Doc. 150.-a “Naval engagement.” August 1, 1861.
From a gentleman of the highest respectability — who was an eye-witness of the fight — we have the particulars of an engagement which occurred on last Friday at Horn Island Pass, between a Federal steam-frigate, supposed to be the Niagara, and the little Confederate privateer, J. O. Nixon. The Nixon, wishing to avail herself of the fair wind, left Pascagoula Bay last Friday morning, intending to go Yankee hunting on the deep blue sea. When about twelve miles from Horn Island Pass, she discovered a large Federal steamer ahead, attempting to cut her off. The Nixon tacked, and stood in again for the Pass, and reached the bar about a mile ahead of the Federalist. The latter then opened fire on her at that distance; the Nixon immediately responded, and the exchange of shots was carried on for about twenty minutes. In the mean time the little Lake steamer Arrow came up, and when within range of the Federalist, let slip some of her 32‘s at the Yankees. At about twenty minutes after the firing commenced, the Federalist, with three of the Nixon's heavy pills in her hull, got up a big head of steam, and crowding on every inch of canvas she could use, made regular Manassas time seaward. Not the slightest injury was received by the Nixon or the steamer Arrow, whilst it is thought that the additional weight of those three balls which were lent the Federalist by the Nixon, may impede her progress to some extent. She has not been seen in that quarter since.--New Orleans Delta, August 5.
