been two hours on the road, and therefore Gen- Brigade, under command of Captain McLaugheral Graham directed that the party he had lin, was sent in to communicate. He brought off placed under my command should land at that five of our men, including Captain Lee, (who had hour, and also march on Chuckatuck, where he command of the force landed at Smithfield,) who expected they would form a junction. I did not had succeeded in making good their escape. arrive at Ferry Point, from which place they Captain Lee informed me that in the fight of were to debark, until about five minutes before Sunday he succeeded in driving the rebels; but two o'clock, but at a quarter past two all the men having received information that heavy reënwere landed, and at twenty minutes past two forcements were coming in from Ivor station to they had taken up their line of march for Chuck- cut him off from his advance on Chuckatuck, and atuck, with directions to proceed to that place also that there was a company of cavalry at and remain two hours, at the expiration of which Cherry Grove, he deemed it advisable to fall time, if they neither saw nor received any intelli- back on Smithfield, where he hoped to be able gence of the other party from Smithfield, they to communicate with General Graham in time to were to return; which instructions were carried receive assistance before the enemy could adout, they having remained the specified time and vance in sufficient numbers to render his capture received no intelligence of the other party, but or destruction certain; but the Smith Briggs, hearing heavy firing in the direction of Smith- which had been sent to his assistance, did not field, which led them to suppose that the enemy arrive until too late. The strength of the enemy, had been met in considerable force, and that our as reported by Captain Lee, was one regiment of men had been obiiged to retire. Returning with-infantry, one of cavalry, and one battery of arout having seen any of the enemy, they reem- tillery. barked at half-past six P.M. I then got under Deeming any further demonstration with the way, the Smith Briggs in company, towing means at hand against so strong a force of the launches, and stood down to opposite Town Point, where I came to anchor, feeling certain that the expedition had most signally failed. At half-past seven, General Graham arriving in the Long Branch with the information that the party which he had taken had landed and were on their way across the peninsula, I got under way, and in company with the Long Branch and Smith Briggs returned to Ferry Point, where we again came to anchor, hoping to receive some intelligence. Having received none during the night, at seven o'clock this morning General Graham started for Chuckatuck with thirty (30) men of the Naval Brigade, and the fifty (50) men belonging to the Minnesota, hoping either to meet or receive some word from those about whom he now began to feel great anxiety; but being unsuccessful in his efforts, he returned to the vessels, determined to proceed again to Smithfield, to which place he had sent the Smith Briggs at an early hour in the morning. Before getting under way, however, the United States gunboat Commodore Barney brought your despatch of this date to me, and at the request of General Graham I immediately proceeded to the mouth of Pagan Creek, where I communicated with the commanding officer of the United States steam gunboat Shokokon, who informed me that the launches sent to Pagan Creek by yourself had been repulsed at Smithfield, with a loss of five wounded, one being Acting Master Pierson, of the Minnesota, and that the Smith Briggs and all on board had been captured; and that the smoke which had been seen in the direction of Smithfield was supposed to be from the burning of that vessel, which supposition was confirmed in a short time by the rapid explosion of her shells; and soon thereafter, at fifty minutes past three P.M., by the explosion of her magazine. enemy impracticable, not being able to get up the river any further with my vessel, I directed the commanding officer of the Shokokon to return to the Minnesota with the launches and their crews, and the wounded men and officer, after which I returned and reported to you in person. About this time a flag of truce was discovered on shore, on the lower side of Pagan Creek near the mouth, and a launch belonging to the Naval Very respectfully, your obedient servant. Acting Lieutenant Commander United States Navy. Rear-Admiral S. P. LEE, Commanding N. A. B. Squadron, U. S. Flag-Ship Minnesota, Newport News, Virginia. LETTER FROM ACTING REAR-ADMIRAL LEE TO LIEU- FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, February 1, 1864. SIR: I send this by the Barney. Ensign Harris has just come off on the Commodore Jones, and reports that the first detachment fell back upon Smithfield at eight P.M. yesterday, where they are surrounded and short of howitzer ammunition. I have sent him to General Butler. I am sending on launches to Pagan Creek, The Morris or with plenty of ammunition. Barney can bring General Graham out and take him there if he wishes it. Leave a gunboat in the Nansemond to pick up stragglers. Respectfully