The New York herald., 1862-03-16
OPERATIONS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.

Engagements Between the Gunboats
Yankee and Anncostia and the Rebel
Batteries at Aquia Crcek-Spirfted Com
test-No Injury Received by the Union
Vessels-The Damage 20 the Rebel
Works Not Ascerta ned-IIeavy Cap
lures Of Rebel Ordnance and Ammunf-
tton, de-, &c.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1862.
Since Thursday several companies Of volunteers have
been engaged In securing the valuable Of the pro-
pcrty left by tho rebels at Dumfres. is said TO bo
immense consisting Of caissons wagons, largo guam
tity Of rice and tents blankets, general assortment
Of commissry and shot and she'll grape and can
ister in large quantities.
General Hooker last night received a request from
Lieutenant Colonel Van Lear that moro boats might bo
sent TO him transport the captured property Of the
rebels Several boats despatched for that purpose
Vast quantities have been destroyed and great deal
buried much of which has been discovered Conrbands
continue flock lines down tho river. Much va
luablo information regarding the enemy has been de
rived from thom.
Tho Stepping stones up TO the yard from Liver
pool Point above Aqua Creek todsy. The HsRAID cor
respondent on board the Stepping Stones reports that
early yesterday morning the Island Belle entered Aqua
Creek near the pier and commenced Smelling the battery
on the h the battery the water lire having been
abandoned The Are was returned from the hill battery.
away Of piece Of joner's work from tho engine
BY afrsgmeut Of q shell.
Iater in the day tho Anacosa and the Yankee shcled
the neld battery at Boyds Hole and after lvcy inter.
change Of compliments, which did no harm to the
vessels they both retired. J.
The steamer Yankee arrived at rho Navy Yard and
took on board quantity Of shell yesterday. she 'heh,
with the Anacosta proceeded TO shell he rebel batteries
at Aqua Creek ,.,.,
Tho enemy replied briskly with thor guns, but JAILED
,o reach tho Yankee although they madc several excel
lon, line shots one shell struck but short distance
from the Yankce in direct range with her wheslhousc
Mos, Of the shots were too high for tho Anscosa, many
of them passing over to n great distance.
Tho heavy guns OF the Yankee enabled her TO s on out
Of range and drop shells with precision into the bat
| terios. .-..,,.x
| of without being struck.
is believed from the in which their shells
odod in and around tho rebel batteries that somebcdy
The cars can be socn running 70 and from tho depot
Aou,a Creek and IL Is thought that the rebels 70
| moving their stores, ordnance, &c.
Tho battery at Potomac creek st occupied By the
| rebels.
tho George Page and to-day having the whistle OF The
| rsbs steamer attached 70 her steam pipe.
A large number Of splendid guns have bcon secured
which wcro left by the rebels in their upper batteries
Yesterday the Leslie brought up from the Evsnspor bat
terry seven and half inch rihed gun tnrowins nvn
dred and twenyeigh pound she'll Inc v,sc N ~ 7
removed from the vent the gun will prove most vaua
bic acquisition. There are now two shss ana "a =
mass o. mud in tho gun, attempts n'V"H '''n "A'e
cannon Of the best description daily being found
ha r,ver M tho various batteries, many Of which, TO
v s"er with large amount Of loaded sbe, are bsin
brought up 70 the Navy yard