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BERNARD ALBERT SINN
COLLECTION
NAVAL HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY
THE GIFT OF
BERNARD A. STNN,'97
1919
KEFORT
_ Cornell University Library
E591 .U582 1864
Report of the Secretary of the Navy in r
olin
3 1924 032 779 419
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
IN RELATION TO
ARMORED VESSELS.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1864.
The original of this bool< is in
the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92403277941 9
LETTER
FROM
THE SECRETARY OF THE lAYY,
IN ANSWER TO
Resolutions of the House and Senate in relation to the operations of armored,
vessels employed in the service of the United States.
April 21, 1864. — Resolved, That there be printed, for the use of the Navy Department,
two thousand copies of the report and documents of the Secretary of the Navy, relating to
iron-clad vessels, &c., and three thousand for the use of the House.
Navy Department, April 11, 1864.
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of three several resolu-
tions of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, in relation to
armored vessels and to such information as may be in possession of this de-
partment concerning their efficiency, capability, and the service which may
have been rendered by them, and especially as to operations in the harbor of
Charleston. The resolutions are as follows :
In the Senate of the United States,
December 17, 1863.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be directed to communicate to the
Senate all official reports and despatches and papers in the Navy Department
relating to actions in which any of the armored vessels have been engaged,
and especially the report of Captain Worden of the combat of the Monitor
with the Merrimack, and the report of Captain John Rodgers of the attack
on Fort Darling, together with the despatches of Rear-Admiral Goldsborough
transmitting them; the reports of Captain Worden and Captain Drayton of
the two attacks on Fort McAllister, on the Ogeechee, with the despatches of
Rear-Admiral DuPont transmitting them to the department; the report of
Rear- Admiral DuPont of the attack of April 7, 1863, on the defences of
Charleston harbor, together with the reports of Captain Drayton of the Passaic,
Commander Rhind of the Keokuk, Commander Downes of the Nahant, Captain
John Rodgers of the Weehawken, Captain Worden of the Montauk, Commander
Fairfax of the Nantucket, Commander George W. Rodgers of the Catskill, of
Commodore Turner of the New Ironsides, and of Commander Ammen of the Pa-
tapsco, touching their several vessels during that attack; and also the reports of
any investigations, after the action, into the condition of any of the armored ves-
sels engaged in it, or respecting the repairs found necessary on any of those vessels
U ARMORED VESSELS.
after the action, made by those ofBcers, or any of them, or any ofEcial statement
respecting those vessels In connexion with the said action, or respecting experi-
ments to test the value of rafts for the removal of obstructions made by those
officers, or any of them, or by Engineers Lovering, Robie, or Stimers ; and also
the report of Captain John Rodgers of the action between the Weehawken and
Atlanta, together with the despatch of Rear- Admiral DuPont transmitting it ;
and all other official correspondence with any of those officers in the Navy Depart-
ment respecting or relating to those actions ; and also the official report of the
sinking of the Weehawken inside the bar off Charleston, and the official re-
port of the springing a leak of the Sangamon at the Washington navy yard on
the eve of departure on a cruise.
Attest: J. W. FORNEY, Secretary.
THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION.
Congress of the United States,
I.\ the House of Representatives,
January 13, 1864.
Mr. Spalding, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, submitted the following,
which was adopted :
Whereas it seems probable that warfare on the ocean will in great measure
depend in the future on armored vessels, whose form, structure, and armament
must be determined by experience in action ; and the attacks on Forts Darling
and McAllister, the combats between the Monitor and Men-imack and the
Weehawken and Atlanta, and the first great naval battle delivered by armored
vessels in the harbor of Charleston, have at once illustrated the American name,
and furnished the only information from experience in battle respecting the
powers of resistance and aggression of armored vessels which exists to aid the
deliberations of Congress in directing further constructions of such vessels ;
but the Secretary of the Navy, while conveying the gratifying intelligence that
during the "vigorous assaults on Fort Sumter but comparatively slight injury
was sustained by these vessels," though "no ships ever before sustained such a
concentrated fire," has not communicated with his report the official and de-
tailed despatches and reports of the officers in command of the armored vessels
executing those attacks, from which alone exact and reliable information of the
real capacity of those vessels for resistance, aggression, speed, manoeuvring, and
keeping the sea, as shown by experience, can be obtained, and without such in-
formation Congress must grope in the dark in ordering or refusing further con-
struction of armored vessels : Therefore,
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be directed to communicate to this
house all official reports, despatches, and papers in the Navy Department relating
to those actions : that is to say, the report of Captain Worden of the combat
between the Monitor and the Merrimack ; the report of Captain John Rodgers
of the attack on Fort Darling, or the action near Drury's Bluff, on the James
river ; the reports of Captain Worden and Captain Drayton of the two attacks
on Fort McAllister, on the Ogecchee, with the despatches of Rear- Admiral Du-
Pont transmitting them to the department; the reports of Rear- Admiral Du-
Pont of the attack of April 7, 1863, on the defences of Charleston harbor, to-
gether with the reports of Captain Drayton of the Passaic, Commander Rhind
of the Keokuk, Commander Downes of the Nahant, Captain John Rodgers of
the Weehawken, Captain Worden of the Montauk, Commander Fairfax of
the Nantucket, Commander George W. Rodgers of the Catskill, Commodore
Turner of the New Ironsides, Commander Ammen of the Patapsco, touching
their several vessels dm-ing that attack ; and also the reports of any investigation,
ARMORED VESSELS. Ill
after the action, into the condition of any of the armored vessels engaged in it,
or respecting the repairs found to be necessary on any of these vessels after the
action, made by those officers, or any of them, or any official statement respect-
ing those vessels in connexion with the said action, or respecting experiments
■to test the value of rafts for the removal of obstructions made by those officers,
or any of them, or by Engineers Lovering, Eobie, or Stimers ; and also the re-
port of the action between the Weehawken and Atlanta, by Captain John Eod-
gers, together with the despatches of Rear- Admiral DuPont transmitting it; and
all other official correspondence with any of those officers in the Navy Depart-
ment respecting or relating to those actions ; also the report of the sinking of
the Weehawken within the bar off Charleston : Provided, That no call is hereby
intended to be made for information already transmitted by the Secretary of the
Navy to Congress.
Attest : EDWARD McPHERSON, Clerk.
THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION.
Congress of the United States,
In the House of Representatives,
February 29, 1864.
On motion of Francis P. Blair, jr..
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be requested to communicate to
this house the following information :
All his instructions relative to the attack upon Charleston, and all his corre-
spondence with Rear- Admiral DuPont relative to that attack, previous to the 7th
of April, 1863, and subsequent thereto, and all other information possessed by
the department, or its bureaus, growing out of that memorable^contest ; and all
the reports of officers and others relative to iron- clad vessels, and their adapta-
bility for naval warfare ; any order of the Navy Department relative to with-
drawing the iron-clads to the Mississippi or elsewhere ; also the telegraphic
order of the President, dated 13th April, 1863, directing Rear-Admiral DuPont
to remain inside of the bar at Charleston, and prevent the enemy from erecting
batteries on Morris island, and whether this order was acknowledged and
obeyed; also the telegraphic order of the President, dated April 14, 1863,
directing Rear-Admiral DuPont and General Hunter to take the batteries on
Morris and Sullivan islands, and whether said order was obeyed, or attempted
to be obeyed ; also the order of the Secretary of the Navy, dated June 6,
1863, directing Rear-Admiral DuPont to co-operate with General Gillmore, and
whether said order was obeyed, and whether General Gillmore complained of a
want of co-operation on the part of Rear-Admiral DuPont ; also who devised
the plan of attack attempted upon Fort Sumter by Rear-Admiral DuPont on
April 7, 1863, and whether such plan was communicated to the department pre-
vious to its being made, and whether Rear-Admiral DuPont asked for more
troops previous to April 7, 1863, or protested to the department against making
said attack ; and whether any order, previous to that date, was given to him to
attack Fort Sumter, or in any manner act against his judgment in the opera-
tions before Charleston ; or whether any suggestions or plans of that officer, or
requisitions for more ships, were refused or declined by the Navy Department
previous to his attack upon the defences of Charleston ; and whether the port
of Charleston is absolutely closed to blockade running since the monitors went
inside of the bar.
Attest: EDWARD McPHERSON, Clerk,
By CLINTON LLOYD, Chief Clerk.
IV AEMOEED VESSELS.
As tte principal objects of inquiry in these several resolutions, though vary-
ing in detail, are essentially the same, the reply is made to embody in one
document thte official correspondence and records of the Department, commencing
with the first recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy, on the 4th of
July, 1861, and the legislation by Congress at the then special session conse-
quent on that recommendation, tog«ther with the reports of the boards which
have from time to time been constituted ; also, the reports of naval officers, en-
gineers, and others, with such general information deemed valuable as has been
communicated to the Department from intelligent and reliable sources in regard
to the qualities and services of the armored vessels.
In response to certain specific inquiries that are made in the resolution of the
20th of February, I have the honor to state that the order of the President
dated April 13, 1863, " directing Rear- Admiral DuPont to remain inside the
bar at Charleston, and preVent the enemy from erecting batteries on Morris
island," was briefly acknowledged, but was not obeyed. The telegraphic order
of the President, dated the 14th of April, " directing Eear-Admiral DuPpnt
and General Hunter to take the batteries on Morris and SuUivan islands," was
never, so far as this department is advised, obeyed or attempted to be obeyed
by Eear-Admiral DuPont. The order of the Secretary of the Navy directing
Eear-Admiral DuPont to co-operate with General Gillmore was not obeyed.
Major General Hunter, in a letter to the President, referring to the " attack
by the iron-clads upon Charleston, an attack in which, from the nature of the
plans of Admiral DuPont, the army had no active part," says, that on the
morning after the attack the army was ready to proceed and take possession of
Morris island, and " Fort Sumter would have been rendered untenable in two
days' fire." General Hunter adds : " On the afternoon after the iron-clad attack
on Fort Sumter, the troops on Folly island were not only ready to cross Light-
house inlet, but were almost in the act, the final reconnoissance having been
made, the boats ready, and the men under arms for crossing, when they were
recalled, as I hoped merely temporarily, by the announcement of Admiral Du-
Pont that he had resolved to retire, and that consequently we could expect no
assistance from the navy.
" Immediately the admiral was waited upon by an officer of my staff, who
represented the forwardness of our preparations for crossing, the evidently un-
prepared condition of the enemy to receive us, while any delay, now that our
intentions were unmasked, would give the enemy time to erect upon the southern
end of Morris island, commanding Light-house inlet, those works and batteries
which he had heretofore neglected. To these considerations, earnestly and
elaborately urged, the admiral's answer was that 'he would not fire another
shot.'"
In answer to the inquiry "whether General Gillmore complained of a want
of co-operation on the part of Eear-Admiral DuPont," it will be seen by' the
letter accompanying this communication that General Gillmore, on the 30th of
June, said, "I can do nothing until Admiral DuPont's successor arrives and
gets ready to work. The admiral has no instructions, and does not feel at
liberty to put his vessels into action on the eve of relinquishing his command."
Yet the department had written Eear-Admiral DuPont on the 6th of June,
" General Gillmore has been ordered to take charge of the department of the
south, and you will please afford him all the aid and assistance in your power
in conducting his operations." The receipt of this order was acknowledged by
Eear-Admiral DuPont on the 14th of June. It may be stated also that his
original primary instructions in May, 1862, were to co-operate with the army,
unless the movement should be purely naval, when the army would render him
every assistance.
The department has no inf^'-^-tion as to "who devised the plan of attack
on Fort Sumter by Eear-Adi DuPont on AprU 7, 1863," but has never
AEMORED VESSELS. V
doubted that it originated and belonged exclusively to that officer. The plan
was not " communicated to this department previous to its being made," nor did
that officer ask the department for more troops, though he on one or two occasions
incidentally mentioned that "more troops are necessary." On no occasion, any-
where nor at any time, did Eear- Admiral DuPont "protest to the department
against making said attack." No "order previous to that date was given him
to attack Fort Sumter, or in any manner act against his judgment in the opera-
tions before Charleston;" on the contrary, the department wrote him especially,
on the 31st of January, 1863, that it did "not desire to urge an attack upon
Charleston with inadequate means, and if after careful examination you deem
the number of iron-clads insufficient to render the capture of that port reasonably
certain, it must be abandoned." No " suggestions or plans of that officer or
requisitions for more ships were refused or declined by the Navy Denartment
previous to his attack upon the defences of Charleston." In his despatch of
June 3, 1863, Hear- Admiral DuPont says he did not hesitate to "ask the
department for all the iron-clads that could be spared, and I am happy to say
that the department spared no pains to increase the force of these vessels."
And finally, in answer to the inquiry "whether the port of Charleston is
absolutely closed to blockade runners since the monitors went inside the bar," it
gives me pleasure to state that the department has received no information that
any vessel has reached the city of Charleston since the month of July.
In justice to the department it should be stated, that the averment in the pre-
amble of the 13th of January, that the Secretary of the Navy " has not com-
municated with his report the official and detailed despatches and reports of the
cheers in command of the armored vessels executing those attacks," is a grave
mistake — made inadvertently, I have no doubt, and without an examination of
the annual reports and accompanying documents of this department for the
years 1862 and 1863, for, included with them, were the "despatches and
reports " referred to, which had been transmitted to Congress on the 1st of
December, 1862, and on the Ith of December, 1863, respectively, and were
severally printed with the reports of the Secretary of the Navy of those years.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Hon. Schuyler Colfax,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
LIST OF PAPERS
INTRODUOTORT.
Page.
From Report of Secretary of Navy, July 4, 1861 1
Act of Congress authorizing the construction of iron-clads I
Copy of advertisement calling for plans and specifications 2
Order convening a board to examine plans for building iron-clads 2
Report of board to examine plans of iron-clads, under act of August 3, 1861 3
From the Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 2, 1861 7
From the Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 1, 1862 8
From the Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December?, 1863 10
Ericsson's inception of Monitor vessels 12
Letter from Mr. Ericsson relative to contract for Monitor 14
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
Arrival of the Monitor at Hampton Roads 14
Assistant Secretary Fox's telegram of the action at Hampton Roads 14
Assistant Secretary G. V. Fox's telegram to General McCleUan relative to the fight at
Hampton Roads 15
Major General Wool's telegram relative to condition of affairs in Hampton Roads 15
The President directs that the Monitor shall not go unattended to Norfolk 15
Captain John Marston's report of the attack of the Merrimack 16
Captain Van Brunt's account of the Minnesota's engagement vf ith the Merrimack 17
Captain Purviance's report of the Merrimack's attack 19
Chief Engineer Stimers's report 20
Passage of the Monitor from New York to Hampton Roads 21
Flag-Of&cer Goldsborough reports sending three vessels up James river, and shelling
SewaU's Point, May 8, 1862 21
Flag-Officer Goldsborough to the President of the United States 22
Flag-OfScer Goldsborough reports destruction of the Merrimack 23
Flag-OfScer Goldsborough encloses reports of engagement with fort on Dmry's Bluff. 24
Lieutenant Commander Jeffers's report relative to the Monitor 27
Passage of the New Ironsides to Hampton Roads 30
Passage of the Passaic from Washington to Hampton Roads 31
Passage of the Passaic from Hampton Roads to Beaufort 32
Loss of the Monitor —
Report of Acting Kear-Admiral S. P. Lee 35
Additional report of Acting Kear-Admiral S. P. Lee 35
Report of Commander J. P. Bankhead 37
Report of Second Assistant Engineer Joseph "Watterfl 40
The boilers and hull of the Galena 41
The Weehawken in a gale - , 42
Detailed report of the passage of the Weehawken to Hampton Roads 42
Extracts from private letters of John Rodgers relative to first trip of the Weehawken. 45
Passage of the Moutauk to Beaufort 46
Preparations for passage of Montauk from Beaufort to Port Royal 48
Passage of the Nahant to Port Royal 49
Passage of the Roanoke to Hampton Roads 49
Report of Captain G. Gansevoort of a joint reconnoissance up James river 50
VIU LIST OP PAPERS.
SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADEON.
Page.
First instructions for the capture of Charleston 51
Eear-Admii-al DuPont desires the Ironsides 52
Second instructions for the capture of Charleston 52
Transmits information relative to the harbor, &c., of Little rirer 53
Eear- Admiral DuPont's views upon the contemplated attack on Charleston 53
Department's letter advising Rear-Admiial DuPont to abandon the attack on Charles-
ton if the number of iron-clads is insufficient 53
Department's letter relative to movements of iron-clads - -- 54
The department informs Eear-Admiral DuPont that two more iron-clads will be added
to his squadron "4
Eear-Admiral DuPont directed to send iron-clads to Mobile . — --■■ 55
First attack on Fort Sumter —
Report of Rear-Admiral S. P. DuPont 55
Report of caeualtieB on the Keokuk 56
Report of casualties on the Nahant 56
Detailed report of Admiral S. F. DuPont 57
Order of battle and plan of attack 60
Report of Captain P, Drajrton - 61
Report of Captain John Rodgers w 63
Report of Captain John L. Worden 64
Report of Lieutenant Commander C. H. Cushman 65
Report of Commander Daniel Ammen GG
Report of Commander George W. Rodgers W
Report of Commander D. McN. Fairfax 6^
Report of Lieutenant Commander L. A. Beardslee 69
Report of Senior Engineer George H. White - 70
Report of Commander John Downes 72
Report of Commander A. C. Rhind 73
Report of expenditure of ammunition, &c - 75
Report of Captain T. Turner 76
Letter to Rear-Admiral DuPont by the Secretary of the Navy 77
Instructions of the President 77
Further Instructions of the President 78
Letter from Rear-Admiral DuPont 78
Chief Engineer Stimers's report of damages to the iron-clads 80
Telegrams of Assistant Secretary G. V. Fox relative to supposed preliminary attack
upon Fort Sumter 82
Order to send Passaic to Now York 82
Directing the Passaic to touch at Hampton Eoads 83
Order for board of experts on damages to the Passaic , 83
Eeport of board 83
Extract from a letter relative to the effect of the bombardment of Fort Sumter 85
Necessary for New Ironsides to remain at Charleston 85
Effect of shots upon Sumter 86
Statement of commanders of Monitors relative to first attack on Charleston 87
Eear-Admiral DuPont's reviews on the article in the Baltimore American 90
Letter of Secretary of the Navy to Eear-Admiral DuPont in reply to despatch of
April 22, 1863 96
Eear-Admiral DuPont relative to failure to renew attack, being a reply to letter of the
Secretary of Navy of May 15, 1863 97
Letter of Secretary of Navy to Eear-Admiral DuPont relative to first attack on
Charleston 99
Eeply of Eear-Admiral DuPont to department's letter of May 14, 1863 101
The Secretary of the Navy to Eear-Admiral DuPont -- 106
Inquiry relative to the guns of the Keokuk 107
LIST OP PAPERS. IX
Page-
Eeai- Admiral DiiPoiit relative to loss of the guns of the Keokuk ' 107
The Secretary of the Navy to Eear-Admiral DuPont relative to the guns of the Keokuk 107
Eear- Admiral DuPont relative to loss of guns of the Keokuk 108
Opinion of Eear-Admiral DuPont relative to the qualities of the Monitors for block-
ading duty off Charleston 108
Opinions of commanding officers of the Monitors 109
Major General Hunter to the President relative to Eear-Admiral DuPont's refusal to
co-operate 110
Letter relieving Eear-Admiral DuPont iiom the command of the South Atlantic Block-
ading Squadron , 112
General Gilhnore requesting the co-operation of Eear-Admual DuPont 1 12
Eear-Admiral DuPont directed to co-operate with General Gillmore 113
General Gillmore states that operations are delayed for want of Eear-Admiral DuPont's
co-operation 113
Congratulating Eear-Admiral DuPont upon his arrival home 113
Eear-Admiral Dahlgren to command the South Atlantic Squadron 114
Eear-Admiral DuPont prefers charges against Chief Engineer Stimers 114
Passage of the New Ironsides from Hampton Eoads to Port Eoyal 170
Passage of Passaic and Montauk to Port Eoyal 172
Attack upon rebel fort at Genesis Point, Great Ogeechee river —
Eeport of Rear- Admiral DuPont 174
Eeport of Commander John L. "Worden 175
Attack on the battery on the Ogeechee river, &c. —
Eeport of Rear- Admiral DuPont .., 176
Report of Commander John L. "Worden 176
Eeport of Captain P. Drayton 177
Arrival of the Weehawken at Port Eoyal 177
Eeport of survey, &c., on the Weehawken 178
Passage of Patapsco to Port Eoyal 180
Effects of shot on the Montauk 181
Passage of Nahaut to Port Eoyal 182
Eelative to testing the Monitor vessels 183
Destructiom of the privateer Nashville —
Eeport of Eear-Admiral DnPont 184
Eeport of Commander John Ii. Worden 1B4
Attack on Fort McAllister —
Eeport of Eear-Admiral DuPont « 185
Eeport of Captain P. Drayton 186
Eeport of Lieutenant Commander J. N. Miller 188
Eeport of Commander D. Ammen 189
Eeport of Captain J. Downes 190
Arrival of the CatskiU at Port Eoyal 191
'Chief Engineer Stimers coming north to report 191
Eeport of survey on the Montauk 192
Arrival of the Nantucket at Port Eoyal 193
Eequesting commanding officers of iron-clads to make suggestions relative to their
improvement 193
Passage of the Keokuk to Port Eoyal 194
Calling attention to request for report upon improvement of iron-clads 194
Irqury to turret of the Nahant -... 195
Eelative to forwarding suggestions of officers commanding iron-claijs 195
Telegraphic report of the capture of the Atlanta . 198
Captui-e of rebel iron-clad steamer Atlanta —
Report of Rear- Admiral DuPont , 198
Eeport of Captain John Rodgers - 200
X LIST OF PAPERS.
Page-
Capture of rebel iron-clad steamer Atlanta — Continued,
Sketch of the Atlanta 202-'3
Report of Commander John Downes - ^^
Report of sm-vey on the hull, &c "^
Report of survey on the clothing, small stores, &c ^^
Appraisal of equipments and inventory of ordnance, &c *1"
Inventory of carpenter's, sailmaker's, boatswain's, and master's stores 212
Congratulatory letter to Captain John Rodgers 213
Congi-atulatory letter to Rear- Admiral DuPont 215
Report of survey on turret of Patapsco 215
Occupation of Morris island — operations of the iron-clads —
Report of Rear- Admiral J. A. Dahlgren 2W
General Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren 218
Report of Commander Geo. "W. Rodgers "^
Report of Lieutenant Commander F. M. Bunce 220
The Monitors inside the bar — attack on Fort Wagner delayed —
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren - 22l
Combined attack on Fort Wagner —
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren 221
Report of Commander Geo. "W. Rodgers 223
Attack on Fort Wagner —
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren 223
Additional reports of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren 234
Attack upon Forts Wagner and Sumter —
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren 224
I/etter, with notes of Flag-Lieutenant M. Forrest 226
Report of Lieutenant Commander C. C. Carpenter 227
Report of casualties on the CatskiU - 228
Report of Commander F, A. Parker 228
Report of Captain S. C. Rowan 228
Report of injuries sustained by the New Ironsides 229
Engagement with Fort Sumter —
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren 239
Notes taken by Flag-Lieutenant M. Forrest 230
Engagement with Forts Moultrie and Sumter —
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren 231
Evacuation of Fori; Wagner and Battery Gregg —
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren 233
Engagement with the forts in Charleston harbor —
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren ^ 233
Report of Commander E. R. Colhoun 234
Report of casualties on the Weehawken 235
Additional reports relative to the attack upon the forts on the 8th of September 236
Injuries to the Monitors 239
Services of the New Ironsides against the defences of Charleston —
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren 239
Report of Captain S. 0. Rowan 2^
Report of casualties on the New Ironsides 240
Report of Executive Officer H. B. Robeson 241
Part taken by the Patapsco in the attack at Charleston 241
Eeports from officers commanding Monitors in South Atlantic Blockading Squadron
relative to their condition 243
Injuries, &c., received by the Weehawken 251
Operations of the Nantucket at Charleston 252
Report of injury to the turret of the Passaic 253
Kepairs needed on the Nahant 254
Part taken by the Passaic in the attack at Charleston 254
Suggestions of Lieutenant Commander Simpson relative to the Monitors 256
Eear-Admiral DuPont's vindication of himself 260
LIST OP PAPERS. XI
Page.
Secretary of the Navy in reply to Eear-Admiral DuPont's letter. . .1 263
Journal of Surgeon Marius Duval 273
Operations of the Patapsco against Fort Sumter 279
Operations of the Lehigh against Fort Sumter 280
Eear-Admiral Dahlgreu's report of operations against Fort Sumter 281
Trial of a torpedo ^ 283
Repairs made on the Passaic 284
Amm unition expended by the Patapsco 286
Engagement of the Lehigh with the enemy whUe aground - 286
Opinion of Acting Assistant Inspector Hughes on various points 289
Weekly report of the condition of the Monitors 290
Safety on southern coast depends upon the Ironsides and the Monitors 297
Sinking of the Weehawken ■... 297
WESTERN GULF SQUADRON.
Engagements with the ram Arkansas —
Eeportof Plag-Oflacer Farragut 343
Report of Lieutenant Commanding Lowiy 343
Destruction of the Arkansas 344
Keport of Commander W. D. Porter 345
Additional reports of Flag-Officer Parragut 346
Attempt to blow up the Essex with a torpedo —
Report of Commander Caldwell 348
Report of Conamander Townaend 349
MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON.
Report of Commander Walke of the part taken by the Mound City in the battle of
Belmont, Kentucky 350
Telegram from Flag-OfScer Foote 351
Letter from Flag-Officer Foote enclosing report of Commander W. D. Porter 352
Flag-Officer Foote's report of attack on Fort Henry, February 6, 1862 353
Report of part taken by the Caroudelet in capture of Fort Henry - 354
Report of Lieutenant Commanding S. L. Phelps of attack on Fort Henry 355
Letter from Flag-Officer Foote forwarding report of Lieutenant Commanding Phelps
of operations on the Tennessee river 356
Flag-Officer Foote's report of attack on Fort Donelson, Feb. 14, with list of casualties 359
Report of part taken by the Carondelet in attack on Fort Donelson 360
Flag-Officer Foote leaves for Clarksville, &c. —
Keport of Flag-Offlcer Foote 361
Report of Commander "Walke 362
Report of Commander Dove 362
Flag-Officer Foot's contemplated recounoissance to Columbus, &c 363
Result of the recounoissance to Columbus 365
Lieutenant Commanding Bryant reports his arrival at Nashville 366
Flag-Officer Foote encloses reports of Lieutenants Commanding Gwiu and Shirk of
attack on Pittsburg, Tennessee - 366
Flag-Officer Foote's report of the fall of Columbus 369
Flag-Officer Foote forwards report of Lieutenant Commanding Gwin communicating
important information 371
Flag-Officer Foote's report of engagement with five rebel forts below Columbus,
Kentucky 372
Lieutenant Commanding Gwin's report of reconnoissance to Chickasaw, Alabama — 373
Lieutenant Commanding Shirk's report of proceedings, March 15, 1862 374
XU LIST OF PAPERS.
Cftptnre of Island No. 10-*-
Reportsof Plag-Officer Foote 375
Report of casualties on the St. Louis 3^6
Letter from General Halleck to riat-OfficerToote 379
Letter from G-eneral Strong to Plag-Officer Foote 379
Letter from Flag-Officer Foote to General Halleck 380
Letter from Fla^-OfScer Foote, enclosing report of Colonel Koberts 381
Instructions to Commander Walke 383
Letter from General Pope to Flag-OflBcer Foote 384
Letter from Flag-Officer Foote to General Pope 385
Report of passage of rebel battetles by the Carondelet 386
Engagement of the Carondelet and Pittsburg with the rebels near New Madrid —
Report of Flag-OflBcer Foote 399
Report of Commander Walke 390
Report of Lieutenant Commanding Gwin 391
Report of Lieutenant Commanding Sliirk 392
Thanks of the department to certain officers 933
Lieutenant Commanding "William Gwin's report of the destruction of the trestle-work
of the Memphis and Charleston railroad 394
Flag-Officer Foote reports his departure for New Madrid 394
Flag-Officer Foote's report of operations off Fort Pillow 395
Flag-Officer Davis's report of action near Fort Pillow 398
Flag-Officer Davis's report of action with rebel gunboats near Fort Pillow 398
Flag-Officer Davis's report of the surrender of Memphis 399
Flag-Officer Davis encloses report of action at St. Charles 402
Arrival of the rebel ram Arkansas under the guns of Vicksburg 406
Attack on the upper batteries at Vicksburg and the ram Arkansas —
Report of Flag-Ofl&cer Davis., j 407
Report of Commander "W. D. Porter 408
Flag-Officer Davis reports his departure for Yazoo river. 409
Captain Pennock's report of expedition up the Ohio river 410
Capture of the rebel transport Fairplay, &c 412
Lieutenant Commanding Phelps's report of the action at Bolivar, Mississippi 412
Loss of the Cairo —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral D. D. Porter 413
Report of Captain "Walke 413
Report of Lieutenant Commander Selfridge 414
Detailed report of Acting Rear- Admiral D. D Porter 416
Instructiona to Captain Walke 417
Engagement with Yazoo batteries — co-operation with General Sherman against
Vicksburg —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter .' 418
Detailed report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 419
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter relative to General Sherman's assault 423
Position of affairs at Vicksburg —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 423
Additional report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 424
Services of the ram fleet on the Yazoo river —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter -494
Capture of Arkansas Post —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 425
Detailed report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter , 425
Casualties on tbe Louiaville -.,.,..,., , 427
Report of Lieutenant Commander Shirk .,. ,. 428
Report of Lieutenant Commander Walker 409
Casualtiea on the Baron de Kalb 428
Report of Lieutenant Commanding Baohe 429
Iiiflt of rebel officers captured at ArkanaaB Poat - 429
Acting Rear-Admiral Porter's report commendatory of the officers, &c 430
Sketch of Fort Hindman 432-'3
LIST OP PAPERS. Xlil
Evacuation of St. Charles, on the White river —
Report of Acting Hear- Admiral Porter - 434
Beport of Lieutenant Commander "Walker 434
Bhming of the steamers Jacob Mussbrain and Grampus-
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 435
Report of Lieutenant Commander Bishop 435
Ikpedition up the White river —
Reports of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 436
Reports of Lieutenant Commander Walker 436
Espedition up the Cumberland river —
Report of Captain Pennock 438
Report of Lieutenant Commander Phelps ■ .T 439
Telegram of Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Pitch 440
Paesa^ of the Yicksburg batteries by the Queen of the West —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 440
Orders to Colonel Ellet 441
Report of Colonel Ellet 441
Letter of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter. 443
Additional repbrt of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 443
Ihstructions to Colonel Ellet 443
Additional report of Colonel Ellet 444
Approaches and defences of Yicksburg —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter -. 446
Attack on Dover, Tennessee —
Report of Captain Pennock 448
Hap of Yicksburg and vicinity 449
Report of Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch 450
Passage of the Yicksburg batteries by the Indianola —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 451
Instructions to Lieutenant Commander George Brown 451
Report of Lieutenant Commander George Brown 452
Loss of the United States Steamer Glide-^ —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter -.... 454
Report of Captain Pennock 454
Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Woodworth 454
Capture of the Queen of the West —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 455
Additional report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 456
Report of Colonel Ellet 456
List of prisoners captui'edon the Queen of the West 459
Capture of the Indianola —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 459
Report of Lieutenant Commander George Brown 460
Expedition through Steel's bayou and Deer creek —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 462
Additional xeport of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter.- 466
Yazoo Pass expedition —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 467
Report of Lieutenant Commander Watson Smith 468
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. P. Poster 469
Report of casualties on the Chillicothe 470
Report of casualties on the Rattler 471
Extract from report of Acting Rear-Admir^ Porter 473
Additional report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 472
Additional report of Lieutenant Commander Foster 472
Map of the operations of the expedition 474
Map showing the route of the expedition, (facing 475.)
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. G.Walker 475
Sinking of the Lancaster and Switzerland —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 475
Letter of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter to General A. W. BUet 476
XIV LIST OP PAPERS.
Page.
Sinking of the Lancaster and Switzerland — Continued. '
Reportof General A. "W". Ellet 476
Letters from Rear- Admiral Farragut to Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 477
Extract from despatch of Rear- Admiral Porter X 478
Selfridge's cut-off —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 478
Report of Lieutenant Commanding T. O. Selfridge 479
Passage of the Yicksburg batteries by Acting Eear-Admiral Porter with his fleert —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 480
Map of " Selfridge's cut-off." 481
Detailed report of Acting Rear-Admii-al Porter 482
Instructions to commanders of vessels 483
Reportof Captain "Walke 484
Reportof Acting Lieutenant "Woodworth 485
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. A. Greer 485
Report of casualties on the Benton 486
Report of Lieutenant Commander E. K. Owen 486
Report of Lieutenant Commander Shirk 487
Report of Lieutenant Commander Wilson 488
Report of casualties on the Mound City " 489
Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Hoel 489
Report of Acting Lieutenant J. McLeod Murphy 489
Casualties in the squadron 490
Report of Lieutenant Commander K. R. Breese 490
Operations at Grand Gulf —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 491
Capture of the batteries at Grand Gulf —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter J'. 493
Report of Captain Walke 493
Reports of Lieutenant Commander J. A. Greer' 494
Casualties on the Benton 496
Report of Lieutenant Commander E. K. Owen 496
Report of Lieutenant Commander Shirk 497
Casualties on the Tuecumbia 4^
Report of Lieutenant Commander Wilson 499
Report of Acting Lieutenant J. McLeod Murphy 499
Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Hoel 5OO
Casualties on the Pittsburg 5qj^
Additional report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 501
Plan of the batteries at Grand Gulf, (facing 502.)
Capture of Forts De Eussy, Eed river, and Alexandria, Louisiana —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 5Q2
Destruction of Fort De Russy, &c 503
Plan of Fort De Russy eq4
Feigned attack on Haines's Bluff —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter , 505
Report of Lieutenant Commander K. R. Breese 506
Reportof Lieutenant Commander J. G. Walker 5O7
Report of Lieutenant Commander F, M. Ramaay cqo
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. M. Pritchott 509
Operations on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers —
Reports of Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch 509
Destruction of a water battery at Warrenton —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter g-,^
Destruction of the fortifications at Haines's Bluff —
Report oT Acting Roar- Admiral Porter -,^
Sketch of fortifications at I-Ialnes's Bluff, (facing 514.)
Attack on the Vicksburg batteries —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter r,-
Letter of General Arthur to Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 5l«
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. A. Greer 5jg
Report of Lieutenant Commander B, Wilaon, 51 q
LIST OF PAPERS. XV
Page.
Attack on the Yicksburg batteries — Continued,
Report of Acting Ensign Coleman 5}9
Casnaltiea on the Mound City.-» 320
Report of Commander Woodworth 520
Additional report of Lieutenant Commander Greer 521
Additional report of Lieutenant Commander Wilson 521
Report of Acting Lieutenant J. McLeod Murphy 522
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter relative to the Tuscumbia 522
Expedition up the Yazoo river —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 323
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. G-. Walker 524
Lieutenant Commander Phelps's operations on the Tennessee river 525
Loss of the Cincinnati —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 526
Letter of Major General Sherman 526
Report of Lieutenant Commander G. M. Bache 527
Additional report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 528
Additional report of Lieutenant Commander Bache 528
Letter from Major General Sherman 529
Letter of thanks from Secretary of the Navy to Lieutenant Commander Bache 530
Expedition up the Yazoo river —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 530
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. G. Walker _ 531
Siege of Yicksburg, and co-operation of the navy with the army —
Reports of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 532
Report of Commander Woodworth 533
Report of Lieutenant Commander Greer 534
Report of Lieutenant Commander Wilson 534
Surrender of Vicksburg —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 535
Detailed report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 537
Letter from Major General Herron to Admiral Porter 540
Letter from Major General Herron to Lieutenant Commander Greer 540
Report of Lieutenant Commanding Selfridge 541
Letter from Major General Sherman to Admiral Porter 541
Congratulatory letter to Rear-Admiral Porter 542
Engagement at Milliken's Bend —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter '. 543
Report of Lieutenant Commander Ramsay 544
Movements of the gunboat fleet on the Tennessee river —
Report of Lieutenant Commander S. L. Phelps 545
ngagement at Richmond, Louisiana —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 546
Report of Brigadier General Bllet 546
Movements of the Marine Brigade from April 5 to May 29, 1863—
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 547
Report of Brigadier General EUet 547
Action at Cerro Gorda —
Report of Acting Ensign W. C. Hanford 549
Attack on black troops at Goodrich's Landing —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 55o
Report of Brigadier General EUet 551
Rebel attack on Helena, Arkansas —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 553
Report of Lieutenant Commander Pritchett 554
Additional report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 554
Report of Lieutenant Commander Phelps 554
Letter from Major General Prentiss 555
Congratulatory letter to Lieutenant Commander Pritchett 556
Expedition to Yazoo city —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter 556
XVI LIST OP PAPERS,
Page.
Expedition into Red river region —
Keport of Acting Hear- Admiral Porter -- ..,..^.-.... ■-. 557
Destruction of steam foundry in Vicksburg —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 558
Bfeport of Brigadier General EUet 539
Eeport of Captain Groshon, of the Marine Brigade -. 559
Loss of the United States steamer Baron de Kalb —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 560
Expedition to recover the Baron de Kalb 561
Engagement at Providence —
Report of Lieutenant Commander "Wilson ,,- 563
Raising of the Cincinnati —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 56*
Morgan's raid into Indiana — ■
Report of Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch 563
Complimentary lettera from Genei'ala Burnaide and Cox 564
Congratulatory letter to Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch 565
Expedition up the White river —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter ....„..., -.. 565
Report of Lieutenant Commander Bache „., 566
Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Langthome - 567
Affairs on the Red river —
Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter _,.... 588
Expedition to Red river —
Report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter 568
Report of Acting Chief Engineer Doughty 569
Attack upon General Dana at Morganzia —
Report of Lieutenant Commander J. P, Foster 570
MISCELLANEOUS EEPOKTS.
Eear-Admiral Goldsborough's opinion of iron-clads 571
Rear- Admiral Dahlgieu's opinion of the Monitors • 579
Eear-Admiral Porter's views upon iron-clads 588
Commander Jolin Eodgers's opinion of iron-clads 592
Brigadier Greneral Barnard's opinion of turreted vessels 594
Letter from Governor Morgan to the President, asking that an iron-clad he stationed
in New York harbor 595
Memorial from Boston Board of Trade asking that the Nahant may remain at Boston.. 596
Letter of Governor Morgan relative to defence of New York harbor 597
Memorial from Boston Marine Society relative to the defenceless condition of Boston
harbor 598
Telegram from Governor Morgan and Collector Barney 598
Mr. Ericsson on improvements in the Monitors 599
Eear-Admiral Gregory relative to gutta-percha life-rafts „ 599
Mr. Ericsson in reference to construction of Monitors 600
Trial of the Nantucket .' gQ2
Captain Ericsson upon speed and seaworthiness of the Monitors 603
Major General Wool anxious the Eoanoke should remain in New York harbor 604
Mayor Opdyke desires the Eoanoke to remain at New York 6O4
Governor Morgan requests that the sailing orders of the Eoanoke be countermanded.. 604
General Wool urges retention of the Eoanoke g04
Lieak in the Sangamon g()5
INTRODUCTORY.
From the report of the Secretary of the Navy, July 4, 1861.
IRON-CLAD STEAMERS OR FLOATING BATTERIES.
Much attention has beeu given within the last few years to the subject of
floating batteries, or iron-clad steamers. Other governments, and particularly
France and England, have made it a special object in connexion with naval im-
provements ; and the ingenuity and inventive faculties of our own countrymen
have also beeu stimulated by recent occurrences toward the construction of this
class of vessels. The period is, perhaps, not one best adapted to heavy expendi-
tures by way of experiment, and the time and attention of some of those who are
most competent to investigate and form correct conclusions on this subject are
otherwise employed. J would, however, recommend the appointment of a proper
and competent board to inquire into and report in regard to a measure so im-
portant ; and it is for Congress to decide whether, on a favorable report, they
will order one or more iron-clad steamers, or floating batteries, to be constructed,
with a view to perfect protection from the efiects of present ordnance at short
range, and make an appropriation for that purpose,
It is nearly twenty years since a gentleman of New Jersey, possessing wealth
and talent, projected the construction of a floating battery, and the government
aided the work by a liberal appropriation. The death of this gentleman a few
years since interrupted the prosecution of this experiment, and application has
been recently made by his surviving brother, the authorities of New Jersey, and
others, for additional means to carry it forward to completion. The amount
asked is of such magnitude as to require special investigation by a competent
board, who shall report as to the expediency and practicability of the experiment
\ before so large an expenditure should be authorized.
Act of Congress authorizing the construction of iron-clad vessels.
AN ACT to provide for the construction of one or more armored ships and floating bdtte-
• ries, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled. That the Secretary of the Navy be,
and he is hereby, authorized and directed to appoint a board of three skilful
naval officers to investigate the plans and specifications that may be submitted
for the construction or completing of iron or steel-clad steamships or steam bat-
teries, and, on their report, should it be favorable, the Secretary of the Navy
will cause one or more armored or iron or steel-clad steamships or floating steam
batteries to be built ; and there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the
i ARMORIJD VESSELS
treasury not otherwise appropriated,, the sum of one million five hundred thou-
sand dollars.
Sec. 2. And he it further enacted, That in case of a vacancy in the office of
engineer-in-chief of the navy the appointment thereto shall be made from the list
of chief engineers.
Approved August 3, 1861.
Copy of advertisement calling for plans and specifications
IRON-CLAD STEAM VESSELS.
The Navy Department will receive offers from parties who are able to execute
work of this kind, and who are engaged in it, of which they will furnish evidence
with their offer, for the construction of one or more iron-clad steam vessels of
war, either of iron or of wood and iron combined, for sea or river service, to be
of not less than ten nor over sixteen feet draught of water ; to carry an arma-
ment of from eighty to one hundred and twenty tons weight, with provisions
"and stores for from one hundred and sixty-five to three hundred persons, accord-
ing to armament, for sixty days, with coal for eight days. The smaller draught
of water, compatible with other requisites, will be preferred. The vessel to be
rigged with two masts, with wire-rope standing rigging, to navigate at sea.
A general description and drawings of the vessel, armor, and machineiy, such
as the work can be executed from, will be required.
The offer must state the cost and the time for completing the whole, exclusive
of armament and stores of all kinds, the rate of speed proposed, and must be
accompanied by a guarantee for the proper execution of the contract, if awarded.
Persons who intend to offer are requested to inform the department of their
intention before the 15tli August, instant, and to have their propositions pre-
sented within twenty-five days from this date.
August 7, 1861.
Order convening a board to examine plans for the construction of iron-clad
vessels.
Navy Department, August 8, 1861.
Sir: The provisions of the act of Congress approved August 3, 1861, directs
"that the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed
to appoint a board of three skilful naval officers to investigate the plans and
specifications that may be submitted for the construction or completing of iron
or steel-clad steamships, or steam batteries, and on their report, should it be
favorable, the Secretary of the Navy will cause one or more armored, or iron
or steel-clad steamships, or floating steam batteries, to be built; and there is
hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars;" and the depart-
ment hereby appoints you the senior officer of the board referred to in the fore-
going enactment, with Commodore Hiram Paulding and Commander Charles H.
Davis as your associates.
The board will convene at the Navy Department as early as practicable, and
will make a written report of the result of its investigations of the subject
embraced in the law before quoted.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Commodore Joseph Smith,
United States Navy, Washington, D. C.
GIDEON WELLES.
ARMORED VESSELS.
Report of hoard to examine plans of iron-clad vessels, under act of August 3, 1861.
Navy Department,
Bureau of Yards and Docks, September 16, 1861.
Sir : The undersigned, constituting a board appointed \>j your order of the
8th ultimo, proceeded to the duty assigned to them, in accordance with the first
section of an act of Congress, approved 3d of August, 1861, directing the
Secretary of the Navy " to appoint a board of three skilful naval officers to in-
vestigate the plans and specifications that may be submitted for the construction
or completing of iron-clad steamships or steam batteries, and on their report,
should it be favorable, the Secretary of the Navy will cause one or more armored
or iron or steel-clad steamship or floating steam batteries to be l3uilt ; and there
is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars."
Distrustful of our ability to discharge this duty, which the law requires should
be performed by three skilful naval officers, we approach the subject with diffi-
dence, having no experience and but scanty knowledge in this branch of naval
architecture.
The plans submitted are so various, and in many respects so entirely dis-
similar, that without a more thorough knowlelige of this mode of construction
and the resisting properties of iron than we possess, it is very likely that some
of our conclusions may prove erroneous.
Application was made to the department for a naval constructor, to be placed
under our orders, with whom we might consult ; but it appears that they are all
so employed on important service that none could be assigned to this duty.
The construction of iron-clad steamships of war is now zealously claiming the
attention of foreign naval powers. France led off; England followed, and is
now somewhat extensively engaged in the system ; and other powers seem to
emulate their example, though on a smaller scale.
Opinions differ amongst naval and scientific men as to the policy of adopting
the iron armature for ships-of-war. For coast and harbor defence they are un-
doubtedly formidable adjuncts to fortifications on land. As cruising vessels,
however, we are sceptical as to their advantages and ultimate adoption. But
whilst other nations are endeavoring to perfect them, we must not remain idle.
The enormous load of iron, as so much additional weight to the vessel ; the
great breadth of beam necessary to give her stability; the short supply of coal
she- will be able to stow in bunkers; the greater power required to propel her;
and the largely increased cost of construction, are objections to this class of
vessels as cruisers which we believe it is difficult successfully to overcome. For
river and harbor service we consider iron-clad vessels of light draught, or float-
ing batteries thus shielded, as very important; and we feel at this moment the
necessity of them on soine of our rivers and inlets to enforce obedience to the
laws. We, however, do not hesitate to express the opinion, notwithstanding all
we have heard or seen written on the subject, that no ship or floating battery,
however heavily she may be plated, can cope successfully with a properly con-
structed fortification of masonry. The one is fixed and immovable', and though
constructed of a material which may be shattered by shot, can be covered, if
need be, by the same or much heavier armor than a floating vessel can bear,
whilst the other is subject to disturbances by winds and waves, and to the pow-
erful effects of tides and currents.
Armored ships or batteries may be employed advaiitageously to pass fortifica-
tions on land for ulterior objects of attack,' to run a blockade, or to reduce tem-
porary batteries on the shores of rivers and the approaches to our harbors.
From what we know of the comparative advantages and disadvantages of\
ships constructed of wood over those of iron, we are clearly of opinion that no
4 AEMOEED VESSELS.
iron-clad vessel of equal displacement can be made to obtain the same speed as
one not thus encumbered, because her form would be better adapted to speed.
Her form and dimensions, the unyielding nature of the shield, detract materially
in a heavy sea from the life, buoyancy, and spring which a ship built of wood
possesses.
Wooden ships may be said to be but coffins for their crews when brought in
conflict with iion-clad vessels ; but the speed of the former, we take for granted,
being greater than that of the latter, they can readily choose their position, and
keep out of harm's way entirely.
Eeeent improvements in the form and preparation of projectiles, and their in-
creased capacity for destruction, have elicited a large amoimt of ingenuity and
skill to devise means for resisting them in their construction of ships-of-war.
As yet we know of nothing superior to the large and heavy spherical shot in its
destructive effects on vessels, whether plated or not.
Rifled guns have greater range, but the conical shot does not produce the
crushing effect of spherical shot.
It is assumed that 4J-inch plates are the heaviest armor a sea-going vessel
can safely carry. These plates should be of tough iron, and rolled in large,
long pieces. This thickness of armor, it is believed, will resist all projectiles
now in general use at a distance of 500 yards, especially if the ship's sides are
angular.
Plates hammered in large masses are less fibrous and tough than when rolled.
The question whether wooden backing, or any elastic siibstance behind the iron
plating, will tend to relieve at all the frame of the ships from the crushing effect
of a heavy projectile, is not yet decided. Major Barnard says, "to put an
elastic material behind the iron is to insure its destruction." With all deference
to svich creditable authority, we may suggest that it is possible a backing of
some elastic substance (soft wood, perhaps, is the best) might relieve the frame
of the ship somewhat from the terrible shock of a heavy projectile, though the
plate should not be fractured.
With respect to a comparison between ships of iron and those of wood, with-
out plating, high authorities in England differ as to which is the best. The
tops of ships built of iron, we are told, wear out three bottoms; whilst the
bottoms of those built of wood will outwear three tops. In deciding upon the
relative merits of iron and wooden-framed vessels, for each of which we have
offers, the board is of opinion that it would be well to try a specimen of each,
as both have distinguished advocates. One strong objection to iron vessels,
which, so far as we know, has not yet been overcome, is the oxidation or rust in
salt water, and their liability of becoming foul under water by the attachment
of sea grass and animalcules to their bottoms. The best preventive we know
of is a coating of pure zinc paint, which, so long as it lasts, is believed to be an
antidote to this cause of evil.
After these brief remarks on the subject generally, we proceed to notice the
plans and offers referred to us for the construction of plated vessels and floating
batteries.
It has been suggested that the most ready mode of obtaining an iron-clad
ship-of-war would be to contract with responsible pai-ties in England for its com-
plete construction; and we are assured that parties there are ready to engage in
such an enterprise on terms more reasonable, perhaps, than such vessels could
be built in this country, having much greater experience and facilities than we
possess. Indeed, we are informed there are no mills and machinery in this
country capable of rolling iron 4A- inches thick, though plates might be ham-
mered to that thickness in many of our workshops. As before observed, rolled
iron is considered much the best, and the diflSculty of rolling it increases rapidly
with the increase of thickness. It has, however, occurred to us that a difficulty
might arise with the British government, in case we should undertake to con-
ARMOKED VESSELS. 5
Struct ships-of-war in that country, which might complicate their delivery ; and,
moreover, we are of opinion that every people or nation who can maintain a
navy should be capable of constructing it themselves.
Our immediate demands seem to require, first, so far as practicable, vessels
invulnerable to shot, of light draught of water, to penetrate our shoal harbors,
rivers, and bayous. We, therefore, favor the construction of this class of vessels
before going into a more perfect system of large iron-clad sea-going vessels of
war. We are here met with the difficulty of encumbering small vessels with
armor, which, from their size, they are unable to bear. We, nevertheless, recom-
mend that contracts be made with responsible parties for the construction of one
or more iron-clad vessels or batteries of as light a draught of water as practicable
ftmsistent with their weight of armor. Meanwhile, availing of the experience
thus obtained, and the improvements which we believe are yet to be made by
other naval powers in building iron-clad ships, we would advise the construction,
in our own dock-yards, of one or more of these vessels upon a large and more
perfect scale, when Congress shall see fit to authorize it. The amount now ap-
propriated is not sufficient to build both classes of vessels to any great extent.
We have made a synopsis of the propositions and specifications submitted,
which we annex, and now proceed to state, in brief, the result of our decisions
upon the offers presented to us.
J. Ericsson, New YorJc,page 19. — This plan of a floating battery is novel,
but seems to be based upon a plan which will render the battery shot and shell
proof. We are somewhat apprehensive that her properties for sea are not such
as a sea-going vessel should possess. But she may be moved from one place to
another on the coast in smooth water. We recommend that an experiment be
made with one battery of this description on the terms proposed, with a guaran-
tee and forfeiture in case of failure in any of the properties and points of the
vessel as proposed.
Price, 1275,000* length of vessel, 172 feet; breadth of beam, 41 feet; depth
of hold, llj feet; time, 100%iys; draught of water, 10 feet; displacement, 1,255
tons ; speed per hour, nine statute miles.
John W. Nystrom, Philadelphia, 1216 Chestnut street, page 1. — The plan of
(quadruple) guns is not known, and cannot be considered. The dimensions
would not float the vessel without the guards, which we are not satisfied would
repel shot. We do not recommend the plan.
Price, about $175,000 ; length of vessel, 175 feet; breadth' of beam, 27 feet ;
depth of hold, 13 feet ; time, four months ; draught of water, 10 feet ; displace-
ment, 875 tons,; speed per hour, 12 knots.
William Ferine, New York, 2777 post office box, presents three plans. The
specifications and drawings are not'full. The last proposal (No. 3, page 2) for
the heavy plating is the only one we have considered ; but there is neither
drawing nor model, and the capacity of the vessel, we think, will not bear the
armor and armament proposed.
Price, $621,000; length of vessel, 225 feet; breadth of beam, 45 J feet; depth
of hold, 15^ feet; time, 9 months; draught of water, 13 feet; displacement, 2,454
tons ; speed per hour, 10 knots.
John C. Lc Ferre, Bostonjpage 9. — Description deficient. Not recommended.
Sent a model, but neither price, time, nor dimensions stated.
E. S. Renwick, New York, 335 Broadway, presents drawings, specification,
and model of an iron-clad vessel of large capacity and powerful engines, with
great speed, capable of carrying a heavy battery, and stated to be shot-proof
and a good sea-boat. The form and manner of construction and proportions of
this vessel are novel, and will attract the attention of scientific and practical
men. She is of very light draught of water, and on the question whether she
will prove to be a safe and comfortable sea-boat we do not express a decided
opinion. Vessels of somewhat similar form, in that part of vessel which is im-
b ARMORED VESSELS.
mersed, of light draught of water* on our westeni lakes, have, we believe,
proved entirely satisfactory in all weathers. To counteract the effect of the
waves, when disturbed by the winds, by producing a jerk, or sudden rolling
motion of fiat, shoal vessels, it is proposed to carry a sufficient weight above
the centre of gravity to counterpoise the heavy weight below, which is done in
this ship by the immense iron armor. If, after a full discussion and examina-
tion by experts on this plan, it should be decided that she is a safe vessel for
sea service, we would recommend the construction upon it of one ship at one of
our dock-yards.
The estimate cost of this ship, $1,500,000, precludes action upon the plan
until further appropriations shall be made by Congress for such objects.
Time not stated ; length of vessel, 40.0 feet ; breadth of beam, 60 feet ; depth
of hold, 33 feet; draught of water, 16 feet; displacement, 6,520 tons; speedjier
hour, at least 16 miles.
Whitney Sj Rowland, Broolclyn, Crrempoint, page 13, propose an iron gun-
boat, armor of bars of iron and thin plate over it. No price stated. Dimen-
sions of vessel, we think, will not bear the weight and possess stability.
Time, 5 months. Not recommended.
Length of vessel, 140 feet ; breadth of beam, 28 feet ; depth of hold, 13J
feet ; draught of water, 8 feet.
Donald McKay, Boston, page 16. — Vessel, in general dimensions and armor,
approved. The speed estimated slow. The cost precludes the consideration of
construction by the board.
Price, $1,000,000; length of vessel, 227 feet; breadth of beam, 50 feet;
depth of hold, 26J feet ; time, 9 to 10 months ; draught of water, 14 feet ; dis-
placement, 3,100 tons; speed per hour, 6 to 7 knots.
William H. Wood, Jersey City, N. J., page 14. — Dimensions will not float
the guns high enough. Not recommended.
Price, $255,000; length of vessel, 160 feet; breadth of beam, 34 feet; depth
of hold, 22 feet; time, 4 months; draught of wate*13 feet; displacement, 1,216
tons ; speed, not stated.
Merrick Sf Sons, Philadelphia, pages 7 and 8. — Vessel of wood and iron
combined. This proposition we consider the most practicable one for heavy
armor. We recommend that a contract be made with that party, under a
guarantee, with forfeiture in case of failure to comply with the specifications ;
and that the contract require the plates to be 15 feet long and 36 inches wide,
with a reservation of some modifications, which may occur as the work pro-
gresses, not to affect the cost.
Price, $780,000; length of vessel, 220 feet; breadth of beam, 60 feet; depth
of hold, 23 feet; time, 9 months; draught of water, 13 feet; displacement, 3,296
tons ; speed per hour, 9J knots.
Benjamin Rathburn, , page 20. — We do not recommend the plan
for adoption.
Price not stated ; length of vessel not stated ; breadth of beam, 80 feet ;
depth of hold, 74 feet ; time not stated ; draught of water, 25 feet ; displace-
ment, 15,000 tons ; speed not stated. Specification incomplete.
Henry R. Dunham, New York, page 11. — Vessel too costly for the appro-
priation ; no drawings or specifications ; not recommended.
Price $1,200,000 ; length of vessel, 325 feet ; breadth of beam, 60 feet ; depth
of hold not stated ; time, 15 to 18 months ; draught of water, 16 feet ; dis-
placement not stated ; speed per hour, 12 miles.
C. S. Bushnell & Co., New Haven, Conn., page 121, propose a vessel to be
iron-clad, on the rail and plate principle, and to obtain high speed. The objec-
tion to this ye^sel is the fear that she will not float her armor and load sufficiently
high, and have stability enough for a sea vessel. With a guarantee that she
shall do these, we recommend on that basis a contract.
AitivnjauD VESSELS. 7
Price, $235,250 ; length of vessel, 180 feet; breadth of beam, — feet ;, depth
of hold, 12§ feet ; time, 4 months ; draught of water, 10 feet ; displacement,;
tons ; speed per hour,' 12 knots.
John , Westwood, Cincinnati, Ohio, page 17. — Vessel of wood, with iron armor;
plan good enough, but the breadth not enough to bear the armor. No detailed
specification ; no price or time stated ; only a general drawing. Not recom-
mendeil.
Neqfie Sj- Levy, Philadelphia, page 5. — No plans or drawings ; therefore not
considered. Neither price nor time stated.
Length of vessel, 200 feet ; breadth of beam, 40 feet ; depth of hold, 15 feet;
draught of water, 13 feet; displacement, 1,748 tons; speed per hour, 10 knots.
Wm. Norris, New York, 26 Cedar street,page 6. — Iron boat without armor.
Too small, and not received.
Price, $32,000 ; length of vessel, 83 feet ; breadth of beam, 25 feet ; depth of
hold, 14 feet; time, 60 to 75 days; draught of water, 3 feet; displacement, 90
tons ; speed not stated.
Wm. Kingsley, Washington, D. C, page 10, proposes a rubber-clad vessel,
which we cannot recommend. No price or dimension stated.
A. Beebe, New York, 82 Broadway, page 18. — Specification and sketch de-
fective. Plan not approved.
Price, $50,000; length of vessel, 120 feet; breadth of beam, 55 feet; depth
not stated; time, 100 days; draught of water, 6 feet; displacement, 1,000 tons;
speed per hour, 8 knots.
These three propositions recommended, viz : Bushnell & Co., New Haven,
Connecticut ; Merrick & Sons, Philadelphia, and J. Ericsson, New York, will
absorb $1,290,250 of the appropriation of $1,500,000, leaving $209,750 yet
unexpended.
The board recommends that armor with heavy guns be placed on one of our
liver craft, or, if none will bear it, to construct a scow, which will answer to
plate and shield the guns, for the river service on the Potomac, to be constructed
or prepared by the government at the navy yard here for immediate use.
We would further recommend that the department ask of Congress, at its
next session, an appropriation for experimenting on iron plates of different
kinds, of $10,000.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
JOSEPH SMITH.
H. PAULDING.
0. H. DAVIS.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
From the report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 2, 1861.
ARMORED SHIPS.
To carry into effect the provisions of the act approved August 3, 1861, pro-
viding for the construction of one or more armored ships and floating batteries,
I appointed Commodores Joseph Smith and Hiram Paulding and Captain
Charles H. Davis, skilful and experienced naval officers, to investigate the plans
and specifications^ that might be submitted. The subject of iron armature for
ships is one of great general interest, not only to the navy and country, but is
engaging the attention of the maritime powers of the world. Under the appro-
priation made by Congress, the department, on the favorable report of the board,
has contracted 'for the construction of three iron-clad ships of different models >
8 AEMOEED VESSELS.
the aggregate coet of wHcli will be "within the limits of the appropriation. The
difficulty of combining the two qualities of light draught and iron armor, both
of which are wanted for service on our coast, could not be entirely overcome ;
but the board, in this new branch of naval architecture, has, I think, displayed
great practical wisdom, and I refer to their very full and able report, which is
appended, for a more explicit and detailed exhibit of their inquiries and con-
•clusions.
From the report of the Secretary of the Navy, December X, 1862.
IRON-CLAD VESSELS.
The attention of this department was turned to the subject of iron-clad
vessels immediately after the commencement of hostilities and the adoption of
meaaures for the enlargement of the navy. It was a subject full of difficulty
and doubt. Experiments upon a large scale of expense, both in England and
France, if not resulting in absolute failure, had achieved but a limited and ques-
tionable success. Yet it was evident that a new and material element in
maritime warfare was developing itself, and demanded immediate attention.
In this view I recommended to Congress, at its extra session, on the 4th of
July, 1861, the whole subject, and asked authority to organize a commission
for investigation. Thirty days after this action on my part, Congress conferred
the authority requested, and appropriated fifteen hundred thousand dollars for
the construction of one or more iron-clad vessels upon such models as should
receive the approval of the department. On the day after the law had been
approved the commission was constituted, and the department advertised for
proposals. Of the various plans and propositions submitted, three vessels of
different models were recommended by the board, which received the approval
of the department. Contracts were forthwith made . for constructing the
Monitor, the Galena, and the Ironsides. All of these vessels aie now in the
service. It was the intention and constant effort of the department and the
contractors that the Monitor should be completed in the month of January, but
there was delay in consequence of the difficulties incident to an undertaking of
such novelty and magnitude, and there were also some slight defects which
were, however, promptly remedied, and she left New York early in March,
reaching Hampton Koads on the night of the eighth.
Her arrival, though not as soon as anticipated, was most opportune and im-
portant. For some time the department had heard with great solicitude of the
progress which the insurgents had made in armoring and equipping the large
war steamer Merrimack, which had fallen into their hands when Norfolk was
abandoned. On the afternoon of the 8th of March this formidable vessel,
heavily armored and armed, and fully prepared to operate both as a ram and a
war steamer, came down the Elizabeth river, accompanied by several smaller
steamers, two of them partially armored, to attack the vessels of the blockading
squadron that were in and about Hampton Eoads. When the Merrimack and
her attendants made their appearance, the Congress and the Cumberland, two
sailing vessels, were anchored off Newport News, and the remaining vessels
were in the vicinity of Fortress Monroe, some six miles distant. The Min-
nesota, the Roanoke, and St. Lawrence got immediately under way and
proceeded towards the scene of action. '
The Congress, being nearest to the Merrimack, was the first to receive her
fire, which was promptly returned by a full broadside, the shots falling apparently
harmlessly off from the armored side of the assailant. Passing by the Con-
gress, the Merrimack dashed upon the Cumberland, and was yeceived by her
with a heavy, well-directed and vigorous fire, which, like that of the Congress
produced unfortunately but little effect. A contest so unequal could not be of
ARMORED VESSELS. 9
long continuance, and it was closed when tlie Merrimack, availing herself of her
power as a steam ram, ran furiously against the Cumberland, laying open her
wooden hull, and causing her almost immediately to sink. As her guiis ap-
proached the water's edge, her young commander. Lieutenant Morris, and the
gallant crew stood firm at their posts, delivered a parting fire, and the good
ship went down heroically, with her colors flying. Having thus destroyed the
Cumberland, the Merrimack turned again upon the Congress, which had, in the
mean time, been engaged with the smaller rebel steamers, and after a heavy loss,
in order to guard against such a fate as that which had befallen the Cumberland,
had been rim aground. The Merrimack now. selected a raking position astern
of the Congress, while one of the smaller steamers poured in a constant fire on
her starboard quarter. Two other steamers of the enemy also approached from
James river, firing upon the unfortunate frigate with preci.sion and severe effect.
The guns of the Congress were almost entirely disabled, and her gallant com-
manding officer. Lieutenant Joseph B. Smith, tad fallen at his post. Her decks
were strewn with the dead and dying; the ship was on fire in several places,
and not a gun could be brought to bear upon the assailants. In this state of
things, and with no effectual relief at hand, the senior surviving officer. Lieu-
tenant Pendergrast, felt it his duty to save further useless destruction of life by
hauling down his colors. This was done about four o'clock p. m. The Con-
gress continued to burn till about eight in the evening, and then blew up.
From the Congress the Merrimack turned her attention to the remaining
vessels of the squadron. The Roanoke had grounded on her way to the scene
of the conflict; and although she succeeded in getting off, her condition was
such — her propeller being useless — that she took no part in the action. The
St. Lawrence also grounded near the Minnesota, and had a short, engagement
with the Merrimack, but suffered no serious injury, and, on getting afloat, was
ordered back to Fortress Mottroe.
The Minnesota, which had also got aground in the shallow waters of the
channel, became the special object of attack, and the Merrimack, with the
Yorktown and Jamestown, bore down upon her. The Merrimack drew too
much water to approach very near; her fire was not therefore particularly
effective. The other steamers selected their position, fired with much accuracy,
Snd caused considerable damage to the Minnesota. She soon, however, suc-
ceeded in getting a gun to bear on the two smaller steamers, and drove them
away — one, apparently, in a crippled condition. About seven p. m. the Merri-
mack also hauled off, and the three stood towards Norfolk.
