Small arms against gunboats.
--The official report of Captain D. B. Bird, commanding the post near Smyrna, Fla., concerning the gallant and successful engagement with gunboats, has been published, and is of amazing significance. It shows that even without artillery, and against odds, cool, brave, and determined men can make a stand against gunboats. We give the main portion of the report, as a lesson to other commanders and soldiers.About 5 P. M. on the 22d of March, the boats were seen coming, and Captain Strain, and Lieut. Chambers, of Captain Owens's cavalry company, judiciously scattered their men, about sixty in number, for half a mile along the banks of the river, with instructions to reserve their fire until all the boats should come within range. The foremost boat attempted to land, but a well-directed fire immediately killed or wounded all on board; the boat drifted off, but a few volunteers soon succeeded in bringing her ashore. Three of the men sunk to rise no more, four were found pierced by half a dozen balls apiece, and four more were severely wounded. Among the killed were Captain Mather, of the Henry Andrew, and Lieut. Budd, commanding the Penguin. A runaway negro was among the wounded, who had piloted them up the river; he is to be hanged this afternoon. Meanwhile the other boats, which had at first retreated under the galling fire, advanced in order, firing upon our men with their guns and muskets; but they soon beat a hasty retreat to the opposite shore, and abandoned their boats. The Henry Andrew now poured a shower of shells upon our men, but, I am happy to say, without any injury to us, and night put an end to the contest.
Early this morning I ordered a party of men to cross the river and secure the abandoned boats. The dead and wounded had been carried opposite to their vessel during the night and taken on board, but we secured the boats, and in them a number of muskets, pistols and cutlasses. One of the howitzers was found in the water, and our men not having force enough to remove it, hid it in the mud. The boats were completely riddled with Enfield balls, and the large quantity of blood in them indicated a heavy loss to the enemy. The two most injured I had destroyed, the other three have been sent up the river for security.
The troops engaged were detachments from companies E and H, Third regiment Florida Volunteers, from Captain Owens's company and Captain Cone's volunteer company. I cannot close without heartily commending their coolness and resolute determination, and the accuracy of their aim. At a distance of three or four hundred yards they killed or wounded at least thirty of the enemy, making a total loss of about forty.
