WASHINGTON, May 19. – No official dispatch has been received from Com. Goldsboro about the expedition up James River, comprised of the steam frigate Susquehanna, three gun-boats and the tug Servitor, the latter mounting one gun. They found the first rebel battery at Dolf’s Point deserted. The rebel flag was flying over the battery at Parly’s Point, 15 miles above Newport News, but on landing was found deserted, also the rebel batteries between there and Jamestown, with their guns mostly dismounted. Near Jamestown they met the squadron under Commander Rogers, which had previously gone up the river and learned from them particulars of the fight at Fort Darling and the disaster to the Naugatuck.
Goldsboro’s expedition was last heard from on Friday and were still going up the river securing most of the ordnance left by the rebels.
The general evacuation below Ft. Darling has doubtless given Goldsboro a chance to bring up mortar boats, &c., to act effectively against the Fort.
James River and the banks are now clear of rebel soldiers.
The Monitor and Galena were the only vessels that run by Day’s Point and Hardy’s Bluff Batteries. The remainder of the fleet stopped below.
Of 28 shots which struck the Galena, 18 penetrated. None did the Monitor any damage, all glancing off. Both returned down the river on Friday last. The Galena is not materially injured. They doubtless followed Goldsboro on Saturday up the river.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4
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