All efforts to get the Minnesota afloat during the night, and into a safe posi-
tion, were totally unavailing. The morning was looked for with deep anxiety,
as it would, in all probability, bring a renewed attack from the formidable
assailant. At this critical and anxious* moment the Monitor, one of the newly
finished armored vessels, came into Hampton Roads, from New York, under the
command of Lieutenant John L. Worden, and a little after midnight anchored
alongside the Minnesota. At six o'clock the next morning the Merrimack, as
anticipated, again made her appearance and opened her fire upon the Minnesota.
Promptly obeying the signal to attack, the Monitor ran down past the Min-
nesota and laid herself close alongside the Merrimack, between that formidable
vessel and the Minnesota. The fierce conflict between these two iron-clads
lasted for several hours. It was, in appearance, an unequal conflict ; for the
Merrimack was a large and noble structure, and the Monitor was, in comparison,
almost diminutive. But the Monitor was strong in her armor, in the ingenious
novelty of her construction, in the large calibre of her two guns, and the valor
and skill with which she was handled. After several hours' fighting the Merri-
mack found herself overmatched, and, leaving the Monitor, sought to renew the
attack on the Minnesota ; but the Monitor again placed herself between the two
vessels, and re-opened her fire upon her adversary. At noon the Men-imack,
10
AEMOEED VESSELS.
seriously damaged, abandoned the*contest, and, with her companions, retreated
towards Norfolk.
Thus terminated the most remarkable naval combat of modern tintes, perhaps
of any age. The fiercest and most formidable naval assault upon the power of
the Union which has ever been made by the insurgents was heroically repelled,
and a new era was opened in the history of maritime warfare. .
Before the occurrence of these events, entertaining a conviction that at least
one of the models of iron-clad vessels — that of the Monitor, an original inven-
tion of John Ericsson, of New York — would prove a successful experiment,
and that it was particularly adapted to our harbor and coast defence, and ser-
vice on the shallow waters of our seabord, I estimated, in my annual report,
last December, for the immediate constriiction of twenty iron-clad s^teamers.
The House of Representatives promptly responded to this recommendation,
and passed a bill "authorizing and empowering the Secretary of the Navy to
cause to be constructed, by contract or otherwise, as he shall deem best for the
public interest, not exceeding twenty-one iron-clad steam gunboats." The
Senate delayed action on this bill until February, when, foreseeing that the
country would suffer from longer inaction, I addressed the chairman of the
Naval Committee of the Senate on the subject, and the result was the imme-
diate passage of the bill which had originatefl in the House in December.
At the earliest practicable moment after the enactment of this law the de-
partment commenced entering into contracts for the construction of armored
vessels, most of them on the plan of the Monitor.
The Galena, a less formidable vessel, was for some time under fire from
plunging shot at Drury's Elufif, on James river. As yet the Ironsides, recently
completed, has not been tested in action, but it is believed, she will prove a
formidable fighting vessel. That we might be prepared for extraordinary emer-
gencies, it was deemed advisable to put armature on one of our steam frigates,
and the Boanoke was selected for that purpose.
Whatever success may attend the large and costly armored ships of the
Warrior class, which are being constructed by some of the maritime powers of
Europe cruising in deep waters, they can scarcely cause alarm here, for we
have within the United States few hai-bprs that are accessible to them, and for
those few the government can always be prepared whenever a foreign war ft
imminent. It lias been deemed advisable, however, that we should have a few
large-sized armed cruisers, of groat speed, for ocean service, as well as of the
class of smaller vessels for coastwise and defensive operations.
In the construction of iron^clads of the Monitor class, the nautical qualities
of the vessel.have not been the governing object, for with light draught and heavy
armament, high speed is not attainable. But they are adapted to the shallow
waters of our coast and harbors, few of which are accessible to vessels of great
magnitude. While the larger armored vessels, with their heavy armament,
cannot nearly approach our shores, those of the Monitor class can penetrate
even the inner waters, rivers, harbors, and bayous of our extended double coast.
From the report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 7, 1863.
In the responsible task of applying to naval vessels and naval armament the
principles which modern invention and improvement have developed, the de-
partment has been compelled to pursue a path hitherto, to a great extent, unex-
plored. The Monitor class of armored ships, with revolving turrets and few
guns of heavy calibre, has proved itself to be well adapted for harbor defence
and coast service, and in some emergencies these vessels, from their great
powers of endurance, have shown themselves to be efficient and serviceable in
offensive operations. This form- and description of vessel, which originated in
the inventive genius of Captain John Ericsson, will perform not only all that
ARMORED VESSELS. 11
should be expected of them to make our harbors secure, but, when of enlarged
capacity, may supersede ships of higher pretensions. To maintain our rightful
maritime position, and for predominance upon the ocean, vessels of greater size
than any turreted vessel yet completed may be essential. Not only must they
carry guns of a heavier calibre than have heretofore been used at sea, but in
order to make long cruises, and to cope successfully with any force, these ves-
sels must have all possible strength, endurance, and speed. Their structure
must, therefore, afford space enough for full sailing power, and for the most
powerful steam machinery, and the large supplies of fuel needful to keep it at
work. Being, unlike the other great maritime nations, without distant colonies,
where coal depots can be established on, the shore of almost every sea, we must
conform to the necessities of our condition, and build ships with capacity
enough to take on board fuel sufficient for a long cruise. The space for other
supplies, for munitions of war, and for the accommodation of officers and crews,
should also be ample, and. in addition to this, each of these vessels must, in
order to accomplish its work, present in its construction, armor, armament and
propulsion, all the power that the resources of modern invention and mechanical
science and art can furnish for attack, resistance, and pursuit. A vessel of
this description must, of course, cost a large price. But then a wise statesman-
ship will not fail to perceive that the possession of even a very, few such uncon-
querable ships must, while vastly augmenting the force and renown of our
navy, afford us, at the same time, an inestimable guarantee of peace with for-
eign nations ; nor, in counting the cost of such floating structures, can we for
get that, large as that cost may be, it yet sinks into insignificance in contrast
with the expenditures and sacrifices of a single year, or even a month of for-
eign war.
The strength and durability of wooden vessels are in some respects inferior
to those made of iron, and conse(juently they are less capable of sustaining the
heaviest armament, and when they are plated with iron the disparity is in-
creased. Consequently large ships-of-war, by which maritime supremacy is to
be achieved and maintained, will, in all probability, be ultimately constructed
chiefly of iron. The comparative advantages and disadvantages of iron and
wood as the material to be used in the construction of vessels are obvious and
practical. Among the considerations in favor of iron-clad vessels with hulls of
wood are the rapidity with which they can be built, the abundance of material
on our whole coast, and the facility with which workmen can be procured.
Such vessels, moreover, can be coppered, and thereby retain their speed for a
longer period. They will be less affected by a solid shot below the armature
or plating, and the fracture made by the shot can be more easily mended. The
disadvantages of wooden vessels are want of strength, as compared with those
of iron structure, and the more rapid decay of the material, particularly when
covered with iron plating ; the action of the immersed iron armor on the copper
sheathing near it, causing the copper to become foul and the immersed armor
plates to waste ; the difficulty of keeping the vessels tight under the armor
plates, and the probably greater damage to which they are exposed from shells.
On the other hand, the greater strength of iron permits the construction of
ships of greater size and finer lines ; and having greater internal capacity, they
can be at any time inspected in all their parts, are safe from fire, and are
better protected from great leaks, as they can have water-tight compartments ;
their repairs can generally be more easily made, and, from their great durability,
they are probably in the end not more costly. An iron vessel, moreover, can
be taken from the water and placed on land for preservation, which cannot be
done with wooden vessels.. The disadvantages of iron vessels are the serious
local weakness of the thin plates composing the bottom of an iron ship ; the
danger that would result from getting on rocks or submerged obstructions ;
their liability to rapidly become fotd in salt water, whereby their speed becomes
12 ARMORED VESSELS.
greatly impaired, thus requiring to be frequently docked for cleaning ; the
great danger from a shot striking below the armor plating as they roll ; the
injury caused by the splinters of iron when the plates are broken or smashed
by shot ; the corrosion inside from bilge- water ; the difficulty in making
temporary repairs of shot holes ; and the limited number of artisans yet to be
procured having skill in this description of employment. It should also be
borne in mind that, while we have several navy yards for building wooden
vessels, the government possesses not a single yard and establishment for con-
structing those of iron, nor even for making plates and shafting.
While the principal attention of the department has, in this crisis of our
aifairs, been necessarily given to present and more pressing necessities, it has,
nevertheless, kept in view the important end of establishing our naval power
on a permanent basis. Proposals were issued for an iron-clad ship of the
largest class, (under the authority contained in the appropriation bills,) but
the cost, as shown by the propositions received for a ship of the necessary
magnitude, was so great that it was deemed advisable to enter into no contract
involving so large an expenditure, except by the express sanction of Congress.
In order, however, that justice should, in some degree, be done to the naval
branch of the public service, and that it might be able to sustain its rightful
position upon the ocean in the event of a foreign war; the parties competing
for the large steamers were invited to make proposals for one of about half
the proposed tonnage. One offer made under this invitation, at the most
reasonable rate that could be obtained, and which it was deemed the interest of
the government not to exceed, was, with some modifications, accepted.
There are no parties in this country fully prepared to build iron vessels
of the magnitude and description proposed, and the present high prices of
material and labor unavoidably enhance the cost. The government itself is
unprepared to execute any such work, having no suitable yard and establish-
ment, and is consequently wholly in the hands of private parties, to demand
what they think proper, and prescribe their own terms. On fqrmer and re-
peated occasions, and elsewhere in this report, the department has fully ex-
pressed its opinion of this policy and the necessity why the government should
be prepared to build iron vessels, and the necessary machinery, of the largest
class.
Ericsson's inception of Monitor vessels.
New York, June 28, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of plans and specificatione
of an impregnable battery and revolving cupola constructed by me and presented
to his Majesty Eihperor Napoleon III in the year 1854.
Several members of the English government and prominent members of
Parliament have recently stated in Parliament that the revolving cupola is the
invention of Captain Cowper Coles, Royal Navy. These gentlemen base on
this supposed fact a claim that the principle upon which the United States
gunboat Monitor is constructed emanates from an English officer.
Public documents show that in the year 1855 Captain Coles proposed to the
admiralty a " raft," with a stationary shield for protecting the guns, and that
shortly after Captain Coles obtained the assistance of persons in the office of
the celebrated engineer, E. K. Brunei, to make plans of said raft. Published
statements further show that Captain Coles, in 1859, proposed a revolving
cupola. Blackwood's Magazine for December, 1860, contains an engraving of
this revolving cupola, with the mechanism for turning it by hand.
1 need not point out the groundlessness of the claim set up by the English
ARMORED VESSELS. 13
government that Captain Coles is the inventor of the revolving^ cupola which
forms so important a feature of the structure of the United States gunboat ,
Monitor.
I respectfully suggest that you order the enclosed documents to be kept on
record in your department as a reference in future. •
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. ERICSSON.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
The following is an extract of a communication forwarded from the city of
New York to Emperor Napoleon III at Paris by J. Ericsson, on the 26th of
September, 1854. The receipt of said communication was at once acknowledged
by his Majesty :
[Extract.]
" New system of naval attack. — The vessel to be composed entirely of iron.
The midship section is triangular, with a broad, hollow keel, loaded to balance
the heavy upper works. The ends of the vessel are moderately sharp. The
deck, made of plate iron, is curved both longitudinally and transversely, with a
spring of five feet ; it is made to project eight feet over the rudder and pro-
peller. The entire deck is covered with a lining of sheet iron three inches thick,
with an opening in the centre sixteen feet diameter. This opening is covered
by a semi-globular turrfet of plate iron, six inches thick, revolving jm a column
and pivot by means of steam power and appropriate gear work. ThS vessel is
propelled by a powerful steam-engine and screw-propeller. Air for the com-
bustion in the boilers and for ventilation within the vessel is supplied by a large
self-acting centrifugal blower, the fresh air being drawn in through numerous
small holes in the turret. The products of the combustion and impure air from
the vessel is forced through conductors leading to the clugjer of small holes in
the deck and turret. Surrounding objects are viewed through small holes at
appropriate places. Reflecting telescopes, capable of being protruded or with-
drawn at pleasure, also afford a distinct view of surroundiog objects. The
rudder stock passes through a water-tight stuffing-box, so as to admit of the
helm being worked within the vessel. Shot striking the deck are deflected,
whilst shell exploding on it prove harmless. Shot (of cast iron) striking the
globular turret wiU crumble to pieces or are deflected.
" This new system of naval attack will place an entire fleet of sailing ships
during calms and light winds at the mercy of a single craft. ' Boarding,' as a
means of defence, will be impracticable, since the turret guns, which turn like
the spokes in a wheel, commanding every point of the compass at once, may
keep off and destroy any number of boats by firing slugs and combustibles.
" A fleet at anchor might be fired and put in a sinking condition before en-
abled to get under way. Of what avail would be the ' steam guard-ships ' if
attacked on the new system 1 Alas ! for the ' wooden wal^s ' that formerly
' ruled the waves.' The long-range Lancaster gun would scarcely hit the re-
volving iron turret once in six hours, and then, six chances to one, its shot or
shell would be deflected by the varying angles of the face of the impregnable
globe. When ultimately struck at right angles, the globe, which weighs up-
wards of forty tons, will be less affected by the shot than a heavy anvil by the
blow of a light hammer. Consequently the shot would crumble to pieces, whilst
the shell would strew the arched deck with harmless fragments.
" During contest the revolving turret should be kept in motion, the port-holes
beini;' turned away from the opponent, except at the moment of discharge, which,
however, should be made during full rotation, as the lateral aim in close quarters
requires but little precision."
14 ARMORED VESSELS.
Letter from Mr. Ericsson relative to contract for Monitor.
New York, April 25, 1862.
Sir : In your remarks on the administration of the Navy Department in to-
day'5 Herald you have inadvertently done the Secretary of the Navy great
injustice relative to the construction of the Monitor. A more prompt and
spirited action is probably not on record in a similar case than that of the Navy
Department as regards the Monitor. The committee of naval commanders, ap-
pointed by the Secretary to decide on the plans of gunboats laid before the
department, occupied me less than two hours in explaining my new system. In
about two hours more the committee had come to a decision. After their favor-
able report had been to the Secretary, I was called into his office, where I was
detained less than five minutes. In order not to lose any time, the Secretary
ordered me to " go ahead at once." Consequently, while the clerks of the de-
partment were engaged in drawing up the formal contract, the iron which now
forms the keel plate of the Monitor was drawn through the rolling mill.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. ERICSSON.
James Gordon Bennett, Esq^.
i\ORTH ATLANTIC SQUADROiS'.
Arrival of the Monitor at Hampton Roads.
United States Steamer Monitor,
Hampton Roads, March 8, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to report that I arrived at this anchorage at 9 o'clock
this evening, and am ordered to proceed immediately to the assistance of the
Minnesota, aground near Newport News.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
I JOHN L. WORDEN,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Assistant Secretary Fox's telegram of the action at Hampton Roads.
Fortress Monroe, March 9, 1862.
The Monitor arrived at 10 p. m. last night and went immediately to the
protection of the Minnesota, lying aground just below Newport News. At 7
a. m. to-day the Merrimack, accompanied by two wooden steamers and several
tugs, stood out towards the Minnesota and opened fire. The Monitor met them
at once and opened her fire, when all the enemy's vessels retired excepting the
Merrimack. These two iron-clads fought, part of the time touching each other,
from 8 a. m. to noon, when the Merrimack retired. Whether she is injured or
not it is impossible to say. Lieutenant J. L. Worden, who commanded the
Monitor, handled her with great skill, and was assisted by Chief Engineer
Stimers, Lieutenant Worden was injured by the cement from the pilot-house
being driven into his eyes, but I trust not seriously. The Minnesota kept up
AEMOEEB VESSELS. 15
a continuons fire and is herself somewhat iujured. She was moved considerably
to-day, and will probably be off to-night. Thq Monitor is uninjured, and ready
at any moment to repel another attack.
G. V. FOX,
Assistant Secretary.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Assistant Secretary G. V. Fox's telegram to General MnClellan relative to the
fight in Hampton Roads.
Fort Monroe, Va., March 9, 1862.
Your telegram to Major General Wool received. The performance of the
Monitor to-day against the Merrimack shows a slight superiority in favor of the
Monitor, as the Merrimack was forced to retreat to Norfolk after a four hour's en-
gagement, at times the vessels touching each other. The damage to the Merri-
mack cannot be ascertained. She retreated under steam without assistance.
The Monitor is all ready for her to-morrow, but I think the Merrimack may be
obliged to lay up for a few days. She is an ugly customer, and it is too good
luck to believe we are yet clear of her. Our hopes are upon the Monitor, and
this day's work shows that the Merrimack must attend to her alone. Have
ordered the large frigates to leave.
G. V. FOX,
Assistant Secretary.
Major General MgClellan,
Washington, D. G.
Major General Wool's telegram relative to condition of affairs in Hampton
Roads.
Fort Monroe, Va., March 8, 1862.
The Merrimack came down from Norfolk to-day, and about two o'clock
attacked the Cumberland and Congress. She sunk the Cumberland, and the
Congress surrendered. The Minnesota is aground and attacked by the James-
town, Yorktown, and Merrimack. The St. Lawi-ence just arrived and is going
to assist. The Minnesota is aground. Probably both will be taken ; that is the
opinion of Captain Marston and his officers. The Roanoke is under our guns.
It is thought the Merrimack, Jamestown, and Yorktown will pass the fort to-
night.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major General.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
The President directs that the Monitor shall not go unattended to Norfolk.
Navy Department, March 10, 1862.
It is directed by the President that the Monitor be not too much ex-
posed, and that in no event shall any attempt be made to proceed with her un-
attended to Norfolk. If vessels can be procured and loaded with stone and
16 AEMOKED VESSELS.
sunk in the channel, it is important that it should be done. The San Jacinto
and Dakota have sailed from Boston to Hampton Roads, and the Sabine in tow
of Baltic and a tug, from New York. Gunboats will be ordered forthwith.
Would it not be well to detain the Minnesota until other vessels arrive ?
GIDEON WELLES.
Captain G. V. Fox,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Fortress Monroe.
Captain John Marston's report of the Merrimack's attack and the arrival of
the Monitor.
United States Steamer Roanoke,
Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that yesterday at one o'clock one of the
lookout vessels reported, by signals, that the enemy was coming out. I imme-
diately ordered the Minnesota to get under way, and, as soon as the two tugs
appointed to tow this ship came alongside, I slipped our cable. The Merrimack
was soon discovered passing out by Sewall's Point, standing up towards Newport
News, accompanied by several small gunboats. Every exertion was made by
us to get all the speed on the Roanoke that the two tugs were capable of giving
her; but, in consequence of our bad steerage, we did not get ahead as rapidly as
we desired to. The Merrimack went up and immediately attacked the Congress
and Cumberland, but particularly the latter ship, which was hid from us by the
land. When about seven or eight miles from Fortress Monroe the Minnesota
grounded. We continued to stand on, and when we came in sight of the Cum-
berland we saw that she had careened over^ apparently full of water. The
enemy, who had been joined by two or three steamers from the James river,
now devoted themselves exclusively to the Congress, but she being aground
could bring but five guns to bear on them, and at ten minutes before four o'clock
we had the mortification of seeing her haul down her flag. I continued to stand
on until we found ourselves in three and a half fathoms of water and were on
the ground astern. Finding that we could go no further, I ordered one of the
tugs to tow us round, and as soon as the Roanoke's head was pointed down the
bay and I found she was afloat again, I directed the tugs to go to the assistance
of the Minnesota, under the hope tiiat, with the assistance of the two others
which had accompanied her, they would be able to get her off, but up to the
time that I now write they have not succeeded in doing so. At five o'clock the
frigate St. Lawrence, in tow of the Cambridge, passed ns, and not long after she.
also grounded, but by the aid of the Cambridge she was got afloat again, and
being unable to render any assistance to the Minnesota, came down the harbor.
In passing the batteries at Sewall's Point, both going and returning, the rebels
opened fire on us, which was returned from our pivot guns, but the range was
too great for them, while the enemy's shot fell far 'beyond us. One shot went
through our foresails, cutting away two of our shrouds, and several shell burst
over and near the ship, scattering their fragments on the deck. Between seven
and eight o'clock we discovered that the rebels had set fire to the Congress, and
she continued to burn till one o'clock, when she blew up. This was a melan-
choly satisfaction to me, for as she had fallen into the hands of the enemy, it
was far better to have her destroyed than she should be employed against us at
some future day. It was the impression of some of my officers that the rebels
hoisted the French flag, but I could not make it out. At eight o'clock I heard
that the Monitor had arrived, and soon after Lieutenant Commanding Worden '
, caine on board, and I immediately ordered him to go up to the Minnesota, hoping
she would be able to keep off an attack on the Minnesota till we had got her
AEMOEED VESSELS 17
afloat again. This morning the Merrimack renewed the attack on the Minnesota,
but she found, no doubt greatly to her surprise, a new opponent in the Monitor.
The contest has been going on during most of the day between these two armored
vessels, and most beautifully has the little Monitor sustained herself, showing
herself capable of great endurance. I have not received any official accounts
of the loss of the Congress and Cumberland, but no doubt shall do so, when it
will be transmitted to you. ^
I should do injustice to this military department did I not inform you that
every assistance was freely tendered to us, sending five of their tugs to the
relief of the Minnesota, and offering all the aid in their power. I would also
_ beg leave to say that Captain Poor, of the ordnance department, kindly volun-
teered to do duty temporarily on board this ship, and from whom I have re-
ceived much assistance. I did hope to get this off by this day's mail, but I
have been so constantly employed that I fear I shall not do so.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MAESTON,
Captain and Senior Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Captain, Van Brunt's account of the Minnesota's engagement with the Merrimack.
United States Steamer Minnesota,
March 10, 1862.
Sir : On Saturday, the 8th instant, at 12. 4o p. m., three small steamers, in
appearance, were discovered rounc|jing Sewall's Point, and as soon as they came
into full broadside view I was convinced that one was the iron-plated steam
battery Merrimack, from the large size of her smoke-pipe. They were heading
for Newport News, and I, in obedience to a signal from the senior officer present.
Captain J. Marston, immediately called all hands, slipped my cables, and got
under way for that point to engage her. While rapidly passing Sewall's Point,
the rebels there opened fire upon us from a rifle battery, one shot from which
going through and crippling my mainmast. I returned the fire with my broad-
side guns and forecastle pivot. We ran without further difficulty within about
one and a half mile of Newport News, and there, unfortunately, grounded. The
tide was running ebb, and although in the channel, there was not sufficient water
for this ship, which draws 23 feet. I knew that the bottom was soft and lumpy ,
and endeavored to force the ship over, but I found it impossible to do so. At
this time it was reported to me that the Merrimack had passed the frigate Con-
gress and ran into the sloop-of-war Cumberland, and in fifteen minutes after I
saw the latter going down by the head. The Merrimack then hauled off, taking
a position, and about 2.30 p. m. engaged the Congress, throwing, shot and shell
into her with terrific effect, while the shot from the Congress glanced from her
iron-plated sloping sides withoiit doing any apparent damage. At 3.30 p. m
the Congress was compelled to haul down her colors. Of the extent of her loss
and injury you will be informed from the official report.
At four p. m. the Merrimack, Jamestown, and Patrick Henry bore down upon
my vessel. Very fortunately, the iron battery drew too much water to come
within a mile of us. She took a position on my starboard bow, but did not fire
with accuracy, and only one shot passed through the ship's bow. The other
two steamers took their position on my port bow and stern, and their fire did
most damage inr killing and wounding men, inasmuch as they tired with rifled
guns ; but with the heavy gun that I could bring to bear upon them I drove
them off, one of them apparently in a crippled condition. I fired upon the Mer-
H. Ex.- Doc. 69 -2
18 ARMOKED VESSELS.
rimack with-my pivot 10-incB gun without apparent effect, and at seven p. m.
she too hauled off, and all three vessels steamed toward Norfolk.
The tremendous firing of my broadside guns had crowded me further upon
the mud bank, into which the ship seemed to have made for herself a cradle.
From ten p. m., when the tide commenced to run flood, until four a. m. I had all
hands at work with steam-tugs and hawsers, endeavoring to haul the ship off
the i»ank, but without avail ; and as the tide had then fallen considerably, I sus-
pended further operations at that time. At two a. m. the iron battery Monitor,
Commander John L. Worden, which had arrived the previous evening at Hamp-
.ton Roads, came alongside and reported for duty, and then all on board felt that
we had a friend that would stand by us in our hour of trial.
At six a. m. the enemy again appeared, coming down from Oraney island,
and I beat to quarters, but they ran past my ship and were heading for Fortress
Monroe, and the retreat was beaten to allow my men to get something to eat.
The Merrimack ran down near to the Rip-Raps, and then turned into the chan-
nel through which I had come. Again all hands were called to quarters, and
when she approached within a mile of us I opened upon her with my stem
guns, and made signal to the Monitor to attack the enemy. She immediately
run down in my wake, right within range of the Merrimack, completely cover-
ing my ship as far as was possible with her diminutive dimensions, and, much
to my astonishment, laid herself right alongside of the Merrimack, and the con-
trast was that of a pigmy to a giant. Gun after gun was fired by the Monitor,
which was returned with whole broadsides from the rebels, with no more effect,
apparently, than so many pebble stones thrown by a child. After a while they
commenced manoeuvring, and we could see the little battery point her how for
the rebels, with the intention, as I thought, of sending a shot through her bow
port-hole; then she would shoot by her, and rake her through the stern. In
the mean time the rebels were pouring in broadside after broadside, but almost
all her shot flew over the little submerged propeller, and when they struck the
bomb-proof tower, the shot glanced off without producing any effect, clearly
establishing the fact that wooden vessels cannot contend with iron-clad ones ;
for never before was anything like it dreamed of by the greatest enthusiast in
maritime warfare.
The Merrimack, finding that she could make nothing of the Monitor, turned
her attention once more to me. In the morning she had put an 11-inch shot under
my counter, near the water line ; and now, on her second approach, I opened
upon her with all my broadside guns and 10-inch pivot — a broadside which
would have blown out of water any timber-built ship in the world. She Re-
turned my fire with her rifled bow gun, with a shell which passed through the
chief engineer's state-room, through the engineers' mess-room, amidships, and
burst in the boatswain's room, tearing four rooms all into one in its passage, and
exploding two charges of powder, which set the ship on fire, but it was promptly
extinguished by a party headed by my first lieutenant. Her second shell went
through the boiler of the tug-boat Dragon, exploding it, and causing some con-
sternation on board my ship for the moment, until the matter was explained.
This time I had concentrated upon her an incessant fire from my gun deck,
spar deck, and forecastle pivot guns, and was informed by my marine officer,
who was stationed on the poop, that at least fifty solid shot struck her on her
slanting side without producing any apparent effect. By the time she had fired
her third shell the little Monitor had come down upon her, placing herself be-
tween us, and compelled her to change her position, in doing which she
grounded ; and again I poured into her all the guns which could be brought to
bear upon her. As soon as she got off she stood down the bay, the little bat-
tery chasing her with all speed, when suddenly the Merrimack turned around
and run full speed into her antagonist. For a moment I was anxious ; but in-
stantly I saw a shot plunge into the iron roof of the Merrimack, which surely
AKMOEED VESSELS. 19
must have damaged her. For some time after this the rebels concentrated their
whole battery upon the tower and pilot-house of the Monitor, and soon after
the latter stood down for Fortress Monroe, and we thought it probable she had
exhausted her supply of ammunition, or sustained some injury. Soon after the
Merrimack and the two other steamers headed for my ship, and I then felt to the
fullest extent my condition. I was hard, and immovably aground, and they
could take position under my stern and rake me. I had expended most of my
solid shot, my ship was badly crippled, and my officers and men were worn out
with fatigue, but even in this extreme dilemma I determined never to give up
the ship to the rebels, and, after consulting with my officers, I ordered every
preparation to be made to destroy the ship after all hope was gone of saving her.
On ascending the poop deck, I observed that the enemy's vessels had changed
their course and were heading for Oraney island. I then determined to lighten
the ship by throwing overboard my . 8-inch guns, hoisting out provision, starting
water, &c. At 2 p. m. I proceeded to make another attempt to save the ship
by the use of a number of powerful tugs and the steamer S. E. Spaulding kindly
sent to my assistance by Captain Talmadge, quartermaster at Fortress Monroe,
and succeeded in dragging her half a mile distant, and then she was immovable,
the tide having fallen. At 2 o'clock this morning I succeeded in getting the
ship once more afloat, and am now at anchor opposite Fortress Monroe.
It gives me great pleasure to say that during the whole of these trying scenes
. the officers and men conducted themselves with great courage and coolness.
I have the honor to be your very obedient servant,
G. J. VAN BRUNT,
Captain TJ. S. Navy, Commanding Frigate Minnesota.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Captain Purviance's report of the Merrimack's attack.
United States Frigate St. Lawrence,
■ Hampton Roads, March 10, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival of this ship on the 6th instant,
in Lynnhaven bay, from New York. After anchoring, a strong gale from the
northwest commenced, and continued through the night and following day. On
Saturday the wind abated, and, while waiting for wind and tide, the United
States gunboat Cambridge came alongside and reported that the rebel steam-ram
Merrimack, and some side- wheel steamers were engaging the frigate Congress and
Cumberland at Newport News. At half-past 2 we got under way in tow of the
Cambridge, and when abreast of the rebel battery at Sewall's Point, the battery
opened fire, one of the shells exploding under the forepart of the St. Lawrence,
doing, however, no material injury. The fire was returned, and, it is believed,
with sotne effect. The Cumberland had, at this time, gone down, having been
run into by the Merrimack, and the Congress had suiTendered, after a terrible
slaughter of her men, and when rendered perfectly powerless by the fire of the
rebels. The Miimesota was aground, and was engaging the enemy, whose force
consisted of the rebel steam-ram and four or five side-weel gunboats. When
near the Minnesota, the St. Lawrence grounded, and at that time opened fire, but
her shot did no execution, the armor of the Merrimack proving invulnerable to
her comparatively feeble projectiles. Taking advantage of these portentous
circumstances, the Merrimack directed her attention to firing several projectiles
of formidable dimensions ; one of which, an 80-pound shell, penetrated the star-
board quarter about four inches above the water-line, passed through the pantry
of the ward-room, and into the state-room of the assistant surgeon, on the port
20 ARMORED VESSELS.
'side, completely demolishing the bulkhead ; then struck against a strong iron
bar, which secured the bull's-eye of the port, and returned into the ward-room
expended. It fortunately did not explode, and no person was injured. The
damage done by this one shot proved the power of the projectiles which she
employed, and readily explained the destruction of our wooden and antic[uatea
frigates.
Our position at this time was one of some anxiety. Being aground, the tug
Young America came alongside and got us off; after which a powerful broad-
side from the spar and gun decks of the St. Lawrence, then distant about half a
mile, thrown into the Merrimack, induced her to withdraw; whether from ne-
dessity or discretion is not known : certainly no serious damage could have
been done. After which we proceeded slowly to the anchorage, which we
reached about — p. m.
The Merrimack again appeared the following morning, and sustained, for
several hours, the consolidated fire of the Minnesota and Monitor, abandoning
the conflict finally, but apparently unharmed. The MinnesotA remained aground
during the night, was supplied with additional ammunition, and in the morning,
when attacked by the Merrimack, fought her guns with an energy, skill, and
indomitable perseverance worthy of the noble and patriotic cause she was defend-
ing. Unable to move, she was forced to present her full broadside to the
enemy, who remanied at long range, ofiering the smallest possible surface to her
antagonist. The Monitor, whose performance more than equalled the highest-
expectations, contributed most powerfully to the withdrawal of the Merrimack ;
and her earlier arrival would have prevented the unfortunate loss of our two
defenceless frigates. All the officers and crew zealously and efficiently per-
formed their duties.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. Y. PURVIANOE, Captain.
Hon. Gideon "Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Chief Engineer Stimer's report,
Iron-Clad Monitor,
Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862.
My Dear Sir : After a stormy passage, which proved us to be the finest sea
boat I was ever in, we fought the Merrimack for more than three hours this fore-
noon, and sent her back to Norfolk in a sinking condition. Iron-clad against
iron-clad. We manoeuvred about the bay here and went at each other with
mutual fierceness. I consider that both ships were well fought; we were struck
twenty-two times — pilot-house twice, turret nine times, side-armor eight times,
deck three times. The only vulnerable point was the pilot-house. One of your
great logs (9 by 12 inches thick) is broken in two. The shot struck just out-
side of where the captain had his eye, and it has disabled him by destroying
his left eye and temporarily blinding the other. The log is not quite in two,
but is broken and pressed inwards one and a half inch. She tried to run ua
down and sink us, as she did the Cumberland yesterday, but she got the worst
of it. Her bow passed over our deck and our sharp upper edged side cut through
the light iron shoe upon her stem and well into, her oak. She will not try that
again. She gave us a tremendous thump, but did not injure us in the least.
We are just able to find the point of contact.
The turret is a splendid structure. I do not think much of the shield, but
AEMOEED VESSELS. 21
the pendulums are fine things, though I cannot tell you how they would stand
the shot, as they were not hit. •
You are very correct in your estimate of the effect of shot upon the man on
the inside of the turret when it was struck near him. Three men were knocked
down, of whom I was one; the other two had to be carried below, but I was
not disabled at all, and the others recovered before the battle was over. Cap-
tain Worden stationed himself at the pilot-house, Greene fired the guns, and I
turned the turret until the captain was disabled and was relieved by Greene,
when I managed the turret myself, Master Stodden having been one of the two
stunned men.
Captain Ericsson, I congratulate you upon your great success. Thousands
have this day blessed you. I have heard whole crews cheer you. Every inan
feels that you have saved this place to the nation by furnishing us with the
means to whip an iron-clad frigate> that was, untU our arrival, having it all her
own way with our most powerful vessels.
I am, with much esteem, very truly yours,
ALBAN C. STIMERS,
Chief Engineer,
Captain J. Ericsson,
No. 95 Franklin street. New York.
Passage of the Monitor from New York to Hampton Roads.
United States Steamer Monitor,
Hampton Roads, March 27, 1862.
Sir : I received to-day your communication of the 25th instant. I do not
consider this steamer a sea-going vessel. During, her passage from New York
her roll was very easy and slow, and not at all deep. She pitched very little
and with no strain whatever. She is buoyant and not very lively. The incon-
veniences we experienced can be easily remedied. But she has not the steam
power to go against a head wind or sea, and I think it very doubtful if she
could go from here to Delaware bay by herself. As she would be unable to
make headway against a sea she would not steer. Even in smooth water, and
going slow, she does not mind her helm readily. At sea she would be unable
to work her guns, as we are obliged to keep the ports closed and calked, they
being but five feet above water. For smooth water operations, such as she was
engaged in on the 9th instant, I think her a most desirable vessel. The opinion
of experienced seamen on board is the same as my own.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. D. GREENE,
Lieutenant United States Navy.
Hon. Gideon "Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Flag-Officer Goldshorough reports sending three vessels up James river and
shelling Sewall's Point, May 8, 1862.
United States Flag-Ship Minnesota,
Hampton Roads, Va., May 9, 1862.
Sir : The Galena, Aroostook, and Port Royal (by direction of the President
for me to detail the Galena and two gunboats for the purpose) went up James
river early yesterday morning.
22 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Also, by direction of the President, our vessels shelled SewaH's Point yester-
day, mainly with the view of ascertaining the practicability of landing a body
of troops thereabouts. The Merrimack came out, but was even more cautious
than ever. The Monitor was kept well in advance, and so that the Merrimack
could have engaged her without difficulty had she been so disposed, but she
declined to do it, and soon returned and anchored under Sewall's Point. The
Jamestown arrived here yesterday. Her condition is such that I shall have to
despatch her to Philadelphia for repairs.
The Oayuga also arrived here yesterday from the Mississippi river with de-
spatches, and left for New York in the evening. The St. Lawrence sailed this
morning for Key West.
In all there are now seven of our vessels up the York river, and three of them
up the James river. Could I have exercised my own judgment, I should have
withdrawn some from the York river, and thus increased the number of those
.sent up the James.
Our vessels up the James river were no doubt engaged for several hours during
yesterday, but whether with the enemy's vessels or with one of his forts on the
south side of the river we have not yet ascertained. All the eneipy's gunboats
that were at Norfolk, eight in number, including the Jamestown and Yorktown,
are up the James river, and our three vessels must be this side of them.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH,
Flag-Officer, Commanding N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
[Telegram.]
Flag- Officer Goldsborough to the President of the United States.
United States Flag-Ship Minnesota,
Hampton Roads, Va., May 9, 1862.
Sir : Agreeably to a communication just received from the Hon. Edwin M.
Stanton, I have the honor to report the instructions I gave yesterday to the
officers commanding the several vessels detailed to open fire upon Sewall's Point
were : that the object of the move was to ascertain the practicability of landing
a body of troops thereabouts, and to reduce the works if it could be done ; that
the wooden vessels should attack the principal works in enfilade, and that the
Monitor, to be accompanied by the Stevens, should go up as far as the wreck,
and there operate in front on the Men-imack's appearance outside of the wrecks.
The Monitor had orders to fall back into fair channel way and only to engage
her seriously in such a position that this ship, together with the merchant vessels
intended for the purpose, could run her down, if an opportunity presented itself.
The other vessels were not to hesitate to run her down, and the Baltimore, an
unarmed steamer of light draught, high speed, and with a curved bow, was kept
in the direction of the Monitor expressly to throw herself across the Merrimack,
either forward or aft of her plated house ; but the Merrimack did not engage the
Monitor, nor did she place herself where she could have been assailed by our
ram vessels to any advantage, or where there was any prospect whatever of
getting at her.
My instructions were necessarily verbal, and in giving them I supposed that
I was carrying out your wishes in substance, if not to the letter. The demon-
stration resulted in establishing the fact that the number of guns at the principal
work on Sewall's Point has been essentially reduced, and is not greater now
than about seventeen, and that the number of men now stationed there is com-
ARMORED VESSELS. 23
paratively quite limited. The quarters connected witli the work were set on
fire by our shells, and no doubt seriously injured.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH,
Com. Naval Blockading Squadron.
His Excellency the President of the United States.
Flag- Officer Goldshorough reports the destruction oftJie Merrimack, !fc.
United States Flag-Ship Minnesota,
Hampton Roads, Va., May 12, 1862.
Sir : In the surrender of Norfolk by its civil authorities, day before yesterday,
to the forces of our army under General Wool, which landed at Willoughby's
Point, nothing but the city itself was given up. Early yesterday morning I
witnessed an awful explosion in the direction of Oraney island, and inferred im-
mediately that either the works on that island or the Merrimack had been blown
up. A few minutes afterwards an officer from the guardship Dakota came on
board and informed me that the Merrimack no longer existed, for from the Dakota
they had seen her blown to pieces. Supposing from this that Oraney island and
all the rest of the exterior defences of Norfolk were about to be abandoned, or, if
not, that they might be subdued, I immediately ordered the Monitor, Stevens,
Susquehanna, Dakota, Seminole, San Jacinto, and Mount Vernon to get under
way, and gave them such orders as I judged necessary in the premises. Before
they could get off, however, I had despatched my aid. Lieutenant Selfridge, in a
tug to proceed off Sewall's Point, and as far above as he could get with safety,
in order to ascertain the real condition of things. He landed at Sewall's Point
and hoisted our flag on the works, which he found had been abandoned, but the
guns were not spiked. Commander Case, captain of the fleet, went on to Craney
island in another tug, and there hauled down two rebel flags and hoisted our own
in their places. Our ships proceeded on to Norfolk unmolested, and there the
. Susquehanna, Seminole, Dakota, and San Jacinio now lie, immediately off the
town, and in close proximity with it.
The Monitor aud Stevens have both gone up the James river, with orders
from me to reduce all the works of the enemy as they go along, spike all their
guns, blow up all their magazines, and then get up to Richmond, all with the
least possible delay, and shell the city to a surrender.
"With the above works reduced, I can keep our vessels supplied with coal,
ordnance stores, provisions, &c., without difficulty.
I intended to have discharged to-day the Arago, Illinois, and Ericsson, but
the President ordered me not to do it until I should be written to upon the sub-
ject from Washington, and gave me his orders why he wished those vessels to
be longer detained.
. I accompanied the President and Secretaries Chase and Stanton yesterday to
Norfolk, on board of the Baltimore, but I did not return with the party.
In the afternoon I visited the navy yard and went all over it. It was still
burning in very many places. Nearly everything is destroyed. Of the build-
ings the officers' quarters alone remained intact. There are a large number of
iron tanks, however, apparently in perfect condition, a good deal of mast and
other timber, a number of old and generally worthless guns, and considerable
machinery of one kind or another. The dock gates are all destroyed, and the
pier ends connected with the gates have been blown up to a partial degree, bu.t
otherwise the dock seems uninjured.
The President said to me verbally that he wished all the guns at the forts and
24 ARMORED VESSELS.
dock-yards to be removed to Fortress Monroe, and unless he slionld thiak proper
to communicate to you otherwise, I presume I am to have this work done.
On returning from Norfolk I left our naval forces there under the command of
Captain Lardner, an officer in whose discretion and good sense I have great con-
fidence. I gave him full directions as to intercourse, &c., with the shore ; but I
shall have to go there again to-day or to-morrow, and for several days after-
wards, on matters of importance.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. M. GOLDSBOKOUGH,
Flag-Officer, Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Flag- Officer Goldshm owgh encloses reports of engagement witJi fort on Ward's
or Drury's Bluff, eight miles from Richmond.
United States Flag-Ship Susquehanna,
James River, Virginia, May 18, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith the reports of an engagement
which took place on the 15th instant between our vessels up this river and a
fort of the enemy on Ward's or Drury's Bluff, which fort is at the obstructions
that have been placed in the river, and about eight miles from Richmond.
The Stevens went to Norfolk last night to carry seven of the wounded to the
hospital ; thence to return to Hampton Eoads. The force now up this river
consists of the Wachusett, Galena, Monitor, Maratanza, Aroostook, Port Royal,
and the tug Dragon.
I am, very respectfully, &c.,
L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH,
Flag-Officer, Commd'g North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
United States Steamer Galena,
Off City Point, James River, May 16, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to report that this vessel, the Aroostook, the Monitor,
and Port Royal, with the Nangatuck, moved up the river yesterday, getting
aground several times but meeting no artificial impediments until we arrived at
Ward's Blufi', about eight miles from Richmond, where we encountered a heavy
battery and two separate barriers, formed of piles and Steamboats and sail ves-
sels. The pilots both say that they saw the Jamestown and Yorktown among
the number.
The banks of the river we found lined with rifle-pits, from which sharp-
shooters annoyed the men at the guns. These would hinder all removal of obr
structions, unless driven away by a land force.
The Galena ran within almost six hundred yards of the battery, as near the
piles as it was deemed proper to go, let go her anchor, and with a spring swung
across the stream, not more than twice as wide as the ship is long. Then, at
7.45 a. m., opened fira upon the battery.
The wooden vessels, as directed, anchored about thirteen hundred yards be-
low. The Monitor anchored near, and at 9 o'clock she passed just above the
Galena, but found that her guns could not be elevated enough to reach the bat-
tery. She then dropped a little below ns, and made her shots effective.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 25
At five minutes after eleven o'clock tlie Galena had expended nearly all her
ammunition, and I made signal to discontinue the action. We had but six Par-
rott charges, and not a single filled nine-inch shell. We had thirteen killed and
eleven wounded.
The rifled one hundred-pound Parrot of the Naugatuck hurst, half of the
part abaft the trunnions going overboard. She is therefore disabled.
The Galena and Monitor can, with a supply of ammunition, silence the bat-
tery at Hardin's Bluff. The result of our experiment with the Galena I enclose.
We demonstrated that she is not shot-proof. Balls came through, and many
men were killed with fragments of her own iron. One fairly penetrated just
above the water-line, and exploded in the . steerage. The greater part of the
balls, however, at the water-line, after breaking the iron, stuck in the wood.
The port side is much injured — knees, planks, and timbers started. No shot
penetrated the spar deck, but in three places are large holes — one of them a
yard long and about eight inches wide, made by a shot which, in glancing, com-
pletely broke through the deck, killing several men with fragments of the deck
plating. The Galena should be repaired before sending her to sea. I would
suggest the Washington navy yard, since so many people there have an interest
in iron plating, and she so well shows the effect of various shot. No gun is
disabled, but we need ammunition.
On James river an army can be landed within ten miles of Eichmond, on
either bank. We command City Point, and are ready to co-operate with a
land force in an advance upon Petersburg. In going up James river, above this
point, it will be desirable to protect the crew from sharpshooters upon the river.
They annoyed us. To command important points, and to prevent the reoccupa-
tion of old Fort Powhatan, at Hood's, more vessels are needed. Some should
continually pass up and down the river, to prevent the erection of new batteries.
I cannot too highly commend the cool courage of the officers and crew.
Lieutenant Newman, the executive officer, was conspicuous for his gallant and
effective services. Mr. Washburne, acting master, behaved admirably. These
are selected from among the number.
The Aroostook, Port Eoyal, and Naugatuck took the stations previously
assigned them, and did everything that was possible. The Monitor could not
have done better.
The barrier is such that vessels of the enemy, even if they had any, probably
cannot pass out ; ours cannot pass in.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
JOHN EODGBES,
Commander United States Navy.
Flag-Officer L. M. Goldsborotjgh,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
United States Steamer Galena,
Off City Point, James River, May 16, 1862.
SiE : In obedience to your order of this day, I have the honor to submit the
following report of the condition of this ship's hull :
On the port side her bulwarks, between ports Nos. 5 and 6, are started in
about an inch, and the timbers broken. Thirteen shot and shell have perforated
her side, splintering considerably. Forward of No. 1 port the bulwarks are
badly shattered. Several hanging knees are started off from side and spar deck
beams ;many seams are opened in the sideband the gun deck, beneath the guns,
will require calking.
In forward room of wardroom the hanging knee is started about 2J inches,
26 ARMOEED VESSELS.
and the side injured. In forward part of steerage a shell perforated the side
and started the hanging knee about two inches. In after room a diagonal knee
is slightly started; and the air port stove in. In the coal bunkers the side is
also injured.
On spar deck several glancing shot have made indentations in the iron plates
and broken deck planks; in two instances apertures, about 18 inches by 4
inches, have been made. The hammock netting is shattered ; the wheel is in-
jured, one boat davit gone, and several awning and rail stanchions. The armor
is started from the stem, also at the jimction of the bars on the stem, and on the
starboard quarter, near port No. 8.
KespectfuUy, your obedient servant,
L. H. NEWMAN,
Executive Officer.
Commander John Eodgbrs,
Commanding United States naval forces in James River.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Monitor,
James River, Virginia, May 16, 1862.
Sir : I submit the following report of the movements of this vessel during
the action of yesterday :
Shortly after weighing anchor from our position near Kingsland creek, a sharp
fire of musketry was commenced from both banks on all the ships.
At half past seven I discovered an extensive fortification on an elevation of
about two hundred feet, with several smaller batteries, all apparently mounting
guns of the heaviest calibre ; at the foot of the bluff in the river an obstruction,
formed of sunken steamers and vessels, secured with chains, and the shallow
water piled across the river.
The Galena, having anchored at about one thousand yards from the fort, and
being warmly engaged, I endeavored to pass ahead of her to take off some of
the fire, but found that my guns could not be elevated sufficiently to point at
the fort. I then took position on the line with the Galena, and maintained a
deliberate fire until the close of the action, when, in company with the other
vessels, I dropped down to the anchorage of the morning.
The fire of the enemy was remarkably well directed, but vainly, towards this
vessel. She was struck three times — one solid 8-inch shot square on the turret,
two solid shot on the side armor forward of the pilot-house. Neither caused
any damage beyond bending the plates. I am happy to report no casualties.
In conclusion, permit me to say that the action was most gallantly fought
against great odds, and with the usual effect against earthworks. . So long as
our vessels kept up a rapid fire they rarely fired in return, but the moment our
fire slackened they remanned their guns. It was impossible to reduce such
works, except with the aid of a land force.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM N. JEFFERS,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Commander John Rodgers,
Commanding James River Flotilla.
AKMOEED VESSELS. 27
Lieutenant Commander Jeffers's report relative to the Monitor.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Monitor,
James River, May 22, 1862.
Sir ; I have hitherto refrained from making any official report relative to this
vessel, as most of her prominent defects have been pointed out to or discovered
by Chief Engineer Stimers, the government inspector, and provided for in the
contract for the new ones ; nor did I consider it expedient, in our then state of
constant readiness for a naval battle, to supply information which, by some ac-
cident, becoming known to the enemy, might be used to our detriment. Other
points have lately developed themselves.
Immediately on taking the command it struck me that the commander could
have very little control of his guns if in the pilot-house, and that the revolution
of the turret would not allow the officer pointing to see the object to be fired at,
unless previously notified when this object was nearly in the line of fire.
The firing at Sewall's Point, on the 9th instant, clearly demonstrated this
fact. It was impossible, from the smoke, to see from the pilot-house the effect
of the shot, so as to correct the subsequent aim; and the process of turning the
turret successively backward and forward, searching for the object through the
small aperture of the ports, was so slow, that an active enemy with a large
number of guns must inevitably fire into the ports during the operation.
After I took my station on top of the turret I roughly sighted by the lines
of parallel plates, greatly increasing the rapidity and accuracy of fire; but to
do this, independent of the exposure of so important a person as the commander,
there was a constant danger of shells passing through the opening in which I
stood, and, by exploding within the turret, producing the greatest danger and
demoralization.
At the fight at Drew's Bluff, on the James river, this inconvenience became
still more evident. The river being lined with riflemen on both banks, the bar-
ricade of hammocks which I had placed round my station became a target for
them ; I had no means* of replying with musketry, nor could I elevate my guns
to their position on a high bank, so that every time I stuck my head up to
observe the fire, they had a deliberate fire at me. The pilot-house being placed
forward, the guns cannot be fired nearer to the line of the keel than 30° with
accuracy without deafening the persons in the pilot-house. I tried this experi-
ment myself, and the pain and stupefaction caused by the blast of the. guns
satisfied me that half a dozen similar discharges would render me insensible.
From this cause, either in approaching a ship or battery, she is exposed to fire
a long time without the power of returning it, thereby diminishing her military
force 5 per cent. ; or if the enemy be a ship, and it is determined to allow her to
close, this vessel, in order to return the fire, must allow her to approach nearly
on the beam, thus giving her the opportunity to act as a ram with great effect.
This would have been the difficulty had a second encounter taken place with
the Merrimack. It was rumored, and generally believed, that she had been pro-
vided with a gun firing directly ahead, also with a ram, adjusted to pierce this
vessel below the water. In either case of closing, this vessel would have been
unable to return the fire without laying herself open to the ram.
If the power existed of fighting her " head-on," the side armor would be almost
completely protected, and the turret would protect the most vulnerable parts of
her deck. For these reasons, it is essential that the lookout and steering appa-
ratus shall be placed on top of the turret.
Except in case of great necessity, such as being at anchor in a tideway, and
boats or steamers should come up. astern for the purpose of boarding, it would
be highly imprudent to fire aft at a greater angle than 50°. The effect of firing
28 ARMORED VESSELS.
over the boilers is very great, and several successive fires would undoubtedly
set them leaking, if nothing worse happened.
The bomb-proof smokestack, at least as high as the guus, is absolutely neces-
sary. Her mihtary force is greatly diminished by inability to fire, or rather to
run out, both guus at once. The time lost in raising the pendulum andin run-
ning out the second gun often loses the favorable position, besides giving the
enemy better opportunities for getting shot into the ports.
The ports have not sufficient elevation to allow the guns to be pointed at a
battery placed on an eminence without losing all the advantages of an iron-clad
vessel ; that is, prozimity to the battery, in order certainly to hit and dismount
the guns.
The preceding defects are most of them irremediable, as far as the vessel is
concerned, until she shall undergo a general repair. But a new and most im-
portant defect has developed itself with the warm weather, which demands
immediate attention. It is essential that some other mode of ventilation shall
be provided, not derived from the air-passage through the fire-room. When
the weather was cold it was quite warm below, but no inconvenience was felt
other than the impurity of the air passing up through the turret ; but, with the
heat of the last ten days, the air stood at 140° in the turret when in action,
which, when added to the gases of the gunpowder and smoke, gases from the
fire-room, smoke and heat of the illuminating lamps, and emanations from the
large number of persons stationed below, produced a moat fetid atmosphere,
causing an alarming degree of exhaustion and prostration of the crew. In the
action at Drew's Bluff, I was obliged to discontinue the action for a quarter of
an hour and take the men below to the forward part of the ship for purer air.
' The vessel cannot go to sea until this defect is remedied. If the hatches
were all closed (as they must be at sea) in this warm weather, the crew would
be unable to live for forty-eight hours shut up. Quite one-third of the crew
are now suffering from debility ; there being no shelter on deck, they have to
keep below to avoid sharpshooters.
Some modification of the galley must also be made. Several men have
already literally wilted down by the intense heat of its position against the rear
end of the boiler. Although not bearing on this vessel, yet I mention a fact of
importance. I understand that in some of the new vessels it is proposed to
take the air down through the turret. This would, I conceive, be a fatal mis-
take ; when firing to windward, there is already a great deal of smoke in the
tun-et — quite as much as can clear away by the time the next shot can be fired —
and, if the draught were downward, such a body of smoke would fill the turret
as to prevent the aim for several minutes.
There are several defective details about the engine, particularly the arrange-
ment of the blowers, which can be readily altered at a machine shop. Either
in action or at sea, the loss of the vessel might readily be caused by the/ailure
of a leather belt. In fact, coming round from New York, some water getting
down through the air pipes, and wetting the belts, caused the blowers to stop,
and the gases from the furnace poured into the fire-room, driving the firemen
and engineers out and nearly asphyxiating the chief engineer. If this had
occurred in action the vessel must have been surrendered, every one having
been driven on deck.
I have partially corrected the evil by putting a blast-pipe in the uptake, to
continue the draught in case such an accident should occur in future. There
are several other details of considerable importance which I do not enlarge upon,
as they are provided for in vessels of this class hereafter to be constructed.
The opportune arrival of this vessel at Hampton Eoads, and her success in
staying the career of the Merrimack, principally by the moral effect of her
commander's gallant interposition between that vessel and the Minnesota, caused
an exaggerated confidence to be entertained by the public in the powers of the
ARMORED VESSELS. 29
Monitor, which it was not good policy to check. I, however, feel that I owe it
to you, sir, as the commander of the fleet, and to the department, to put on
record my deliberate opinion of her {)0wers.
First. With her present guns, she cannot engage another iron-plated vessel
of good construction with advantage. The ball has not sufficient velocity to
penetrate, and must rely on its smashing effects only. It would not pene-
trate, though it might shatter, an inclined side of four (4) inches, well backed
with wood, or our own vertical side.
Second. Although she manceuvres very quickly, her speed is not six knots at
a maximum. She must, therefore, as against a vessel, await the enemy's plea-
sure to close, and is much trammelled, as herein before stated, by the limitation
of the field of fire to 220° of the 360°.
Third. As against a fort : If she is pennitted to approach a fort within a
couple of hundred yards, and the fort is not above her reach, she has sufficient
endurance to stand its fire until she can dismount its guns, one by one ; or, if
one of our masonry-casemated works, quarry a hole into the face of the wall
until it tumbled down by the superincumbent weight. The reduction of forts
by a vessel of this class, alone requires the concurrence of many favorable con-
tingencies. She must be able to approach close to it, on nearly the same level ;
otherwise, the fire is not sufficient in either accuracy or rapidity to dismount
guns or drive the gunners to their bomb-proof shelter. It is evident that the
guns in embrasure or casemate can be loaded quite as quickly as in the turret, and
with entire impunity, while the turret guns are turned away for loading. This
gun can then be carefully aimed at position of the ports, and fired, when the
turret revolves, so as to expose the port, giving, at least, equal chances of dis-
abling the turret gun. After we deliver our fire, if we do not dismount the
gun, they reload without risk for another trial. It is, of course, always to be
presumed that the crew of an iron-clad vessel is composed of picked men, while
all the forts cannot be provided with such gunners, nor with guns of heavy
calibre.
Fourth. She can run by any fortification now in existence, being, in my
opinion, invulnerable to shot of eight-inch and lower calibres. The chances of
hitting, with monster calibres, are so small as scarcely to be taken into account.
Fifth. A solid shot, of ten-inch and higher calibres, fired with heavy charges,
striking near the same spot half a dozen times at short ranges, would dislocate
the turret plates, drive in fragments, and end by coming through.
Sixth. That she requires very considerable changes in the mode of ventila-
tion, during action, to enable her to be fought in warm weather, and that it is
impossible that she should go to sea until these changes have been made.
Notwithstanding the recent battle in Hampton Eoads, and the exploits of the
plated gunboats in the western rivers, I am of the opinion that protecting the
guns and gunners does not, except in special cases, compensate for the greatly
diminished quantity of artillery, slow speed, and inferior accuracy of fire, and
that, for general purposes, wooden ships, shell guns, and forts, whether for
offence or defence, have not yet been superseded.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM N. JEFFERS,
Lieutenant, Commanding.
Flag-Officer L. M. Goldsborough,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
30 AKMOEED VESSELS.
Passage of the New Ironsides to Hampton Roads.
United States New Ironsides,
Hampton Roads, August 27, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to infoi-m you of my arrival here, after a passage of
twenty-four hours from Delaware breakwater. Fortunately, I could not have
selected a more favorable moment to come out, as the sea has been smooth and
the wind very light.
As a matter of course, it could be hardly expected that a very favorable
report could be made upon the first performance of so novel a vessel, despatched
with such unprecedented haste as this was from Philadelphia.
I think, considering everything, there is much less to do, to alter and repair,
than could have been anticipated, after the trial of such a vessel, constructed
and equipped as the New Ironsides has been.
It is but just to the contractors to state that they have done all they could,
under the circumstances, to make everything complete.
The ship has made an average, from the breakwater, of about five and a quarter
knots. Any attempt to increase her speed beyond that (which was done several
times, and easily done) rendered her unmanageable by the helm. The rudder
must be altered, which can be easily done, and it is absolutely necessary, in my
judgment, that her masts and spars be returned to her. Without them, nothing
can be done wilh the ship in a gale of wind. She would be utterly unmanage-
able ; she could not be kept head to sea, nor could I scud her — the consequence
would be she would be -constantly in the trough of the sea, and her decks would
be swept, bulwarks, b6ats, and everything. I hope the honorable Secretary
may be pleased to direct that her masts, spars, rigging, and sails may be sent
from Philadelphia as soon as possible. Whilst that is being done, the contract-
ors will make every alteration that is required without detaining her beyond
that time. They have already ordered down mechanics, who are here to com-
mence the work to be done.
There is nothing whatever to discourage me from entertaining the highest
hopes of the perfect success of the New Ironsides. I anticipated great slug-
gishness in her movements when at sea, owing to the mass of solid weight upon
her. On the contrary, I have been most agreeably disappointed ; she is light,
active, buoyant, in her rolling motion, and will, I think, prove a good sea-boat.
Quite a leak has been discovered on her starboard side, which will have to be
stopped, and there are several small matters which will be remedied as soon as
the workmen get on board.
The galley was made for 160 men, the complement of the ship originally
intended. There are now four hundred on board — none too many ; consequently,
my crew are suffering in their meals, and are absolutely living upon raw beef
and pork, in a measure, which has produced much diarrhoea on board. I think
it may be necessary to send a galley from the Washington yard, for I doubt if
these persons are in the habit of constructing galleys to accommodate so many
persons.
I regret to tie obliged to report that a vessel last night ran into me coming up
the bay, and was considerably injured. The fault was all their own, trying to
cross my bow.
I herewith enclose the report of the chief engineer of this ship.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. TUKNER, Captain.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 31
United States Steamer New Ironsides,
Off Fortress Monroe, Virginia, August 27, 1862.
Sir: In obedience to the orders of G. J. Pendergrast, ''to proceed in the
New Ironsides as far as Fortress Monroe, to see to the working of the engines,
and to report upon the performance of the machinery in all respects," I have
the honor to make the following report :
The New Ironsides left the navy yard at Philadelphia on the afternoon of
Thursday, 21st instant, drawing fifteen feet six inches forward and fifteen feet
one inch aft ; engines making from forty-eight to fifty-two revolutions — working
well — and none of the journals heating. The ship was anchored off League
island during the night of the 21st, and proceeded down the river on the 22d,
the engines and all their appendages performing excellently well; the boilers
steaming easily with natural draught, furnishing steam for fifty-two revolutions
of the engines. The greatest speed logged was seven knots, with 48.2 revo-
lutions.
On the 23d the ship proceeded down the river and bay to the breakwater,
the engines performing well. The maximum vacuum (of the fresh water sur-
face condenser) obtained was twenty-six inches.
The ship left her anchorage at the breakwater on the afternoon of the 25th,
and proceeded to sea, making the run from Cape Henlopen to Cape Henry in
twenty-four hours. During this run the engines were not worked up to the
maximum development of their power in consequence of the effect on the steer-
ing, which was difiScult, uneven, and tortuous. The patent log gave the dis-
tance of 5.7 knots from six p. m. of the 25th to four a. m. of the 26th, (ten
hours,) or 5^^„ knots per hour for ten hours.
The average consumption of coal per hour for 47.2 I'evolutions per minute
was 3,123 pounds. The average consumption of coal per hour for 50 revolu-
tions of engines per minute was about 3,200 pounds, or 34 tons 640 pounds per
day for a speed of about six knots per hour, the ship drawing fifteen feet.
I deem it proper to state that a more favorable result will be produced after
the firemen have had more experience in the management of the fires.
I also enclose herewith a copy of the steam log for reference, and also the
indicator diagrams.
The draught of the ship is now, as near as can be ascertained, fifteen feet
forward and aft.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. W. W. "WOOD,
Chief Engineer, United States Navy.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Passage of the Passaic from Washington to Hampton Roads.
United States Iron-clad Passaic,
Hampton Roads, Decemher 26, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival of my vessel at this place to-day
at 10 a. m. I was towed from Aquia creek by the steamer Mount Washing-
ton, which was sent from Hampton Koads by Eear- Admiral Lee for that pur-
pose. The engine worked very well, but the foaming has only been corrected
to a moderate extent, and prevented more than fifty revolutions to be made per
minute. This gave a speed, while alone and in the rivers, of from four and a
half to five and a half miles per hour, depending on the tide, and when in tow,
32 ARMORED VESSELS.
making forty revolutions, with a perfectly smooth bay, only five and a hall
miles an hour could be made from Smith's point to Hampton Roads. As 1
doubt much our ever being able to get the full number of revolutions of which
the engine is supposed to be capable, and, even supposing it could be done, am
satisfied that it will not add more than a mile per hour to the speed, I think it
will be a cause of disappointment if the vessels of this class are looked upon as
more than steam-batteries, to be towed from point to point in fine weather, and,
in my case at least, rendered much less seaworthy than would otherwise have
been the case, owing to the great error in the calculation of draught, which, by
bringing the deck almost to the water, not only takes away from buoyancy, but
greatly increases the difficulty of getting coal or provisions, except in very ex-
ceptional circumstances. t
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. DRAYTON, Captain.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Passage of the Passaic from Hampton Roads to Beaufort.
United States Iron-clad Passaic,
Beaufort, N. C, January 2, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report my arrival here yesterday at five p. m., hav-
ing left Hampton Roads on the 29th ultimo in tow of the State of Georgia.
The weather continued fine until meridian of the 30th, Oape Hatteras light-
house then bearing west, and having averaged up to that time five miles an
hoiir, we carrying twenty-seven pounds of steam.
The wind now commenced freshening from the SW., causing the vessel to
pitch and labor a good deal, and, in consequence, to make water rapidly through
the lower part of the turret and in the bow where the armor bulkhead joins the
main body of the vessel; and the limbers becoming choked under the boilers,
where they could not be reached, made it necessary, for the purpose of throwing
the water from the forward part into the engine-room, where it could be taken up
by the steam-pumps, to depend on a hand force-pump and buckets. By this
means the water was kept down to about twelve inches; but as early as four
o'clock I had commenced a signal to the State of Georgia to stand to the north-
ward, satisfied that there was no other way of checking the bow leak and gene-
ral strain. There being, however, a sudden change in the weather, I determined
to hold on. The change being, however, only temporary, at nine and a half p.
m. I again signaled the State of Georgia to run for a lee under Hatteras, which
she did.
The piimps now began to give out, owing to the rise of water washing so
much dirt into the bilge as to choke them, and in consequence the engine-room
would not be kept clear, and about three o'clock the water was within three
inches of the fires, some of which, from the splashing, were actually being ex-
tinguished. Fortunately, when a little more delay would have been fatal, the
engineers by great exertion managed to get all the pumps in order, and to once
more clear the engine-room floor, which, however, was on several occasions after-
wards covered to the depth of some inches, owing to the choking of the limbers
and temporary derangement of the pumps.
