The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-01-06
CAMP HAM1IToN, near Fort Monroe,
2 t4i8J December 20 1861

CAMP HAMILTON, near Fort Monroe,
s1 t4ja December 90 1857
Ed. JOURNAL: Early this morning heavy
firing was heard in Hampton Roads, and as
soon as the sun dispelled the slight mist
upon the surface of the water, all hands
could see seven or eight of orr gunboats
banging away at a little steamer that was
rapidly max ing for theleoyer of the batteries
at SewelPs Point The firing went on for
over four hours, and there was an immense
flashing of artillery, and terrible plunging
of shot and bursting of shells, sometimes
splashing the water, and sometimes bursting
in the sky, both shot and shell falling at
respectful distance from the enemy's batter
les, for the boats must have been FIVE miles
/ from the enemy's guns, and of course fired
at long and delibera5s aim, all of (which
was highly exhilifatin&, and gave to the
obscure army of volunteers staying here an
immense idea of the Vaor and proWess of
our very energetic Navy. We the boys
gathered on the hills and watched the great
naval battle, and saw the forked fame of
the cannon, and heard the big boom of the
guns, and wondered al the time where the
enemy was, for with the exception. ofthe one
little steaue, cutting along, a big cloud of
smoke rolling from1hers pipe,anO other OBJ
ject was visible, and it did not seem likely
/ tudb dll llllo luSo anu 4uAtOL SSulN bEfd1 Qc1
monstration on the sand banks of .SeWelPs
| Point, at such a safe and respectful distance,
too. But as you read on you shall hear all
about it, and learn to admire the audacity of
the enemy, when contrasted with-the leth-
saFgy shown on our side 1E
And now for the particulars. Atsunrise
this morning, as the Newport News steamer
was coming to Fortress Monroe, having in
tow a schooner loaded with barrels filled
with water for the shipping here, rebel
steamer emerged si1hdaEiSt 4rnril -rlnaa aeypr7
of the banks, 90 our side, where, it seems, ia
spite of the vigilance of the blOekading
fleet, she had lain all night, and commenced
firing at the Newport News boat The frst
shot passed near her pfot-hOuse ;3tle second
just astern; the third over therLi bow; and
the captain, getting scared. cat the schooner
| loose, leaving her crew on board who
jumped into small boat aud scudded for
the shore--the steamer sending for the
fort. Well, little secesh ran up 80 the
schooner, took her in tow, and made for
the Point. The roar of cannon by this
time woke up the bIockading feet. But as
those boats that had steam Hp had no Off
GERS on board, and as those that had no
steam up were not ready, and assit requires
an order, bound with red tape, to do any
| thing, why secesh was safe, before a boat
| moved. But something must be done So
out went the feet, bang went the guns but
nobody was hurt. La the meantime the
schooner is lost to US and gained to secesh.
| Our gallant navy has bad fight, and "no
| forward movement will be made 90
1T is decided here that no forward move
ment will be made. The 'fArmy of the
Potomac is quiet, and noo forward move
ment will be made. The army here is
quiet also, and no forward movement will
/ ba do IF 10 To f,r
ward movement. Besides, itriny0lYes dan
ger, and it might make the rebels mad, and
a reconstruction of the glorious Union will
be impossible, therefore no forward move
ment will be made. IL is necessary that
our army go into winteraqaarIers. The
| outsiders should not interfere in military
matters. What do they know about WARP
| Let newspaper editors mind theft own BUSH
ness. The war is to be conducted by STRAIT
egy. "Want to know " bat that is, do ye2"
It's none of your business. Strategy is STRAIT
egyl Thereforc-no forward movement will
be made. We shall go into winter quarters.
That's what's the matter. What for
| Never you mind. Z on just pay the taxes.
That's all you've got to do. Wen go into
winter quarters "There must be an on
ward movementT' What do you know
-ahzilt Il 2 The e.enny have batteries Do
! you think our Grand Army IS going
i move on batteries 2 No sir-ee No forward
movement will be made. Wen go into
winter quarters. We know all about the
war. AMI it is our duty to make il last.
! War is Warl And movement is movement.
/ What more would you have2g 'sTbe people
1 are discontented." The deuce they are.
W hat do the people know2 Wsr.isl war
Strategy is strategyl Let that suffice.
Then the balls, they might hit you in the
! stomach | That would hurti We'll go into
winter quarters. There must be delibera-
tion.laWhat is -delibeFatiOn2" Delibera-'
ton is deIiberation There will not
write any more military items. You, peo-
pie, mind your business "Well do the
military, II it don't do as =, bora at1n
The "Army of the Potomac" is all right
II is quiet. What more do you want2
Would you have the army uneasy? New
erl Perish the thought Things must re-
main in stat1l quo. What's that ~ Stafu
ouo is statu quot There, now I am out
OF all patience, and will employ an amanu-
ensis. "What's that 2'' Why, that's
what Generals have. The Army of the
Potomac regards the safety of the men.
In the West, the men are fatigued with
long marches, making Reconnaissance, sc.
all wrong. The Army of the Po-
tomac never wears out its men in that
manner. A corporal ard ten men will
do the business. But they are snapped
up We'll, that shows prudence. Sup
pose two or three regiments were snapped
np2 The Army.of the Potomac is right.
, It is the intention Of the armyto move in
!