New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-07-24
NETWORK. FRIDAY, JULY "a, 1863.

vice for operation against exposed bodies OF men
and on this occasion the wespon did not belle It's
character. A dense fog, however, prevailed, which
prevented Lieut.. Fitch doing a. great execution IN
the Rebel works as be desired. but bis shots from
the lar board and forward guns told and extensive
scattering took place. The Moose opened at
o clock, and as the Rebels were driven she kept
steadily moving up the stream, throwing shell and
shrapne over the heads Of Lads into the ranks OF
he enemy.
pressed in all directions, and that hard nghpg woun
not save them from destruction.
ATTEMPT TO CROSS INTO VIRGINIA.
A simultaneous rush was then made for the r'er,
and throwing away arms and even clothing, large
body rushed down to the shore, some win horseH
and some without. and plunged into the stream
The point chosen to effect the crossing WAS one
mile snd half above the head Of Burlington Island,
and the movement wond undoubtedly have been
attended with considerable success but for the pres
ence and performance OF the gunboa. The crossing
was covered by 2O.pounder Parrot AMI IL
FOUNDER howitzer, dragged into position oy the
Rebels IN their hasty retreat, bat before the guns
could 10 loaded and sighted the bow guns OF the
Moose opened on the Rebel guns and drove the gun
ners away, after which the pieces were captured.
Some 20 or 80 men only succeeded in crossing into
Virginia ut this point
Several were killed in the water, and many re-
turned 10 the shore. While this was transp'ring on
the river the roar Of battle still raging on the
shore and back into the country. Basil Duke, un'
der whose generalship the fight was conducted, was
evidently getting the worst Of 1t, and bis weared
gangs OF horse thieves cutthroats, and noudescrps
began to bethnk them only of escape. Many threw
down their arms were taken prisoners, and sent 10
the rear Others sought the shelter Of trees or ran
wildly from one point TO another, and thus exposed
themselves far more to the deadly chances OF the
field than ftbey had displayed courage aid stood
up 70 the hight.
RETREAT OF THE ENEMY.
A running fight next snsued, as the main force OF
The enemy retreaied up stream toward point on
the Ohio shore opposite Bellevie, Va The retreat
was made as rapidly as possible, but considerable
confusion was apparent. The gunboat kept almost
ahead Of tho retreatiDg column. and, when prsctl-
cable, threw shell over toe river bank toward 1t.
IL ia said that the Retreat was headed by Morgan.
for Basil Duke was taken prisoner in the early part
OF the fight, bat IL was ~ rapdly followed ny as
possible. The Moose reached Bellevile IN tine TO
IRE upon the hrs, party that attempted 10 cross The
iyer.
The crew report eight or nine killed and several
wounded In tho water, but - Rebels or more got
sAfely lahore in Virginia. IL shoald have been
stated above that Gen. soammon, with re-eniorcc-
m. M. from the kanawha, arrived ~ the hrrt scene
OF action in time 10 participate but instead OF iahH
INK his meu on the ONO side he dlsembaTksd them
on The NiFg,niA shore. Ihis prectnuoh may nave
been well enough IN the event Of the enemy elect
ing a cro,, ing, bot when the Moose moved up Cen
Seamuon re.e.nbarked his tfools, and went up with
the gunbosi TO head of Morgsns retreat.
Fooled al Belle viile the Rebels still kept pushing
up along the shore, and again attempted 10 cross az
Uag kiurport II miles above the isllud but aga Ia
IL cir ris proved abor'vo accoun, OF the gun
boat Passing Havklnsport, the Moors came TO
Ia.'s Creek, Va, where sue was greeted by sharp
yollcy Of rihss aud musketry from IA amouseane on
the ,horc. IL was now the tnrn OF The starooard
gunner, 10 try tho temper Of their metal, and a
l.. 100. Ill ~
rascal. on the sacred sol." Ii wA sufficient, Tor
no, Ano,her .hot wa. fred and Leut. Fitch learned
afterwAri that nine Of the bushwhacksrr were
.iiled aud several wounded.
The transports containing Gen. scammons forccs
were then run up to n point between Hawkinspout.
Ohio. and Lees Greek, Va, and landed on the Ohio
shore. ~ intercept tho kcoel retreat. The Is the
a,t information had Oh the river OF that eipedi-
lion, although it was reported in the evening Thai
s-anmon had captured tho force compelled II 10
surrender.
RETURN or TIE GuNBOATs.
While the Mooee was winning her laurtls, tho
other boats Of the feet werc not failing 10 enact
their rgulsrly assigned part OF the programme;
which was to guard tho fords below the island, aud
prevent any skulkng squsds OF the Rebels crossing
10 the much -wished-ior Virginia shore
IL il said that some Of Morgsn's men sang, "Oh
carry me back to Ole VirginDy," with a paihos and
siucoty Of quite suggestive not TO ray touch
ing, and II certainly cannot DO denied that Capt.
Fitch event for tbem' with degree oil aiacrity
which proved his entire Willingness 10 assist them
a, far a- be conld. The only regret which now IN
any way ds.urbs the reposo 81 this officer IL that
the Rebels did not make larger draft on the
Moose, which might have been used Us n icrfy-boaI
10 carry them further their direct road Ihsn
they bargsined for. As IL was she did all she could
under the circumstances, aud Us the nver was ia'l-
ing very fast, slIo, together with the Others COM
prlsins the icet, was compelled ~ return down
sreAn.
The Allegheny Belle, q Neutrality-suspicious., was
fitted up Temporarily for the occasion aud armed
with Ihed gun protected with bnles Of cotton, to
guard tue fords between Bsieyilic and Burlington
leland
THE SCENE OF TIE BATTLE
Was one Of the most composite. perhaps, III Tue
panorama Of the war. TIE rebels were dressed N
every possible manner peculiar 10 civilized man, but
generally spea king their ATTIRE was very good.
ILey wore IN many instances large SLOUGH hats re
Guitar the slave States, and had thelr phhhio'us
stack ia tueir boots. dirty, grey.colored coat
was the most prevalent, although white " dGs'er'
wers 10 be reeu. .
They were armed with carbines, Enfield riles,
saber. and reyolvers were we'll mounted, and looked
IN good heath al hough faded and tired. lie Dat
tlt -cld and the roads surrounding IL were SUI"
with IA thousand articles never seen perhaps on Ia
battlefield before. Ono 10 accustomed 10 See bro
ken swords muskets and bayonets, haversacks, car
ige- boxes, belts. pistols, sunoarrages carsont,
cau1on. wagons up.et, wounded. dead ana dying on
battlo.ied bur beside all these on the battlefield
of Burlington Island, one could pick up almost any
article IN tho dry-goods hardware house-iurni,hng,
or ladies or genilemen's furnishing line.
Hats, boots, gloves knives, FORKS, spoons calico,
ribbons drinking cups bugges carriages, market
wagons, circus wagons, and an almost endless va
ricy OF articles us, full and all more less valuable
An inventory Of Morgan plumber would TAX the pa
tence Of an auctioneors clerk aud question If one
mans lite would Le long enough to infinitely caIa
logue tho articles picked up during his raid.
The carnage OF the field WAS not remarkable, al
though liitc groups Of Rebels worc found slam by
the deadly fragments OF she'll.
THE RESULT,