At five a. m. of the 30th the wind came from the N. NW. As I was, how-
ever, now nearer Hampton Roads than Beaufort, and the pumps in a most un-
satisfactory condition, an4 many repairs necessary, I determined to keep on to
the former place; but about one o'clock, the sea again getting up, I found it
ARMORED VESSELS. 33
necessary, to check the increasing leak in the bow, to again stand to the south-
ward. The wind continued to blow hard all night, and the vessel to labor con-
siderably and make a great deal of water; but at sunset of the first of January
I was off Beaufort, and, fortunately, finding a pilot outside, went immediately
in and anchored.
During the heaviest part of the southwest gale, and when it was evident that
something must be done to relieve the thumping forward, I threw overboard
about ten tons of scrap iron and thirty-two pounder shot, which was under my
cabin, and this I should not consider it safe to put back so long as the vessel is
liable to be again exposed to a gale of wind, which I do not think even then
she would stand for any length of time, supposing the wind to be on shore, so
that she coulcl not run before it and thus avoid the enormous strain brought on
the hull, in a heavy sea, by the guards which surround ifr. These, with the
opening round the turret, will prevent these vessels from ever being safe at sea.
The turret might, perhaps, be made comparatively tight could it be lowered and
hoisted when necessary, but the means afforded are totally inadequate for this
purpose, and all my exertions to get the key out at a time when the safety of
the vessel depended on it to a certain extent failed, which it is not difiicult to
understand when it is considered that all the appliances of the Washington yard
were necessary to force it in sufficiently to raise the turret a quarter of an inch,
and this only after the work of half a day or' more. Another great cause of
trouble we found to be the very incomplete drainage, the only means of com-
municating with the well being through the keel, which is very easil;^ stopped
up, as is proved in our case, and when so in many places, as under the boilers,
can only be reached by taking out the coal, the consequence of which was, that
to free the forward part of the vessel we were obliged to depend on a hand-
pump and bailing.
The chain supplied us is, I think, too small and of an inferior quality, as
some of the studs have already broken out, and this, with the very great diffi-
culty there would be to clear a foul anchor — an accident very liable to occur,
and which in the case of the Monitor delayed her leaving Hampton Eoads — will,
I think, render these vessels very liable to loss if ever caught by bad weather
in any except the best protected harbors. I herewith enclose the report of the
engineer, from which it will be seen that some time will be required to repair
damages and get things again in complete order. I shall, however, do all in my
power to accomplish these objects. Owing in a great meaaure to a stormy
weather cloth, which increased the height of the turret three feet, very little
water .came over it ; but that caused us great inconvenience from wetting the
bands of the blower engines, which were made so slack as at times not to be
able to turn the blowers. Owing to the peculiar form of the vessel aft, the rud-
der has no power except through the water thrown on it by the propeller, and
then only. when it is going at full speed; when the engine is stowed down all
means of direction seem to cease. This might become serious in a narrow chan-
nel, or one. with sharp turns. Accompanying this is the report of the engineer.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. DRAYTON, Captain.
Hon. (jrlDEON WeI/LES,
Secretary of the Navy.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Passaic,
Off Beaufort, N. C, January 3, 1863.
Sir : When we left Fortress Monroe, the afternoon of the 29th December,
the engines and boilers and all bilge connexions were working very well, and
continued so until December 30, at 11.30 p. m. At that time the water began
H. Ex. Doc. 69 3
34 AEMOEED VESSELS.
to gain in fire-room; The bilge injection, bilge pump of engines, and both
steam pumps refused to work. We examined them, and found the strainer mto
which all the pipes lead, and all pipes, completely choked up with ashes a,nd
dirt.- At the time the sea was ve;y high and aft, and the ship was leaking badly
through engineer's storeroom. The strainer being so low and having no cover,
the water being above, the dirt was by motion of the ship carried over into the
strainer.
We succeeded in cleaning bilge injection a little, so that it worked veiy irreg-
ularly and kept the water from gaining much, and at 3.30 the following morn-
ing we had everything clear, with the exception of one pump, and we found
steam valve of that broken, and of course rendered unfit for service. The
water now commenced going down, but it .was at this time within thrpe (3)
inches of fires, and the rolling of the ship carried the water up to the fires and
nearly quenched three (3) of them.
At five o'clock the water was down below fire-room floor, but it was necessary
to keep men stationed at strainer and limber holes to clean them. The water
did on several occasions afterwards get above fire-room floors, but only to the
height of about four (4) inches. It was caused by the limber holes stopping.
They are very poorly constructed and are not sufficiently large, and not enbugh of
them, and there is no way of getting at those between boilers and turret to clear
them without taking out the coal.
There is only one way for me to account for the water gaining so fast aft.
The sea Jjeing direct aft, did most certainly loosen the projection astern, and I
account for the leak being forward for the same reason.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. S. BRIGHT, Senior Engineer.
Captain Percival Draytom,
Commanding Iron-clad Steamer Passaic.
Forwarded. P. DRAYTON, Captain.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Passaic,
Off Beaufort, N. C, January 2, 1863.
Sir : It will be necessary to examine the interior of cylinder air-pump and^
condenser, on account of using bilge injection constantly to free ship of water.
A large amount of dirt dnd ashes having passed through the engines, I am
afraid it has done considerable damage. There will have to be a larger and
better strainer made for the bilge pumps and injection, as the one we have is
perfectly worthless ; it is easily stopped with ashes, &c. It was the cause of
the pumps and injection refusing to work and the water gaining in the engine-
room. After great exertions we did clear the strainer and pipes leading to it,
and then the water was within three (3) inches of the grate bars.
All the engine and steam pumps require a thorough overhauling, and pipes
leading to same need repairing. The engines require repacking and brasses
need thorough overhauling.. The fire-room plates should be firmly secured in
their places to prevent dirt and ashes from going in the bilge. The blowing
and vacuum engines need overhauling, as it was impossible to do anything to
them on our passage here.
We require a more efficient arrangement for raising and lowering the turret.
The one we have is too light. We also require for engine-room hatch a new
dead-light plate, as the sea cracked the one we have and rendered it unfit for
use. I would like to have steam off the boilers to examine them, and also to
make some new joints on steam-pipes, as some of them leak very badly.
ARMORED VESSELS. 35'
I have noticed that whilst at sea, a great quantity 'of water comes in aft
through the engineer's storeroom, and also in coal bunkers. It seems to come
from the projection of the sides — strained, no doubt.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. S. Bl'JGHT, Senior Engineer.
Captain Pbrcival Drayton,
Commanding U. S. Iron-clad Steamer Passaic.
Forwarded.
PEEGIVAL DRAYTON.
Loss of the Monitor.
Report of Acting Rett- Admiral S P. Lee.
United States Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Hampton Roads, Va., January 3, 1863.
SiK : I have the painful duty to perform of reporting the loss of the Monitor *
at sea, south of Cape Hatteras, on Tuesday night, the 30th ultimo. I am in-
formed by Commander Armstrong that two officers and twenty-eight men of the
Monitor and Rhode Island were drowned. See his report enclosed.
The Passaic is at Beaufort, North Carolina. Both these vessels departed
from the roads in good weather. I left it to the discretion of their^ommanders
to choose the weather and time of their departure.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Commanding N. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Second report of Acting Rear- Admiral S. P. Lee.
United States Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Hampton Roads, Va., January 4, 1863.
Sir : I submit the following report, based on the reports received by me from
Commander Bankhead, of the Monitor, and Commander Trenchard, of the
Rhode Island. *******
Commander J. P. Bankhead, commanding the Monitor, reports to me that he
left the roads Monday, 29th ultimo, at 2.30 p. m., with light southwest wind,
clear, pleasant weather, and every prospect of its continuing so. At 6 p. m. he
passed Cape Henry ; water smooth, and everything working well. The same
good weather continued during the night and until 5 a. m. on Tuesday, the 30th,
when the Monitor felt a swell from the southward, and a slight increase of wind
from southwest, the sea breaking over the pilot-house and striking the base of
the tower; speed about five knots. Until 6 p.m. the weather was variable,
with occasional squalls of wind and rain, with less swell in the afternoon.
Bilge pumps were amply sufficient to keep her free. At 7 p. m. the wind hauled
more to the southward, increased and caused sea to rise, the computed position
being fifteen miles south of Cape Hatteras. At this time the Monitor was
yawing and- towing badly, the vessel working and making more water ; the
Worthington pumps were set to work and the centrifugal pumps got ready. At
8 p. m. the sea was rising rapidly, (the Monitor plunging heavily,) completely
submerging pilot-house, and at times entering the turret and blower pipes. When
36
ARMORED VESSELS.
she rose to the swell, Ihe flat under surface of the projecting^ armor would come
down with great force, causing considerable shock to the vessel. Stopping the
Ehode Island, which was towing her, did not make the Monitor ride easier or
cause her to make less water, as she would then fall off and roll heavily in the
trough of the sea. The centrifugal pump was at length started, the others
failing to keep the water down. With all the pumps working well, the water
continued rising, and at 10 p. m., after a fair trial of the pumps, and the water
still gaining rapidly, Commander Bankhead made signal of distress, cut the
hawser, steamed close to and under the lee of the Ehode Island, received two
boats from her and ordered the crew of the Monitor to leave her — a dangerous
operation, as the sea was breaking heavily over the deck. The two vessels
•touched, and, owing to the sharp bow and sides of the Monitor, the Rhode
Island wasendangered and she steamed ahead a little. At 11.30 p. m. the
water was gaining rapidly, though all the pumps were in full plajf, the engine
working slowly, and the sea breaking badly over the vessel, making it dangerous
to leave the turret. At this time several men were supposed to have been
washed overboard. The engine and pumps soon ceased to work, the water
having put the fire out. While waiting for return of boats, bailing was resorted
to. As the Monitor was now laboring in the trough of the sea. Commander
Bankhead let go the anchor, which brought her head to sea. The vessel filling
rapidly. Commander Bankhead ordered the twenty-five or thirty men, then left
on board, to leave in the boats then approaching cautiously, as the sea was
breaking violently over the Monitor's submerged deck. In this perilous posi-
tion, Commander Bankhead held a boat's painter until as many men could get
in as the boat could carry. Some men left in the turret, terrified by the peril,
declined to come down, and are supposed to have perished. Commander Bank-
head did not leave his vessel so long as he could do anything towards saving
his crew, in which efforts be was ably assisted by Commander Trenchard, the
oflBcers and crew of the Rhode Island.
When the crew of the Monitor was mustered on board the Rhode Island,
four ofiicers and twelve men were found missing, some of whom it is hoped
were picked up or survived the gale in the Rhode Island's boat. A list of the
Monitor's missing is enclosed in Commander Bankhead's report of the 3d
instant, accompanying this report ; Acting Assistant Surgeon Weeks suffered
amputation of three fingers, his hand having been badly jammed.
Commander Bankhead speaks warmly of the good conduct of the officers and
crew, with but few exceptions. He commends particularly Lieutenant Samuel
D. Ureene, hia executive officer, and Acting Master L. N. Stodder, as worthy
of all praise. He warmly praises the deportment of Acting Master's Mate
Peter Williams, and Quartermaster Richard Anjier; the latter would not desert
the ship until his commander left.
The officers and crew lost everything. They will, the latter at least, doubt-
less receive appropriate relief from the government.
Commander Trenchard, commanding the Rhode Island, with the Monitor in
tow, left on Monday, December 29, at 2.30 p. m., with wind light from SW.,
sea smooth, and weather favoi-able that night, and next day, the 30th, the Moni-
tor towing easily. At 1 p. m. on the 30th, Hatteras light bore W.SW., distant
14 miles ; at sunset it bore NW., distant 17 miles, and the State nf Georgia,
with the Passaic in tow, to the northward and eastward ; the wind was then
light from SW., with indications of good weather. Between 8 and 9 p. m. the
wind hauled more to the southward, and freshened with rainy and squally
weather. At 11 p. m., when 20 miles S.SW. of Hatteras, the Monitor made
signal of distress, at which Commander Trenchard sent his two largest boats to
her assistance ; one of them, the launch, was stove under the quarter of the
Rhode Island by the Monitor. While the Monitor w^as in that position, ropes
were thrown to her from the Rhode Island ; but so reluctant was the crew of
AEMOEED VESSELS. 37
the Monitor to leave the vessel that they did not take advantage of the oppor-
tunity to save themselves. Acting Master's^ Mate D. R. Brown, of the Rhode
Island, twice brought that vessel's first cutter full of men from the Monitor; he
attempted a third trip, probably through a misunderstanding of orders, and did
not return, though waited for that night, and searched for next day, the 31st.
There is room to hope that this boat, with its crew, and probably with some of
the missing Monitor's men, survived the gale. Commander Trenchard com-
mends the skill and good conduct of Acting Master's Mates D. R. Brown and
Stevens, of D. T. Oompton, cockswain, and the missing crew of the cutter, a list
of which is enclosed in Commander Trenchard's report of January 3, accom-
panying this.
I hope that the dependent families of the dead will receive the relief needed
by their losses, and the faithful survivors the consideration deserved for their
good conduct.
Herewith I forward —
(A.) Report of Commander J. C. Bankhead (late of the Monitor) to Acting
Rear-Admiral Lee, dated January 3, and enclosing (1) his detailed report of
January 1 ; (2) the report of his senior engineer; (3) list of missing.
(B.) Report of Commander Trenchard (commanding the Rhode Island) to
Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, dated January 3, and enclosing (1) list of missing.
(0.) Report of Commander J. F. Arinstrong (commanding the State of
Georgia) to Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, dated January 3.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yburs,
S. P. LEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral. Commanding N. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, JD. C.
Report of Commander J. P. Bankhead.
United States Steamer Rhode Island,
Hampton Roads, January 3, 1863.
.. Sib : I regret to have to re^.ort to you that the United States iron-clad steamer
Monitor foundered at sea at about 1 a. m. of the 31st day of December, 1862,
with a loss of four officers and twelve men missing, some of whom may possibly
have been saved. I enclose herewith a detailed account of the loss of the ves-
sel, with the probable cause, the report of the senior engineer, and a list of the
men and officers missing.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. P. BANKHEAD,
Commander United States Steamer Monitors.
Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
United States Steamer Rhode Island,
January 1, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report to you that the Monitor left Hampton Roads, ,
in tow of the United States steamer Rhode Island, on the 29th of December,
1862, at 2.30 p. m., wind light at SW., weather clear and pleasant, and every.
38 ARMORED VESSELS.
prospect of its contiuiiation. Passed Cape Hemy at 6 p. m.; water smooth, and
everything working well.
During the night the weather continued the same until 5 a. m., when we began
to experience a swell'from the southward, with a slight increase of the wind from
the SW., the sea breaking over the pilot-house forward and striking the base of
the " tower," but not with sufficient force to break over it. Found that the pack-
ing of oakum under and around the base of the tower had loosened somewhat
from the working of the tower, as the vessel pitched and rolled. Speed at this
time about five knots ; ascertained from the engineer of the watch that the bilge
pumps kept her perfectly free, occasionally " sucking." Felt no apprehension
at the time. The weather during the day, and until 6 p. m., was variable, with
occasional squalls of wind and rain, and towards evening the swell somewhat
decreased, the bilge pumps being found amply sufficient to keep her clear of the
water that penetrated through the sight-hole of the pilot-house, hawser-hole, and
base of tower, (all of which had been well calked previous to leaving.) At
7.30 the wind hauled more to the south, increasing in strength, and causing the
sea to rise. Computed position at this time about 15 miles south of Cape Hat-
teras shoals. Found the vessel towed badly, yawing very much, and with the
increased motion making somewhat more water around the base of the tower.
Ordered engineer to put on the Worthington pump bilge injection, and get the
centrifugal pump ready, and report to me immediately if he perceived any in-
crease of the water. 8 p. m.: the sea about this time commenced to rise very
rapidly, causing the vessel to plunge heavily, completely submerging the pilot-
house, and washing over and into the turret, and at times into the blower pipes.
Observed that when she rose to the swell, the flat under surface of the projecting
armor would come down with great force,, causing a considerable shock to the
vessel and turret, thereby loosening still more the packing around its base.
Signalized several times to the Rhode Island to stop, in order that 1 might as-
certain if, by so doing, she would ride easier, or decrease the influx of water,
but could perceive no difference, the vessel falling off immediately into the
trough of the sea and' rolling heavily. The engineer at this time reported that
it would be necessary to start the centrifugal pump, as the others failed to keep
the water under. Ordered him to do so immediately, and report to me the
effect. Sea continued to rise, the vessel striking heavily forward. The engi-
neer reported that the pumps were all working well, but produced no effect upon
the water, which by this time had risen several inches above the level of the
engine-room floor.
About 10.30 p. m., having given the pumps^a fair trial, and finding the water
gaining rapidly upon us, I determined to make the preconcerted signal of dis-
tress, which was immediately answered by the Rhode Island. I ranged up close
to her and reported that the water was gaining rapidly upon us, and requested
her commander to send boats to take off the crew. Finding that the heavy
stream-cable used to tow the Monitor rendered the vessel unmanageable while
hanging slack to her bow, and being under the absolute necessity of working
the engines to keep the pumps going, I ordered it to be cut, and ran down close
under the lee of the Rhode Island, at times almost touching her. Water con-
tiniied to gain upon the pumps, and was now above the "ash-pits." Two boats
reached us from the Rhode Island, when I ordered Lieutenant Green to put as
many men into them as they could safely carry. While getting the men into
the boats fa very dangerous operation, caused by the heavy sea breaking entirely
overthe deck) the vessels touched slightly, nearly crushing the boat, and endan-
gering the Rhode Island herself, as our sharp bow and sides would undoubtedly
have stove her near the water's edge had she struck upon us heavily. The
Rhode Island steamed slightly ahead, and the vessels separated a short distance.
At 11.30, my engines working slowly, and all the pumps in full play, but water
ffaininsr rapidly ; sea very heavy, and breaking entirely over the vessel, render-
ARMOEED VESSELS. 39
ing it extremly hazardous to leave the turret ; in fact, several men were sup-
posed to have been washed overboard at this time.
While waiting for the boats to return, the engineer reported that the engines
had ceased to work, and shortly after all the pumps stopped also, the water
putting out the fires, and leaving no pressure of steam. A bailing party had
been previously organized, not so much with any hope of diminishing the water,
but more as an occupation for the men. The engine being stopped, and no
longer able to keep the vessel head to sea, she having fallen off into the trough
and rolling so heavily as to render it impossible for boats to approach us, I or-
dered the anchor to be let go and all the chain given her, in hopes that it might
bring her up. Fortunately it did so, and she once more swung round, head to
wind. By this time, finding the vessel filling rapidly, and the dSck on a level
with the water, I ordered all the men left on board to leave the turret and en-
deavor to get into the two boats which were then approaching us. I think at
that time there were about twenty-five or thirty men on -board. The boats ap-
proached very cautiously, as the sea was breaking upon our now submerged
deck with great violence, washing several men overboard, one of whom was
afterwards picked up by the boais. I secured the painter of one of the boats,
(which, by the use of its oars, was prevented from striking the side,) and made
as many get into her as she would safely hold in the heavy sea that was running.
There were several men still left upon and in the turret, who, either stupefied
by fear, or fearful of being washed overboard in the attempt to reach the boats,
would not come down, and are supposed to have gone down in the vessel. Feel-
ing that I had done everything in my power to save the vessel and crew, I
jumped into the already deeply-laden boat and left the Monitor, whose heavy,
sluggish motion gave evidence that she could float but a short time longer.
Shortly after we reached the Rhode Island she disappeared.
I must testifyto the untiring efforts and zeal displayed by Captain Trenchard
and his officers in their attempts to rescue the crew of the Monitor. It was an
extremely hazardous undertaking, rendered particularly so by the heavy sea and
the difficulty in approaching the Monitor.
While regretting those that were lost, it is still a matter of congratulation that
so many were saved under the circumstances. There is some reason to hope
that a boat, which is still missing, may have succeeded in saving those left on
board, or may have reached the vicinity of the vessel in time to have picked up
some of them as she went down. Upon mustering the officers and crew on
board the Ehode Island, four ofiicers and twelve men were found to be missing,
a list of whom I herewith enclose, as well as the report of Second Assistant
Engineer Watters, acting chief engineer.
I am firmly of the opinion that the Monitor must have sprung a leak some-
where in the forward part, where the hull joins on to the armor, and that it was
caused by the heavy shocks received as she came down upon the sea.
The bilge pumps alone, up to 7 p. m., had easily kept her free, and when we
find that all her pumps a short time after, with a minimum capacity of 2,000
gallons per minute, not only failed to diminish the water, but, on the contrary,
made no perceptible change in its gradual in-crease, we must come to the con-
clusion that there are, at least, good grounds for my opinion.
• Before closing my report I must testify to the coolness, prompt o'bedience,
and absence of any approach to panic on the part of the ofiicers, and with but
few exceptions on that of the crew, many of whom were at sea for the first time,
and (it must be admitted) under circumstances that were well calculated to ap-
pal the boldest heart. I would beg leave to call the attention of the admiral and
of the department to the particular good conduct of Lieutenant Greene and Acting
Master L. N. Stodder, who remained with me until the last, and by their ex-
ample and bearing did much towards inspiring confidence and obedience on the
40
ARMORED VESSELS.
part of others. ■ I must also mention favorably Acting Master's Mate Peter Wil-
liams, and Eioliard Anjier, quartermaster, who both showed on that occasion
the highest qualities of men and seamen. The latter remained at his post, at
the wheel, when the vessel was sinking, and when told, by me to get into the
boat, replied, "No, sir, not till you go."
The officers and crew have lost everything but the clothes they wore at the
time they were rescued.
There were no serious injuries received, with the exception of Acting As-
sistant Surgeon G. M. Weeks, who jammed his hand so badly as to require a
partial amputation of several of his fingers.
Every attention and kindness has been shown to us by Captain Trenchard
and his officeBS, to whom we all feel deeply grateful.
Very respectfully, yo\ir obedient servant,
J. P. BANKHEAD, Commander.
Acting Eear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Joseph Waiters, second assistant e/igineer.
UwrTED States Steamer Ehodk Island,
At sea, January 1, 1S63.
Sir: The following is a report of the condition of the engines and pumps
connected with the engineer's department of the United States iron-clad Moni-
tor on the night of the 30th of December, 1862. Between the hours of 8 and
9 p. m. of that evening I received orders from Captain Bankhead to examine
and have ready for use all pumps connected with the engineer's department;
an order which I promptly obeyed.
I immediately went in the engine-room, and found the bilge pump connected
with the main engine in good condition and working well, as it had been during
the day. I had the discharge-pipe of the centrifugal pump connected to its
proper place, and all ready for use, and before leaving the engine-room I gave
orders to Mr. Hands, the engineer then on duty, in case the water should in
crease to let me know, and at the same time to start the Worthington pump,
and use the bilge injection. I then left the engine-room, and reported to Cap-
tain Bankhead that all pumps were ready for use. In a few minutes I returned
to the engine-room again, and found the water about one inch deep on the en-
gine-room floor. The Worthington pump and bilge injection at that time were
both in use. I remained in the engine-room, and finding that the water did not
decrease, I had the centrifugal pump started. It worked well and constant, but
still the water increased. I reported to Captain Bankhead that I would have to
reduce the speed of the main engines in order to save steam for the use of the
Worthington and centrifugal pumps. The ash-pits at that time were more than
half full of water, allowing but very little air to reach the fires. At the same
time the blowers, used for producing a current of air to the fires, were throwing
a great amount of water. The speed of the main engines was reduced, but still
the pressure of steam decreased, and the amount of water in the ship increased,
until it reached the fires and gradually extinguished them. The pressure of
steam in the boilers at that time was five pounds per square inch, and the
main engine stopped; the Worthington and centrifugal pumps still working
slowly, but finally stopped.
I reported the circumstances to Captain Bankhead. A few minutes later I
received an order to leave the engine-room, and proceed to get in the boats. It
AEMOKED VESSELS. 41
was then between the hours of 12 p. m. and 1 a. m., and the fires nearly ex-
tingviished..
I am, su', very respectfully, yours, &c.,
JOSEPH WATTERS,
Second Assistant Engineer, United States Sleamer Monitor.
Commander Bankhead,
United States Steamer Monitor.
The boilers and hull of the Galena.
United States Flag-Ship Minnesota,
Off Newport News, Va., January 14, 1863.
Previous to ordering a survey on the boilers of the Galena, as directed by the
department under date of , I called on Lieutenant Commander Paulding
for a report, and have the pleasure of informing the department that no survey
is necessary.
The Galena's boiler and machinery are in good order, as will appear from the
enclosed copy of reports, dated the 12th instant, (which were called for yester-
day, and received last evening,) from Lieutenant Commander Paiilding and the
engineer of the Galena.
I regret having referred to Captain Turner's verbal report without having first
. made this investigation. In this connexion 1 beg to observe that, in desiring to have
another iron-clad here, I wished to secure this position, and to leave myself at
hberty to visit the outside blockade with this vessel.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Acting Hear- Admiral, Commanding N. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
United States Steamer Galena,
Newport News, January 12, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose the report of Acting First Assistant
"Engineer James E. Young respecting the boilers and engine of this vessel.
It will Be observed that the engines and boilers of this vessel are in almost
perfect condition. Her battery is also perfect, and the only defect in the vessel
is on the port side, which was seriously damaged in her engagements on the
James river.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEONAUD PAULDING,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
United States Steam Frigate Minnesota.
A true copy.
F. R. WEBB, Acting Ensign.
42 ABMORED VESSELS.
United States Steamer Galena,
January 12, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order, I herewith report to you the condition of the
engines and boilers of this ship.
The exhaust-pipe of the starboard engine, which is cast iron, is split abont
three feet of its length. We have banded it with six wrought-irou straps; it is
now stronger than it was before the accident. The engines, in my opinion, are
in as good working order as when the ship sailed from New York. In my re-
port of the 24th December I stated that the shells of the boUers were leaking,
and that serious injury would result on account of the salt accumulating on th(
iron below the leaks. We have repaired all the leaks that could be reached
and there are at present none remaining of any consequence. Four of the tubes (two
in each boiler) have given out at the ends, which we have securely plugged up.
I consider the boilers in good order, and require no immediate repairs.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES G. YOUNG,
Acting \sl Assistant Engineer U. S. N.
Lieut. Commander Leonard Paulding,
Commanding United States Steamer Galena.
A true copy.
F. R. WEBB, Acting Ensign.
The Weehawken in a gale.
[Received at Washington, D. C, January 22, 1863.]
U. 8. Military Telegraph,
Newport News, January 22, 1863.
The Weehawken anchored off the Horseshoe last night; weather foggy. She
wants her centrifugal pump and some oakum calking around deck openings ;
all right otherwise. She encountered the heavy gale of Tuesday night off
Ohincoteague. Rodgers declined being towed during the worst of the gale, to
which he and Case attribute the Weehawken's safety. No news of the Nahant;
I suppose she is at the breakwater. The Iroquois wants repairs which will
take five days here.
S. P. LEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Detailed report of the passage of the Weehawken to Hampton Roads.
U. S. Iron-clad Weehawken,
Norfolk Navy Yard, January 26, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that on the 18th instant, while lying in New
York harbor, the Boardman, side-wheel tug, came alongside to tow us to the
Chesapeake, whereupon we immediately got under way for sea.
When just outside of the Hook, the wind suddenly chopped round to the
northeast, and the nilots thoueht eave indications of a eale. These I could nnt
ARMORED VESSELS. 43
perceive, but I knew the Boardman would founder in rough weather, and the
Weekawken be left, in case of accident to her machinery, to drift upon a lee
shore. I felt it my duty to anchor, and report the character of the tug to the
admiral commanding the station.
It was found that no better vessel could be procured, and we sailed next
morning, the 19th, towed by the Boardman, and under convoy of the Iroquois,
Captain Case, which in the meanwhile had anchored near us at Sandy Hook.
We steamed down the coast, generally in sight of the land, and with the water
smooth. On the 20th we were, at daylight, off the entrance to the Delaware.
At about eight o'clock it was reported to me that the Boardman, with us in
tow, had turned, and was seeking shelter under the breakwater. The weather
was no longer fine, but I did not think the appearance justified my seeding shel-
ter, and the tug was ordered to stand ob for the Chesapeake.
The weather grew continually worse, and the barometer fell regularly, but I
did not anticipate more than I judged the Weehawken could easily weather.
The performance of the vessel in the sea was admirable. I remarked, how-
ever, that when the tow-liue, from any cause, was slackened, the motion of the
vessel was better than when it was stretched.
At about 2.30 p. m. the Boardman was no longer of use, and it seemed prob-
able that we should find her an incumbrance. Made signal to her to leave us
and look out for her own safety. We cut the tow-line, in order not to endanger
our propeller ; with the sea breaking over our decks, it would not have been
safe to send men to gather it in had she cast it oflF. We were in sight of Fen-
wick's Island light. The Boardman ran to the northward, and was soon out of
sight. I have since heard that she arrived safely inside the breakwater, but
half full of water.
Upon seeing the Boardman leave us the koquois promptly ran down from
her station to windward and offered to tow us ; but I dechned, thinking we
sTiould do better alone.
The vessel commenced leaking through the hawse-hole ; put new parcelling
and lashing on to restrain the leak, which gradually increased, notwithstanding
our efforts. It was thought openings in the overhang admitted water from the
deck. We commenced leaking badly from the after overhang. Here, too, the
flow of water increased as the gale grew worse, but it was still thought that
these leaks were from the deck.
The steam-pumps were continually choked, and much time was lost in clearing
them. Our limbers which, when we received the vessel, it was reported, had
been carefully cleaned, proved to be very foul. Cotton-waste lamps, oil-feeders,
hammers, and chips obstructed the flow of water to the pumps, and interrupted
their action. We cleared as much of them out as we could.
The water at last forcecf up the floor plates in the fire-room, and covered the
ash-pits. The leaks still increasing, it was found that the fires had been ne-
glected ; that two furnaces were so far out as to need rekindling with wood ;
that the others were very low, and we had only ten pounds of steam. In this
emergency, one of the passengers, Mr. John Farren, chief engineer in the navy,
promptly took measures to re-establish the fires and procure the necessary pres-
sure of steam. The sea was about thirty feet high, and was made irregular and
trying, in consequence, probably, of the proximity of the land. Through all this
the behavior of the vessel was easy, buoyant, and indicative of thorough safety.
Her movements filled me with admiration. I saw in them everything to admire ;
nothing to improve. The waves rolled furiously across the deck. Instead of
expending their force against the side, as in an ordinary vessel, they swept
harmlessly by. A plate of flat iron two inches thick, and weighing some thirty-
three hundred pounds, was broken from its lashing upon the deck, and trans-
ported about forty feet to some side stanchions, which arrested its course over-
board, and to which it was secured.
44 ARMORED VESSELS.
The opinion formed then confirmed my anticipations, that a hull rising but
little above the surface of the water, and having a central elevation, as in the
Monitors, is the shape to form a good sea boat ; and I am convinced that on this ,
idea all successful iron-clads must be built., This form reduces the surface to
be plated to a minimum, and puts the part having the necessary elevation above
the sea for fighting guns, where it can be carried without inconvenience, and in
the Weehawk£n is easily carried. With us, I think, safety is solely a question
of strength.
I had relied upon former experience to correct any faulty motion which I
might discover, in a sea way, by shifting or reducing weights. I abandoned,
however, the idea of improvement ; as I watched the action of the vessel it was
perfect.
The sea exercised great power upon the upper hull, and our speed, while we
could measure it, fell to two and a half tnots, and she trembled through all her
plating at some of the blows which she received. During the height of the gale
the waves swept over us so violently that no one could go on the deck to heave
either the log or lead.
The stanchions on the side were of the greatest service ; without their aid,
men whose feet were swept from under them would have been carried over-
board. Life-lines at sea cannot be too much multiplied.
The pendulum or port-stopper of the 11-inch gun, during the gale, swung so
as to knock out the port-buckler ; a piece of matting, however, wedged between
the side and pendulum, temporarily repaired the damage, and the pendulum
secured by shipping and lashing its monkey tail.
Spray came over the turret, but no sea. The water ran copiously down
along the base of the smoke-stack. This is now securely calked, I hope.
A gasket of plaited hemp packing, saturated with tallow, was put around the
base of the turret, between it and the deck ; the iron ring covering the joint
was lifted for the gasket. I do not know that this precaution was necessary?
but no water came in around the turret.
The hatches for entrance into the vessel were carefully •calked with oakum,
and paid with white lead. They leaked enough to show how much care is
requisite with openings in the deck.
Now, with the deck free from water, I do not believe that the vessel leaks
more than before she sailed. Careful scrutiny has failed to detect any injury
to the iron in the after overhang, from which the greatest part of the water
flowed. I think that removing the covers to the propeller and anchor-wells
had a good effect.
When the vessel raised her immersed bow, the water which this lifted ran
out through the well, and plunging, the sea rose through it high above the deck .
About a gallon of water a minute runs from the port side overhang into the
after overhang. In New York this was attributed to a loose rivet, and I attach
no importance to it.
On the night of the 20th and morning of the 21st the wind blew very hard ;
hardest from two to four a. m. We had been running all night on our course
rather in the trough of the sea. At about eight o'clock the bad weather had
passed away, and the sea was much smoother. T then made signals to the
Iroquois for a tow-line, which Captain Case promptly gave. There was still
so much motion that we parted a couple of new 9-inch hawsers. I found that
by bending my tow-line to his we did much better, on the principle of a long
scope of cable in a sea-way. The length, and consequent elasticity, prevented
any injurious jerk, and the line held. '
At eleven a. m. we made " Cape Henry light-house.'' At about one p. m.
the Iroquois made signal that she had disabled her machinery. We cast off
her tow-line, and came in alone, anchored in the fog off the tail of the Horse-
shoe, and got under way next morning, the 22d, as soon as we could see the
ARMORED VESSELS. 45
light-boat, and came up to Fortress Monroe, from wliich I telegraphed our
arrival.
Both Oaptaiu Case and I remarked that the Weehawken did much better,
as regards motion, without the tow-line.
I cannot withhold my expressions of thanks to Captain Case for the noble
manner in which he kept by me during the night. His boats were fully pre-
pared, provisioned, and watered for service, in a night too wild for any boat to
live. He was always near us', arid handled his vessel in a daring manner in
giving us tow-lines, where a collision would inevitably have sunk him. I must
also express my thanks to the engineer passengers for the purpose of observa-
tion : Messrs. John Farren, chief engineer of the navy, N. C. Davis, assistant
to Mr. Farren, and William Alden, sent out by the contractors. Without their
elEcient and experienced aid in attending to the machinery ,_^ I dare not assert
the result.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
JOHN EODGEES, Captain.
Hon. Gideon Welles, '
Secretary of the Navy.
Extracts from private letters of Captain John Rrdgers relative to first trip of
the Weehawhen
New York, January II, 1863.
Sir : For the information of the Navy Department, and to place on its files,
I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of an extract of a letter from Cap-
tain John Rodgers, in reference to the great gale which the United States iron-
clad Weehawken experienced on her first trip to Hampton Roads.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. ERICSSON.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Copy of a idler received by Captain Ericsson from Wvj. L. Hodge, esq.
Washington, January 27, 1863.
Dear Sir : I wrote you yesterday ; to-day I have a letter from my son-in-
law, Captain Rodgers, the following extract from which may interest many.
Very truly,
WM. L. HODGE.
" Norfolk, January 24, 1863.
" The gale was very severe, but my vessel behaved admirably during the
highest of the storm. I stood on the turret aud watched her movements with
great interest. • They gave the impression of great safety ; whilst water can
be kept out of it, as safe as a raft or cake of ice. The vessel leaked danger-
ously — entirely, I think, through unguarded openings in her deck ; she is now
quite tight, which would not be the case had anything started. These openings
will be well calked and paid with white lead before we start. The hawse-hole
let in much water. We shall arrange that, and intend to put a pump in the
anchor-room, and are now fitting a centrifugal pump that will throw out one
thousand gallons per minute. We can with all our pumps keep out any
quantity of water, less than a plate falling off.
46
ARMORED VESSELS.
" I cast off my tug, and sent her away, for she would have been lost in the
weather I anticipated, and which we actually had, and refused & tow from the
Iroquois, not only because I thought it would have been a hindrance, but in
case the towing cable parted, it probably would have fouled the propeller, which
would have been fatal, for no one could venture on deck to cut the tow cable
loose. These iron-clads should only be towed in good weather ; in bad weather
they can do better alone. No boat from the Iroquois could have lived, for she
was rolling her guns under ; our fate, therefore, depended on the safety of our
own vessel.
'■ The waves swept over the deck with great violence ; an iron plate, two
inches thick and eleven feet long, weighing three thousand pounds, was broken
loose from its lashings and carried forty feet against the iron stanchions ; and
another j)late, as much as two men could slide along the deck, was lifted and
thrown upon some kedges. We could neither throw the log nor sound, as no
one could live on the deck to do either.
" Whilst I watched the motion of the vessel in the hardest of the stoi-m, I
saw nothing to improve. I believed I could have corrected any wrong tendency
by shifting or thrpwiug overboard weight, but I gave up that idea as 'unneces-
sary. The sea had great force and hold upon the hull, so as to impede our
way very much, but she had no drift, and goes where she looks.
"JOHN KODGEES."
Fy/lrad from a. Ictttr of Captain Rodger&, addressed lo the AavHani Secretary of the Navy, dated lya
hoard the Vailed IStates Hte'imer " Weehaw/cen," Norfolk, July 22, 186.^.
" On Tuesday night, when off Chingoteague shoals, we had a very severe
gale from E.NE., with a very heavy sea, made confused and dangerous by the
proximity of the land. The waves I measured after the sea abated ; I found
them twenty-three feet high. They were certainly seven feet higher in the
midst of the storm. During the heaviest of the gale I stopd upon the turret,
and admired the behavior of the vessel. She rose and fell to the waves, and
I concluded that the Monitor form had great sea-going qualities. If leaks were
prevented, no hurricane could injure her.
" I presume in two days we shall be ready for any service, as we need no
repairs, and only some little fittings."
Passage of the Montauk to Beaufort.
United States Flag-Ship Minne.sota,
Newport News, Virginia, January 24, 1863.
Sir : I respectfully enclose copies of reports of the 5th and 9th instant, from
Commander J. L. Worden, reporting the arrival of his vessel, the United States
steamer Montauk, at Beaufort, her grounding at the entrance of the harbor, and
concerning certain changes which fle had been making to put her in good trim
for sea-service. •
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. A. B. Squadrcm.
Hon. GriDBON Welles, i
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
ARMORED VESSELS. 47
United States Steamer Montauk,
Beaufort, North Carolina, January 5, 1863.
Sir: I respectfully report that this ship, under my command, arrived off this
harbor at 7 J o'clock a. m. yest&rday, and on entering grounded (on the begin-
ning of the ebb tide) in lOj feet of water, about a mile inside of the bar; two
army tugs coming to our assistance, I carried out with one of them an anchor,
and discharged into the other our projectiles and a quantity of ballast. At 5
o'clock p. m., with the assistance of the United States steamer Miami and one
of the tugs, 1 succeeded in hauling her off, and reached this anchorage at about
6 o'clock p. m.
When aground, at low water, she had 8 J feet of water alongside ; on floating,
she showed no increase of water in the hold, and during the night at anchor
made no more than usual. I therefore infer that she is not materially strained.
I am now taking in our shot, shell and ballast, and shall break out the thwart-
ship coal-bunker in order to satisfy myself that there is nothing under it likely
to choke the limbers.
I shall adopt every means that my experience and judgment suggest, to avoid
accidents, and to render the ship as eificient as possible for the service required
of her.
On the passage from Hampton Roads the weather was unexceptionably fine
and the water smooth, except off Cape Hatl^eras, where I encountered a heavy
swell from the northward and eastward, which caused the ship to roll consider-
ably, taking water in large quantities on her deck.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. WORDEN, Commander.
Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Commanding N. A. B. Squadron.
A true copy.
F. R. WEBB, Acting Ensign.
United States Steamer Montadk,
Beaufort, North Carolina, January 9, 1863.
Sir : Your communication of the 7(h instant, directing me to proceed to Port
Royal, South Carolina, is just received.
Since my arrival here, I have been employed in breaking out the coal-bunkers
and the shot ballast under the cabin and around the anchor well, in order to
clean out the bilges under them thoroughly.
All the shot ballast from the forward "overhang" around the anchor well I
have distributed in the body of the vessel, under the ward-room.
I shall also take a portion of the shot from under the cabin and put them
further aft. These changes will put the vessel in good trim for sea-service,
and will greatly tend to relieve her of much of the strain upon the " overhang"
in a head sea, and they can easily be restored to their position when necessary
to put her in fighting trim.
I have yet to take in coal and provisions, and shall be ready for sea in two
or three days, when I will take advantage of the first favorable weather to make
the passage to Port Royal.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
, JOHN L. WORDEN, Commander.
Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Commanding N. A. B. Squadron, Hampton Roads, Virginia.
A true copv.
F. R. WEBB, Acting Ensign.
48 ARMORED VESSELS.
Preparations for passage of Montaukjrom Beaufort to Port Royal.
United States Flag-Ship Minnesota,
Newport News, Virginia, January 29, 1863.
Sir: I beg to enclose a copy (January 14) of a report from Commander J. L.
Worden, commanding United States iron-clad steamer Montauk, at ^ Beaufort,
North Carolina, on bis preparations for bis passage to Port Royal, South Car-
olina.
I have tbe honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles.
United States Steamer Montauk,
Beaufort, North Carolina, January 14, 1863.
Your order of the 8th instant, directing me to order tbe paymaster of this
vessel to take passage in tbe steamer towing her, with his books, accounts,
funds, &c., and to make every professional arrangement I may judge best for
the safety of tbe vessel, and of the officers and crew under my command, is
received.
Since my communication of tbe 9th instant, I have completed the changes
therein indicated ; have taken in- coal, provisions, &c., and was ready to go to
sea on tbe 12th instant; but the weather looking unsettled, I did not deem it
prudent to do so. It is now blowing from tbe southward and westward. I
shall take advantage of the first favorable change to proceed to Port fioyal, in
obedience to your order of the 7th instant.
Other than the changes I have made in the vessel in relation to tbe rearrange-
ment of the ballast, nothing more occurs to me to be done that will be likely to
add to her safety at sea. I do not think it prudent to take any amount of
weight from the hold on account of her great top weight. I have, however,
only taken in ninety tons of coal, which amount will give her' sufficient stability,
and, of course, not bring her so deep, bodily, as would full bunkers, which bold
about 130 tons. The vessel's trim now is, out of the water forward, 38 inches;
out of the water aft, 30|- inches; out of the water amidships, 15| inches. These
measurements make her draught forward 10 feet 9 J inches; aft 11 feet 5 inches,
which I consider a good sea trim. A change of ballast can soon be made to
put her in lighting trim. When in fighting trim (with full coal-bunkers) she
would be deeper in the water, bodily, with a greater draught of water forward, but
no material change in the draught aft.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. WORDEN,
Commander.
Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Leb,
Commanding N. A. B. Squadron, Hampton Roads.
A true copy.
r. R. WEBB,
Acting Ensign.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 49
Passage of the Nahant to Port Royal.
United States Flag-Ship Minnesota,
Newport News, Va., March 2, 1863.
Sir : Commander Armstrong, commanding (Jnited States steamer State of
Georgia, reports to me from Port Eoyal, Soutli Carolina, under date of February
23, that lie left Hampton Eoads on the 16th with the United States iron-clad
Nahant in tow, in obedience to my orders ; that he had rainy and disagreeable
weather on the passage, but that the Nahant seemed buoyant,-and made good
weather, towing easily, his engine working te its full pressure to attain its
greatest speed, and that he arrived safely at Port Royal on the 20th. He pro-
posed to leave on the 23d ultimo to rejoin the blockade off Wilmington.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Acting Bear-Admiral, Comd'g N. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Passage of the Roanoke to Hampton Roads.
United States Iron-clad Frigate Roanoke,
Hampton Roads, Va., July 11, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report my arrival in Hampton Eoads with the
United States iron-clad frigate Roanoke after her trial trip at sea.
Having been detained by fogs in the lower bay of^New York, after the re-
pairing of the pillow block of one of the turrets, I got to sea on Thursday, the
9th instant, passing the bar at New York at two o'clock p. m.
A heavy swell from the south had set in, sufficiently to test her buoyancy,
which I found much greater than I had expected, from the immense quantity
of iron she carries. Her rolling motion, however, is so great as to preclude the
possibility of fighting her guns at sea, and I was obliged to secure them by
bracing them with pieces of timber to prevent their " fetching away " in the
rolling motion to which the ship is subjected, in even the swell we encountered.
We made the trip in less than forty-eight hours, making a speed of from five
to six knots an hour, with from thirty to thhty-five revolutions, with occasional
heatings of the journals, for cooling which she had to be stopped, for the par-
ticulars of which I refer to the report of the engineers. The tug which accom-
panied us was not brought into requisition to , tow or assist, we making the trip
under our own steam and motive power alone. Her steering gear we found to
be inconvenient, taking two men one minute and a half to put the helm hard
down from amidships, and requiring nineteen (19) revolutions of the wheel in
the operation. The steam steering apparatus of Mr. Sickles I considered much
better, requiring but one man to handle the wheel, seven turns only of which
were needed to heave it hard down, and to do this but twenty (20) seconds
were required, and would, Vith a larger barrel to the wheel, require only the
same number of turns as our ordinary steering wheels. I only regretted it was
not fitted to the forward turret, where our best compass (Ritchie's) was fitted.
Though I do not consider the Roanoke adapted to fighting a battle at sea on
account of her rolling, rendering her guns unserviceable, and exposing her to
shot below her iron plating, yet she has proved herself capable of being safely
H. Ex. Doc. 69 4
50 AEMOEEiD VESSELS.
and readily transported from harbor to harbor upon our coast for the defence of
any part thereof.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. F. SANDS,
Captain United States Navy, senior officer present.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of Captain G. Gansettoort of a joint reconnaissance up James river.
United States Iron-clad Roanoke,
Off Newport News, Va., Augunt 8, 1863.
Sir : 1 have the honor to inform the department that, in accordance with the
permission asked and granted, I accompanied Major General Foster in his re-
cent reconnoissance up the James river. The force consisted of the Sangamon,
Commander S. Nicholson ; Commodore Barney, Acting Lieutenant Commander
S. Huse ; and Oohasset, Acting Master S. Cox ; also the John Farron, an army
boat. All these vessels were aimed, except the latter, which had aboard a corps
of shai-pshooters.
The Sangamon, towed by the gunboat Barney and the tug Oohasset, left the
anchorage off Newport News about 2 p. m., August 4. The John Farron, with
Major General Foster and staff. Brigadier Generals Naglee and Potter, with
myself. Surgeon Woodworth, and Acting Master Hargous, soon followed. At
8 p. m. the vessels under my command and the Farron anchored off Jamestown
island in seven fathoms water. Got under way next morning at half-past four.
At eight the flag-of-truce boat New York, with prisoners, passed us, bound to
City Point. At half-past eight passed Fort Powhatan, which remained in a
dismantled state. At aleven all the army and navy officers left the Farron and
went on board the Sangamon. When off Tillman's wharf there was a slight
discharge of musketty from the shore, which was responded to by the Sanga-
mon with one eleven-inch shot. At half-past four p. m. the Sangamon anchored
off Dutch Gap, owing to the low stage of water on the bar. General Foster
and staff, myself, and Acting Master Hargous, then went aboard the Commo-
dore Barney, and were followed by the Cohasset. When just beyond Coxe's
two torpedoes exploded under the starboard bow of the Barney, producing a
lively concussion, and washing the decks with the agitated water. Some twenty
men were either swept or jumped overboard, two of whom are missing, and may-
have been drowned. The engine of the vessel was partly disabled by the
cutting of the steam-pipe and the connexion of the steam-whistle. The Com-
modore Barney was then taken in tow by the Cohasset, and they came to an-
chor at Dutch Gap about half-past seven. At half-past eight o'clock the Co-
hasset went up the river on picket duty.
The next morning at early daylight the Sangamon got under way, towed by
the Barney and Cohasset. Near Four Mile creek, about 5 a. m., the enemy
opened fire with artillery and musketry. The Sangamon and Barney returned
the fire. The Barney was disabled by a shot through the boiler, below the
water-mark. The tug was sent to her assistance, and got her off, she having
drifted ashore. The Sangamon -anchored, the narrowness of the stream pre-
venting her from turning and going to the aid of the Barney. At half-past
seven a. m. the Sangamon again weighed, with the Barney in tow, and the Oo-
hasset on the port side. About this time the army tug Jejup came up the
river, and assisted in towing the disabled .vessel. At 9.25 a. m., when near
Turkey Island bend, the enemy opened with artillery and musketry, and re-
peatedly hit all the vessels, but did them no material damage, and injured no
ARMOKED VESSELS 51
one. The fire was briskly returned by the Barney and Jeaup. At 9.45 the
firing ceased. For much of the time the vessels were exposed to a raking fire.
More than thirty round shot penetrated the Barney. The Jesup and Oohasset
were hit several times, and the Sangamon onee in the port bow, making only a
slight indentation. The marks of musketry on the different vessels were almost
innumerable, the difficulty being rather to avoid than miss the targets. Below
City Point the tug-boat John Farron, which was left behind on our passage up
the river, came alongside, and assisted in towing. About 8 p. m. sa-mj boats
cast off, and Sangamon anchored below Deep Water shoals. Shortly after, the
Farron grounded, got off at daylight, and reached Newport News at 6 a. m.
The other vessel arrived and anchored shortly afterwards.
The casualties were few. Acting Master Cox, of the Oohasset, was killed by
a round shot, which perforated his body. Three men were slightly wounded
from musketry, and two were supposed to be drowned at the time of the explo-
sion of the torpedoes.
Officers and crew all behaved with that characteristic gallantry which has
ever distinguished the navy.
The purpose of the reconnoissance was fully and satisfactorily accomplished.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GUEET GANSEVOORT,
Captain and Senior Officer.
Hon. Gideon Wklles,
Secretary of t7ie Navy, Washington, D. C
80UTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON
The capture of Charleston — -first instructions.
[Confidential .]
Navy Department, May 13, 1862.
Sir : This department has determined to capture Charleston as soon as
Richmond falls, which will relieve the iron boats Galena and Monitor. These
vessels, and such others as can be spared from Hampton Roads, will be sent to
Bull's bay under convoy of the Susquehanna.
The glorious achievements of our navy, inaugurated by yourself, give every
reason to hope for a successful issue at this point, where rebellion first lighted
the flame of civil war.
The War Department send instructions to-day to General Hunter, with
whom 'you will consult and with whom you will co-operate fully, unless the
move should be purely naval, when he will render you every assistance.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES.
Flag-Officer S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. 0.
52
ARMOEED VESSELS.
Rear-Admiral DuPont desires the Ironsides.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, September 5, 1862.
Sir : Tlie iron-clads or rams built at Charleston have been described to me,
by intelligent persons who have seen them, as well protected by their armor,
but as not formidable for offensive operations against our ships, in consequence
of their deficiency in steam power, it having been intended to place in them
engines taken from old steamers belonging to South Carolina.
If it be true that English steam engines have been provided for them, as
reported to me by the department, it becomes my duty to urge upon it the
necessity of sending some iron-clad vessels of our own to render our position off
Charleston tenable.
Vessels, even imperfectly covered with armor, emerging from the protection
of forts, and always provided with a place of refuge, would be comparatively
secure, while they might do great harm to wooden ships, especially of the light
class, which form the chief material of this squadron. If by any possibility
the blockading force off Charleston could be destroyed or compelled to retire, it
would produce a moral impression to our disadvantage even more disastrous
than the actual loss itself. If it be possible to send the Ironsides to take up a
position off that harbor, the efforts of the enemy would be completely frustrated.
Very respectfully, &c.,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Second instructions for the capture of Charleston.
[Confidential.]
Navy Department, January 6, 1863.
Sir : The New Ironsides, Passaic, Montauk, Patapsco, and Weehawken,
(iron-clads,) have been ordered to, and are now on the way to, join your com-
mand, to enable you to enter the harbor of Charleston and demand the sur-
render of all its defences, or suffer the consequences of a refusal.
General Hunter will be sent to Port Royal with about ten thousand men, to
act as shall be deemed best, after consultation with yourself The capture of
this most important port, however, rests solely upon the success of the naval
force, and it is committed to your hands to execute, with the confidence the
department reposes in your eminent ability and energy. Successful at Charles-
ton, the only remaining point within the limits of your command is Savannah.
If this place can be captured by the iron-clads, attack it immediately under the
panic which will be produced by the fall of Charleston. If part only of the
iron-clads are required to make the attack at Savannah, (and I trust such may
be the case,) send off the remainder under careful towage to Pensacola. If.
Savannah cannot be attacked with iron-clads, send immediately, upon the fall
of Charleston, the New Ironsides and two of the others (convoyed) to Pensa-
cola. Do not allow the New Ironsides to wait for her masts — she can be con-
voyed. The importance of striking a blow at once at Mobile, in the event of
the fall of Charleston, will be apparent to your mind.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
IRMORED VESSELS. 53
Transmitting information concerning harhor and anchorage of Little river.
[Coufidential .]
Navy Department, January 15, 1863. '
Sir : I transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of an intercepted
letter signed "Maj. A. B. Magruder, Wilmington, N. C," giving instructions
relative to the harbor and anchorage of Little river, near the boundary line of
North and South Carolina.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy..
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
Rear- Admiral DuPont' s views upon the contemplated attack on Charleston.
[Despatch No. 36, 1863.— Confidential.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal, S. C, January 24, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the department's con-
fidential despatch of the 15th instant.
The department has been informed, through private letters to the Assistant
Secretary, of the general character and extent of the defences of Charleston.
1 shall endeavor to execute its 'n'ishes with such force as it may deem neces-
sary for this purpose.
The department is aware that I have never shrunk from assuming any
responsibility which circumstances called for, nor desired to place any failure
of mine on others. But the interests involved in the success or failure of this
undertaking strike me as so momentous to the nation, at home and abroad, at
this particular period, that I am confident it will require no urging from me to
induce the department to put at my disposal every means in its power to insure
success, especially by sending additional irou-clads, if possible, to those men-
tioned in your despatch.
The army is not ready, even for the limited co-operation it can give, though
anxious to render every assistance.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear- Admiral, Gom'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. GriDEor* Welles, .
Secretary of the Navy.
Letter of the Secretary of the Navy advising Rear- Admiral DuPont to aban-
don the attach upon Charleston if he deems the number of iron-clads insuf-
ficient to render its capture certain.
[eonfidential.]
Navy Department, January 31, 1863.
Sir : Your confidential despatch No. 36, dated the 24th instant, has been
received.
The department does not desire to urge an attack upon Charleston with inad-
equate means ; and if, after careful examination, you deem the number of iron-
•54 AEMOEED VESSELS.
clada iusufficient to render the capture of that port reasonably certain, it must
be abandoned. The department is not acquainted with the harbor obstructions
constructed by the rebels, and therefore cannot advise with you in regard to
those obstacles. If they are not considered sufficient to prevent your entrance,
it is not believed possible for the rebels to prevent your success with all other
means combined. The five iron-clads sent you are all that the department has
completed on the Atlantic coast, with the exception of one retained at Newport
News to watch the iron-clad Richmond. No others are likely to be finished and
sent to sea within the next six weeks. A large number of our best wooden
vessels, necessary for the blockade, but not for the attack, are unfortunately
required in the West Indies to pursue the Florida and Alabama. This with-
drawal of blockading vessels renders the capture of Charleston and Mobile im-
perative, and the department will share the responsibility imposed upon the
commanders who make the attempt.
Enclosed is a copy of a memorandum furnished by the Secretary of "War.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
Secretary of the Navy to Rear-Admiral DuPont relative to movevants of
iron-clads.
fConfideatial.]
Navy Dbpabtment, February 18, 1863.
Sir : The department believes that, with great exertion, it will be able to
get the Catskill, Commander George W. Eodgers, to Port Boyal in the course
of the next ten days.
After the attack upon Charleston, you will send one iron clad back to Hamp-
ton Roads for the attack upon Wilmington ; the others to be sent as previously
ordered.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Boyal, S. C.
The Secretary of the Navy advises Rear-Admiral DuPont that two more iron-
clads are added to his squadron.
[Confidential ]
Navy Department, Ma,rch 6, 1863.
Sir : The Nantucket and Keokuk are added to your squadron. The force
of iron-clads, therefore, will be the Montauk, Weehawken, New Ironsides,
Passaic, Nahant, Patapsco, Catskill, Nantucket, and Keokuk.
Assuming that these vessels escape from loss in contemplated movements,
you will, immediately after your attack upon Charleston and Savannah is com-
pleted, send to Hampton Roads the Passaic, Montauk, and Keokuk.
Let all others proceed without delay to Pensacola. The condition of affairs
in the gulf requires a force of iron-clads to be sent there without delay ■ but
ARMORED VESSELS. 55
you may retain two of the Monitors destined for the gulf, unless the attack
upon Savannah results in the destruction of the iron-clads in that port. Even
in that event, the department leaves it to your judgment to send the six remain-
ing iron-clads south, or only four ; only impressing upon you that the exi-
gencies of the public service are very great in Eear-Admiral Farragut's
squadron.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of tlie Navy.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPoxT,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
To send iron-clads to Mobile.
[Confidential.]
Navy Department, April 2, 1862.
Sir : The exigencies of the public service are so pressing in the gulf that
the department directs you to send all the iron-clads that are in a fit condition
to move, after your present attack upon Charleston, directly to New Orleans,
reserviog to yourself only two.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of tlie Navy.
Bear-Admiral S. F. DnPoNT,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
First attack on Fort Sumter.
Flag-Ship New Ironsides,
Inside Charleston Bar, April 8, 1863.
Sir : I yesterday moved up with eight iron-clads and this ship and attacked
Fort Sumter, intending to pass it and commence action on its northwest
face, in accordance with my order of battle.
The heavy fire we received from it and Fort Moultrie, and the nature of
the obstructions, compelled the attack from the outside. It was fierce and
obstinate, and the gallantry of the officers and men of the vessels engaged
was conspicuous.
This vessel could not be brought into such close action as I endeavored
to get her ; owing to the narrow channel and rapid current she became partly
unmanageable, and was twice forced to anchor to prevent her going ashore,
once owing to her having come into collision with two of the Monitors. She
could not get nearer than one thousand yards.
Owing to the condition of the tide and unavoidable accident, I had been
compelled toNlelay action until late in the afternoon, and toward evening,
finding no impression made upon the fort, I made the signal to withdraw the
ships, intending to renew the attack this morning.
But the commanders of the Monitors came on board and reported verbally
the injuries to their vessels, when, without hesitation or consultation, (for I
never hold councils of war,) I determined not to renew the attack, for in my
judgment it would have converted a failure into a disaster ; and I will only
add that Charleston cannot be taken by a purely naval attack, and the army
could give ^me no co-operation. Had 1 succeeded in entering the harbor I
56 ARMORED VESSELS.
should have had twelve hundted men and thirty-two guus, but five of the-
eight iron-clads were wholly or partially disabled after a brief eugagement.
The reports of the commanding oflScers will be forwarded with my detailed
report, and I send Commander Rhind home with this despatch, whose vessel
sank this morning from the effects of the bombardment yesterday, and who-
will give the department all the information it may desire.
I have alluded above only to Forts Sumter and Moultrie, but the vessels
were also exposed to the fire of the batteries on Oummings's Point, Mount
Pleasant, the Redan, and Fort Beauregard.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
p. S.— I forward herewith a list of the casualtie's, marked Nos. 1 and 2, on.
board the Keokuk and Nahant.
S. F. DUPONT.
List of casualties on hoird the Keokuk.
United States Flag-Ship New Ironsides,
Charlenton Harbor, April 8, 1863.
The following is a list of casualties on board the United States steam bat-
tery Keokuk in the action of April T :
Wounded. — Alexander McIntQsh, (acting ensign,) and Charles McLaugh-
lin, (seaman,) dangerously ; James Rj'an and William McDonald, (seamen,)
severely ; Charles B. Mott, (landsman,) painfully ; Commander A. C. Rhind,.
slightly ; Richard Nicholson, (quartermaster,) David Chaplin, J. W. Abbott,
George Watson, 0. C. Clifford, J. O'Connell, J. B. O'Connor, Henry Swords,
John Brown, 2d, (seamen,) and J. Cuddybuck, (ship's cook,) slightly.
Very respectfully, 3''our obedient servant,
A. C. RHiSiD, Comnvmder.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont.
CaswiUies on board the Nahant.
United States Iron-clad Nahant,
, Off Charleston, April 1, 1863.
Sir : I have to report the following casualties in the action of to-day :
Commander John Downes, (Massachusetts,) slight contusion of foot from
a piece of iron loosened from piloi.-house. Pilot Isaac Sofield, (New Jersey,)
severe contusion of neck and shoulder from flying bolt in pilot-house ; is doing-
well. Quartermaster Ed-vvard Cobb, (Massachusetts,) compound communi-
cated fracture of skull from flying bolt in pilot-house ; has since died. John
MacAlstine, seaman, (Canada,) concussion of brain from flying bolt in turret
striking him on the head ; is doing well. John Jackson, seaman, (Massachu-
setts.) Roland Martin, seaman, (Massachusetts,) James Murray, seaman,
(Massachusetts,) were very slightly hurt by flying bolts in turret, not dis-
abling any of them.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. EMERY STEDMAN,
Assistant Surgeon United States Navy.
Commander John Downes, U. S. N.,
Commanding U. S. Steamer Nahant.
Forwarded :
JOHN DOWNES. Commander.
ARMORED VESSELS. 57
Detailed report of Rear-Admired, Samuel F. DuPant.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. G., April 15, 1863.
Sir: In my previous despatch of April 8 I gave a brief account of the
attack on Fort Sumter on the afternoon of the 7th instant, and I have the
honor to present to the department a more detailed report.
On the morning of the 2d instant I left Port Royal for North Edisto, hoist-
ing my flag on the United States steamer James A.dger, Commander Patter-
son, and crossed the bar the same day.
As there was some reason to believe that, on the departure of the ironclads
from Fort Eoyal, there might be an attempt to commit a raid by the Atlanta
and other rams at Savannah, and as the army was apprehensive of an attack
on their positions at Hilton Head and Beaufort, I had ordered Captain Steed-
man to Port Royal with his vessel, the Paul Jones, having previously directed
the Wabash, Commander Corbin, and Vermont, Commander Reynolds, to be
hauled over to the Hilton Head shore to protect the vast amount of public
property there. The Sebago was also stationed in Oalibogue sound, the
Marblehead in Savannah river, aud the E. B. Hale in Broad river; whilst the
Paul Jones, owing to her light draught, was also to make frequent recon-
noissances up the latter stream and the Beaufort river.
On the 5th instant, having provided steamers to tow the iron-clads, I left
North Edisto for Charleston with all the vessels intended to participate in
the attack on that place, and arrived there in the afternoon.
In accordance with my previous arrangements, the Keokuk, Commander
Ehiud, aided by Captain Boutelle, of the United States Coast Survey, and
Acting Master Piatt, with Pilot Godfrey and others, proceeded at once to
buoy the bar, and to report the depth of water which could be availed of in
crossing the next morning with the New Ironsides.
The Patapsco, Commander Ammen, and the Catskill, Commander G. W.
Rodgers, covered the Keokuk during this operation, and afterwards anchored
inside the bar that same evening, in order to protect the buoys.
On the morning of the 6th instant I crossed the bar with the New Iron-
sides, Commodore T. .Turner, and the rest of the iroQ-clads, viz., Passaid,
Captain Drayton; Weehawken, Captain John Rodgers; Montauk, Captain
J. S. Worden; Patapsco, Commander Ammen; Catskill, Commander G. W.
Rodgers; Nantucket, Commander Fairfax; Nahant, Commander Downes, and
the Keokuk, Commander Rhind, intending to proceed the same day to the
attack of Fort Sumter, and thence to the city of Charleston; but after
reaching an anchorage inside, the weather became so hazy, preventing our
seeing the ranges, that the pilots declined to go further. I herewith enclose
(marked No. 1) the order of battle and the plan of attack, in which the Wee-
hawken, Captain John Rodgers, with a raft in front, was to be the leading
vessel of the line, and the Keokuk, Commander Rhind, was to be the last,
the New Ironsides being in the centre, from which signals could be better
made to both ends of the line.
On the following day, April 7, ^t noon, this being the earliest hour at
which, owing to the state of the tide, the pilots would consent to move, I
made signal to the vessels to weigh anchor, having previously ordered them
not to reply to the batteries on Morris island, but reserve their fire until they
could pass Fort Sumter, in case there were no obstructions, and attack the
northwest face. The chain of the Weehawken, the leading vessel, had, how-
ever, become entangled in the grapnels of the pioneer raft, arid the vessels
were delayed in moving until about fifteen minutes past one, when, every-
68
AEMOEED VESSELS.
thing being clear, the Weehawkeu moved on, followed by the Passaic and
others in the regular order of battle.
On the way up the leading vessel passed a number of buoys strewed about
in every direction, causing a suspicion of torpedoes, one of which burst near
the Weehawken, without, however, producing any serious injury.
At ten minutes past two the Weehawkeu, the leading vessel, signalled
obstructions in her vicinity, and soon after approached very close to them.
