Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-08-11
ATTACH ON MeClgllan's Fleet.


ofsan attack CA McClellan's fleet in James
river, taken from the Richmond Examiner :.
General Pendleton, with many powerful
batteries, left Richmond and arrived in the
neighborhood of City Point on Wednesday.
The attack on the enemy's fleet was to have
been made that night, but owing to a misun-
Outstanding 81 orders the different batteries
failed to rendezvous at the appointed place.
and it was, ofnecessity, postponed.
On ThursdaT, Colonel Brown and Captains
Macon and Watson, the latter of the Second
Howitzers, made a thorough reconnaissance
of the river and the south bank, opposite
McClellan's eacampment. At Maycock's
Landing, directly opposite Westover, they
tied their horsss in the woods and crept close
to the river bank. A large and splendid
steamer said to be occupied as quarters by
McClellan's principal officers, was lying close
ashore at the MISSIONER Landing. Between
her and the Southern shore, and as far as the
eye could reach up and down the stream.
were great numbers of large steamers and
transports. Some of the latter were within
f%ourhundred yards Of the southern shore.
The sound ~ofvoices in conversation were
plainly heard While the officers were max
ing their obscrations a steamer arrived from
below and casqnchor in the midst 0 fthe feet.
Immediately alumher OF voices from the yes
sells were hearq calling for the New York Her.
aid and enqui11rg what Pope was doing. To
the enquiry aoat Pope, q man on board the
steamer replea On, he has got everything
right; he's goipn; to give them ,h-ll."
Having competed their reconnaissance our
oihcers WlthdrfE. At a quarter to twelve
o'clock our ~baferies WEI, in the positions
assigned them1 The Hanover battery was
stationed at Gggip's Point; the Fayette
Artillery at Mkcock's, half q mile below
the Second hoXZers were in position just
below AaycocY and the other batteries still
further down II banks. By a ~preconcerted
plan, the firing Long Tom by the Hanover
battery was to the signal for the other bat
terles TO open ~. 1t was a calm, starlight
night not a sopid broke upon the ear. The
river unruffied ~ a breath Of air, flowed
silently by whlk on its tranquil bosom float
ed IN 1ancied secrity the navy of the Union,
the lights from he rigging and cabins alone
indicating Whefethe vessels lay. The large
steamer suppose to be the officers quarters,
was seen at thai ate hour brilliantly illumi-
natedby lights Which twinkled through every
window. The Ftching hour of night drew
N. a2ace as oufnen anxiously awaited the
signai Tor opehfg fire. Eight bells was
struck by the gqlboats in the river; the sem
tries cried t"efe, o'clock-alPs weil!' AS
the last woedSiki upon the ear a sheet of
tame dartins OF from Coggin's Point follow
cd by a defenlngreport, told that Long Tom
had spoken, ardhe fight was begun. Simui-
taneonsly blaze pliowed blaze. from point TO
point miles dowf the river. The feet was in
an instant throw into contraction. YeHs. and
oaths, and shrieks. mlooled with the r~epegted
cry OF !" put outthat Ii sht" were heard from
every steamer and schooner at once. And
very quickly wee the iiehts -extingn;shed =
But our pieces barring been previously lrailed
lnfo TINS sas a matter Of small conss-