The New York herald., 1864-06-07
Naval Operations on the
James River.
Admiral Lee Actively EN-
plOyed.
The Rebel on-Clads, and All
About Them.
TEH REBEL CoMsCRIPTIoN,
ke., Ae., As.

Our Naval ..virginia'' Correspondence.
JAxER RIVER Va, June 8, 1864
RoS-cLADs
The iron clad feet which until within two weeks
been laying at anchor at Curls Neck, a short distance
above Bermuda Hundred, is little way above Dutch
Gap, abreast of the position held by the right wing
of Gen. Buers army which is intronched on the PENN
sua formed by Appomatox and James, and east Of
Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, which road the
army have enabled to reach with recently mounted
guns.
The present position Of the feet is Trents Rencb-an
expansion or the river making Of bay-and
half mile WIDE The channel here is quito and
shallow well, though the iron cads, from their
paratively light draught enabled TO manGuvre moro
readily than would suppose. They thus have ad
vantage over the rebel iron cads which above walt
ing like Gagged lions, II may believe the report TO
pounce upon their prey.
The river Is tortuous and has many ndentatons aud
curves making here and there little pennsuas separated
from the main land by necks, and thus barely
escaping conversion into islands The eastern shore OF
the river where the roncads are OF this charao
ter and low and marshy The western bank OF
a OF rolling hills OF considerable elevation, heavily
wooded and just the contested ground between But
Ter and Beauregard.
Immediately in front OF the present position OF the IRON
cads the river makes sharp bend and the loft bank
rises gradually to a commanding elevation, which is
much cleared of wood and which is crowned with large
unfinished dwelling house. Near this house the rebels
have been for couple OF weeks endeavorng to erect
battery and mount guns, as well to oppose any move
OF the army In that direction to be source OF
trouble the iron clads Al the order OF Admiral Lee
the vessels have moved into position few times and
sheled the Aforementioned hill and house, with such
effect undoubtedly to make evident to them that
any movement Of that kind wouldI prove very unplea
SAINT job.
SHARP PyGHr.
On the afternoon OF the OF May while everything
quiet and st thcro burst upon the atmosphere
reports of guns, and Immediately the shells
the rebel lines thick and FAST fell into the land which
soldiers had cleared Immediately In front Of their
position The most OF them fell and burst short did
harm to the Union troops. The rebel batteries were
located the hill in front and to the left Of the iron.
cads, some distance from the river, and behind the
timber, which In that place is very thick
TIE oSoyDAGA ENGAGED.
Immediately the Admiral signalized to the ooondaga
double turreted ironcad, she being advance to com
mence hrug al the position held by the rebels.
The fifteen inch and two hundred FOUNDER PARROTS
with the accompanying rapid firing from our own lines
shore, were too much for human endurance and
secesh gradually stopped and finally entirely ceased
few heshes few reports and few shells all OF the
sSs hs evening ep that the rebels s held
was heard IN the vicinity direction of Richmond
giving evidence of brisk state o, affairs that quiet
locality and warrantng the belief that General Grant
i was "fghting IL out on that line.i
HEAURESARD sKEDApLiYG RICHMOND
The two DAYS following the affair OF the afternoon Uas
repeated ard II undoubtedly TO cover the trapspor
taton OF their troops Richmond where thsre was more
urgent need OF them -Four prisoners the recent
skirmishes state that there only little more than
| brigade now in front OF the Union lines.
The feet have been anxiously waiting for number OF
days the coming down OF the rebel Iron claes which i'm
portant event u was understood would come OF about
TINS time But although for couple OF days tho river
has been unusually high cads have been visible
save those which went up. not come down the river
These vessels promise 10 be Formidable opponents and
II the Weehawken and Atlanta case has not furnished
precedent which forbds the rspttion OF such
encounter the exhibition may possibly be seen again on
the James river on about the anniversary OF the
| former occurrence.
1nE RUBRL IRoy-cIAps
These iron clads now iaving under Fort Darling
and Chapins buG on tho opposite s,de or the river
and consist o. the Richmond, the Virginia, and
resse ahs ysS, ISS .chSSs wood
most powerful and built in the early part OF the
rebellion with the intention OF going In opera
tion with the Nerrmac at that time at Norfolk undergo
ing transformation The Virginia has a wooden hull and
In general appearance resembles that class oncads
which seems fasore models OF the rebels and OF which
the Atlanta s type. The Virginia the special pet
OF secesb and undoubtedly they have much condolences IN
her. Her deck, which Is about two and hall feet above
water, s two hundred and 6fty -odd feet all with
abon. hity feet breadth OF beam Her casematc is
Her eight thick and consists OF alternate
layers ofron slabs eight feet long inches thick an ten
bcnes VIDE eacn layer placed at right angles with theone
Immediately under H. She mounts eight eight inch rined
guns, the forward ana aft guns being pvoted so as 10
be used on either side through the forward or aft
ports The guns are known through Secessia as the
lrooken gun and much esteemed by them being OF
their own manufacture, though the Parroa gun is
unquestionaoy Superior piece OF ordinance. The Rich
mond and the dercksburg smaller vessels and
more nearly resemble the Atlanta There Is also fleet
Of wooden vessels accompanying these Their draught OF
water especially the Virginia, s too great to admit OF
coming down at any usual time and they must take
advantage OF any extraordinary warrant move
ment The vessel came down the river by Rockets -
place difficult TO pass Just below the city OF Richmond.
lehtened, and received her guns ammunition
and stores below. The only appearances OF any
thing OF seceh character at all has been the i'm p.
pedo boat, which - called the Confederate states
steamer Torpedo. A few mornings after the fleet
ascended the river he csme down In the aforesaid
fedcrate states steamer Torpedo with flag or truce re-
manned hall an hour and returned His dag and tho
cemency Of the Admiral alone saved him. This IS tho
saine vessel which undertook to blow up the rrigate
minnesota Few weeks ago, and so beautifully failed.
rHE roRPEDoEs
lhe submarine torpedo question has been one OF
interest IN the feet, but one Of little anxiety The
that the lesst harm could noe result from them
that they conceal terrors for us ~ all Come
thirty have been picked out OF the river since
the feet ascended many OF them very heavy and one
containing nineteen hundred pounds OF powder. Some
have been picked up, attached 20 logs foa,ing down
The Admiral has however, 30 arranged hi. plans ths,
tho torpedocs Will probably remain above the 0eet
aud perhaps some day Afford . lns display Of pyro.
technics.
1he vessels IN the feet besides the iron cads Onondara
Iecumsen Canoncus and sausds. arc the Asswam Cap.
ths Stepping Stones Delaware and three
or four powerful tugs. rne other vessels are further
Ths afternoon hesr heavy and continuous firing m
hs direction OF Mechaniosvills and earnestly loor
Ing FOR Granps mon on the banks OF tho river.