They extended across the harbor from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter,_ and
were marked by rows of casks very near together, and in several lines.
Beyond these, agaiu, piles were seen extending from James island to the
middle ground.
At 2.50 the guns of Fort Moultrie opened upon the Weehawken, followed
shortly after by all the batteries on Sullivan's island, Morris island, and Port
Sumter.
Not being able to pass the obstructions, the Weehawken, and, snccessively,
the Passaic, Naharit, and others, were obliged to turn, which threw the line
into some confusion as the other vessels approacCied. This was particularly
the case with the flag-ship, which became, in a measure, entangled with the
Monitors, and could not bring her battery to bear upon Fort Sumter without
great risk of firing into them. She was obliged on her way up to anchor
twice, to prevent her from going ashore, and on one of these occasions in
consequence of having come into collision with two of the iron-clads.
The Monitors and the Keokuk were able to get within easy range of Port
Sumter at distances varying from 550 to 800 yards, in which positions they
were subjected, successively, to a tremendous concentrated fire from all the'
batteries on Sullivan's island, Morris island, Sumter, and others of the most
formidable kind, and from guns of the heaviest calibre.
Not being able to place the New Ironsides where I desired, though she
was within a distance of 1,000 yards, and evening approaching, at 4.30 I
made signal to withdraw from action, intending to resume the attack the
next morning.
During the evening the commanding officers of the iron-clads came on
board the flag-ship, and, to my regret, I soon became convinced of the utter
impracticability of taking the city of Charleston by the force under my com-
mand.
No ship had been exposed to the. severest fire of the enemy over forty
(40) minutes, and yet in that brief period, as the department will perceive
by the detailed reports of the commanding officers, five of the iron-clads
were wholly or partially disabled; disabled, too, (as the obstructions could
not be passed,) in that which was most essential to our success — I mean in
their armament, or power of inflicting injury by their guns.
Commander Rhind, in the Keokuk, had only been able to fire three times
during the short period he was exposed to the guns of the enemy, and was
obliged to withdraw from action to prevent his vessel from sinking, which
event occurred on the following morning.
The Nahant, Commander Downes, was most seriously damaged, her turret
being so jammed as effectually to prevent its turning; many of the bolts of
both turret and pilot-house were broken^ and the latter became nearly un-
tenable in consequence of the nuts and ends flying across it.
Captain P. Drayton, in the Passaic, after the fourth fire from her 11-inch
gun, was unable to use it again during the action; and his'turret also be-
came jammed, though he was, after some delay, enabled to get it in motion
again.
Commander Ammen, of the Patapsco, lost the use of his rifled gun after
the fifth fire, owing to the carrying away of the forward cap square bolts.
On the Nantucket, Commander Fairfax reports that after the third shot from
AiitMOEED VESSELS. 59
the XV inch gun, the port stopper became jammed, several shot striking
very near the port and driving in the plates, preventing the further use of
that gun during the action.
The other iron-clads, though struck many times severely, v^ere still able
to use their guns, hut I am convinced that, in all probability, in another
thirty minutes they would have been likewise disabled.
In the detailed reports herewith forwarded, from the commanding officers
of all the vessels engaged, excepting that of the New Ironsides, not yet re-
ceived, (respectively marked Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '1, 8, 9,) the department will
be fully informed of the character and extent of the injuries received by
these vessels, and to which I have only partially referred.
I also forward herewith a statement in tabular form, (marked No. 10,)
drawn up by the ordnance officer, LieuteBant Mackenzie, by which, among
other things, it appears that only one hundred and thirty-nine shot and shell
were fired by our vessels, though during the same period the enemy poured
upon us an incessant storm of round ghot and shell, rifled projectiles of all
descriptions, and red-hot shot.
Any attempt to pass through the obstructions I have referred to would
have entangled the vessels, and held them under the most severe fire of
heavy ordnance that has ever been delivered; and while it is barely possible
that some vessels might have forced their way through, it would only have
been to be again impeded by fresh and more formidable obstructions and to
encounter other powerful batteries, with which the whole harbor of Charles-
ton has been lined.
I had hoped that the endurance of the iron-clads would have enabled
them to have borne any weight of fire to which they might have been ex-
posed; but when I found that so large a portion of them were wholly or
one-half disabled by less than an hour's engagement, before attempting to
remove (overcome) the obstructions, or testing the pawer of the torpedoes,
I was convinced that persistence in the attack would only result in the loss
of the greater portion of the iron-clad fleet, and in leaving many of them
inside the harbor, to fall into the hands of the enemy.
The slowness of our fire, and our inability to occupy any battery that, we
might silence, or to prevent its being restored under cover of night, were
difficulties of the gravest character, and until the outer forts should have
been taken, the army could not enter the harbor or afford me any assistance.
The want of success, however, will not prevent me from bringing to the
notice of the department the gallant officers and men who took part in the
desperate conflict.
Commodore Turner of the New Ironsides, Captain Drayton of the Passaic,
Captain John Eodgers of the Weehawken, Captain J. L. Worden of the Mon-
tauk. Commander Ammen of the Patapsco, Commander George W. Rodgers
of the Catskill, Commander Fairfax of the Nantucket, Commander Downes of
the Nahant, and Commander Rhind of the Keokuk, did everything that the
utmost gallantry and skill could accomplish, in the management of their
untried vessels. These commanding officers have long been known to nae;
ijiany of them served in this squadron before, and were present at the cap-
ture of the Port Royal forts; they are men, of the highest professional capa-
city and courage, and fully sustained their reputations, coming up to my
requirements. I commend them and their reports, which speak of those
under them, to the consideration of the department.
I took va,j personal staff with me to the New Ironsides. On this, as on
all other occasions, I had invaluable assistance from the fleet captain, Com-
mander C. R. P. Rodgers, who was with me in the pilot-house, directing the
movements of the squadron. For now over eighteen months in this war this
officer has been afloat with me, and, in my opinion, no language could over
60 ARMORED VESSELS.
state his services to his country, to this fleet, and to myself as its com-
mander-in-chief.
Lieutenant S. W. Preston, my flag lieutenant, who has also been with me
for the same period, exhibited his usual vigilance and zeal, and, with that
ability -which is so far beyond his years, he arranged a special code of sig-
nals, which was used, and served on the gun-deck battery of the New Iron-
My aid, Ensign M. L. Johnson, full of spirit and energy, made the signals
under difficult circumstances, and kept an accurate note of all that were
made to and from the fleet.
Lieutenant A. S. Mackenzie, the ordnance officer of the squadron, had
been preparing his department of the expedition with ceaseless labor, care,
and intelligence. He served also on the gun deck of the New Ironsides.
The reserved squadron of wooden vessels referred to in my general order
of battle, under Captain J. F. Green, of the Canandaigua, waB always in
readiness, but their services in the engagement were not called into action.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
^ -^ S. F DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding 8. A. B. Squadron.
P. S.— Since the above was written, the report of Commodore Turner, of
the New Ironsides, has been received, and is herewith enclosed, (marked
No. 11.)
S. F. D. P.
Bear-Admiral, &c.
Order of battle aud plan of attack upon Charleston, South Carolina.
Flag-Ship James Adger,
North Edisto, S. C, April 4, 1863.
The bar will be buoyed by the Keokuk, Commander Rhind, assisted by C.
Boutelle, assistant United States Coast Survey, commanding the Bibb,
by Acting Ensign Piatt and the pilots of the squadron.
The commanding officers will, previous to crossing, make themselves ac-
quainted with the value of the buoys.
The vessels will, on signal being made, form in the prescribed order ahead,
at intervals of one cable's length.
The squadron will pass up the main >hip channel without returning the
fire of the batteries on Morris island, unless signal should be made to com-
mence action.
The ships will open fire on Fort Sumter when within easy range, and will
take up a position to the northward and westward of that fortification, en-
gaging its left or northwest face at a distance of from six hundred to eight
hundred yards, firing low and aiming at the centre embrasure.
The commanding officers will instruct their officers and men to carefully
avoid wasting a shot, and will enjoin upon them the necessity of precision
rather than rapidity of fire.
Each ship will be prepared to render every assistance possible to vessels
that may require it.
The special code of signals prepared for the iron-clad vessels will be used
in miction.
After the reduction of Fort Sumter, it is probable that the next point of
attack will be the batteries on Morris island.
ARMOKED VESSELS. 61
The order of battle will be the line ahead in the following succession:
1. Weekawken
2. Passaic.
3. Montauk.
4. Patapsco.
5. New Ironsides.
6. Catskill.
t. Nantucket.
8. N ah ant.
9. Keokuk.
A squadron of vessels, of which Captain J. F. Green will be the senior
officer, will be formed outside the bar, and near the entrance buoy, consist-
ing of the following vessels: Canandaigua, Housatonic, Huron, Unadilla,
Wissahickon, and will be held in readiness to support the iron-clads wlieu
they attack the batteries on Morris island.
S. P. DI/PONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Report of Captain Perdval Drayton, commanding United States iron-dad Passaic.
IjNiTEn States Iron-clad Passaic,
Off Morris Island, 8. C, April 8, 1863.
In obedience to your signal, I yesterday at 12.30 got under way, prepared
to follow the Weehawken, which vessel had on the bow a raft projection for
catching torpedoes; this, however, pulling her anchor and causing some
delay. I at 12.40 signalled for permission to go ahead. The Weehawken,
however, having at length cleared her anchor, proceeded at 1.15 towards
Charleston, followed by this vessel. On the way up a number of buoys of
various descriptions were passed, strewed about in every direction, and
causing suspicion of torpedoes, one of which machines we saw burst under
the bow of the Weehawken. At 2. .50 Port Moultrie and the batteries on
Sullivan's island opened, to which I replied with the Xl-inch in passing, and
pushed on for Sumter, whose guns began almost immediately to fire, and
were at once answered by my two. When opposite the centre of the fort,
we came pretty close to some obstructions, which seemed to extend the
whole way from Fort Moultrie across; here I stopped, as the Weehawken
had done just before. At the fourth shot from Xl-iuch gun, I was struck in
quick succession in the lower part of the turret by two heavy shot, which
bulged in its plates and beams, and forcing together the rails on which the
Xl-inch carriage worked, rendered it wholly useless for the remainder of the
action, several hours being necessary to put it again in working order.
Soon after it was discovered that there was something the matter with the
turret itself, which could not be moved, and on examination it was found that
a part of the brass ring underneath it had been broken off", and being forced
in board, had jammed; on clearing this the turret could again be moved, but
for some time irregularly.
A little afterj. a very heavy rifle shot struck the upper edge of the turret,
broke all of its eleven plates, and then glancing upwards took the pilot-
house, yet with such force as to make an indentation of two and a half inches,
extending nearly the whole length of the shot. The blow was so severe as
to considerably mash in the pilot-house, bend it over, open the plates and
squeeze out the top, so that on one side it was lifted up three inches above
62 ARMOEED VESSELlS.
the top on which it rested, exposing the inside of the pilot-house, and render-
ing it likely that the next shot would take off the top itself entirely.
At 4.10, being desirous of more carefully examining into the injuries to
the gun carriage and turret, as the engineer thought one of the braces which
supports the latter was broken, and also to see what was the external injury
to the pilot-house, and whether it was possible to get the top into place,
and not being able to do this in the crowd of vessels which were all around,
and under so fierce a fire, I dropped a little below Fort Moultrie, and anchored,
having signalled for your permission, which was not, I think, seen, however.
I soon satisfied myself that there was nothing to be done either to the
pilot-house or Xl-inch gun; and the injury to the turret not proving very
serious, I was just about returning to the upper fort, when you made signal
to follow your motions, and very soon after, at 4.30, to retire from action.
At 5 I got under way, and followed the Ironsides tii my present anchorage.
The only really serious injuries were the ones mentioned above, although
the vessel was struck thirty-five times, as follows: outside armor, Hfleen
times, which it has been too rough to examine; deck, five times, once very
badly; turret, ten times; pilot-house, twice; smoke-pipe, once; flag-staff over
turret shot away, and boat shattered.
There was a little motion, and in consequence some of the outside shots
are low down. Several bolt-heads were knocked off, and thrown into the
pilot-house and turret, and the former might have done seriou3_ injury to
those inside, had they not been stopped by a sheet-iron lining which I had
placed there while at Port Royal.
Owing 10 the delays caused by the various accidents ending in the entire
disabling of one gun, I was only able to fire four times from the Xl-inch, and
nine from the XV-inch gun. There was some loss of time, also, from the
necessity of using the sectional rammer, as the fire was all around, and re-
quired the ports to be kept closed.
On account of the dense smoke I was not able to see the effect of my own
shots, but, except a few scars, I could not perceive either yesterday or this
morning, when I had a very good view of its lower face, that the fort was
in the least injured, and I am satisfied that our limited number of guns, with
their slow fire, and liability to get out of order, were no match for the hun-
dreds which were concentrated on them, at distances, perhaps, scarcely any-
where beyond a half mile, and nearly as well pi'otected against injury from
shot as were ours.
1 could see several ranges of plies running nearly across the upper harbor,
the first line having a narrow opening, just beyond which were the enemy's
steamers, three of them apparently iron-clads.
1 was more than usually incommoded by smoke during the action, owing,
no doubt, to the difficulty of keeping the blower-bands in working order,
with such an amount of water as has been for days pouring over them through
the lower part of the turret — a most serious evil, and which I think calls
for a remedy, if the turret is to be kept up in any but the smoothest water.
My experience at Fort McAllister satisfied me that the decks were not
strong enough; and this of Fort Sumter, that the pilot-house is not capable
of withstanding heavy shot for any length of time, and even throws a doubt
on the turret itself or at least its machinery.
The fire to which we were subjected was as fierce, I suspect, as vessels
are often exposed to; and one of my officers, who was below, tells me that
at one time in a few seconds he counted fifteen shots which passed over his
head just above the deck, and at times the whistling was so rapid he could
not keep count at all.
This certainly shows how much battering our iron-clads escaped by being so
low on the water. You probably observed yourself, in the Ironsides, the great
akMoeed vessels. 63
difficulty of managing these vessels and keeping them clear of each other and
the bottom, with the limited power of vision which the holes in the pilot-house
afford ; and when to this is added the smoke, I consider it a piece of great good
luck that none of us got ashore, or received injury from collision.
In conclusion, I have to thank Lieutenant Commander Miller, and the other
officers, and the crew generally, for the quiet and efficient manner in which
all their duties were performed.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. DRAYTON, Captain.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Gommanding S. A,. B. Squadron, Flag-Ship Ironsides.
Report of Captain John Rodgers, commanding United Stales iron-clad Weehawken.
United States Steamee Weehawken,
Inside Charleston Bar, S. G., April 8, 1863
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report :
Yesterday, April 7, one of the grapnels of the raft attached to us became
so entangled in our chain that the Weehawken was detained about two
hours in getting under way. In obedience to given signal we succeeded,
however, in arriving under the fire of Fort Sumter at about 2.50 p. m.
The accuracy of the shooting on the part of the rebels was very great,
having been obcaiued, no doubt, by practice at range targets, since I re-
marked that, as we passed a buoy, all the guns opened at once. The mis-
siles were very formidable, being, I infer from their marks, bolts, balls, rifled
shell, and steel-pointed shot. More than 100 guns, I think, fired upon us at
once, with great rapidity, and mostly at short range. My counted shot-
marks are fifty-three ; some, I presume, have escaped attention
Two or three heavy shot struck the side armor near the same place. They
have so broken the iron that it oiily remains in splintered fragments upon
that spot ; much of it can be picked off by hand, and the wood is exposed.
The deck was pierced so as to make a hole, through which water ran into
the vessel ; but it was not large. Thirty-six bolts were broken in the tur-
ret, and a good many in the pilot-house ; but as these are concealed by an
iron lining, I have no means of knowing how many.
At one time the turret revolved with difficulty in consequence of a shot
upon its junction with the pilot-house, but'it worked well again- after a few
turns had been made with higher steam. The guns and carriages performed
well. At 5 o'clock, in obedience to signal, withdrew from the range of fire
and anchored. Prom the nature of the attack the vessels were alternately
under the hottest fire, and no one, I presume, may be said to have had it
very severe for more than forty minutes.
We aj)proached very close to the obstructions extending from Port Sumter
to Port Moultrie — as near, indeed, as I could get without running upon them.
They were marked by rows of casks very near together. To the eye they
appeared almost to touch one another, and there was more than one line of
them. To me they appeared thus :
anDaDaan
nan d n d
The appearance was so formidable that, upon deliberate judgment, I
'thought it right not to entangle the vessel in obstructions which I did not
think we could have passed through, and in which we should have been
64 ARMORED VESSELS.
caught. Beyond these, piles were seen between Castle Pinkney and the
middle gronnd.
A torpedo exploded under us, or very near to us ; it lifted the vessel a
little, but I am unable to perceive that it has done u.s any damage. I have
no accident to report.
The raft which we had attached to our bow did not much impede our
steering, but while lying at anchor the waves converted it into a huge bat-
tering ram. In two days it had started the armor upon our bow. No ves-
sel can carry it except in smooth water. Its motions did not correspond to
the movements of the Weehawken. Sometimes, when she rose to the sea
the raft fell, and the reverse. Thus we were-threatened with havmg it on
our decks or under the overhang. No prudent man would carry the torpedo
attached to the raft in a fleet ; an accidental collision would blow up his
own friend, and he would he more dreaded than an enemy.
All the ofBcers and men behaved so admirably, that I am unable to select
one for especial commendation. 1 am much indebted to Mr. Robert Piatt, of
the United States Coast Survey steamer Bibb, for his cool and efficient pilot-
age of the vessel, which he continued to direct after a ball touching the
pilot-house immediately over his head had given him a severe concussion.
The guns, machinery, and in a word all our appliances, were in excellent
order, owing to the care and attention of the executive officer, Lieutenant
Commander L. H. Newman, Acting First Assistant Engineer James G.
Young, and of the other officers.
With your present means, I could not, if I were asked, recommend a re-
newal of the attack.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
JOHN RODGERS, Captain.
Rear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron..
Report of Captain John L. Wbrdm, commanding Untied Slaks iron-clad Monia,uk.
United States Steamer Montauk,
Inside Charleston Bar, April 8, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report, that on yesterday, at thirtj' minutes past
noon, this vessel got under way in accordance with signal from the flag-
ship, taking the position assigned in line next astern of the Passaic, and pro-
ceeded up the channel. At fifty minutes past two o'clock p. m. Fort Moul-
trie opened fire at long range upon the advanced vessels, and soon after all
the forts on Sullivan's island, and the two upon the upper end of Morris
island, did the same. At ten minutes past three o'clock this vessel opened
fire upon Fort Sumter at about eight hundred yards distance, and still ad-
vancing. A few minutes later, the leading vessels having 'stopped in posi-
tion about six hundred yards from the fort, I also stopped in my assigned
position near the Passaic, and at about the same distance from the fort as
the other vessels, and delivered ^ny fire deliberately.
Some minutes later, the flood tide having made, and setting t^e vessel
close to some formidable looking obstructions, (which I deemed it highly im-
portant to avoid,) they turned their heads towards the flood, and I followed in
their wake. As soon as I could get my vessel under control, which it was quite
difficult to do in avoiding the other vessels, I turned towards the fort again, got
within about seven hundred yards of it, and delivered my fire as long as I was
able to hold that position; but the tide drifting us, and the other vessels being
AiJMOEED VESSELS. 65
close around me, I again turned to avoid fouling tliem, still delivering my
lire as opportunitj' occurred.
At about five o'clock I ceased firing and withdrew from action, in accord-
ance with signal from flag-ship, and stood slowly down against the tide, and
at 5.40 o'clock p. m. anchored in the channel about two and one-quarter miles
below Fort Sumter.
For about fifty minutes only the vessels of the fleet were under a concen-
trated and terrific fire, and received their injuries during that time.
This vessel was hit fourteen times, but received no material damage. I
enclose a report of the injuries she received, and another of the ammunition
expended. lam happy to be able to report no casualties.
I desire to say that I experienced serious embarrassment in mancsuvring
my vessel in the narrow and uncertain channel, with the limited means of
observation afforded from the pilot-house, under the rapid and concentrated
fire from the forts, the vessels of the fleet close around me, and neither com-
pass nor buoys to guide me.
After testing the weight of the enemy's fire, and observing the obstruc-
tions, I am led to believe that Charleston cannot be taken by the naval force
now present, and that, had the attack been continued, it could not have
failed to result in disaster.
To the officers and crew en masse I can proudly give unbounded praise for
their coolness and efficiency and for their cheerful and ready support.
To the executive officer. Lieutenant Commander C. H. Oushman, I am much
indebted for the very efficient organization of the crew, and for all the ar-
rangements for battle. He has given me an earnest, intelligent, and efficient
support on all occasions.
Acting Assistant Paymaster Samuel F. Brown, having volunteered to act
as signal officer, and made himself familiar with the new code of signals
adopted, was with me in the pilot-house, and, by his quickness of sight and
of apprehension, was of material service to me, particularly in view of my
much impaired eye sight.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. WORDEN,
Captain, Commanding Montauk.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
United States Steamer New Ironsides, inside Charleston Bar.
Report of Lieutenant Qmimandcr 0. 3. Oushmxn, of injuries sustained by the Montauk.
The following is the report of the effect upon the United States steamer
Montauk of the enemy's fire in the attack on Fort Sumter, April T, 1863:
Hits on side armor, four. One of these is severe, detaching the entire after
starboard section of plating about three-eighths of an, inch from the backing.
The section will require refastening. Three of these are not injuries.
Hits on turret, three; none injurious.
Hits on pilot-house, one. This hit is tolerably severe, loosening three
bolts and starting in the plating somewhat. In arddition, there are some light
scars from grape or laugrage.
Hits on the deck plating, three; none very severe. In addition, there are
some grape marks also on deck, and one grape-shot lodged between bolts of
forward warping chock.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 5
€6 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Hits on upper smolje-stack, three; all unimportant. Second cutter was
cut adrift and lost, and fiaj^s and staffs considerably riddled by grap(i-shot.
Respectfully, &c., &c.,
0. H. CUSHMAN,
Lieutenant Commanding and Executive Officer.
Captain John L. Woeden,
United Stales Steamer Montauk.
Report of Commander Daniel Ammen, commanding United States iron-dad Patapsco.
Iron-clad Patapsco,
Port Royal Earhor, S C, April U, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report, that on arriving off Charleston on the
afternoon of the 5th, I proceeded, as directed, to cover the movements of the
Keokuk when she sounded the bar, anchoring with the Catskill, as near as
safety would permit. It was near sunset when the work was completed,
and our pilot had received instructions. The Patapsco was immediately
got under way, crossed the bar, and anchored near the inner buoy. After
dark we were joined by the Catskill. At 11 p. in. a steamer was discovered
approaching from the direction of Charleston. She left as soon as she found
herself in our vicinity, and disappeared before I had an opportunity to fire
on her. In obedience to your signal, at 12.15 p. m. of the 7 th we got under
way and took the position in line as assigned. Owing to unavoidable de-
lays at the head of the line, the leading vessel reached an effective range for
the heavy ordnance of the enemy at about 3 p. m., when she was opened upon
from Fort Sumter, and shortly after from a sand battery above Fort Moultrie,
with adjacent sand batteries, sand battery Beauregard, and the heavy guns
on Cummings's Point.
The Patapsco was the fourth vessel in line, and at 3.10 opened with the
150-pounder rifle, when at a distance of 1,500 yards from Sumter. Following
in position, we opened, ivhenat about 1,200 yards, with the heavy gun. After
the fifth discharge of the rifle that gun was rendered useless, from carrying
away the forward cap square bolts, an injury which could not be repaired
for two hours, notwithstanding the strenuous exertions of the executive of-
ficer and the senior engineer.
Shortly after our leading vessel, following the head of the line, turned sea-
ward. At that time, or before, I discovered several rows of buoys above us;
also one or two rows of piles or heavily moored wooden buoys above them,
one row, to the left of Sumter, high out of the water. This last appeared to
be some distance above. Endeavoring. to turn, a ship's length short of the
Montauk, we found the headway of the vessel cease, and that she no longer
obeyed the helm. Backing, we got off, but had been sufficiently long on the
enemy's obstruction to receive the concentrated fire of the batteries men-
tioned, consisting, as far as I can judge from the marks and pieces, of pto-
jectiles of 1 and 8-inch rifles and 10 and 11-inch columbiads. At this time
we were probably within 600 yards from Fort Moultrie, and a little more
than double the distance from Sumter.
We had passed several buoys for range of guns or other purposes ongoing
up, and after getting off of the obstructions, passed down on the same side.
Although I endeavored, I found it impossible at the time to make the signal
that we were on an obstruction, and I have to regretthat, observing the effect
of our fire, the want of space or means of observation in the pilot-house, and
manoeuvring the vessel, prevented that close observation of the obstructions or
the forces of the batteries of the enemy which would have been desirable,
the seeing of all the signals made by you, or the accurate noting of the times .
ARMORED VESSELS. 67
After a few heavy blows on the turret, the quantity of steam before ample
to turn it was insufficient, and this was also cause of annoyance, delay,
and a decreased fire from the only gun available.
Obeying the signal to withdraw from action, I anchored on the port bow
of the New Ironsides, ready to aid her if required, and afterwards, obeying
instructions, anchored for the night in line.
Forty-seven projectiles of the enemy struck the vessel. No damage was
done which disabled her, although injuries were received which multiplied
would do so. Forty bolts of the smoke-stack were broken, and a chain
around it will be necessary to its continued security.
The officers and crew acquitted themselves as usual. I am indebted to
Acting Master Vaughan, transferred temporarily to this vessel, for valuable
aid in avoiding collisions, as it is out of the question for one person to ob-
serve properly from the various light holes. I think a want of vision one
of the most serious defects of this class, making it impossible to fight them
advantageously, to avoid dangers, or to make a satisfactory reconnois-
sance.
Another question of great importance as relates to their cfiScient employ-
ment is the character of the battery. If it is proposed to batter down forts
with a 15-inch gun, then it is quite plain that we have to come within dis-
tances at which heavy ordnance, if employed in heavy batteries against us,
cannot fail in the end to injure or perhaps disable us. A comparatively
light projectile, with the same charge of powder, might enable us to take
such distance as would be effective, and yet be comparatively free from in-
jury to us.
Owing to the early disabling of the rifle and the various discomfitures
referred to, only five projectiles were fired from each gun. I saw several of
them were effective.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAN'L AMMEN,
Commander.
Kear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding 8. A. B. Squadron.
Report of Commander George W. Rodgers, commanding United States iron-clad Catskill.
United States Ikon-clad Oatskill,
Inside Charleston Bar, April 8, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report, that immediately after the arrival of this
ship off Charleston, on the 5th instant, I went close in to the bar, to cover
the Keokuk while sounding out the channel. About sundown, the channel
having been buoyed, I got under way, in obedience to your order, and went
over the bar. It was too dark to see the buoys,, but the Patapsco having
gone over and being alone inside, I pushed on and anchored safely inside.
During the night a steamer came in sight, apparently reconnoitring, but re-
turned upon being dissevered. The 6th, the weather was too thick to see
the ranges for proccediug up the channel. The 7th, at 12.15 p. m., in
obedience to signal, I got under way with the fleet. At 1.45, having formed
in order of battle, line ahead, my position being next astern the flag-ship,
started ahead. At 2.50, Forts Moultrie, Sumter, and Beauregard, with the
batteries at Cummings's Point, Mount Pleasant, and the causeway or redan
extending from Fort Moultrie, opened upon the head of the line; the flag-
68 ARMORED VESSELS.
ship becoming unmanageable from ehoal water and strong tide, I passed
her. At 3.35, the first shot struck the Catskill, and at 3.39 I opened fire
upon Fort Sumter, disregarding the others, the leading vessels having pro-
ceeded as far as the obstructions. I pushed on, and approaching vpithin six
hundred yards of Fort Sumter, near the Keokuk, continued my fire, which I
could see take effect; one 15-inch shot apparently dismounted one of the
barbette guns. At 5, in obedience to signal, I withdrew from action and
anchored with the fleet inside the bar, out of range.
The cross fire from the forts and batteries was most severe. Several lines
of buoys extended from Fort Sumter across the channel, and from the mid-
dle ground extended a row of piles, inside of which were several steamers.
I was surprised to find, even with this severe fire, that these vessels could
be so much injured in so short a time, two or three having passed me dur-
ing the action to which some disaster had happened. This vessel was struck
some twenty times, but without any serious injury except one shot upon
the forward part of the deck, which broke both plates, the deck planking,
and drove down the iron stanchion sustaining this beam about one inch,
causing the deck to leak.
I am glad to say that no person was injured during the engagement.
The officers and crew of this vessel all behaved with coolness and courage.
Lieutenant Commander C. C. Carpenter, the executive officer, and Acting
Master J. W. Simmons, directed the fire of the guns in the turret with en-
ergy and skill. To Senior Engineer George D. Emmons and Peter Trescott,
quartermaster, who steered this ship, I am much indebted for the assist-
ance rendered me. .
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. RODGERS, Commander.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. jB- Squadron.
RejjoTt of Commander D . McN. Fairfax, commanding United States iron-clad Nantucket.
United States Ibon-clad Nantucket,
Off Cummings's Point, April 8, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by
this vessel in the attack of yesterday upon the forts at the entrance to
Charleston by the iron-clad fleet under your command.
At 1.15 p. m., in obedience to a general signal from the flag-ship, weighed
anchor and took up a position the seventh vessel in order of battle, " the
line ahead."
At 3.50 the batteries opened their fire upon our advanced line. About
this time the New Ironsides seemed to have become unmanageable, falling
off and out of line, with her head down stream. Her slow progress pre-
vented the rearmost vessels from closing up with those already under fire.
It was then the signal was thrown out to " disregard the motions of the
commander-in-chief," and the rearmost vessels pushed on to gain a position
within elective range of the forts.
At 3.20 the guns from Fort Beauregard opened upon this vessel at a dis-
tance of 750 yards. At 3.50, having arrived within 150 yards of Fort
Sumter and 1,000 yards of Moultrie, and close up to the obstructions thrown
across the channel, I directed the fire of the two guns to be opened upon
Port Sumter. We were then under the fire of three forts, and the most ter-
rific was it for forty-five to fifty minutes. Our fire was very slow, neces-
AEMOEED VESSELS. 69
«arily, aud not half so observable upon the walls of the forts as the rain of
their rifle-shot and heavj- shell -was upon this vessel. After the third shot
from the XV-inch gun the port stopper became jammed, several shot strik-
ing very near the port and driving in the plating; it was not used again.
The Xl-inch gun was fired during the entire time of one hour and fifteen
minutes only twelve times.
At 5 o'clock the signal to cease firing was made. As the fleet withdrew
the forts materially slackened their fire, evidently not wishing to expend
their ammunition without some result. Certainly, their firing was excellent
throughout ; fortunately, it was directed to some half dozen iron-clads at a
time. The effect of their fire upon the Keokuk, together with that of their
heavy rifle-shot upon the Monitors, is suflScient proof that any one vessel
could not long have withstood the concentrated fire of the enemy's batteries.
The obstructions being placed at a concentrated point of fire from the three
forts, shows, conclusively, that they must have been of no mean character.
Our fire always drew down upon us four or five heavy rifle-shots, aimed at
our ports. One rifle-shot struck within less than six inches of the XV-inch
port ; several struck very near. I am convinced that, although this class of
vessels can stand a very heavy fire, yet the want of more guns will render
them comparatively harmless before formidable earthworks and forts. I
must say that I am disappointed beyond measure at this experiment of
Monitors overcoming strong forts. It was a fair trial.
I am gratified to be able to say that the officers and crew behaved with
becoming coolness and bravery. Lieutenant Commander L. A. Beardslee,
the executive officer, and the senior engineer, Mr. George H. White, rendered
me great assistance in the working of guns, turret, and even the vessel, as
the bell-gear broke early in the fight and the orders had to be passed down
to turret-chamber, and thence by a tube into the engine-room.
Herewith are the reports of executive officer and senior engineer. They
will explain the condition of the vessel after the attack.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. McN. FAIRFAX,
Gommander United States Navy.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Lieutenant Commander L. A. Beardslee of injuries sustained by the Nantucket.
United States Iron-olad Nantucket,
Inside Charleston Bar, April 8, 1863.
SiE : In obedience to your order, I furnish you with a statement of the in-
juries received by this ship during the engagement yesterday.
We were struck fifty-one times, besides a number of dents by fragments
of shells. The turret was struck eighteen times, principally by 10-inch
solid and 6-inch rifle-shot. One rifle-shot struck on the lower corner of the
XV-inch port, denting the outer plate about 1| inch, and bulging the whole
thickness, so much as to prevent the port stopper from swinging. This shot
was received after the third fire of the XV-inch, and disabled the gun for
the rest of the fight, we not being able to open the port. A 10-inch shot
struck directly opposite, and near the top of the turret, starting a number
of bolts, and breaking the clamp-ring inside. The others'-' did no serious
damage, further than breaking and loosening a number of bolts. There
may be more damage, but we will not be able to ascertain without remov-
ing the "pilasters" covering the bolt-heads — a job that cannot be done
70 AEMOEED VESSELS.
without, for the time, disabling the turret. During the action the turret be-
came jammed. Upon examination, we discovered six or seven bolt-heads
and nuts that had fallen inside and into the recess around the bottom of the
turret, rendering it necessary to key the turret higher in order to clear them.
Upon attempting to revolve the turret again to-day, found that another had
fallen since the first were removed. The pilot-house was struck once, a
square hit, but doing no damage. The side armor -was struck nine times —
once below the water-line. A number of the side plates are started so much
that another shot in their vicinity would, in my opinion, knock them off.
One bolt was driven through the iron, and is buried in the oak. One of the
deck plates is started from a blow on the side armor. The smoke-stack was
riddled in the upper sections, and received five shots in the lower sections —
one, a solid 10-inch, fell, after striking upon the deck, and was secured.
The steam-whistle was cut off. The deck plates were cut in twelve places.
One shot cut through the iron, and about two inches into the beam, starting
the plate, several bolts, and the planking for some feet below. This was
directly over the Andrews pump, in the engine-room. The others are not
serious. The first discharge of XV-inch gun blew off eight of the heads of
the bolts securing the muzzle box. The discharge of the Xl-inch gun, or
else the blow of a shot on the turret, lifted one of the perforated plates on
top. These plates are not properly secured. The outer turret plate, in the
XV-inch port, is started about one-fourth of an inch — the next layer in a
less degree. Two of the " guides" to the Xl-inch carriage were carried away
through the gun not being properly compressed. Some of the gear to the
engine-room bell was disabled at the first fire, causing trouble and confusion
in getting orders promptly conveyed from pilot-house to engine-room.
Fortunately, we had had a speaking tube from the turret chamber to the
engine-room put up at Port Koyal. The ship is tight, and can, if necessary,
go into another fight at once ; but to do so would, in my opinion, greatly
endanger the ship, unless considerable repairs are first given her, there
being several places too much weakened to resist a second blow.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. A. BBARDSLEB,
Lieutenant Commanding and Executive Officer.
Commander D. McN. Fairfax, U. S. N.,
United States Iron-clad Nantucket,
Report of Senior Bnginur George H. White of injuries sustained by the Nantucket.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Nantucket,
Inside Charleston Bar, S. C, April 8, 1863.
Sir : I would report the damage done this vessel during the engage.ment
of the 1th instant as follows: Of the shots striking the deck, two have
made large scores and cracked the top plate ; another, on the starboard side,
over the engine-room platform, and directly above the Andrews pump, has
cut through the deck plates, and several inches into the deck, forcing one
of the bolts through the beam, and the deck planks down on each side of it.
The fastenings of both deck plates and planks are started for several feet.
This should receive attention before the ship takes part in another fight.
The other shots on deck have done no material damage. All the shots
striking the side armor have started the bolts and plates. In one or two
pieces the plates are cracked, but to no serious extent. Though some of
these shots are on or near the water-line, there are no leaks from them,
the vessel remaining as dry as before. The turret has been struck in a
ARMORED VESSELS. 71
number of places, breaking oiF the heads of several bolts and a number of the
nuts on the inside. Under the 15-inch port a shot has started all the plates,
causing them for a time to jam the port closer. This difficulty was overcome
this morning, None of the plates are broken. Directly opposite, but near
the top ef the turret, a shot has bent the plates badly, carried away the
inner ring, and a number of nuts. The full extent of the injury cannot be
seen, as it is covered by a pilaster, but I cannot think it serious. Two shots
struck the ring at the bottom of the turret, bending it badly, and causing it
to jam. It is of no use in its pi'esent condition.
The muzzle-box of the 15-inch gun was carried away from the turret on
the forward side, breaking eight bolts, five on the side and three on the
bottom. This part of the vessel is a bad fit, which, I think, accounts for all
the trouble.
On the forward side of the 11-inch port the three outer courses of plates
have started by the firing of this gun, the outer one being three-tenths of
an inch beyond its proper position. The port-hole is cut near the edge of the
plate, and there are no bolts to hold it in place. In revolving the turret it has
pressed several times on the nuts, which have been carried away and fallen
down ; for some reason, that as yet I have been unable to find out, the turret
does not revolve asfreely asbefore, but I hope to be able to remedy this trouble.
The braces between the deck beams under the turret work slack, and should
be provided with jam nuts. The effect of all the shot that have struck the.
turret nearly in a line with the axis seems to indicate that the bolts fit too
loosely, and the iron of the bolts is of such a character as to break too
easily. The violent recoil of the 11-inch gun on one occasion forced a hole
through one of the pilasters, and backed one of the bolts some three inches
out of the turret, at the same time carrying away the two after guides on
the carriage ; the repairs required are being made, but in the mean time the
gun is ready for duty. The perforated plate over this gun was raised out
of its position, but has been replaced, and is being firmly secured. In order
to learn how many bolts are broken, the shot-racks and plates in the turret
will have to be taken up, in order to remove the pilasters, which would for
a time disable the vessel, and I have not thought it advisable to recommend
it at present.
The impregnable smoke-pipe was struck several times, breaking the heads
of bolts, and carrying away a piece about three inches deep at the top where
the temporary pipe was fastened. The temporary smoke-pipe is full of holes,
but still answers every purpose. The whistle and whistle-pipe are both shot
away, as the after awning stanchions. The pilot-house was struck once, but
no damage was done. During the early part of the engagement the bell-
pull gave way, rendering it necessary to pass the word from the pilot-house.
This has been repaired.
The fact of nearly all the shot striking the turret and the after part of the
vessel shows clearly that the object of the enemy was to either disable the
guns or machinery. Fortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful ; the ma-
chinery and boilers are in good order, and as soon as the bolts promised
have been sent on board, the guns will be as perfect as before the en-
gagement.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORQE H. WHITE,
Senior Engineer^
Commander D. McN. Fairfax, U. S. N.,
Commanding V. S. Iron-clad Steamer Nantucket.
72 • ARMOEED VESSELS.
Report of Commander John Dowries, commanding United Slates Iron-dad Nahant.
United States Ieon-olad Steamer Nahant,
Port Royal, April 13, 1863.
SiE : I have the honor to submit the following account of the part taken
by this vessel in the action of the 1th instant with the forts and batteries m
Charleston harbor :
Weighing anchor, in compliance with signal, we occupied the position
assigned us in the order of battle next to the rear of the line, entering into
action at about 3 p. m.; and at 4 o'clock becoming hotly engaged with
Forts Sumter and Moultrie, and the various other batteries which lined the
northern shore of the harbor, and concentrated an intense fire upon us, while
floating obstructions of a formidable nature, apparently, drawn between
Moultrie and Sumter, barred the way to further progress up the harbor.
We soon began to suffer from the effects of the terrible, and I believe
almost unprecedented, fire to which we were exposed; and at 4.30 the tur-
ret refused to turn, having become jammed from the effects of three blows
from heavy shot, two of them on the composition ring about the base of the
pilot-house, (one of these breaking off a piece of iron weighing seventy-
eight pounds from the interior that assisted to keep the house square on its
bearings, throwing it with such violence to the other side of the house,
striking, bending, and disarranging steering-gear in its course, that it
bounded from the inside curtain and fell back into the centre of the house,)
and the other on the outside of turret, bulging it in and driving off the
l|-inch apron bolted on to the inside to keep in place the gun-rails, and
down the main trace of turret. The bolt-heads flying from the inside of
pilot-house at the same time struck down pilot, Mr. Sofield, twice struck and
senseless — and the quartermaster, Edward Cobb, helmsman, fatally in-
juring with fractured skull, leaving me alone in the pilot-house, the steering-
gear becoming at the same time disarranged. We were within five hundred
yards of Fort Sumter, unmanageable, and under the concentrated fire of, I
think, one hundred guns at short range, and the obstructions close aboard.
But fortunately we got the preventer steering-gear in working order in time
to prevent disastrous result. And getting my vessel once more'under com-
mand, I endeavored to renew the action, but after repeated futile efibrts to
turn the guns on the fort, I concluded to retire for a time" from close action
and endeavor to repair damages. At this time the squadron commenced
retiring from action, in compliance with signal, and we permanently with-
drew, having been about forty minutes in close action, during which we were
struck thirty-six times heavily, had one man fatally, two severely, and four
slightly injured, all by flying bolts and iron inside of turret and pilot-house;
and we received the following injuries to the vessel and fittings, besides
those already enumerated, the plates on side armor broken badly in several
places, and in one, where struck by two shot in close proximity, partly
stripped from the wood and the wood backing broken in, with edging of
deck plates started up and rolled back in places. On port quarter side
armor deeply indented, and started from side and extremity of stern. The
deck is struck twice damaginglj' — one shot near the propeller well, quite
shattering and tearing the plating in its passage, and starting up twenty-
five bolts; another starting plate and twenty bolts; and slighter blows are
numerous. In smoke-stack armor there are three shot-marks — one that
pierced the armor, making a hole fifteen inches long and nine inches broad,
displacing grating inside and breaking seven bolts. In the turret there are
marks of nine shot; fifty-six of the bolts are broken perceptiblj' to us, the
bolt-heads flying off inside of turret, and the bolts starting almost their
ARMORED VESSELS. . 73
length outside, some of them flying out completely, and being found at a
considerable distance from the turret on the deck. Doubtless many others
are broken that we cannot detect, as by trying them we find others loosened.
One shot struck the upper part of the turret, breaking through every plate,
parting some of them in two, three, and four places. In pilot-house there
were marks of six shot, three of them 11-inch; twenty-one of the bolts were
broken perceptibly, and others evidently started. The plates are also much
started, and the pilot-house itself, I think, much damaged and wrecked;
indeed, it is my opinion that four more such shot as it received would have
demolished it. One shot at the base broke every plate through, and evi-
dently nearly penetrated it. Both flagstaiis were struck, but were not en-
tirely shot away, and the ensign remained flying throughout.
• In making this minute detailed report of the damaging effects of shot upon
this vessel, I have been influenced by a wish to point out wherein weak
points are practically shown to exist ; and I will add that this experience
.has proved in my mind, beyond a doubt, that to those above enumerated may
be added all hatch plates, anchor well and propeller well plates, and the
tops of the turret and pilot-house, as entirely inadequate to defend the place
they cover from being entirely penetrated; and in the propeller well, wherein
the propeller woiild probably be injured, and the pilot-house, wherein is con-
tained the wheel for steering, and where exists the only lookout for the
guidance of the vessel, and the top of the turret, from which the iron would
be driven in upon the heads of those fighting the guns below, the effect,
necessarily, would be damaging. During the action we fired four 15-inch
shell, 3| 1.10" fuze, three 15-inch cored shot, four 11-inch shell, 10" fuze, and
four 11-inch solid shot.
The bearing of men and officers was most admirable. The guns were
fought coolly, by Acting Ensign Clark, in command of division, and all the
duties performed promptly and quietly in the turret, under the general super-
vision of Lieutenant Commander Harmony. Of. the men struck by flying
bolts, not one left his station at the gun voluntarily, and only one at all, and
he remained until he fell senseless, and was carried below. Mr. J. Sofield,
the pilot, performed his duties coolly and satisfactorily until he fell senseless
while in the act of seizing the spokes of the wheel just dropped by the quar-
termaster, (Cobb,) though struck in the head by a bolt at the same time, but
falling almost simultaneously with him from the effect of another blow.
In conclusion, I have to state that it was not until the following day, at 5
p. m., that the turret was cleared sufficiently to be turned, although a corps
of workmen brought out from New York, and under skilful supervision,
were present, and commenced work upon the damages early the following
morning.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN DOWNES, Commander.
Rear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding South Allantic Blockading Squadron,
Flag-Ship Wabash, Port Boyal.
Report of Commander A. C. Rhind, commanding United States iron-clad Keokuk.
J
United States Flag-Ship New Ironsides,
Off Gumming&'s Point, South Carolina, April 8, 1863.
Sm : I have the honor to report that I got the Keokuk under way at 12.30
p. m. yesterday, in obedience to the signal from the flag-ship, and took a
position in the line prescribed in your order of advance and attack. At 3.20,
74 AEMORED* VESSELS.
the flag-ship having made signal to disregard her motions, I ran the Keoknk
ahead of my loading vessel to avoid getting foul in the narrow channel and
strong tideway. I was forced, in consequence, to take a position slightly
in advance of the leading vessel of the line, and brought my vessel under a
concentrated heavy fire from Forts Moultrie and Sumter, at a distance of
about five hundred and fifty yards from the former. The position taken by
the Keokuk was maintained for about thirty minutes, during which period
she was struck ninety times in the hull and turrets. Nineteen shots pierced
her through at and just below the water-line. The turrets were pierced in
many places, one of the forward port shutters shot away, in short, the ves-
sel was completely riddled.
Finding it impossible to keep her afloat many minutes more under such an
extraordinary fire, during which rifled projectiles of every species and the
largest calibre, as also hot shot, were poured into us, I reluctantly with-
drew from action at 4.40 p. m., with the gun-carriage of the forward turret
disabled, and so many of the crew of the after gun wounded as to prevent a
possibility of remaining under fire. I succeeded in getting the Keokuk to
an anchor out of range of fire, and kept her afloat during the night in the
smooth water, though the water was pouring into her in many places.
At daylight this morning it became so rough ttat I saw- the vessel must
soon go down. Assistance being sent me, I endeavored to get the vessel
round, and tow up, and in that effort, at about T.30 a. m. she went down
rapidly, and now lies completely submerged to the top of her smoke-stack.
Tne officers andvcrew were all saved, the wounded having been put on board
a tug a few minutes before the Keokuk went down. Owing to the loss of
papers, and the separation of officers and crew, I am unable to furnish an
officer's medical report, but give as nearly as possible the casualties in the
action of yesterday.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. C. RHIND, Commander
Rear-Admiral S. P. DdPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
AEMOEED Vessels.
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76 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Eeport of Captain T. Turner.
United States Ship New Ironsides,
Of Charleston, S. C, April 10, 1863.
Admiral: Your presence on board of this ship during the severe engage-
ment of the 1th of April against the forts Sumter, Moultrie, Beauregard,
Cummings's Point, and the adjacent batteries, which concentrated their fire
on your advancing fleet, relieves me from representiug many details which
your absence, under like circumstances, would have made incumbent.
You will, however, have observed how correct my representation was,
that this ship could not be depended upon in a tide-way, and how unman-
ageable she became, compelling the pilot to order the anchor to be let go
twice in order to avoid grounding, which would have involved the loss of
the ship.
The unavoidable delay in commencing action was a severe test to my
oflBcers and crew, as they were all the time under a heavy fire of shell and
shot, the effects of some of which you have personally examined
The steadiness and discipline, under an ordeal of this kind, without the
relief of active engagement in battle, I need not state to you, was a very-
gratifying spectacle to myself, though what I had expected from my officers
and men.
The iron turret of this ship being too small to contain more than yourself,
the fleet captain, and the pilot, who were controlling the movements of this
ship and the fleet, I took up my position at the batteries, commanding them
in person, where there was, with port-shutters down and gratings on, scarce
light enough to discern the face of the nearest person to me.
I obtained the soundings as best I could from time to time by tricing up
a port-shutter and heaving the lead from the sill of the port, and I found the
ship frequently within a foot of the bottom. I attribute to the extraordinary
skill of the pilot. Acting Master Godfrey, the fact that she was kept clear
of it.
Forcing her way up the channel, she received the fire of the enemy gen-
erally obliquely, excepting only when she fell off one way or the other. One
of these shots striking the forward facing of the port-shutter, carried it
away instantly. My impression is, had you been able to get this ship into
close position, where her broadside would have been brought to bear, that
not one port-shutter would have been left under the fire of such enormous
projectiles as were thrown from the enemy's works, multiplied on every side
of us. The damage done to this ship, with the exception of the loss of a
port-shutter, is not material. The wood work at both ends, where struck,
will be repaired at once.
I have supposed that the distance at which she received the severest fire of
the enemy was about one thousand (1,000) yards, and I think she has clearly
proved the invulnerability of her armor at that distance, for there was very
little damage done.
So dense was the smoke in the channel that I could with difficulty at
times see beyond fifty yards from the ship, and experienced great embar-
rassment in training my guns, even when she fell off so that I could use
them.
I have briefly expressed in a foregoing passage my admiration of the de-
portment of my officers and men under these trying circumstances. I
realized all I have expected from them, but I should fall short of my duty,
sir, if I omitted to present to your especial notice the 1st lieutenant of this
ship. Lieutenant Commander George E. Belknap. It was not in the hour of
battle only that great demand was made upon him; there was a constant
AKMOEED VESSELS. 77
pressure upon the high qualities which distinguish him as an efficient officer
to meet exigencies which through a week of toil and labor he had to pro-
vide for. He was equal to his work, gave me a perfect support at all times,
and I desire here, and through you, to commend him to the favorable con-
sideration of the government as an officer of the highest merit.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. TUENEE, Commodore.
Eear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Letter to Rear-Admiral JDuPont by the Secretary of the Navy.
Navy Department, April 11, 1863.
Sir : It has been suggested to the department by the President, in view
of operations elsewhere, and especially by the army of the Potomac, that
you should retain a strong force off Charleston, even should you find it im-
possible to carry the place. You will continue to menace the rebels, keep-
ing them in apprehension of a renewed attack, in order ttiat they may be
occupied, and not come north or go west to the aid of the rebels, with whom
our forces will soon be in conflict. Should you be successful, as we trust
and believe you will be, it is expected that General Hunter will continue to
keep the rebels employed and in constant apprehension, so that they shall
not leave the vicinity of Charleston. This detention of the iron-clads, should
it be necessary in consequence of a repulse, can be but for a few days.
I trust your success will be such that the iron-clads can be or will have
been despatched to the gulf when this reaches you. There is intense anxiety
in regard to your operations. This day is the anniversaiy of the assault on
Sumter, and God grant that its recurrence may witness the destruction of
that fortress by onr naval forces under your command.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
instructions of the President.
[Telegram.]
Executive Mansion,
Washington, April 13, 1863.
Hold your position inside the bar near Charleston ; or if you shall have
left it, return to it and hold it till further orders. Do not allow the enemy
to erect new batteries or defences on Morris island. If he has begun it,
drive him out. I do not herein order you to renew the general attack. That
is to depend on vour own discretion or a further order.
^ ^ A. LINCOLN.
Admiral DuPont.
78 ARMORED VESSELS.
Farther inslmcliona of the President.
Executive Mansion,
Washington, April 14, 1863.
This is intended to clear up an apparent inconsistency between the recent
order to continue operations before Charleston, and the former one to remove
to another point in a certain contingency. No censure upon you, or either
of you, is intended ; we still hope that, by cordial and judicious co-opera-
tion, you can take the batteries on Morris island and Sullivan's island, and
Fort Sumter. But whether you can or not, we wish the demonstration kept
up for a time, for a collateral and very important object ; we wish the at-
tempt to be a real one, (though not a desperate one,) if it affords any con-
siderable chance of success. But if prosecuted as a demonstration only, this
must not become public, or the whole effect will be lost. Once again before
Charleston, do not leave till further orders from here ; of course this is not
intended to force you to leave unduly exposed Hilton Head, or other near
points in your charge.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
General Huntee and Admiral DuPont.
P. S. — Whoever receives this first, please send a copy to the other imme-
diately.
^ A. L.
Letter from Rear- Admiral DuPcmt.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, April 16, 1863.
Sm : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this morning, by the
Freeborn, of your communication of the 11th instant, directing the maintain-
ing of a large force off Charleston, to menace the rebels and keep them in
apprehension of a renewed attack in the event of our repulse.
I have also to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of a telegraphic despatch
of the 13th instant from the President of the United States, sent from Fort-
ress Monroe.
The department will probably have known, on the 12th instant, the result
of the attack. Li my despatch of the 11th instant, dated off Charleston, the
department was made aware of my withdrawal, with the iron-clads, from
the very insecure anchorage inside the bar, and just in time to save the
Monitors from an easterly gale, in which, in my opinion and that of their
commanders, they would have been in great peril of being lost on Morris
island beach. Their ground tackling has been found to be insufficient, and
from time to time they have dragged even in close harbors.
I have since been doing all in my power to push forward their repairs in
order to send them to the gulf, as directed, but I presume that your despatch
of the 11th instant, and the telegraphic message from the President, revoke
your previous order.
I shall spare no exertions in repairing, as soon as possible, the serious in-
juries sustained by the Monitors in the late attack, and shall get them inside
Charleston bar with all despatch in accordance with the order of the Presi-
dent. I think it my duty, however, to state to the department that this will
be attended with great risk to these vessels from the galea which prevail at
ARMORED VESSELS. 79
this season and from the continuous fire of the enemy's batteries, which
they can neither silence, nor prevent the erection of new ones.
The New Ironsides can only cross the bar with certainty at spring tides,'
which are twice a month. She is more vulnerable than the Monitors, and
at the distance she must necessarily anchor could not elevate her guns suflB.-
ciently to reach any batteries of the enemy, while, at the same time, she
would be liable to injury, particularly in her wooden ends, from a fire which
she could not return. If this vessel is withdrawn from the blockade and
placed inside, the blockade may be raised by the rebel rams coming out of
Charleston harbor, at night, by Maffit's channel, in which case she could give
no assistance to the fleet outside. But for the New Ironsides the raid of the
31st January would have been repeated with more serious effect.
The lower and greater part of Morris island exhibits a ridge or row of
sand hills, affording to the enemy a natural parapet against the fire of ship-
ping, and facilities for erecting batteries in very strong positions. The up-
per part of the island is crossed by Port Wagner, a work of great strength,
and covered by the guns of Fort Sumter. The island is in full communi-
cation with Charleston, and can, in spite of us, draw fresh re-enforcements
as rapidly as they may be required. Shoals extend from the island which
prevent the near approach of the Monitors, and our experience at Fort
McAlister does not encourage me to expect that they will reduce well
defended sand batteries where the damage inflicted by day is readily
repaired by the unstinted labor of the night. The ships, therefore, can
neither cover the landing nor afterwards protect the advance of the
small force of the army available for operations in this quarter, which will
meet fresh troops at every sand hill, and may look, also, for a reverse fire
from the batteries on James island.
As it is considered necessary to menace Charleston by a demonstration of
land and naval forces, North Bdisto will afford a better point from which to
threaten an advance, and a concentration of troops and ships in that quarter
would accomplish the purpose of the government, mentioned in your de-
spatch of the 11th instant, as it is a military point from which Charleston
could be attacked now, James island being fully occupied by the enemy's
batteries.
I have' deemed it proper and due to myself to make these statements, but
I trust I need not add that I will obey all orders with the utmost fidelity,
even when my judgment is entirely at variance with them, such as the
order to reoccupy the unsafe anchorage for the iron clads off Morris island,
and an intimation that a renewal of the attack on Charleston may be or-
dered, which, in my judgment, would be attended with disastrous results,
involving the loss of this coast.
For eighteen months in these waters 1 have given whatever of profes-
sional knowledge, energy, and zeal I possess to the discharge of my duties
and to the close study of our military and naval position in the tenure of the
sea-coasts within the limits of my command, and I claim to know what
best pertains to the disposition of my fleet in carrying out the instructions
of the department.
I know not yet whether the confidence of the department, so often ex-
pressed to me, has been shaken by the want of success in a single measure
which I never advised, though intensely desirous to carry out the depart-
ment's orders, and justify expectations in which I could not share.
I am, however, painfully struck by the tenor and tone of the President's
order, which seems to imply a censure, and I have to request that the de-
partment will not hesitate to relieve me by an officer who, in its opinion, is
more able to execute th^t service in which I have had the misfortune to
fail — the capture of Charleston. No consideration for an individual officer.
80 ARMQRED VESSELS.
whatever his 'loyalty and ftngth of service, should weigh an instant if the
cause of his country can be advanced by his removal.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ,^^
S. P. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Chief Engineer Stimer'a report of damages to the iron-clad steamers.
General Inspector's Office,
413 Broadway, New York, April 14, 1863.
Sir : I arrived in this city, having left the fleet off Charleston, South Car-
olina, on the 11th instant, and I beg leave to report to the department some
of the detail facts connected with the naval attack upon Charleston es-
sayed by Rear -Admiral DuPont with his fleet of iron-clad steamers, which
came especially within my province as the general inspector of iron-clad
steamers and harbor obstruction submarine shells.
Previous to the attack I recommended to the admiral that two of the
Monitor vessels should have attached to their bows one, each, of the subma-
rine shells which had been furnished by the department, and that these
should precede the others and attack the obstructions, attaching to the
rafts "ivhich carried the shells several grapnel hooks suspended by chains to
explode any torpedoes over which the vessels were about to pass, with a
view to exploding them before the vessels themselves should come into
dangerous proximity to them. There appeared, however, to be a feeling of
objection to these shells, arising from an expressed apprehension that they
would either run into some of our own vessels and blow them up, or if fired
as designed, against the obstructions, would recoil against the vessel carry-
ing them and sink it.
I explained, to the best of my ability, the experiment I had tried with one
of them in New York harbor, which proved how impossible it was that this
latter event would happen, and urged their trial until I was informed I was
wasting valuable time in pressing forward something which it had already
been decided would not be used. It is with exceeding regret that I am
thus compelled to report that this powerful weapon, for which we have
every reason to suppose the enemy was entirely unprepared, should not
have been used in an attack which could have few hopes of success with-
out it.
One of the rafts which had been prepared to carry the shells was, however,
attached to the bow of the Weehawken, with the prepared hooks attached,
to protect the vessel against torpedoes. This she carried in and out again
in safety, having proceeded as far as the line of obstructions stretching
from Fort Sumter to Moultrie would permit.
Having been directed to remain outside of the bay during the fight, I wit-
nessed the conflict from the deck of the Coast Survey steamer Bibb, at the
mouth of the Swash channel. The firing on the part of the enemy was very
terrific. He was not only able to keep up a very rapid fire from his numerous
guns, but, I felt satisfied, was using reckless charges of powder, which it was
clearly wisdom for him to do. I therefore expected to find, upon my visit
to them, at least an approach to the destructive results which had been ob-
tained by the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance in his experiments against
iron targets in the ordnance yard at Washington. I was, however, agree-
ably disappointed to find, upon my inspection of the Monitor vessels the
ARMORED VESSELS. 81
next morning, that there were no clear passages through the decks, and no
penetrations through the sides of the vessels or the pilot-houses. The blunt-
headed shots had proven much less effective than round shot, not only in
confining their injury to the indentation made more distinctly than is the
case with round shot, but the indentations themselves were less than those
made by the spherical balls. On the other hand, I found casualties had oc-
curred, which occasioned loss of life in one instance, and disabled guns in
others, through faults of design which only such experience could point out,
and which, I think, can be entirely removed in the new vessels now building.
In the case of the Keokuk, although I never believed her armature would
withstand the shock of heavy ordnance at short ranges, {vide my reports
dated June 30, July 14, and July 31, 1862,) I was rather surprised that it
should have proven so easily penetrable. If the lesson which this should
teach is properly received, the loss of the vessel will be a positive gain to
the government in preventing the construction of armored ships of more
than doubtful impenetrability to ordinarily heavy ordnance.
Although the Ironsides was not built under my inspection, it may not be
considered improper for me to compare in this report the effect of shot upon
her solid forged plates, of four and a half inches thickness, with the lamina-
ted plates, of five inches thickness, which protected the sides of the Monitors.
This vessel was twice as distant from fort Sumter, as several of the Moni-
tor vessels; the effects are not, therefore, strictly comparable; still the dif-
ference in the appearance of the two descriptions of armature is very in-
structive, and should not be passed lightly over by the engineer. When
the laminated plates upon the side of the Monitors were struck severely, the
indentations were deep, the bolts securing them to the wooden backing
started loose, the entire plates bent and separated from each other to an ex-
tent which impressed the non-professional observer with the idea of great in-
jury; but when the engineer examined them, with a view of judging how well
they would withstand another blow of the same force upon precisely the same
place, he perceived that the original power to resist shot has not been greatly
reduced.
On the other hand, the solid plates of the Ironsides were not so deeply
indented; there appeared to be no disturbance of the plates by bending, but
few bolts were started, and few persons other than the critical engineer could
look closely enough to see that the plate was entirely broken through in a
manner which would inevitably permit the passage of the second shot striking
the same place.
To the casual observer, therefore, the solid plates will have the appear-
ance of having withstood the bombardment better than the laminated, but
the unprejudiced engineer will perceive that the latter disposition of the
metal is much the most effective in attaining the desired end.
In consideration of the vast importance to our country that that strong-
hold of rebellion should be reduced, I take the liberty to express to the de-
partment my firm opinion that the obstructions can be readily passed with
the means already provided, and our entire fleet of iron-clads pass iip suc-
cessfully to the wharves of Charleston, and that the Monitor vessels still
retain sufficient enduring powers to enable them to pass all the forts and
batteries which may reasonably be expected.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALBAN 0. STIMERS,
Chief Engineer United States Navy.
Hon. GmEON Welles, ■
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 6
82 ARMORED VESSELS.
Telegrams of Assistant Secretary G. V. Fox, relative to supposed preliminary
attack upon Fort Sumter.
[Telegram.]
Navy Department,
Washington, D. C, April 10, 1863/
The sum of all the telegraphs, via Richmond, up to 9 a. m. yesterday at
Charleston, is this: Tuesday at 2 p. m. the iron-clads engaged Fort butater
at nine hundred yards. At 4 p. m. they retired. The next day the KeokuJj
■was observed ashore on Morris island beach. Up to yesterday morning the
iron-clads were still inside the bar. I infer the attack was for the purpose
of obtaining full information, otherwise it would have been made m the
morning. They are now preparing for more serious work. Their depot of
coal and ammunition inside the bar is a safe one, even in bad weather. If
there are obstructions to prevent passing Sumter they now know them, and
will reduce the fort. It is evident they can attack it every day, and at night
retire to their anchorage inside the bar. The damage upon Sumter cannot
be repaired. The only question is, can the iron-clads stand the work ? I
believe the Monitors can. The Keokuk was a small experimental vessel,
and was probably injured so that they beached her. I see no reason what-
ever to be in the least discouraged; on the contrary, my faith in the vessels
and the ofiBcers is strengthened by these rebel accounts.
G. V. FOX.
Hon. M. Blaib,
Postmaster General, Astor House, New York.
No. 1. Send a copy of this telegram to Captain Ericsson, 93 Franklin
street, New York.
[Telegram.]
Navy Department,
Washington, D. G., April 10, 1863.
I have your telegraph of last evening and to-day. As to the signals, it
seems too important to give out to our people; a knowledge of the fact will
cause a change. The Keokuk is not a Monitor battery, and no doubt was
injured so as to oblige them to beach her. Commencing the fight at two
and withdrawing at four, looks as though it was not the main attack. The
real attack would be made in the morning, so as to have all the day for the
work. The next affair will decide the matter, and will be made after prepa-
rations fbund necessary from the experience of the four hours' work of
Tuesday. The reported transports inside the bar are probably coal and
ammunition vessels — are, in fact, his depot — and if the obstructions in the
harbor render the reduction of Sumter necessary, the admiral may have to
go back to his base several times before finishing that work.
G. V. FOX,
Assistant Secretary.
Major General Daniel Butterfield,
Chief Staff, Headquarters.
Order to send the Passaic to New York.
Navy Department, April 15, 1863.
Sir : Send the Passaic home, to New York.
I am, respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Boyal, S. G.
ARMORED VESSELS. 83
Directing the Passaic to touch at Hampton Boads.
Navy Dbpaetment, April 16, 1863.
SiK : YoTi were instructed a few days ago to send the Passaic to New
York. Let her touch at Hampton Eoads on the way up, and there await
further orders from the department. It is designed to replace her either
with the Sangamon or the Lehigh.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Kear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Boyal, S. G.
Order for board of experts on damages to the Passaic.
Natt Department, May 21, 1863.
Sm : Ton will request the following gentlemen, viz : 0. W. Copeland, George
W. Quintard, M. P. Merritt, and J. J. Oomstock, to constitute a board for the
examination of the United States iron-clad steamer Passaic, whilst she is on
the ways, and report in writing the full extent of the damage done to that
vessel by the fire of the batteries in the harbor of Charleston ; also whether
she has been strained or injured in any part by the gales she has encoun-
tered, or from any cause whatsoever.
Captain S. C. Kowan has been directed to report to you as a member of
the board.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral P. H. Geegoet, U. S. Navy, New lork.
