enemy so superior in numbers. It is one of those Spartan feats that I trust the department will take notice of. I am, with respect, yours to command, JOHN C. STARKWEATHER, Doo. 165. THE ESCAPE OF THE SUMTER. SUNDAY last, the 7th inst., as the following will vividly show, was a day pregnant with misfortune for us. It was then the pirate Sumter escaped us, and that, too, by our own injudicious management. Now, as there is the greatest probability that this steamer, manned, as she is, by a band of cutthroats, will capture, rob, and sink, or burn some of our merchant vessels, laden with valuable cargoes, I imagine it will be nothing more than fair if the manner of her escape is put upon record in your journal; so here goes: At daybreak on the morning of Sunday, the lookout discovered a vessel in the offing, acting very suspiciously, and leading us to believe that she would run the blockade if an opportunity was given her. We duly got under way and went in pursuit of her. She kept standing off, and led us a merry chase of some fifteen miles from our anchorage; but finally overhauling her, we found her to be an English bark in ballast from some port in Spain, and bound for New Orleans. We warned her not to attempt to enter. During this chase it was reported to our Captain that, taking advantage of our absence from Pass l'Outre, a steamer was making its way down the river with terrific speed. Instead of continuing to follow the confounded old bark, upon the reception of such important intelligence, we should have ignored her presence, and, instantly putting about, hastened back to the river with all possible speed, for it had been universally known for a long time that the secession man-of-war steamer Sumter was lying at the head of the Pass, awaiting an opportunity to pass us and escape, that she might be at large upon the high seas, to plunder and murder indiscriminately. But no! our Captain did not seem to discern the necessity of such an action, but kept our vessel steaming on until, overtaking the bark, he simply ordered her off, as stated above. 'Tis true in doing this we were performing our duty to the very let ter; but it was of minor importance when compared to the interception of a vessel notoriously a pirate. When we returned, it was reported to us that the Sumter had already succeeded in crossing the bar, and at this moment our Captain, as if awakening from sleep, ordered us to carry all the steam possible and crowd on all sail, and start in pursuit of the fugitive. This order had hardly been carried into effect when a terrible squall came up, and it continued with such severity for a while we could not see the length of our ship ahead of us. For fear of grounding we lessened our speed, and eventually stopped altogether, remaining so until the squall had passed. Much to our chagrin we then saw the Sumter a very great distance ahead of us, and going through the water like a witch; we continued the chase, but she slowly increased the distance between us, it being a dead calm after the squall, and we could not use our sails. Had our vessel been in as good a condition as she was at the commencement of this cruise, instead of the miserable state she is now in, we could have caught her easily under steam alone. Still we kept on, and at four P. M. we were gladdened by the wind coming around fair, and freshening every moment. We made all sail, until the masts cracked and groaned under their burden, and we were rewarded by the fact that we were rapidly gaining upon the Sumter, which caused us to feel elated, as we argued it would be a "nice job " if we could succeed in trapping the pirate. Suddenly, at this juncture of affairs and the very turning point in our favor, Captain Poor ordered the ship to put about, to abandon the chase, and return to our anchorage. Amazement was depicted upon the countenance of every man on board, and as a matter of course the greatest and most bitter indignation prevailed because of this action. It was so nncalled for, so inexplicable, that wonder and scorn were the predominant feelings manifested. Again, it was the opinion of every man on board our ship that it was our imperative duty to follow this pirate to the lower regions, if necessary for her capture, and let the blockade go, for the damage this one piratical vessel will do to our commerce, if let alone, will be incalculable. The Sumter, it is reported, carries nine guns of large calibre, some two hundred men, and is very fast. She is the propeller Habana, her name afterwards changed to Alfonzo, built in 1857 by Messrs. C. H. & W. M. Crump, of Philadelphia. Her dimensions are as follows: Length, on deck, one hundred and eighty feet; breadth of beam, thirty feet; depth of hold, ten feet; draught of water, nine feet six inches; five hundred tons burthen. Thus it will be observed that with the large crew and heavy guns she is reported to have, she will prove a most formidable privateer. Our very discreet Captain (that is, he thinks himself such, but a great many others do not) disregarded all advice from his officers, and, intrenching himself behind his official position, would not venture an explanation or an excuse for his action, but deliberately returns to the blockade, and lets the pirate run, to destroy millions of dollars' worth of property; whereas the raising of the blockade for a few days would have amounted, comparatively, to nothing. And further, it was only after the repented requests and urgings of all the officers that Capt. Poor concluded to send notice to the flag-officer