Headquarters, Yorktown, Va., June 27, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to send a report made to Colonel Crump, of an abortive attempt to land soldiers from an armed steamer in the Rappahannock River, where the enemy was driven back by our citizens. This morning at sunrise I sent a force of 1,500 men to support the cavalry and artillery under Major Hood, operating near and on the Poquosin, to meet any party sent from the enemy’s works and cut it off. I shall join this force to-day.
The Reverend Mr. Adams will hand this to the colonel commanding the Virginia forces. I have been extremely indebted to this good and patriotic minister of the gospel for much assistance. He has lost everything in the cause, and I would like to see him appointed as chaplain to one of the regiments in this department.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. B. Magruder.
Colonel George Deas,
Assistant Adjutant-General, C. S. Army.
[Enclosure.]
Urbana, Va., June 26, 1861.
My Dear Sir: I have just received a note by special messenger from C. W. Montague, esq., requesting me to furnish to you an accurate account of all the doings of the enemy on the Rappahannock on Monday evening last. I have taken much pains to gather from persons who have visited the scene of action and conversed with those who were engaged in it the following particulars, which you may regard as reliable:
About 4 p.m. on Monday, the 24th, a war steamer, the Star [Monticello], of New York, of 1,000 tons burden, came to, opposite the house of Mr. James W. Gresham, of Lancaster, situated immediately on the river, about 12 miles below Urbana, on the Lancaster side. She dispatched to the shore three barges, one a very large one, with a swivel in the bow, and two smaller ones, all filled with armed troops. The large barge grounded on the flats. The other two came ashore with a number of armed men, variously estimated at between thirty and sixty. After reaching the shore some six or eight proceeded up to Mr. Gresham’s house. One of the party accosted Mr. Gresham and introduced another of the party. The first named, it seems, was the pilot, who was captain of a wood vessel, and acquainted with Gresham. He enquired if he had any chickens or lambs for sale. Mr. Gresham replied that he had a plenty, but not a d—-d one for that party. He then took the pilot aside and told him they had better be getting away, as there were troops in the neighborhood, and that he did not wish his premises to be the scene of a battle, as his mother was very ill in the house. While they were talking a small company of Lancaster troops, about thirty in number, were seen coming down the road in double-quick time. The alarm was given, and the enemy fled precipitately to their boats, or to one of the barges. The men, in great confusion, crowded into the other, and others wading out to the large barge on the flats. In their flight they left, besides the barge, two breech-loading rifles, a revolver, and several swords, with coats, hats, and shoes, thrown away in their hasty retreat. It is confidently asserted that four of the enemy were killed in the boat. Nobody hurt on our side. As soon as our men fired on the enemy the ship opened her guns on Mr. Gresham’s house. She fired fifty-three shot and shell, seventeen of which took effect, damaging the house to the amount of at least $1,000. As in all of our engagements, the preservation of life was most remarkable. One of the balls struck the bed on which Mrs. Gresham was lying ill. She was then removed to an outhouse and a bombshell came in and exploded in the room without injury to anyone.
I have given you in a very hurried manner these particulars, which I gather from most reliable sources of information. You will unite with us in contemptuous indignation at the cowardly conduct of these dastardly scoundrels, who, refusing to meet half their number face to face, at a safe distance, in their ship, destroy the property of our citizens. I hope to be able to visit your camp soon and renew the acquaintance I had the pleasure of having with you last winter.
Hastily and truly, yours,
Jos. Christian
Colonel Charles A. Crump,
Gloucester Point, Va.
Sources
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Series I, Vol. 5. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1897.
Spirit of '61 