Beport of Board.
New Yoek, June 2, 1863.
Sie: I have now the honor to transmit the report called for by your order
of the 21st ultimo of the condition in which the iron-clad Passaic returned
to this port. Every facility was given to the board of examiners, and their
researches were very thoroughly made, and I have not been able to find any
fact omitted. Great care is now being taken to fit that vessel perfectly
under the care of Captain Worden. The work is progressing rapidly as
possible, and it is expected she will be taken off the ways in a week.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
P. H. GREGORY,
Bear-Admired, Superintendent.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
New Yoek, June 2, 1863.
Deab Sib : In compliance with a request contained in the copy of a com-
munication from the Navy Department, dated May 21, to examine the United
States iron-clad steamer Passaic while she is on the ways, and report in
writing the full damage, done to that vessel by the fire of the batteries in
the harbor of Charleston ; also, whether she has been strained or inj— -" '-
any part by the gales she has encountered, or from any cause whatei
have made the examination as requested, and beg leave to report:
84 AEMOEED VESSELS.
1st. In regard to the damage bjr'the fire of the batteries, but four shots
have damaged any part of the structure to an extent to be worthy tif any
particular description. The first, marked A on the accompanying diagrams,
struck the upper edge of the turret, glanced upward and striking the pilot-
house as shown. The second, marked B, struck near the lower edge of the
turret, broke the loose outside ring on the deck, and indenting the turret so
as to break the lugs off the inside composition ring. The third, marked 0,
indented the turret about 1| inch, cracking slightly the inside plate. The
fourth, marked D, struck the armor on the port side about forty-seven feet
eight inches from the bow, and nine and a half inches below the deck, start-
ing or bending the three outer plates, breaking or starting one-third of the
fastening bolts, leaving the remainder undisturbed and all the plates still
in position.
As to the effects of these shots, the 1st raised the pilot-house ^ inch and
started it over on one side, breaking two bolts in the pilo1>house, but did
not in any manner affect the working of the turret or the operations of the
vessel.
The 2d shot, marked B, by the damage already mentioned, checked the
operation of the turret, until the lugs of the composition rings, which . got
jammed under the turret, were removed, after which the turret could be
operated as usual.
The 3d shot, marked 0, apparently a 10-inch shot, so started or disturbed
the turret as to damage the slides of the 11-inch gun, rendering it, for the
time, unserviceable, by forcing the rails hard against the guide pieces on
the carriage.
The 4th shot did not affect the efiSciency of the armor, as, though a por-
tion of bolts were broken, the whole of the plates still remained in their
proper position.
The only damage affecting the fighting efficiency of the vessel was that
by the 3d shot, disabling the working of the 11-inch gun, and the breaking
of the lug, alluded to; and we would take the liberty of suggesting that this
form of injury may hereafter be guarded by fastening a very heavy ring or
band around the base of the turret, to prevent its distortion, and leaving
sufficient freedom between the rails of the carriage and the turret, so that
any slight distortion of the turret will not affect the gun carriages.
There were some seven or eight shots received upon the deck, though but
three of them produced effect so serious as to require repairs, and these re-
pairs had been made before her return to this port. All the shots received
upon the turret are shown in diagram No. 1, which represents the whole
exterior circumference of the turret, laid down as a plane. The indentations
by the shots varied from \ to 1 J inch in depth, none, however, damaging the
turret further than described. Upon the pilot-house three other shots than
that described, struck, making indentations from J inch to I inch depth, but
doing no further damage.
Upon the armor of the vessel, besides the shots already described, there
■were marks of twelve other shots, making indentations varying from ^ inch
to 2^ inches in depth, but inflicting no other serious damage.
The accompanying diagrams show the effects of, the four worst shots
already mentioned, and the diagram No. 1 shows all the shots received by
the turret; No. 2 shows the effects of shot A upon the turret and pilothouse,
and No. 3 shows the effect of shot D upon the armor, as already described.
On the whole, we are of the opinion that the only damage done by the
batteries, affecting the fighting efficiencies of the vessel, was by the shot
upon the turret, which disabled the 11-inch gun by deranging the gun-
slides.
The ship, so far as the board could discover, is not strained or injured by
■the gales she has encountered. There has been a serious leak about the
ARMOEED VESSELS. 85
bow, which the board find difiSculty in accounting' for. It is probable that
in dropping into the sea the water got under the deck plates around the top
of the anchor well; this can be guarded against hereafter by a slight altera-
tion in the construction. There is also evidence of some slight leaks in
some of the rivets, which can be easily remedied.
All of which is respectfully submitted, by your obedient servants,
J. 0. ROWAN, Captain U. 8. N.
CHAS. W. COPBLAND.
GEO. W. QUINTARD.
M. F. MERRITT.
JOS. J. OOMSTOCK.
Admiral P. H. Gbegort,
U. S. Navy, New York.
Extract of a letter found on a blockade runner relative to eff'ect of bombardment
of Sumter.
PoKT Sumter, April 26, 1863.
It appears from the Yankee accounts that we injured their iron-clads more
than we thought we did. Some of their accounts are mostly true, inter-
spersed here and there with some awful lies. There was no breach made in
the fort at all. Two of their shots, a 15-inch shell and a 11-inch shot, did
come through, but they hit in weak places. The greatest penetration in
good, sound masonry was three feet, but then everything around was cracked
and started more or less. The most severe blow, I think, was about three
or four feet below the crest of the parapet, where two or three balls struck
and just loosened everything clear through for a space of about six feet in
length. As for knocking two embrasures in one, all humbug; equally so
about any of their boats getting entangled in the obstructions. They did
not go within five hundred yards of them, or torpedoes exploding, &c. Mr.
Langdons Cheves, who had charge of the torpedo, said that for ten minutes
he could not have placed the Ironsides more directly over the torpedo, if he
had been allowed to go, but the confounded thing, as is usual with them,
would not go off when it was wanted — the isolation of the wire, I suppose,
defective. I think one thing has been proved — that brick forts can't stand
15-inch shot, &c., for a very long time, but it has also proved that iron-clads
are not as invulnerable as supposed.
I went down to the Keokuk the other day. She lies off Pumpkin Hill
channel. She was actually riddled, 10-inch shot going right* through her;
but our inspection was rather short, for a miserable little gunboat came up
and gave us shot and shell, and I expect we made the best time on record
for Morris island and the sand hills.
'* ^ H: * * * * ^ =N
Yours, sincerely,
F. H. THRALSTON.
Necessary for New Ironsides to remain at Charleston.
[Despatch No. 171, 1863.]
Flag-Ship New Ironsides,
Inside Charleston Bar, April 11, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge • your despatch of the 2d instant,
marked confidential, and shall make every effort to despatch immediately
five (5) iron-clads to New Orleans.
86 AEMOKED VESSELS.
The department has alreaSy been informed of the loss of the Keokuk. I
will retain, in obedience to its orders, two, (2,) the Passaic and Montauk,
these being the most injured and the weakest, and their 15-inch guns having
been much more frequently fired than those of the others.
I did not understand that the department included the New Ironsides in
its order, and our failure to take Charleston rendersit, in my judgment,
absolutely necessary that she should resume her station off Charleston as
the great protective force of the blockading vessels against raids from the
rebel rams, now increased, as I have reason to believe, to three; and I can
assure the department, from my recent experience, that she would be wholly
unmanageable in the rapid currents of the Mississippi.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Gom'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Effect of shots upon Sumter.
New Yoke, May 13, 1863.
Mt Dear Sir : I telegraphed you this morning to the effect that out of
eighty shots fired by us, forty struck the fort. A part of parapet was
knocked off at the comer of an embrasure, and one breach was made in the
middle of the wall, thus :
^
Breach
toWaU.
If they had continued to hit in this breach the wall above must have
tumbled in; but the ebb-tide had turned, our fleet had only half the ebb, and
had to stop when it did. By attacking at an estrlier hour, so as to have the
whole ebb, more could be accomplished.
' The enemy had thirty-seven guns from one fort, and thirty -nine from an-
other, bearing on our iron-clads ; in all, seventy-six guns.
Two thousand shots were fired, and five hundred and twenty hit — say one-
fourth ; while one-half of our shots hit.
Prom Sumter, running north or northwest, is a line of obstructions. •
This is the amount of information I could get this morning from the
I forgot to say that no guns burst in the fort.
***** ****
Very truly yours,
P. S. FORBES.
Hon. G. V. Pox,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
ARMORED VESSELS, 87
New York, June 11, 1863.
My Deak Sib : I have only now been able to get the details about Sumter,
and send them as I receive them.
The effect of the attack of the 7th of April was, more or less —
Shots striking. — No. 3. Shell ; embrasure A, exterior (concrete) keystone
and interior arch knocked out ; masonry cracked.
No. 9. Three shots ; one 15-inch ; other two not known. Parapet wall
cracked twenty-five feet in length ; serious damage ; perhaps by exploding
shell.
No. 10. 15-inch ; interior arch of embrasure B dislocated ; masonry be-
tween piers and embrasure badly shaken, and projections.
No. 21. 15-inch ; masonry around embrasure D badly cracked and pro-
jecting inside.
No. 25. 15-inch ; destroyed embrasure P.
No. 38. 1 llinch ; exploding shell cracked parapet wall.
Yours truly,
P. S. FORBES.
Hon. G. V. Fox, &c., &o.
Statement of commanders of Monitors relative to first attack on Charleston.
North Bdisto, S. 0., April 24, 18&3.
Sir : We have lately seen in different newspapers, particularly in the Bal-
timore American, detailed accounts of the recent attack on Port Sumter, in
which our opinions, the condition of the vessels, and the facts in general, are
so perverted and falsified that, as it is not proper for us to correct them
through the same medium, we beg leave to offer a statement to the depart-
ment of what really did occur in connexion with the attack referred to, in
hopes that it may perhaps permit it to be made public, both in the interest
of truth and of our reputations.
It may appear uncalled for on our part to answer ill-natured and false
statements coming from irresponsible parties through the public prints; but
when it is considered that the opinion of those at home is almost entirely
formed on just such statements, we think they may be considered of suffi-
cient importance to notice, particularly when,- as in the case of the Ameri-
can, they are uttered so immediately in the neighborhood of the seat of gov-
ernment ; and this being the case, we shall more particularly criticise the
remarks which, first appearing in that paper, have thence so widely circu-
lated in others.
Although, as might be expected, there were differences of opinion as to
the probabilities of taking Charleston, not one of us ever doubted that the
attempt should be made, believing, as we did, that under the circumstances
almost anything would be better than to give up, without a fair trial, what
had so long been prepared for. But after the experience gained under the
fire of the enemy, we were unanimously of opinion that a renewal of the
attack would be unwise in the extreme, and for the following reason : Our
vessels had been very much injured before passing the first of the three lines
of defences which protect Charleston, and perhaps, considering the obstacles
to be met with further up, not the strongest of the three. In receiving these
injuries, they had not been able to do any to Port Sumter, at least sufficient
to slacken its fireA and even supposing this point passed, there still re-
88 AEMOEED VESSELS.
mained to go over more than three miles of water before reaching the city,
part of which we could see was obstructed by piles, and all of which offered
the utmost convenience for torpedoes, cables, and every other known means
of stoppiug an advancing naval force, to say nothing of the guns. When,
in addition to this, it had been proved that any heavy blow on the turret
was very apt to disorder and stop it ; that our side armor and decks were
penetrable, and the pilot-house, where is the steering apparatus, and from
which is the only lookout, could be made untenable, as two of them to a great
extent had been, it is scarcely surprising that we should have arrived at the
above conclusions.
It is said by the writer in the American that, had the torpedo been used
on the front vessel, the obstructions at Fort Sumter might have been blown
away, and the fleet could have proceeded then without dilEculty to Charles-
ton ; overlooking entirely the fact that there would have still remained to
destroy whatever the ingenuity of our enemies could have laid down for the
remaining long distance.
These torpedo rafts had merely a theoretical reputation for removing ob-
stacles, never having been tried at the north or elsewhere, except in blow-
ing up water, and certainly being a source of great danger to our own ves-
sels in fouling each other — a matter very likely to occur, taking into_ con-
sideration the tide, the shoal water, and the imperfect steering qualities of
the vessels, and which actually did occur on several occasions.
The result of the effort to use these torpedoes against the " Keokuk,"
after the action fully sustains the opinion formed of them.
It is said that these rafts, sent down to be attached to the bows of our ves-
sels, were refused without trial and from mere naval prejudice or personal
feeling; that is no truer than the other statements. Although plain to us,
that vessels which, at the best, are very unmanageable from losing steerage
way the very instant that the propeller stops, and from scarcely being able
to go more than four knots, and some of them not even that, would be made
more so by these great projections forward, which coilld never have been
prepared for in the original plans of the iron-clads; still one of them was
tried in our presence and under favorable circumstances for steering, as the
torpedoes were not attached. We were soon, however, convinced that our
unfavorable impressions with regard to them were correct, and that in the
rapid currents and narrow channels of Charleston we would most likely get
our vessels ashore, clogged with such a hindrance to their turning quickly.
As regards the attempt to blow up the " Keokuk" with one of them, the
failure was not owing to any difBculties thrown in the way of the experi-
ment by any officers of the squadron, but was given up very much to the
chagrin of the admiral, simply because the engineer who came down in
charge of it was not able to put it in order for work and to make the attach-
ment, although at the time the sea, for that anchorage, was unusually
smooth. When, afterwards, Mr. Stimers said the firing attachment could be
made, the heavy ring-bolts used to direct its safe action had drawn out.
As it has also been stated that our vessels came out of the action almost
unharmed, we will here mention some of the injuries received by them,
which will, we think, go to show that such was not the case, and that it
would have been out of the question to renew the action on the next day,
if at all, when we consider that, although again liable to the same fire as
at first, in their after condition, they would have been infinitely less able to
endure it.
1st. Passaic. A large piece of brassing, under the turret, broken off,
owing to which, and its being. forced over, the turret could not be moved
for sometime, and has not worked well since. The gun carriage of the XI-
inch gun disabled until the next afternoon, and the tj^ of the pilot-house
AEMOEED VESSELS. 89
forced up, so as to expose the inside to shot, and not got into place until
late the next day.
2d. Weehawken. Side armor broken through, exposing the wood. The
flange supporting the gun-platform of Xl-inch gun, broken ;- smoke-stack
very much injured, and both this and the turret greatly weakened from the
loss of bolts. The latter also for a time stopped.
3d. Patapsco. Eifled gun disabled at fifth fire; smoke-stack penetrated
in several places through the upper part of armor, out of which were forced
forty bolts, rendering the whole structure very insecure until strengthened
again; besides this, the turret had been stopped for a time.
4th. Nantucket. XV-inch gun lost at the third fire, owing to a blow
on turret jamming the port stopper, which could not be moved afterwards.
The turret stopped several times, besides severe injury to smoke-stack and
deck. The concussion box, in this short time, lost eight bolts, and the tur-
ret was made to move with great difficulty.
5th. Nahant lost seventy-six bolts from the turret and pilot-house ; the
latter very much injured. The steering gear deranged and the plates
started. The braces that hold down the inner gun-tracks and brace of tur-
ret knocked off, and turret rendered immovable and not cleared until 5
o'clock, tBe following afternoon. Even at present, after long repairs, it can
only be made to revolve very slowly, with thirty pounds of steam.
We have now met and, we think, refuted most of the falsehoods pub-
lished in the American, and would merely beg to add, in further support of
our views expressed against a renewal^ the attack, that the liability of the
guns to become disabled, on occasions which require steady use, has been
shown, as well as that the turret almost invariably refuses to work after
receiving heavy blows from shot, not only because the consequent bulging
in injures the machinery, but from its being pushed from the perpendicular.
In addition, the very slow fire possible from the XV-inch gun, and the fact
that, to be effective against stone walls, it must be brought so near as to
take away from the impenetrable character of the iron-clads, are considera-
tions of great moment to all those who wish to see these vessels in the
highest degree effective; nor have we, unfortunately, reason- to believe that
the batteries or turrets will, on any future occasion, when exposed to the
fire of heavy guns, show more offensive power or endurance than was the
case at Sumter.
Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
P. DKAYTON,
Captain, Passaic.
JOHN EODGERS,
Captain, Weehawken.
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander, Patapsco.
GEORGE W.EODGEKS,
Commander, Catshill.
D. M. FAIRFAX,
Commander, Nantucket.
JOHN DOWNES,
Commander, Nahant.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of tlie Navy, Washington, D. C.
Forwarded.
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admird.
90 AHMOEED VESSELS.
Bear-Admiral DuPont reviews an article in the Baltimore American.
[Despatch 208, 1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Barbor, S. G., April 22, 1863.
SiK : I desire to call the attention of the department to an article pub-
lished in the Baltimore American, of April 15, describing and commenting
upon the attack by the iron-clads, under my command, upon the forts at
Charleston, in terms injurious to myself, unjust to the officers whom I had
the honor to lead, derogatory to the naval service, and utterly false in its
most important particulars.
I should not consider it necessary or proper to bring this matter to the
notice of the department, but for two reasons, which seem to demand it.
These reasons are: Firstly, that the writer of the article in question well
known to be Mr. C. 0. Fulton, of the Baltimore American, came here in the
steamer Ericsson, when that vessel, chartered by the Navy Department,
brought to this port rafts and torpedoes, and came, as I understood, by the
sanction and with the permission of the department. «
With this understanding, I permitted Mr. Fulton to go to the Ogeechee,
in the Coast Survey steamer Bibb, Captain Boutelle, placed under my direc-
tion by Professor Bache, Superintendent of the Coast Survey. As the time
came near for the attack upon Charleston, Mr. Fulton was still on board
the Ericsson, from which vessel he#gain went on board the Bibb, and took
up his quarters with Captain Boutelle.
Secondly, I learned from Captain Boutelle, quite accidentally, that Mr.
Fulton was under an obligation to send a duplicate of his correspondence
to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for his censorship, before it could be
published. An editor and correspondent of an influential newspaper, domi-
ciled, with the permission of the department, on board a steamer under its
control, and submitting his letters to the inspection of one of its highest
officials, is manifestly in a different position from ordinary correspondents of
the press ; and when a reporter thus situated writes of an action which he
witnessed at a distance, and presumes to represent the sentiments of nine-
tenths of the officers present, it becomes advisable to place upon the record
of the department a refutation of his calumnies.
Although I cannot doubt, from the statements of Captain Boutelle, copies
of whose letters on the subject I enclose, that Mr. Fulton had engaged to
submit his correspondence to the revision of the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy, I desire to state here, most explicitly, that I do not for a moment
suppose he complied with the arrangement in this instance. The honor and
the high standing of the naval service of the United States, as signally
manifested in this war, as in other wars, must be as dear to the Assistant
Secretary as to myself and to my brother officers, and it is simply impossible
for me to believe that he should have been aware, before its publicatidn, of
the infamous statements contained in this letter, (marked No. 1.)
But as Mr. Fulton avowed to Captain Boutelle and to others this he bore
this semi-official relation to the department, and as the department afforded
him, if I have been correctly informed, the opportunity to be present, it
seems but right that I should at least deny his statements in a communica-
tion which will find its place upon the records of the department.
Mr. Fulton assumes to express the feelings of nine-tenths of the officers,
and of all the spectators of the action, as to the farcical nature of the assault,
and its disgraceful abandonment. One of the spectators, whose opportu-
nities for observation were certainly equal to those of Mr. Fulton, whoSe
education as a soldier, and whose position as the general commanding the
ARMORED VESSELS. 91
land .forces then awaiting the result of the naval attack, should entitle his
opinions to at least equal consideration, has expressed his impression of the
assault in terms very different from those employed by the editor of the
Baltimore American; and here I am content to rest the matter as far as
spectators are concerned.
As to the opinions of nine-tenths of the officers in favor of the renewal of
the attack, I have only to say that I am not aware of what the impressions
of so large a proportion of the squadron may be, but, what is perhaps more
german to the matter, the nine captains of the nine iron-clad vessels, and
my fleet captain, were unanimous in their conviction that the attack ftiould
not be renewed ; and as the evidence of experts on the spot is to be pre-
ferred, even to that of other experts remote from the scene of action, whose
opportunities for observation are less favorable, I am at a loss to know how
my own determination not to resume the offensive could be strengthened.
The writer for the press makes me hold a council of war after the attack.
I did not hold a council of war either before or after the attack ; nor have I
ever held a eouncil of war in all my life. I did not desire to throw upon the
gallant officers who- commanded the iron-clads, and who had so nobly con-
ducted themselves in this novel mode of warfare, any of the responsibility
which pertained to my own station, and I did not hear their opinion, as to
the withdrawal of the fleet, until after I had announced my own determina-
tion in the matter.
My decision on the evening of the battle, after ascertaining the injuries
received by the vessels, was entirely my own ; and after further develop-
ments, upon a more complete examination than was then practicable, the
correctness of that decision is fully confirmed.
It was, however, most gratifying to me to find my own determination re-
ceive the unanimous and cordial support of all the commanders of the iron-
clads upon the day after it had been announced, when they called upon me
and expressed in emphatic terms their conviction that a persistence in the
naval attack upon Charleston, with the means at my disposal, could afford
no hope of success, and could not fail to result in disaster.
The department selected these captains with care, and with a full knowl-
edge of their high professional character ; and I suppose that their opin-
ions, thus coinciding with my own and with those of my well-tried chief of
staff, will stand the test of impartial and intelligent criticism, even if ad-
verse to those of the correspondent of the Baltimore American.
When I made the signal to withdraw from action, on the evening of the
1th, the Ironsides was but slightly injured, though she had been under a
heavy fire. I did not then know the condition of the Monitors, and I recalled
the ships only because it was too late to attempt further to force the ob-
structions that night. Subsequently, when I learned from the several cap-
tains the difficulties they had encountered, the extent of the damages they
had sustained in their hulls and turrets, and the fact that five out of eight
of their vessels were, for the time, either wholly or half disabled as to the
nse of their guns, it was made perfectly clear to my mind that, once en-
tangled among the obstructions, should we attempt to pass them under a
fire so crushing as that from the forts had been, even the extraordinary
power of endurance pertaining to these Monitors could not sustain this fire
again during another hour of attack.
This correspondent reports that on' the morning of the 8th Mr. Stimers
and his workmen had put all the Monitors in as good condition as they had
been on the 7th, before the action ; that the turret of the Nahant was freed
from the difficulty which had prevented it from revolving, and that the
workmen had all left at one o'clock, reporting every difficulty as to the
working of turrets, guns, &c., fully remedied.
92 AEMOEED VESSELS.
The turret of the Nahant did not begin to turn until 5 p. m., and it was
late at night before she could have gone into action again.
Seventy-six bolts were driven out of her turret and pilot-house, which
could not be replaced, and she would have been utterly disabled by a fe^
more shot. The Weehawken thought her battery was in good condition,
whereas it was discovered that her Xl-inch was disabled ; and it is not
yet repaired. I will only add here that the side armor of the Weehawken,
at the water's edge, was pierced through and the wood laid bare ; one more
blow there, and she would have gone down. I am having a careful drawing
mad#of this fracture, to send to the department.
The repairs that it was practicable to make at the time were of course
slight, and temporary in their character. I had hoped that those made on
the Passaic, after the Ogeechee affair, would carry her through this fight ;
but she broke down in forty minutes in a worse manner than she did under
her eight hours' fire from Fort McAllister. The Nahant and Patapsco, un-
hurt in that engagement, were almost immediately crippled in this one.
I visited the Monitors on the 1 8th instant, and upon examining into their
condition myself, I found their captains had rather underrated the damage
they had received, and so far from the seven vessels being in as good order
by noon of the 8th as they had been at noon of the Tth, accordingto Mr.
Pulton, three of them are now, at this date, in Station creek, undergoing im-
portant and much-needed repairs. I wish I could get them out in as good
order as they were at noon of the 1th.
The writer states that the naval officers and myself have been haunted
and oppressed by the dread of invisible torpedoes and of other obstructions
in the channel ; that the fear of these ghosts prevented the success of the
attack ; that the Navy Department had provided means for the removal of
these torpedoes, and that the naval officers were afraid to use them.
Torpeddes are not placed so as to be visible. The Cairo was destroyed
by an invisible torpedo in the western waters ; the Montauk was damaged
by an invisible torpedo at the Ogeechee ; an invisible torpedo exploded un-
der or near the Weehawken, from whose propeller shaft two hundred and
fifty feet of rope, then furled around it, have just been removed ; and the
Patapsco was brought up by, and hung upon, an invisible obstruction for
ten minutes, in the focus of the storm of shot. To have ventured further
into that labyrinth would have been to anchor the vessels helplessly by
their sterns, (those of them, at least, that escaped the invisible torpedoes,)
and thus expose them to a fire which they could neither endure nor effectively
return, and, finally, to have allowed them to fall into the possession of the
enemy.
Imputations like these upon the judgment, the conduct, and the courage
of officers of high character and of long standing in the service, who have
been tried over and over again in this war, and who, in my judgment, have
no superiors in the navy, coming from a person in a manner indorsed by
the Navy Department, and in communication with it, have not been received
with perfect composure. If Mr. Fulton is correct in this impeachment of
these gentlemen, then the captains of the four leading Monitors, whose
orders were to pass around to the northwest side of Sumter and to gain a
position off its inner face, failed in their duty to me, to the service, and to
their country. Either they were unworthy of the occasion, or ' Mr. C. 0.
Fulton is guilty of most inexcusable calumniation.
One more item, and I have done. Mr. Fulton avers that sufficient experi-
ments were not made with the rafts and torpedoes, and states that they
were condemned without an examination from a dislike to Ericsson and his
naval innovations. I refer the department to the letter of Captain John
Eodgers, upon the matter of the rafts and torpedoes, as satisfactorily dis-
AEMOEED VESSELS. 93
posing of the queetian of experiments, and of their use or disuse in the at-
tack upon Charleston. (Enclosure, marked No. 2.)
As to the officers of the Monitors being afraid to blow up the Keokuk
with their appliances, Mr. Pulton certainly had the means for obtaining ac-
curate information upon this point from Chief Engineer Robie, who was
likewise quartered on board the Ericsson. The Weehawken, Captain John
Rodgers, was put at the disposal of Chief Engineer Robie for that purpose,
and every facility given to them in my power to afford. This engineer, who
was sent out by the department in charge of the raft and torpedoes, did not
find it practicable to use the torpedo against the Keokuk, then lying hard
aground, remote from other vessels, and undisturbed by any fire from the
enemy.
It is possible to ask too much of men at certain times and under certain
circumstances; and, in this instance, to have attached these rafts and torpe-
does to the bows of the Monitors with the expectation that these vessels
could be fought amid such a storm of shot and shell from the enemy, and at
the same time carry on submarine mining operations, would perhaps have
overtasked the faculties of most persons, and in all probability have "hoist
the engineer with his own petard," or, if not him, his friend, instead of his
enemy.
I now take leave of this the most odious subject I have ever had occa-
sion to notice. Some other assertions of Mr. Pulton, which might be flatly
contradicted, I have not discussed, nor have I thought it worth while to
consider his opinions upon purely professional points. To undergo the fire
of the enemy and the stabs of an assassin of character at one and the same
time is too much for my philosophy, and for my further protection against
assaults of the latter kind I look for and expect the countenance of the
idepartmeht.
I make this request to the department because up to the latest dates
received here none, of my oflScial reports had been published, while the
statements which I have made the subject of this communication have been
spread unanswered throughout the country.
So far as I have seen, the tone of the press generally has been just, and
in many instances generous. The exception is the Baltimore American,
which seems to have had its own hostile proclivities heightened by an
association with an officer of the service whose name appears frequently
and prominently in its report in connexion with the repairs upon the iron-
clads and in relation to the torpedoes and the rafts; I mean Mr. A. C.
Stimers, a chief engineer in the naval service of the United States.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. DU.PONT,
Rear-Admiral, Gomd'g S. A. Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GmEON Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
[Despatch No. 208, 1863.— Enclosure No. 1.]
Bibb, April 22, 1863.
Mt Dear Sir: In reply to your note of yesterday, I beg to say that I first
saw Mr. Pulton on the 24th of February, when he came on board this vessel
with Messrs. Stimers and Newton, naval engineers.
The latter officers were directed by you to take passage in the Bibb to
Wassau and Ossabau for the purpose of inspecting the Passaic and Mon-
94 AEMORED VESSELS.
tauk, and I understood that Mr. Fulton accompanied them by your permis-
sion and authority.
We were two days at Wassau and one at Ossabau. At each place Mr.
Fulton visited the "Monitors" with the inspecting engineers, and made such
notes as he thought proper.
During our voyage a conversation took place in my cabin between Mr.
Fulton, Mr. Bartlett, (paymaster of the Bibb,) and myself upon the respon-
sibilities attaching to a newspaper correspondence from the centres of
active operations in face of the enemy. Mr. Fulton said it was his practice
to use a "manifold letter-writer" in writing his notes, making several
copies. One was mailed to his brother at Baltimore, and another copy was
sent by the mail to Mr. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Fulton
went on, to say that his brother did not publish the letter until sufficient
time had elapsed for Mr. Fox to receive and examine the manuscript and
telegraph to Baltimore if he objected to any portion thereof. Anything
written here, and objected to by Mr. Fox, was stricken out, and did not
appear in the paper.
Mr. Fulton had with him document envelopes, with Mr. Pox's printed
official address upon them, and, in at least one case, mailed his notes in one
of these envelopes while on board my vessel.
As this arrangement gave Mr. F. a semi-official character, and as he was
living on the Ericsson, chartered as a naval transport, I naturally inferred
that you knew all about it, and on my return to Port Royal mentioned it
incidentally in conversation with you as a matter with which you were
familiar. It surprised me greatly to find that you were ignorant of it.
On reading the above to Mr. Bartlett, I find that his recollection of Mr.
Fulton's statements perfectly accords with mine.
Yours, respectfully and truly,
CHARLES 0. BOUTELLE,
Assistant C. S., Gomd'g V. 8. Steamer Bibh.
Rear-Admiral S. P. DuPont, U. S. N.,
Gomd'g S. A. Blockading Squadron.
[Enclosure No. 2.— Despatch No. 208, 1863.]
UNmn States Steamer Weehawken,
Port Boyal, April 20, 1863.
Sie: In compliance with your order of this day, I have the honor to sub-
mit the following report in regard to the raft said to have been invented by
Mr. Ericsson, for the purpose of carrying a torpedo to be used in blowing up
obstructions:
Upon trial in this harbor I found that the vessel with the simple raft
steered as well, I thought, as usual — certainly not so much worse as to
render its use objectionable. Whether she would handle as well with the
resistance of the torpedo 12 feet under water added on to the raft, I have
not tried, and therefore can express no opinion.
There was another trial of the simple raft attached to this vessel in North
Edisto harbor, with the captains of the iron-clads on board. They did not
judge of it so favorably as to be willing to use it. I thought that it would
not be wise to carry the torpedo into action, since, in evolutions, we might
come into contact with some of our own vessels, and thus blow them up.
The event proves that the anticipation was not ill founded — two iron-clads
actually came into collision with the Ironsides, and she had to stop to avoid
the Weehawken.
AElfOEED VESSELS. 95
Had those vessels which actually touched her been provided with formida-
ble torpedoes to explode upon contact, the result might have been most dis-
astrous. In plain words, that folly would rise into crime which should
carry loaded torpedoes in a rapid tide-way in a somewhat narrow channel,
without known buoys, under fire, and with the attention divided amongst
a friendly fleet.
The proposition is so evident that it would lose by argument. I declined
accordingly to attach the loaded torpedo to the Weehawken during the at-
tack upon Port Sumter, unless I should receive po^tive'orders to do so. I
stated, however, that I thought the raft might be useful, with grapnels hang-
ing from it, to catch obstructions. This, accordingly, I carried into action,
and this I brought out.
The raft was cut so as to fit the bow of the vessel, and secured by chains
from ring-bolts in the raft, a and c, to ring-bolts on the bow of the Weehaw-
ken, and further secured by rope lashings- to the same bolts, and also from
tke ring-bolts, 6 and d, f presume, as designed by the inventor.
In crossing Charleston bar the chains from a and 8 parted; all the lash-
ings broke; this happened twice in the short period in crossing from the
outside of the bar to the anchorage inside.
When inside, it was found that the sea converted the raft into a huge
battering ram, which shook the vessel at every undulation.
It is obvious that with the pitching which always accompanies a swell,
the two bodies would be brought into collision with a power proportionable
to their weight. The raft, I think, displaces about 90 tons of water. Its
motions did not at all correspond with the motions of the vessel. The raft
rose while the vessel fell, and the reverse. It was a source of apprehension,
lest it should get upon the deck or under the overhang.
The conclusion forced upon me was, that no vessel can carry it attached to
the bow, except in smooth water. After it had started the 5-inch iron ar-
mor upon the bow I cut it adrift.
Afterwards I offered to use the one still in tow of the Ericsson, to blow up
the Keokuk. It was brought in in weather when, confessedly, I could 'not
carry it, and it was anchored. When the sea became smoother it was put
upon the bow, with the torpedoes all ready to be raised and lowered into
their place. '"
. There was still some sea with a cross current, and Chief Engineer E. D.
Eobie, who, in conjunction with Chief Engineer Stimers, was sent out from
New York in special charge of the rafts and torpedoes, found that the water
was too rough, with too much spray for him to attach the lock and fit the
instrument for use.
He said that the fo^e of the waves which came over the bow of the raft
would not permit the torpedo to be hoisted outside against their beating.
I went on board the Ironsides to report the fact to you. On board the
Ironsides he made the same report. In the meanwhile Chief Engineer
Stimers came on board the Weehawken, where I met him on my return.
The sea had somewhat fallen,-and he said that the torpedo could now be
filled for firing; but I found that during my absence the heavy ring-bolts,
a and b, had drawn out of the raft, and left it liable to swing round and
bring the torpedo, when ready to explode, against the Weehawken's side.
A chain, I was told, had been prepared to come up and under the raft from
beneath the point E, and to be secured inside the anchor well. It was be-
neath the raft, and I did not see it. I had no faith that the chain would
stand a strain which had drawn out from solid wood two ragged bolts 24 inches
long and nearly five inches in circumference.
All sailors know, from experience, that chain is less reliable ag^nst
surges than lashings. "
96 AEMOEED VESSELS.
The raft, in its battering' tendencies, had become unbearable; in the sea
and cross currents it drew the bolts intended to keep it pointed towards the
object it was desired to use it upon, and it was ready to turn its destructive
power against those who were to employ it.
It was decided not to make the first trial of it attached to the bow of a
vessel under circumstances so adverse.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, _
^ ^ ^^ JOHN KODGERS, Captain.
Rear- Admiral S.T. DtPoNT,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Letter qf Secretary of the Navy to Rear-Admiral BuPont, in reply to despatch
of April 22. . ,
Navy Department,
May 15, 1863.
Sir : Tour comniunication of the 22d ultimo, controverting, commenting on,
and refuting the criticism of the Baltimore American, which contained some
strictures on yourself, was duly received, and your despatch and the accompany-
ing papers are placed on file, although the criticism which called out your re-
marks is not, for the Baltimore American is not even among the papers which
are received at the department.
The press of the country, as you seem to he aware, has been generally lenient
and indulgent towards you, and the censures, under a great disappointment,
have been comparatively few. That all should not have taken the same view
of so important a movement and failure is not surprising, and that there should
have been some harsh, and even unjust, criticism, was, perhaps, to have been
expected. The injustice of your suspicions and conclusions as regards Mr. Fox
will appear on the perusal of his letter, a copy of which I herewith enclose. I
have no doubt that equal wrong is done Mr. Stimers, who has never expressed
an unkind word or any complaint against you to the department.
While complaining of the criticism of the Baltimore paper, you express your
disappointment that your official report is not published. What public benefit,
let me ask, could be derived from its publicity ? You had received, both from
the President and myself, communications enjoining upon you to continue to
menace Charleston in view of operations in other quarters. It must be obvious
to you that a publication of your letters, stating that a purely naval attack on
Charleston could not succeed, that you had never advised the measure, repre-
senting it as utterly hopeless, could be productive of no public benefit, and
would involve yourself and, probably, others in a controversy that would be in
every respect injurious.
In a period of such extraordinary activity as the present, our officers can be
better employed than in explaining and repelling newspaper criticism. Their
reputation, and that of all public men, may be safely left with the people, who
will judge them by their acts, and not by uudue commendation of friends, or
undeserved censure of enemies. The country and its welfare, and not merely
personal considerations, must govern in times like these.
I have not published your reports, because, in my judgment, duty to the
country forbade it. They may justify the failure at Charleston, and excuse
you for abandoning, after a single brief effiart, a purpose that the nation had
deeply at heart, and for which the department had, with your concurrence and
supposed approval, made the most expensive and formidable preparations ever
unirtaken in this country, but such publications could have inspired no zeal
among loyal men, and would have encouraged those in rebellion.
ARMORED VESSELS, 97
la abandoning the great object for which we have labored for so many months,
and precipitately withdrawing from the harbor, your motives have not been
questioned ; but I have not deemed it expedient or wise to publish to the world
your reports of your failure, and your hopelessness of success.
Newspaper animadversion and criticism, though often annoying and erroneous,
cannot be prevented, nor do I know that it is desirable they should be, for the
public crave information, and will comment on what so much concerns them.
But while the press may comment within reasonable limits, it would be an error,
to say the least, to make an official exposition of the weakness of our national
armament and defences, and still more reprehensible to magnify and publish
that weakness.
It has not appeared to me necessary to your justification that the powers of
assault or resistance of our iron-clad vessels should be depreciated, and I regret
that there should have been any labored effort for that purpose.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
Navy Department, May 13, 1863.
Sib : Eear Admiral DuPont's despatch No. 208, dated April 22, 1863, from
Port Royal, contains a statement that 0. 'G.Fulton, esq., editor of the Baltimore
American, went to Port Royal with the sanction of this department, and under
an obligation that a duplicate of his despatches was to be sent to me for censor-
ship before publication. Mr. Pulton, according to the admiral's statement,
seems to have written an account of the late attack upon Fort Sumter, and
published it in the Baltimore American of April 15, wherein he reflects inju-
riously upon the admiral.
The facts in regard to Mr. Fulton are these : In March he was appointed by
the Postmaster General special post office agent at Port Royal, and, as such,
received a permit from yourself to go to that port in any supply steamer of the
navy.
He was not under any obligations to send me his despatches, nor have I seen
the article to which the admiral refers, either in njanuscript or in the Baltimore
American, nor have I seen Mr. Fulton since the day he applied for the pass,
nor have I held any correspondence with him, or received or seen a copy of his
paper.
I have given Admiral DuPont my confidence and esteem to the fullest extent,
and the extraordinary insinuations in his despatch above referred to are as unjust
to me as they are unworthy of him.
Very respectfully,
G. V. FOX,
Assistant Secretary.
Hon. Gideon "Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Letter of Rear-Admiral DuPont to Secretary of the Navy, relative to failure
to renew attack.
^ -. Flag-Ship Wabash,
^°- 2S^-J Port Royal Harbor, S. C, May 27, 1863.
SiK : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th
instant, enclosing one from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, which, you
H. Ex. Doc. 69 7
98 AEMOEED VESSELS.
are pleased to say, will show me tlie injustice of any suspicions and conclusiona
in regard to that gentleman.
I beg leave moat respectfully to state, that in my communication to the de-
partment I expressed no such impressions or conclusions as are attributed to
me. On the contrary, I explicitly declared my belief that Mr. Fox had never
seen the scandalous account of the action at Charleston in the Baltimore
American, or authorized its publication ; but I did call the attention of the Navy
Department to the fact that this account was pubUshed over the initials of the
editor of the American, who was domiciled on board a naval transport, and had
openly declared on this station that his letters to his paper were submitted to
the censorship of the Assistant Secretary, and that he was authorized to sup-
press any portion of them to which he might object. Mr. Fox asserts precisely
that in which I had already formally expressed my belief.
I have not troubled the department with other libellous attacks which have
appeared in a few journals of the day, and I should not have called its attention
to that in the Baltimore American, had not its editor assumed to speak with the
concurrence of the department, by pretending to submit his letters to the revi-
sion of one of its highest officials.
Mr. Fox states that Mr. Fulton was under no obligation to send his letters
from this squadron to him, and that he has never seen the letter of which I
complained, either in print or in manuscript. It is therefore to be presumed that
the letter was never sent to Mr. Fox, and that Mr. Fulton's statement was
utterly untrue, and his ostentatious exhibition of envelopes with the printed
address of the Assistant Secretary was only intended to give a false respecta-
bility to his correspondence. It was the falsely assumed connexion of Mr.
Fulton with the Navy Department of which I complained ; stripped of that,
his libels are simply deserving of contempt.
I should deeply regret having done injustice to Mr. Fox, with whom I had
always held the most cordial and friendly relations, and I therefore congratulate
myself that, in calling- the attention of the department to Mr. Fulton's preten-
sions, I held the following explicit language:
"Although I cannot doubt, from the statements of Captain Boutelle, copies of
whose letters on the subject I enclose, that Mr. Fulton had engaged to submit
his con-espondence to the revision of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, I de-
sire to state here, most explicitly, that I do not for a moment suppose he com-
plied with that arrangement in this instance. The honor and the high standing
of the naval service of the United States, as signally manifested in this war as
in other wars, must be as dear to the Assistant Secretary as to myself, and to
my brother officers, and it is simply impossible for me to believe that he should
have been aware, before its publication, of the nefarious statements contained in
this letter."
You are also pleased to say that I seem aware that the press of the country
has been generally lenient and indulgent to me. Tou must pardon me for taking
exception to this statement. I admit that the public press has been generally
just and generous towards me, but there can be no leniency where there has been
no offence; and I claim to have done my whole duty to the country faithfully
and skilfully in the attack which I made upon the defences of Charleston, and
while I gratefully prize the generous spirit with which my countrymen have
received this great disappointment, I ask for no leniency. The terms in which
the department is pleased to comment upon the expression of my regret that the
official reports of the attack upon Charleston had not been published, are not
gratifying to me, but it is my duty to submit to your decision, and I shall offer
no further comment upon the terms in which that decision is conveyed.
I desire to call the attention of the department to its statement that I precipi-
tately withdrew from the harbor of Charleston, abaijdoning the great object for
which we had labored so many months. This charge is a serious one, and highly
ARMORED VESSELS. - 99
derogatory to my professional character. When I withdrew the iron-clad
vessels from action, on the evening of the 7th, I did so hecause.I deemed it too
late in the day to attempt to force a passage through the obstructions which we
had encountered, and I fuUy intended to resume offensive operations the next
day; but when I received the reports of the commanders of the iron-clads, as to
the injuries those vessels had sustained, and then- performance in action, I was
fully convinced that a renewal of the attack could not result in the capture of
Charleston, but would, in all probability, end in the destruction of a portion of
the iron-clad fleet, and might leave several of them sunk within reach of the
enemy, (which opinion, I afterwards learned, was fully shared by all their com-
manders.) I therefore determined not to renew .the attack.
But had not my professional judgment, sustained by all my commanding oflS-
cers engaged in the attack, decided against further operations, I would have
felt compelled by the imperative order of the department, dated the 2d of April,
and received on the 9th, to withdraw my vessels. The words of this despatch
I beg leave to recall to the attention of the department :
" The exigencies of the public service are so pressing in the gulf that the de-
partment directs you to send all the iron-clads that are in a fit condition to move,
after your present attack upon Charleston, directly to New Orleans, reserving
to yourself only two."
Accompanying this despatch was an unofficial letter from the Assistant Secre-
tary, giving the reasons for this order, and closing with the remark, "This plan
has been agreed upon after mature consideration, and seems to be imperative."
These documents were received, as I have stated, on the 9th April, from the
hands of Colonel Hay, the private secretary of the President, and three days
later I crossed the bar and proceeded to Port Royal to put the iron-clads in con-
dition for the new duty assigned them.
In conclusion, I respectfully submit that there has been no labored effort on
my part to depreciate the iron-clad vessels under my command, unless to report
their obvious defects, and place the department in possession of the result of
the experience gained by then- commanders and myself in battle, may be so con-
strued.
To report their defects was not only my plain duty, but was also in compliance
with an order from the department to the commanders of the iron-clad vessels.
I cannot, therefore, but express my surprise that the department should have
felt authorized to characterize the performance of this obvious duty as a labored
effort to depreciate the powers of assault and resistance of the iron-clads.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Letter of the Secretary of the Navy to Rear- Admiral DuPont relative to the
first attach on Charleston.
Navy Department, May 14, 1863.
Sir: Tour several despatches, with the reports of yourself and the com-
manding officers who participated in the affau- of the 7th of April, were duly
received. If the results at Charleston were not all that are wished, there was
much in them that was gratifying. Brief as was the conflict, the fire brought
to bear on the Monitor vessels was such" as could have been sustained by no
ordinary boats, and demonstrates their power of resistance and their adapta-
tion for harbor purposes. That the vessels in that engagement should have
100 ' ARMORED VESSELS.
returned from the encounter with so few casualties and the loss of but one life
is certainly remarkable, and in itself a subject of congratulation.
In view of operations elsewhere it was deemed essential that the military
forces at Charleston and its vicinity should for a time at least be retained there,
whatever might be the termination of the naval engagement. Hence my letter
of the 11th, and also the telegram of the President which you received by the
Freeborn, and which appear to be not only not in unison with your convictions,
but have, I am sorry to perceive, inflicted pain when none was intended.
Nothing was further from the purpose of the President or of the department
than any censure upon you in those communications. We had not sufficient
data when they were written to form an opinion of the merits of the conflict.
It would be wrong to say we have not been in some degree disappointed, but
until the 8th of April the harbor and defences of Charleston were to us a sealed
book. We knew little of them, but had hoped that you, during the blockade
and months of preparation, had become possessed of their true character. I
had, it is true, received no intimation from you that you were thus informed,
nor had I, indeed, been advised of your opinions and views in regard to the
feasibility and probable results of the demonstrations that were to be made,
but which had been canvassed and fully understood when you visited Wash-
ington last autumn, and any subsequent movement had, I supposed, your con-
currence. I had not pressed you to be communicative, for to you had been
confided, as naval commander, the entire management of not only the attack on
Charleston, but the whole operations of the naval forces of the South Atlantic
squadron. I did suppose the attack on Charleston had your hearty approval,
and hence for many months we have bent the earnest energies of the depart-
ment and the service to answer your requisitions and afford you the necessary
assistance, often by depriving other squadrons of that support that was actually
necessary for their efficiency.
Had you at any time expressed an opinion against the expediency of an
attack, or a belief that it would be disastrous, such was my confidence in you,
and my respect for your intelligence and capability, that I should certainly
have reviewed the subject, and not unlikely an entirely different arrangement
of our forces would have been projected. I had supposed there was between
us an entire concurrence of opinion, and the expression in your despatch of the
16th ultimo, that you did not advise the attack, is the first intimation to the
department or the government that you, the admiral in command, entertained a
doubt of either the propriety or expediency of the movement.
I regret that there should not have been entire frankness in this matter. It
was certainly due not only to me, your friend, but to the country and the service,
that you, who have, as you remark, had eighteen months' experience and close
study of the military and naval position in the tenure of the sea-coast within the
limits of your command, should have given to the department, that so implicitly
trusted you, the benefits of your knowledge, observation and experience.
I can well suppose that you may have been reluctant to give an opinion ad-
verse to an object that earnestly engaged the attention of the department and
of the whole country ; yet, such were and are the relations between us, that I
had reason, personally as well as officially, to expect from you a free expression
of your opinions, your views, and your judgment on a measure of such tran-
scendent importance.
A young and inexperienced officer might have been excused for being sensi-
tive in such a matter; but an officer of established reputation, of mature age,
whose courage, sagacity, and experience had placed him at the head of his
profession, and on whose knowledge "and judgment the department, as you well
knew, relied, should not have been backward in communicating his views and
opinions on a question that so materially affected the character of the navy and
the welfare of the country.
ARMOEED VESSELS. 101
I have been disappointed in receiving from you no suggestion in regard to
future movements since the conclusion you arrived at, that a purely naval
attack on Charleston cannot be successful. Would you recommend a combined
naval and army movement, and that promptly, or deliberately; or, would you
advise an entii'e abandonment of operations against the place, and limit our-
selves to a mere blockade of the harbor? Your information and experience
ought not at such time to be withheld from, but should be communicated to,
the department. There should be no reserve in this matter. We all have a
duty to perform, and should give our undivided energies of body and mind, and
whatever useful information we possess, to the country.
In a late communication elaborately refuting a newspaper criticism on your
proceedings, you express some disappointment that the official reports of your-
self and the officers in command ' of the iron-elad vessels have not been pub-
lished. As no inconsiderable portions of these reports were devoted to a detail
of the imperfections, or supposed imperfections, of a class of formidable vessels
of our service, the effect of such a publication would have been to discourage
our friends and to encourage the rebels. This I could not do, although the
disparagement of those vessels might have furnished an ample justification, if
one were necessary, for the failure to obtain complete success at Charleston.
I regretted there was not a report of the battle, which we might have pub-
lished at once, and another and distinct report in regard to the turreted vessels
which we are just bringing into service, and concerning which it would have
been inexcusable to have informed our enemies. But as the whole subjects
were blended in the reports, and the failure imputed not so much to the defences,
obstructions, and other caiises, as to the vessels which, if not in every respect
all that was expected, certainly sustained a fire such as no vessels ever before
encountered and escaped, the county is, I conceive, better served by omitting,
for the present, their publication.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Tort Royal, S. C.
Reply of Rear-Admiral DuPont to department's letter of May 14.
No. 285.] Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, June 3, 1863.
Sib: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the department's com-
munication of the 14th ultimo, informing me of the receipt of my several des-
patches, accompanied by the reports of the commanding officers who participated
in the attack upon the forts at Charleston on the 7th of April last.
The tone of this communication is so different from the one which immediately
followed it, dated on the 15th ultimo, and to which I have already replied by
the Arago, that I desire to answer it more at length, and to meet the statements
of the department, as contained therein, as fully as may be in my power, and
with every mark of consideration due to its distinguished head.
I am well aware, as the department observes, that the results at Charleston
were not all that were wished for, and quite agree with the department that there
was, nevertheless, much in them that was gratifying, particularly that the loss
of life was so small, and that the capacity of the iron-clads for enduring the hot
and heavy fire brought to bear upon them, which would, have destroyed any
vessels of wood heretofore used in warfare, was made so evident. But I must
102 ARMORED VESSELS.
take leave to remind the department that ability to endure is not a sufficient
element wherewith to gain victories ; that endurance must be accompanied with
a corresponding power to inilict injury upon the enemy; and I will improve
the present occasion to repeat the expression of a conviction, which I have
already conveyed to the department in former letters, that the weakness of the
Monitor class of vessels in this latter important particular is fatal to their at-
tempts against fortifications having outlying obsti-uctions, as at the Ogeechee
and at Charleston, or against other fortifications upon elevations, as at Fort
Darling, or against any modern fortifications before which they must anchor or
lie at rest, and receive much more than they can return. With even their
diminished surface they are not invulnerable, and their various mechanical con-
trivances for working their turrets and guns are so liable to immediate derange-
ment that, in the brief though fierce engagement at Charleston, five out of eight
were disabled, and, as I mentioned in my detailed report to the department, a
half an hour more fighting would, in my judgment, have placed them all "hors
de combat."
The department refers to its order of the 11th of April, and to a telegram
from the President, which directed the retention of the military forces of the
United States near to Charleston, in view of operations elsewhere, and the de-
partment states its impression that these despatches were not in unison with my
convictions, and expresses its regret that I should have been pained by their
nature, when nothing was further from the intentions of the President or of the
department than a design to censure me in those communications.
The letter of the department of the 11th of April was unexceptionable, but
I certainly did consider the telegram of the President as implying a censure
upon myself, and I desire most respectfully to submit, as some evidence that
such a belief was not unreasonably entertained by me, that the President, with
great kindness, in a second despatch, and before he could have known what im-
pression his first had made, took occasion to state, much to my gratification,
that he had not intended to censure me.
In regai'd to the subject-matter of the order of the department of the 11th of
April, and to that of the accompanying telegram, I desire to state here that the
order of the department of the 2d of April had been received by me on the 9th,
and was so imperative, and so fully explanatory of the reasons for making it
impei-ative, that I had, as mentioned in my despatch No. 267, proceeded on the
12th, as soon as was practicable, to Port Royal with the Monitors to put them
under repairs before sending them to their new destination. The order of the
11th and the telegram found me here, in compliance with this previous order of
April 2.
It was in replying to this telegram, which I then believed to imply a consure
upon my action at Ch-irleston, that I deemed it due to myself to state that I
had never advised the attack on Charleston, and I perceive that the department
has taken especial exception to this expression, and has dwelt upon it at con-
siderable length in its letter to which I am now replying. A reference to my
correspondence with the department, and more particularly to my letters to the
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, will certainly show that I never advised the
attack upon Charleston at all ; but if made, it should be accompanied by a suffi-
cient number of troops to insure success ; and an inspection of this correspond-
ence, which, with'the Assistant Secretary, was constantly maintained, and which
put him and, as I supposed, the department also in full possession of my views
as to every matter connected with my command, will relieve me, I feel assured,
from the imputation that I did not keep the department sufficiently advised of
my opinions as to the operations contemplated on this coast; and I beg to refer
to the same correspondence as containing all the information obtained by me
from every source in regard to the defences of Charleston ; and if, after such in-
AKMORED VESSELS. 10 J
formation, Charleston harbor continued to be a sealed book to the department,
it was equally so to me.
The department, in continuing its remarks upon the want of such informa-
tion from me as the admiral commanding, observes, nevertheless, "that the
feasibility and the probable results of the demonstrations that were to be made
had been canvassed and fully understood when I visited Washington last
autumn."
The honorable Secretary will remember how very few words passed on the
subject between him and myself. It was, however, more fully discussed with
the Assistant Secretary, who proposed that I should return to my station by
way of Hampton Roads, in order that we might further canvass the matter,
and he accompanied me that far from Washington. But nothing was matm-ed,
and for the reason that all was still in the vague future. Not a new iron-clad
except the New Ironsides was yet finished, and the original Monitor was on the
dock in the Washington navy yard. The defects of the New Ironsides were
glaring, particularly the contracted size of the pilot-house and its improper loca-
tion behind the enormous smoke-stack, shutting out all view ahead, and most
materially interfering with the management of the vessel in battle — defects
painfully realized in the attack on Charleston.
I remember, however, that in our discussion the confidence of the Assistant
Secretary in the Monitor class of vessels was so profound as to lead him to say
that one Monitor alone would cause the immediate evacuation of Charleston;
upon which occasion, not entertaining such unlimited faith in the powers of those
vessels, nor disposed to- underrate an enemy, I took the liberty of reminding
him that one Monitor, aided by the Galena and Naugatuck, both iron-clads, with
several wooden gunboats, had failed to take Fort Darling, notwithstanding the
gTeat gallantry displayed on that occasion.
The department will therefore perceive that when I left Washington there
was really nothing matured, though I was firmly impressed with the fixed de-
termination of the department that Charleston should be attacked ; and that,
with the iron-clads, that attack must necessarily be successful.
The powers and adaptability of these vessels were as much a sealed book to
me as the defences of Charleston to the department; but under all the circum-
stances, to wit, the imperfect knowledge of those defences and of the powers of
the iron-clads, in which the department had expressed unbounded confidence,
no officer could hesitate to make the experiment, and I gave to it my whole
heart and energy, not hesitating to ask the department for all the iron-clads that
could be spared; and I am happy to say that the department spared no pains
to increase the force of those vessels.
While preparations were making, and the completion of the Monitors was
going on, the trials in the Ogeechee took place. As the department is aware, the
results here were most discouraging. Two attacks successively made by one
Monitor with gunboats and a mortar vessel, had no effect on a fort of seven (7)
guns, protected with piling and torpedoes. This was followed by a bombard-
ment of eight (8) hours, with three Monitors, with the gunboats, and three mor-
tar vessels, and, as before, with a like result. The injuries to the Monitors were
extensive, and their offensive powers found to be feeble in dealing with forts,
particularly earthworks.
It may perhaps be said that it was my duty to have placed before the depart-
ment, in more emphatic terms than were used by me, the deductions to be drawn
from these preliminary trials; for if three Monitors, with gunboats and mortar
vessels, following two previous trials on Fort McAllister with one Monitor and
the wooden boats, had failed to reach or take a seven (7) gun battery, how were
eight or nine iron-clads of all kinds to capture the defences of Charleston, con-
sisting of continuous lines of works and forts extending for several miles, and
mounting some hundreds of guns of improved make, and with a more compli-
104 AEMOEED VESSELS.
cated and more formidable sy'stem of oLstrnctions 1 But as these were deduc-
tions patent on the perusal of my despatches, I did not deem it necessary to do
more than lay all the facts of those trials before the department for its judgment
and decision; and in my despatch No. 41, written as early as January 28,
1863, I expressed myself as follows: "My own previous impressions of these
vessels frequently expressed to Assistant Secretary Fox have been confi;'med,
viz., that whatever degree of impenetrability they might have, there was no
corresponding quality of aggression or destructiveness against forts."
" This experiment also convinces me of another impression, firmly held and
often expressed, that in all such operations, to secure success, troops are. neces-
sary."
These facts, however, seemed not to have changed the views of the depart-
ment; and in accordance with its previous orders and its well-known determina-
tion to effect the capture of Charleston, I determined to make the experiment,
and to risk and possibly lose whatever of prestige pertained to a long and suc-
cessful professional career, in order to meet the necessities of the war and the
wishes of the government.
The experiment was made, and, in my opinion, sufficiently, thoroughly, and
conclusively. That it did not succeed in capturing the forts and the city of
Charleston is a matter of regret as keen, and of disappointment as great, to
myself and to those who shared in it, as can be felt by the department or by the
country. It was not, however, without important results, for it established
anew the supremacy of artillery in forts as against floating batteries, and con-
firmed the tmth of the opinion expressed by me in my previous despatches,
that in all such operations, to secure success, troops are necessary.
Had the land forces on this occasion been at all adequate to the emergency,
the result might have been all that the country desired. With the army in pos-
session of the land approaches to Charleston, the attack from the sea could have
been pushed to desperation, and the sacrifice of some of the iron-clad vessels
could then have been properly made, as they would not have fallen into the
hands of the enemy. But, unsupported by operations on shore, it would have
been a most culpable waste of material upon an unjustifiable forlorn hope, to
have carried the assault by sea to extremities, with the prospect of leaving a cer-
tain proportion of the iron-clads with the enemy, in condition perhaps to be
raised and repaired by them, and afterwards used from their interior lines most
effectively against the wooden blockaders.
The department expresses disappointment at not receiving from me sugges-
tions in regard to future movements.
I stated to the department in my first report, on the 8th of April, that, in my
judgment, to renew the attack would convert a failure into a disaster, and that
Charleston could not be taken by a purely naval attack. In my detailed report
of the 15th April, I repeated that it was wholly impracticable to take Charleston
with the naval force under my command.
In making the above declarations without reserve, with a full knowledge of
the responsibility involved, and under a high sense of duty, regardless of con-
sequences to myself, I thought I would, at the same time, be relieving the de-
partment of all embarrassment in reference to any immediate movements, and
that the department would appreciate my motives in so doing.
1 did not, therefore, make any suggestions, but waited to hear from the de-
partment in acknowledgment of my reports ; and I deeply regret to say that
the long and unusual silence maintained by the department has been to me a
cause of very sore disappointment.
Coming out of a battle of so novel a character as to attract the attention of
the world, and being the most momentous event in the service of this squadron
AEMOEED VESSELS. 105
since its victory in this harbor, the admiral commanding feels that he had a right
to look for ordinary official courtesy, if not for approval.
The department has declined to let my countrymen see my official reports,
and to this I submit; but the reasons assigned for this course surely did not pre-
clude me from being honored by an acknowledgment of the receipt of my des-
patches in the usual course of mail. For such acknowledgment, however, I
waited in vain, until six weeks after the battle, and I had the mortification of
reading European comments upon it before I received a line from the depart-
ment.
The favorable opportunity for the capture of Charleston presented itself when
the gunboats first took possession of Stono inlet, and the army landed, under
their protection on James island, which at that time was not strongly fortified.
The attack, however, failed, from causes which it is not necessary to mention
here, and the opportunity was lost. James island has been thoroughly protected
since that event, and the labor upon the harbor defences has not ceased since the
fall of Sumter.
Wben I stated to the department that in my opinion Charleston could not be
taken by a purely naval attack, I have wished to be understood in the ordinary
acceptation of these terms as used in war, and as conveying the idea of meas-
uring the importance of the operation with its cost. I do not doubt that there
is material enough in the country to accomplish this result in time ; but never-
theless, obstructions in the way may be made insuperable, and to take a place
it must first be reached. By a siege, and with the aid of iron-clads armed difie-
rently from the present Monitors, whose turrets could be relied on to continue to
turn, at least for a few hours consecutively, and sufficient in number to relieve
the disabled ones, the forts can be gradually reduced so as to get at the obstruc-
tions, which cannot be removed at night or during daylight by the Monitors while
under fire; but the department wiU remember how opposed it was to taking
Charleston by siege, whether from Morris island or elsewhere.
The reason for such joint co-operation is now passing away, as, during the
summer, James island is said to be too unhealthy for whites to remain upon it.
This, though bad for the enemy, would be fatal to our troops. It is probable,
taking into consideration the number and the strength of the forts upon James
island, that military science would indicate Bull bay as the point from which
the army should move ; this bay was suggested as available for a base of opera-
tions against Charleston by the board convened by the department in 1861.
If a joint operation on a sufficient scale is not to be undertaken at this moment,
I see nothing to recommend now, but to endeavor to enforce the blockade of
Charleston, which, notwithstanding the presence here of a larger force than I
have had before it previously, is still evaded.
The safety of the blockading force must also be looked to, and I respectfully
and earnestly appeal to the department to contemplate the condition of the
blockade of the whole coast from North Carolina to Florida. If, as seems prob-
able, it should have to contend with sea-going iron-clads of the enemy, prepar-
ing in their own waters and abroad, it is to be greatly feared that the Monitors
will not be equal to the occasion. They can protect the inside stations, but
they are not adapted for ocean work, and iron-clad vessels that can cruise and
keep the sea are now alsolutely needed. The want of such vessels will be more
imperatively felt as the events of this war continue to develop themselves, and
I feel myself greatly hampered at this moment, because the force under my
command, so far as iron-clads are concerned, is composed of vessels whose neces-
sities require them to be kept in smooth water.
106 ARMOEED VESSELS.
But as I have already called the attention of the department to this subject in
a special despatch, I need not dwell any further upon it at present.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. r. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C
The Secretary of the Navy to Rear-Admiral DuPont.
Navy Department, June 26, 1863.
Sir : Tour despatch of the 3d instant (No. 285) was received. Some delay
attended the acknowledgment of your official report of the demonstration of the
7th of April, in consequence of my daily expectation of hearing from you fii
relation to the order of the President. A prompt response on your part to that
order would have prevented delay, although your report itself, it should be
mentioned, was not received until the 20th April — a fortnight after the
occurrence.
As regards the demonstration of the 7th April and the circumstances attend-
ing it, I do not propose to discuss them, nor would it be profitable now. I
must repeat my regret that your views were not understood by the department
before the event took place, for had they been known, matters would undoubt-
edly have been ordered differently.
When you were here last autumn, and Rear-Admiral Dahlgren solicited the
opportunity of making the attack on Charleston, I was compelled to refuse him,
because I supposed what he sought as a privilege, you claimed as a right. In
the brief interviews that took place, our conversations respecting Charleston
were general ; but I never doubted they were frank, cordial, and sincere. The
duty was confided to you, who had made the subject a study and had it in hand
for more than a year.
With the Assistant Secretary, who has made Charleston a specialty and is
familiar with all the points — having, as you are aware, not only visited that place
at the commencement of the troubles, but commanded the expedition for the
relief of Sumter, in the spring of 1861 — you went more fully into particulars,
and he, like myself, supposed there was entire coincidence of views on the
subject.
It is unfortunate, in every respect, that there was not a more explicit under-
standing at an earlier period. If, prior to the demonstration of the 7th April,
you had not confidence in the Monitor vessels and their armament, as the de-
partment understands you have intimated to others, it. is to be regretted that
you did not make known your distrust of their capabilities to the department
itself, before any demonstration was attempted.
Sincerely regretting that any portion of the correspondence which the de-
partment has felt compelled to make should have given dissatisfaction or caused
you pain, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
AEMORED VESSELS. 107
Inquiry relative to guns of the Keohuk.
Navy Department, May 22, 1S63.
Sir : Enclosed is an article from the Charleston Mercury, in which it is
stated that the guns of the Keokuk have been removed from the wreck and
taken to Charleston. Have you any information upon this subject ?
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. E. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
Admiral DuPont relative to loss of guns of Keohuk.
No. 287.] Flag-Ship "Wabash,
Pcyrt Royal Harbor, S. C, June 6, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the department's despatch of May
22, 1863, enclosing an article from the Charleston Mercury, in which it is stated
that the guns of the Keokuk have been removed from the wreck and taken to
Charleston.
I have no information on tke subject, other than is given in the enclosed slip,
and which I have seen before.
I have very little doubt of its truth. The work, however, must have been
done at night.