yours, S. P. LEE, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. A. B. Squadron. Lietenant Commander GILLIS, Commanding Commodore Morris. REPORT OF LIEUT. COM. JOHN H. UPSHUR. UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, OFF NEWPORT NEWS, VA., February 1, 1864. SIR: In your absence yesterday, at the Norfolk navy-yard, Brigadier-General Graham appeared here with three armed steamers and a detachment of men, and sent a request that a gunboat might go up the Nansemond River to assist in an expedition, the object of which, as stated to me by one of General Graham's lieutenants, was to capture a number of the enemy's troops, (about forty,) and a quantity of tobacco, supposed to be located on the peninsula formed by the Nansemond River and Pagan Creek. to follow him. We rounded the point near the village, rounded to, and fired a few more shots. Our flag was still flying on the steamer, and they appeared to be working her about. This I thought strange; but as soon as we were fairly under way down the creek again, they turned the guns of the Smith Briggs on us, and also artillery from the side of the hill. During the en The matter was referred to the senior officer present, Captain Gansevoort, who gave his consent, and the Commodore Morris, Lieutenant Commander Gillis, commanding, was assigned the duty. A detail of fifty men was sent from this vessel to the Morris to supply the deficien-gagement, George Anderson, (seaman,) while at cies in her crew. the gun in the second launch, was wounded in This morning, in obedience to your order, the the right hand, and when I overhauled the first launches of this ship were armed and equipped, launch at the mouth of the creek, I learned that put under the command of Acting Master Pier- Mr. Pierson was wounded in the abdomen and son, and sent to aid in rescuing a party of Gen-right arm; George Cook, (seaman,) thigh and eral Graham's men at Smithfield, said to be in a critical position. I herewith inclose the reports of Acting Ensign Birtwistle and Acting Master's Mate Jarvis, officers of the launches, of the part taken by them in an engagement with the enemy at Smithfield, Virginia, Acting Master Pierson having been seriously injured. I also inclose the surgeon's report of the Lieutenant Commander, Com'g U. S. Steamer Minnesota. Commanding N. A. B. Squadron. REPORT OF ACTING ENSIGN JAMES BIRTWISTLE. UNITED STATES STEAMER MINNESOTA, testicle; William B. Kelly, (seaman,) in bowels by sword-thrust by Mr. Pierson. In nearing the Shokokon, which was lying off the mouth of the creek, we met a boat from her in charge of her executive officer, with Shokokon's doctor and steward with necessaries for wounded; landed our wounded on the Shokokon. At about forty-five minutes past two P.M., she towed our launch to the Minnesota. During the attack on the Smith Briggs, the first launch was about two hundred yards from her, and the second launch was about five hundred. I think it was well that we retreated; could they have managed the steamer and outflanked us on the beach, we could not have returned. I am, sir, very respectfully, JAMES BIRTWISTLE, Acting Ensign. Lieutenant Commander J. H. UPSHUR, Commanding U. S. Steamer Minnesota. UNITED STATES FRIGATE MINNESOTA, SIR: The following is a true report of the boat expedition which left this vessel ten A.M., in charge of Acting Master Pierson, in tow of the United States gunboat Shokokon. We proceeded to the mouth of Pagan Creek, and finding we could not proceed any further, we then were taken in tow by the United States gunboat Smith Briggs and proceeded up the creek. Mr. Pierson and the pilot then went on board. SIR: In obedience to your orders I left the ship this morning, at half-past nine, in charge of the second launch, heavy twelve-pound howitzer, REPORT OF ACTING MASTER'S MATE JAMES JARVIS, and crew of twenty-three men, subject to the orders of Acting Master Pierson, who had command of the first launch, rifled howitzer, and twenty-three men. We were taken in tow by the United States steamer Shokokon, and arrived off Smithfield Creek at about twelve A.M. The army steamer Smith Briggs came to us; we cast off from the Shokokon, and were taken in tow by the Smith Briggs, up Smithfield Creek, to within about two thousand yards of the village of Smithfield, when we discovered our army detachments on shore, and the enemy engagedthe enemy having a battery to the southward of the village, on which the Smith Briggs and first launch opened fire, it being about three thousand yards distant. We continued in line toward the village, when we discovered our army men on shore running from the direction of the battery. The Smith Briggs ran alongside a wharf, and our men commenced getting on board of her, when the rebel riflemen opened a murderous fire on her and the launches from behind houses, etc., on the hill, about two hundred and fifty yards from the wharf, driving the men from their guns on the Smith Briggs, and capturing her by charging down the hill; the launches during this time kept up a fire with shrapnel. We could then no longer stand the fire of the riflemen, and Mr. Pierson headed the first launch down the creek, and, as he passed me, told me At half-past eleven A.M. the enemy opened fire; it was immediately returned, and silenced the