The reported engagement at Evansport.
The
Fredericksburg Herald, of Tuesday, says:
‘
The firing of heavy guns was distinctly heard in town this morning, and in the country around.
The sound was from the direction of
Evansport, where there have been reports of batteries for some time; but if any cannonading proceeded from that quarter, this has been the inauguration.
All the reports heretofore were incorrect, as nothing but musketry has hitherto been fired in the vicinity of Quantico and
Evansport.
On last Friday morning, about three o'clock, our soldiers at
Quantico creek opened fire on the enemy, who ran into the creek and set fire to a Confederate sloop.
The enemy replied with a boat howitzer.
The sloop was only slightly injured by the fire, and none of our men injured.
We have reports from the country above that a large flotilla of the enemy is in the vicinity of
Evansport near Quantico, and that a large floating battery of the enemy is off in the river, which apparently is to be used against land batteries.
There were over 100 rounds of cannon heard here between 9 and 11 o'clock, but of course we are not apprised of results at the hour we go to press.
’
P. S.--The following dispatch dated
Aquia Creek, Oct. 15, (this morning,) is the true solution of the cannonading:
‘
"The battery opened on a three-masted steamer, which was returned by her. We fired over thirty shots, but no damage to the steamer as we could see."
’
We have a rumor, however — it may be worthless, like others; it may be true this time — that cannonading may be expected at a point above
Aquia Creek this evening or at a very early date, if the enemy brings their flotilla within range.
The
Recorder, of to-day, furnishes the following in regard to the reported ‘"floating battery"’ off
Evansport:
‘
We learn from the chaplain of the 12th North Carolina regiment that when he left
Evansport on Saturday last there was lying just abreast of that point, in the stream, a floating battery of very large and diamond-shaped dimensions.
It seemed to him to be plated with steel, and, altogether, was rather an ugly looking customer.
’
