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July 3, 1861 – Latest War News

A skirmish took place near Romney, Va., on Wednesday last, between a small detachment of Col. Ashby’s Cavalry and a party of 67 of Lincoln’s Cavalry. Deluded by a professed deserter, they were led into an ambush and surrounded by Lincoln’s troops. Capt. Dick Ashby first encountered them with only 11 men. The Hessians demanded their surrender, to which Capt A. and his men replied with a discharge from their guns. The fight was severe, but Col. Ashby coming up with a squad decided the contest. The enemy ran, leaving 18 men dead and a number wounded. Col. Ashby lost two men, several wounded, among them himself and Capt. Ashby severely.

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July 2, 1861 – The Federal Troops Driven from Mathias Point

Thomas Freeborn during the Mathias Point engagement, firing at Confederates on the shore.

WASHINGTON, June 28.

The Pawnee arrived at the Navy Yard this morning, bringing intelligence from Mathias Point According to a statement of persons in the expedition, Capt. Ward, of the Freeborn, yesterday obtained from the Pawnee a reinforcement of about twenty men, and united with others from his own vessel, comprising between thirty and forty men in all. They started in several cutters for Mathias Point, taking with them about two hundred bags, which were filled with sand on the shore, and with which breastworks were soon erected.

Whilst on returning to the Freeborn to obtain cannon for the battery, a force of the Confederate troops variously estimated at from 1,200 to 1,500, suddenly emerged from thick woods, where they were concealed, and poured a volley of shot into the party, who made a hasty retreat. Several of the men jumped into the water, swimming to the Freeborn. Capt. Ward protected the men as far as possible, firing twelve or fifteen shots among the rebels, but the effect could not be ascertained.

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June 27, 1861 – Gatlin in Charge of Coast Defenses

We see here to-day Col. Gatlin, or General Gatlin, we are not certain which, but certainly Major Gatlin, formerly of the U. S. Army. Mr. Gatlin is a native of North Carolina, graduated at West Point, with Gen. Holmes, served with him in the Federal Army, and, like his friend, has resigned from that Army and offered his services to his native section. Need we add that his offer was accepted?

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June 26, 1861 – From Camp Dennison

Camp Dennison, June 19 — On last Sunday evening, when the camp was all quiet and peaceable, a great noise came from the eastern side of the camp, and a great hurrying to and fro was seen in the 10th regiment. It was soon ascertained that some of the 12th regiment had been over in the 10th, and in some way, not known, had raised a fracas, in which one of the guards was shot. In a few minutes the whole camp was alive. The 10th threatened to come over and whip the 12th regiment. As soon as the rumor reached the headquarters of the 3d Brigade, the 12th, 3rd and 13th regiments were ordered to form a line of battle in front of their respective quarters. In ten minutes time they were all out, and marched up toward the 10th and formed aline along the railroad. All were greatly excited; even some of the officers were so excited that they could not repeat the orders of General Sleigh’s Adjutant, Smith, who was in command. In the meantime the Guthrie Gray regiment was drawn up on the opposite side of the railroad to put down the riot. It was at first supposed to be the 10th, and all both officers and privates expected in less than five minutes time to be engaged in a deadly conflict. On ascertaining who they were and what their business was, there was a sense of relief came over all in the 3d Brigade and all were thankful that they should not be compelled to shed the blood of brothers who were there in the same cause in which they had enlisted. The western side were ordered to their quarters, and by the aid of their own officers the 10th was pursuaded to go back to their quarters and then a fight was put down, which might have ended the lives of many who had enlisted in an entirely different cause from that.

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June 25, 1861 – Manufacture of Arms

The Convention of North Carolina having vested in the Government of the Confederate States jurisdiction over the Arsenal and grounds at Fayetteville, all the rifle works or machinery recently at Harper’s Ferry have been or is being removed to Fayetteville, where the manufacture and alteration of arms will be carried on. The Richmond Dispatch says a number of workmen have arrived in that city on their way to Fayetteville.