Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-05
From the Richmond Dispatch.


The following communication from Brgadier General
Whiting, contains s2me interesting facts corSernng
guuboats 1t shows that their capabilities are very
much magnied, and that ttey not the all powerful
and irresistible things many prominent persons even
the South have regarded them to be- The lesson taught
at the obstruction in James river by three gun bat
terry has helped dispe the Illusion that had prevailed
OF the SUBJECT 1t the powerful vessels then essaying
to reach the capital one OF whose officers Informed al
old acquaintance on board the boat that carried the
Iankee prisoners down the river that he would dine in
Richmond the day after the bOmbardment commenced 7
unable to pass while the obstruction was not com.
pete, and VIXEN 1t defend by only three guIs In
battery, what chance do those boats stand now? 1t is
clear that the enemy reach Richmond by the
river He has had his gunboat conceit taken cut of
him TO that extent 1t s said that Lincoln was at or
tes Monroe and ordered the boats proceed at once
aud take Richmond in advance of Mcclellan. But
Lincoln could not force bis terrible boats by the
smell battery at Drewrys Bluf1-a barrier which be
has hearn OF b fore this. We invite attention to
General Writings letter:
HEADQUARTERS lsT DIVISION RESERVE,
Near Richmond, May %, 1862.
10 the Editor Of the Dispatch:
SIR :-Tbe pa-ic caused by the enemy's gunboats is
not, perhaps, unreasonable considering the manner in
which their deeds have been trumpeed and exaggera-
ted but 1t is very absurd and needless 1 will state
lew facts Horz nta, Or rather direct shell firing, as
from Dahl-ren or rftd pieces, is destructive only to
shipping or buildings 1t has very little effect upon
batteries, either with or without parapes, upon
troops deployad. This is due, | think partly to the
difficulty Of clusng the SHE'LL even if well directed to
explode exactly at the object bat chiefly to the great
velocity of the missile which carries the fragments after
explosion beyond the point of bursting Mortar firing,
vertical fire. 1t is called, is, if well managed much
destructive and dangerous in that the velocity is
small and the explosive force has full play have
never known she'll from the yunboats exploding over
an open battery or group or line of men, to do any
harm.
Last winter portion of my command, under Capt
Frobe, was exposed to frequent day and night shell
firing of IL 2nd 9nch l'ahgren and rifed shalls The
camp sheled repeatedly, and fire started in once
by camphene contrivance in the missile We had
but one casually.
During the same time, the enAmy's gunboats fed
between hundred and two hundred heavy shell at
single picket station the Potomac, without etHer
hurting or driving off the guard.
The gallant Ma Walker, of the artillery, unlinber-
ed his battery in the open field and for several hours
engaged the Pawnee, Live Yankee Auacostia, and
tug, at long range without single casulty, compelling
the boats to retire They were commanded by brave
officer of the =. S. N.-Capt Rowan-who is reported
to have lost in the fight.
The battery at Acquia Greek was shelled for three
days last by the Potomac feet one vessel alone
expeniiDg several hundred she'll with no other effect
than scratch on one mans hand and the killing of
troopers horse in the rear of the battery
Ma Or Walker was over twelve times last winter and
fall under fire of 9nch nabgrens from gunboats with
his battery, without casualty
Lieut. Col Stephen Lee, OF the Hampton Legion Ar
tiery now commanding the artillery Of this division,
twice engaged them-feld battery against 9-nch shells
without a casualty.