Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-05-24
LATEST NEWS
BY THE MAILS.
TIE JAMES RIVER EXPEDITION
THE SQUADRON WITHIN SEVEN
MILES OF RICHMOND.
Terrific Bambardment of a Rebel
Battery.
Especial correspondence Of tho Philadelphia En-
quirer.

The great anxiety which has prevailed here
for week past to hear from the expedition up
the James river has at last been gratifed
This afternoon the lite Naugatuck was de-
scrled coming down the roads, and Immediately
the anxious ones hurried down to the beach to ask
whether the Monitor was shclling Richmond p
Having conversed with one Of the officers Of the
Naugatuck, l am enabled to give YOU the follow
ing particulars
Last Sunday morning, tho Monitor, Gslena and
Naugatuck started for the rebel CAPITAL via the
James River. They were soon followed by the
Aroostook and Port Royal.
They si!enced several of the batteries which
lined the shore, and passed some with the most
contemptous silence.
The captain Of the Monitor stood upon the tur-
ret and waved his cap to battery which he con-
sdered unworthy of the notice Of his pet ou
three balls struck the Monitors turret with con-
siderable force.
The progress Of the feet was a continued sue.
cess until they arrived to within about seven miles
of Richmond. Here the river takes sharp turn
around precipitous bluff, fully hundred and
fifty feet high.
Upon the top of th, bluff the rebels have erect,
ed most scientific and formidable battery ,mourt T.
ing guns of superior range and calbre. This
battery commands the river in a most effective
manner, and it soon became evident to our fleet
that an engagement of no ordinary character was
imminent.
On last Thursday morning, at Z O'Clock, our
fleet formed their line Of battle and commenced
the reduction Of the rebel stronghold.
From the unusal elevation ot the battery, and
the diff Guilty our men experienced in getting the
range, they were for time, unable to do any exc
cutI0n. In the meantime the battery poured m
ncessant fire CT shell and ball down upon the
decks Of our vessels, and did fc rful piece of
work.
The Naugatuck, after several brilliant shots,
burst her loo pound Parrott gun killing tic gun
ner and wounding several others. Having no
thorA mt frcn hoo
and being thus disabled, she withdrew from tn c
engagement.
The Galena suffered severely the rebel shot
riddling her deck with great case, and severa! of
the balls entering her side. Fourteen Of her crew
were killed, and thirteen wounded the ma ajority
of the latter, however, will recover. Those who
were killed were terEib cut and mangiei-sona
beyond the hope of recognition For one hour
the Gs lena was exposed to the entire fire OF the
rebel battery. On account Of the narrowness OF
the channel she could not Spring or tura 90 as
to work to advantage.
The Monitor. however. maintained her superior
strength and invulnerablity. The balls glanced
harmless from her tower Of strength, and fell into
the placid waters Of the river. For some tine she
labored under great difficulty in acquiring the re-
quisite elevation for her guns. Bat having once
obtained it she poured her missile, with fearful
effect upon the battery, and, thus encouraging her
associates, the fleet belched forth such an iron
hail that the battery was siienced for three quar-
ters OF an hour. At this juncturc vessels ran
short of ammunition, nd retired from action,
while the rebels renamed their guns and again
commenced the conflict. A portion of the fleet
came down the river to jamestown Islam !, nearly
opposite Williamsburg.
The Monitor and Galena remained, in order t.
keep the rebels awake, the Monitor firing regular
ly once in two minutes, fully sustaining the repu-
taton Of the "chcese box." The Aroostook and
Port Royal were not materially injured. The &C
tion lasted four hours and half, constituting one
of the most brilliant Of the war.
Abou. quarter Of mile further up the river
the rebels have made a strong barrcade to the
further progress Of hostile feet. They have
sunk the Yorktown end jamestown in the chan
mel, and driven immense piles from one side Of the
river to the other, forming blockade similar to
that in the entlanc to the Norfolk harbor.
The guns of the battery are said to be manned
by the remnants of the crew. Of the Mcrrimac,
yorktown AMI Jamestown The firing was excel
lent, showing great desl Of skill
The Naugatuck escaped serious injury by having
her pilot house and deck protected by iron rails
laid transversely.
The body of Mr.. Boerum, gunner Of the Galena,
has been brought here for interment.
REPORT OF CON. ROGERS. or THE GALESA.
UNITED STATES STEAMER GALgNA,
OFF CITY POINT, JAMES liver, May l6,
SIH.-l have the honor to report that this
sci, the Aroostook, the Monitor and Port Royal,
with the Naugatuck, moved up the river, getting
aground several times, but meeting no artificial
impediment until we arrived at Wards Bluff,
about eight miles from Richmond, where we en-
couniered heavy battery, and two separate bar
riers formed OF sples steamboats, and sail vessels.
The pilots both say that they saw the Yorktown
aud jamestown among the number.
The banks ofthe river we found lined with rifle
pi.s from which sharpshooters annoyed the men
at the guns. These would hinder the removal of
Instructions, unless driven away by land force.
The Galena ran within about six hundred yards
of the battery, as near the epies as it was deemed
proper to 60, let go her anchor, and with spring
sprung across the stream, not more than twice as
wide as the ship is long, and then at forty FIVE
minutes past seven o'clock A. N. opened fire upon
tho battery. The wooden vessels, as directed,
anchored about thirteen hundred yards below.
The Monitor anchored near and aad at nine o'clock
she passed just above the Galena. but found her
guns could not be elevated enough to reach the
battery. She then dropped Q little below US and
and made her shots effective.
| At five minutes after IL o'clock the Galena had
expended nearly all her ammunition, and made
signal to discontinue the action. We had sbut
six Parrot charges, and not single ono filled l9-
| inch shell. We had thirteen killed and eleven
wounded.
The rifed 1O0-pounder Of the Naugatuck burst
half of the part abaf. the trunnions .goin over
| board. SIZE Is th erefore disabled. 1t. Newman,
the executive officer, conspicuous for his gal
liant and effective services. Mr.. Washburne, act
| ing master, behaved admirably. Thee are So
| lecte3 from among the number.
The Aroostook, Naugatuck and Port Royal tool
tho stations previously assigned them, and did
everything that was possible.
] The Monitor could not have done better.
The barrier is such that the vessels Of the enc
my even, if they have any, cannot possibly past
| out, and ours cannot pass in.
| have the honor to be your obdt serv,t,
| JOHN RODGERS,
| Commander United States Navy.
OFFICIAL RIPoRr OF LIEUT.. CONSTABLE, OF THI