Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-18
the Scene

Fifty years ago spirited engagement
between two Federal craft from Hamp-
ton roads and an unfinished Confederate
battery on seweIl's point, below Norfolk,
virtually marked the beginning of the
war on the water
There had, been an exchange Of shots
on May b. tween the Federal armed
tug Yankee and a battery at Gloucester
point, York river, but this had not as
sumed the proportions of an engagement
The fight at Sewell's point lasted an
hour and a half.
Although Insignificant, compared with
the many sanguinary engagements of the
war between ships and shore, it was the
first of its kind in the great struggle,
and therefore worthy of note 1t was al
so significant because of the geography
of the scene.
At the beginning of the war the wide
estuary of Hampton roads, a great gap
in the Atlantic coast line, formed by
the Virginia capes, formed a natural
area of demarcation between north and
south.
Jutting into the roadstead on the west
shore was and is Fort Monroe the Iarg-
est fertilization on the coast Though
on the soil of Virginia it's garrison had
been reinforced few days after the fall
of Sumter, and it was strongly held
Southwestward from this great fortress
the broad waters of the James river, flow
ing down from Richmond and beyond,
enters the roads Southwark comes in
the Elizabeth river, on which is Norfolk
Below Norfolk the country is fiat and
sandy. Two small capes extend from it
into the shallow waters forming the south
area of Hampton roads. Willoughby
point and Sewall's point at the mouth of
the Elizabeth river. 49,.
TO WATCH THE YANKEES.
1t was the purpose of the Confederate
forces gathered at Norfolk to defend the
latter point by works from which they
could watch the Yankees at Fort Monroe,
three or four miles away across the tide.
The value to the Confederacy of the
great navy yard at Gosport, above Nor
folk, on branch of the Elizabeth river,
compelled the defense of the river chan
mel. After the abandonment of the yard
by the Federals, April p, and its occupa-
ton by Virginia troops. the river channel
had been closed to vessels by the sinking
of hulks across 1t at its narrowest part,
above Sewells point
The erection of a battery at that point
was the next step toward the defense OF
Norfolk and the invaluable navy yard.
Work on the battery having been noted
from the small navai force gathered near
Fort Monroe. the steamer Monticello
Oormerly the Starr, which was station
ed at the mouth of the Elizabeth river,
opened fire on 1t on the 18th.
There being no response, firing was
not kept up. The attack had served
the purpose however. of alarming the
Confederates at work, and they spared
no effort to put their battery into n
state of Defense 81
The Confederate version of the affair
is contained in the official report OF
Brig. Gen. Walter Gwynn, commanding
at Norfolk, to Gen. Robert E. Lee, COM
handing the forces of Virginia.
At the time the federals opened fire
on the battery reported General Gwynn,
thre were no guns mounted in IT, and
none nearer than Norfolk-about eight
miles away by the road.
1t was sleepless night for the Con-
federate forces at Norfolk for they must
hurry up guns to defend Sewells point.
BY working all night and the follow
ing day up to p. m. they were able
to get into position three 32-pounders
and two small rifled cannon
Columbus, Ca. and a Virginia COM
pany of infantry posted at Norfolk