The department has already been informed in my despatch (No. 208) that I
offered every facility to Chief Engineer Robie to blow up the Keokuk with Mr.
Ericsson's raft, but that officer found it too dangerous to use.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
The Secretary of the Navy to Rear-Admiral DuPont relative to the guns of the
Keohuh.
Navy Department, June 27, 1863.
Sir : The department learns with regret, by your letter of the 6th instant,
that the paragraph from the Charleston Mercury, forwarded to you, stating that
the guns of the Keokuk have been removed from the wreck and taken to
Charleston, is probably correct. You remark, however, that " the work must
have been done in the night;" and add, that the "department has already
been informed, in your despatch No. 208, that you offered every facility to
Chief Engineer Robie to blow up the Keokuk with Mr. Ericsson's raft, but that
officer found it too dangerous to use."
The duty of destroying the Keokuk, and preventing her guns from falling
into the hands of the rebels, devolved upon the commander-in-chief rather than
on Chief Engineer Robie. I do not understand that the operations were neces-
108 ARMORED VESSELS.
sarilj limited to Mr. Ericsson's raft, of which such apprehensions appear to
have been entertained. The wreck and its important armament ought not to
have been abandoned to the rebels, whose sleepless labors appear to have se-
cured them a valuable prize.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
Rear- Admiral DuPont relative to loss of guns of the Keokuk.
No. 362.] Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, July 5, 1863.
Sir : As I was preparing to hand over, at an early hour in the morning, the
command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron to Rear-Admiral Dahl-
gren, in accordance with the orders of the department, I received from the
latter its communication of the 27th June, the latest date virhich has reached
me, referring to the guns of the Keokuk.
Having indulged the hope that my command, covering a period of twenty-
one months afloat, had not been without results, I was not prepared for a con-
tinuance of that censure from the department which has characterized its letters
to me since the Monitors failed to take Charleston.
I can only add now, that to an officer of my temperament, whose sole aim
has been to do his whole duty, and who has passed through forty-seven years
of service without a word of reproof, these censures of the Navy Department
would be keenly felt if I did not know they were wholly undeserved.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Letter of Rear-Admiral DuPont on the qualities of the Monitor vessels for
blockading duty off Charleston.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, June 3, 1863.
Sir : I had the honor in a previous despatch to report to the department the
necessity of increasing the vessels in this squadron, in order to make the block-
ade more effective, particularly off Charleston.
I desire now to call the attention of the department to another important point
in connexion with the blockade of this coast.
It has hitherto been maintained by wooden vessels, many of which are of the
most vulnerable character, but the time is approaching when they will be liable
at any moment to be driven off by iron-clads of the rebels from the harbors of
Charleston and Savannah, and, if reports speak true, by iron-clads from abroad.
To meet this serious difficulty I have only one vessel which can do outside
blockading duty, and that is the New Ironsides, and her commander expresses
doubts of her ability to remain off Charleston in the-hurricane season. The
ARMOEED VESSELS. 109
other iron-clads, the Monitors, and particularly in the coming hot season, are
totally unfit for this duty. They are not sea-going or sea-keeping vessels. In
even a slight sea the hatches must be battened down, and the effect upon the
crew, if continued for a brief period in hot weather, would be most deleterious ;
indeed, in such weather they are not habitable; but, in addition to this very
serious objection, the speed of these vessels, owing to the foulness of their
bottoms, is so slow that they are not only unfit to chase, but in a gale of wind
could not keep themselves from going ashore. Even in a strong tide-way,
owing to the deficiency or weakness of their ground tackling, they frequently
get adrift. These vessels can maintain a blockade in inland waters, but the
nearest point to Charleston where they can be placed is North Edisto.
I have on different occasions referred to the qualities of these iron-clads for
keeping the sea, but I deem it my duty to call the attention of the department
to them in an especial despatch.
In this connexion, I forward a copy of a letter from the commanding officers
of the iron-clads, addressed to me when they understood it might be deemed
necessary to order them on blockading duty off Charleston.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding, S[c.
Hon. Gideon Wellb.s,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. •
Opinion of comm,anding officers of Monitor vessels.
North Edisto, S. C, May 25. 1863.
Sir : Having understood that when it shall be necessary to withdraw the New
Ironsides from the blockade of Charleston for purposes of repairs or refresh-
ment that vessels of this class may be regarded as necessary and fit to take her
place, we beg leave to express our opinion on that point.
The hatches would have to be battened down the whole time, -and the vessels
could not fail to be disabled from loss of health to the crew. The loss of speed
from foulness of bottom, now amounting to one-half of what they had when put
in commission, would put it out of their power to chase effectively, or to get off
shore in a gale of wind, even with the assistance of an ordinary steamer. The
extreme sluggishness of the compass would make it impossible to make any
given course of a cloudy night. If clear, setting the course by a star and
giving time for the compass to traverse, would make its use possible. The
ground-tackle in a heavy sea-way would, in our opinion, be quite inadequate to
hold her. In short, we think these vessels are entirely inadequate to maintain
a blockade at sea.
Very respectfully, your obedieut servants,
JOHN EODGERS, Captain.
DANIEL AMMEN, Commander.
GEO. W. EODGERS, Commander.
D. M. FAIRFAX, Commander.
JOHN DOWNES, Commander.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
Flag- Ship Wabash, Port Royal.
110 ARMORED VESSELS.
Major General Hunter to the President relative to Rear-Admiral DuPunt's
refusal to co-operate.
Headquarters Department of the South,
Hilton Head, Port Royal, South Carolina, May 22, 1863.
Dear Sir: It is more than six weeks since the attack by the iron-clada
upon Charleston — an attack in which, from the nature of the plans of Admiral
DuPont, the army had no active part.
On the day of that attack the troops under my command held Folly island
up to Light-house inlet. On the morning after the attack we were in complete
readiness to cross Light-house inlet to Morris island, where, once established,
the fall of Sumter would have been as certain as the demonstration of a prob-
lem in mathematics. Aided by a cross-fire from the navy, the enemy would
soon have been driven from Oummings's Point; and with powerful batteries of
one and two hundred-pounder rifled guns placed there, Port Sumter would have
been rendered untenable in two days' fire. Port Pulaski was breached and
taken from Goat's Point, on Tybee island, a precisely similar proposition, with
32-pounder Parrott guns, 42-pounder James's guns, and a few 10-inch colum-
biads ; the 13-inch mortars used in that bombardment having proved utterly
valueless. I mention these things to show how certain would have been the
fall of Fort Sumter under the fire of the one and two hundred-pounders rifled
now at my command.
On the afternoon after the iron-clad attack on Fort Sumter, the troops on
Folly island were not only ready to cross Light-house inlet, but were almost in
the act, the final reconnoissance having been made, the boats ready, and the men
under arms for crossing, when they were recalled, as I hoped merely tempora-
rily, by the announcement of Admiral DuPont that he had resolved to retire,
and that, consequently, we could expect no assistance from the navy.
Immediately the admiral was waited upon by an officer of my staif, who rep-
resented the forwardness of our preparations for crossing, the evidently unpre-
pared condition of the enemy to receive us, while any delay, now that our in-
tentions were unmasked, would give the enemy time to erect upon the southern
end of Morris island, commanding Light-house inlet, those works and batteries
which he had heretofore neglected. To these considerations, earnestly and
elaborately urged, the admiral's answer was that "he would not fire another
shot."
A lodgment on Morris island was thus made impossible for us, the enemy
having powerful works on the island, more especially at the northern end, out
of which we could not hope to drive him unless aided by a cross-fire from the
navy. I therefore determined to hold what we had got until the admiral should
have had time to repair his vessels ; and to this hour we hold every inch of
ground on Folly and Cole's and Seabrook's islands that we held on the day of
the expected crossing.
Since then I have exercised patience with the admiral, and have pushed for-
ward my works and batteries on Folly island with unremitting diligence; the
enemy meanwhile, thoroughly aroused to their danger, throwing up works that
completely commanded Light-house inlet, on the southern end of Morris island ;
so that the crossing which could have been effected in a couple of hours and
with little sacrifice six weeks ago, will now involve, whenever attempted, pro-
tracted operations and a very serious loss of life. And to what end should this
sacrifice be made without the co-operation of the navy? Even when estab-
lished on the southern end of Morris island, the northern end, with its powerful
works and commanded by the fire of Forts Sumter and Johnson, would still
remain to be possessed. The sacrifice would be of no avail without the aid of
the navy ; and I have been painfully but finally convinced that from the navy no
ARMORED VESSELS. 1X1
sucli aid is to be expected. I fear Admiral DuPont distrusts tlie iron-clads so
much that he has resolved to do nothing with them this summer; and therefore
I most urgently beg of you to liberate me from those orders to " co-operate with
the navy," which now tie me down to share the admiral's inactivity. Remain-
ing in onr present situation, we do not even detain one soldier of the enemy
fi-om service elsewhere. I am well satisfied that they have already sent away
from Charleston and Savannah all the troops not absolutely needed to garrison
the defences, and these will have to remain in the works whether an enemy be
in sight or not.
Liberate me from this order to " co-operate with the navy in an attack on
Charleston," and I will immediately place a column of ten thousand of the best
drilled soldiers in the country (as unquestionably are the troops of this depart-
ment) in the heart of Georgia, our landing and marching being made through
counties in which, as shown by the census, the slave population is seventy-five
per cent, of the inhabitants. Nothing is truer, sir, than that this rebellion has
left the southern States a mere hollow shell. If we avoid their few strongholds,
where they have prepared for and invited us to battle, we shall meet no opposi-
tion in a total devastation of their resources; thus compelling them to break up
their large armies and garrisons at a few points into scores of small fractions of
armies for the protection of every threatened or assailable point. I will guar-
antee, with the troops now fruitlessly though laboriously occupying Polly and
Seabrook islands, and such other troops as can be spared from the remaining
posts of this department, to penetrate into Georgia, produce a practical dissolu-
tion of the slave system there, destroy all railroad communication along the
eastern portion of the State, and lay waste all stores which can possibly be used
for the sustenance of the rebellion.
My troops are in splendid health and discipline, and, in my judgment, are
more thoronghly in sympathy with the policy of the government than any other
equal body of men in the service of the United States to-day. With the excep-
tion of one brigadier general and one colonel commanding a brigade, there is not
an oflicer of any consequence in the command who is not heart and soul in favor
of prosecuting this war by any and every means likely to insure success. Only
once liberate me from enforced waiting on the action of those who, I fear, are
not likely to do anything, and I promise you that I will give full employment to
twice or thrice my number of the enemy; and that while Rosecrans threatens
Bragg in front, I will interrupt his communications, threaten his rear, and spread
a panic through the country.
In this connexion, I would ask, if possible, for a regiment of cavalry, and
that the brigade sent by me to the relief of Major General Poster may be or-
dered back from North Carolina. If no cavalry can be spared, then that five
hundred horses and a thousand saddles and equipments may be sent to me im-
mediately. Also, that the pikes drawn for my chief of ordnance may be sup-
plied immediately; these weapons being the simplest and most efiective that can
be placed in the hands of the slaves who are liberated" in our march into the in-
terior.
In conclusion, I would again call attention to my request to be endowed with
the same powers intrusted to Adjutant General Thomas, for raising colored reg-
iments and giving commissions to their officers. I think this of the utmost im-
portance, as each commission promptly given to a deserving non-commissioned
officer or private has the effect of conciliating the sentiment of the regiment from
which the appointee is taken; and if is of the utmost importance that the
experiment of colored soldiers shoidd have the hearty acquiescence of the troops
with whom they are to serve.
I deem this matter of so much importance, and am so weary of inactivity, that
112 AEMOKED VESSELS.
I send this letter by special steamer to Fortress Monroe, and have instructed
the captain of the vessel to wait for your reply.
I have the honor to be, sir, -very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
D. HDNTEE,
Major General, Commanding.
His Excellency A. Lincoln,
President of the United States.
I send this letter by Captain Arthur M. Kinzie, one of my aides-de-camp,
who will await your answer and return immediately by the steamer which bears
this to Fortress Monroe.
D. HUNTEE, Major General.
Letter relieving Rear-Admiral DuPontJrom command of South Atlantic Block-
ading Squadron.
Navy Department, June 3, 1863.
Sir: Your despatch, No. 267, under date of" May 27, is received.
I do not find in this nor in any communication received from you since the
7th of April any proposition for a renewed attack upon Charleston, or sugges-
tions even for active operations against that place. No acknowledgment of the
despatch which the President made jointly to yourself and General Hunter has
been received at this department.
The government is unwilling to relinquish all further efforts upon a place that
has been so conspicuous in this rebellion, and which continues to stimulate trea-
son and resistance to the Union and the government, and whose reduction is so
essential. I regret that you do not concur in these views, for your long experi-
ence upon the coast, the prestige of your name, with your intelligence, profound
skill, and your past success, had induced me to hope that you would lead in this
great measure, and that it might be the crowning achievement of a successful
career.
From the tone of your letters it appears that your judgment is in opposition
to a renewed attack on Charleston ; and in view of this fact, with your prolonged
continuance on the blockade, the department has concluded to relieve you of the
command of the South Atlantic squadron, and to order Kear- Admiral Foote as
your successor.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary/ of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
4rc., Sfc., Port Royal, South Carolina.
General Gillmore requesting the co-operation of Rear-Admiral DuPont.
New York, June 4, 1863.
My Dear Sir : I learn by conference with Admiral Foote that fifteen or
twenty days may possibly elapse before he can start south. As I expect to
start by Monday next at furthest, and as it may be of vital importance for us '
to secure a lodgment on Morris island before its defences, now rapidly progress-
ing, are completed, I respectfully request that Admiral DuPont be advised to
ARMORED VESSELS. 113
co-operate in such preliminary operations as it may be necessary to inaugurate
in order to secure that end.
Admirals Foote and Dahlgreen coincide with me in this view of the matter.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Q. A. GILLMOEE, Brigadier General.
Captain G. V. FoX,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C
Rear -Admiral DuPont directed to co-operate with General Grillmore.
Navy Department, June 6, 1863:
SlE : General Gillmore has been ordered to take charge of the Department
of the South, and you will please afford him all the aid and assistance in your
power in conducting his operations.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Bear- Admiral S. F. DuPont, _ . ^
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C
Note. — The receipt of this despatch was acknowledged by Rear-Admiral
DuPont under date of June 14, 1863.
General Gillmore states that operations are delayed for want of Rear-Admiral
DuPont's CO operation. •
Headquarters Department op the South,
Port Royal, S. C, June 30, 1863.
Sir : I have to report no important changes in the condition of things at
FtiUy island. My preparations are nearly completed, but I can do nothing until
Admiral DuPont's successor arrives and gets ready to work. The admiral has
no instructions,* and does not feel at liberty to put his vessels into action on the
ere of relinquishing his command. I believe we could get Morris island without
the assistance of the navy; but so long as they lie outside the bar the enemy's
iron-clads and other gunboats could annoy us so much that we could accomplish
very little towards the erection of batteries.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Q. A. GILLMORE, Brig. Gen. Conim'g.
Major General H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
Congratulating Rear- Admiral DuPont upon his arrival home.
Navy Department, July 15, 1863.
Sir : I received your letter of the 10th instant, announcing your amval. In
acknowledging the receipt of your letter, I avail myself of the occasion to con-
gratulate you on your safe return to Delaware after the severe labors of your
late arduous command.
« Keoeipt of inBtnuctions acknowledged by Rear-Admiral Dnl'out under date of June J4,
H. Ex. Doc. 69-^—8
114 ARMORED VESSELS.
Elsewhere, and in public official communications, I have expressed uiy high
appreciation of your services and of the ability that you have exhibited.
Wishing you health and happiness, I am, very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear- Admiral S. E. DuPont,
U. S. Navy, Wilmington, Delaware.
Rear- Admiral Dahlgren to command the South Atlantic Squadron.
Navy Department, June 24, 1863.
Sir : Rear- Admiral Foote being unable from sickness to proceed to Port
Royal, feear- Admiral Dahlgren, who was appointed next in command, has been
ordered to repair thither and relieve you of the command of the South Atlantic
blockading squadron, and you will turn over to him all unexecuted orders.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear- Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C
Rear- Admiral DuPont prefers charges against Chief Engineer Stimers.
[Despatch Ho. 236—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, May 12, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose charges and specifications against Alban C,
Stimers, a chief engineer in the navy of the United States, and to request the
department to arrest this officer and send him to this station for trial, where
most of the witnesses are.
In order to ascertain with more precision the extent of his unofficerlike con-
duct and disregard of truth, I was compelled to wait for the arrival of the
" Arago" on her present trip.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
* S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Charges and specifii-ations of charges preferred by Rear-Admiral Samvel F.
DuPont, commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron, against Chief
Engineer Alban C. Stimers, United States navy.
Charge First: Falsehood.
Specification. — In this : that between the eleventh and fifteenth days of April,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, the said Alban 0. Stimers, a chief engineer
in the United States navy, being then on board the steamship Arago, by the
authority and direction of Rear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, commanding the
AKMOEED VESSELS. 115
South Atlantic .blockading squadron— the said Aiago being on her passage from
Port Royal South Carolina, to New York city, via Chadeston bar-did! at the
table ol said steamer, m the presence of officers of said steamer and other
persons a number of whom were con-espondents of the public press, and at
divers other times during the passage of the said steamer, falsely assert, knowing
the same to be untrue, that he was told by one or more of the commanders of
tHe iron-clad vessels engaged in the attack upon the forts and batteries in
Charleston harbor, on the seventh day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, that the attack of that day ought to have been renewed; and that they
did turther state to him that the said iron-clad vessels were in fit condition to
renew it ; and the said Alban 0. Stimers did further falsely assert, knowing the
same to be untrue, that several of the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels
had said to him m his presence and hearing that they, the said commanders,
were, after the attack aforesaid, "hot for renewing the engagement," or words
to that effect.
Charge Second : Conduct unbecoming an officer of the navy.
_ Specification.— In this: that between the eleventh and fifteenth days of April
eighteen hundred and -sixty-three, the said Alban 0. Stimers, a chief engineer
m the United States navy, being then on board the steamship Arago,
e *^®/™°"*y ^^^ direction of Rear- Admiral S. F. DuPont, commanding
South Atlantic blockading squadron — the said Arago being on her passage from
wi' f^^\ ^OMt\i Carolina, to New York city, via Charleston bar— did, at the
table of said steamer, in the presence of officers of the said steamer and other
persons, a number of whom were correspondents of the public press, and at
divers other times during the passage of the said steamer, with the intent to
disparage and injure -the professional reputation of his superior officer, Rear-
Admiral S. P. DuPont, criticise and condemn, in terms unbecoming the circum-
stances and his position as an officer of the navy, the professional conduct of
his superior officer. Rear- Admiral S. F. DuPont, in the attack upon the forts
and batteries in Charleston harbor on the seventh day of April; eighteen hundred
and sixty-three, and did, with the like intent, knowingly make false statements,
using, among other improper and unfounded ex;pressions, words in substance as
follows : " That the Monitors were in as good condition on Wednesday, the
eighth day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, after they had undergone
some slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence it the
day before ; that they could go into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and
obstructions, and that Rear-Admiral DuPont was too much prejudiced against
the Monitors to give them a fair trial."
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, May 12, 1863.
WITNESSES.
Brigadier General Geo. H. Gordon, U. S. A.; Henry A. Gadsden, captain of
the Arago ; Frederick Gratagean, purser of the Arago ; Arthur Hughes, chief
engineer of the Arago ; Fernandez! doctor of the Arago ; J. H. Baker,
chief officer of the Arago ; C. C. Fulton, editor and proprietor of the Baltimore
American and Commercial Advertiser; Colwell, of New York, builder of
one of the iron-clads, passenger in the Arago; Mars, coppersmith, of New
York, passenger on the Arago ; Commodore Thos. Turner, IJ. S. N.; Captain
Percival Drayton, U. S. N.; Captain John Rodgers, U. S. N.; Captain John
L. Worden, U. S. N.; Commander Daniel Ammen, U. S. N.; Commander Don-
ald McN.'Fairfax, U. S. N.; Commander John Dowiies, U. S. N.; Commander
Alexander C. Rhind, U. S. N.; Assistant Surgeon George D. Slocum, U. S. N.;
Acting Assistant Paymaster A. S. Poor, D. S. N.
116 AEMOKED VESSELS.
Record of the proceedings of a naval court of inquiry, lield at the United States
marine barracks, Brooklyn, in the State of New York, on Friday, the fifth
day of June, in the year of our Lnrd one thousand eight hundred and sixty-
three, by virtue of a precept signed by the honorable the Secretary of the Navy,
the original whereof is hereunto annexed, and which is in the words and
figures following :
"To Rear- Admiral Francis H. Gregory, United States Navy :
"By virtue of the authority contained in the act for the hetter government of the
navy of the United States, approved July 17, 1862, 1 hereby appoint Rear- Admi-
ral Francis H. Gregory, president; Rear- Admiral Silas H. Stringham and Com-
modore William 0. Nicholson, members; and Edwin M. Stoughton, esq., judge,
advocated, of a naval court of inquiry, 'vhich is ordered to convene at the marine
barracks,. Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, the first day of June, A. D. 1863,
for the purpose of inquiring into the grounds of the charges hereunto annexed
and- made a part of this precept, preferred by Rear- Admiral Samuel F. DuPont
against Chief Engineer Alvan 0. Stimers, of the navy. The court will dili-
gently and fully inquire into the matters embraced in the specifications of the
said charges, and report to the department their opinion as to the necessity or
propriety of further proceedings in the case.
" Given under my hand and the seal of the Navy Department of the United
States, this 21st day of May. A. D. 1863.
r 1 "GIDEON WELLES,
L ' 'J " Secretary of the Navy ."
And also, by virtue of the orders contained in the letters and communications
of the honoi-able the Secretary of the Navy, which are hereunto appended, and
are in the words and figures following :
"Navy Department, May 21, 1863.
" Sir : Enclosed herewith is a precept for a court of inquiry, of which yoti
are appointed president, and which will convene at the marine barracks at
Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, the- 1st day of June next, or as soon there-
after as practicable.
"I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
"GIDEON WELLES,
" Secretary of the Navy.
" Rear- Admiral F. H. Gregory,
" United States Navy, New York."
"Navy Department, May 30, 1863.
- Sir: E. M Stoughton, esq., being unable to act as judge advocate of the
naval court of inquiry ordered to convene at Brooklyn on the 1st "proximo,
Edward Pierrepout, esq., has been appointed judge advocate, in his stead.
" I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
" GIDEON WELLES,
" Secretary of the Na-vy.
" Rear- Admiral F, H. Gregory,
" United Slates Navy, New York."
"June 2, 1863.
"Judge Pierrepont having declined to act as judge advocate, the court are de-
sired to select one.
"GIDEON WELLES,
" Secretary of the' Navy.
" Rear- Admiral F. H. Gregory,
" United States Hotd."
ARMORED VESSELS. 117
And also by virtue of orders appointing Hiram L. Sleeper, esq., as judge ad-
vocate, which are hereunto appended, and in words and figures as follows :
"United States Marine Barracks,
" Brooklyn, New York, June 4, 1863.
" Sir : By order of a precept of the honorable the Secretary of the Navy,
dated at the Navy Department. of the United States the 21st day of May, 1863,
appointing Rear- Admiral Francis H. Gregory president. Rear- Admiral Silas H.
Stringham and Commodore Wm. C. Nicholson members, and l^dwin M. Stough-
ton judge advocate of a naval court of inquiry, and by virtiie of a communica-
tion directed to Rear-Adrairal Francis H. Gregory, president of said court, by
the Secretary of the Navy, dated June 2, 1863, you are hereby appointed judge
advocate of the naval court of inquiry convened by virtue of said precept.
Should you accept the appointment you will report without delay to the presi-
dent of the court.
." Very respectfully, yom- obedient servant,
"F. H. GREGORY,
" Rear-Admiral, President.
" Hiram L. Slekper, Esq., New York."
"Navy Department, June 4, 1863.
" Sir : You are hereby appointed judge advocate of a naval court of inquiry,
which is now in session at the navy yard, Brooklyn, New York, and of which
Rear- Admiral Francis H. Gregory is president.
" I am, respectfully, your obedient sei-vant,
"GIDEON WELLES,
" Secretary of the Navy.
"Hiram L. Sleeper, Esq., Neto York."
United States Marine Barracks,
Brooklyn, New York, Friday, June b, 1863.
The court convened in pursuance of the foregoing precept and orders :
Present, Rear- Admiral Francis H. Gregory, president.
Members, Rear- Admiral Silas H. Stringham, Commodore Wm. C. Nicholson;
Hiram Sleeper, judge advocate.
Present, also, Alban C. Stimers, a chief engineer in the navy of the United
States, the accused.
The precept and orders hereinbefore set forth were produced and read by the
judge advocate in the presence of Chief Engineer Stimers.
The judge advocate then asked Chief Engineer Stimers if he had any excep-
tion or cause of challenge to make against any member of the court named in
the foregoing precept, to which he replied that he had not.
Thereupon the judge advocate administered to the members of the court, and
each of them, in the presence of Chief Engineer Stimers, the oath required by
the 25th article of the act of Congress, entitled " An act for the better govern-
ment of the navy of the United States," approved July 17, 1S62 ; and the
president of the court administered to the judge advocate the oath prescribed by
the statute aforesaid.
Chief Engineer Stimers here requested that the court would allow him the
privilege of counsel, and named Edwin M. Stoughton and Charles H. Glover,
esquires, as such counsel. The court' thereupon granted the request, and Edwin
M. Stoughton and Charles H. Glover, esquires, appeared as counsel for Chief
Engineer Stimers.
118 ARMORED VESSELS
The court^now being organized, the judge advocate read the charges and
■specifications^of charges in the presence of the accused, hereunto appended, of
which the following is a copy :
'Charges and specifications of charges preferred by Rear-Admiral Samuel, F.
DuPont, commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron, against Chief
Engineer Alhan C Stimcrs, of the United States Navy.
Charge First : Falsehwd.
Specification. — In this : that between the eleventh and fifteenth days of
April, eighteen hnndied and sixty-three, the said Alban 0. Stimers, a chief
engineer in the United States navy, being then on board the steamship Arago,
by the authority and direction of Kear- Admiral Samuel T. DuPont, commanding
the South Atlantic blockading squadron — the said Arago being on her passage
from Port Koyal, South Carolina, to New York city, via Charleston bar — did,
at the table ot said steamer, in the presence of officers of said steamer and other
persons, a number of whom were correspondents of the public press, a;nd at
divers other times during the passage of the said steamer, falsely assert, knowing
the same to be untrue, that he was told by one or more of the commanders of
the iron-clad vessels engaged in the attack upon the forts and batteries in
Charleston harbor on the seventh day of April, eighteen- hundred and sixty-
three, that the attack of that day ought to have been renewed ; and that they
did further state to him that the said iron-clad vessels were in fit condition to
renew it; and the said Alban C. Stimers did further falsely assert, knowing the
same to be untrue, that several of the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels
had said to him, or in his presence and hearing, that they, the said commanders,
were, after the attack aforesaid, " hot for renewing the engagement," or words
to that effect.
Charge Second : Conduct unbecoming an officer of the navy.
Specification. — In this : that between the eleventh and fifteenth days, of April,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, the said Alban C. Stimers, a chief engineer
in the United States navy, being then nn board the steamship Arago, by the
authority and direction of Rear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, commanding South
Atlantic blockading squadron — the said Arago being on the passage from Port
Koyal, South Carolina, to New York city, via Charleston bar — did, at the table
of said steamer, in the presence of officers of the said steamer and other per-
sons, a number of whom were correspondents of the public press, and at divers
other times during the passage of the said steamer with the intent to- disparage
and injure the professional reputation of his superior officer, Rear-Admiral
Samuel F. DuPont, criticise and condemn, in terms unbecoming the circumstances
and his position as an officer of the navy, the professional conduct of his supe-
rior officer, Rear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, in the attack upon the forts and
batteries in Charleston harbor, on the 7th day of April, eighteen hundred and
sixty-three, and did, with the like intent, knowingly make false statements,
uging, among other improper and unfounded expressions, words in substance as
follows : " That the Monitors were in as good condition on Wednesday, the
eighth day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, after they had under-
gone some slight repairs, to renew th^ attack, as they had been to commence it
the day before ; that they could go into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes
and obstructions, and that Rear-Admiral DuPont was too njuch prejudiced
against the Monitors to be willing to give them a fair trial."
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
ARMORED VESSELS. 119
The judge advocate then asked Chief Engineer Stimers if he was ready to
proceed, to which he replied he was.
The judge advocate then called as a witness on the behalf of the government,
Captain Henry A. Gadsden, who being duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question. What is your name ; and what is your profession or occupation ?
Answer. My name is Henry A. Gadsden, and I am commander of the steam-
ship Arago.
Question. Were you in command of the said steamship Arago the whole time
between the eleventh and fifteenth days of April, 1863 ? If yea, where was the
Arago during that time, and on what service engaged?
Answer. I was in command of the Arago during the whole time inquired of
in the question, and she was then on her homeward passage from Port Eoyal to
New York. She came by the way of Stono inlet and via Charleston bar and
Fortress Monroe.
Question. Do you know Chief Engineer Alban 0. Stimers, of the United
States navy, now present 1 If yea, how long have you known him 1
Answer. I do know Mr. Stimers, and have known him since about the iOth
of April, 1863.
Question. Was or was not Chief Engineer Stimers a passenger on board the
Arago during her voyage from Port Eoyal, South Carolina, in the month of
April last, to New York 1 If yea, when and where did he join the Arago, and
hj whose orders ^nd authority 1
Answer. He was a passenger, and joined the ship off Charleston bar about
the eleventh day of April last; by whose order or authority I do not know.
He left the Arago at New York, about the 14th of April last.
Question. During the time Chief Engineer Stimers was a passenger on board
the Arago, at the time you have referred to in your last answer, did you have
any conversation with the said Stimers relative to the attack made by the
United States naval forces on the forts and batteries of Charleston harbor, on
the 7th day of April last 1 If yea, you will please state such conversation as
nearly as you can recollect.
Answer. I saw but very little of Mr. Stimers on the passage, and only
recollect one conversation of a few moments" duration that I had with him. I
think that one was all; and it being so long ago, I cannot pretend to give
the words of Mr. Stimers. I can only give the substance of the conversation,
which was to the effect that the Monitors had not received any serious damage
in their attack on the forts — none but what could be repaired in a very few hours,
and that after these repairi? were finished they would be in as good condition to
engage the forts again as they were when they went into the engagement first
on the 7th of April last ; that he considered the trial they had had was not
sufficient to condemn them, or that they should not be condemned for what
tiiey had failed to perform, or words to that effect.
Question. Did you have any conversation ■ with Chief Engineer Stimers, at
the time last referred to, respecting the conduct^of Kear-Admiral S. F. Du-
Pont, of the United States navy, during the attack aforesaid, or did Chief En-
gineer Stimers at any time during the passage on the Arago make any remarks
to you or in your presence respecting Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont, or the part
he had taken in the said attack ?
Answer. None that I am aware of. He only did in general terms ; he did
not individualize any officers. Of course I took it to be disparaging to Rear-
Admiral DuPont when he said the Monitors had not had a fair trial, be-
cause I thought at the time that it was Rear-Admiral DuPont's duty to give
them a fair trial.
Question. Did or did not Chief Engineer Stimers, in the course of his con-
versation, say to you, in substance, that the Monitors were in as good condition .
120 ARMORED VESSELS.
on Wednesday, the eighth day of April last, after they had undergone some
slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they were to commence it the day before?
If he did make such remark, what did you reply to it?
Answer. In suhstance he did make such remark, but as to my reply 1 cannot
now say.
Queation. Have you at any time had any conversation with Chief Engineer
Stimers respecting the nature of the injuries sustained by the Monitors in the
attack on the forts at Charleston, on the 7th day of April lastl If yea, state
what such conversation was, and when and where it occurred.
Answer. I only recollect that on the deck of the Arago I asked him if the
Nahant had not received very serious damage, as I had been informed that &e
bolts were sticking out of the turret, so that a person could climb to the top of
the tunet on them. He replied that that was no injury to her, as she had been
bolted too much, or had had too many bolts put into her, or words to that effect;
that was in the same conversation that I have first leferred to.
Question. Has or not Chief Engineer Stimers at any time remai-ked to you,
or in your presence, that the Monitors could go into Charleston in spite of gune,
torpedoes, and obstructions 1 If yea, when and where did he make such remark?
Answer. That remark was made by him, and in the same conversation ; bat
I am not so positive but that he added, if the devils or hoot-jacks were attached
to them, or words to that effect.
Question. Has or' not Chief Engineer Stimers at any time remarked to you,
or in your presence, that Rear- Admiral DuPont was prejudiced against the
Monitors too much to be willing to give them a fair trial, or words to that effect f
If yea, when and where did he make such remark?
Answer. He only spoke of the officers of the navy in a general way, not in-
dividualizing any one, as being prejudiced against the Monitors. This occurred
in the same conversation referred to previously.
Question. During the coversation to which you have referred, did Ohirf
Engineer Stimers say anything about being identified-with the Monitors? If
yea, what did he say on that subject?
The counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers objected to the question, because it
is not relevant to any matter contained in any of the charges or specifica^ons
before the court.
The court was thereupon cleared for deliberation and consultation, decided
the question was proper, and the witness should be allowed to answer it.
Answer. I do not recollect any remark of his on that point.
Question. Has Chief Engineer Stimers at any time said to you that, after
the attack on the forts at Charleston on the 7th of April last, the commanders
of the iron-clads engaged in the attack were "hot for renewing the engagement,"
or that he had been told so by one or more of the said commanders, or words' to
that effect?
Answer. Not that I recollect. I recollect distinctly of that having been said,
but whether by Mr. Stimers or not I cannot say.
Question. Have you relied all that you can recall of the conversation which
took place between yourself and Chief Engineer Stimers respecting the attack
on the forts at Charleston harbor, on the 7th of April last, or all that he said in
your hearing respecting the said attack, or respecting the conduct of Rear-
Admiral DuPont ? If nay, state anything further that you can recall, in regard
to either of those matters.
Answer. I have stated all that I recollect.
The judge advocate said that he had no further questions to ask the witness.
ARMORED VESSELS. 121
Cross-examined by Chief Engineer Stimers.
,. Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. You have stated that I told you that
the Monitors were as well able to renew the fight, after some slight repairs upon
them, as they had been to commence it. Did I state that as an established,
generally acknowledged fact, or as my individual opinion?
Answer. He did not state which, but I received it as his opiniou. It gave
me that impression. I think it was his individual opinion, for I think he
coupled it with saying that he had examined them. I will not be positive as
to that point.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. What was the tone and manner of Mr.
Stimers in the conversation as to which you have testified ?
Answer. It was that of a gentleman speaking of a public act in a very gene-
ral way.
The counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers said he had no further question to
ask the witness.
• Question by the court. Did you understand or believe that Mr. Stimers in-
tended purposely to cast any reflections or reproach upon the conduct and man-
agement of Eear- Admiral DuPont in the remarks occasionally made in con-
versation by him, while on board the Arago, relating to the attack on Charles-
ton, or were they only incidental expressions of his opinions without any sinis-
ter design ?
Answer. I did not discover any sinister design. I took them as his own in-
dividual opinions, whatever expressions he made use of. I did not take it as
reflecting upon the conduct of Admiral DuPont.
The court had no further questions to ask the witness.^
Direct, examination resmned by the judge adnocate.
Question. Did Chief Engineer Stimers say to you, or in your presence, why
the Monitors did not r-enew the attack on the 8th of April last 1
Answer. He did not say why.
Question. Did he not say that Admiral DuPont had given an order not to
renew the attack ?
Answer. I think he did — I will not be positive — for I had understood so
from many.
' Question. Did not Chief Engineer Stimers say that Rear-Admiral DuPont
had given the order not to renew the attack Avithout consultation, or that he had
been told so by one of the commanders engaged in the attack, or words to that
effect ?
Answer. I cannot answer that ; I was told that, but whether by Mr. Stimers
or not I cannot recollect ; I conversed with so many on the subject.
The judge advocate having no further questions to put to the witness, and
neither the counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers nor the court having any further
questions, the witness was discharged after his testimony had been read to him.
Frederick Greautegien was then called as a witness by the judge advocate
who, being sworn and examined, testified as follows :
Question. What is your name, and what is your occupation ?
Answer. My name is Frederick Greautegien; and I am purser on board the
Question. Were you attached to the steamer Arago during the whole time
between the eleventh and fifteenth days of April last, and on board of her 1
Afiswer. I was attached to her, , and was on board of her.
Question. Do you know Chief Engineer Alban C. Stimers, of the United
States navy, now present; if yea, how long have you known him 1
122
AEMOEED VESSELS.
Answer. I do know him ; I became acquainted with him when he came on
board the Arago as a passenger, shortly after the attack on the forts at Charleston ?
Question. Did you have any conversation with Chief Engineer Stimers while
he was a passenger on board the Arago, or did he in your presence 'make any
remarks respecting the attack on the forts at Charleston on the 7th of April last ?
If yea, please state the substance of any conversation which you then had with
him, or of any remarks that he made in your presence, and when and where
such conversation occurred.
Answer. Mr. Stimers made some remarks at the dinner table, of which I have
rather an indistinct recollection. He spoke of the affair at Charleston and the
Monitors. The substance of the conversation was, that he regretted that the
attack was not to be renewed, as, in his opinion, the Monitors, after some repairs,
might again be efficient. Mr. Stimers thought there was some prejudice existing
in the navy against the Monitors. He furthermore said that Admiral DuPont
had at first intended to renew the attack, but after receiving the reports of the
commanders of the different Monitors had concluded not to renew it. He spoke
of Admiral DuPont only in admiring terms — spoke of him and the navy officers
as being very brave, but rather prejudiced, as I said before, against the Monitors.
I did not hear him say that he had been told by one or more of the commandei-s
of the iron-clad vessels engaged in the attack that the attack ought to be
renewed. There were three engineers at the table, and he spoke of the attack
in a professional way, and my duties frequently calling me away from the dinner
table I only heard fragments of the conversation. I have no distinct recollection
of anything more.
Question. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers, while on board the Arago, at
any time say in your presence that the Monitors were in as good condition on
"Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone some slight,
repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence- it the day before, or
words to that effect 1
Answer. I have not heard him say so. I have heard him say that the officers
in the navy, generally, were prejudiced against the Monitors, but he did not
include or exclude Kear- Admiral DuPont. 1 only heard him personally speak
of Kear- Admiral DuPont in the highest terms. I really could not speak of any-
thing clearly beyond what I have stated.
Question. Did Chief Engineer Stimers, while a passenger on board the Arago,
speak of being ideptified' with the Monitors; if yea, in what manner ?
Answer. I heard Mr. Stimers say that 'being identified with the Monitors, and
convinced of their efficiency, he would defend them whenever attacked ; that he
did not seek any newspaper publicity, but would defend himself if attacked.
Question. What, if anything, had been said by any person to call forth the
remark of Mr. Stimers which you have related in your last answer?
Answer. I do not recollect; I was repeatedly called away from the table
on business.
Question. Who was present at the table where this conversation of Mr. Stimers
occurred ?
Answer. Chief Engineer Hughes, Doctpr Fernandez, and myself, all three
officers of the Arago; Mr. Colwell, Mr. Ed. Moss, two gentlemen of the navy,
one named Poor; the name of the other officer of the navy I forget. Mr. Stimers
and Mrs. Stimers, and two ladies besides, I believe. The conversation was
generally in an undertone, and confined to the three engineers and the officers
of the ship. There were several other tables in the same room, all standing in
two lines the whole length of the room.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask the witness, and.
neither the counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers nor the court having any, ques-
• tions to ask, the witness was discharged after his testimony had been read to
him.
Armored vesskls. 123
The court tliereupon adjourned to meet on Saturday, the 6th day of June
instant, at 10 o'clock.
U. S. Marin R Barracks, Brooklyn, New York,
Saturday, June 6, 1863.
' The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present: All the
members and the judge advocate ; also present. Chief Engineer Stimers and his
counsel.
The proceedings of yesterday were read and approved correct.
The court having waited in session until 11 o'clock a. m., and the witnesses
■who had been summoned not being in attendance, and there being no further
business, the court adjourned to meet on Monday, the 8th instant, at 1 1 o'clock a.m.
U. S. Marine Barracks, Brooklyn, New York,
Monday, June 8, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of Saturday. Present: All the
members and the judge adwcate. The judge advocate then read a letter from
the accused, of which the following is a copy:
",GrENERAL Inspector's Office Iron-clad Steamers,
" 266 Canal Street, New York, June 8, 1863.
" Admiral : I would respectfully state to the court that I am too ill this
morning to attend. I am perfectly willing, however, that it should proceed
without me if my counsel is in attendance.
" I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"ALBAN C. STniERS,
• " Chief Engineer, United States Navy.
"F. H. Gregory, Rear-Admiral U. S. Navy,
"President of Court of ^Inquiry, Blarine Barracks, Brooklyn, N. Y."
The court then adjourned to meet on Tuesday, the 9th day of June instant,
at 11 o'clock a. m.
U. S. Marine Barracks, Brooklyn, New York,
Tuesday, June 9, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present : All the
members aud the judge advocate; also present, the accused and his counsel.
The proceedings of yesterday were read by the judge advocate and approved.
The judge advocate then called as a vfitness Joseph Golwell, who, being sworn
and examined, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your profes-
sion or occupation?
Answer. My name is Joseph Oolwell, and my present occupation an iron
founder in New York city.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you or not a passenger on board the
steamship Arago on her homeward passage from Port Royal, South Carolina,
in the month of April last? If yea, when and where did you join the ship and
where did you leave her ?
Answer. I was a passenger on board of that ship during her homeward pas-
sage, and joined her at Port Royal on or about the eleventh day of April last;
and touched at Fortress Monroe ; I left the ship on her arrival at New York.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Alban 0. Stimers, a chief
engineer in the United States navy? If yea, how long have you known him,
and was he a passenger on board the steamship Arago at the time you have last
referred to 1
124 ABMORBD VESSELS.
Answer. I do know him, and have known Mm about one year. He was a
passenger at the time referred to. ' . '
Question by the judge advocate. During the time Chief Engineer Stimers was
a passenger on board the steamship Arago at the time to which you have referred,
did you have any conversation with the said Stimers relative to the attack madfe
by the United States naval forces on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor
on the seventh of April last ? If yea, please state the siibstance of such conver-
sation as nearly as you can.
Answer. We were all on board talking with Mr. Stimers and others in regard
to the fight. I recollect asking him about the fight, and how the Monitors stood
the fire of the batteries. His reply was, in substance, that they were in the
fight, and were hit very often, and were but very little damaged ; and that ie
sent his men aboard, and in five hours after his'mcn had them in good condition;
and that after the repairs they' were ready for the fight again.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time while Chief Engineer
Stimers was a passenger on board the Arago, at the time hereinbefore referred
to, hear him say anything in regard to tlie nature of the attack made on the
forts at Charleston, or whether the iron-clads had had a fair trial in that fight?
Answer. I heard him remark that he supposed they were going in again the
next day after they were repaired; and I think the purport of his words were,
that there was no doubt of their being able to reduce the forts, if they had gone'
in alter they had been repaired.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time, hear Mr. Stimers say
what he had been told by one or more of the commanders of the iron-clads en-
gaged in the attack of the 7th of April last at Charleston ? If yea, state what
he then said on that subject.
Answer. I cannot call to mind the words of Mr. Stimers on that subject, but
I think he said something in regard to some of the captains of the iron-clad
vessels ; I think he said some of them wore against the iron-clads.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you. or not, during the passage afore-
said, hear Mr. Stimers say that he had been told by one or more of the iron-clad
commanders that the attack of the 7th of April ought to have been renewed, or
words to that effect?
Answer. I cannot say that I heard him say so; but I think he said they sup-
posed they were going to renew the engagement; but I could not say that he
said that any of the coLnmanders told him so. I heard him say that he had
supposed that certainly the iron-clads were going to renew the fight, until after
the meeting or consultation of commanders after the engagement; but I cannot
say that he said ho had been told so by any one of the commanders.
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Mr. Stimers say to you, or in
your presence, that several of the commanders of the said iron-clads had said-
to him, or in his presence, anything respecting the said commanders being "hot
for rencwhig the engagement"? If yea, please state what he then said on that
point.
Answer. I do not think he ever made any remark to me in that wayj bat
he may have said, and I think he did, that some of the captains expected to go
into the fight the neSt day. I took it that he might have been talking with some
of the commanders on that subject, but he did not say so.
Question by the judge advocate. During the passage aforesaid did Mr.
Stimers relate to you anything that he had been told by any of the commanders
of the iron-clad vessels relative to the attack on the forts at Charleston on the
7th of April last t If yea, state what he then told you.
Answer. I do not recollect that he told me anything that the commanders
had told him, I do not recollect that he mentioned them.
Question by the judge advocate. Did Mr. Stimers, during the passage afore-
AKMOKED VESSELS. 125
said, say any tiling to you l•elati^^6 to the condition of the Monitors to renew the
attack 1 It' yea, what did he say ?
Answer. He talked on that subject. I asked him what the damages were,
and then he commenced explaining. He said that one of the giin-slidee was
somewhat bent from a shot received on the outside of the turret; that the turret-
ring had, from a shot, jammed up against the turret and wedged 5o tight as to
prevent its turning. There was another ship — I think the Nahant — which he
said had several of the bolt-heads broken off.
Question by the judge advocate. Did Mr. Stimers or not say that the Monitors
were in as good condition on Wednesday, the 8th of April, 1863, after they had
undergone some slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to com-
mence it the "day before," or words to that effect 1
Answer. He did say so.
Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did Mr. Stimers say,
during tlie passage aforesaid, respecting the ability of the Monitors to go into
Charleston ?
Answer. He said they were able to withstand the guns of the forts, or batter
them down ; or, in other words, that they were able to take the forts.
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Mr. Stimers say why the Moni-
t.ors did not take the forts at the time of the attack of the 7th of April last ?
Answer.' He did not tell me why, but said they were able to take them. I
do not pretend to give the exact words of Mr. Stimers.
■ Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Mr. Stimers, during the passage
aforesaid, say anything to you, or in your presence, respecting the trial the
Monitors had had on the 7th day of April last ? If yea, what did he say on
that subject ?
Answer. The substance of his remarks was, that he did not think the attack
of the 7th of April was a fair test of the Monitors ; that the injuries they had
received did not warrant their' withdrawal ; if the attack had been renewed
again, they would have had a better chance to show what they were.
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers, during
the passage aforesaid, say anything relative to Eear-Admiral DuPont being
prejudiced against the Monitors ? If yea, what did he say ?
Answer. I think I heard him say that Eear-Admiral DuPont was prejudiced
against the Monitors, or that he thought that he was. He did not say to what
extent Rear-Admiral DuPont was prejudiced against the Monitors. It was a
mere casual remark.
: Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers, during
the passage aforesaid, say to you, or in your presence, that Rear-Admiral
DuPont was too much prejudiced against the Monitors to be willing to give
them a fair trial, or words to that effect ?
Answer. I did not hear him make a remark of that kind.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers,
during the passage aforesaid, say anything respecting the professional conduct
of Rear-Admiral DuPont duritig the attack of the 7tfc of April last, or re.-ipect-
ing the manner in which Rear-Admiral DuPont performed his duties during
"that engagennent 1 , , , t>
Answer. I did not.^ I recollect that I asked him on what vessel Kear-
Admiral DuPont was during the engagement, and he replied on board the
Ironsides. '' ^, „ „ o ■ t ■
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers, during
the passage aforesaid, in your presence, criticise or condemn the failure of Eear-
Admiral DuPont to renew the attack of the 7th of April last? If yea, repeat
his language as nearly as you can.
Answer. The wbole purport of it was, that he was disappointed, as he ex-
pected that they would renew the fight again the next day. He was surprised
126 AKMOKED VESSELS.
that they did not renew it, and was surprised when he heard they had con-
cluded to withdraw. He said to me, during the passage, that he had been
called on board the vessel on which Admiral DuPont was — I presume the flag-
ship — to hold a consultation with him. This was at the dinner table, and we
were talking of the fight. We were all asking him questions respecting the
fight, as we were all anxious to know, and of course he answered. He said'
that he had sent his men on board the various vessels to repair them very early
on the morning after the fight, and then he went on board the admiral's ship,
and reported to him that they were in good condition. Of course there was a
good deal of talking, but I cannot now tell what was said.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you sit at the same table with Mr.
Stimers at dinner at the time you have referred to in your last answer ?
Answer. I did.
Question by the judge advocate. Was the failure to renew the attack of the
7th of April last the subject of frequent conversation on the part of Mr. Stimers
during the passage aforesaid 1
Answer. It was not. It was more for the first day or two. After that the
matter cooled off; at least 1 did.
Question by the judge advocate. Have you at any time been engaged in
making iron-clad vessels, or did you build any of the iron-clads which were
engaged in the attack on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor on the
7th of April last ?
Answer. I have been engaged in building iron-clads, and one of them was in
the attack at Charleston on the 7th of April last.
The judge advocate then said he had no further questions to ask the witness.
Cross-examined by the accused.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Will you please state what was my
general tone and manner when speaking of the attack upon Charleston, and
especially when speaking of Kear-Admiral DuPont, while at the table in the
cabin' of the Arago, and at other times and places during the passage ?
Answer. I have never seen anything but a respectful demeanor on the part of
Mr. Stimers toward Admiral DuPont. I never saw anything that looked like
slurring him in any way or form.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Was I or not very reserved in making
any remarks concerning the fight at Charleston, or of the condition of the ves-
sels, and were or were not such remaiks made, in each instance, as replies to
questions put to me by various persons 1
Answer. He was very reserved about it. In fact, I do not know as I got
any remark from him unless in reply to some question.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. May you not be mistaken in your
statement that you heard, or think you heard, me say that Eear-Admiral
DuPont was prejudiced against the Monitors ? And if you still think you heard
me make any such statement, state where, in particular, such remark was
made, and in whose presence.
Answer. I cannot say where it was made, and neither am I so certain the
remark was made, but I think it was. We were all talking at the time. There
was scarcely a man on board the Arago who was not discussing DuPont's
management of the battle, and they universally condemned his action in not
going into the fight again. From that fact I might have got the impression that
Mr. Stimers said so, while we were all warm and were all talking against Du-
Pont's management of -the battle, and some one else might have said it, and I
thought it was Mr. Stimers, when it was not ; I am not positive.
The counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers had no further questions to ask the
witness. The judge advocate said he had no further questions, and the court
ARMORED VESSELS. 127
not having any to ask, the witness was discharged, after his testimony had been
read to him '
The court then adjourned to meet ou Wednesday, the tenth day of June
instant, at eleven o'clock of the forenoon of that day.
TJ. S. Marine Barracks, Brooklyn, New York,
Wednesday, JiinelO, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present : All the
members and the judge advocate ; also present, the accused and his counsel.
The judge, advocate then read the proceedings of yesterday, which were ap-
proved.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Charles C. Fulton, who, being
sworn and examined, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your profes-
sion or occupation ?
Answer. My name is Charles 0. Fulton, and I am the editor and proprietor
of the Baltimore American.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you or were you not a passenger on
board the steamship Arago, on her homeward passage from Port Eoyal, South
Carolina, during the month of April last ? If yea, when and where did you
join that ship, and where did you leave her ?
Answer. I was a passenger on board the Arago on her homeward passage
during the month of April last. I joined her at Charleston bar, and left her at
Fortress Monroe ; I joined her on the eleventh of April last.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Chief Engineer Stimers, of
the United States navy ? If yea, how long have you known him, and was he
a passenger on board the Arago at the time you have referred to %
Answer. I do know him, and have known him since the fight of the Monitor
with the Merrimack, in March, 1862; and he went onboard the Arago as a
passenger at the time I did, and I left him on board when I left the ship.
Question by the judge advocate. During the time you were a passenger on
' board the Arago, as you have said, did you have any conversation with
Chief Engineer Stimers respecting the failure to renew the attack on the forts
at Charleston, which had been made by the United States naval forces on the
7th day of April last ? If yea, relate such conversation.
Answer. I had a great deal of conversation with Mr. Stimers, both during
the passage and previously, having been with him nearly two months, and it is
difficult for me to separate the conversations which were bgfore we went on
board the vessel and afterwards ; they were all, however, strictly private con-
versations, and never in the presence of a third party. I heard Mr. Stimers say
that he visited all the Monitors on the morning of the eighth of April last, at
the request of Admiral DuPont, taking with him workmen to repair the dam-
ages, he having some thirty or forty mechanics under his charge for that purpose ;
that he visited all the vessels, having workmen on them wherever required,
with the materials for repairing ; that, having done so, at one o'clock on that
day he proceeded to the flag-ship Ironsides, and reported to Admiral DuPont
that the vessels were all in a condition for immediate service ; that he was then
told by the admiral that he had determined not to renew the attack ; that on
his leaving the various vessels they were all anticipating a signal to prepare to
get under way at one o'clock of that day to renew the fight ; that he heard
nothing of an intention not to renew the fight until it was communicated to him
by Admiral DuPont ; that, though he had no du-ect conversation with the com-
manders of the Monitors, there was every indication of preparation on their part
to renew the fight ; that on his return from the Ironsides to the Ericsson, he
128 AEMORED VESSELS.
eommunicated the fact to some of the vesaels that the fight was not to be
renewed, which created great surprise among the junior officers of those vessels.
He made no mention of the opinion of any of the commanders further than that
Commander Raymond Rogers had told him that the admiral had determined to
renew the fight, but had been persuaded not to renew it by all the Monitor cap-
tains. I heard him say that one of the executive officers, but I do not remember
the vessel or officer, told him that he felt personally disgraced by the failure to
renew the fight, and he desired to be relieved from the squadron as soon as pos-
sible. I have heard him say that he believed Admiral DuPont would have
renewed the fight if he had not been influenced by others. These conversations ,
were strictly private, and have always been so regarded by me. These state-
ments have never been published, so far as I know, at least from me.
Question by the judge advocate. During the time you were a passenger on
board the Arago, at the time to which you have referred, did Chief Engineer
Stimers say to you, or in your presence, that the Monitors were in as good con-
dition on Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone
sonie slight repairs, to renew the fight, as they had been to commence it the day
before, or words to that effect?
Answer. He told me he had reported them to the admiral before one o'clock
on the 8th as ready for immediate service ; that the damages had all been re-
paired. I do not remember that he said that they were in as good condition on
the day after the fight as they were when the attack commenced. He, however,
considered their general efficiency as unimpaired.
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers say any-
thing to you, or in your presence, during the passage aforesaid, respecting the
ability of the Monitors to go into Charleston in spite of obstructions 1 If yea,
what did he say on that subject?
Answer. 1 never have heard him say that he believed the Monitors could enter
Charleston harbor, though he did say .to me that the attack on Sumter was not
an earnest one — I mean of the 7th of April last — and the Monitors were capable,
in his opinion, of renewing the attack. He had in his charge the Ericsson rafts
and torpedoes, which were intended to remove the obstructions in Charleston
harbor, and had great faith in their ability to remove any obstructions inside of
Fort Sumter. He frequently told me that, in his opinion, if the rafts had been
used, the Monitors could have reached the city. He expressed disappointment
and chagrin at the unwillingness of Admiral DuPont and the fleet authorities to
examine the rafts and torpedoes, or to listen to him when he attempted to ex-
plain their use. He, however, never expressed confidence in the ability of the
Monitors, without the aid of the rafts, to succeed in entering the harbor of
Charleston.
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers, at any
time during the passage aforesaid, say anything to you, or in your presence, .
respecting Admiral DuPont being prejudiced against the Monitors ? If yea, what
did he say on that subject 1
Answer. I do not think he ever said anything to me about Admiral DuPont
being prejudiced; but he, however, intimated to me that there was prejudice ex-
isting on the part of some of the officers of the fleet. He frequently said he.
thought Admiral DuPont would have renewed the attack, if it had not been for
the influence on him of those who were prejudiced.
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers, at any
time during the passage aforesaid, say to you, or in your presence, anything
respecting the fairness of the trial which the Monitors had had in the attack of'
the 7th of April last ? If yea, what did he say on that point?
Answer. AH that he said to me, or in my presence, on that point* (and he
never conversed with me except privately in relation to the attack,) was , that
ARMORED VESSELS. 129
lie had reported to the admiral that the defensive powers of the Monitors were
but slightly impaired, and the offensive powers unimpaired.
Question by the judge advocate. Did Chief Engineer Stimers, at any time
during the passage aforesaid, say to you why the attack of the 7th of April
last was not renewed ?
Answer. He told me that Commander Raymond Rogers informed him that
the commanders of all the iron-clads visited the admiral on the night of the 7th
of April last, at which time the admiral had determined to renew the attack at
one o'clock the next day ; that on hearing the reports of the commanders of the
Monitors, he had retired, without expressing any change in his determination
to renew the fight the next morning ; that on rising on the morning of the 8th
he announced his determination not to renew the fight.
Question by the judge advocate. Did Chief Engineer Stimers, at any time
during the passage aforesaid, say to you, or in your presence, that he had been
told, by one or more of the commanders of the iron-clad vessels engaged in the
attack of the 7th of April last, that the said iron-clad vessels were in fit condi-
tion to renew it, and that the attack of that day ought to have been renewed, or
words to that effect ?
Answer. No, sir ; he never said that the commanders, or any of them, ex-
pressed any opinion to him on the subject after the decision of the admiral was
made known; that previous to that he visited all, or nearly all, the vessels,
and heard no opposition to i'.s renewal from any of the commanders. He said
the men and petty ofiicers were all anxious to renew the fight, so far as he
observed. He said the commanders were silent on the subject to him.
Question by the judge advocate. Did Chief Engineer IStimers, at any time
during the passage aforesaid, in your presence, criticise or condemn the conduct
of Rear Admiral DuPont in failing to renew the attack of the 7th of April last
on the forts of Charleston 1 If yea, repeat what he then said.
Answer. I do not think on board the Arago we had had any further conver-
sation which would have a bearing on the question further than that I have
already given. It was his opinion the Monitors were capable of much heavier
work than they had performed.
Question by the judge advocate. Did Chief Engineer Stimers, at any time
during the passage aforesaid, say to you, or in your presence, that the attack of
the 7th of April last ought to have been renewed, or words to that effect ?
Answer. He said to me, if Admiral Gregory had been there, he thought the
fight would not have stopped on the first day. He did not directly criticise the
conduct of Admiral DuPout, but regarded others as influencing him against his
own better judgment.
Question by the judge advocate. Were there any other correspondents of the
public press who were passengers on board the Arago, at the time you have
referred to, except yourself ? If yea, please name such persons.
Answer. There were eight or ten members who were passengers on board the
Arago, but none of them were present at the conversations between Mr. Stimers
and myself. One was Mr. Coffin, of the Boston Journal ; Mr. Winder, of the
New York Times. I do not recollect the names of any -others.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask the witness.
Cross-examined by the accused.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Was I or not reserved in my tone and
manner when speaking of the attack upon Charleston, or of the conduct and
character of Admiral DuPont, when conversing with you or with the other passan-
gers on board the Arago ; or was I talkative, pushing my views forward in a loud,
obtrusive manner, such as you would infer from reading the second specification
of the charges which have been made against me by Admiral DuPont?
H. Ex. Doc. 69 9
130 AEMOKED VESSELS.
Answer. His conversation with me was always alone and always in an wa*
dertone, and when any other persons were present he would always change the
subject. He avoided all conversation with others, and told me he went into his
state-room to avoid being questioned.
Chief Engineer Stimers said he had no further questions to ask the witness-,
and the judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask, and the court
not having any, the witness was discharged after his testimony had been reald
to him.
The court then adjourned, to meet on Thursday, the 11th day of June instant,
at 11 o'clock a. m.
United States Marine Barracks,
Brooklyn, New York, Thursday, June 11, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present, all the
members and the judge advocate ; also present, the accused and his counsel.
The proceedings of yesterday were read and approved.
The court was here cleared to consider a report of the proceedings of yester-
day, and the evidence published in The New York Times aud The Sun of
to-day, contrary to the directions of the court, the court being informed that
such report was furnished to the said papers from a copy of the testimony of
the witness furnished by the accused. The court here called upon the accused
to make a statement in relation to the matter. The accused stated that he fur-
nished a copy of Mr. Fulton's testimony to Mr. Fulton ; that" he had asked of
the president of the court liberty to publish the testimony of the witness, but
had been refused; that at the time he furnished Mr. Fulton with a copy of his
testimony, he said to him, if he published the same it must be on his own
responsibility.
'The court here directed the judge advocate to enter upon the records its dis-
approval of the conduct of Mr. Stimers in furnishing a copy of the evidence
referred to to Mr. Fulton ; and the court direct that the accused shall furnish
no minutes to any one for publication, hereafter, until the testimony in the case
be concluded.
Upon the above being read in open court, Mr. Stimers being present, that
officer requested that it might be entered on the minutes that he regretted that
anything in his conduct had met with the disapprobation of the court, for whom,
as a body, and for each of whom, individually, he had the highest respect ; and
he begs leave to assure them that hereafter they shall have no cause for finding
fault with him. The court ordered the foregoing to be entered on the record.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Captain John L. Worden, of the
United States navy, who, being sworn and examined, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what is your rank
in the navy ?
Answer. My name is John L. Worden, and I am a captain in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you engaged in the attack made on
the forts and batteries at Charleston, South Carolina, on the 7th day of April,
1863 1 If yea, to what vessel, if any, were you then attached 1
Answer. I was engaged in the attack made on the forts at Charleston on the
7th of April, 1863, and I was in command of the United States iron-clad steamer
Montauk.
Question by the judge advocate. Who at that time was the commander-in-
chief of the South Atlantic blockading squadron, and who was then commander
of the naval forces which made the said attack %
Answer. Rear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont was the commander of the South
AEMOEED VESSELS. 131
'Atlantic blockading squadron, and he had command of the fleet which made the
Attack of the 7th of April last.
' "Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Chief Engineer Stimers, of
the United States navy 1 If yea, how long have you known him 1
•', Answer. I do know him, and have known him for about two years.
■ Question by the judge advocate. Did you, or not, ever state to Mr. Stimers
that the iron-clad vessels engaged in making the attack on the forts at Charleston
on the 7th of April last, 1863, were in fit condition to renew the attack, or
Words to that effect ?
Answer. No, sir; I never said anything of the kind. I know that my vessel
was in a condition to have renewed the attack, but I never made that statement
to Mr. Stimers, that I recollect.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Alban
C. Stimers, or in his presence, that the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels
were, after the attack aforesaid, " hot for renewing the engagement," or words
to that effect 1
Answer. No, sir ; never.
Question by the judge advocate. Were or not the Monitors, or iron-clad ves-
sels, in as good condition on Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, aftei- they
had undergone some slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to
(Commence it the day before ?
■ Answer. I do not know anything of the condition of the other vessels from
my own observation. It was reported by the commanders of some of them that
their vessels were very considerably damaged, some of their guns disabled, and
the impression left upon my mind was that they were not in a condition to re-
new the attack on the next day. I am convinced, however, tliat, with the bat-
tering they had received, they could not have been in as good condition after
the repairs to resist shot as they were before they went into the engagement —
that none of them were in as good condition. Every shot received by a vessel
of that description must weaken it to a greater or less degree, and render
it less capable of resisting shot. I will say that I went on board the Wee-
hawken for a few moments, in a day or two after the fight. I did not examine
her very critically. She had received a shot on the side armor on the upper
■works, which had penetrated and broken the five thicknesses of iron, leaving the
wooden backing bare, and also a shot which had penetrated the armor of the
ideck, and broken through the wood partially; and the jacket of her smoke-stack
had been penetrated by a shot. I mean by the jacket the impregnable part of
the smoke-stack. That was all the injury that she had received ; that I said
ghe had received various other shots which had affected her armor, but nothing,
so decisive as those I have mentioned.
Question by the judge advocate. Had the injuries of the Weehawken, which,
, you have enumerated, been repaired at the time you were on board of her ?
Answer. No, sir ; I think not.
Question by the judge advocate. Was or not the attack made on the forta^
and batteries at Charleston, on the 7th of April last, an earnest one 1
.'Answer. Very decidedly, I should say.
Question by the judge advocate. Could or not, in your opinion, the Monitors
have gone into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions, either-
on the 7th day of April last, or on the following day, had the attack been re
newed ?
Answer. I think not.
5 ' Question by the judge advocate. State, if you know, any reasons why the
attack of the 7th of April, 1863, on the forts at Charleston should not have been,
renewed on the 8th of April, 1863.
Answer. I am and was of the opinion that a renewal of the attack on the Sth.
would have been likely to have resulted in a very serious disaster to the iron-
132 ARMOKED VESSELS.
clads. After feeling the weight of the enemy's fire, on the 7th of April last, and
after looking at the obstructions, which were of a very formidable charactei;, I
thought, if we had attempted to break through the obstructions and gotten the
propellers of the ships involved in the network which we were well advised
was there, and which we stood a good chance of doing, they would have become
unmanageable, and, in all probability, so injured by the torpedoes that they
would have sunken in the harbor, or have fallen into the enemy's hands ; and I
did not think that the risk of such a disaster was justifiable under the circumr
stances. The rebel iron-clads were lying behind the obstructions, and any
vessel of our forces being disabled would have been exposed to them, and I
have no doubt they were lying there for that purpose.
