Operations on the river.
--On Friday last, two Federal gunboats came up James river to the neighborhood of Drury's Bluff, and commenced shelling the woods on the Chesterfield side. The boats were opened upon by Capt. French's battery, from Stafford county, and a spirited engagement was kept up for two hours or more. It is believed that the boats sustained considerable damage, for they finally gave up the contest and started off down the river. The only injury sustained on our side was by the bursting of a gun, which seriously wounded Wm. D Jackson, of Stafford.It is stated that the Yankees, in considerable force, have taken possession of Claremont, the fine river plantation of Major Wm. Allen. Whether their object is simply plunder, or a demonstration upon some point higher up the river, time will determine.
