The New York herald., 1862-12-19
Destruction Of the Town OF Plymouth.
ouR M ANoKE ISLAND CORRESPONDENCE.

Destruction OF the Town OF Plymouth.
OUR ROANOKE ISLAND CORRESPONDENCE.
ROANOKE ISLAND, N. c., Dec IA, 1862.
attack Upon and Burning the ToOn of Plymouth, ~ O.
The Gunboat SouhfeId Iniured--7ns Fight, dc.
The town OF Plymouth, N. c., was attacked on wednes
day last by party Of rebels who entered about hapast
four A. surprising the garrison and giving the gunboat
Sou,hHeld exceedingly warm salute.
The party numbered about one hundred and eighty,
consisting Of infantry artillery and cavalry On entering
the they drove our troops TO the Custom House,
three story brick building and opened upon them with
aed gums soon driving them from IL and scattering them
70 all points. They then planted their guns-three In
number-upon the wharf and opened fire upon the South
nsd at short range. One OF the hrst shots entered
the steam drum, which enveloped the steamer
with scaiding steam in instant Fortunately
no one was injured by she accident; but the working
Of the engine was prevented and ~ the same time oil
cess 70 the magazine was cut OF. Upon this being dr.
Captain Behm ordered the vessel 70 be dropped
down the river whore she could be out Of range Of the
enemys guns As soon the steam cleared on 6re was
again opened on The rebels but with what effect is not
known II is said that several rebels killed and
wounded, and carried or by their friends.
During the engagement WIN. Armstrong, sailor, had
his right leg shst away and death has ensued from
amputatiop ef the stump.
James splarn sailor, shot in the leg BY cannon
shot, but not dangerously wounded.
Several others were Slightly hurt.
The rebels occupied the town about hour and
half and during that time they laid Of
in ashes Many Union families were rendered houseless
by this barbarous act.
The most amentable occurrence OF the day
was the shooting Of Mrs. Phelps, wife OF John
Phelps q prominent Union man, whose house
was robbed Of eight thousand dollars in gold and
then surned by mscreant, who evidently bore him
personal III will
The qunboat Commodore Perry Capt Cbas. w. Flusser,
was not present the time Of the attack having started
on an expedition the evening previous, but laid at the
mouth Of tho river. She up hearing the cannon
sdiug but too participate in the engagement The
rebels had gone
We lost men prisoners
Further particulars Of the aaAir may reach in time
for the next mail
understand grand expedition is just about start
for point mot to be mentioned at present.
RoASoKE ISLAND, Dec. l4-Noon.
Additional Pariculoys-7s Troops Oppossd 70 tn Rebels.
On Wednesday morning last about Ave O'Clock, body
Of one hundred and nfty rebels made dash into Ply
mouth and attacked the House, where tho port
guard one company Of the Massachusetts, Eighth Captain
Ever and one company OF the North carosa First
stationed There was but sigh, resistance Captain Ever
and some e his men escaping the gunboat south6eld
Captain Behm, then lying In the stream
Fiftesn OF Captain Ewer's company are reported cap
tured and straggiers coming In at last accounts
Mrs. Phelps was killed by accidental shot while
entering the Custom House
several ON board the South6ed badly wounded,
and one has since died
About twelve shells fred by the souihaed before
she drifted out OF range.