The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-07

"A~
frequently all are sent below when passing these dan
gerqls points. This river service, while II gains but
htt4honor TO the officers and men, equally danger
susts :ho more brilliant operations in attacking bate
riss or destroying a feet.
An affair which occurred the Appomattox river the
other day has not received the attention its importance
merits Information received by Captain Rodgers to
the effect that large quantity of coal stored at
RoD Walthall, about fifteen mos up ths Appcmattox,
est OF which the rebes drew large and valuable sup
piles II was deemed important to capture this coal
witch could be turned to very good account in sup
plying motive power TO our gunboas In the event Of
the ability TO take It away, to destroy IT,
On the 10th OF June Captain Rodgers ordered
the .Naratanza, Port Royal, Mahaska, Monitor,
Satellite, southhsld, Stepping Stones and Island
Belle to proceed up the Appomattcx and sf
fect tho above named object The fleet proceeded
up 70 City Point and entered tho Appomattox which
narrow and tortuous stream, and in parts exceedingly
shallow and Of dangerous navigation and had safely pro
gressed far place called Point of Rocks about ten
nies up, when they were vigorously attacked by a
body Of men In tho woods bluff, with muskeiry
re was Immediately returned with she'll shrapne and
canister, and after littlo the enemy driven eft
rhA vessels nearly all got aground here and many OF
them remained hard and fast for several hours The
Maatanza aground forty eight hours the Island
proving sbortvs. The enemy attempted to
bring . light battery to bear upon the
Maraanza, while she in most psrplexng and unor.
tunats condition, and when she would have suffered
greatly but the guns Of the other gunboas drove them
on and they renquishsd the idea the most consderac
manner At the end of fortyeght hours by dt or hard
labor, the Maratanza was sxtricated from her parous
position, comparatively uninurod. Meanwhile recon-
nosssnces by Captain Stevens demonstrated the fact that
the enemy were in force up the river aware Of our
presence and also the important that the nsvi
cation Of the river 10 entirely imractcabo for long
vessels and vessels Of any draught at all.
The enemy, fearing our visit, and undoubtedly
divinng one of its objects, set fire to the huge pile OF
coal at walthal, and soon was being consumed with
the property around H and the light thrown out by the
burning pile could be last night, showing that the
work Of destruction will be complete.
Ali efforts TO get OF the Island Bellethough her guns
were taken on coal and provisions transferred other
vessels and other means adopted to tighten her-wsrs
fruitless and at the end Of sixty hours she still
aground whom orders came from the Flag Ocer for the
gunboats 10 proceed Immediately up the James river
and render all the assistance they could in protest
ing the operations Of General Mcclellan, who was
then approaching the James river for . new
base Of operations. A. it was found impossi-
bls 10 get the Island Belle on, she was
burned to prevent her from falling into the snemy's
hande. The Island Belle was small tug, armed with
short thirty two and small Dahlgren howitzsr Her
machinery badly out Of order and her loss eom
parativsly unnportant Upon receiving information Of
General NcClelan's movements, the entire nsst got
under weigh and pushed down the Appomattox into the
James rver thsnes the latter to point above
Turkey Island whore General McCellans left wing first
reached the river. Tho rebels were treated to dose
Of ssvsn-inch and hnndred-pounder rned shell, when
they approached too near the river and they gave
forces but little trouble at that point
On Tuesday st in the Afternoon the Galena and Mahas
ks shsed the rebels right wing, who inclined
to Be little too importunss in their advances and
stoned them great loss Of life. Tho nrs sharp and
uninterrupted and the effect must have been terrible
The snsmy could be from the 0asna OF course
her nrs exceedingly correct and destructive Three
four nine inch shell into regiment quite enough
to produce great CONSERVATION, and the enemy were
finally rspused and withdrew out Of range. The Nara
tanza Aroostook and another now lying little be-
low City Point guarding the left flank Of the army
sionaly dropping shell two into the woods to clear
them OF interlepsrs. The Monitor, Mahaska Currtuck
souhned and another lie near shore on the right flank
and keep Il clear Of intrudsrs.
This morning the enemy appeared n considerable
force trent, and there quite lively little
skirmsh for tive three hours but they we're driven
on They also attempted TO hang around eur tanks and
the gunboats opened them with good eject. there
thing more than another which the rebel has
dsepseated and well founded aversion to is gunbos
They cannot endure H. and you may well imagine their
disgust when they find the gallant army OF General
Mcclellan safely in position the river with his prov.
sfons landed at his door, and goodIy number OF gun
boats with the terrible eleven zen and nine inch shell
guns and peundsr rifsd guns bearing his
entire camp and guarding with slsepless vigil both
aaSks II is not picture they like to contemplate.
All the dsposabie vessels 10 Commodore Goldsberough's
squadron will probably be employed in this river. keep.
ng open communication, and aiding Gen. Mcclellan "sn
TO Richmond" dozen more gunboats should BE- sent
here immediately, and under shs intelligent direction
OF Captain John Rodgers the river viii remain spsu,
and the way paved to the rebel capital. The nava
branch Of the service very important, and Is
essential that the fcst In these waters should be large
powerful, and adapted 10 the service.
Tho army of General Mcclellan Is In excellent
spirits, and, when . little refreshed, II ready 70
meet the enemy again. The rebels are not likely
20 attack US here, a. we have . strong poston.
with we'll protected tanks plenty TO eat and able 10 1og
them when they come. They are away from their bass
Of operations and cannet bs considered easy mat
ter to transport provisions far whom the roads are IL
as horrible condition now. The recent hsavy rains
have well nigh rendered impossible the roads about
hersindssd, should thiak entirely npassabs for
tiery. Navigation about camp Is most terrible. have
obtained soundngs in several spots but you may with
propristy term the navigation "dssp ssa as the mud
almost athonlsss Horses OF little to those whe
ike myself, can't get shsm and walking. un.
less one Is protected By the highest KIDD
Of top boots exceeding slow tedious and uncomfortable
stragglers coming in hourly-thcss wounded mean
and shall bo able to get at the loss sustained
during the past week. Ny opinion s that u will fail
far short Of ooo and that OF the enemy will prove
more than double ours. Nest f our siege trains
in n safety and not than twenty pieces OF artillery
as many, have been lost or destroyed. AL this
can ts better stated in . day or two.
The wounded and sick are being rapidly sent or BY
tho Sanitary Commission, and you may soon sok for
quite number Ia New York.
Tho mall viii bs sen, 70 and from the army regularly
In few days.