Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-02-04
THE FxPEDITTON Up THE JAMES
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On Saturday, January 3n, an expedition IN.
der General Graham started from Norfolk mp
the James River, composed, of the army gun
boats SDith Briggs, Flora Temple, Gen Jessup,
AZ the transport long Branch, with desach.
ments Of men to the number of one hundred
and fifty. At Smithleld, Captain Lee, of the
Norfolk HaTbor Police, with % men, from the
Long Branch, landed and started for the Nan
semohd, whittier the feet was to go. Four
miles Fl ON Smithfield, Capt Lee encountered
body of 80 Rebels, with two i2-pounders,
and captured The Rebel advance guard and
drove the main body back. Captain Lee re-
ceiyiGg il formation that a strong body of the
enemy was posted at " The MILL" short dis
tance be- ono, concluded that 1t was not safe
with his force to push On, and consequently
II b; ok to Smithf.tld, where he entrencbed;
but while moving back he was fred upon f, ON
both sides Ct the road and his advance guard
of cavalry was captured.
The corresI ondent of the Philadelphia Inauir-
er, under date of Feb. 20, says
"a bout half Fast O'Clock. yesterday morn
ing the Rebels made a fierce attack with their
cavalry and infantry. The fight continue
with great yigur until nearly IL o'clock, when
q communication came, under nag of truce,
from Col. Gordon. commander OF the attack
ing forces, for an immediate and unconditional
surrender. @lts4 -a a-
In order to gain as much time as possible,
and thinking that in the meanwhile some as
Lee
reply to the rebel Colonel, asking for perso
81 interview TO be granted. This was denied,
and a peTemptory demand was made for q
surrender within five minutes. The second
reply of Capt. Lee WAS, that he would not sur
render. and that If the rebal commander wan t.
ed him, he would have to come and take him
( In less than quarter Of an hour he opened
with tour guns, beside the in fantry and cayal
ry fire. A reply was made with a howitzec as
rapidly as ssible, which was kept up with
er. at spirit until about half past 12 O'Clock,
when Capt. Lee was so hard pressed on all
sides that it became evident that he would soon
hay. to yield.
But, In the meantime, the gunboat Smith
Briggs, hauled in sight The position becom
stream, and the men then followed along its
line TO reach the protection of the gun boat
They were followed by nearly regiment OF
rebel infantry and cavalry, watch harrassed
them IN their flight. A stand was then m ade
opposite the Smith Briggs, and a esperats en.
gagement continued until our men were com
pietely overpowered by the superior numbers
Cf the enemy, which was continually augment
ed by the arrivals Of Tt il forcements.
Whilst fighting so brayely, our men were
shot down without the least mercy being
shown them.
Among the wounded was Capt Rowe OF the
steamer Smith Briggs.
The Briggs was finally surrendered, as she
could not be worked. The fierce nature of the
fight may be known by the fact that the Briggs
is total wreck, and what remains of her is in
the possession OF the rebels. Nearly all of our
brave men who fought SO yaliantIy are now
prisoners. The most of them are supposed to
he badly wounded. The number killed is not
known, but it must be very large The rebels
must have suffered severely, as our men fought
long. persistentiy and TO much effect. 1t is
suImised that, though the rebels were finally
victorious, they lost at least three to our one in
killed and wounded. The rebels greatly out
Numbered us. They had full regiment of
infantry, one of cavalry. and a battery of
tilery, whilst our whole force engaged did not
mount to over $50 men.