enemy's. Mr. Pierson gave orders to haul up alongside; he and the pilot returned to the launch. We cast off and proceeded nearer the town. Mr. Pierson then gave orders to Mr. Birtwistle to look out for his launch, for he should give him no more orders. Mr. Pierson said he would go above the town, but not fire, for our men held the town. When abreast of the town, the enemy commenced firing with muskets, (I should judge about one hundred and fifty,) which caused a confusion with the greater part of the launch's crew. Mr. Pierson gave orders to turn the launch so the howitzer would come to bear on the enemy, using profane words to the crew. When the second volley was fired, wounding Mr. Pierson and three men, Mr. Pierson then said, "I am gone; you must get out the best way you can," giving the order to strike the flag. I then made answer: "That cannot be done." The coxswain, Thomas McCarty, and quartermaster, Julius Bartlet, repeated the answer: "No, no." By this time we were out of musket-range, with the exception of those who ran down the bank and kept up a brisk fire until we were out of range. The muskets in the boat were discharged at the enemy by those who did not man the oars. We then proceeded down the creek to the United States gunboat Shokokon, having our wounded put on board and cared for. At five P.M. reported on board. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, Acting Master's Mate. REPORT OF ACTING MASTER W. B. SHELDON. UNITED STATES STEAMER SHOKOKON, the creek. The army boat Smith Briggs, on coming up, volunteered to take the launches in tow, which Mr. Pierson agreed to. After proceeding about two and a half miles up the creek, we perceived a man on the shore waving a white rag. The captain of the Briggs hove his vessel to, and sent a boat to get the man, who proved to be a soldier belonging to our forces, and was taken the night previous by the rebels, but had escaped. When within half a mile of Smithfield wharf, the captain of the Briggs said: "I must let you go; I cannot tow you further." We cast off then from the Briggs and immediately opened fire on the rebel battery, they having opened fire on our forces about five minutes previous, and being about a mile and a half distant from us. After firing about five rounds, we followed the Briggs toward the village. After getting to within about two hundred and fifty yards of the dock, I observed that it was crowded with soldiers, the Briggs at that time lying close to the docks, and firing at right We kept on our course toward the angles to it. OFF NEWPORT NEWS, VA., February 1, 1864.} SIR: I beg leave to submit the following report, so far as my knowledge extends, of the circumstances of the attack on the boats, and wound-wharf for a couple of moments longer, when a ing one officer and three seamen (up Smithfield body of rebels ran down a hill and charged on Creek) belonging to the United States flag-ship our soldiers on the wharf, driving many of them Minnesota. About ten o'clock A.M. this day I overboard, and at the same time opening fire on left the flag-ship with two launches belonging to the launches from the left bank of the creek. At the Minnesota, and proceeded with them in tow that time Mr. Pierson gave the order to turn up the James River, arriving off Smithfield Creek round with her head down the creek, and at the at half-past eleven A.M. The army gunboat Smith same moment received a shot in the right arm, Briggs arriving, offered to take the launches along- and ordered the flag to be hauled down. Mr. side of her and tow them in, there not being wa-McCarty, coxswain of the launch, said, “I will ter enough for this vessel to proceed further, it being very foggy at the time. The Smith Briggs proceeded up the creek with the launches about four miles. I heard heavy and rapid firing; soon after it cleared away enough to see that the firing was from shore, and was returned by the Smith Briggs and launches; they then passed around a point of land, from sight. About a half-hour after, saw the launches returning. I immediately sent a boat with the surgeon to assist the wounded, if any. At half-past three P.M. the boats returned, having on board Acting Master Pierson and three seamen, wounded. I learned that the Smith Briggs had been captured and destroyed. I started with the wounded for the flag-ship, arriving at about half-past five P.M. this day. Yours, very respectfully, W. B. SHELDON, Commanding N. A. Blockading Squadron. REPORT OF PILOT HENRY STEVENS. UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, OFF NEWPORT NEWS, VA., February 4, 1864. ( SIR: According to your orders, I proceeded as pilot of the expedition in command of Acting Master A. B. Pierson, he having the two launches of this ship under his command. After leaving this ship, the United States steamer Shokokon took the launches in tow and proceeded to the mouth of Smithfield Creek, where she anchored, the water being too shallow for her to proceed up kill the first man that touches the colors," or some words to that effect. Mr. Pierson said then: If you will not haul it down, let it stay up." At this time the boats were going slowly down the creek, the enemy meanwhile keeping up a brisk fire at us. Mr. Pierson received another shot which struck