The fight at Aquia Creek.
The following supplementary report of the fight at Aquia, from Captain Lynch, shows a most commendable desire to do justice and recognize merit among all who shared with him the battle and the victory: Naval Battery, Aquia Creek. June 9, 1861.
Editor Fredericksburg News--Sir:
-- sly oni report of our recent contests with the enemy was rendered as brief as possible — embracing only the names of those who were legitimately engaged.
But, as there were several instances of individual gallantry by volunteers, some of whom reside in this vicinity, I deem it proper to give publicity to them.
To this I am the more impelled, by the slanderous assertion can't upon them by the commander of the enemy's flotilla.
Had that officer, whose characteristic traits long since earned for him in his profession the cognomen of ‘"Yankee Ward,"’ for once violated his instincts and been sincere, he would have stated that men were seen running to wards, as well as from, the batteries, mostly bearing ammunition.
The attack on Wednesday evening was repelled with spirit by Commander Thorburn, as I did not reach the battery until very near the close of the engagement.
In writing my official report, I labored under the impression that the shot from Capt Walker's battery during Friday's engagement tell short, although it diverted the fire of the enemy; but the admissions of that enemy prove the fire of the rifled battery to have been effective, and that my impression was an erroneous one.
During Friday's attack, Lieut. Barnes, of the Safford Guards, bore a message from me to Capt. Walker, and returned with his reply; his course being along the causeway over which the enemy's shot was sweeping.
On the same day, too, if I remember aright.
Lieut. Botts, of the Washington Guards, came to the battery, and tendered his services.
On Saturday, Lieuts. Yancey and Eckies of the Tennessee volunteers, with two others whose names I unfortunately do not know, volunteered their services at the guns, just before the conflict.
I stationed them nearby to be ready in the event of casualties.
One of them bore a note from me to the mainland during the hottest of the fire, and two or three others went for and brought ammunition.
So far from trepidation, one of the messengers stopped upon the causeway and picking up a shot which had fallen near him, brought it in as a trophy.
Capt. Sener of the Washington Guards was present during the day's conflict, and volunteered to extinguish a fire kindled at the inner end of the wharf, but I withheld consent.
Capt. Wise, of Company E Richmond volunteers, was by me throughout Saturday's engagement, and while the enemy's fire was hottest, volunteered to go for infantry to repel an apprehended landing of the enemy under cover of the smoke.
Before recognizing Capt. W., I twice ordered him, the last time peremptorily, within the redoubt, for next to damaging the enemy it was my duty to preserve the lives of those around me. These are all the individual cases I can call to mind.
The demeanor of the men at the battery is so worthy of commendation, that it would be invidious to particularize, even if they were not mentioned in my official report.
Being short of ammunition, our guns were worked discreetly, but now we are prepared to warm them thoroughly. Editor Fredericksburg News--Sir:
Very respectfully,
W. F. Lynch.
W. F. Lynch.
