The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-09
HOW THE YANKEE GUNBOAT WAS
CAPTURED
From the Wilmington Journal.

MEssRs EDITORS ALLOW me a small space
in the columns of your paper to give an account
of the total destruction of an Iron Steamer, which
entered New River, Onslow county, N. c., on the
morning of the oath ult. Her arrival was duly
noticed and promptly reported by Capt. Wards
plckets to the proper authority, when Capt. New.
kirk with detachment of the "Rebel Rangers, -
together with Lieut.. Latham with one piece of the
Kennedy Artillery, proceeded to the mouth of
New River to pay her their respects. They ar
rived on the morning of the 25th, just as she was
| returning from Jacksonville, where she had taken
the mail and what papers she could find, in the
meantime appropriating to her especial use some
boxes of clothing deposited there by the patriotic
ladies of Onslow for the use of our brave soldiers
in the field. And just here, for their consolation,
let me inform them that, although they failed to
reach their proper destination, yet they never
gave warmth to their enemies, as they were des-
troyed with the steamer. AS she was quietly
proceeding down the river, on her way OUT appa-
rently in no hurry at all, Lieut.. Latham opened
upon her with his rifed piece, checking Ier pro-
gress throwing her out of the main channel Of the
| river, and causing general confusion board
So soon she recovered from her shock, she
opened upon him terrific fire of she'll and eanis-
ter, but he needed not her reply, and continued
to pour upon her rapid fire, causing her iron
| sides to ring. But twas a play at ball with no
Squalty III the sue, TOT having out the ono piece
to contend with, she was able to dilect her three
heavy guns at :us, while Lieut.. Latham's balls
failed to enter her iron Sides and it until
he found tnat he could not sink her, did he leis-
urely and IN the best of order retire, while grape
was flying thick and fast in every direction The
steamer continued to shell the woods, to find out
the whereabouts of the artillery, and shying around
the place where she knew it had been, she stuck
fast on sand bar, and could neither get over nol
| back away from it. Capt Newkirk, the officer in
command, Immediately dispatched a courier to the
artillery camp for one more gun, which arrived
-the night of the 25th under command of Capt
| Adams. 1t was then determined to renew the
attack by daylight Positions were chosen and
next morning, an hour before day. all parties were
ordered to their respective places. Here follows
the position of our forces, which we do not think
| prudent to print.] Capt. NeWkirk superintended
/ the movements. Everything was BOW ready and
there en.ued for few moments perfect stilloess
which was broken BY the rifed shell of Capt. Ad-
ans, which went laundering forth; then another
made her ring, then came Lieut.. Lathans shot,
which did its errand well, then replied the steamer
with her woald-b be- murderous grape, while both
pieces of artillery kept up rapid fire, just then a
! boat was seen going down, and as it touched the
water, Lieuts McClammy and Spicer, with their
detaehmsnts stood ready to dispute their passage
TO the land, but that boat had business elsewhere
they made towards schooner which lay we'll to-
] wards the inlet, and though the artillery threw
! snot near enough to them to throw the water In
their boat, it failed to sink them. just as shell