him in the breast, and after a moment or so said, "I must lie down; I feel faint;" which he did accordingly. I think the rebels had possession of the Smith Briggs at that time, for while we were going down her guns were trained on us, and opened fire. We made the best of our way down the creek, and got alongside of the Shokokon at half-past two P.M. I ought to have stated that previous to the boats turning round, three of the men were wound ed and fell to the bottom of the launch. I saw Very respectfully, your obedient servant, and chest; George Cook, ordinary seaman, by a ARTHUR MATTHEWSON, NORFOLK, VA., Tuesday, February 2. Shortly before dark, on Saturday, an expedition started from here, under the command of Brigadier-General Graham. It was composed of the army gunboats Smith Briggs, Flora Temple, General Jesup, and the transport Long Branch, with detachments of men to the number of one hundred and fifty from the Third Pennsylvania artillery, Twentieth New-York cavalry, Ninety-ninth New-York, and Twenty-first Connecticut infantry. The expedition proceeded up the James River to Logan Creek, to the small village of Smithfield. Here Captain Lee, of the Norfolk Harbor Police, landed at about one o'clock on Sunday noon, with ninety men from the Long Branch. He took command of the party, and the boats then left to go up the Nansemond River to reconnoitre, it being understood that after Captain Lee and his command had accomplished what they intended, they would march down to the north-western bank of the Nansemond, and there again join the boats. Taking a direct road for Suffolk, he penetrated the country to the distance of about four miles and a half, where, in a dense wood, he met a force of the enemy, about two hundred and fifty strong, | with two twelve-pound guns. Notwithstanding the inferiority of our numbers, the rebels were completely surprised, their advance-guard capturd, the main body driven back, and so great was their consternation, that they finally retreated in the greatest confusion. Information was then received from prisoners and darkeys that there was a strong force of the enemy posted a short distance beyond, at a place called "The Mill." Their position was such that our men could not pass them on either flank, and consequently they were compelled to fall slowly back to Smithfield, which was reached about a half-hour after dark. Captain Lee then intrenched his force on the main street of the town. Previous to this, however, as he was marching into the place, he was fired on from both sides of the road, and his advance-guard of five cavalrymen, of the Twentieth New-York, was captured. About half-past seven o'clock yesterday morning the rebels made a fierce attack with their cavalry and infantry. The fight continued with great vigor until nearly eleven o'clock, when a communication came, under flag of truce, from Colonel Gordon, commander of the attacking forces, for an immediate and unconditional surrender. In order to gain as much time as possible, and thinking that in the mean while some assistance might come to hand, Captain Lee sent a reply to the rebel Colonel asking for a personal interview to be granted. This was denied, and a peremptory demand was made for a surrender within five minutes. The second reply of Captain Lee was that he would not surrender, and that if the rebel commander wanted him he would have to come and take him. In less than a quarter of an hour, he opened with four guns, beside the infantry and cavalry fire. A reply was made with a howitzer as rapidly as possible, which was kept up with great spirit until about half past twelve o'clock, when Captain Lee was so hard pressed on all sides that it became evident that he would soon have to yield. But, in the mean time, the gunboat Smith Briggs hauled in sight. The position becoming untenable, the howitzer was rolled into the stream, and the men then followed along its line to reach the protection of the gunboat. They were followed by nearly a regiment of rebel infantry and cavalry, which harassed them in their flight. A stand was then made opposite the Smith Briggs, and a desperate engagement continued until our men were completely overpowered by the superior forces of the enemy, which was continually augmented by the arrivals of reënforcements. All this time the gunboat kept up a constant fire, but so great were the numbers that had to be contended with, that at last our men had to give up fighting and take to the boat. To reach it, however, the poor fellows had to swim from the shore to where she lay in the stream, and in doing this many yielded up their lives to the merciless foe, who shot them as they were really drowning. Upon reaching the boat, Captain Lee found its Commander, Rowe, severely wounded in the throat. The engineer was also seriously wounded, and out of a crew of about fifty there were left on board hardly a half-dozen men who were not disabled. At the request of Captain Rowe, Captain Lee took command of the boat. He found her to be greatly damaged from the fire of the enemy. The pilot-house was entirely demolished. The wheel could not be worked, and it was with much difficulty that the engine could be gotten to move sufficiently to propel her further out into the stream