December 8, 1861 – The Fight With the Rebel Steamer Patrick Henry

CSS Patrick Henry, showing a sidewheel steamer under steam through the water.

(From the Norfolk Day Book, Dec. 3.)

For some days past two or three of the federal gunboats have been in the habit of running up James river five or six miles above Newport News each evening, and remaining there all night. What the object of this is unknown, unless it may have been to keep a watch on the movements of the Confederate steamer Patrick Henry. These gunboats on Sunday evening repelled this same manouvre, and on yesterday morning the Patrick Henry got under way from her position further up James river and came down. On seeing her the gunboats left immediately and put out down the river towards the blockading ships. The Patrick Henry continued her chase after them, and they ran in under the protection of the guns of the frigates Cumberland and Congress and the fort at Newport News.

The Patrick Henry opened fire among them, after getting a desirable position from her after gun, firing sheII; and our informant tells us for as much as a half hour she continued to drop her shell on and around the frigate Congress, many of which, it is believed, bursted on her decks, with what effect we shall be unable to determine, as the federals keep all such matters too close. The engagement commenced about quarter past six and lasted two hours. During the time the gunboats would frequently sally out from behind the frigates to give the Patrick Henry a shot, and on such occasions she would soon force them back by a well directed shot, several of which, it is believed, struck these gunboats. Two of them, (there were four altogether) after receiving a shot from the Patrick Henry, retired to the immediate vicinity of the wharf at Newport News, while the other two kept their position out of harm’s way in the rear of the frigates. They at one time made an attempt to pass up James river so as to flank the Patrick Henry, and when getting well out from under the protection of the frigate’s batteries the Patrick Henry put chase after them, and they scampered back. After this they appeared to have become afraid to venture out again, and the Patrick Henry had to then remain satisfied with peppering the frigates, which she did, it is said in a masterly and beautiful manner.

It is said by those who witnessed the entire engagement that the Patrick Henry was handled in a thoroughly seamanlike manner by those on board, and her guns were worked to perfection. She played upon the enemy mostly with her after gun while lying off Newport News, and would occasionally back up towards the enemy when she would drift out of range of her mark. It is supposed she used her after gun in order to keep the best position to prevent being outflanked, and to keep the enemy from having a chance at her broadside.

We are unable to say what damage was done to either party in this engagement, and so far as the federal vessels are concerned we shall not be able to ascertain; but our informant tells us it is his opinion that the Patrick Henry is entirely unharmed, notwithstanding she was the single object of attack from the four gunboats, the two frigates and four guns from the fort at Newport News. After the firing ceased she passed up James river to her position, apparently as fresh as a lark.

The New York Herald, New York, NY

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