessee river.
The Southern coutederacy have ordered that
Ill free negroes who do not volunteer shall be
impressed into the public service, and a Pc
ersburg (Va.,) paper congratulates itself that
nearly all the tree negroes in that vicinity
nave volunteered. They have Hobson's choice
go willingly or be forced.
On the 9th Gen Lander, who had been re-
nforced to about 5000, marched upon the en-
my at Romney. The rebels had about an
equal force, but they declined fighting and re-
reated across the river, destroying the wire
,ridge in their rear. Gen. Lander is now in r
possession of Romney.
From Kentucky we learn that Gen. Thomas
S about moving forward, and will invade East I
/