Washington Telegraph

The U. S. ship of war Jamestown, Capt. Forbes, which left Boston on the 28 March, loaded with provisions, arrived at Cork on the 12th April, after a splendid passage of only fifteen days. As soon as the gallant ship was seen coming up the cove, the "Bells of Shannon," and of the cathedral were rung, and the greatest excitement prevailed among the citizens. At 8 o'clock Dr. Parks, Surgeon of the ship, landed with despatches for the Lord Lieutenant, which were forwarded to that distinguished personage immediately. Rear Admiral, Sir H. Pigott, quickly despatched a messenger to the ship to ascertain when hostilities would commence. The messenger had scarcely entered the cabin when he was struck in the mouth by a huge buttered pancake, which came nigh dislocating his jaws. As soon as he recovered himself and had wiped away the grease from his lips, he was informed that the ship would fire upon the town as soon as the ship's tackles could be brought to bear upon the wharves and warehouses. When Sir H. Pigott was informed of the intention of Capt. Forbes, he issued immediate orders to General Starvation to bring his troops together and form in columns upon the quays fronting the enemy. The gallant Col. Forbes, seeing that no time was to be lost, quickly beat his men to arms, and soon had his ship moored at one of the principal wharves, when the signal was given and the fore and main hatches were unclosed and double tackle rigged in the twinkling of an eye. The cannonading now commenced in good earnest, and dreadful indeed was the slaughter. Barrel after barrel, some of them 200 pounders, was now discharged upon the Irish troops in quick succession, which set them to caper and prancing in such a manner as was truly shocking to behold. At the first discharge seventy men were struck directly in the centre of their bread baskets, and forty two others had their appetites carried clean away, so accurate and infallible was the aim of Capt. Forbes' crew. As the battle progressed the air seemed thick with the smoke from the Jamestown's guns, "looking," says an eye witness, "for all the world as though there was a shower of fine wheat flour." A bombshell of corn-meal lodged in an old house on the quay, in which were a number of men, women and children, and bursted into a thousand fragments, scattering dough nuts, johnny-cakes, and stomach pills in every direction, not a soul in the house escaping, but every one receiving a complete belly full. Still the battle waged, and still the Irish troops received the steady fire from the batteries of the Jamestown, with a heroism and devotion which none but soldiers could stand under and live. Cork was never in such an uproar before. Her citizens were seen running about armed with pots, kettles and pans, and anon running into the thickest of the fight, from which they would emerge after a prolonged and heroic struggle, covered with glory and corn-meal. Father Mathew, who was seen rallying the troops and cheering them on, was descried by Capt. Forbes, who immediately despatched a plate of buck wheats at the old gentleman, which struck him just between the nose and chin, leaving a hole in his face big enough to put a breakfast in. Sir H. Pigott himself was hit by a Yankee johnny cake, which completely destroyed his appetite, besides carrying away three of his vest buttons. In vain did General Starvation endeavor to hold his ground. Every discharge from the gallant ship caused him to quail, until at last, overcome and overpowered by the incessant showers of corn, barley, beans, bread, and salt pork, he turned to run, when a hogshead of smoked hams came rolling from the ship, and hitting him behind, knocked him clear into the last end of the next century. This of course decided the battle, and General Famine, Col. Gaunt, Major Hunger, Capt. Gripes, Corporal Thin, and all their starving followers took to their heels and fled from the city, leaving our troops complete masters of the field.

Thus has corn and wheat achieved another great victory, and crowned the brows of our brave soldiers with never fading laurels. May the good time soon come when all Ireland will be overrun by such troops as Capt. Forbes carried out.

New England Washingtonian.