The Daily Dispatch: may 21, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Portsmouth, May 20, 1861.

The Federal steamer Monticello, which fired at the unfinished battery at Sewell's Point, on Saturday, renewed the attack yesterday. She received in return some well directed shot, which seemed to cripple her so as to require the help of a tug from Old Point. No harm was done to the battery or to any person. There are various additional statements about the affair, but I prefer to state only the general facts.

Some of the Louisiana troops, under the command of Col. Blanchard, came over here yesterday, and are now quartered at the water station, about four miles hence. The Georgia troops, who had just gone into camp near the Navy-Yard, were ordered off last night to another point.

Col. Roger A. Pryor and staff are stationed at the Hospital. I am sorry that so noble a fellow should be placed by his superiors in a position which exposes him to unkind feeling on the part of so many of his regiment. The occasion of this is, that he was made to supercede Col. Hodges, whose excellence as a soldier and as a man is felt warmly by all under his charge. It is a great blunder to cause such a change when everything was moving with such satisfaction.

The churches here were well attended on yesterday. Large numbers of the volunteers from Georgia were out. Many of them are professors of religion, and seem to maintain much of its spirit.

The Court Street Baptist Church, whose late pastor, M. R. Watkinson, treated them so shamefully, has secured the services of Professor. T. Hume, Jr. At any time the change would have been very desirable — now, they are particularly fortunate in securing one so talented and, in every respect, reliable. The man Watkinson is, or has, I am told joined a company at the North, for the purpose of coming on here, and to fight his dear brethren. Anon.