...as to clear the Virginia banks of these obstructions to navigation and open the river. With this object in view, the Freeborn, under Commander as far Ward, on the 31st of May, attacked the works at Aquia Creek . The attack, which may be called the first naval engagement of the war, was ineffectual, the light guns of the Freeborn producing little impression. On the other hand, the necessity of economizin...