This story is told by Lt. Davis Constable aboard the U.S.S. Naugatuck. The Naugatuck was part of Commander Roger's Squadron that was sailing up the James River (May 15, 1862) to bombard the Confederate Capital, Richmond. Before they could though, they had to pass by Drewy's Bluff. Stationed at the bluff were soldiers and sailors (from the scuttled Virginia). Lt Constable tells of coming under fire:
"A rifle ball passed through my clothing and lodged in a hammock near me... At least three well-directed shots had been fired at me from one spot before I discovered where they came from. I then saw that they had been fired from a thick green bush about eighty yards from me. Once I even caught sight of the muzzle of a rifle as it protruded through the bush to aim at me, and twice I raised a rifle to my shoulder to aim at him, but he dropped out of sight in a twinkling. Finding that I must either shoot him or get shot myself, I tried another plan. I aimed one of our 12-pounders, loaded with canister, at the bush, and directed the captain of the gun to fire at the moment I raised my signal. I then took my former position and watched the bush closely. Sure enough, when the fellow saw me standing without a rifle in my hand he again thrust the muzzle of his gun through the bush, but before he could pull the trigger I raised my hand. 'Bang!' went the 12 pounder, and when the smoke cleared away, rebel, gun, [bush] and all had been destroyed."
Bringing the