from the range of the rebel guns. Firing was continued, and about three o'clock a shell from the enemy entered the boiler of the boat, and a great explosion followed. Resistance could no longer be continued, as the boat was now a mere wreck. She then surrendered, and all on board of her were prisoners. Some, to make their escape from captivity, jumped overboard, and, no doubt, the most of those who were not recaptured, sealed their fate with a watery grave. Captain Lee, a Pamunky Indian pilot, and George Smith, a volunteer pilot, with two other men, are the only ones out of the whole party, which in the aggregate amounted to nearly one The expedition was perfectly successful. The hundred and fifty, that escaped, except two oth-rebels, about two thousand strong, under General ers that were sent out the night before in a small | Polignac, were driven from point to point, some boat to report the perilous situation of the force extensive works captured, and three heavy thirtyunder Captain Lee. These men were picked up two-pounders brought away. The works were near the mouth of the James River, and taken destroyed. The enemy suffered severely from on board the flag-ship of the navy that is stationed our guns, and the vessels brought away all the there. Their mission was to go up the Nanse- cotton they could find. They also destroyed a mond River to report to General Graham for re- pontoon-bridge, cutting the rebels off from their enforcements, but being detained, word did not main body, at or near Alexandria; but, having reach him as soon as the exigency of the case re- no force to put on shore, they had time to escape. quired. Captain Lee and those who escaped with him, five in all, walked about seven miles, when they fell in with the gunboats of General Graham going to their relief. They were taken on board of one of the boats, and reached Fortress Monroe last night about eight o'clock. The gunboat Smith Briggs is a total wreck, and what remains of her is in the possession of the rebels. Nearly all our brave men who fought so valiantly are now prisoners. The most of them are supposed to be badly wounded. The number killed is not known, but must be very large. The rebels, too, must have suffered severely, as our men fought long, persistently, and to much effect. It is surmised that, though the rebels were finally victorious, they lost at least three to our one in killed and wounded. The rebels greatly outnumbered us. They had a full regiment of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, while our whole force engaged did not amount to over one hundred and fifty men. During the fiercest part of the shelling, two small navy boats came up, and were apparently about to render assistance to the army gunboat Smith Briggs, when their commanding officer was shot through the breast. They then immediately retired, as the officer was evidently badly wounded. Our men cannot be too highly praised for their valor, and it is to be greatly regretted that they suffered so much. The boats that reconnoitred the Nansemond returned safely. Doc. 101. The water falling very rapidly, forced the expedition to give up the intended trip further into the interior. Some houses were necessarily destroyed; but as the community is all rebel, it is not to be regretted. I regret to say that we lost two killed and fourteen wounded, and the Fort Hindman was badly cut up with shot and shell, being struck twenty-seven times, but nothing to impair her efficiency. I inclose Lieutenant Commander Ramsay's report. I am well pleased with the result of the expedition. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP CHOCTAW, SIR: In obedience to your order, I left here on the Fort Hindman at half-past one P.M. On the twenty-ninth ultimo, taking the Osage, Cricket, Ouachita, Lexington, and Conestoga with me, and proceeding up Red River, anchored at dark about fifteen miles from the mouth of Black River. At daylight on the first instant, I got under way and proceeded up Black River. At four P.M., when about fifteen miles below Trinity, we were fired into by sharp-shooters, concealed behind the levee. All the vessels immediately opened on them with shrapnel, grape, and canister, and drove them away. When we reached Trinity, white flags were shown on the lower side of the town, but as soon as we rounded the point we were opened on by a battery of two twelvepounder rifle guns. We immediately opened fire, EXPEDITION UP THE BLACK AND WA- and in a few moments drove the rebels, who were under the command of General Polignac, from the town. I then proceeded two miles above the town, and anchored for the night. At daylight on the second, I got under way, and proceeded up the Ouachita, with the Osage leading and the Hindman next. We had not proceeded more than five miles when the Osage became disabled, by the main wheel of the turret breaking in three pieces, which rendered it impossible to revolve the turret. Fortunately, the guns were pointed directly ahead at the time of the accident. When we arrived within two miles of Harrisonburgh, we were attacked by a brigade (General Polig nac's) of sharp-shooters, lying behind the levee, and a battery of twelve-pounder rifle-guns. The fire of the battery was directed entirely at the |