Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-06-16

TIE capture OF the Federal Steamer Water Witch,
in the Assabaw Sound of the coast of Georgia, by the
expedition sent out in charge of Lit PELor, week be-
fore last appears to have been right nice little affair
The expedition consisted Of hundred and Ten men,
in seven bargas, aud started cut about midnig ht.-
Boldly pulling up to the steamer, which was lying
quietly at anchor, the boats got within thirty steps of
the Water Witch before they were hailed. Our
made DO response, but their boats up against the
steamer and commenced cambering up her sides, when
the attack at once made
A most desperate band-to-hand fight, of about ff-
teen minutes duration ensued. Most of the fighting
seemed to be done by the officers, with revovers and
sabres which ed freely the sides of the
sci and through the ports. Our needed it not but
pressed forward reached the deck all the while fighting
desperately, hand to hand, with the enemy. Not one
of the guns fred, the fuses being all DOT below
| and the crew asleep.
Lieutenant PelOt was the first man On board and
ceved shot through the heart after ching the
deck, and whilst dealing blows thick aud heavy all
around him. The fight continued some fifteen minutes
when the enemy surrendered the ship and the officers
and crew-some sixty or seventy in numbe--were
made prisoners
In the fight several of the officers Of the yes sci
wounded, among them the lieutenant ,ding the
vessel, the acting assistant paymaster, tw ensgns
seven seaTnen aud one negro. But two MT n aboard
were killed outright--both negroes.
Our loss Lieutenant Peot, three imen, one
some eight or nine wounded, among them Lieut.. Jos
| Price, of Wilmington, n. O., ard midshpm Minor
Lieut. Peot was native of Charleston, and although
only twenyseVen years OF age, leaves wife and three
children.
The Water Witch is fine side wheel steamer, fully
equipped and carries four guns. Fer officers and
were taken prisoners to Savannah, Georgia.
Some erroneous reflections having been cast ~ 'or
the of two of the barges engaged in the captI
of the steamer Water Witch, has brought out the u
lowing statement by the officer in charge, certified tt
BY Lieutenant JOSEPH PRICE, young officer beozH =
ing 10 Wilmington, who took charge of forces ups
the fall OF Lieut.. PELoT:
SAVANNAH, June 6, 1864.
| Editor Saudnndh Republican:
Dear Sir In accordance with your request made
this morning proceed to give you statement of facts
connected with the late boarding expedition, and the
that prevented two OF the boats from only
partially boarding the Yankee steamer They are as fol-
Roat Nos of the port column, commanded by Beat
Seymour attempted, and did succeed, in graphing
the steamer abaf5 wheels sufficiently long enable
three to board her, and when the remainder
attempted to get the boat the engines of the Yankee
ship backed, thereby threatening the destruction of
our boat, by running over her.
The commanding officer, Er seyn our seeing this gave
the command to board her forward whereupon the men
laid hold Of Their and succeeded in getting our boat
throw the grappliug aboard the Yankee which obey
throw his grappling high enough or else some one on
board threw Of. Finding that boat adrt, the
being run by the steamer. Shortly AFTER sign
cheer given, which sounded very unlike as though
proceeded from men, and looking IN vain for the 81
nal that Lieut. Peot agreed to make to the co
cuson the five boats that had boarded her had beer
taken therefore deened prudent to return to Bea
lieu avoid capture. will further remark that so a
from "backing down ruouipg away at the - fl 8
fire. we were under terrific hail of bullets during thu
whole action the evidence Ct the killed and Woacd
will show.
trust you will be good enough to dsa buse the pb
lie of any uucharitable Impressions they
have formed. an, dear sir,
l. Yours very respectfully,
a. 4. G.. W. BARCLAY.
P. s. The loss in the Two boats mos and ~ in Ii
aggregate greater than the other boats who
ceeded in getting aboard, being five wounded and SW
uissirg in No. and two wounded and one killed
No. S.
| SAVANNAH, juno 9th, 1854.
The explanation rendered by r. Barclay perfectl
correct and should be Published.
JOS PRICE, Lieut.. G. s. ".
SAVANNAH. June 6, 1854.
Being in boat No. T. would say that the two boats ac
calamity, and prompt IN coming al oaslde tn
with cheer and determn alton Whic
perVade6 both columns Of boats, and under tn
of the fire while it lasted. Some of tn
aboard. One was killed and some badly Wount leo.
w. O. ONES.
= Surg. G. s. n.
JoHNsToN's ARMY.-The following, from the Al