Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-02-25

3fsz1zz!
~ "a b,Ides vh'oA Companies D, ahd and O. Of the
ls2d, had been detailed to hold Toe enemy charges
three successive times and as often we're Handsomely
tepused by the brave bcys left in its defence Inc
rebels finding this point holly CONTESTED naa aneaoy
commented flank movement up the stream, when
Company A was appointed to intercept while Oompa-
mics and we're to keep communication open between
the bock-touses. This flank movement could not DC
DR. yented Is was already far advanced, and De
sides the enemy were too numerous, the force Gun
sisting of three brigsdes. Thus, sitter abou; lou,
bours of ha,d fighting the little garrison was iorceo
to retire from ils defences. The firing WAS distinctly
heard in the city and ct daylight part oil hve compf
MES of the Seventeenth Massachusetts, under Lieut. CoL
Fellows and pieces Of artillery, Capt Angels Bat
terry X Third New York. ware sent ous ss reinforce
ment They arrived at about O'clock Coming up 70
the One Huud ed and Thirysecond in an open space,
the whole force ediaely formed IN line OF bat
tie The enemy also drew up in line al the same time,
resting his wings either side SO as to INK our ioIcef
thus compelling another retreat, which was mace In
good order, fri they retired through the WOODS
Il was evidently useless undertake longer 10 check
the advance of 90 large force, and about 10 o'clock
they commenced to return TO the fortihcaons about
the city, leaving behind many brave comrsdes, win
most Of the camp equipage, extra clothing, &,. most
of the QuaItermaster's stores were destroyed
Fcon the strength with which the enemy attacked
Bachelors Creek evident they were taxing steps
looking towards the capture of the plaza Deserters
stated thr force 70 be Is 900 to 10000 Should this
he their purpose they have no small task before them
Our gunboas be used In both rivers, and we are
very strongly fortified all sides, perhaps with one
exception. o. all our offences Fort Tottea Is tho most
formidable
1, isa heavy earthwork, situated about half mile
from Evans midway between tne Neuse and Trent
rivers 1t fronts the vest where stretches out before
you extensive plain, in former days vast cotton
plantation To the rghi, on the 0snk OF tue Neu.e is
thaI afr he hank
OF the Trent stauds Fort Castor. srong breaswok
runs in either direction to the rivers thus linking all
their forts together. Fort Toten Is in CENTRAL COM
mandng position. While il renders all approach from
the ives. impossible, 1t commands the city and botn
rivers.
The night has passed without general attack, but
no, wi hout bold achievement by the enemy, alike hu
initiating to us as credi.abe to them The gunboAt
Underwater had passed up the Neuss Rver near Fort
Stephenson, throwing out her anchors and placing all
her gus on the port side to be in readiness for any
service in OF attack on the town. She was in
command Of Capt. jacob Westeryelt, and had crew
OF about 40 all told About o'clock at night, part
of Gen. Plmer's staff went up in small boat to the
Underwater to get her gig and como Of the crew with
IT, to make a recoEnOssance up the river Not iolg
afterwards the sentinel saw rome boats appfoaeh-
ing, and haing them, received no reply. de
Immediately fred bii signal, and lhs crew, who
were all sleeping, sprang TO their poss but before
they could bring their gum 70 bear, the rebels
were bcssding he vessel They came up on
the arboard side, from which the guns had been
moved as before stated. hand to hand contest en-
sued but the enemy numbering about 200 oveIpower-
ed the crew and they had 10 cry for quarter. Their
steahy foes could not have il, however, qTte their
way Fort Stephenson sent one shell through their
boat and another exploded the deck, setting thor
boat on fire. The at acking party, with their prisoners
poured into the email boats in such haste that teen OF
the boats creR and some of the captors "a sergeant
got into our boat This fact became known
among them, and the boat landed near Fort Stephen
500, making the captain captive. Thus, under the
shadow of the guns in the fort, and in sight OF the
guards in the brea,tworks, gunboas Is wres.ed from
us, and mus. be destroyed. Certainly handsome
thiug FOR the rebs, but bad for us.
Al the officers except Engineer Allen, are missing
TIE captain is prisoner Besdes those escaping In
the boa are few seamen, whose names have been
able to secure-Thos. RInk, Samuel q. kstes, b.
DIvs John Smons ald w. Lawrence. All others are
mssing.
Ne loss OF this gunboat caused more anxiety than
anything which had thus far taken place. And our
Little town became che fc,ne of much excitement AID
intense activity. Vsryhing else was lost GIT Of but
the deience OF the place. The fear that had here
but small orc.; that our railroad communication with
Beaufort could be easily severed and thus all sup
plies and reinforcsments compelled 10 come by one
ohannelt the shallow sound and the shore. Reports Of
20 900 or 80 600 rebels being around US seemed
TO iisufy some concern. The enemy drawing
around slowly and about o'clock they cut the tel
egrsph aHd railroad communication with Aorehead
City at a point called Newport. about twenty milea
southeast OF u.s. There WAS small fertilization there
to prseot the railroad, garrsoned BY company d, I'd
Massachusetts, Artillery TIE enemy soon got position
the guns mad besn spiked, however, and whether the
company ere pi5onersIr have relreated to Morehead
is 10, yet known Thus, night closed in upon US,
were completely invested.
As thu mail closes at O'Clock, am obliged to send
this commune ton unfinished. glad to state,
foF the relief OF our friends the North, that the
b,ls sro beating hasy rerea ard VIC all breathe very
freely.
despatch boat was sent this (Tuesday) evening to
Fortress Monroe carrying full advces Cen. Butter,
and askrg for reiDforcemenis.