of the squadron at Pensacola, informing him of the escape of the Sumter. I repeat it, that had it not been for the repeated urgings of our officers, we would have gone back to our old anchorage, from which place there is no manner nor chance of communication with Pensacola. However, after the representation of the officers in question, a boat was sent up to the gunboat Massachusetts, despatching her to the flag-officer with the information of the Sumter's escape. We learned subsequently that the Niagara had gone in pursuit of her; we hope soon to overhaul her; yet, in the mean time, I repeat, she may capture millions of dollars' worth of property, sink and burn at pleasure, and all this must be suffered, owing to Capt. Poor's very poor judgment in the matter. -Baltimore American, August 5. Doo. 166. BATTLE AT ATHENS, MO. FOUGHT AUGUST 5, 1861. In the mean time, the secessionists had formed a camp, under Martin Green, a brother of the ex-Senator, at Monticello, the county seat of Lewis County, which is about thirty miles south of Cahokia. A few days after the Union camp was formed, word came that Green was marching on it with a force of 800 men. The Unionists immediately sent to Keokuk and Warsaw for assistance. Keokuk did not respond, but the Warsaw Greys, Capt. Coster, fifty in number, went over to the Union camp, intending only to act on the defensive, but when there, as no enemy appeared, Col. Moore determined to rout out the various bands of secessionists which were prowling about the country. Accordingly, for three days he kept his men on the trot, completely worrying them out; but in no instance could they compel the enemy to make a stand. The only work performed was the arresting of numerous secessionists, who were liberated on taking the oath. Moore, with his command, then retreated to Athens, a small town on the Des Moines River, about twenty-eight miles from its mouth. Here the Greys left and returned home. This was about two weeks ago. Soon after retiring to Athens, the secessionists proposed a peace con A CORRESPONDENT of the Chicago Tribune in a letter from Warsaw, Ill., gives the follow-ference, and many Unionists went into council ing details of this skirmish: WARSAW, ILL., Aug. 9, 1861. The telegraph has informed you of the battle at Athens, Mo., on the 5th inst., and I now propose to detail the events which preceded and accompanied it. with them to bring about a restoration of order; but the more wary said the object of the rebels was only to get them to disperse and then they would disarm them. The effect, however, of this proposition, was to very much weaken the Union camp, and Col. Moore soon For the past three or four weeks the north-found his force reduced to less than three huneast corner of Missouri has been in a state of dred men. anarchy. There has been no security for life In the mean time, Green had been making and property, and no effort made to enforce the large additions to his numbers from all the adlaws and to restore order. This state of things joining counties, and ten days ago he had unoriginated from the attempts of secessionists to der his command from 1,200 to 1,500 men. He drive Union men out of the country. To effect visited Scotland and Knox Counties-running this, they did not use actual force; but they out Unionists, insulting and abusing their famcollected in squads, visited the houses of Union-ilies, and committing all sorts of depredations ists-mostly in the absence of the men-insult- upon their property. On Saturday last it beed and abused the women, and threatened that came evident that he was approaching the unless the family left the men would be shot or Union camp at Athens, with a view of attackhung. Union men and their families were thus ing it. The Unionists sent to Keokuk for help. kept in a state of constant dread and apprehen- On Sunday about seventy of the Keokuk milision, which in many instances became unen-tary went up to Croton, (a small town on the durable, and the consequence has been that many Union men have abandoned every thing and left the State. The Unionists formed Home Guards, but these were powerless to protect from assassination; and besides, the members being scattered, in many instances miles apart, were useless in a sudden emergency. Finally, the rebels becoming more bold and threatening, the Unionists resolved to go into camp. This they did, to the number of about six hundred, at a town called Cahokia, eighteen miles from the Mississippi, in Clarke County. Their commander is a rough, not over bright, but withal, a well-meaning and brave old soldier, who has seen service in Mexico. Soon after going into camp, they received from St. Louis 240 stand of arms. VOL. II.-Doc. 36 Iowa side of the Des Moines, immediately opposite to Athens,) but would not pass over the river. Moore, however, received some reinforcements on Sunday, so that at the time of the attack he had nearly 400 men. Moore's camp was in the town, which is situated at the foot of and on the side of a high bluff. The main business street is on the river, and the second street runs parallel with the river, on a beach, a short distance up the hill. Moore stationed his main force in this second street, his right and left wings extending back to the river. Here there was this little band, attacked on the entire front and both flanks, by a force of 1,200 or 1,500 men, with no mode of retreat but by fording a river 300 yards wide. They were without artillery, while the rebels had three pieces-one an eight-pounder, which was | flight the combined secession forces of half a placed on the brow of the hill, to rake the prin- dozen counties, and, for the present, at least, cipal street entering the town, the other two hold the complete ascendency. pieces were imitation cannon, made out of the cylinders of old steam engines. The attack commenced between five and six o'clock in the morning. In the very beginning of the action Lieut.