The First attack on Sewell's Point battery.
a Northern account.
The following account of the first engagement at Sewell's Point, on Saturday last, is from the Washington Republican, (Government organ.) It is about as wide of the mark as were the balls from the Federal steamer, so far as the effect of the assault is concerned : Hampton Roads and their neighborhood are lively with business. Saturday witnessed the actual opening of the war on the part of the United States--the assault upon the battery at Sewell's Point, the exterior of a line of batteries which guard the Elizabeth river, the approach to Norfolk. There are seven batteries now in position, all protected by scientifically constructed works. The heaviest is that at Craney Island, mounting thirty guns. Two batteries farther inland mount twelve and fifteen guns, respectively. The remaining batteries are provided with from seven to ten guns each. These guns are a part of the spoils of the navy-yard at Norfolk, which was destroyed but in small part. They are said to be ordnance of excellent description. The erection of these batteries has hitherto gone on undisturbed by the fleet, till Friday and Saturday the attempt was persisted in of throwing up a battery on Sewell's Point. -- This position commands the vessels blockading James river, and if mounted with heavy and effective guns would render that portion of the roadstead untenable.
About noon, therefore, a strong party being observed perfecting the earth works, facing them with timber, finishing the embrasures, &c., the steamer Star (late Monticello) opened upon the works with two ten-inch guns and shell. She had fired a number of times, when the Roads greeted a new arrival, in the shape of the first detachment of Capt. Ward's steam flotilla, four vessels, thirty-six hours from New York. Capt. Ward's own vessel, the Freeborn, is armed with ten-inch guns, forward and all, and twelve-pounder boat howitzers on the upper deck. Being sent to the scene of the firing, Captain Ward was hailed from the Star, and requested to lay his vessel close in ashore, and open upon the unfinished battery. He "sailed in" accordingly, and, taking position within five hundred yards of the shore, opened with thirty-two pound round shot. He soon drove the party out of the work, and was not long in hammering two or three of the embrasures into one. The defenders, with a mounted officer at their head, took refuge in a clump of trees near by, into which Captain Ward presently threw a shot, which had the effect of routing the party.
The battery having been pretty effectually pounded, the Freeborn drew off and reported to Commodore Stringham, on the flag-ship Minnesota.
The cannonade, which was a lively one, was witnessed and heard by people gathered on the surrounding shores. Among those on the wharf at Fortress Monroe were Senators Wade, Chandler, and Morrill, of Maine, who were seen listening attentively to the guns, six miles distant, and speculating on their probable effect. The Senatorial party afterwards visited Commodore Stringham, on the Minnesota, where they were received with all the honors.
Fortress Monroe is garrisoned by three thousand troops, which is eyen beyond the full complement required for garrison duty. These are composed of about three hundred regular troops, second and third artillery, two regiments of Massachusetts volunteers, and one Vermont regiment. The troops are in splendid order, and in capital spirits. Col. Dimmick, of the second artillery, a clever gentleman and an accomplished officer, is in command.
The fleet of Old Point consists of the Minnesota, (flag-ship,) auxiliary steam, 40 guns, Captain Van Brunt; the razee Cumberland, 32 guns, Captain Marston, (flag-ship of Commodore Pendergast, superseded at this port by Commodore Stringham;) brig Perry, 6 guns; the steamer Star, and quite a fleet of armed steam tugs.
More or less prizes are brought in every day of vessels attempting to run the blockade, principally of tobacco-laden ships from James river. One vessel, laden with ship-timber, cut in Virginia, and bound to St. George, in Maine, had been seized, and the timber converted to Government uses at Fort Monroe.-- For this the Government proposes to pay its value. Among the prizes was one British bark, whose cargo is valued at $160,000.
The bombardment of the battery at Sewell's Point, by the steamer Freeborn, appears to be the opening of offensive operations on the part of the Government forces in this war.
The Freeborn, after engaging the battery, was ordered to Washington. On her way up she made prizes of several vessels who were violating the blockade. One of them, a small craft of forty tons, had stowed away in her hold some fifty suspicious-looking characters, who explained that they were a fishing party, which had been out since March, and were now returning home. They had on board as the fruits of their labors only two barrels of salt shad as provisions. Their craft is now anchored at the Navy-Yard at Washington, where they will have an opportunity to explain their views to the authorities.
On the way up, the Thomas Freeborn, at daylight on Sunday fell in with the steamship Baltimore, belonging to and bound from Baltimore to Havana, out of her course in the Potomac river, near the mouth. The Freeborn mistook her for an enemy, and brought the guns to bear on her. She finally showed the American flag. She was boarded and found to be aground. Efforts were made to pull her off, resulting in parting both hawsers, and the Freeborn was obliged to leave her, to reach Washington with dispatch.
