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distance.
Her example was quickly followed by the other two steamers, the Monticello making headway very slowly, and rolling heavily, as if partially filled with water.
Thus in this first encounter in our waters, victory remains with us. The troops that achieved it were a company from Columbus, Ga., Capt. Colquitt, and the Woodis Rifles, from this place, Capt. Lamb.
A detachment of the Junior Rifles of this place were also in the work.
The men, all accounts agree, exhibited the coolness and courage of veterans.
No troops could have behaved better.
When the affair was ended, Captains Colquitt and Lamb both made speeches to the command, and complimented them on their gallant and soldierly bearing.
Gen. Gwynn, who was present during a part of the engagement, also spoke in high terms of the bravery that the troops exhibited.
As usual, in the battles that have thus far occurred during the present singular war, “nobody was hurt.”
That is, nobody on our side, except one man who got a bruised shin from a spent fragment of a shell, and Col. Collier, aid to Gen. Gwynn, who, I learn, was rapped so severely over the knuckles by a flying splinter, as to damage his hand somewhat.
These, I believe, are the only casualties, great or small, that occurred on our side.
On the part of the enemy, the list, it is to be hoped, presents a bloodier appearance.
Last night, four of the heaviest guns, and a force of nearly a thousand men, were moved down to the point.
It was expected that warm work would occur there this morning, but up to the present writing (10 A. M.) every thing is quiet.
Among the troops moved last night, were the five Petersburg companies heretofore stationed at Ferry Point, and the Richmond Grays, all under command of Col. Weisiger.
Let these boys have a chance, and they will surely give a good account of themselves.
They marched with the greatest alacrity, and shouted when the order was given.
They all have the proper mettle.
Norfolk, May 20, 9 P. M.
All is quiet here to-night.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 Confederate troops were concentrated at Sewell's Point last night, but the Yankee mercenaries did not return, as apprehended, and our men, who were actually eager for the fray, had nothing to do.
The steamer West Point, Captain Rowe, belonging to the York River Railroad line, left the railroad wharf at Portsmouth, to-day, under a flag of truce, to visit the Federal fleet off Old Point Comfort, for the purpose of carrying to that destination all the women and children who desire to join their Northern friends.
The steamer was accompanied by Capt. Thos. T. Hunter, commander of the Virginia Navy.
The families of the following, among other persons, left in the steamer:
James Hepenstall, L. T. Barnard, J. Lucas, Geo. Richard Boush, John Harbonner, Jos. D. Knapp, Thomas Nelson, Robert Gill, John Butler, W. H. Lewis, and James H. Hardwick.
The West Point having accomplished its mission, has returned.
Captain Hunter reports the Monticello as having fared very badly in her engagement with our battery at Sewell's Point, yesterday.
The boat is seriously damaged in both hull and machinery, and it is thought that it will be some time before she can indulge in another bombardment.
Six men were killed on board, and several badly wounded.
We have been unable to learn the names of the killed, or the extent of the injuries of the maimed.--Richmond Examiner, May 22.
