Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-31
FFIcIAL ACCOUNT OF TEE JAMES River

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF TIE JAMES RIVER
The Richmond Examiner, Of the 27th,
says:
The official dispatches of the recent af-
fair of our iron-clads were received yestsr-
day by the Government, and We are at last
able to give an authentic account. The
flagship 70 the expedition was the Virginia,
commanded by Lieutenant Dunning. The
Richmond was commanded bv Lieutenant
Bell, who was First LieutenSnt on the Al
ALBANIA at the time of the fight with the
Kesrssrge. The Fredericksburg was COM
msnded by Lieutenant Sheppard. The
latter vessel being Of light draught passed
clear through the distractions, but the 9TH
ers found a lower tier of distractions, deem
" submerged, and which had not been
moved by the freshet, though impossible by
vessels of their draught The Virginia
received q shot in the center, by a three
hundred pounder, fired from q Yankee
monitor, being struck while she was endeav-
oring to get off the distractions in therivor
The shot displaced few Of her bolts and
killed five Of her crew. No other damsge
was done, but it was found that her engine
was disabled, but not il consequence of the
shot, and that she was not in fighting or
der. In the meantime the fire Of our yes
sells had completely sileneed the Yankee
shore batteries, and a number of shots
were exchanged with the monitor, with
what effect is not known. In consequence
of the condition Of the Virginia's engine,
it was decided on q consultation Of the Of
icers of the fOtilla, to withdraw all the
vessels which was done, without further
casualties. 1t had been impossible, to sur
vey the channel to any great extent, in
consequence of the enemy's picket fire, and
the submerged distractions Of the river
were found to be more efsctusl than
they had been supposed to be. We learn
further from an officer of the expedition
that it was attempted with the loss of the
torpedo boat, which grounded near the
Drury. The torpedo was taken from it
and the boat thoroughly dismsntlsd before
it fell into the hands of the enemy.
THE RICHMOND SENTINEL ON THE SIT
UATIoN.
Richmond papers of the 9th have been
received. The Sentinel of that date con
tsins mournfully significant editorial ION
the situation 1t says:
January has almost run its sands and
the Spring approaches. The war, which,
further South, has known no pause, will
soon wake again in Virginia. Grant is
gathering his forces around us. His own
army is intrenched near at hand. Sheri-
dan is in the Valley. Gen. Thomas is in
Tennessee. Sherman is mensclng our
Southern connections, and with his face
turned hitherward. All the signs indicate
an early, combined and vigorous move
ment upon our great lines of railway and
upon the capital of the country. These
months Of winter were precious months of
preparation. Two Of them are gone. One
Of them remains. Has our work been ac-
complished2 Have our plans been taken?
Have our measures been taken? Has our
policy been agreed upon2 Has the army
been Teorganizedl Hss it been
strengthened Alas what ans Eers the
truth requires. Alas that the time Of
preparation is ending before preparation is
commenced. We entreat Congress to
wake up. We entreat the two Houses to
put limit on garrulity and go to work
with an instant and unceAsing energy. We
have many scraps Of legislation but very
few laws. Progress has been made in
many things, but very little has been COM
pleted. The reorganization bill, the cur
rency bill, and the exemption bill have
passed one or the other of the two Houses,
or have passed both, but in different forms.
No one of them is yet law. The tax
bills are not yet commenced. The prompt
passage Of proper measures on these suO-
jects would have been of great benefit.
1t only remains TO US now to obviste the
evils of still further delny. Those evils
are more threatening than before, for the
campaign is nesrly here. There is not now
s day to lose. Let us not lose a day. 1t is
surely time now 20 arrest the torrent Of
debate and to inspire the country with en-
ergetio action. The people are prepared
to respond to the most vigorous measures.
They only ssk that Congress shall lead
bravely and be prompt