The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-21
NAVAL OPERATIONS ON JAMES RIVER,
Admirable Management and Action o
the Galena Or Days Point.

Admirable Management and Action of
the Galena Or Days Point.
WASHINGTON, May 20, 1852.
private letter from officer Coan, Of Of tho ves
sells belonging to Commodore Rodgers aota, speaking
Of the engagement Days Point just above New
ports Nows on the opposite side Of tho river says
The Galona, ,ironclad, was admirably maneuvrod, SO
beautifully and safely that she passed five six times,
as close she could gs and slencsd Of tho bat
teries She then passed and repassed the second bat
terry six times but, finding they were using so much
ammunition for which expected to havo better use
higher up Commander Rodgers ordered the two wooden
vessels TO up while he in tho Gacna lay aorcast Oh
the battery and Asconcertod tho rebel gunnors The
Galsna hon followed but tho buoys have bccn displac
and misplaced 30 that the pilots last evening ran the
Galena ashore and she is still aground None Of our
vessels were seriously injured.
OMcial Reports OF the Engagement Mt
Fort Darling.
WASHINGTON, May 20, 1852
The following reports havo been received the Navy
Department by Commodore Goldsborough
REPORT OF COM. RODGERS OF THE aALEHA.
UNITED STATES STEAMER GALESA,
Orr CsrY PoIST, JAMES RIVER, May 10, 1862. !
Sm-I have the honor TO report that this vessel the
Aroostook the Monitor and Port Royal with the Nauga
tuck, moved up the river getting aground several times,
but meeting artificial impedments until arrived at
Wards Bluff, about eight miles from Richmond, where
encountered heavy battery, and two separate bar
ficrs formed OF sp,es and steamboats, and sail vessels
Tho pilots both say that they saw the Yorktown and
Jamestown among ths number.
The banks OF the river we found lined with rife pits,
from which sharpshooters the at tho guns
These would hinder the removal OF DISTRACTIONS unless
driven away by land force.
The Galcna within about six hundred yards Of the
battery as near the sples as was deemed proper TO
CO. let 60 her anchor and with spring sprung across
the stream, not more than twice as wide the ship Is
long, and then At rortyfvo minutes past O'Clock
A. NJ opened fro upon the battery. The wooden vessels,
directed anchored about thirteen hundred yards be-
low Tho Monitor anchored near and at nine O'Clock
she passed just above the Gasna but found hor guns
could not be elevated enough reach the battery sho
then dropped little below US and made her shots effect
i've.
AT nve minutes after eleven o'clock the Galena
had expended nearly all her ammunition and
made signal to discontinue the action. We had but six
Parrot charges, and not single illod nine inch she'll
We had thirteen killed and elcvon wounded.
The rinod FOUNDER of the Naugatuck BURST half OF
the part abaft the hunnions going overheard She is
therefore disabled. Lieutenant Newman the executive
officer, conspicuous for his gallant and effective
vices. Mr. Washburne, acting master behaved admira
bly,. There are selected from among the number.
The Aroostook, Naugatuck and Port Royal took the
stations previously assigned them and did every thing
that was possible.
The Monitor ccuid not have done better.
The barrier is such that tho vessels OF the enemy cven
II they vo any, cannot possibly pass OUT and
not pas in. have tho honor to be your obcdent
want, JOHN RODGERS,
Commander, United States Navy
REsoRT OF LIEUT.. JrPFgRs. OF THE MONITOR.
The following is tho report OF Lieutenant william N.
Jclsrs, commanding tho Monitor In the late engago.
mont near Richmond. II Is addressed 10 Commander
Rodgers
JSrfp erSrks is0s CLAD STEAMER MONITOR
jams RIVER, Va, May 10, 1sG2. !
sr-i submit tho following report Of tho movements
Of this vessel during the action Of yesterday
shsrty after weighing anchor from position ncar
kirgslsnd Creek a sharp nro Of musketry was com.
mcaccd from both banks on all tho ships. At hafpast
seven discovered extensive fertilization oleva
ton OF about 200 feet with several smaller batteries, all
ap areny mounting guns Of tho heaviest calbre. AT
the Of the bluff 10 tho river there obstruction
formed OF sunksn vessels and steamers secured with
chalns aud the shallow water piled across tho river
the Gaona having anchored at about 900 yards dstan
from the FORT and boing warmly engaged, endoavorct
pass ahead her and take of OF tho rc but
found that my guns could not be elevated sufficiently
point al the fort then took position the limo with
tho Gaona and maintained deliberate fro until the
close Of the action, whom, in company with the othe
| vessels, dropped down 10 the anchorage.
The 6rc of the enemy was remarkably wei
directed bat vanly, towards this vessel She strucl
three times solid eight inch shot square the
ret, and two solid shot tho side forward Of
the pilot house. Neither caused any damage beyond
bending the plates am happy TO report no casualties
In conclusion permit to say tho action most gal
anty fought against great Odds and with the usual Of
feet against earthworks SO long vessels kept
rapid nro they rarely returned Ere, but the
msnt cur nre sIscksncd they renamed their guns II
impossible 20 reduce such works except with the
aid OF q land force.
REPORT OF LIEUT.. CONSTABLE, OF THE NAUaArucK.
The following 10 the report or Lieutenant D. c. Con.