Joseph Hooker to S. Williams, 7, November 14, 1861
HEADQUARTERS HOOKERâS DIVISION,
Camp Baker, Lower Potomac, Md., November 14, 1861.
GENERAL:
The right of my camp was enlivened to-day by a spirited contest for a prize in the shape of a schooner freighted with wood. She had attempted to ascend the river under easy sail, when the wind failed her opposite the mouth of Mattawoman Creek. Her condition was soon remarked by the rebels, and at once a light battery was drawn up at Cockpit Point and opened a brisk fire on her. This alarmed the crew, and they doused anchor and made for our shore. As soon as this was communicated to me I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Wells to proceed to the point of interest with a battalion of the First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and for Lieutenant-Colonel Getty to dispateh a section of his battery to prevent any effort on the part of the rebels to capture the vessel. Both of these commands literally flew to their positions, but did not reach them until after the rebels had boarded the schooner and set fire to her. A few of the infantry immediately manned a small boat at hand, boarded the schooner, extinguished the fire, and then up anchor and towed her beyond the reach of danger.
I am informed by those who witnessed this exploitâand there were many spectators on both shores of the Potomacâthat it was executed with an air of true heroism. Those engaged with the battery are no less deserving of my commendation. Of itself it is an affair of no importance; as an expression of the feeling animating our troops it is full of significance.
I inclose herewith the reports of the officers most interested, as they will furnish details which I cannot transcribe.
Not anticipating that we would be able to remove the schooner from her perilous situation, I dispatched a messenger to the officer commanding the flotilla, in whose presence almost this event happened,
422 ` OPERATIONS IN MD. N. VA., AND W. VA. (Ouar. XIV.
requesting that a tug might be dispatched to her relief; but the schooner was removed before the dispatch could have been delivered.
In view of Liverpool Point becoming the landing point of my supplies, I have given directions for some scows lying at Maryland Point to be seized, and have requested the commanding officer of the Second Division of the flotilla to have them taken in tow and delivered to my pickets at Liverpool Point. I have experienced some difficulty and more delay in discharging freight, from my omission to take this precaution in Mattawoman Creek. I request that six wagons may be sent to Lieutenant-Colonel Getty for the use of his three batteries. Itisimpossible for the teams now with him to haul his forage and provisions. I also request that a box of signal rockets may be forwarded for the pickets at Sandy Point, that I may, in case the Page should attempt to escape at night, convey the information to the flotilla below.
The enemy appear to be increasing in numbers immediately in my front. It may be the affair of the schooner caused more of them to show themselves. ,
The weather is unfavorable for the ascension of the balloon. It is now in the vicinity of the Posey house.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier- General, Commanding Division.
Adjutant- General Army of the Potomac. â
No. 2.
Report of Lieut. Col. George D. Wells, First Massachusetts Infantry.
HDQRs. First Re@r MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,
Camp Hooker, Maryland, November 14, 1861.