Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-04-23
SECOND EDITION.
4 O'CLOCK p. m.

O'CLOCK p. NJ.
IMPORTANT FROM NORTH CAROLINA
The Navy Department has received the fol.
lowing information of the destruction Of the
Southfeld:
u. S. FLAGSHIP MINNESOTA, OF Newport
News, April 21.-Sir: About half past p. m,
on the 18th instant, Fort Gray, near Plymouth,
on the Roanoke river, was attacked by the re-
bells from battery of six field pieces, on q sand
tank, come 500 or LOCO yards up the river.
Lieut.. Com. Flusser dispatched the Ceres to
communicate with the Whitehead, which was
doing picket duty up the nver
In passing up by the rebel battery she re-
ceived shot through the port gangway, kill
ing two and wounding seven men, Firing
upon the fort ceased at about o o'clock, the
Ceres returning about this time. At early
dawn on Monday, 18th, the enemy charged
upon Fort Gray, and were repulsed. The
Bombshell then steamed up the river to COM
municate with the fort, receiving several shots
and put in a sinking condition. After commu-
eating with the fort she returned and sank at
the wharf.
Later in the day the enemy appeared in force
in rear of the town, and at sunset commenced
a vigorous attack on Fort Williams and Fort
VESSEL, at which time the Miami and South
field, previously chained together, were cut
loose. The Southfield steamed up the river to
protect Fort VESSEL, whilst the Miami dropped
down the river and shelled the enemy in front
of Fort Williams. During the evening the en-
envy assaulted Fort VESSEL and were repulsed
three times, the Southfield throwing shell
among the enemy.
At about 1890 p. m. the Southfield dropped
down the river and reported to Lieut.. Com
~
dashed together with hawsers, the Southfield
being on the port side Of the Miami. At about
midnight the Southfield came down the Cache
and came up alongside the Miami, reporting
the ram on the way down. The Ceres return
lrg about the same time, having been sent
around through the Cache to communicate
with the Whitehead.
About 3 q. H., on Tuesday, 10Th, the ram
dropped down along the left bank Of the river
under the cover of the shade of the trees, with
the current, and WREN near ran bliQuely
across into the starboard bow of the South
field. We had been firing shell the previous
evening on shore, and the guns Of both vessels
were left loaded with shell, which there was
rot time to draw. Lieut.. Com. Flusser fired
the first shell at her and upon its bursting
some fragments either from this or from the
Southfields shells rebounded and caused the
death of Lieut. Com. Flusser, also woundng
the officers and men below mentioned-the
fragments piercing his chest, face and scull.
Upon the approach ofthe ram, the Southfield
also fired at her. The prov Of the ram rum
Ming into the Southfield, caused her to fill with
water, and she sank inside of fifteen minutes,
The forward lashings were parted by the
pressure of the ram between our vessels, and
the after ones were then cut, and as many as
could get on board Of the Miami did so. When
the Miami retired, she was followed a short
distance by the ram, which was considered
slow, making about four knots per hour
The Mama, however, throwing solid shot at
her as she retired. Some of the men Of the
Southfield took the small boats and were pick
ed up;by the Whitehead and Ceres.
The gunboats Miami, Whitehead and Ceres
returned to the mouth Of the river and came to
anchor.
The Ceres was despatched to Newbern i'm.
mediately with the body of Lit. Com FIusser
The officers missing from the Southfield w ere
Acting Master w. b. Newman, Acting Ensign
Thos. B. Stokes, Acting Second Assistant En-
gineer VIM. F. Goff, Acting Third Assistant
Engineer John A. Streiby, Acting Masters
Mate, Geo. w. Pratt and Paymaster's Clerk
Geo. w. Brown.
Some of the officers and men of the South
field may have been captured, but most of
them must have escaped-few or none were
probably lost. Acting Ensign Thos. A. Har.
gis, and Acting Third Assistant Engineer Har-
rington, and some six or eight men were wound.
ed-none mortally-of the Miami.
The Miami was uninjured. The ram is
thought not to have used her guns whilst I'M
der our bows, nor could our guns then bear on
her. The shell fired at her was when she ap-
preached. and her firing, which seemed to be
ed, when she was struck by a glancing shot
from the RAM Very respectfully,
P. H. PURsELL, Actg Asst Surgeon.
Late Of Southfield.
To A. r. Admiral S. P. LEE,
CONG N. A. Blockading Squadron