-Col. Callahan, who commanded a company of cavalry, retired with his company across the river, and it is said that this gallant officer, who claims to be a graduate of West Point, never stopped until he reached Montrose on the Mississippi River. Through the country over which he and a few of his comrades passed, they spread the report that the Unionists were cut all to pieces, and the secessionists were advancing into Iowa. The consequence was that the wildest panic seized the people-some flew to arms and some to the bush. A portion of Moore's infantry were also seized with the panic, and fled across the river, but seeing their companions standing firm, many of them afterward returned and took part in the fight. The portion of Moore's men which remained amounted to only about 300, yet they stood firm as regulars, and delivered their fire with the coolness of veterans. After all sorts of a fight, regular and irregular, which lasted for an hour and a half, Col. Moore led his centre to a charge, which was executed in.fine style, upon which the rebels broke and ran for life. Most of the enemy had horses, but they dismounted and fought on foot. The result of the battle was ten Unionists killed and ten wounded, two of these mortally, who have since died. The rebels left nine dead and four wounded on the field, and they have since admitted that they carried away 14 dead and 40 wounded. The "Gate City" of this morning states that it has been definitely ascertained that the rebel loss was 43 killed; but it is hardly credible that there was such havoc in such a battle. The Unionists also captured about 40 horses, five wagon loads of supplies, the mock cannon, and a quantity of arms. Col. Moore pursued the fugitives for three miles; he then returned to his camp, but the next day, being reinforced, he started in pursuit. The Unionists flocked to his standard, while the rebels, being discouraged, were disbanding. When last heard from, Moore was in Scotland County sweeping all before him. A portion of the Keokuk military performed good service during the fight, by forming on the Iowa side and pouring a galling fire into the flank of the enemy's right wing, across the river, with their Minié rifles. At the time this action was fought there were two regiments of United States Iowa Volunteers in Keokuk, twenty-five miles from the scene of action. A portion of these were despatched to the aid of the Unionists, but the battle had been fought and won before their arrival. Thus have the Union Guards of Clark and Scotland Counties, almost unaided, put to Doc. 167. BOMBARDMENT OF GALVESTON, GALVESTON papers of Tuesday, 6th of August, mention two attempts on the part of the blockading fleet on that station to shell the city the first by the schooner Dart, on Saturday, 2d, doing no damage; the second by the steamer South Carolina, on Monday, 5th, which resulted in the killing of one man, the wounding of two or three slightly, and the damaging of several dwellings. After particularizing the manoeuvre of the vessels, and their getting in position, and the position and manning of the Confederate batteries, and the eagerness of those in charge for the fight to commence, the News says: The Dart came sailing down in front of the batteries, doubtless to draw their fire, but this was of no avail. The steamer had now come almost to a stand-still. She was within range, and seemed to dare attack. She had not long to wait. Col. Moore sighted No. 1 at her, and in a moment after the white smoke rose above the breast works, and the thundering report that shook the earth and filled the air, announced that the contest had begun. All eyes now turned to the steamer. In a minute a puff of white smoke issued from her prow, as she still continued to move slowly on; the heavy report rang out, and then the sharp hum of a shell was distinctly heard. Again, again, and again, this slow interchange of shots took place, the intervals pretty regular between each. Our first shots were delivered steadily, and evidently with care; they were in line, and went nearer the propeller each time, and one struck so near her, amidships, that from various parts of the city, far distant from each other, as we have since learned, the remark was simultaneous: "That hit her!" Capt. Alden now began, however-much to our mingled astonishment and indignation-to fire shells over the city. He had endeavored to enfilade the guns in the batteries, but his gunners failed to hit either the sand bags or the men around and near them. He doubtless then bethought him that, as he had succeeded so well in opening ladies' letters, he would be as triumphant in frightening or injuring some of our women and children. May his name be infamous for the dastardly deed. Several large shells exploded high in the air, the pieces flying in all directions, far and near. One piece traversed the roof of Mr. Tankersley's house, one square in the rear of Mr. Brown's and Gen. Nichols' residence, on Broadway. It went through the pantry, next to the kitchen, and through the outer plank wall into the yard. We heard of a piece falling | to injure our city. There are many of an opat the