The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-08
THE VIRGINIA NAVY.
CLOSING CHAPTERS or rs BRIL-
LIANT CAREER.
Capture Of an fnemv's boat by Yoiun-
tcers The Tempest and the jefferson.
Arnold's Traitorous Work-His Last
Fatal BLOW to the Patriot Ship.

Fatal How to the Patriot Ship.
The year 1871 furnishes the closing chap.
ter 10 the career Of The patriot navy. A few
Insignificant successes serve only as ex
ceptions IL the rule Of obstruction that
from this time forward prevailed unto the
end One OF these was the capture o. an
cnCmv's boat of the coast of AccOmac by
a party OF volunteers She had been
observed making her way cautiously
under the land, and excited the suspi-
cions Of the people in the neighborhood.
A small row boat and a few canoes were
soon manned by small volunteer force
10 overhaul aud inquire into the purposes
Of tie stranger The latter observing
this. attempted to escape by putting out
20 sea. She was. however, followed
ssyeral leagues before she was oyerlaken,
and captured without resistance. The
boat was found 10 be armed with one
swivel, ana the crew with mnskets. The
captain and bis men were made prisoners.
tn their possession was found a letter
from Lord COrnwallis 10 Sir Henry Gin
ton The contents OF this letter was rot
given, but Ee must suppose II was dis
patch to Sir Henry, setting forth the con
dilion and wants OF his bordship's forces
at that time.
The ship Tempest and the big Jefferson
were called upon 10 do service IN the
Chesapeake early in this year. They had
lain idle at the ship yard on the Chica-
bominy; but when the French squadron
appeared in the Chesapeake they were
detained as tenders 10 The feet, with dlrec-
tions to furnish information, do plotting,
keep up communicates, and transport
fresh provisions to the allies. Under
command OF Captains Markham ana
Travis they continued these necessary
duties until the French again put to sea.
The last and most destructive blow was
now TO be felt by our almost paralyZed
naval organization. Early in January,
t7Si Benedict Arnold, landed in Viz
GINA. Having established himself at
Portsmouth. and after leaving at that
place a reserve, he advanced up James
river with force Of about twelve hun
dred men. His progress was marked by
the destruction Of both private and pubIic
property. Scarcely any resistance coui0
be made against his marauding
parties who landed when they
pleased. and returned IN safety
20 their vessels loaded with pro
visions and plumber The country
had been drained Of the best lighting ma
terial A few bodies Of elderly gentle
men were mounted az scouts, whie
others of the militia appeared here and
there to watch the movements OF the
enemy. and to warn the people of his APP
prOach. The fact was, Virginia had been
lighting the battles Of the Revolution
outside her own borders at the same time
that she could with difficulty defend her
western borders from the British and
their savage allies The only show OF
resistance TO Arnold was AT place called
Hoods. on James river, where lay al an
Choir few OF the States armed vessels.
At this place, opposite WeyanOke Point,
and by the advice of BARON Steuben, a
small tort had been erected. 1t was con-
structod by Lieutenant Colonel Seaf, an
officer OF engineers, who, with Steuben,
had served under the great Frederick of
Prussia The work had been built TO
mount ten heavy guns, so as TO command
Seven Mile Reach, that part OF the
river on which Upper Brandon and other
estates are situated. Ii is now known as
"Old Fort Pow hatan, but had been
named Fort Eustace" The garrison now
consisted OF only sixty men, and three
small pieces of artillery were mounted
on the work, which lay under the CT ifs
close to Tie waters edge Its front was
faced with brick Mr.. Harrison Of what
il now Lower Brandon had furnished
these TO the Government.
Arnold assembled the river in fi0ti!la
of barges loaded with infantry and arlil-
lery. But he was too prudent to ven
ture within range of the guns
of the fort as soon as he dis
covered it, He landed force under
command of Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe
of the Queens Rangers who, by ascend
ing the right bank of Wards creek, a
stream lying south of The fort. could turn
the right flank Of the position occupied
by the NirginianS, and attack them
in the rear. While SimcOe was exc
cutting this movement Arnold threatened
the garrison in front. The plan succeeded.
In the presence of such an overwhelming
force, and for fear Of being captured, the
garrison made good their retreat, leaving
Fort Eustace and the States vessels
to the mercy Of the invader. The fort
was dismantied, but not destroyed. The
enemy then proceeded TO destroy or carry
of the vessels Among those lost were
the Willing Lass, mounting Twelve
guns; the Mars of eight guns the
Wilkes Of twelve, and the Morning
Star @ two guns. soon after the cap
,ure Of Hoods, Arnold returned 10 Port
mouth Later in tie spring General
Phil ips and himself, with much larger
force. appeared up the James river, re-
cnacuug She same scenes and meeting
with lltlc resistance, except al Peters
burg. After capturing this place Phillips
made it his headquarters; but did not
long survive being suddenly Gag
ricd OF boy % violent bilious fever.
Arnold was thus left in command ana
after destroy ng all the stores and tobacco
at Petersburg, moved upon Manchester
and Richmond 70 inhCt upon these places
the same policy. in aleuer from himself
to Sir Henry Clinton, giving detailed
account of his operations. he uses the
following language lie was now m0y-
,npuD the right bank Of James River