The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-09-02
but Il was not answered. md we ran safely
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MONDAY, August q. 1863.
In the gray Of the morning we ran some
five miles up the river, and came 10 anchor
near Gray's Point Being out ell niehf, q
well ~ the two nights previous, crcTybody
was much exhausted, and, - soon q the an
chor dropped over the side, nearly all drop
pedto sleep upon the deck. Having suffered
severely with sea sickness during the night
1t was pitiful to see their pale, uneasy faces.
Nothing of importance occurred during
the day The sea still ran high, and the wind
increased in strength. About night three
sails made their appearances in the bay. all
beating down upon the starboard tack di.
rectly towards US. We made out towards
them, and for an hour or two chased the
larger of the two down towards GWin's Island
and the mouth Of the Piankatank About
O'Clock she was ovcrhaulcd, Ind proved 10
be the schooner Golden Eed, laden with
Goals, from Baltimore, aud bound for Maine.
The captain and crew were the most sur
prised men / ever saw The other two sail
{schooners both had anchored Just inside
the point, and these were picked up upon
our return. They were the Two Brothers
and the Coquette, anchoE-aweepers, from
Philadelphia. Both had number of very
fine anchors and cables on, board. Taking
the three in tow we ran up 10 Urbanna acsein'
and let go anchors. As the Reliance had but
a few bushels Of coal left she was sent up to
Fort Royal that morning, bslk slnce our cap
tnre OF the Golden Rod, saSSw was ordered te.
return.
Running the Satellite alongside the eehoo.
ner we took on board coal to last q day or
two, and prepared to run down the river
The schooners were made ready for burning,
and Instructions left with 1t. Hudgins to
n n nd
should the enemy force us to retire.
TUESDAY, Aug. a5th.
Early this morning went ashore to carry
the wounded some few captured luxuries,
taken from the prizes. Mr.. Hoge was doing
very we'll although his wound was painful
Capt. Walters seemed failing: his symptoms
were bad. The deserter was dead, and an
old boatswain beyond recovery. Ensign
Sommers, and purser's steward, Stavey, were
both doing well. The ladies were assiduous
in their endeavOrs to make all comfortable,
and =! am sure the wounded will ever cherish
kindly recOllections of their care.
We remained few hours at Urbanna. then
again ran down the river and laid under lee
of the land, some two miles from the bay,
waiting patiently for something to turn up"
The sea seemed to be higher than before, and
we could see the white foam caps fash in
the light, and the heavy breakers dash upon
the beach with their continuous, saddening
roar. 1t was too much for the Satellite
the elements were against us. From a picket
we ascertained the Curri,uck had arrived off
the Piankatank, had communicated with the
shore, and afterwards steamed rapidly in The
direction OF Fortress Monroe Wc-knew,
then, she was aware Of the nature of our ex-
plot, and had gone for aid 10 pursue i,s.-
sure enough, later in the evening he black
smoke stacks of three large gunboats became
visible in the distance.
Had the weather been favorable Lieut..
Wood intended to have run out before the
steamers came up; but the pilots decided
the sea was too rough for our engines. This
being the case, We had the choice Of an I'M
equal fight or a retreat up the river The
odds were too great for the former, and so
we headed for Urbanna
Meantime Lieut.. Hudgns had arrived
with the Reliance, and was coaling from the
Upon nearing them boat was
sent ahead to show who we were, and in an
hour after we, toe, were alongside them.
The storm now burst upon Us in all its fury,
and the wind shrieked around us as il all the
sea-dcmons had been turned loose. Although
nearly twenty miles Il ON the bay, the waves
were higher than | supposed they ever were
III the river The windyeered TO the North
ward, and the weather turned intensely cold
That night the sharpshooters were sent
ashore TO their command, and We lay at an
chor
WEDNESDAY, Aug. sGth.
This morning the storm cleared away. but
the weather was chilly and the river rough.
A pilot was oblained from the hore and pre-
paratiOnS were made TO run up TO Port Roy
II, where the steamers and the prizes could
be dsmantled. The larger schooner drew
eleven feet Of water, and this the pilot
thought too much to be gotten up without
difficulty; so at daylight she Was fired. TAX
ing the other two prizes in tow we started
on, pilot Moore bringing up the Reliance
close behind. After a few miles he brought
worked together, making quite good time
against the strong ebb tide and the high
hcadwind.
About 10 O'Clock the weather moderated
4 little. The sun came out, and the wind
died away. The run up was quite pleasant,
and / enjoyed fully the beauty Of the scenery
along the route do not know of more
beautiful river in this country than the Rap
pahannOck. The shores are high and slope
from the hills behind gracefully down to the
water Well cultivated farms on either side,
splendid residences, with patches of wood
land here and there to throw dash of gen.
uine nature into the scene The Confederate
flag was flying from the Satellite, and from
some old bunting on board, the officers OF
the Reliance imprOvised a small flag of the
new pattern-the white ground with battle
flag union Our advance caused considerable
excitement on the route: the people did not
mute establishment, others thought it trick
of the Yankees, Others again greeted US with
enthusiastic cheers The sun went down just
as we entered Port Tobacco bay, its sof light
lingering for time upon the hazy hilisides.
The picture that was then presented us was
beautiful beyond description, and win iinger
long in some niche of the mind whert mem
ory shall hang it.
A short run from here brought us - Port
Royal. There some of our troops wsfeeta-
toned, with a battery of artillery. Wowere
hailed from the banks and warned aot to
surprise it for fear Of receiving few shess
before our character could be made AaoWn.
A boat was therefore sent ahead, and IN half
an hour after we dropped anchor just i'll the
town.
THURSDAY, Aug 10th.
Early in the day It. Wood went ashore to
report our arrival to the commanding of1cer.
We were very kindly greeted by all and
promised every assistance IN dismantnng ana
getting ashore the cargo OF the prizes. The
troops at this place were the attn and aSth
Nanoleons. the name of which has escaped
me. They had been here some days, and
acted as protection to train of wagons
foraging in this vicinity. The Yankees were
some fifteen N les from here, at King George
g. II. where, it is said, they have conside-
rable force of cavalry and infantry. On
Tuesday q skirlnish occurred near King
George C. H., in which the enemy were re-
pulsed, leaving ten dead upon the feld. sOnr
loss was slight two or three wounded.
During tie dayseveral parties Of ladies came
Otto visit us, some Of whom recognized the