south side of the public square, penetrat- posite opinion, however. ing the roof and floor of Mr. J. Dykeman's portico; and an entire bomb at Mr. Blose's foundry, and a piece going to the first ward market, and one shell burying itself near Smyth's garden; but none, fortunately, hitting any one, though some narrow escapes were had. We were shown a 32-pound ball that was said to have been picked up in the street, near Broadway and Tremont. We have been informed, also, that some of the shells were found unexploded; but we cannot hear that any of the gallant Alden's missiles came nearer than the further part of Mr. League's new hotel lot, on Tremont street, south of the bayou, or about half a mile from the gulf. This is considered by many as the range of the propeller's guns, from her nearest approach to the shore, opposite the beach batteries.. The News states that two consular flags-one the British—were flying, but were not respected by Capt. Alden. The News continues: A large number of people having collected on and near the sand-hills, a little to the eastward of the batteries, to gratify their curiosity, a shell fell among them, apparently directed for that purpose, cutting one man in two, and carrying away most of his body between the shoulders and hips, and exploding about the same time. Some two or three others were slightly wounded with the pieces. This, we believe, was all the harm that was done by this first attempt to bombard our city. The firing continued about half an hour. Some of the shells measured ten inches in diameter, and must have been thrown by a sixty-eight pounder, said to be the steamer's pivot gun. Doo. 168. THE BURNING OF HAMPTON, VA. STATEMENT OF MR. JAMES SCOFIELD. MR. SCOFIELD, a native of Darien, Conn., and a resident of Hampton, Virginia, for the past five years, carrying on a general variety of business in that village, was there at the firing of the place by the rebels. At about half-past eleven o'clock on Wednesday night the rebels arrived at Hampton, and completely surrounded the place. The poor inhabitants, at least all that were left, were sound asleep, and awakened by the sharp firing of the rebel pickets and the Union troops of Colonel Weber, who were posted on the other side of the creek. It was now Thursday morning when Mr. Scofield noticed about twenty minutes past twelve o'clock on about six houses down town being fired through the weather boards with flambeaux or torches, apparently saturated with tar. An old female slave walked through the place and awakened those that had not heard the firing. All was bustle and confusion. Mr. Scofield hurriedly dressed himself in a light suit lying handy to his bed, and by the time he had on his pantaloons and shirt he heard loud knocks at the front door, and before he could get out of the door his bed-room was already set on fire by one of the torches. In the confusion he escaped, but heard some one say, "We want you," and Mr. S. asking who addressed him, was answered that it was a member of the North Carolina regiment. Mr. During the firing the city rang with the Scofield, however, escaped, having been fired shouts of the people from the roofs and balco- upon once by a pistol shot, but fortunately nies at every discharge from the batteries, and escaped unhurt. On the outskirts of Hampton, even the ladies participated in the enthusiasm going toward Old Point, he met an old acof the excitement, manifesting the utmost anx-quaintance formerly of Hampton, belonging to iety to see our shot strike the steamer and sink her. the cavalry, who answered to a question why Hampton was fired, that the "cursed Yankees," having had possession of the place once and evacuated it, they (the rebels) might not get another opportunity, and they would set fire to at once and keep them from having the same for winter-quarters. Some twelve or fourteen shots were exchanged between the shore and the steamer. She then moved out to sea, firing a last shell, and our guns replied. A number of careful lookers-it on report that, with their glasses, they distinctly saw a boat, or something like it, lowered over her side as she turned away, and this, as is thought, to plug or examine a shot hole in her side. It is also thought that her pivot gun was capsized, from being raised at too great an angle, as a large number of men and officers were seen bending over it, as they were on Sunday. The Dart had soon got out of range and followed the steamer, which speedily resumed her old position east of the bar and off Bolivar peninsula. There she has remained up to the time of writing-Monday afternoon. Good judges think that Capt. Alden made his best effort on this occasion, to show his power Mr. Wilson Jones, an old and gray-headed gentleman, and his wife, (Unionists,) the coroner of Hampton, Mr. Kennon Whiting and lady, and several other prominent citizens of Hampton, are at Old Point, under the protection of the old flag they were born under, being kindly cared for by Major-General Butler. The village is a complete wreck; every house is gutted with the exception of about five at the north and south end of the town, which are the residences of Mr. Moody, the sutler at the fort; Miss Eliza Jones, (a brick building;) the Episcopal parsonage; the house of Joseph Phillips, H. Clay Whiting's store and warehouse, and one or two small frame houses on the outskirts. The reason of these being spared was that them. She asked him if he had seen any thing the rebels had no time to prosecute their hellish of her husband, who had returned