Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-28
G. S. GARRETT. Secretary.
AN EXPEDITION UP THE PlANKATANK.


Yankee letter from Yorktown, Va, dI!ed tie lSh,
gives the following account of expedition up the Pr
alEltank
Lieut.. Commander james II. G!ls commanding the
United States gunboa: Commodore Morris, also, the
aeet on The York river, received notice that the
banks of Pankatank river noted blockade and
daring guerrilla named Pr tchard made his IT nd zYOs
aud II an expedition, judic usly managed, was sent
out a certain Y, hls capture would BE- made GER
tain.
Captain Ho;cGkiss who, ia his little boat, the GeDe-
raj Putnam had been doing blockade duty the York
river and tributaries for long period I'd an interview
with sptain ellis, and proposed to him plan where
by Pri.chard might bs easily captured II was there
fore agreed that on Mjndly, the 18th instant
dition, composed of the gunboat Commodore Jones,
A;tDg Master ia hawGy, executive officer commatd d.
ing the neral Putnam, aui ter from the COmmo
dore Morris in charge OF Mr.. s. Lesis, executive Of
Gcer the whole in command Capt. Hochkis should
s.art and toe cap At an early hour yes
teriay morning the pIrry offered the Plankaank river
and leaving the gunbcat cox TO The cutters four IN
number aud, with silent stSokes OF mufled oars, soon
reached the snot which the guide indicated 10 ding
Place.
Our adventurous explorers soon reached the house
where the redoubtable guerilla captain and blockade
runner reposing and at surrounded the same,
and had little cuty in securing him. Pritchard it
arpsars, did not reside here, but was only paving
friendly visit to the people with whom he was sayt g.
o. demanding adnttance 10 the Louise, the officers
W,re asked their business and at one time it
thought Prtcbard would offer ressta ce, but finding
the house completely surrounded by blue jackets and
cape impossible, he surrendered at discretion but
nevertheless boosted 81 his numerous exploits in block
ade.running, and altogether assumed defiant and u
len demesnOr. Having successfully accomplished The
object of this expedition the party returned with their
captive This was about four oco3k in the morning,
aad daylight just appearing, they were about n
turning, when Captain Hotchklss proposed TO
run up the river about three miles and then
cend enc of the creeks FOR the purpose OF cutting out
schooner and canoes that had been very actively ell
gagged in smuggling conraband goods from the eastern
shore of Virginia. A council OF held, and as
Captain Hotchki urged that there then sufficient
force for this purpose and he was the commanding Off
cr all the rest assened and the Commodore Jones and
General Putnam we're headed for South Greek, where
on nearing as before the cutters again brought
into requsiton aud tie gurboats left TO keep watch
Several vigorous tokes brought the cutters around
bend Captain Hotchkiss' gig leading the var. When
tue boats we're absent from the gunboats about ten
minues and abreast of clump of rees, the boats
fred upon bv party OF guerillas secreted in ambush.
At the third FIRE mimic ball struck Captain HotchkisG
in ingular veiD and he fell over the gunwsle Of his
gga faess form. sailor named Mcdonald was also
killed By the fire.
The FIRE was returned with vgor by our brave lad;
yet the coWardy ruans in ambush had the advsn age
of position, and continued their Are. succeeding in
wopndng Joseph Madden, seaman, ibfcting slight
SD wound. and another VIM II. Prospect, landsman,
severely in hip Five bullets penetrated the cutter of
the Commodore Jones and pierced her Sides Finding the
resistance that could be brought to bear from
launches against bushwhackers of little or no avail the
Paymaster Of the Commodore Jones rowed in his dnky
to where the gunboat lay, and in very short time
fire from Dine-irch guns opened upon the cowarily
rebel who skedadded at once and left their position
1t was thought proper to abandon the object of this
second expedition pscaly Captain Hotchkiss was
h. nj qlitV the sought
sell and his un:imely death precluded any further
of the object The vessels, therefore,
turned and continued Smelling the woods during their
progress down the river.