[Rhode Island] 20th June About 5 this morning the Rebel Sloop which lay in Bristol bay got under way, and having a light fair wind at N.W. passed through the ferry. The Lark fired some shot at her at the distance of near two miles, all of which fell short. Eleven shot were fired at her from our Redoubt, one of which, a 24 pr struck her in the broadside, and caused great confusion on board; but she got through without any visible damage, & went round to Rowland's ferry where she anchored. She appears to be a Privateer, and mounts about 10 Carriage guns besides Swivels, and was full of men. She is a very handsome Sloop, quite clean, and well rigged. She fired three or four shot at the Redoubt as she passed. One half of a Doubleheaded 6 lb Shot struck the Abbattis and was taken up.
The Brig which lay near Mount hope, was seen at anchor up Taunton River this morning. It is highly probable they will both go to Sea the first fair wind after the dark nights come on.
If the Galley had been up, and gone through the ferry after the Sloop, she must have galled her exceedingly with the 18 prs she carries in her bow. Our armed vessels have very little to apprehend from the Rebel battery at Bristol ferry. They must have seen that with our four Guns we have seldom done any material damage to the many Rebel vessels which have passed; and the Rebels have but two Guns in their Battery, and not near so well served.