for some work further, being closely pressed by Colonel clothing. It was a pitiful sight to behold. Weber's men, and the wind blowing southwest swept through the middle of the town, leaving these buildings untouched. Mr. Scofield was endeavoring to save the bed of Mrs. Kenner, the lady with whom he boarded, and had already procured a wheelbarrow for the purpose of carrying it off, when within about three minutes five rifle balls struck within ten feet of him. These missiles came from the Turner regiment of Colonel Weber, firing at the rebels from the opposite side of the creek. Mr. Scofield estimates that there must have been at least five hundred rebel troops in the village, and, from what he can learn, a reserve of upward of five thousand were stationed on what is called the cross-roads, on the outskirts of Hampton. The enemy was well supplied with a quantity of ladders, carried on wagons, which had ropes attached. This would appear as if the rebels intended to get inside of our lines and use the ladders in scaling. However, the rapid and well-directed firing of the Twentieth regiment skirmishers drove them back, and cautioned them that by further advancing they would meet with a well-prepared and resolute check. One resident of Hampton was seen to set fire to his own dwelling, giving as an excuse that Gen. Magruder gave orders to destroy every thing they could not hold. Mr. Scofield very much regretted to leave the place, having buried the wife of his bosom in the churchyard there, having lost every dollar he possessed in the world; and when the old church toppled over on her grave, his feelings may be better imagined than described. Being compelled to fly for his life, he had no opportunity to take any thing with him, and is now thrown on the world penniless, after a weary toil of eighteen years, having two motherless children to support. He estimates his loss at about eight thousand dollars. This morning he returns to Darien, Connecticut, to join his relatives. An English captain, arriving from Norfolk under a flag of truce, reports that among the rebels there the story was told that Hampton was fired by the troops of General Butler. -Baltimore American, Aug. 12. N. Y. "TRIBUNE" NARRATIVE. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT CONFORT, August 8, 1861. Another and a fearful scene has been enacted in the drama of Rebellion. Last night the village of Hampton was laid in ashes by the rebels. Mr. Mahew, formerly of Bath, Maine, who went to Georgia to live, and was there pressed into the rebel service, came into our lines yesterday afternoon as a deserter, and gave much valuable information concerning the movements of Gen. Magruder. On Monday morning last Gen. M. left Yorktown with two Tennessee, one Georgia, one Alabama regiment, and two battalions, and some cavalry, in all, five regiments, or between 5,000 and 6,000 men, with eight guns, one of which was rifled. The force reached Great Bethel about noon of the same day, and encamped on Tuesday_night, when they proceeded to Newmarket Bridge, two and a half miles beyond Hampton, arriving there about 11 o'clock A. M. Wednesday. Gen. Magruder immediately formed his men in line of battle, expecting Gen. Butler would attack him, and waited some time. The impression among the men was that they were to be led to the attack of Newport News that afternoon. While awaiting the appearance of an opposing force, and while Gen. Magruder was engaged in taking observations from the top of a house, Mr. Mahew escaped into the woods, made his way to Hampton, swam the creek, and gave himself up to our pickets, by whom he was conducted to Gen. Butler's head-quarters. Information of the movements of the enemy was immediately telegraphed to Gen. Phelps at Newport News, who had obtained corresponding intelligence from other sources. Measures The general impression was prevalent that were taken, in conjunction with the fleet, to the firing of Hampton was done by order of defend our position here and Newport News General Butler. Even such an opinion was ex- from the combined attack which it was evident pressed within our lines. But Mr. Scofield em- the enemy intended. This was about 6 o'clock phatically declares that the rebel General Ma-P. M. The rebels had already reached the outgruder gave the order to burn and desert the village. The Union troops, when compelled by the necessities of war to burn a place, spare the inhabitants by giving them ample and timely warning, which the enemy in this instance did not do. Without a word of caution and warning, they set fire to the dwellings and stores, and that the entire number were not burned is no fault of theirs, but attributable to our gallant troops who so completely dispersed them. Mr. Scofield, in getting away, fell in with five little children of a poor man, a resident of Hampton, sitting on the river bank, shivering in their night clothes, their mother being with skirts of Hampton, and an advance guard occupied the village about 4 o'clock, the force having left Newmarket Bridge about the time Mr. Mahew deserted. During the evening proper orders were issued to the force at Camp Hamilton, commanded by Colonel Max Weber, and a scouting party was sent to Fox Hill to watch the movements of the enemy in that neighborhood. At 10 o'clock General Butler, after visiting Camp Hamilton, went to Hampton Bridge and instructed the force posted there to hold the position, and resist any attempt either to destroy or pass the bridge. About 25 feet of the planks had been taken up, and the tim |