Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-12-04
For the formal.

MRssRs. EDIToRs:--Ailow me small space In the
columns OF your paper give account OF the total
destruction OF an Iron Steamer, which entered New
River on the morning of the 24ih. Her arrival WIS
daily noticed and promptly reported by Capt. Wards
pickets to the proper suh0rty, when Capt. NeWkirk
with detachment of the "Rebe Rangers" together
with Lieut. Latham with one piece of the KENNEDY
Artillery proceeded 10 the mouth of New River TO pay
her their respects they arrived on the morning of the
25th est IS she returning from Jacksonvi where
she had tsk-n the mail and what papers she could hnd
the meantime appropriatng to her especial use some
boxes OF clothing deposited there by the patriotic ladies
of OnsIow for the use of brave soldiers 10 the field
Add Just here for their CONSOLATION let inform them
that although tbey failed to reach their proper desina-
tiou VET the7 never gave warmth 70 their enemis
they were destroyed with the steamer. As she was
quietly proceeding down the river her way out ap-
parently 10 DO hurry all, Lieut. Latham opened upon
her with bis riff piece, checking her PR gress throw
ing her out OF the main channe OF the river and causing
a general confascn on board. so she re-
covered from her Shock she opened upon bin terrific
fire of she'll and canister but he needed not her reply
sn1 continued 10 pour upon Der RAPID nre causing
her iron sides ring But twas play at ball with
no equality in the sde for having but the piece 10
contend with, she was able to direct her three heavy
guns at u.s. while Ii ut Lathams balls failed tC enter
her iron sides, aud il not until he found be could
not sink her, did b. esurey and in tie best of order
retire, while grape Hging thick and fast Ia every
direction Tue steamer continued TO shell the woods
to find the Whereabouts OF the artillery, aud shy ing
around the place where she knew it had been she
stuck fast On sand bar, aud could neither get
back away from it. Capt Newkirk, the Cficer in
command immediately d,spatch,,i courier to the
artillery camp tor more quo, which arrived the
night the 25th under command OF Capt. Adams
It then determined TO renew the attack 10y day
light. Positions chosen and next morning, az
hour before day all parties were ordered their
sp ctve places. Here follows the position Of oul
forc4s which we not think prudent to print Capt
| Newkirk superntended the movements. Everyth ng
was now eady and there ensued for few moments g
perfect sn 81, which broken by the rid she'll
Capt Adams, which went laundering forth; then
another mad5 her ring, then Lieutenant Latham
shot, which did lis erraud well, then replied the
steamer with her would -be-murderous grape, While
both pieces OF artillery kept up rapid fte Just then
boat gOiog down, and as it touched the wa
ter Lieuls McCamuIy and Spicer, with their detach
mens stood ready to dispute their passage to the lend
Ebut that boat business elsewhere, thy made towards
Schooner which lay we'll towards the inlet and though
the artillery threw shot enough to them to throw
the 10 their boat it failed to sink them Just
a shell from the artillery made entrance into the
cabin, light discovered, and Capt. NeWknE pro
claimed the da7 Very the wood work Of
the Steamer in light blaze, and the attention o.
all directed to the schoontr which bore them away
as stiff breeze carried them fast down the HaC
it been CALM the entire crew would have been ours, but
let US rest content with what done. They left il
the utmost confusion leaving everything they had their
rifles, cutasses books Caps shoes, and their beef
and crackers halEdo. Whether any CT them were
killed is not known. The Shell fell all around her Or
her passage up the river she fired into By Lieut.
Simmons and bis picket, with what If ct is not kno~n
She accomplished nothing at ali. Our pickes burned
the schooner that was ready for AA the p peri
the steamer got at Jacksonville must have been lost
she, luckily tor herself, stole a schooner in which. Il
make her escape and lorced by As to abandon
her element OF power, iron guuboat. The officers anC
men engaged deserving OF especial praise Capts
4 NewkIk and A14ms, as also Lieut. Latham, McClnm
my and Spicer aad their men, will always remainder
with pleasure the day Of tie 18th of November, ant
while it 10, the good pleasure of Capt. Wad II
Gngage with them, yet be STOOD at important pos
ready to dispute their passage to the land Her
magazine, chests water tanks, boiler and qlan
tty OF iron have betn saved Many things Of value wer
found, among them lot of newly invented schacke
for Tire feet together with hand cuffs in abundance
Southern think of this know what awaits you
racoIlect what they have prepared, perhaps for you
wives ard children Citizens of the Cape Fear an
soldiers in its defence ponder these things we'll, az
swear that you will die, rather than have your love
soil polluted by the tread of the despot Forgive Il!
Messrs Editors for respassng long your pat2enc
wishing to do all parties justice, have entered Nor
into detail than first intended asking your rdon f.
this lengthy episle, promise to be more brief in tt
future. GIVES.