Though late in commencing our preparations for the defences of the approach to this city by the
James river, and though the enemy's ‘"infernal gunboats"’ caught our obstructions at
Drewry's Bluff hardly in readiness, we have the satisfaction at least of having repelled his first assault.
He went away yesterday, we have reason to hope, smartly damaged, after two hours and a half of fearful cannonading of our batteries.
His withdrawal gives time for further preparation for his next essay, which will certainly be made.
Our loss is slight; but more than in some instances, where important positions have been surrendered.
We trust that this beginning is an earnest of the determination to keep the gunboats back.
They have been felt by our artillerists, and some idea may be formed of their real capacity and power for evil.
The men who man our guns are somewhat more reliable than the militias who have been entrusted with guns at some points where it was most important we should make good our defence.
Seamen are the best of gunners, and it has been a great mistake to leave them nothing to do while the cannoneers in many cease has been left to men who were not at all to compare with them.
The public spirit here is the best imaginable.
The people are ready to make any sacrifice to defend the place, and are entirely averse to surrendering it at all to the gunboats.
They will cheerfully submit it to destruction first, according to the disposition of both the Governments.
The successful resistance thus far has been highly encouraging.
But this encouragement should only be to put forth increased exertions.
We should strengthen and increase the number of our obstructions, and we should strengthen our batteries and increase the supporting force.
Nothing is wanting in disposition.
It is only necessary for the leaders to give the proper direction to the labor and the defences.
This being properly done, it may yet be proved that gunboats are not invincible, nor can they go where they please.