Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-28
TELEGRAPHIO NEWS.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF, THE Al
TACK on FORT BRADY.

TACK On FORT BRADY.
The Drewry Ssnk--Captain ssmmes In
Comma mand-Heb Land Force Co-operai.
fng-List of the Rebel Fleet.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES, IN
THE FIELD, Jan. "a Shortly before midnight
oomoarument commenced on our front, from
fols BRADY to the Crows Nest, and continued
1t intervals through the night. owing to the
darkness OF the night, and the almost impassa-
BILE condition OF the roads, nothing could be
definitely discovered as to the cause or result
Near daybreak large disturbance ce was heard
lfom the river, and soon after the army was
eiectrined by the intelligence that the whole
rebel fleet had came down the river, passed
our forts and the distractions in the river, and
were only stopped in their progress by two Of
their iron-clads grounding, the Virginia and
Richmond.
The first Of our works that the enemy at
tackled was Fort Brady. under the guns of
which the fleet was compelled to pass while
running down the river. a lively lombard
ment commenced between the land and water
batteries, which was only ended by dismount.
ing, by chance shot, the 10O-pounder In the
fort.
The noise in the meantime had aroused the
troops, and General Hickman Immediately
had the 25th corps under arms, ready to meet
any attack the enemy might see fit to make on
Passing Fort Brady, the Rebel vessels soon
reached the obstructions placed in the river by
Admiral Lee; but these were not BY any means
impossible. The late freshets had destroyed
them to considerable extent, and very little
work on the part of the enemy made them pass
able.
The first OF the enemy's boats to pass through
was the Fredericksburg, which steamed on
down the river towards the anchorage of the
Onondago; but, unfortunately, this double
turreted monitor had been removed down be.
low the pontoon bridges. All that remained
to resist the advance of the enemy were onr
heavy guns mounted at Crows Nest and in
the batteries opposite Howlett's, and every one
OF these were belching forth its enormous pro.
jeetiies with the greatest rapidity.
Not as fortunate as the Fredericksburg were
the Virginia and Richmond. Both got aground
without succeeding in passing the DISTINCTIONS
Discovering that she was not followed by her
consorts, the Fredericksburg turned back and
with the wooden vessels, commenced a des-
perate exchange of shots with our batteries
in which they were joined by every gun the
enemy had mounted from Drewry's Bluff to
Howletts.
Near daybreak q mortar shell from one of
onr batteries went through the deck OF the
magazine, blew her up. The Drewry was a
wooden vessel, mounting two guns, and under
command Of Lieut.. Shepardson.
While making q reconnaissance OF the en-.
emy, Capt. w. H. Able, of Gen. Heckmau's
staff. picked up four deserters from the differ.
ent vessels in the fleet who had succeeded In
escaping ny swimming ashore. They state
that every one, with very few exceptions, on
the Drewry was killed, and also several on the
adjoining boats.
The notorious Alabama Semmes is said to
have been in command of the fleet. It is said
that he was sent for to come to Richmond for
this particular purpose, and that great things
were expected from him.
E.. There can scarcely be any doubt that heavy
land force was TO cooperate with the enemy
by attacking us on the north bank Of the James.
Extensive movements have been observed in
Lees army around Petersburg, and 1t Is yery
probable that they were caused by the with
draWal OF troops in order to bring them over
to this side of the river.
Through the day the enemy, exasperated by
the cheering with which the reading of the ctr.
cular announcing the destruction OF the Drewry
was received, suddenly opened all their bat
Twenty fifth Corps. Innumerable mortar
shells were thrown at Fort Barnum; but the
oombardment was rendered completely harm.
less by the precaution taken by General Heck
man to place all the men in the trenches
Many chimneys were In great danger, and one
or two were knocked down. Several of the
mems houses were entered by the shells, and
these objectioDal visitors were travelling about
the roads in all directions This state of things
continued throughout the day, and several false
rumors were current TO the effect that the ene-
my were again afoat.
In the event of the rams getting off and At
tempting to re-ascend the river through the
night General Hickman has lined the bank
with riflemen, who, safe from the enemy's
hre, Will undoubtedly prove source Of great
The rebel fleet was composed Of the follow.
ing vessels:
IRON CIdds-Virginia, flagship. four guns
one hundred crew; Richmond, four guns, one
hundred crew, commanded by Lieut.. Whar.
ton; Fredericksburg, four guns, one hundred
crew, commanded by Capt. Root.
Wooden Rams-Nansemond, two guns
Hampton, two guns; Drewry, two guns, com.
manded by Lieut.. Sheppardson.
Smaller H'ooden Tessels-Beaufert, one gum
Raleigh, one gun
The fleet has been heretofore under the COM
mand OF Commodo Mitchell, butt as previ.
ously stated, is now supposed to be led by
Raphael Semmes.