Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-25
Grand Naval Expedition on
the Rappahannock.
POTOMAC FLOTILLA AT WORK,
Great Destruction Of Rebel Property,
r EeEL ToRPE ES
REPORT OF COMMODORE p. A. PARKER

The Secretary OF the Navy received the follow.
ing communication to-day, detailing the facts Of a
recent expedition up the RAppahAnnoek:
U. 5. STEAMER CoMMoDoRE REED,(
CHEsAPEAKE BAY, April %, I
sIR! Having learned from various sources that
Circus Point, few miles below Tappah ann69l,
on the RappahAnnook river, and was busily en-.
s.Esd in sollssting boat, At soms e., M on me
vessels proceeded thither on the 18th inst where
| remained until this evening, visiting both banks
which. was told, hsd not before been entered du-
ring the wAr,) from Circus Point 10 Windmill
Point, with the following result;
Two ferries were broken up, seven large lighters,
| each capable Of carrying one hundred men, three
pontoon boats, twenty-five large skihs and canoes
| enough for the construction OF a hlOOp-of.wAr,D
/ hvc hundred cords Of pine wood, and three hue
boat1, lone of which ia i(ted for carrying amSll
arms one thousand pounds OF bacon, sixty bushels
OF wheat, chest OF earpenter's tools, brought off,
Five refugees and forty.hve contrSbands linen,
women, and children,l were received on board this
vessel and land5d in Maryland, with the exception
of Ave stout fellows, whom lshippSG.
pahannock, the landing Of our men wab opposed
by large force Of cavalry, said 10 be 6Ooj which
| was kept at bay by the fire Of the Eureka, COM
ma by Acting Ensign Halloek, and howitEsr
launch In charge OF Acting Masters Mate Eldfidgo
Acting Master w. T; Sheet, who had charge Of
himself 4 valuable and efficient officer He speaks
highly Of Acting Ensign Roderick and Acting M'S.
| In Parrots Creek eight seamen, led by Acting En-
sign Nelson, chased six Of the rebel cavalry.
Yesterday afternoon, as the Eureka got within
| thirty yards Of the shore, just below UFbanA,
where Ihad sent her to capture two boats hauled
up there, large number Of rebels, lying in
bush, most unexpectedly opened upon her with
rifles and a piece Of light artillery ,
Thus taken by surprise Acting EuElgn HAllock
displayed admirable presence Of mind, and think
that not more than i've seconds elapsed before he
returned the hre from his light lSpounder and
with small arms and, although the little Eureka,
with ofieers and men, has but sixteen souls on
| board, for some ten minutes uring which time
the fight lssted) she was one Eleot OF flame, the
| l2-pounder being fred about a. faat as man
| would dischArge pocket pistol
The rebels were well thrnshct, a1d. think
| must have suffered cunEIiefahly. They fortunate
y fired too high SO that their shells and huiicts
| passed over the Eureka without injury 10 the
| vessel or crew. II WAS quite uRllant affair, and
reflects great deal Of credit upon the officers aul
men OF the Eureka, list Of whom herewith co.
close.
This morning. Observing party Of eighteen mor
at distance Of abant two mtlcS from the Ehr
| with muBketB blung over thcir backs, crawling on
their hands and knees TO get a. OF st some Ot out
men then on shore, directed a shell 10 be thrown
At them from q lO0pounitF PAlrOit gun, wlteh
struck and exploded right their midst. Hing
and woundin Z, tEink, a large number o; them, rs
only four were fefn ttcr the explosion, who were,
| As might he supposed, running inland at The top
OF their speed.
Lieut.. Com. Eastman, who had the detailing ul
| the various expeditions well sustained, IN the
| performance OF his duty, the reputation wL,ch he
had already acquired Of m officer Of naked
| energy and ability
| have II from the best authority that the robc Q
have placed torpetOcs in the 7appshSnn Ck just
| above BOILERS ro5k7, where THE hotllA was an
chored; off Fort Lowry; of Brooks barn; Oppo.
site the hrst house above LEClstOwu. and at Lay
toms, somewhat higher up.
All these are on the port hand going y. other
are said to be placed at various points n tho Tiye
from Fort Lowry 10 Fredeticksburg They hay,
also been placed In the PiaBkataEk river, and IL
many OF the creeks emptying into ChesapoAk,
Bay. +. A PARKER,
Commodore Commanding Potomac FlOtilln.