Question by the judge advocate. Was or not Rear- Admiral DuPont too much
prejudiced against the Monitors to be willing to give them a fair trial on the 7th
of April last ; or did Rear- Admiral DuPont say or do anything which led yon
to think he was prejudiced against the Monitors'! If yea, relate what he then
said or did that led you to think him prejudiced against them. !
The counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers objected to the question for the fol-
lowing reasons :
" First. That no witness has yet stated that Chief Engineer Stimers ever said
that Rear-Admiral DuPont was too much prejudiced against the Monitors to be
willing to give them a fair trial on the 7th of April last ; and
" Second. That the question calls for information from the witness as to the
state of Admiral DuPont's mind; that such an inquiry is not proper. The only
proper way of proving whether Rear-Admual DuPont was prejtidiced or not
being to prove what he said and did."
The court was then cleared for consultation, and the judge advocate withdrew
the first part of his question, leaving the question as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. Has or not Rear-Admiral DuPont done or
said anything which led you to think he was prejudiced against the Monitors, on
the 7th of April last? If yea, relate what he then said or did which led yon
to think him prejudiced against them.
The court decided the question as it now stands should be answered by the
witness, and the court was thereupon opened.
Answer. He has never said or done anything to lead me to think that he waa
prejudiced against them.
Question by the judge advocate. Were or not the various commanders of the
iron-clad vessels engaged in the attack of the 7th of April last called together
on board the Ironsides on the 8th of April last by Admiral DuPont, for any
purpose 1 If yea, for what purpose ?
Answer. They were not, to my knowledge.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask the witness.
Cross-examined hy Chief Engineer Stimers.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. You have stated that upon the armor
of the Weehawken a shot had penetrated through all the five one-inch plates and
torn them ofi', exposing the wooden backing. Will you please state whether
you observed particularly whether more than one shot had struck so near this
torn place as to have had an eilect upon it, and will you explain how near the
top of the vessel this shot or shots struck, and whether, in your opinion, another
shot striking the same place would have penetrated the vessel ?
Answer. I supposed it to be the effect of only one shot, without examining it
critically. It struck near the top of the plating on the side armor near the deck.
I do not think another shot striking the same place would have broken through
AEMOEED VESSELS. 133
into the vessel. It would probably have penetrated sufficiently to have torn off
the deck plating to a considerable extent.
■QAestion by Chief Engineer Stimers. Was there an informal meeting of the
commandera of the iron-clad vessels in the admiral's cabin on board the Iron-
sides on the evening of the fight on the 7th of April last? If yea, did said
commanders report verbally to the admiral the general condition of the several
vessels ?
Answer. There was no meeting of the commanders of the iron-clads in a
body. I went on board the Ironsides myself to report the condition of my ship,
and I think I met some of the other commanders of the iron-clads who were
there for the same purpose. This was on the evening of the 7th of April, 1863.
I reported to the admiral the general condition of my vessel. I do not know
in'tegard to the other commanders.
The counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers having no further questions to ask
the witness, and the judge advocate not having any further questions ti) ask,
and the court not having any, the witness was discharged, after his evidence had
been read to him.
The court having no further business, adjourned to meet on Friday, the 12th
,day of June instant, at eleven o'clock a. m.
U. S. Marine Baeracks, Brooklyn, N. Y.,
Friday, June 12, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present, all the
members and the judge advocate ; also present, Chief Engineer Stimers, the
accused, and his counsel.
The proceedings of yesterday were read and approved.
The judge advocate then produced as witness Edward Mars, who, being duly
sworn and examined, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name and what your occu-
pation ?
Answer. My name is Edward Mars, and I am a coppersmith ; also an engi-
neer.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you a passenger on board the steamer
Arago on her homeward passage from Port Royal, South Carolina, in the month
of April last ? If yea, when and where did you join that ship, and where did
you leave her 1
Answer. I was a passenger on board the Arago. I joined her on her home-
ward passage at Hilton Head, and left her on her arrival at New York.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Alban C. Stimers, a chief en-
gineer in the United States navy? If yea, how long have you known him; and
was he a passenger on board the Arago at the time referred to 1
Answer. I do know him, and have known him personally about two years.
He was a passenger on board the Arago at the time referred to.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time during the passage
aforesaid, have any conversation with Chief Engineer Stimers respecting the
failure to renew the attack on the forts at Charleston harbor, made on the 7th
of April, 1863 1 If yea, state any conversation that you may then have had
with him on that subject.
Answer. I had a conversation with him in relation to the attack on the forts,
and merely asked him his opinion, and he said ttiat he did not know anything
about it, but when they went into the action they were in good condition (the
Monitors) for that service. I asked him, if they were in that condition, why
they did not renew the attack the next day. He said that he did not know.
That is about the amount of the conversation that I had with him. I asked him
134 AEMOEED VESSELS,
a few other questions in relalSon to the matter, and he appeared as if he did not'
wish to speak about it at all.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you, or not, seated at the same table
with Chief Engineer Stimers when at dinner, while on board the Arago at the
time aforesaid ?
Answer. I sat at the same table, opposite to Mr.' Stimers.
Question by the judge advocate. Did, or not. Chief Engineer Stimers, at any
time during the passage aforesaid, say to you, or in your presence or hearing,
that the Monitors were in as good condition on Wednesday, the 8th day of
April, 1863, after they had undergone some slight repairs, to renew the attack,
as they had been to commence it the day before, or words to that effect ?
Vnswer. I did not hear him say so.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, da-
ring the passage aforesaid, say whether the Monitors could go into Charleston
harbor ]
Answer. I never heard him express that opinion.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time during the passage
aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers say that the attack of the 7th of April
last ought to have been renewed, or words to that effect ?
Answer. No, sir.
Question by the judge advocate. During the passage aforesaid, did you, at
any time, hear Chief Engineer Stimers make any remarks respecting the re-
newal of the attack of the 7th of April last, other than you have already stated;
or did you hear him, during that passage, say anything respecting the condition
of the Monitors, other than you have already stated ?
Answer. I merely heard him say, in his opinion they covild be put in as
good order again in a few days as they were before they went into the action.
That is about the whole that I heard him say. I spoke to him two or three
times professionally about the Monitors, and he told me that he had great faith
in them for attacking land batteries. In speaking of the machinery he said the
machinery was put up in the most workmanlike manner.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, during the passage aforesaid, hear
Chief Engineer Stimers say anything respecting Rear-Admiral DuPont being
prejudiced against the Monitors? If yea, what did he say?
Answer. He never did, iu my hearing.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, du-
ring the passage aforesaid, say anything respecting Bear- Admiral DuPont? If
yea, what did he say of him, or his failure to renew the attack 1
Answer. I heard him say nothing. •
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, du-
ring the passage aforesaid, say that he had been told by one or more of the com-
manders of the iron-clad vessels engaged in the attack upon the forts and bat-
teries at Charleston on the 7th of April, 1863, that the attack of that day ought
to have been renewed?
Answer. I heard him say that he understood that it was to be renewed. ■ That
is all that I heard him say. I did not hear him say who told him it was to be
renewed.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time during the passage
.aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers say that he had been told by any of the
icommanders of the said ironclad vessels that they, the said commanders, after
the attack aforesaid, were " hot for renewing the engagement," or words to that
.effect ?
Answer. I did not.
Question by the judge advocate. Did" you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, du-
ring the passage aforesaid, say why the attack of the 7th of April, 1863, on the
forts at Charleston was not renewed ? If yea, what did he say 1
AEMOEED VESSELS. 135
: Answer. I did not hear him say. I asked him if he knew the reason, and he
Baid he did not. He said nothing more to me about it at any time, nor anything
that I heard.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, during the passage aforesaid, have
any further conversation with Chief Engineer Stimers, or did he say anything
while in your presence, respecting any of the matters set forth in the specifica-
tions and charges of Rear- Admiral DuPont? If yea, state fully all he theja said
to you, or in your hearing.
Answer. I did not hear him say or express any opinion respecting any of the
matters inquired of, except what I have already stated.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask the witness; and
neither Chief Engineer Stimers nor the court having any, the witness was dis-
charged after his testimony had been read to him.
The court thereupon adjourned to meet on Saturday, the thirteenth day of
June instant, at eleven o'clock a. m.
UrniTED States Marine Barracks,
Brooklyn, New York, Saturday, June 13, 1S63.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday.
Present, all the members and the judge advocate ; also present, the accused
and his counsel.
The proceedings of yesterday were read to the court and approved as correct.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Captain Percival Drayton, of
the United States navy, who, being sworn and examined, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what is your rank
in:thenavy?
Answer. My name is Percival Drayton, and I am a captain in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you present at the attack made by
the United States naval forces on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor,
on the seventh of April last 1 If yea, to what ship or vessel were you then
■attached 1
Answer. I was then present, and had the command of the. iron-clad Passaic.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Alban C. Stimers, a chief
engineer in the United States navy ? If yea, how long have you known him ?
Answe*. I do know him, and have known him about six months.
■ Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Sti-
mers that the attack on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor, made on
the 7th of April, 1863, ought to have been renewed, or words to that effect ?
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Sti-
mers that the iron-clad vessels engaged in ^laking the attack aforesaid were in
a fit condition to renew it, or words to that effect ]
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Sti-
mers, or in his presence and hearing, that the commanders of the said fron-clad
vessels after the attack aforesaid were "hot for renewing the engagement," or
•words to that effect ?
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. Were or not the Monitors or iron-clad ves-
sels in as good condition on Wednesday, the eighth day of April, 1863, after
they had undergone some slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been
to commence it the day before ?
Answer. They were very far indeed from it.
Question by the judge advocate. Could the Monitors, either on the 7th day
of April, 1863, have gone into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and
136 AKMOEED VESSELS.
obstructions, o:f on "Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, had the attack
been renewed 1
Answer. I think not; certainly not in my opinion.
Question by the judge advocate. Have you ever heard Eear-Admiral Samuel
r. DuPont say, or has he to your knowledge ever done, anything to lead you
to think that he was prejudiced against the Monitors on the 7th day of April,
1863?
Answer. No; nothing to show that he wag prpjudiced against them. I do
not think he had a very high opinion of tbem. He could not have had a very
high opinion after my reports to himself and to the Navy Department, as weft
as those of other captains, before the fight.
Question by the judge advocate. Was or not the attack made on the forts
and batteries at Charleston on the 7th of April, 1863, an earnest one ?
Answer. Thoroughly.
Question by the judge advocate. Did the iron-clad Passaic, of which you
had command, receive any, and if so, what. Injuries during the attack of the
seventh of April, aforesaid ?
Answer. She did receive many injuries. The three principal were the disa-
bling of the Xl-inch gun by a shot on the turret, which bulged in the turret and
jammed the carriage in such a way that it took neai-ly twenty-four hours to
get it in a condition to work ; another shot broke off a piece of the ring under
the turret which was caught in some .of the machinery and stopped the turret
for some time, and caused it to work badly for some time after ; a third shot
mashed in the pilot-house and forced up the cover some three inches, so as to
lay open the inside to shot, and rendered the position of those who were man-
aging the ship, one of considerable exposure, as they were to a certain ex-
tent uncovered. There were a number of other shots received on the turret,
side armor, and other parts of the vessel, but these were the only three that
were very serious.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know why the attack of the 7th of
April, 1863, on the forts at Charleston was not renewed?
Answer. I have understood because the vessels were not considered in a
proper condition to renew it.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time after the engagement
of the 7th of April aforesaid make a report to Rear-Admiral DuPont of the
condition of your vessel ? If yea, when did you make such report ? •
Answer. I made a verbal one in his presence o^ the evening of the engage-
ment, and a written one a day or two after.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever hear Admiral DuPont say
anything, or have you observed him do anything, which led you to infer that
he was unwilling to give the Monitors a fair trial in the attack upon Charles-
ton ? '
Answer. Never; quite the contrary.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know anything further respecting
the specifications of charges made by Rear-Admiral DuPont against Chief En-
gineer Stimers 1 If yea, state the same as fully as though you had been par-
ticularly interrogated thereto.
Answer. I did not hear any of the remarks said to have been made by Mr.
Stimers on board the Arago, and I think of nothing further to state.
Question by the judge advocate. Have yon any reason to believe, from any-
thing said or done by Eear-Admiral DuPont that the failure of Rear-Admiral
DuPont to renew the attack of the 7th of April, 1863, on the forts at Charles-
ton, was owing to any prejudice on his part against the Monitors?
Answer. No ; I have not.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask.
AEMORED VESSELS. 137
Cross-examined hy the accused.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. From what direction would a shot
tave necessarily come to have entered the pilot-house of the Passaic after the
cover had been raised three inches on one side, as you have described 1
Answer. A shot nearly horizontal, I think, would have knocked the cover
off, and I think it would have entered. It might have gone in pieces, and it '
might have entered whole. If the shot had struck from above it would have
knocked it down. I mean nearly horizontal with the cover.
Chief Engineer Stimers said he had no further questions to ask, and the
judge advocate said he had not any further questions to ask, and the court not
having any, the witness was discharged, after Jiis testimony had been read to
him.
The judge advocate then read to the court a letter from the honorable the
Secretary of the Navy, of which the following is a copy :
"Navy Department, June 9, 1863.
'^ Sir : On and after the 15th instant the court of inquiry of which you are
president will, unless its investigations be sooner concluded, sit in the room pro-
vided for courts-martial at the navy yard. New York.
" I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
" GIDEON WELLES,
"Secretary of the Navy.
" Kear-Admiral E. H. Gregory,
" President Naval Court of Inquiry, Brooldyn, N. Y."
The court thereupon adjourned to meet at the Naval Lyceum, navy yard,
New York, on Monday, the 15th day of June instant, at 10 o'clock a. m.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Monday, June 15, 1863.
The court met pursuant to adjournment of the 13th instant.
Present, all the members and the judge advocate; also present. Chief Engineer
Stimers and his counsel.
The proceedings of Saturday, the 13th instant, were read and approved.
The judge advocate stated to the court that several of the witnesses named
on his list were at this time, as he was informed, at a great distance fro™ t^e
court, to wit, on dutv in the South Atlantic blockading squadron, and Chief
Engineer Stimers stated to the court that he desired to have the testimony of
certain witnesses taken also at a distance from the court, to wit, on duty in the
South Atlantic blockading squadron. The court thereupon, by and with the
consent of Chief Engineer Stimers and the judge advocate, directed that ttie
testimony of those witnesses be taken on interrogatories and cruss-interrogato-
ries on the terms contained in a stipulation of which the following is a copy:
" It is, by and with the consent of the judge advocate and Chief l<.ngmeer
Stimers, ordered by the court that the case of Chief Engineer Alban 0. Stimers
stand adjourned for a reasonable time, on the following terms, that is to say :
that Kear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, Commodore Thomas Turner, Captam
John Eodgers, Commodore Daniel Ammen, Commodore Donald McN 1 airtax,
Commodore John Downes, Commodore Alexander A, S. Poor, all of the United
States navy, and Brigadier General George H. Gordon, of the United States
army, C. Rhind, assistant surgeon, George D. Sloeum, acting assistant paymas-
ter, may be examined on interrogatories to be propounded on the part ot the
judge advocate and transmitted by him, through the Navy Department, to then-
138 AEMOEED VESSELS.
proper destination ; a copy of such interrogatories to be served on E. M. Stougli-
ton, esq , of counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers, within five days from the date
hereof, with leave to the said counsel to propound cross-interrogatories — a copy
of said cross-interrogatories to be served on the judge advocate within ten days
from the date hereof — to each of said witnesses, if he desires to do so ; which
said cross-interrogatories shall accompany the direct interrogatories, on both of
which, direct and cross-interrogatories, each of the witnesses shall be examined
on oath or aflSrmation in writing. Also, that the said Alban C. Stimers shall
have leave to examine on interrogatories — a copy of which interrogatories shall
be furnished to the judge advocate within ten days from the date hereof — First
Assistant Engineers B. B. H. Wharton and F. J. Lovering, Acting First Assist-
ant Engineer J. F. Young, Second Assistant Engineers George L. Emmons and
George H. White, all of the United States navy, with the right on the part of
the judge advocate to propound cross-interrogatories to the witnesses last named
and referred to, to accompany the direct interrogatories of Chief Engineer Sti-
mers ; on both of which, cross as well as direct interrogatories, the said witnesses
shall be examined, ia writing, on oath or affirmation. Also, that in all cases a
copy of the cross-interrogatories shall be served, within ten days after the service
of the direct interrogatories, on the said judge advocate and the said E. M.
Stoughton, esq., respectively. Also, that the examination of the witnesses, as
well on behalf of the government as of the said Chief Engineer Stimers, must
be taken before some commissioned officer of the United States navy, or of the
United States army, to be named by the Navy Department ; it being expressly
understood that a commissioned officer of the navy or the army, who has been
or is to be himself examined as a witness in this case, is not to take the exami-
nation of any of the witnesses hereinbefore named or referred to.
"That the said judge advocate and the counsel for the said Chief Engineer
Stimers, respectively, shall, notwithstanding anything herein contained, have
the right to object, on the further hearing of this case, to any of the direct or
cross-interrogatories that may be propounded by the other of them to any of
the witnesses hereinbefore named, and also to any of the answers that may be
made or given thereto by any of the witnesses who may be examined under
this order. That the examination of each of the witnesses shall be diligently
taken and returned, and that each party shall have the right to read the testi-
mony of the other given by the said witnesses, or any of them, before the same
shall be submitted to the court ; and that each party shall have the right to put
in evidence any testimony given by the witnesses of the other party, and to
read to the court the interrogatories in answer to which any testimony may be
given by the witness or the witnesses examined by either party. It is also or-
dered that a copy of this order be incorporated in the record of the proceedings
in this case."
The court thereupon adjourned to meet on Tuesday, the seventh day of July,
1863, at 11 o'clock of the forenoon of that day.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Tuesday, July 7, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of June 15, 1863.
Present, all the members and the judge advocate ; also present, Chief Engineer
Stimers and his counsel.
Chief Engineer Stimers stated to the court that he could not probably be in
attendance at its next session, but that he was willing and consented that the
proceedings should go on in his absence if his counsel, Charles H. Glover, esq.,
should be present.
The depositions of the witnesses for which the court adjourned on the 1.5th
ultimo not having been returned, and there being no further business, the court
adjourned to meet on Thursday, the 9th day of July, 1863, at 11 o'clock of the
AEMOEED VESSELS, 139
Naval Lyckum, Navy Yard, New York,
Thursday, July 9, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of the 7th of July instant. Free
ent, all the members and the judge advocate ; also present, Charles H. Glover,
esq., counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers.
The proceedings of the last session were read, and the judge advocate then
called as a witness Luis Fernandez, who, being duly sworn, testified as follows :
_ Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your profes-
sion or occupation?
Answer. My name is. Luis Fernandez, and I am a surgeon on board the steam-
ship Arago.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Chief Engineer Stimers, of the
United States navy ? If yea, how long have you known him ?
Answer. I do know him ; and I was first introduced to him in the month of
April last, during the trip of the Arago home from Port Royal, South Carolina.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you a passenger on board the steam-
ship Arago on her homeward passage from Port Eoyal, South Carolina, in the
month of April last ? If yea, when and where did you join that ship, and where
did you leave her ?
Answer. I was attached to that ship, and acting as surgeon on board of her
during the passage referred to. I joined her more than a year ago, and am still
attached to her. I was on board of the Arago during the whole of the passage
referred to in the interrogatory.
Question by the judge advocate. "Was or not Chief Engineer Stimers a pas-
senger on board the Arago during the whole passage referred to in the last
interrogatory ?
Answer. He wap, during the whole passage. He came on board at Charleston
bar, and left the steamer at New York.
Question by the judge advocate. During the time Chief Engineer Stimers was
a passenger on board the Arago, during her homeward passage from Port Royal,
South Carolina, to New York city, in the month of April last, did you have any
conversation with the said Stimers relative to the attack made by the United
States naval forces on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor on the 7th
day of April, 1863 ? If yea, you will please relate such conversation.
Answer. I did not have any conversation with Mr. Stimers. The conversa-
tion referred to was in the presence of the officers of the Arago and two naval
officers, one of whom was surgeon of the Keokuk. The conversation referred
to was addressed directly to the two engineers, Mr. Mars and Mr. Colwell, sitting
also at the table. I heard in that conversation the following statement : Mr.
Stimers said that, in pursuance of orders from Admiral DuPont, he had visited
each one of the Monitors after the firing had ceased, with instructions to exam-
ine their condition ; that he had done so, and had reported to the admiral that,
in his professional opinion as an engineer, each one of the Monitors was in a fit
condition to renew the attack the next day ; that the damages which each one
had suffered were trivial.- I heard him also say that he had advised the use of
the torpedo-exploders on board the Ericsson. I do not mean to say that he
Used that expression, but I underatood him to refer to torpedoes to blow up ob-
structions. In that conversation I did not hear him say that the commanders of
the Monitors were willing to renew the engagement.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time, during the passage
aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers say that he was told by one or more of
the commanders of the iron-clad vessels engaged in the attack upon the forts
and batteries in Charleston harbor on the 7th April, 1863, " that the attack of
that day ought to have been renewed," or words to that effect 1
Answer. I did not.
140- AEMOEED VESSELS.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time, during the passage
aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers say that he had been told by one or more
of the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels that the said iron-clad vessels
"were in a fit condition to renew the attack" above referred to, or words to that
effect 1
Answer. I did not.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time, during the passage
aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers say that several of the commanders of the
said iron-clad vessels had said to him, or in his presence and hearing, that they,
the said commanders, were " hot for renewing the engagement," or words to that
effect 1
Answer. No, sir ; I did not.
Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did you hear Chief En-
gineer Stimers say, during the passage aforesaid, respecting the failure of Rear-
Admiral Dul'oiit to renew the attack of April 7, 1863, made upon the forts and
batteries at Charleston harbor 1
Answer. I did not hear him say anything in regard to it, not having had. any
conversation with him in reference to the attack on Ohark^ston at any time.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time, during the passage
aforesaid, hear Cliief Engineer Stimers say "that the "Monitors were in as good
condition on Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone
some slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence it the
day before," or words to that effect?
Answer. I did hear him make that statement.
Question by the judge advocate. Where on board the Arago did he make such
statement as you have last referred to 1
Answer. He made that statement at the table, while at dinner, in conversar
tion with two other engineers, Mr. Mars and Mr. Colwell.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time, during the passage
aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers say anything respecting the Monitors
being able to go into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstnictipns 1
If yea,' what did he then say on that subject?
Answer. I did not hear him make any assertion to that effect.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you at any time, during the passage
aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers say that Rear- Admiral DuPont was too
much prejudiced against the Monitors to be willing to give them a fair trial, or
words to that effect 1
Answer. I did not ; I did not hear him say anything about his being pre-
judiced.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, at
any time during the passage aforesaid, say whether the Monitors had had a fair
trial on the attack made upon the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor on
the 7th day of April, 1863 ?
Answer. I heard him, in the conversation referred to, say that, in his opinion,
the Monitors had not had a fair trial.
Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did you hear Chief En-
gineer Stimers, during the passage aforesaid, say respecting Rear-Admiral
DuPont or his conduct during the attack aforesaid, or his failure to renew it ?
State all you heard him say respecting Rear-Admiral DuPont.
Answer. I never heard him make any allusion to Admiral DuPont, to his
conduct during the attack on Charleston, or his failure to renew it ; I did not
hear him say anything in reference to Rear-Admiral DuPont.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know any other fact, matter, or
thing relating to the specifications of charges read to you herein? If yea, state
all of the same as fully as if you were particularly interrogated thereto.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 141
Answer. I do not know any other fact, matter, or thing, except what I have
stated.
The judge advocate having no further questions, and neither the counsel for
Chief Engineer Stimers nor the court having any, the testimony was read over
to the witness, and approved as correct, and the witness discharged.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Arthur Hughes, who, heing duly
sworn, testified as follows : "
_ Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your profes-
Mon or occupation 1
Answer. My name is Arthur Hughes, and I am chief engineer on board the
steamship Arago.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Chief Engineer Alhan C.
Stimers, of the United States navy? If yea, how long have you known him?
Answer. I do know him, and made his acquaintance on his passage home, in
the Arago, from Port Royal, South Carolina, in the month of April last. He
joined the ship at Charleston bar.
Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did you hear Chief En-
gineer Stimers, during the voyage aforesaid, say respecting the attack made on
the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor on the 7th day of April last ?
Answer. I do not recollect all that he said ; and the convefsation being gene-
ral, I should prefer to be asked questions.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, dur-
ing the passage aforesaid, say that he was told by one or more of the command-
ers of the iron-clad vessels engaged in the attack upon the forts aud batteries
in Charleston harbor on the 7th day of April, 1863, " that the attack of that
day ought to have been renewed," or words to that effect?
Answer. I did not hear him say that one or more of the commanders had
said so, to my best recollection ; but I did hear him say that the attack was dis-
continued after the report of the commanders.
Question by the judge aclvocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, at
any time during the passage aforesaid, say that one or more of the commanders
of said iron-clad vessehs had stated to him " that the said iron-clad vessels were
in a fit condition to renew the attack," or words to that effect 1
Answer. I do not recollect that he stated so.
Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did Chief Engineer
Stimers say that any of the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels had said
to him, or in his presence and liearing, respecting their being " hot to renew the
engagement" after the said attack 1
Answer. I do not recollect that he fetched the commanders in personally at
all in his discourse. What I wish to impress is, that Mr. Stimers, coming from
the action, or seeing it, every one was anxious to question him ; some of which
questions he answered, and others he was reserved in.
> Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did Chief Engineer
Stimers, during the passage aforesaid, say respecting the condition of the Moni-
tors to renew the attack on the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had under-
gone some slight repairs ?
Aaswer. I think he said that after some slight repairs they would have been
in a condition to commence the action again.
Question by the judge advocate. Did or not Chief Engineer Stimers, during
the passage aforesaid, say that the Monitors were in as good condition on
Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone some slight
repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence it the day before,
or words to that effect?
142 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Answer. He miglit have uaed words to that effect, but not using the words
"in as good condition," that I am aware of.
Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did Chief Engineer
Stimers, during the passage aforesaid, say respecting the Monitors being able to
go into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions 1
Answer. I do not recollect that he said so, but said they refused to use the
" devil," I believe, as it was called, to remove the obstructions. I mean the
" devil," with everything attached to it.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers say
anything respecting Bear-Admiral DuPont's being prejudiced against the Moni-
tors 1 If yea, what did he say 1
Answer. I did not hear him say that Kear-Admiral DuPont was prejudiced
against the Monitors ; I did not hear him say anything about Kear-Admiral Du-
Pont but what was v ery. respectful.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you hear Chief Engineer Stimers, at
any time during the passage aforesaid, say whether the Monitors had had a
fair trial in the attack aforesaid 1
Answer. I do not recollect that he said they had not had a fair trial, but the
impression that he gave me from the tenor of his discourse was that he thought
they might have stood a great deal more ; in other words, he was disappointed
in the attack ; I mean in the length of the attack, or its not being continued or
renewed.
Question by the judge advocate. What, if anything, did Chief Engineer
Stimers, during the passage aforesaid, say respecting the failure to renew the
attack aforesaid ; or as to the reason why Eear-Admiral DuPont did not
renew it 1
Answer. The reason that he assigned was, that after the commanders had a
consultation with the admiral it was postponed. That was all that he said that
I know of in reference to the officers.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time during the passage
aforesaid, hear Chief Engineer Stimers criticise or condemn the professional
conduct of Rear-Admiral DuPont in the attack aforesaid 1 If yea, state what
language he then made use of.
Answer. I did not.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know of any other fact, matter, or
thing in relation to the specifications of charges read to you herein ? If yea,
state the same particularly.
Answer. I do not remember anything further that is not embodied in my
answers.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions, and neither the counsel
for Chief Engineer Stimers nor the court having any, the testimony was then
read to the witness and pronounced correct.
There being no further business, the court thereupon adjourned, to meet on
Friday, the lOlh instant, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Friday, July 10, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present, all the
members and the judge advocate; also present, Chief Engineer Stimers and his
counsel.
The proceedings of yesterday were read in the presence of Chief Engineer
Stimers, and approved as correct.
There being no further business, the court adjourned to meet on Monday, the
13th day of July, 1863, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon.
ARMORED VESSELS, 143
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Monday, July 13, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of July 10, 1863. Present, all
the members and the judge advocate; also present, Chief Engineer Stimers and
his counsel.
The proceedings of July 10 instant were read, and there being no further
business, the court adjourned to meet on Wednesday, the 15th day of July,
1863, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Wednesday, July 15, 1863.
The court met puTsuant to the adjournment of July 13 instant. Present,
all the members and the judge advocate ; also present, Chief Engineer Stimers
and his counsel.
The proceedings of the last session were read and approved.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Commander Daniel Ammen, of
the United States navy, who, being duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your rank in
the navy ? •
Answer. My name is Daniel Ammen, and I am a commander in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Chief Engineer Alban C.
Stimers, of the United States navy ? If yea, how long have you known him ?
Answer. I have known Chief Engineer Stimers perhaps a year, more or less,
on board the Merrimack. I have served with him also about six months on
board the Roanoke.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you or not present at an attack
made by the United States naval forces on the forts and batteries at Charleston
harbor. South Carolina, in the month of April last? If yea, to what vessel or
ship were you then attached, and in what capacity, and did the vessel to which
you were attached take part in the said attack 1
. Answer. I was present, and commanded the iron-clad Patapsco, and the
Patapsco took part in that engagement.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Alban
C. Stimers that the attack upon the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor,
made on the 7th day of April, 1863, ought to have been renewed, or words to
that effect ]
Answer. I did not ; I saw him only a moment, near midnight, on the day of
the attack, since that event.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer . Stimers
that the iron-clad vessels engaged in the said attack were in a lit condition to
renew it, or words to that effect 1
Answer. I did not ; I think no conversation passed between us except simply
a salutation. I had reported at half past eight p. m., of the 7th of April, that
the Patapsco was ready for work, although the smoke-stack was much dam-
aged, and I feared the recurrence of disabilities such as we had had during the
engagement.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you or not say to Chief Engineer
Stimers, or in his presence and hearing, that the commanders of said iron-clad
vessels were, after the attack aforesaid, " hot for renewing the engagement," or
words to that effect ?
,. Aiiswer. I did not.
Question by the judge advocate. Were or not the Monitors in as good condi-
tion on Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone some
slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence it the day
before?
144 ARMORED VESSELS.
Answer. I can only answer in regard to the Patapsco, not having visited the
others. As stated hetbre, I reported her ready for action at half past eight in
the evening of the 7th day of April last, although certainly not in as good con-
dition, as the heavy part of the smoke-stack was very much damaged hy five
or six heavy shots from the enemy. I considered, however, placing chains
around as capable of supplying the want of forty bolts more or less broken by
the projectiles of the enemy.
Question by the judge advocate. Could, in your opinion, the Monitors have
gone into Charleston harbor in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions, either
on the 7 th day of April last, or on the 8th of said April, had the attack been
renewed ?
Answer. I thought so previous to the engagement ; seeing, however, the dis-
abilities of the vessels, more particularly the one under my command, the force
of the fire of the enemy with extraordinary projectiles and increased charges of
powder, I was, af.er our experience of the 7th of April, clearly of opinion that
the force was entirely inadequate to the end. On the fifth discharge the rifle
guft of the Patapsco was disabled by the carrying away of the forward cap
square bolts, and the subsequent necessity of nearly doubling the steam to
move the turret. At that time the Patapsco "was on an obstruction nearly
between the two forts, Sumter and Moultrie, and receiving a fire from them and
other works, which could not but, in the end, have disabled her.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time prior to the 9th
day of April, 1863, hear Rear-Admiral DuPont say anything, or did he do
anything, to lead you to think that he was prejudiced against the Monitors, or
that he was unwilling from prejudice to give them a fair trial?
Answer. Rear-Admiral DuPont has stated to me, or in my presence, that he
feared the aggressive powers of the Monitors, owing to slowness of fire and
other causes, such as sighting the guns in the turrets, would prove less formi-
dable than supposed. Ke has stated nothing to me or before me which would
lead me to suppose that he was what I would regard prejudiced in regard to
the subject, altbough I differed with him, particularly before I had expe-
rienced the want of eflect of our fire, and the effect of the fire from the heavy
batteries, with, as I supposed, increased charges, delivered by the enemy. I
think my answer covers the whole question.
Question by the judge advocate. What was the character of the aforesaid
attack made on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor? Was it an earn-
est one or otherwise?
Answer. The attack, as I considered it, was an attempt to get into position,
and the effect of the enemy's fire and the disabilities of our batteries, with few
guns, of such a nature that I would have regarded a serious attempt to reduce
the works as likely to lead to a disaster and with little hope of success.
Question by the judge advocate. How frequently was the Patapsco struck
bythe enemy's shot or shell duriug the said attack of April 7, 1863?
Answer. I think fifty-one times, including the logs laid over her berth-deck
for the purpose of protecting it from shells.
Question by the judge advocate. How was the Patapsco injured or disabled
in said attack except as you have stated ?
Answer. There was no injury that would not have to be considerably multi-
plied to lead to her disability except that already stated in the course of my
evidence.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know any other fact, matter, or
thing, relating to the charges or specifications of charges made by Rear-Admiral
DuPont against Chief Engmeer S timers? If yea, state the same as fully as if
particularly iuterrogated thereto.
Answer. There is nothing further that I know of that has not been embodied
in my testimony.
AEMORED VESSELS. 146
Question by Chief 'Engineer Stimers. Why was it necessary to nearly double
the steam to turn the turret, as you have stated in your evidence 1
Answer. 1 regarded it as the eiFect of the fire of the enemy, heavy projec-
tiles having struck the turret about that time. The turret was struck twenty-
one times ; within the space of five minutes, perhap^, fifteen or more heavy
shots struck the turret. I observed about fhis time that when I wished to turn
the turret it was necessary to run up the steam to 30 pounds or more. I did
not find any special shots which appeared to make the turning of the turret
difficult or impossible.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimera. Did you observe, in your examination
of the turret after the battle, that any of the deep indentations upon it were
near the bottom — say within a foot of the bottom?
Answer. There was one about that distance ; it may have been half a foot
more from the bottom ; I think nearly three inches in depth ; but I regarded the
general efi'ect of the mass of metal thrown against the turret as the cause of
requiring a greater amount of steam.
The judge advocate having no further questions, and neither the court nor
Chief Engineer Stimers having any, the witness was discharged after his testi-
mony had been read to him.
The judge advocate stated to the court that there were no other witnesses in
the case in the vicinity of the court, and that the depositions of the witnesses
to which interrogations had been forwarded in accordance with the order en-
tered herein on the 15th day of June last, had not returned. Chief Engineer
Stimers here stated that he consented that the court should adjourn to meet
when the president of the court should call the same together again, and that
notice of the time when the court shall next assemble shall be given to Chief
Engineer Stimers. It being uncertain when the depositions in the case might
return, the court adjourned to meet again when notified to that effect by the
president of the court.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, Nevst York,
Thursday, October 1, 1863.
The court met, pursuant to the adjournment of the last meeting, at the call
of the president. Present, all the members and the judge advocate; also Chief
Engineer Stimers and his counsel.
The judge advocate then read to the court letters, of which the followmg are
copies :
"Newt York, A-ugust 30, 1863.
" Sir : I have the honor to state that the court of inquiry on Chief Engineer
A Stimers, having examined all the witnesses present, adjourned on the 8th
of July, forwarding to the department interrogatories for other witnesses at the
south, to which no answers have been returned. I would now respectfully re-
quest instructions as to the course most proper to be taken by the court under
these circumstances. , j- , 4.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
"F. U. (xiiMjhrUhyX,
" Rear--Admiral, President.
"Hon. Gideon Welles,
" Secretary of the Navy, Washington."
H. Ex. Doc. 69 10
146 AE>k)EED VESSELS.
"Navy Department,
" Washington, September 1, 1863.
"Sir: Your letter of the 30th ultimo has been received. The interrogatories
to which you refer were transmitted by the department to Admiral Dahlgren on
the Sth of July, and have not yet been returned.
" It will be for the court to decide, "after communicating on the subject with
the officer whose conduct is the subject of inquiry, whether it is actually neces-
sary or not to await the answers to the interrogatories.
"I am, respectfully,
"G. V. FOX,
"Acting Secretary of the Navy.
" Rear- Admiral F. H. Gregory, TJ. S. N.,
"New Yorlc."
The president of the court then stated that the interrogatories and cross-inter-
rogatories which had been forwarded to witnesses at the south had not been re-
turned. The court thereupon decided, upon the request of the judge advocate,
that, without waiting further for the return of said interrogatories, the judge
advocate should summons any witnesses named in the list furnished by the gov-
ernment who may be now within reach of the court. The judge advocate then
called as a witness Captain John Rodgers, of the United States navy, who being
sworn, testified as follows:
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name and what your rank in
the navy ?
Answer. My name is John Rodgers, and I am a captain in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Alban 0. Stimers, a chief
engineer in the United States navy ? If yea, how long have you known him ?
Answer. I met him first, as far as I recollect, last winter, in New York, when
the Weehawken was fitting out
Question by the judge advocate. Were you or not present at an attack made
by the United States naval forces on the forts and batteries at Charleston har-
bor. South Carolina, on the 7th of April last ? If yea, to what vessel were
you then attached, and in what capacity, and did the vessel to which you were
attached take part in the said engagement 1
Answer. I was present at said attack, and commanded the Monitor Weehaw-
ken, which took part in said engagement.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Stimers
that the attack of the 7th of April, 1863, on the forts at Charleston, "ought to
have been renewed," or words to that effect?
Answer. I never did.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever state to Chief Engineer
Stimers that the iron-clad vessels engaged in making the aforesaid attack "were
in a fit condition to renew the said attack," or words to that effect?
• Answer. I never did. I may have said to Mr. Stimers that the Weehawken
was ready, or in a fit condition, to renew the attack, which was my opinion
when I came out of action. I do not recollect saying so to Mr. Stimers. I
recollect expressing such an opinion, and Mr. Stimers may have heard it, or I
may have said it directly to him. I afterwards changed my opinion.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Stimers,
or in his presence and hearing, that the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels
were, after the attack of the 7th of April last, "hot for renewing the engage-
ment," or words to that effect ?
Answer. I never did.
Question by the judge advocate. Did the Weehawken, during the said engage-
ARMORED VESSEtS. 147
meiit of the 7th of April, 1863, receive any, and what, injuries from the rehel
forts and batteries 1
Answer. She did receive certain injuries. The side armor in one spot was
beaten off, exposing the wood. It was where several shots had struck almost
immediately in the same place. The turret had been stopped with twenty-five
pounds of steam ; upon raising the steam to thirty pounds it turned again, and
seemed to work satisfactorily. Actually it did hang a little, but I would not
have hesitated to go into action with it again. The material injury, leaving out
minor ones, was that a shot, striking the base of the turret, had broken the ring
on the inside of that base, upon which the gun-slide rested, leaving me in doubt
whether the gun-slide would not give way in case of using the guns. I have
left out minor things. There was a small hole through the deck in the coal-
bunkers. This did not materially injure the ship for our purposes. A shot
struck the base of the pilot-house, broke the brass ring, and interfered with the
turning of the turret to some extent, but, as I have said before, after using a
little more steam it started again.
Question by the judge advocate. Were or not the Monitors, on Wednesday,
the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone some slight repairs, in as
good condition to ren-ew the attack as they had been to commence it the day
before ? If nay, state why not.
Answer. I think not. In the Weehawken, of which I have personal knowl-
edge, I have a very strong conviction the band on the inside of the turret, and
which supported the gun-slide, and which was the material damage, was not
repaired the next day. The side armor was not repaired, and the hole in
the deck was not repaired. In regard to the other ships I have no personal
knowledge. .
Question by the judge advocate. In your opinion could the Monitors, ornot,
have gone into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions, either
on the 7th day of April, 1863, or on the 8th of said April, had the attack been
renewed 1
Answer. My opinion is that they could not.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time prior to the 9th day
of April, 1863, hear Rear- Admiral DuPont say anything, or did he do anythmg,
to lead you to think that he was prejudiced against the Monitors, or that he was
unwilling, from prejudice, to give them a fair trial? , , , ...^ . ^,
Answer. No; neither the one nor the other. I think he did give them a
"*^Ouestion by the judge advocate. What was the character of the aforesaid
attack on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor? Was it an earnest one,
or otherwise? ♦
Answer. It was an earnest attack. i. ,. , .^^
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know of any other tact matter, or
thing relating to the grounds of the specifications of charges made by Rear-
Adrairal DuPont against Chief Engineer Stimers, which have been read to you?
If yea, state all tHat you know in relation thereto. .,,.„„ T ,„„i j
Answer. I do not recollect anything else. Not bemg m the Arago, I could
have no knowledge relating to that matter. -, . , , i r
The judge advocate ha4g no further questions, and neither the counsel for
Chief likLgfneer Stimers nor The court having any, the witness was discharged
after his testimony had been read to him.
There being no further business before the court, it thereupon adjourned, to
meet on Wednesday, the 7th instant, at 11 o'clock a. m.
148 AKMOEED VESSELS.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Wednesday, October 7, 1S63.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of October 1, 1863. Present,
all the members of the court and the judge advocate ; also present, Chief En-
gineer Stimers and his counsel.
The judge advocate read the proceedings of the last meeting, which were
approved.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Commodore Thomas Turner, of
the United States navy, who, being sworn, testified as follows:
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your rank in
the navy?
Answer. My name is Thomas Turner, and I am a commodore in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you present, and did you take part in
the engagement between the United States naval forces and the rebel forts and
batteries at Charleston harbor, on the 7th of April, 1863? If yea, what vessel
or ship did you then command?
Answer. I was present, and did take part in said engagement. I commanded
the frigate New Ironsides, an iron-clad, but not a Monitor.
Question by the judge advocate. Did the vessel which you commanded in
the aforesaid attack receive any injuries during said attack? If so, state what
such injuries were.
Answer. Yes, sir; she received various injuries. She lost one port shutter,
shot away. She had one of her plates cracked by a shot. She had a breeching
bolt driven in. She received a shot on her beak, which twisted it a little, and
cracked it. Whenever she was struck in her wooden work, she was damaged ;
1 cannot tell how many times. There was nothing to impair her elEciency in
the slightest degree, either in her iron or wood work. She was as ready to go
into the fight ten minutes afflerwards as she ever was.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Sti-
mers, or in his presence, that the attack on the forts and batteries in Charleston
harbor, made on the 7th day of April, 1863, ought to have been renewed, or
words to that effect?
Answer. Never. I never had any conversation with Mr. Stimers about it,
at all.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Mr. Stimers, or in his
presence and hearing, that the commanders of the aforesaid iron-clad vessels
were, after the attack aforesaid, "hot for renewing the engagement," or words to
that effect ?
Answer, No; never.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever state to Chief Engineer Sti-
mers, or in his presence, that the said iron-clad vessels were in a fit condition to
renew the attack of the 7th of April, 1863, or words to that effect?
Answer. No; never.
Question by the judge advocate. Were, or not, to your knowledge, the Moni-
tors in as good condition on Wednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, after they
had undergone some slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to
commence it the day before?
Answer. I have no knowledge whatever on the subject. I did not look at
one of them after the fight.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time prior to the 9th day of
April, 1863, liear Eear-Admiral DuPont say anything, or did he do anything,
to lead you to think that he was prejudiced against the Monitors, or to lead you
to think he was unwilling to give them a fair trial in the aforesaid attack?
Answer. Never; nothing.
ARMORED VESSELS. 149
Question by the judge advocate. Were you or not a passenger on board the
Arago at the time referred to in the charges read to you herein ?
Answer. No, sir.
Qufstion by the judge advocate. Do you know of any other fact, matter, or
thing relating to the charges, or specilications of charges, made by Rear- Admiral
Du7 our agauist Chief Engineer Stimers, which have been read to youl If
yea, state all you know in relation thereto.
Answer. I heard Mr. Stimers say to the admiral that the Monitois would be
m condition by five o'clock that afternoon, or the next day, to renew the fight.
I think this conversation was the 8th of April, 1863. I did not hear him say
anything about going into Charleston, or about torpedoes or obstructions.
Question by the judge advocate. Could or not, in your opinion, the Monitors
have gone into Charleston, either on the 7th of April, 186.3, or on the 8th of
said April, had the attack been renewed, in spite of guns, torpedoes, and
obstructions ?
Answer. No; I have not the least idea that they could.
The judge advocate said that he had no further questions to ask the witness.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Will you please state whether any shot
or shell entered the Ironsides ; if yea, please describe the eifect both upon and
within the ship ; alao the preparations which you had made for such casualties ;
also the inconveniences to those living on board of such preparations ?
Answer. No shot or shell entered the iron-clad part of the Ironsides. Some
came in through the wood work, but did not penetrate the sand bags. My im-
pression is that, had it not been for the sand bags on the spar-deck, I should
have lost many of my crew. The iron plating of the spar-deck is confined to
the wooden deck above it by iron bolts, half-screw. There were about thirty
of these bolts over each gun. Wherever shots struck where there were no sand
bags the bolts would be driven down like bullets ; one shot did strike where
there were no sand bags, and the bolts underneath were driven out by the con-
cussion. All the wood work, both forward and abaft the iron bulkhead, was
barricaded by sand bags eight or nine feet in a horizontal direction nearly to the
beams. Immediately before going into fight I turned the hose upon the sand
bags both fore and aft, and saturated them thoroughly with water ; water was
several inches deep in my cabin. I put green rawhides on the spar-deck fore
and aft, making a carpet of them from one end of the ship to the other ; over
those a layer of sand bags fore and aft, as far as each iron bulkhead ; these
were some five or six inches thick. After the fight was over it could be seen
where the shot struck the sand bags, as they were ripped up and the sand
driven in all directions. These preparations caused great inconvenience. The
state-rooms were fiUed with sand, and my cabin,. and the hides smelt very badly
from the start.
Chief Engineer Stimers having no further questions, and neither the court
nor the judge advocate having any, the witness was discharged, after his testi-
mony had been read to him.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Commander D. McN. Fairfax,
of the United States navy, who being sworn, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your rank in
the navy ?
Answer. My name is D. McN. Fairfax, and I am a commander in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you, or not, present at an attack made
by the United States naval forces on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor
on the 7th of April, 1863; if yea, what vessel did you then command, and
was your vessel engaged in said attack?
Answer. I was present and commanded the Monitor Nantucket ; she took
part in said eingagement.
150 AEMORED VESSELS.
Question by the judge advocate. What injuries, if any, did- the Monitor Nan-
tucket receive in the aforesaid attack 1
Answer. She had eight bolts of her smoke-box carried away ; the turret under
the 15-inch port-hole was pressed in so as to jam the port-stopper, preventing
the use of the 15-inch gun at the third round. It required some thirty-six hours
to put the gun in serviceable order so as to be available ; she had one severe
cut over her engine-room, or over the Andrews pump ; beyond the carrying
away of some of the clamps to the 11-inch carriage the vessel received com-
paratively little damage, having been struck fifty-three times in her strongest
parts.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Alban
C Stimers, of the United States navy, that the attack made on the forts and
batteries in Charleston harbor, on the 7th day of April, 1863, " ought to have
been renewed," or words to that effect?
Answer. No.
Question. Did you ever state to Chief Engineer Stimers that the iron-clad
vessels engaged in making the aforesaid attack " were in a fit condition to renew
the said attack," or words to that effect 1
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Stimers,
or in his presence and hearing, that the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels
were, after the aforesaid attack, " hot for renewing the engagement," or words to
that effect 1
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. Were or not the Monitors in as good con-
dition on Wednesday, the 8th day-of April, 1863, after they had undergone some
slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence it the day
before ?
Answer. I should say not ; the repairs were not completed within twenty-
four hours, at least on board my vessel.
Question by the judge advocate. Could or not the Monitors have gone into
Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions, either on the 7th or
8th day of April, 1863 1
Answer. In my opinion they could not.
Question by the judge advocate. Did. you at any time prior to the 9th day
of April, 1863, hear Rear- Admiral DuPont say anything, or did he do anything,
which led you to think that he was prejudiced against the Monitors, or that
he was unwilling to give them a fair trial in the aforesaid attack ?
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. What was the character of the aforesaid
attack made on the forts and batteries at Charleston harbor ? Was it an earnest
one or otherwise ?
Answer. It was a very earnest attack.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know any other fact, matter, or
thing relating to the specifications of charges made by Rear-Admiral DuPont
against Chief Engineer Stimers, which have been read to you ? If yea, state
all you know in relation thereto.
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know why the aforesaid attack of
the 7th of April, 1863, w^is not renewed on the 8th of April, 1863?
Answer. I cannot answer that question, not having any knowledge of the
admiral's determinations in connexion with the renewal of the fight.
The judge advocate having no further questions to ask the witness, and
neither Chief Engineer Stimers nor the court having any, the witness was dis-
charged after his testimony had been read to him.
AEMOKED VESSELS. 151
The court thereupon adjourned, to meet on Thursday, the 8th day of October'
1863, at 11 a. m.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Thursday, October 8, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present, all the
members of the court and the judge advocate ; also present. Chief Engineer
Stimers and his counsel.
The proceedings of yesterday were read and approved.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Commander A. C. Rhind, of the
United States navy, who being sworn, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your rank in
the navy 1
Answer. My name is A. C. Ehind, and I am a commander in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you present, and did you taie part
in the attack made by the United States naval forces on the forts and batteries
in Charleston harbor on the 7th day of April, 1863 ? If yea, what vessel did
you then command ?
Answer. I was present and took part in said engagement, and commanded
the iron clad-Keokuk. She was not a Monitor.
Question by the judge advocate. Did the Keokuk receive any injuries in the
aforesaid attack 1 If yea, state what those injuries were.
Answer. She received injuries to such an extent as to cause her sinking the
following morning. She was penetrated in many places near the water-line, on
her bows, sides, turret, quarter, and all parts of the ship.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Chief Engineer Alban C.
Stimers, of the United States navy ? If yea, how long have you known him 1
Answer. I do know the gentleman, and have known him since some time
last fall.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you say to Chief Engineer Stimers
that the iron-clad vessels engaged in making the attack on the forts and bat-
teries in Charleston harbor on the 7th of April last were in a fit condition to
renew the said attack, or words to that effect ?
Answer. No. •
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever state to Chief Engineer
Stimers that tlxe aforesaid attack of the 7th of April, 1863, "ought to have been
renewed," or words to that effect ?
Answer. No.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever state to Chief Engineer
Stimers, or in his presence and hearing, that the commanders of the aforesaid
ii-on-clad vessels were, after the said attack, "hot for rene^v^ng the engagement,"
or words to that effect ?
Answer. No. I had no conversation with Mr. Stimers on the subject nor in
his hearing, that I know of. I left the squadron the evening of the next ^ay
Question by' the judge advocate. Could or not the Monitors have gone into
Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions, either on the 7th of
April, 1863, or on the 8th of said April 1
Answer In my opinion very few of them would have gone m or come out.
Question by the judge advocate. State !he nature of the obstructions which
prevented the Monitors from entering the harbor as far as Charleston.
Answer I did not examine the obstructions sufficiently so as to say ot my
own knowledge what the nature of the obstructions was. I can only state
what they were supposed to be. I saw what I supposed to be a cable stretched
across in a line between Sumter and Moultrie. This cable was supported by
buoys at short intervals. F;irther up the harbor, and, as nearly as I could
152 ARMORED VESSELS.
judge, extending across the eastern channel, and partially over the western
side, and also on the shoal between Sumter and Cummings's Point, rows of
piles were seen. I had a better view of the row between Sumter and Cum-
mings's Point. The other rows were at a distance of over a mile, I should
judge, and could not be very distinctly seen. The means of observation were
very limited on board all the vessels engaged in said attack, being from slits or
sight-holes in the pilot-house. I had also an occasional view from the hatch
overhead, which 1 left open for that purpose.
Question by the judge advocate. Were or not the Monitors in a^ good condi-
tion on AVednesday, the 8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone some
slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence it the day
before 1
Answer. I did not go on board of any of the Monitors subsequent to the
action ; but on the evening of the action, on board the Ironsides, the ilag-ship,
I met most of the commanders of the Monitors, and from what was said by
them I judged the Monitors were not iit to renew the attack immediately.
Question by the judge advocate. What was the character of the aforesaid
attack ? Was it an earnest one or otherwise 1
Answer. It was as earnest as the means used could make it — as earnest as
the character of the vessels employed could make it.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever hear Rear-Admiral DuPont
say anything, or did he do anything, prior to the 9th day of April, 1863, to
lead you to think he was prejudiced against the Monitors, or that he was
unwilling to give them a fair trial in the aforesaid attack ?
Answer. No ; neither.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know any other fact, matter, or
thing relating to the specifications of charges made by Rear-Admiral DuPont
against Chief Engineer Stimers, which have been read to you? If yea, state
all you know in relation thereto.
Answer. I know nothing whatever in relation to the subject-matter of the
charges which it is alleged occurred on board the Arago, where I was not.
The judge advocate having no further questions, and neither the court nor
Chief Engineer Stimers having any, the witness was discharged, after his testi-
mony had been read to him.
The judge advocate then called as a witness Commander John Downes, of
the United States navy, who, being duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your rank in
the navy 1
Answer. My name is John Downes, and I am a commander in the United
States navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you or not present at an attack made
on the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor by the United Slates naval
forces on the 7th day of April, 1863 ! If yea, what vessel or ship did you
then command, and did such vessel take part in said attack ?
• Answer. I was present, and I commanded the Monitor Nahant, and she took
part in said attack.
Question by the judge advocate. Did the Monitor Nahant receive any in-
juries in the aforesaid attack 1 If yea, state what such injuries were.
Answer. She did. She had her turret stopped by a couple of shot striking
on the composition ring at the base of the pilot-house, and driving it down into
the intersection between the pilot-house and the turret. She had a large iron
plate driven off the inside of the pilot-house, placed there for the purpose of
steadying the pilot-house in position, and injuring somewhat the steering gear.
She had another large iron apron, which was placed over one of the iron braces
of the turret for the purpose of keeping it down ; this was knocked nearly off.
She lost some eighty- three bolts out of her pilot-house and turret. A large
ARMORED VESSELS. 153
piece was cut out of the annored part of the smoke-stack abaft, breaking the
grating inside and dropping it below. The decks were cut through in two or
three places. There was no other material injury that I can recollect at present.
Question by the judge advocate. Were the injuries referred to in your last
answer repaired either on the 7th or 8th day of April, 18631 If so, to what
extent 1
Answer. They were not repaired either on the 7th or 8th day of April, 1863.
They were partially repaired by the evening of the 8th ; that is, we were
enabled to turn the turret by 5 p. m. of the 8th. That was the extent of the
repairs, as nearly as I can recollect, that the Nahant had received at that time.
I will add, that it required a force of over thirty-three pounds of steam to turn
it then.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever state to Chief Engineer Alban
C. Stimers, of the United States navy, that the iron-clad vessels engaged in ma-
king the aforesaid attack upon the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor were
in a fit condition to renew the attack, or words to that effect ?
Answer. I did not.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever state to Chief Engineer Sti-
mers that the said attack of the 7th of April, 1863, " ought to have been re-
newed," or words to that effect 1
Answer. No; I never did.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you ever say to Chief Engineer Sti-
mers, or in his presence and hearing, that the commanders of the aforesaid
iron-clad vessels were, after the attack aforesaid, "hot for renewing the engage-
ment," or words to that effect ?
Answer No ; I never did.
Question by the judge advocate. Were, or not, the Monitors in as good con-
dition on Wednesday, the 8th of April, 1863, after they had undergone some
slight repairs, to renew the attack, as they had been to commence it the day
before 1
Answer. I can only answer for the Nahant, and she was not.
Question by the judge advocate. Could not the Monitors have gone into
Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions, either on the 7th or 8th
days of April, 1863 ?
Answer. I think not.
Question by the judge advocate. State the nature of the obstructions in
Charleston harbor, which prevented the Monitors from entering as far as
Charleston.
Answer. I cannot name them. I do not know what thej' were. I saw what
I took to be piles driven in two or three rows, across from Silmter towards bat-
tery Bee. I saw no others.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you, at any time prior to the 9th day of
April, 1863, hear Rear- Admiral DuPont say anything, or did he do anything,
which led you to think that he was prejudiced against the Monitors, or that he
was unwilling to give them a fair trial in the aforesaid attack 1
Answer. I never heard him say anything, nor did he do anything, to give me
that impression.
Question by the judge advocate. What was the character of the aforesaid
attack 1 Was it an earnest one, or otherwise ?
Answer. It was decidedly an earnest one, I should say.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know any other fact, matter, or
thing, relating to the charges or specifications of charges made by Rear- Admiral
DuPont against Chief Engineer Stimers, which have been read to you? If
yea, state all you may know in relation thereto.
Answer. I know nothing more.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask.
154 ARMORED VESSELS.
Cross-examined by Chief Engineer Stimers.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. You have stated that the deck of the
Nahant was cut through in two or three places, in the attack of the 7th of April,
last. Will you please describe, as exactly as you can, the nature, size, &c., of
the holes thus cut through ?
Answer. 1 cannot give you an idea of the size. I do not recollect it. The
plating was cut through. I think the deck was crushed in underneath. The
plating had to be renewed over the injured places. When I say the deck was
crushed in, I mean the wood work was crushed beneath. The plating was cut
through, but there was no hole through the wood work.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. You have stated that the only repair
effected on board of your ship on the day after the fight was that of putting the
turret in such condition that it could be turned by steam. Were the other inju-
ries of a character which rendered your vessel unfit for action 1 If yea, state
in what manner they thus unfitted her.
Answer. I have stated that, to the best of my recollection, such was the only
repair. The injury to the turret was not sufiiciently repaired to permit the
vessel to go into action on the day following the fight, as it required a force of
something over thirty-three pounds of steam to turn the turret at the time re-
ferred to in my evidence. Moreover, the pilasters covering the bolt-heads inside
the turret, and the curtain which hung round the turret, were down. The
apron referred to as keeping in place the brace of the turret had not been re-
fastened in its place. It took a long time — I do not recollect how long — to turn
the turret. It took some three minutes to make a complete revolution of the
tun-et, after the repairs, as nearly as I can recollect. The injury to the apron
which held the brace of the turret in place was, in my judgment, of such a
nature as to unfit the vessel for action, because the same brace, I believe, kept
in place one of the tracks of the 15-incli gun. Moreover, had it come off, I
think the turret on that side would have settled on the gearing below. There
was a decided uncertainty as to the turning of the turret, with any pressure
which we applied.
• Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Were any of the injuries of such a
character as unfitted your vessel for action, excepting that which prevented the
turret from turning and the injury to the apron?
Answer. There was no other injury which, in my opinion, would have pre-
vented her going into action on the night of the 8tli of April, 1863, had the
emergency called for it; her steering gear was bent, and, in my opinion, un-
reliable; the pilot-house was very much injured, partially unbolted; the plates
out of place; the apron referred to in my evidence before, as steadying it in
place, was still off; I think the bolt-heads were partially uncovered by the
pilasters being down in the pilot house.
Chief Engineer Stimers having no further questions to ask, and neither the
court nor the judge advocate having any, the witness was discharged after his
testimony had been read to him.
Chief Engineer Stimers here stated to the court that he had important official
duties to perform on Friday, the 9th instant, and thereupon the court adjourned,
to meet on Saturday, the 10th day of October, 1863, at 11 o'clock a. m.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Saturday, October 10, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of the 8th instant. Present, all
the members and the judge advocate; also present. Chief Engineer Stimers and
his counsel.
ARMORED VESSELS. 155
The judge advocate read tlie proceediugs of the last meeting, which were ap-
proved. " ^
/^^^ l^^g^ advocate, then called as a witness Commander 0. R. P. Rodgers,
ot the United States navy, who, being sworn, testified as follows :
Question hj the judge advocate. What is your name, and what your rank in
the navy? ' ■'
Answer. My name is C. R. P. Rodgeri!, and I am a commander in the navy.
Question by the judge advocate. Were you present at an attack made by the
United States naval forces on the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor, on
the 7th of April, 1863? If yea, did you take part in said engagement, and in
what capacity ?
Answer. I was present. I did take part in said engagement, and acted in
. the capacity of fleet captain.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know Chief Engineer Alban C. Sti-
mers, of the United States navy ? If yea, how long have you known him ?
Answer. I do know him. I have known him since he came to the South
Atlantic blockading squadron, some weeks prior to the attack of the 7th of
April last.
_ Question by the judge advocate. State, if you know, by whose authority and
direction Chief Engineer Stimers was a passenger on board the steamship Arago,
during the passage of said steamer from Port Royal, South Clarolina, to New
York city, between the 11th and loth days of April, 1863.
Answer. I understood it was by the authority of Admiral DuPont, to whom
he applied to take passage in that vessel.
Question by the judge advocate. Did you have any opportunity of knowing
the condition of the Monitors on the 8th day of April, 1863 ? If yea, state what
their condition then was for renewing the attack.
Answer. I did not visit them on the 8th. I heard the statements of their
commanders. I remember to have seen the bolts protruding from the turret of
the Nahant, as she came out of action on the 7th of April, 1863. I heard, also,
statements from Chief Engineer Stimers. Not having visited them, my knowl-
edge is not so exact as those who commanded them.
Question by the judge advocate. Could, or not, the Monitors, in your opinion,
have gone into Charleston either on the 7th or 8th day of April, 1863? If nay,
state why not.
Answer. I think they could not have delivered any attack on Charleston on
the 8th, with any reasonable hope of success. I formed this opinion from the
fact that the channel was obstructed, and in endeavoring to force those obstruc-
tions the Monitors would have been exposed to a fire which they could not
withstand without being disabled. During the time which they were under the
heaviest fire, which was less than an hour, on the 7th of April, 1863, several of
the Monitors were wholly or in part disabled in their guns and turrets, and a
persistence in the attack on the following day would, in my opinion, have ended
in disaster.
Question by the judge advocate. State, if you know, the nature of the ob-
structions which prevented the Monitors from entering the harbor as far as
Charleston.
Answer. To the best of my belief they consisted of buoys, suspending a
net-work, intended to foul the screws of the Monitors and hold them entangled
under fire. We could only see the buoys. I was led to suppose that the net-
work was attached to them from statements of deserters, and knowing that such
a system of obstructions had been proposed by engineers. There was also a row
of piling which we supposed to be across the middle ground ; whether it crossed
the'deepest water or not I cannot say. We also had information that torpedoes,
some of them of extraordinary size, had been laid down in the approaches ; as
156 ARMORED VESSELS.
to the truth of their being torpedoes, I had, of coarse, no knowledge at the time.
Since the attack, I have seen a letter, captured in the Atlantic, from an officer
who was in Fort Sumter at the time of the attack, who stated to his correspond-
ent that Captain Gheves, the officer who had charge of placing the torpedoes,
had informed him that had he himself placed the Ironsides, and, I think, some
other vessels, he could not have put her more precisely over the largest torpedo.
My impression is, that he conveyed the idea that she was over the torpedo for
some time, but that he could not make it explode ; there was some trouble with
the v/ire.
Question by the judge advocate. To the fire of what forts and batteries would
the Monitors have been exposed had they become entangled in the network to
which you have referred 1
Answer. To the 'guns of Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, Battery Bee, and, I
think, to Fort Beauregard and the battery on Oummings's Point.
Question by ihe judge advocate. Had the enemy any vessels-of-war in
Charleston harbor at the time of the aforesaid attack ? If yea, state how many,
and where in said harbor they were stationed.
Answer. They had the iron-clads Chicora and Palmetto State ; what other
vessels they had I do not know ; they were understood to be near the piling of
the middle ground.
Question by the judge advocate. What was the character of the attack made
on the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor on the 7th of April, 1863 ? Was
it an earnest one, or otherwise ?
Answer. I thought it a very earnest one, and very gallantly delivered.
Question by the judge advocate. State, if you know, the reasons why the
attack of the 7th of April last was not renewed on the following day.
Answer. The movement of the vessels on the 7th was ordered to take place
at noon, the pilots refusing to move before that hour on account of the tide.
The iron-clad fleet was detained for an hour and a half by the Weehawken
fouling her anchor and being unable to move. In passing up the channel diffi-
culty was found in steering the Ironsides, which fell off in consequence of the
current, and we were obliged to drop an anchor in order to bring her head in
the right direction. It was very quickly raised and the ship was pushed up
stream, when the Weehawken, which had turned off from the obstruction, (she
was the leading vessel,) came across the Ironsides's bow, and it was necessary
to stop again. There was some confusion in the line — the Catskill and the
Nantucket came in collision with the Ironsides ; the Patapaco with difficulty
avoided her. The Ironsides was in very shoal water, having less than a foot
under her. Admiral DnPont asked me the time; it was nearly 5 o'clock. He
said, " It is too late to force our way in to-night ; haul off and we will renew
the attack early to-morrow." I directed the flag- lieutenant to make the signal
to withdraw from action. All the vessels had then been under a severe fire. I
think the Keokuk, Passaic, and Nahant had been compelled to turn off temporarily
in consequence of injuries received at that time. When we withdrew from the
attack I had no thought that it was to be abandoned, and I am convinced of
Admiral DuPont's thorough intention to renew it on the following day. The
Ironsides anchored abreast of Fort Wagner, and, passing out of the pilot-house,
I received the reports from the different commanders of the different vessels.
