Mobile Register
July 7, 1861
Page 1
Affairs
in
From
the
Fight in
To
the Editors of the Dispatch:
I will give you a hasty but very nearly correct account of an encounter with the enemy at the residence of James W. Gresham, Esq., on yesterday, June 24th. I am now at the house of Mr. Gresham, and from him and others gather the following facts: At about the hour of 4 o’clock P. M., the steamer called the Star passed up the Rappahannock river as far as Towle’s Point below Urbanna, and returning immediately, stopped opposite Mr. Gresham’s, and within about six hundred yards of the house. A large boat armed with two swivels, and a small row boat, containing together about fifty men, put off for the shore, and the men landed. Some ten or twelve men, armed with muskets and side arms, came up the bank to the house, professing to be in pursuit of ____ which Mr. Gresham informed them they could not get from him. Whilst in the house, the company of Capt. Isaac Currell, at the time under the command of Adjutant H. S. Hathaway, having had notice, made their appearance and commenced a warm fire upon the men as they rapidly retreated to the barge, wading up to the waist in water, which fire was continued with some ten or fifteen rounds until the barge reached the steamer.
What execution was done is not known, but it is very evident that a number were killed. As soon as the barge left the shore the steamer commenced a heavy fire of cannon and bombs upon the men and the dwelling house, which fire was kept up for an hour, and the house of Mr. G. struck with 17 balls, weighing from two to 36 lbs., and also by several bombshells. Eighty shots were counted, and although the shells burst all around the men, not one was killed or wounded. And, what is more remarkable and Providential, none of Mr. Gresham’s family were touched though all remained in the house most of the time. Mr. G.’s mother, an old lady of over eighty years of age, was in her bed, and whilst lying there a ball passed over her head through the house within four inches of her head, another passed under her bed, tearing the mattress upon which she lay very much without injuring her. She was then removed to the kitchen, and soon after a bombshell or ball entered the room and tore up the brick floor within three feet of her, and yet she remained unhurt. The very large and handsome house of Mr. G. is literally riddled, and some of the furniture destroyed. I write from his parlor, which is much torn to pieces. Too much credit cannot be given to the officers and men of Capt. Currell’s company for their cool bravery on the occasion. The small boat was taken with several guns, swords, etc. –ADDISON HALL—
Another Skirmish—The
We have learned from a reliable gentleman of this place, who returned a few days ago since from our camp at Laurel Hill, this side of Phillippi, that on Tuesday night last, one of our scouting parties, numbering 26, met a scouting party of the enemy, numbering about 50, within less than two miles of our camp at Laurel Hill. Both parties fired, and both retreated. None of our men were hurt. A lady being in that neighborhood wrote to a friend in Huttonsville that the enemy buried eight the next morning.
Our party retreated because they supposed from what they had learned previously that the scouting party of the enemy consisted of about three hundred.
Arrival of Georgia
Troops—The Ninth Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, embracing nine companies
and nine hundred men, arrived yesterday, and were mustered into the service of
the Confederate States on the Capitol Square.
Previous thereto the men were reviewed by Gov. Letcher. The Regiments composed of very fine
material. Some of the men have extraordinary
longitude. All of them seemed hearty,
healthy and strong, and capable of doing their part towards expelling the
invaders of Southern soil. The Regiment
is to be joined by another company now on its way here, as was understood by
inquiries made of some of the men.
President Davis appoints the Colonel and other staff officers, and the
choice being confided to him, no doubt the “Ninth” will go into the field under
competent leaders. It is conceded by
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]