Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-02
From the Norfolk Day Book
A Brilliant Confederate Naval Achievement,

We have the satisfaction Of spreading before read
ers to day. of the particulars of spirited and
dashng achievement on the part OF Commodore Lynch
of the Confederate Navy, board of his flag ship the
Sea Bird which gallant little steamer mounts 50
FOUNDER forward and 12-pounder aft.
Commodore Lynch went down to Seweii's Point on
Saturday night aud took position under the guns OF
battery at that place. where she remained all night
until Sunday morning. when she eSpied the federal steam
er Express making out from Newports News, with
transport schooner in tow. She got round the point OF
NewpOrt's News with her charge when our gallant
Commodore put chase after them, and them towards
Old Point.
I he Sea Bird opened fire on the Express and after
two discharges the latter cut loose from her tow
and left her. The position Of the schooner where the
Express left her well in the enemys lines, but
even that consideration did not deter the victor from Sc
curing his prize He dashed into her and tackled on,
and in making his way back eight gun BOATS and an
armed transport pat out for him from Old Point and
Newports News, with the purpose of cutting him of.
But it appears they just five six minutes too
ate and in chasing her she kept up continual fire up
on them turning !around every time to give them the
best she had the forward red 32pounder. The sport
became intensely interesting to the yankees that they
waded in little beyond their depth, and woke up the
boys on Sewes Point who opened fire on them They
finding further pursuit of the Commodore vain, turned
their attention on the batteries that peppering
them so numerically And the matter began to
somewhat the appearance OF earne8nes as though
the boys going to work allowing it Sun
day morning, and going to church time. The bat
teres continued to fire at the federal vessels which done
their best towatds sencipg them but The JOB was
somewhat too extensive for them, and witba SO
that they speedily determined to give Sewel's Point
very wide berth. They got WEI! out of range OF our
shot they could but not until three of them
had got dose which took the starch out Of them.
The gun boats fairly rained the shot and shell at the
Sewes Point battery, while they did have the courage
to continue the engagement, which altogether, includ
ing the chase after the Sea Bird, lasted two and hall
three hours Several hundred shot and shell were
fred at our battery and not single person received
even a scratch.
An old rooster, however, which happened to get in
the way was made into rooster for his pains, we
are informed by communication from friend who
was on the ground We annex his communication.
SEwELL'b POINT, Sunday, Dec 20, 1861.
Mr. Edior:-Eight gun boats and armed trans
port attacked little Confederate gun boat this morn
ing, and engaged this battery about two hours. We
answered with of the guns from our battery. No
body hurt, but one fine rooster who was killed The
men were very cool. The rooster was duly prepared
roasted and eaten by some Of he boys. rare treat
for Christmas times.
What glorifcation for Yanseedom-o1e rooster kill
ed; wounded Or missing This brilliant affair viii
be heralded in capitals in the New York Herald and
other truthful prints. >.
The Sea Bird proceeded on her way up to the city
with her prize in tow, and learn it is the schooner
Sherwood which formerly belonged to George Booker
ESQ, on Back River, and was stolen from him some
time since by the Federa and has been since rsed as
water transport between NeHport's News ard Ok
Point. she was then carrying supply OF water tt
the Hessans at Old Point. 1t was thus acater haul
but that detracs nothing from the honor q the achieve
ment, which may justly be cassed of the mos
brilliant that has taken place in the two armies snc
the war began.
During the engagement between the gun boats ant
the Sewes Point battery, the Sawyer gun at the Xii
Raps opened file and threw shell at the battery on Sew
J ellis Point
Il We learn that the gunboats threw several shell o
shot at the battery Craney Island and received
e prompt reply from that direction.
We are pleased to record the fact, that the boys
our batteries took deliberate aim with each gun the
+ fred and handled their irons with mastery skill, tax
: ing their time in each
1t has been reported though with what truth we ar
unable to say, that the Sea Bird struck the Expires
and set Der fire. and that she afterwards put GU
without injury.