Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-01-03
NATIONAL iNTELLIGENCEK.
NAVAL ACHIEVEMENT.

NAVAL AChlENEMERIr
The following official report relative TO an affair
alluded to some time since has never been pub
lished 1t is long, but it will amply repay perussl
Lieut.. Cushing is one Of the youngest officers OF
that grade in the sIvice and his courage coolness
and gallantry, as shown in the report would do
honor to any of the older officers In the naval
service
us STEAMER HETZEL, Nov. 20, 1862.
STA: have tie honor TO report that entered New
River Inlet IN the 23l Of this month with the United
States steamer Ellis under my command, succeeded in
passing the narrow and shallow place called The Rocks,
and started up the My object was to sweep the
river capture any there cSpure the town Of Jack
sonyile, or Ouslow Courthouse, take the Wilmington
mail and destroy any salt works that might find on the
banks expected surprise the enemy in going up, and
then to fight my way ou. Five miles from the mouth
came in sight of vessel bound outward with load OF
cotton and turpentine The enemy Tired her to prevent
her falling into hands. i alongside; made sure
that they could not ex,ngush the flames and again steam.
ed up the river.
AtIPMI reached The towu Of jacksonville, landed,
threw out my pckets and placed guards over the public
buildings. This place is the countyseat OF Onsow county
and ia quite an important town IL situated on the right
bank of tine river going up and s thtyhve or forty miles
from the mouth ] captured twenty-five stand OF pubic
arms in the courthouse aud pest Office, quite large mall
snd two scb,oners also coniscaed the negroes OF the
Confederate pos forgot TO Inenon that the town
i taed ON the main dit road to Wilmington. Several
rebel ,cers escaped neared the place, and carried
the news to that city.
At23OP NJ i started down the river, and at + NJ
came 10 sight of camp on the banks which thoroughly
nant where captured IN the
morning was 1t burning the enemy opened hre on The
E;. with rifles but were soon all. need by guns
had two pilots on ard both Of whom informed me that IL
would be Impossible to take the steamer frem tDe river
that night High water sni daylight we're two things hb
solutelg essential in order TO take her out therefore
cam, 10 anchor about FIVE miles from the outer par TOOK
INV prizes alongside and made every preparation To repe
an attack All night long IBe signal nres ol hs enemy
coud he seen On the hanks At daylight got under wuy
had nearly reached the place the channel When
IN, enemy opened with two pieces OF aruilery.
placed my vessel in position at once n1sIea e oa.ue ae
st the fore the crew gave it three cheers and we went
into action In one hour had driven the enemy from his
guns and from he bluff and passed within hundred yards
of their position without receiving hre.
JJp to This time bad heea IN every way succtssu
but was here destined to meet with an ACCIDENT Thai
changed the ItIne Of the day. aud resua IN Inc oe
structon Of my vessel About hve hundred yhrgs i9h
the bluffs the pilots mstaking the channel ran the E
hard and fast aground All hands went to Wofk al once
toghten her. anchors and steam used ner
buf without success The Roadway Of the steamer mac
centre OF Circle we had circumference Z: shoaf az
aronnd When the tide fell sent party ashore 10 tahe
of the artillery abandoned In Inc morning. put
when they reached the ned II was discovered ina, Iag
heen removed while we were at york on the yese ii
had secured this proposed 10 construct sLoie oa',ey
TO assist in the defence If wy vessel by keeping tue ebes
from placing their batteries 10 position ssded - ,oSs
every thing out of the s excepting the Pyot gIn some
ammunition two OF COAL and deN small arms otam
aud sncbcr sgain failed to get my vessel ahosl lett COZ.
49, Cnnf ADJ ratpn
yhrlmip0 force and became my duty to save my
uen So sl hands were called to muster, ana Inc crew
iold that they could go aboard the schoones csea pi
sin volunteers To remain with on board ana nght the
remaining gun Knowing that it was amos certain oe.th
the for ward, spd two masters ae.lie
aud Bsrto1-were amongst The NUMBER tnese eeouc,
men subsequently behaved with cooiIess and bravery
ordered the schooner to drop down the ehspnei OUT OF
range from the bluffs and there to wait Tor me
Of the impending engagement and we We're aesoyeo 10
proceed to sea
Early in the morning the enemy opened from four
po,ots with heavy raed guns Zone Whtworth) 1t
cross FIRE and very destructive replied as best could
but in short time the engine was disabled ana ,he wa,
much up in every part and the only alternatives lett
were surrender pull Of and hall miles under their
FIRE In nv snsil boat The FIRST OF these was not, Of
course to be thought Of the second resolved to attempt
fred the Ellis in five places and having seen that the
stu flying trained the gun on the enemy so
that the might herself after we had lett her. and
started down the river reached the schooner ana made s
for sea 1t was low water the bar and heavy surf
was rolling in but the wind forced us through after
striking several times
We were Just time for about Elk hundred yards down
the beach several companies 81 cavalry trying to
reach the mouth of the inlet in lime to cut US on We
boistxd our flag and gave three cheers and were of
In four hours reached Beaufort. brought away all
my men, my rifed howi'zer, and ammunition the ship
stores end clothing the mems bags and hammocks and
% ron of the small retained aboard few muskets
pixies and pistols to repel bosrders.
neglected to state that when took possession OF The
eoenys ground on the Gath salt work destroyed and
ten boats rendered useless that TO have been used
for boarding At9 M the " 8. steamer Ellis was blown
IN pieces by the explosion Of the magazine Officers and
men behaved uobly obeyng orders strictly under the mos
trying circumstances
respectfully request that court Of inquiry may t.
ordered to Investigate the facs Of the case and to see
the honor. OF the A q has suffered in my bands.
1 am, sis very respectfully, Jour obedient servcnt
VIM b. CUSHING Lieutenant.
To Commander RI. K DAVENPORT,
Senior Officer Commanding in Sounds OF N. Carolina