Up to that time I did not know' that the vessels had been seriously injured, the
Ironsides having not been disabled or materially hurt. Captain Rhind, in the
Keokuk, passed first, and hailed to say his vessel was disabled. I saw myself
that she was completely riddled. Captain Downes, in the Nahant, next hailed
to say that his turret was disabled and would not turn, and that his pilot-house
was badly injured. The Passaic made a signal that her Xl-inch gun was dis-
abled ; the Nantucket, that her 15-inch gun was disabled. The first vessels, as
they passed us, were directed by me to pass out of range of the enemy's guns,
ARMORED VESSELS. 157
and artolior. After they had passed, tte Ironsides got vmder way and dropped
out of range. The sun had then set, and after dark the captains of the
different vessels came on board and reported the condition of the vessels. Ad-
miral DiiPont heard their reports ; left the captains talking with me, and went
to bed, expressing no opinion whatever, to the best of my recollection. I saw
him no more that night. Early the next morning he informed me that, having
considered the reports of the commanders and the circumstances of the engage-
ment, he had come to a positive determination, which would not be reversed, that
he had decided not to reneAv the attack ; that the vessels could not endure the
lire to which they would be exposed, and that a persistance would lead to dis-
astrous results, and could not be successful. That was the substance of what
I learned fiom him ; he seemed desirous not to commit myself or any other
commander to any responsibility in the matter, and therefore asked no opinion
from me, and, to the best of my belief, from no one else. I, however, told him
that although this was a great disappointment and sorrow to me, that neverthe-
less my views corresponded with his, and I afterwards heard every commanding
officer who was engaged in the action express the opinion that the action could
not have been successfully renewed. Chief Engineer Stimevs was energetic, and
active, and prompt in his efforts to repair the vessels, and expressed to me his
opinion that the vessels could be made ready for the action during the 8th. I
think he said by noon.
Question by the judge advocate.- Did you at any time prior to the 9th day of
April, 1863, hear Rear- ,\ dmiral DuPont say anything, or did he do anything,
to lead you to think that he was prejudiced against the Monitors, or that from
prejudice he was unwilling to give them a fair trial in the attack of the 7th of
April last ?
Answer. Messing with Admiral DuPont, and from my position as fleet cap-
tain, he conversed very freely with me in relation to subjects pertaining to the
squadron and the expected attack. Prior to the engagement of the Monitors m
the Ogeechee, I think he was very strongly prejudiced in their favor ; the cir-
cumstances of that attack led him to doubt their aggressive power against bat-
teries, made him conscious of the weakness of their decks, of the trouble arising
from the method of fastening their turrets, and led him to believe that he had
overrated their powers. I do not think he was prejudiced against them ; he
would have been glad to have had more of them, if it had been possible for the
government to furnish them. So far as I could judge, certainly he was not un-
willing to give them a fair trial, and in my opinion they were fairly tried.
Question by the judge advocate. Was any, and what, opportunity afforded
during the attack of the 7th of April last to test the efficiency of certain sub-
marine shells in forcing obstructions concealed in the harbor?
Answer The sub-marine shells were not used at all. The admiral and the
commanding officers generally believed that whatever might be the merits of
these shells under other circumstances, it would not be judicious or justmable to
affix them to the bows of the Monitors intended to operate in squadron, m a
narrow channel and rapid tide-way, where collisions were_ to be expected, and
where those percussion shells might be as dangerous to friend as foe. Each of
these shells contained several hundred pounds of powder, I believe.
Question by the judge advocate. Was any, and what, opportunity afiorded tor
testing the efficiency of certain rafts to be used in forcing obstructions at or
about the time of the aforesaid attack ? , td , t> i «i n
Answer. Those rafts were brought by the Ericsson o Port Eoyal. bhortly
after their arrival Captain John Eodgers, of the Weekawken, was ordered to
affix one of these rafts to the bow of his vessel and experiment with it He
tried it without the shell. After we reached Edisto, a few days before the at-
tack Admiral DuPont directed me to ask the iron-clad commanders to assemble
on board the Weehawken and to have one of the rafts affixed to the bows of
158 AKMOEED VESSELS.
that vessel, to move her in a tide-way in order that these commanding officers
might become acquainted with these rafts and the appliances. Chief Engineer
Stimers was also on board the Weekawken. The vessel was got under way and
the raft tried, but it was somewhat late and the channel somewhat crowded, and
after moving a short distance it was deemed expedient to anchor. In the attack
on the 7th of April, 1863, the commanding officers generally preferred to be
without a raft. Captain John Rodgers, of the Weehawken, expressed his readi-
ness to attach one with grapnel hanging from it to his vessel, without the shell,
but declared to me explicitly that without a positive order to affix the shell, he
■would not attach it to the raft. Chief Engineer Stimers expressed, with great
earnestness, his conviction that the shell might be attached with advantage and
might render important service to us, and urged that they should be used.
Without doubting his judgment as an engineer, we preferred to trust our nautical
judgment as to the expediency of attaching such percussion shell to the bows
of vessels destined to operate together in the narrow channels and rapid currents
of which I have spoken.
Question by the judge advocate. Do you know any other fact, matter, or
things pertaining to the grounds of the specifications of charges made by Rear-
Admiral DuPont against Chief Engineer Stimers which have been read to you?
If yea, state all you may know in relation thereto.
Answer. Nothing occurs to me.
The judge advocate said he had no further questions to ask the witness.
CroHS-examined by the counsel of Chief Engineer Stimers.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. What precise position did you occupy
on board the Ironsides during the conflict of the 7th of April, 1863, and did
you leave that vessel during the day ?
Answer. I was in the pilot-house during the whole engagement, and did not
leave the vessel during the day.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. You have spoken of receiving reports
from the commanders of the iron-clads as they passed the Ironsides whilst re-
tiring from action. Did they all pass you whilst so retiring 1 If not, please
state the exception or exceptions.
Answer. After the signal was made to withdraw from action, the Ironsides
was gotten out of shoal water and^ anchored, as I have stated before. The
enemy ceased to fire at her, and soon ceased to fire at the vessels which were
above her. I think all the vessels passed her before she got under way to move
down to her berth for the night. The Keokuk and Nahant only hailed ; the
Passaic, Patapsco, and Nantucket reported their guns disabled by signal. Any
reports which were made to me were not in virtue of my own authority, but as
fleet captain and the agent of my superior.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. About what length of time elapsed
between the exhibition of your signal to retire from action and the time when
the last of the iron-clads passed the Ironsides 1
Answer. I have no memoranda. I liave never thought to fix the time. I
should say twenty minutes, possibly more. Those first in action were first out-
I think each of the Monitors was about the same time under the heavy fire.
The Keokuk was not of the Monitor class. She was the last vessel of the line,
the closest engaged, and was soon placed in an almost sinking condition.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. How long prior to the 7th of April had
you been aware of the existence of the buoys and piles forming, as you believed,
obstructions to the entrance of the harbor ?
Answer. Prior to the action my knowledge was not positive and was very in-
definite. I had gathered from the deserters and others whom I had examined
the belief as to the existence of the piles. The information as to the floatinar
ARMORED VESSELS. 159
obstructions was conflicting and unsatisfactory. We did not know what to ex-
pect. I expected we would be able to make our way into the harbor so as to
attack Fort Sumter on its northwest face.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Did you have such information, prior
to the 7th, as led you to believe that there were buoys with network such as
you have described obstructing the harbor ?
Answer. Our information was vague and indefinite ; I thought we might find
floating cordage intended to foul our propellers ; I did not know how it would
be arranged, nor that it actually existed.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Did the engagement of the 7th disclose
to you or Admiral DuPont the existence of obstructions from network, or from
piles, with which you were previously unacquainted. And if you answer yea,
state what in particular was disclosed, and by whom, and on what vessel dis-
covered.
Answer. Before the action of the 7th we only knew vaguely that there was
some arrangement of ropes to foul the screws of the vessels ; during the en-
gagement we discovered the close arrangement of buoys, which we supposed
suspended this system of ropes, but the ropes themselves we could not s^e;
our belief in their existence was simply conjectural; such a system has been
matured and described for the defence of harbors. My impression is, that the
buoys were seen by the vessels generally ; my own knowledge of them was
gained chiefly from Captain John Rodgers, who was very near them, and re-
ported them minutely.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Did his report of their existence con-
firm your previous belief on that subject ?
Answer. The knowledge that I had prior to the attack was not sufiioient to
enable me to form a belief; I thought we might find buoys supporting floating
ropes.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Did' Captain John Rodgers, in report-
ing any obstructions of this character, state that the action of his propeller was
impeded or destroyed during the action, and when did he first make any such
report ?
Answer. I do not remember that Captain John Rodgers, at that time, re-
ported that his propeller had been impeded; after returning to Port Royal he
found some rope on his propeller, which was cut off by a diver; I do not know
^here that rope came from.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. When Admiral DuPont stated, as you
have testified, " it is too late to force our way in to-night, haul off', and we will
renew the attack early to-morrow," did you understand him to mean it is too
late to force our way into the hai-bor and beyond the supposed obstructions 1
■If not, what did you understand him to mean by the phrase "it is too late to
force our way in?"
Answer. Our plan of battle required us to go in beyond the obstructions. 1
understood the admiral to mean that we could not accomplish our purpose that
night • it was too late. The substance of his words I have given 'accurately;
I am not sure that I have used his precise words: The leading vessel had not
felt authorized to force herself through obstructions which her commander
deemed so formidable; the plan of battle was necessarily somewhat deranged for
the time. ' „^ -,. i j • ^.i.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Was any discovery made durmg the
action on the 7th of the existence of torpedoes not previously supposed to exist
as obstructions? If yea, state who made any such discovery, and where, and
by whom the same was first reported to Admiral DuPont.
Answer. We found no more than we expected.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. You have stated, m substance, m an-
swer to the question " What was the nature of the obstructions which prevented
the Monitors from entering the harbor ?" that they consisted, to the best of your
160 AEMORED VESSELS.
belief, of buoys suspending network; of piling across the middle ground, and of
torpedoes. You have stated, also, that Admiral DuPont stated to you that it
■was too late to force your way in that night. Am I to understand, from your
testimony in view of these statements, that Admiral DuPont determined on the
following morning not to go in because of these obstructions which he supposed
to exist on the day previous, or do you now think that determination was
arrived at upon some other grounds ?
Answer. When Admiral DuPont gave the order to haul off for the night, I
think he fully intended to renew the engagement on the morrow. I think he
changed that determination chiefly because he found the iron-clads so much
damaged, and some of them so soon disabled, for the time which they had been
exposed. I think, also, that he became satisfied that the obstructions between
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie were sufficiently strong to hold the vessels too
long under the heavy fire of the enemy's guns.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. What number of guns were brought to
bear upon the Monitors at any one time ; and how closely to the enemy's guns
were they engaged; and what was the weight of artillery used against them?
Answer. I do not know how many guns were brought to bear upon the
Monitors; they wore exposed to a very heavy fire. Our information prior to the
attack as to the number of guns was not accurate, and I have not since
learned. The officers commanding the Monitors, who could best estimate,
thought their vessels were within seven or eight hundred yards. Some of them
thought, I believe, that they were as near as six hundred yards. My impres-
sion is, that 10-inch columbiads were probably the heaviest guns used. I form
this opinion from indentations on the armor of the vessels. Some of the officers
on board the Ironsides thought that a shell which entered her bow and ex-
ploded was from an 11-inch gun. I did not examine the fragments; the only
projectile that I remember to have examined, which came from the rebels, was
a rifle shot weighing between sixty and seventy pounds, which came through
the wooden side of the Ironsides. I think, however, that much heavier rifle
projectiles than that were fired.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Were there, in your judgment, fifty to
one hundred guns bearing upon the Monitors at any one time 1
Answer. Yes ; in my judgment, the fire was by far the heaviest that I ever
saw, or that any one engaged had ever seen.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Was more than one life lost on board
the Monitors during that battle ?
Answer. No.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Did either of the Monitors, and if either,
state particularly which, disclose an incapacity of armor to resist safely the ene-
my's shot 1
Answer. The wood was laid bare on the Weehawken in one place. Many
bolts were started from the turret of the Nahant, and the bolts became useless.
I thought the armor showed great endurance, but I doubt if it would have en-
dured for a long time a fire so heavy as that to which it was subjected ; the test
was an extraordinarily severe one.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Name either of the Monitors so injured
in its armor by the impact of shot as to make it probable that other shot following
would have destroyed it.
Answer. I think another shot striking the Weehawken in the place I have
named would have gone through. The impression left upon my mind was, that
the pilot-houses of the Passaic and Nahant would have been dangerously injured
by other shot striking the same places.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. When Chief Engineer Stimers urged
the use of these sub-marine shell did you get an impression that he would not
AKMOEED VESSELS. 161
have been willing to have been upon the Monitors in action to which such shell
were to be attached ?
Answer.^ T had no such impression. Chief Engineer S timers volunteered to
go into action, and I advised him not to do it.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Did Engineer Stimers, in conversation
with you, express the opinion that the Monitors should attempt to pass those
obstructions without the aid of those shell 1
Answer. I do not remember that he did. I do not remember his speaking to
me on the subject at all.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Did you possess any such knowledge
of the construction of these shells, and of the manner in which they were to be
employed, as to be able to form an opinion that they would be dangerous to the
vessels employing them ? If yea, state their construction, and your reason for
such an opinion.
Answer. They were long iron castings, filled with powder, to be fastened on
the end of the raft to be attached to the bows of the. Monitors, and to explode
when they came in contact with any serious obstacles, such as piling or the
sides of a vessel. Such was my understanding of them. As to the peculiar
construction of the shell I was not versed, but as to the manner in which they
were to be used I think I did understand generally — not, perhaps, in detail. I
was convinced that they would be dangerous to the vessels of the fleet with
which they might come in contact. I should have been wUling to incur the
risk to the vessel to which it should be attached.
Question by Chief Engineer Stimers. Then, what objection was there to
attaching it to a Monitor which should lead the fleet and attempt to pass ob-
structions ?
Answer. There would still have been danger of collision had there been any
interruption in the order of battle.
The counsel for Chief Engineer Stimers said he had no further questions to
ask ; and neither the judge advocate nor the court having any, the witness was
discharged after his testimony had been read to him.
The judge advocate stated to the court that he had no further evidence to
ofier in the case.
The court thereupon adjourned, to meet on Monday, the 12th day of October
instant, at 11 o'clock a. m.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Monday, October 12, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of the 10th instant. Present, all
the members and the judge advocate; also present. Chief Engineer Stimers and
his counsel.
The judge advocate read the proceedings of the last meetmg, which were
approved.
The judge advocate asked Chief Engineer Stimers if he had any testimony
to offer, to which he replied that he had none to offer.
Chief Engineer Stimers asked of the court two weeks in which to prepare a
written defence, stating as a reason that his counsel could not find time to pre-
pare a defence sooner than that time, on account of other engagements.
The judge advocate asked to have the court cleared ; whereupon the court was
cleared for the purpose of considering the request of Chief Engineer Stimers.
The court decided to give Chief Engineer Stimers until Monday, the 19th
instant, at 10 o'clock, in which to prepare his defence. ^ r\ x.
The court thereupon adjourned, to meet on Monday, the 19th day ot Uctober
instant, at 10 o'clock of the forenoon of that day.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 11
162 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New York,
Monday, October 19, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournme^it of the 12th instant. Present,
all the members and the judge advocate; also present, Chief Engineer Stimera
and his counsel.
The judge advocate read the proceedings of the last meeting, which were ap-
proved.
Chief Engineer Stimers then read to the court his defence in writing, which
is hereunto annexed, marked .
The court was then cleared for deliberation, and the judge advocate read to
the court a part of the testimony in the case. The court then adjourned, to
meet on Tuesday, the 20th day of October, 1863, at 10 o'clock of the forenoon
of that day.
Naval Lycedm, Navy Yard, New York,
Tuesday, October 20, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday. Present, all the
members and the judge advocate. »
The court having diligently and fully inquired into the matters embraced in
the specifications of chbrges in this case, hereby report that, in their opinion,
there is no necessity or propriety of further proceedings in the case.
Dated October 20, 1863.
F. H. GREGORY,
Rear- Admiral, President.
HIRAM L. SLEEPER,
Judge Advocate.
May it please tJiis Jionorable court :
The testimony introduced by the judge advocate to sustain the charges made
against me by Rear- Admiral DuPont is now closed. Acting, in view of the
proof thus placed before the court, I deem it wholly unnecessary to offer evi-
dence in reply. The very foundation on which these charges must rest is
wanting, and hardly an attempt has been made to supply it. They were care-
lessly, if not recklessly, made by a high officer of the government, willing to
give them the sanction of his name, apparently without inquiring whether they
were capable of proof, or founded upon worthless rumor. Much time
has been uselessly spent in apparent efforts to prove them ; but any one at-
tentively reading the evidence discovers that the real purpose has been not to
establish the charges in question, but to justify their author in failing effectively
to use the formidable means for destroying the defences of Charleston, which
our government in its confidence and hope had lavished upon him. That I am
not unjust or uncharitable in making this suggestion will be manifest from an
examination of the charges and proof which 1 will now proceed to make.
1st. The first specification charges me with haying, whilst on board the
steamer Arago, on her voyage from Charleston to New York, at table, in presence
of her officers and other persons, a number of whom were correspondents of the
public press, falsely asserted, knowing the same to be untrue, that I was told
by one or more of the commanders of the iron-elads engaged in the attack on
Charleston that it ought to have been renewed; that the vessels were in a fit
condition to renew it; and that several of the commanders had said to me that
they were hot for renewing the engagement.
A person observant of Christian precepts, considerate of his duty towards a
fellow-man, or actuated by self-respect, would, before deliberately framing a
charge calculated to consign a brother officer to disgrace and iufamy, have in-
quired carefully into its truth, and the means of establishing it. Indeed, be
AKMOEED VESSELS. 163
■would hardly Lave been content to make it before conversing personally with
those capable of proving it ; and then a just man would have withheld the accu-
sation, so painful for a gentleman to bear, until satisfied that his witnesses were
entitled to full credit. The course which my accuser has seen fit to pursue pre-
sents a wide departure from the path thus indicated. The names of person*
who were on board the Arago during the voyage were appended as witnesses
to the charges made, and most of them have been examined. It appears that I
sat at the public table of the steamer in the immediate neighborhood of several
other persons, all no doubt accessible to my accuser, or to those seeking to sup-
port these charges. If, therefore, I, during the voyage, used the language im-
puted to me, it was susceptible of easy proof. Not a particle of testimony to that
effect has, however, been furnished. No one pretends I ever said that any com-
mander of the iron-clads had stated to me either that the attack on Charleston
ought to have been renewed, or that the iron-clads were in a iit condition to do
so, or that their commanders were hot for renewing the engagement. No lan-
guage bearing the least resemblance to that charged is proven to have been ut-
tered by me at any time; and I am bound to assume that neither of the wit-
nesses named ever stated otherwise than they have here sworn. If not, then
upon what information could the charges in question have been framed 1 Was
it believed that they could be proven? And if not, were they wantonly made,
so that upon pretence of sustaining them, the naval inactivity, painful to a whole
nation, might be justified by proof quite irrelevant to the charges being tried,,
and therefore quite likely to pass uncontradicted by me?
2d. The second charge made against me is for conduct unbecoming an officer-
of the navy, and specifies, in substance, that at the table of said steamer, and.
elsewhere on board of her, during the passage, I criticised and condemned, in,
terms unbecoming the circumstances, the professional conduct of Rear-Ad-
miral DuPont, by stating that the Monitors were in as good condition on the
8th day of April, 1863, after they had undergone some slight repairs, to renew
the attack, as they had been to commence it the day before; that they could go
into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and obstructions; but that Ad-
miral DuPont was too much prejudiced against the Monitors to give them a fair
trial.
Now if, under the circumstances, I had stated all that is charged, it would, in
my judgment, l»ve been no more than I was authorized to say. I had been
charged by the government with the important duty of inspecting the construction
and armament of these vessels whil.^t they were being made. They were new
in the history of the world ; but in the contest between the Monitor and Merri-
mack, although the latter on the day previous had defied a fleet of our largest
fi:igates, carrying an armament fifty times greater than the Monitor, destroying,
some and threatening all with the same fate, yet the Monitor, working her two
eleven-inch guns behind an invulnerable shield, tested her powers, offensive and
defensive, by so terrible an ordeal, that intelligent and unprejudiced men here
and in Europe from that hour saw that naval supremacy must be maintained, if
at all, by abandoning wooden ships and adopting those which the genius, engi-
neering skill, and ripe practical knowledge of their author had taught the world
how to construct. My knowledge of this class of war vessels had been acquired,
not only by watching and inspecting their construction step by step, but under
the orders of the government I had enjoyed the good fortune of participating in
the contest to which I have referred, and which had developed the capacity of'
the Monitor system to sustain unharmed the fire of heavy guns at short range,
and at the same time to inflict deadly injuries upon an adversary's ship of great
power heavily sheathed in iron. With an experience thus gained I might, as I
think, have justly claimed the right to express an opinion as to the value and
capacities of the Monitors, even had this differed from the views entertained by.
Rear-Admiral DuPont, whose knowledge concerning them was probably derived.
164 ARMORED VESSELS.
from casual inspection and the reports of others. Moreover, I was charged hj
the government with the duty of proceeding to Charleston to watch and report
the performance of these vessels in action, to assist in maintaining them in readi-
ness for battle, and to afford to the officers having them in charge such inform-
irtion as might be needful.
In addition to all this, it may be here proper to say, that at great expense,
shells had been devised by Captain Ericsson, the author of the Monitor system,
which, in connexion with rafts to be attached to the bows of the vessels, were
to be used for removing, by means of explosive force, obstructions within the
harbor, and of firing torpedoes supposed to be sunk by the enemy in the track
of our advancing fleet. The effectiveness of these shells had been so tested by
me, before they were sent to Admiral DuPont, as to make it clear to my mind and
to that of the government that they would be practically safe, and capable of
clearing the track of battle. I strongly urged Admiral DuPont to use these
shells, and requested permission to participate in the action of the 7th, on
board a Monitor which should be thus armed. This privilege was denied to me,
and although, in view of supposed obstructions, I had expressed to Admiral
DuPont and to his officers the opinion that the Monitors could successfully pass
them, my confidence in expressing it was greatly strengthened by, and some-
what founded upon, the assumption that these shells were to be employed, and
this the admiral knew. He nevertheless declined to order their employment,
and thus was lust to the government and nation a powerful means of penetrating
to the cradle of this great rebellion.
Under these circumstances, and well aware that the government had expected
much from the attack upon Charleston with the abundant means furnished to
the rear-admiral commanding, I was greatly disappointed that the important
instruments I have mentioned were not used by him, especially as I believed
(and as an earnest of my conviction had offered to hazard life and limb) that with
shells attached the Monitors could pass all obstructions and hold the city of
Charleston at their mercy.
All this was certainly calculated to awaken in my mind criticism upon the
conduct of Rear-Admiral DuPont, which, as the evidence shows, I refrained
from expressing, maintaining a reserve not merely respectful to him, but calcu-
lated to defend him from the censures freely and openly cast upon him for fail-
ing to renew the attack of the 7th of April.
I will now briefly examine the proof introduced to maintain the second charge,
the mere reading of which will show that even if I had said all that is charged
against me, it was but the statement of views which, if honest, I had a right in
common with all other persons to express. Entertaining the opinion, and offi-
cially reporting it as I did to Rear-Admiral DuPont, that the Monitors were on
the 8th substantially, and for practical purposes, as fit to renew the attack as
they had been to make it on the day previous, I was bound neither by courtesy
nor by any rule of the service with which I am acquainted, to withhold or con-
ceal it; and believing, as I certainly did, that the Monitors, with the rafts and
shells attached, could have gone into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and
obstructions, I was equally entitled to state, in respectful language, that opinion
also; and, moreover, 1 think the disrespect, if there be any, in imputing to Rear-
Admiral DuPont prejudice against the Monitors, was so slight that his self-re-
spect can hardly have been increased by noticing it. Indeed, whilst there is no
proof in the case that I ever charged him with entertaining this prejudice, and
whilst by asserting that I did, he, by implication at least, denies the existence of
the prejudice so imputed, the evidence introduced on his behalf very clearly
establishes that he was prepossessed against them, for Captain Drayton in sub-
stance declares he don't think Admiral DuPont had a high opinion of the Moni-
tors, and, that he covld not have had after reading his (Drayton's) reports con-
cerning .them, made before the fight.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 165
What these reports were does not appear, but that the witness believed he
had succeeded in instilling into the admiral's mind his own unfavorable opinion
is quite clear.
The proof, however, fails to show that I made the statements charged against
me. The evidence on this subject consists of the testimony of Captain Gadsden,
of the Arago, and of several other persons who were on board of that steamer
during her voyage from Charleston to New York. He says in substance that
I stated that the Monitors had received no serious injury ; that they could be
repaired in a few hours ; that the trial ought not to condemn them ; that they
had not had a fair trial; that with the shells attached to them they could go in.
He further swore that I said the officers of the navy were prejudiced against the
Monitors, but that I mentioned no one in particular, and did not reflect upon
Admiral DuPont.
The purser of the Arago testified that I said that the officers of the navy
were rather prejudiced against them, but that I spoke of Admiral DuPont per-
sonally in the highest terms. Mr. Colwell swore that those on board the Arago
were much excited about the fight at Charleston, and condemned the admiral
for his failure ; but he did not intimate that I took part in any such conversation,
stating only that I said the Monitors were very little injured, and were repaired
in about five hours ; that I was respectful in my remarks concerning Admiral
DuPont; and although this witness at one time said he was under the impres-
&ion that I had said the admiral was prejudiced against the Monitors, he after-
wards stated that I might not have said so, but that as the passengers generally
united in condemning him, the witness may have confounded their statements
with mine.
Mr. Fulton, in his testimony, states that my conversations with him on the
subject of the attack were private, and in an undertone, and that I said I had
sometimes retired to my state-room to avoid being questioned ; that I said the
attack was not an earnest one, and expressed disappointment that the shells
were not employed, but did not say the Monitors could have entered the harbor
without them, nor that the admiral was prejudiced against the Monitors, but
that I did say he would have renewed the attack but for the influence of some
of those who were.
Mr. Mars, a passenger, testified that I appeared not to wish to speak on the
subject of the attack, and that although he sat opposite to me at the table, he
did not hear me say that the admiral was prejudiced.
Having thus failed to prove that I had uttered any of the language as
charged, and it appearing upon the evidence that I had spoken of Rear-Admiral
DuPont in high terms, studiously refraining from talking upon the subject of
the attack, it appeared to me remarkable that the prosecution, instead of ac-
knowledging the injustice of these charges, should persist in calling witnesses to
prove that the Monitors were seriously injured in their attack upon the forts,
and could not have renewed it without probable disaster.
Whilst this attempt has signally failed, it has nevertheless disclosed the real
purpose of this prosecution to have been, not an inquiry into any language or
conduct of mine, but, under that pretext, an eflbrt to justify a failure by Rear-
Admiral DuPont, which had attracted the observation of the world, by con-
demning as inadequate the instruments which a liberal government had placed
in his hands.
His desire to justify himself was natural, but that he should have been
willing to achieve even his own vindication by making and persisting in prose-
cuting unfounded charges against a brother officer, is extraordinary. How ut-
terly he has failed to accomplish this a brief examination of the proofs will
ehow.
It appears from these that before the attack was made it was supposed by
Bear- Admiral DuPont that torpedoes had been placed in the channel along
166 ARMORED VESSELS.
which his fleet must pasa. That network had been suspended from buoys de-
signed to entangle the propellers and thus prevent their action, and that for some
purpose piles had been placed across the middle ground to obstruct the entrance
of Monitors in that direction. It moreover appears, especially from a careful
reading of the deposition of Commander 0. K. P. Eodgers, the admiral's fleet
captain, that no additional information upon either of these subjects was ob-
tained by means of the attack. After that was over the existence of torpedoes
of network and the purpose of the piles were shrouded in the same mystery as
before. It was ascertained, however, that if torpedoes lurked in the channel,
they were probably harmless, for none had been exploded ; and that they were
incapable of being fired is shown by the letter referred to by this witness, writ-
ten by a rebel officer in Fort Sumter, stating that the effort to explode a torpedo
whilst directly under the hull of the Ironsides bad failed.
We must therefore accept it as established, that as no information was
obtained during the conflict which could be used to strengthen the surmises
before existing as to the character of these obstructions, their supposed exist-
ence could not have afforded ground for declining to renew the engagemen*
which was not equally good as an objection against having made it at all ; and
this being so, we must look for some other reason for the failure of the admiral
to offer battle on the 8th, in pursuance of his declared intention, when he gave
the signal for the Monitors to haul off on the previous day.
It is true that some of this testimony conveys the impression that the fear of
encountering these supposed obstructions was a controlling element in the admi-
ral's mind in forming the determination not to i-enew the attack ; but in this
there is evident mistake, for a brave and intelligent commander would hardly
be so fearful of obstructions which might or might not be real, as to abandon
a great enterprise without practical effort to learn whether obstacles to its
achievement existed or not. Against such a suspicion I feel disposed to defend '
Admiral DuPont, and hence am constrained to look elsewhere for some reason
why he failed to renew an attack which, if persisted in, might have succeeded.
His witnesses on this subject next point to the injuries sustained by the Monitors,
and to their alleged inability to withstand a repetition of the terrible fire to
which they were subjected on the 7th. A glance at the testimony will show
how utterly unfounded is this effort at an excuse, whilst it will also establish
to the satisfaction of intelligent and unprejudiced men, that the capacity of the
Monitors to resist unharmed the most terrible fire from guns and rifles of the
heaviest calibre, has never been overstated. It appears from the testimony of
the fleet captain that the fire to which they were exposed was by far more
terrific than that which he or any one connected with the fleet had ever before
seen. From fifty to one hundred rebel guns, of heavier calibre than were ever
before employed against ships-of-war, were brnught to bear upon the Monitors
at the same time, and probably many more. The Patapsco was struck by fifty-
one shots, twenty-one of which hit the turret, and fifteen or more of these — all
heavy balls — struck it within the period of five minutes, and yet at 8J o'clock
on the evening of the 7th she was in a fit condition to renew the engagement.
The Nantucket was sti-uck fifty -three times ; and although the mechanism
which worked her XV-inch gun was disordered, this was repaired on the 8th.
'Captain Drayton states that the top of the pilot-house of the Passaic was raised
up by a shot, but it is quite evident, from his account of it, that this in no man-
mer disabled the vessel, whilst it hardly increased the chances of danger to
those within. It sufiiciently appears that the Weehawken was fit to have
■renewed the engagement on the following day, although she was struck several
times on her side armor in nearly the same place.
Without following this subject further in detail, it is sufl5cient to state, what
•appears from the proof; that each and all of the Monitors were in fighting trim
■within twenty-four hours after they came out of battle, whilst the injuries
AKMOEED VESSELS. 167
received by them were so trifling, when the terrible means employed for inflicting
them are considered, that they may be pronounced substantially invulnerable
to the strongest artillery. But one life was lost on board of them during the
conflict; and whilst one or two of the turrets were by the impact of shot par-
tially prevented from turning until repaired, it should be remembered that,
turning by their rudders, each could at all times present her guns to the enemy
at pleasure. Indeed it was partly by this means that the guns of the Monitor
were brought to bear on the Merrimack in that first engagement of iron-clads to
which I have before referred. One of the witnesses has suggested that if other
shots had struck in the same place as previous ones, the armor might have been
endangered. Entertaining, as I do, the opposite opinion, I would suggest that
even if the witness was correct, he anticipates a hazard too remote to be much
apprehended ; for it is well known that the chances that one shot will strike
exactly where a previous one had hit, are very slight.
The Keokuk, an iron-clad vessel, but not built upon the plan of the Monitors,
was almost immediately disabled, having fired but three guns at the enemy ;
and the Ironsides, a much stronger and better armed ship, although she escaped
serious injury, no doubt owed this to the temporary means employed to strengthen
her before going into action, and to the care exercised in keeping her at a great j
distance from the enemy's guns. 1
That this distance was maintained is apparent from the testimony of the fleet)
captain, who stated in substance, that when the order was signalled for the!
Monitors to retire from the conflict they all passed the Ironsides in moving out.l
This shows that they were inside of her and much closer to the enemy's bat-
teries ; and how much nearer may be inferred from his cross-examination, in
which he states that twenty minutes may have elapsed before the last of the
Monitors passed by. They engaged the batteries within six hundred yards,
and it need hardly be suggested, that no ship not constructed upon their plan
could have lived under the heavy fire to which at that distance they were subjected.
I here close what I have thought it well to say concerning this attempt by
Eear-Admiral DuPont to justify his inaction and failure by attacking that sys-
tem of war vessels which has already, in my opinion, given us a more effective
fleet than is possessed by any other nation. A judicious use of these vessels
might have transmitted his name with honor far into the future. An assault
upon the system can but recoil upon the assailant. From me it needs no de-
fence. Time and battle will but confirm the opinions I have expressed con-
cerning it, whilst its adoption by the nations of the world will bear unfailing
testimony to the great skill and foresight of its contriver.
With these remarks, I submit my case to the just consideration of this hon-
orable court.
Very respectfully,
ALBAN C. STIMERS,
Chief Engineer, United States Navy.
Naval Lyceum, New York, October 19, 1863.
To Rear-Admiral Francis H. Gregory, United States navy :
By virtue of the authority contained in the " Act for the better government
of the navy of the United States," approved July 17, A. D. 1862, I hereby
appoint Rear- Admiral Francis H. Gregory president. Rear- Admiral Silas H.
Stringham and Commodore William 0. Nicholson members, and Edwin M.
Stoughton, esq., judge advocate, of a naval court of inquiry, which is ordered
to convene at the marine barracks, Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, the first
day -of June, A. D. 1863, for the purpose of inquiring into the grounds of the
168 AEMOEED YESSELS.
charges hereto annexed, and made a part of this precept, preferred by Rear-
Admiral S. F. DuPont against Chief Engineer Alban C. Stimers, of the navy.
The court will diligently and fully inquire into the matters embraced in the
specifications of the said charges, and report to the department their opinion as
to the necessity or propriety of further proceedings in the case,
r 1 Given under my hand ajid the seal of the Navy Department of
LSBAL.j ^j^g United States this 2 1st day of May, A. D. 1863.
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Navy Department, May 21, 1863.
Sir : Enclosed herewith is a precept for a court of inquiry, of which you are
appointed president, and which will convene at the marine barracks at Brook-
lyn, New York, on Monday, the first day of June next, or as soon thereafter
as practicable.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral F. H. Gregory,
United States Navy, New Yorlf.
Navy Department, May 30, 1863.
Sir: E. M. Stoughton, esq., being unable to act as judge advocate of the
naval court of inquiry ordered to convene at Brooklyn on the Ist proximo,
Edward Pierrepont, esq., has been appointed judge advocate in his stead.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral F. H. Gregory,
Ignited States Navy, New York.
Telegram dated Washington, June 2, 1863 ; received at New York June 2,
1863.
3.25 p. m.
Judge Pierrepont having declined to act as judge advocate, the court are de-
sired to select one.
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Eear-Admiral F. H. Gregory,
United States Hotel.
Certified by F. H. GEEGORY,
Rear-Admiral, ^.
United States Marine Barracks,
BrooUyn, New York, June 4, 1863.
Sir : By virtue of a precept of the honorable the Secretary of the Navy,
dated at the Navy Department of the -United States the 21st day of May, 1S63,
appointing Real-Admiral Francis H. Gregory president, Eeal- Admiral Silas H,
ARMOEED VESSELS. 169
Stringham and Commodore William C. Nicholson members, and Edwin M.
Stonghton judge ^.dvocate, of a naval court of inquiry, and by virtue of a com-
munication directed to Rear-Admiral Francis H. Gregory, president of said
court, by the" Secretary of the Navy, dated June 2, 1863, you are hereby ap-
pointed judge advocate of the naval court of inquiry, convened by virtue of
said precept. Should you accept the appointment, you will report without delay
to the president of the court.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. H. GREGORY,
Rear-Admiral, President.
Hiram L. Sleepee, Esq., New York.
Navy Department, June 4, 1863.
Sir : Tou are hereby appointed judge advocate of a naval court of inquiry,
which is now in session at the navy yard, Brooklyn, New York, and of which
Rear-Admiral Francis H. Gregory is president.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
HiEAM L. Sleeper, Esq., New York.
Charges and specifications of charges prepared hy Real-Admiral Samuel F.
J)v,Pont, commanding South Atlantic blockadivg squadron, against Chief
Engineer Alban C. Stimers, of the United States navy.
Charge first. — Falsehood.
Specifcation. — In this : that between the eleventh and fifteenth days of April,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, the said Alban C. Stimers, a chief engineer
in the United States navy, being then on board the steamship Arago, by the au-
thority and direction of Real- Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, commanding the South
Atlantic blockading squadron, the said Arago being on her passage from Port
Royal, South Carolina, to New York city via Charleston bar, did, at the table
of said steamer, in the presence of officers of said steamer and other persons, a
number of whom were correspondents of the public press, and at divers times
.during the passage of the said steamer, falsely assert, knowing the same to be
untrue, that he was told by one or more of the commanders of the iron-clad
vessels engaged jn the attack upon the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor
on the seventh day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, that the attack
of that day ought to have been renewed, and that they did further state to him
that the said iron-clad vessels were in fit condition to renew it ; and the said
Alban C. Stimers did further falsely assert, knowing the same to he, untrue, that
several of the commanders of the said iron-clad vessels had said to him, or in
his presence and hearing, that they, the said commanders, were, after the attack
aforesaid, " hot for renewing the engagement," or words to that effect.
Charge second. — Conduct unbecoming an officer of the navy. •
Specification. — In this : that between the eleventh and fifteenth days of April,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, the said Alban C. Stimers, a chief engineer
in the United States navy, being then on board the steamship Arago, by the
authority and direction of Rear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, commanding South
Atlantic blockading squadron, the said Arago being on her passage from Port
Royal, South Carolina, to New York city via Charleston bar, did, at the table
170 AEMORED VESSELS,
of said steamer, in the presence of ofScers of said steamer and other persons, a
number of whom were correspondents of the public press, and at divers other
times during the passage of the said steamer, with the intent to disparage and
injure the professional reputation of his superior officer, Rear-Admiral Samuel
r. DuPont, criticise and condemn, in terms unbecoming the circumstances and
his position as an officer of the navy, the professional conduct of his superior
officer, Rear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont, in the attack upon the forts and bat-
teries in Charleston harbor on the seventh of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three; and did, with the like intent, knowingly make false statements, using,
among other improper and unfounded expressions, words in substance as follows :
" That the Monitors were in as good condition on Wednesday, the eighth day
of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, after they had undergone some
slight repairs, to renew the attack as they had been to commence it the day
before ; that they could go into Charleston in spite of guns, torpedoes, and ob-
structions; and that Rear-Admiral DuPont was too much prejudiced against the
Monitors to give them a fair trial."
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
WITNESSES.
Brigadier General George H. Gordon, United States army.
Henry A. Gadsden, captain of the Arago.
Frederick Tratagean, purser of the Arago.
Arthur Hughes, chief engineer of the Arago.
Fernandez, doctor of the Arago.
J. H. Baker, chief officer of the Arago.
C. C. Fulton, editor and proprietor of the Baltimore American and Commer-
cial Advertiser.
Colwell, of New York, builder of one of the iron-clads, passenger on
the Arago.
Mars, coppersmith, of New York, passenger on the Arago.
Commodore Thomas Turner, United States navy.
Captain Percival Drayton, United States navy.
Captain John Rodgers, United States navy.
Captain John L. Worden, United States navy.
Commander Daniel Ammen, United States navy.
Commander Donald McN. Fairfax, United States navy.
Commander John Downes, United States navy.
Commander Alexander C. Rhind, United States navy.
Assistant Surgeon George D. Slocum, United States navy.
Acting Assistant Paymaster A. S. Poor, United States navy.
Passage of the New Ironsides from Hampton Roads to Port Royal.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harhor, South Carolina, January 20, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report to the department the arrival here, on the
18th instant, of the United States steamers New Ironsides and Augnsta ;
also the arrival, on the 19th, of the United States steamers James Adger
and Montauk.
ARMORED VESSELS. 171
Enclosed, marked No. 1, is the report of Captain T. Turner, reporting the
passage of the New Ironsides from Hampton Boads to this port.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secrelary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
United States Steam Frigate New Ironsides,
Port Royal, January 19, 1863.
Admiral: On my arrival in Hampton Eoads, after my second passage to
that place from Philadelphia, the honorable Secretary addressed me a letter
expressive of his surprise that I had not reported the behavior and per-
formance of this ship on her passage around. He will doubtless expect a
report from me on the subject in my passage to this place. I have the
honor to make it to you.
I left Hampton Eoads on the 11th instant with fine weather and a north-
west wind, which I held until about fifty miles to the southward of Cape
Hatteras, when the wind hauled to the southwest, increasing to a smart
gale, with a very rough, short sea. I sent down lower and topsail yards,
and steamed against it with very poor progress, the ship being able, under
these circumstances, barely to hold her own.
I adhere to all the opinions I expressed, in regard to her capacity as a
sea boat, in my communication to him of October 5, 1862.
A,way from land, where I could use her fore and aft sails, assisted by the
propeller, I consider her safe and seaworthy in any gale; but if it became
necessary to carry directly off a leeshore against a heavy sea and high wind
she is unable to do it with her present steam power, and nothing could save
her but her anchors.
Instead of carrying sixteen days' coal, burning daily twenty-five tons, as
was supposed, she burns nearly forty tons a day, and carries, all full, only ten
days' coal ; consequently I should consider it unsafe to send her to sea on
any passage that would require more than four or five days to perform it,
unless accompanied by a steamer that would be able to give her assistance
in case she should need it, which would be the case if she were met by a
succession of adverse gales.
After the gale from southwest, of which I have spoken, the wind hauled
again to the northwest, and carrying courses and top-gallant sails, she pro-
gressed at the rate of about six and a half knots, never being able to exceed
that with steam and sails combined.
I reached here and anchored inside the light-ship at 9 o'clock p. m. on the
evening of the 11th, having then only seventy-nine tons cf coal on hand,
having made the passage in six days and five hours.
Had I again encountered a heavy adverse gale at this end of the passage,
her situation, for want of coal, would have been very critical.
Her motions, rolling and pitching in a seaway, are as easy as any ship
I ever sailed in ; indeed, I may say that they are graceful and playful, so
buoyant is she, and taking in as little water as any frigate in service.
Were her steam power greater, and her capacity to carry coal increased,
I should consider her as safe a vessel at sea as I could desire to be on board
of. I should have no fear of anything but a direct lee shore.
Her drift in a seaway, ahead or abeam, is necessarily, from the formation
of her hull, very great.
X72 ARMORED VESSELS.
My last passage verified all the favorable opinions I had expressed in re-
lation to her steerage.
As I had no opportunity of scudding her, I can, as yet, express no opinion
upon that subject.
When steaming against a head sea she comes down with great violence
upon her counters, as the sea catches her there, whilst forward she is buoy-
ant and rising.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. TURNER, Captain.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Passage of Passaic and Monlauh to Port Royal.
[Despatch No. 32.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Pm-t Royal Harbor, S. C, January 22, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report to the department the arrival here, on the
21st ipstant, of the United States steamers Rhode Island and Passaic.
I have also the honor to enclose the reports (marked Nos. 1 and 2) of Cap-
tain Drayton, of the Passaic, and Commander Worden, of the Montauk, of
the passage of those vessels from Beaufort, N. C, to this port.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. GinEON Wet.les,
Secretaiy of the Navy, Washington, D. fl.
[Enclosure No. 1.— Deepatch No. 32, 1863.]
United States Iron-clad Passaic,
Port Royal, January 22, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that I arrived here last evening from
Beaufort, N. C, which I left at sunset on the ITtb, in tow of the Rhode
Island, and in company with the Montauk.
The wind had been blowing for several days from the southward, but,
after a severe storm, cleared off with a northwester, giving thus every
promise of a continuation of fine weather. This, however, did not last, but,
shortly after our getting outside, changed to the northeast, and very thick.
At one p. m. of the 19th we made the light-vessel off here, but the com-
mander of the Rhode Island not being willing to run in while the weather
was so thick, and the sea then breaking ov^r my vessel so heavily that, had
I been so inclined, I could not have unshackled the hawsers, it was deter-
mined to try anchoring under Martin's Industry, the Passaic continuing to
ride by her fasts, under the stern of the other vessel. On swinging head to
sea, however, it became at once evident that the former could not long bear
the terrific shock of the waves on her bow without something giving way.
I consequently directed Commander Trenchard to at once raise his anchors
and stand out again.
During the remainder of that day and all the following it blew so very
ARMORED VESSELS. 173
hard that we could not make the light-vessel until late in the afternoon of
the 21st, when, as stated above, I anchored here at 7 p. m.
As, while at Beaufort, I had cleared out the limbers and put the pumps in
good working order, although the vessel made a great deal of water, there
was no difficulty in keeping her free; although to do this, in the heaviest
weather, in addition to the bilge-pump, it was necessary to use one of the
donkeys for two hours out of every four. The leak in the bow has increased
a great deal, and, although I took the precaution to remove much of the
iron ballast from forward, particularly that which most inconsiderately had
been placed inside of the false bow, I think that before doing so, while on
my way down from Hampton Roads, this part of the vessel was so seriously
strained that a little more heavy weather would render the full working of
all the pumps necessary to keep the water down. When the sea is at all
forward of the beam the blows on the bow projection are, I think, more
violent than I have ever known in my experience.
Very little water entered through the lower part of the turret as before,
having managed this time to get it down, which I now know to be absolutely
necessary for safety before going outside. Over the top the sea w(iuld have
regularly broken, with the wind as far forward as abeam, had it not been
for the weather-cloth and curtains. As it was, the water found its way in,
but not in large quantities. The windlass seemed to have so completely
rusted together in the joints, from the quantity of water which had been
pouring over it for five days, that I had great difficulty in getting it to work,
and had I been in a narrow channel the vessel must have gone ashore.
Notwithstanding the many alterations it has undergone, I do m it now consider
it as very reliable, and am afraid it will yet get me into some trouble. At
no time was there a greater pressure on tlie boilers than twenty-five pounds.
With this, and forty revolutions, there was no foaming of consequence, and
everything worked well and smoothly.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. DRAYTON, Captain.
Eear-Admiral S. F, DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Flag-Ship Wahoi^h, Port Royal.
[Enclosure No. 2.— Despatch No. 32, 1863.]
United States Steamer Montadk,
Port Royal, 8. C, January 20, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that this ship left the bar of Beaufort,
North Carolina, at 5.30 p. m., on the Itth instant, weather clear, wind north-
erly, and a little of the old southwest sea still rolling. Continued clear and
moderate until sunrise of the 18th, when the wind hauled to the northward
and eastward, with cloudy threatening weather; at times it breezed up quite
strongly, with the sea rising until sunset, when it partially cleared, and the
wind backed into north by west and so continued until midnight; sea rather
increasing and confused.
Towards the morning of the 19th, the wind hauled again to the northeast,
weaither thickening and sea rising arid more confused At 10 o'clock a. m.,
crossed the southeast channel bar of Port Royal entrance, and at 1 1.45 came
to at this anchorage. Average speed down, about 6J knots, ship's motion
easy both ways. On one occasion the stern overhang struck quite
heavily five or six times, as reported by the engineer of the watch, but no
unusual shock was felt in the turret at the time. Soon after, the port over-
hang limber began to deliver a small stream, indicating either, first, that
174 ARMOKED VESSELS.
water had made its way more than usual around the rudder hatch packing;
or, secondly, that water had made its way up through the rudder head
packing; or, thirdly, that she had sprung a small leak in the overhang.
During the whole passage considerable water forced its way into the fore-
ward overhang and thence through the joints of the overhang bulkhead
into the windlass-roora. She leaked a great deal about the decks, dead-
lights, and hatch-covers.
In rolling, the shock of the impact of side overhang was very perceptible
all over the vessel.
The sea sometimes broke over the deck as much as two and a half or three
feet deep. In a small slow sea she is quite buoyant and lively. To a quick
heavy sea, the extent of experience thus far shows little disposition to give
to or recover from. She steers well and steadily as long as she has good
way on, especially in running before the wind. On the whole, she has be-
haved so far very well with the moderate test she has had, but gives posi-
tive indications that if forced end on into a sea will strain both overhangs
greatly; and if she gets into the trough of the sea will wallow very heavily,
to such an extent, indeed, as to render the breaking of a tolerably high sea
over the turret almost certain.
EespectfuUy, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. WORDEN, Commander.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Attack upon rebel fort at Genesis Point, Great Ogeechee river.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyal Earbor, South Carolina, January 28, 1863.
Sir : Considering it desirable to test in every way the efBciency of the
iron-clads that have arrived, and to avail myself of their presence until
others come, I sent Commander Worden down to Ossabaw to operate up the
Great Ogeechee river, and capture, if he could, the fort at Genesis Point,
under cover of which the Nashville was lying, now fitted as a privateer and
waiting to run the blockade, and in case of success the railroad was also ac-
cessible.
I enclose a copy (marked No. 1) of Commander Worden's report, received
at midnight by the hands of Ensign Johnson, one of my aids, who, in one of
our armed tugs, witnessed and participated in the attack. He informs me
that the fort was a very formidable casemated earthwork with bomb-
proofs, and mounting nine guns, the firing from which was excellent.
We have obtained valuable information in the success of the working of
the 15-inch gun, and although the Montauk was struck thirteen (13) times,
she received no injury.
My own previous impressions of these vessels, frequently expressed to
Assistant Secretary Pox, have been confirmed, viz: that whatever degree of
impenetrability they might have, there was no corresponding quality of ag-
gression or destructiveness as againt forts; the slowness of fire, giving full
time for the gunners in the fort to take shelter in the bomb-proofs.
This experience also convinces me of another impression, firmly held and
often expressed, that in all such operations to secure success, troops are
necessary.
The distance at which Commander Worden was compelled to engage,
not far from his extreme range, may modify, to some extent, the above
AEMOEED VESSELS. 175
views. The department, however, will observe how difficult, if not impos-
sible, it will be to remove sunken obstructions and piling, in shallow water,
under fire — very different from rafts or booms, floating chains, &c.
The Fingal left Savannah and has got to the mouth of St. Augustine
creek, whether to try Pulaski and run by it to sea, or to Wassaw on her way
to Ossabaw to convoy the Nashville, I know not, but most probably the
latter. I am waiting for the weather to moderate to get the Passaic
towed to Wassaw, in order to intercept the Fingal and protect the
blockading force there; but these Monitors are so unsafe at sea, and so help-
less in themselves, that the weather must be narrowly watched.
I had the smoke-stack of the Ironsides taken down, and ordered a trial-
trip to be made without it, but the result proved so unfavorable, in conse-
quence of the escape of gas, particularly in the engine-room, that I had it
replaced.
I then directed a board of officers to examine into the practicability of
removing the turret forward where it should have originally been placed,
but the board has reported that though in every way desirable, yet, on ac-
count of its great weight — eighteen tons — it is impracticable, with the means
at our command, to move it. Where there are no means of feeling one's
way with the lead, it is of the utmost importance that the view should be
clear ahead. A greater blunder, in a matter of so much moment, I do not
remember to have met with before, as the vessel may be ashore before she is
half in action.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Seport of Commander John L. Warden, commanding United States steamship Montavk.
TJNrrED States Steamship Montauk,
Great Ogeechee Biver, January 21, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that this vessel, in tow of the United States
steamship James Adger, arrived off the bar, at Ossabaw sound, at 1.50 p. m.
on Saturday, 24th instant. I reported immediately to Captain Green, and on
returning to this vessel a thick fog set in. At 3.27 p. m. it lifted, so that I
was enabled to proceed up the channel, under the pilotage of Mr. Godfrey.
At 5.10 p. m. the fog compelled us to anchor. The fog remained with us all
day Sunday, being so dense that we were unable to proceed.
On Monday the fog hung with us most of the morning, during which time
I called the commanding officers of the Seneca, Wissahickon, Dawn, and C. P.
Williams together, and arranged our plans of attack. At 1.30 p. m. I got
under way, with Mr. Murphy as pilot, and stood up the river, anchoring just
outside of the range of Fort McAllister. During the afternoon the Seneca,
Wissahickon, the Dawn towing the 0. P. Williams, came up and anchored'
in line astern. At 8 o'clock one boat from the Seneca and one from the
Wissahickon, both in charge of Lieutenant Commander Davis, proceeded up
the river to reconnoitre and destroy the ranges of the enemy's guns which
were placed near Harvey's Cut. This service was performed well, and
Lieutenant Commander Davis reported to me. Just before midnight he went
within a short distance of the obstructions of piles, and from appearances
came to the conclusion that ftie obstructions were protected by torpedoes.
176 AEMOBED VESSELS.
At 1 o'clock this morning I got under way, followed by the vessels enumer-
ated, taking up a position about one hundred and fifty yards below the ob-
structions, at a point designated by a flag placed there by Lieutenant Com-
mander Davis last night. The other vessels anchored in line, about one
and a quarter mile astern.
At 1.35 a. m. we opened fire on the fort. After firing our 11 and 15 inch
guns once, the enemy i pened a brisk fire upon us. In less than an hour we
had obtained our ranges, the enemy's fire slackening. Their practice was
very fine, striking us quite a number of times, doing .us no damage. Most
of their shot struck inside of fifteen feet from us. Our practice was good,
the enemy replying only at intervals.
At 11.15 a. m. all onr shells being expended, and finding our solid shot
not seriously afiecting the enemy, I ordered the firing to cease, and stood
down the river. A rain-storm and thick weather setting in, the other vessels
were withdrawn out of range. The enemy have a very strong position. I
send the Daffodil with this report, and shall await your further orders. I
have no casualties to report from any of the vessels.
Very respectfully, yours, &c.,
JOHN L. WORDEN, Commander.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Attack on the battery on the Ogeechee river, &o.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, February 3, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose (marked No. 1) a copy of Commander John
L. Worden's report of his second attack on the battery on the Ogeechee river.
I do not feci justified to authorize another attempt, as the ammunition for
the 15-inch guns is now very much reduced.
I enclose also a copy of Captain P. Drayton's report of his reconnoissance
up the Wilmington river, (marked No. 2.) •
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Sear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Commander Worden.
United States Steamer Montauk,
Big Ogeechee River, February 1, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that, this morning at 6.40, 1 weighed anchor
and proceeded up the river, followed by the Seneca, Wissahickon, Dawn, and
C. P. Williams.
At 1.27 I anchored about 600 yards from the fort, the gunboats lying in
the same relative position as on Tuesday last, about one and three-quarters
mile distant from the fort. At 7.45 we opened fire, the enemy replying
briskly. At this time the weather was thick, and so perfectly calm that the
smoke hung over the fort, and around us, so,as to prevent our seeing the
eifect of our shells.
ARMORED VESSELS. 177
At 8.45 I sounded, obtaining fourteen feet of water under us; and knowing
the tide would fall about five feet more, we tripped our anchor and dropped
down to a position about 1,400 yards distant from the fort, and into deeper
water.
A gentle air springing up, we were enabled again to open fire with
accuracy. Our shells then did good execution, tearing up their parapets;
but as they shifted their guns so often, it was almost impossible to disable
them. We fired slowly, endeavoring to expend our ammunition with effect.
At 11.53, finding it useless to shell them any longer, I withdrew out of
range, and recalled the gunboats.
This vessel was hit forty-six times, but no material damage was done to her.
I have no casualties to report from any of the vessels.
I send this by Captain McKenzie, of General Hunter's staff, who was pre-
sent at the engagement, in the steamer George Washington, and shall await
your further orders.
The 0. P. Williams will immediately proceed to Port Eoyal, in obedience
to your orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. WORDEN, Commander.
Eear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Com'dg 8. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal.
Captain DrayUm's report of a reconnaissance of Wilmington river.
United States Steamer Passaic,
Wassaw, February 1, 1863.
Sir : I beg leave to state that, with the Marblehead in company, I went to-
day in this vessel up the Wilmington river, to within sight of Wassaw or
Thunderbolt, and two miles and a quarter distant, when I was stopped by
shallow water, which my pilot would not ventuBg on except at high tide.
The batteries wfere very extensive, and large bodies of troops were drawn
up on the shore. I was not fired on, although quite within range ; a battery,
which is about a mile nearer than the ones I saw, was covered by the woods,
and I was not high enough to open upon it. I saw two small steamers, but
nothing that looked like the Fingal.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. DRAYTON, Captain.
Flag-Ofificer S. P. DuPont,
Comd'g S. A. B. Squadron, Flag-Ship Wabash, Port Royal.
Arrival of the Weehawlcen at Port Royal.
[Despatch No. 60.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, February 6, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival here on the 5th instant of the
United States Steamer Lodona, towing the United States iron-clad steamer
Weehawken; the latter with a disabled engine, on which I am ordering a
survey.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 12
178 AEMOKED VESSELS.
Beport of survey, dbc, on the Weehawken.
pespatch No. 71—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyd Harbor, S. C, February 9, 1863.
Sir : I have previously reported the arrival of the Weehawken in a dis-
abled condition.
I desire to call- the particular attention of the department to the enclosed
survey, (marked No. 1,) in which are clearly stated the damage sustained,
the causes thereof, and the remedies to he used.
I forward, also, (marked No. 2,) a copy of Captain John Rodgers's report.
These two papers cover all the information I have on this matter.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. DUPONT,
Bear-Admird Gomd'g S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. GmEON Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
[Enclosure No. 1. — Despatch No. 71.]
United States Steamer New Ironsides,
PoH Boyd, February 8, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order of the Tth instant, we held a strict and
careful survey on the engines of the United States steamer Weehawken^ and
have to report as follows, viz :
Ilieir condition. — The starbbard engine is in a condition that, with small
repairs and adjustments, it can be soon got ready for service. The port
engine is in such a condition as to be entirely useless.
The damages sustained. — The port cylinder is badly broken, having three
cracks extending longitudinally the whole length, transversely nearly half
way round, and diagonally about half the length of the cylinder. The trunk
is broken off close to the piston, and the inner cylinder-head broken, with
eight of the bolts for securing the head, out, and broken into small pieces.
The cause. — The cause of the accident was without a doubt the insecure
and careless manner in which the bolts securing the inner cylinder-head were
fitted at and put in ; these bolts having been put in in this manner, the nuts
soon worked off, and the bolts dropped to the bottom of the cylinder. The
clearance being sufficient, no immediate disaster followed ; but we suppose
that several bolts getting together in a peculiar manner, the piston struck
them, breaking the inner cylinder-head, two pieces of which falling out, pre-
sented so great an obstacle to the piston that it canted, and the momentum
of the engine carrying it along, cracked the cylinder and broke off the trunk
of the piston.
The repairs. — To put the starboard engine in a serviceable condition, it
will be necessary to remove the piston, secure the inner cylinder-head, and
band the crank pin. The time required to do these repairs will be about one
week. The air-pump was driven by the engine that is now broken, and it
will be necessary to work the starboard engine non-condensing or " high-
pressure." This, with the peculiarity of their arrangements, prevents us
from being positively certain that one engine will work, but we entertain
great hopes that it will do so, and consider that the short time and light cost
will warrant a trial. To repair the engines permanently, it will be necessary
to send to some northern port for a new cylinder and piston. If the deck
AKMOKED VESSELS. 179
■will have to remain in its present condition until the cylinder arrives from
the north, it will require at least one month to take up the deck, take out
the' broken cylinder and fit and connect the new one.
In conclusion we will beg. leave to add that, in our opinion, there can be
no blame whatever attached to Acting First Assistant Engineer James Gr.
Young, senior engineer of the vessel.
We are, respectfully, your obedient servants,
H. NEWELL, Chief Engineer.
E. W. McGLEERY, Chief Engineer.
N. B. LITTIG, 1st Assistant Engineer.
A. K. EDDOWES, Acting 1st Assistant.
Eear-Admipal S. P. DuPont, U. S. N.,
Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
[Enclosure No. 2. — Despatch No. 71.]
UNrrED States Steamer Weehawken,
Port Royal Harbor, South Carolina, February 1, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report our arrival direct from Newport News,
which place we left on Sunday last, the first of February.
The weather at the time of leaving was good, but on Sunday night it
commenced blowing hard, and on Monday we had a gale from the southwest.
It abated towards night, and we passed Cape Hatteras with pleasant winds.
On Tuesday it blew a gale from the northeast, which went round the com-
pass, making a very rough sea. The first blast from the northwest was
very violent; it took up the heavy brass top of our compass and hurled it
overboard. The maker had trusted to its weight for keeping it in place.
After this we had to rely, in a great measure, upon following the Lodona.
Wednesday, the 4th, we had a gale from the northeast; it blew very hard
all Wednesday night. I have heard, indeed, from several sources since I
came into port, that this was the hardest storm of the whole winter. The
waves were high and violent. The wind abating little of its strength,
hauled to the southeast and made a cross sea. On Tuesday the observation
was very poor, the Lodona and Weehawken differing nine miles in the lati-
tude observed. On Wednesday and Thursday we did not see the sun.
Thursday afternoon, however, we made the light-boat off this harbor and
came into port.
In all these successive gales the vessel bejiaved admirably. The leak
was easily kept under by the Worthington and bilge pump.
Everything I saw confirmed the opinion formerly expressed, to the effect
that the vessel's strength is the limit of her sea-going ability.
I have not yet found any signs of strain or injury from the very bad
weather we have encountered.
While so far the hull has stood triumphantly the tests to which it has
been subjected, at the moment of entering Port Eoyal, while still outside,
the trunk of the port engine broke off, the piston canted and cracked the
cylinder longitudinally and transversely. It is a total break-down. As the
two cylinders were cast in one piece, both must be replaced.
The cylinders of the Comanche, building in Jersey City by Secor & Co.,
are identical in design, made from the same drawings, and cast in the same
patterns. They are finished, and can be sent here immediately. They can
be at work ten days after they arrive.
The trunk shows signs of an, old crack all around the bottom where it gave
way, and the cylinder and waste-pipe contained fifty-five scraps of iron, two
180 AEMOEED VESSELS.
of them |-inch bolts two inches long, the rest smaller. The iron of the trunk
is, as far I can judge, of poor quality.
I do not think that any skill or care on the part of the engineers could
have avoided the break-down. The trunk previously cracked gave way
while fairly at work and working well.
The cylinder had no water in it, and we were not making more than forty
turns of the propeller at the time.
The cylinder head had not been off since the vessel left the contractor'.s
hands. Indeed, the haste left no time for any examination of it.
It is not impossible that the first crack was received when the air-pump
gear gave way at the dock in Jersey City.
I have hopes that one engine may be made to work through; without a
counterbalance it will scarcely do satisfactory service.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
JOHN RODGERS, Captain.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DdPont,
Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Arrival of the Patapsco at Port Boyd.
[Despatch No. 74—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, South Carolina, February 11, 1863,
Sir: I have the honor to report to the department the arrival here, on the
morning of the 10th instant, of the United States steamer Pawnee, towing
the United States iron-clad steamer Patapsco.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Passage of the Patapsco to Port Royal.
Iron-clad Patapsco,
Port Royal, South Carolina, February 16, 1863.
Sir: As directed by you, I have the honor to make the following report
of the passage of the Patapsco from Hampton Roads to this point.
The discretionary orders from Acting Rear-Admiral Lee enabled me to
choose the time of sailing, and to put in, if deemed advisable, and thus avoid
possible injuries from stress of weather. •
The cessation of a gale of some days' continuance gave a favorable oppor-
tunity to leave Hampton Roads on the evening of the 30th ultimo in tow of
the Pawnee. Our engines during the passage were kept under a steam
pressure of about twenty pounds, and making an average of from thirty-five
to forty revolutions, and a velocity a little exceeding six knots.
" At 2 p. m. of the 31st, Cape Hatteras light bore about northwest some
four miles distant, water smooth. A special signal was made on board the
Pawnee, indicating dangerous soundings, and both vessels were sheered to
port, the vessel parting her hawser from its leading board on the bow, and
striking lightly once or twice, so lightly that I asked if she had not struck,
not feeling certain of the fact. Finding the vessel afloat, I let go the anchor,-
in order to secure our safety, |nd to enable us to sound out the channel with
ARMORED VESSELS. 181
boats. In the mean time the Pawnee had sheered off, and laid in seven
fathoms of water.
Our coast pilot came from her in one of the boats, with lead and line pro-
vided, which he did not use — an omission which I could not pardon, and
which led to his discharge on our arrival at this port.
Following a boat, we sounded our way through, and proceeded on our
way, under tow, without further difiBculty. As the pilot went through that
channel from choice, and as it is the usual one for coasters, I did not suppose
it a risk — the more as, at the time of our going through, there were several
other vessels in transit. At 8 p. m. a southwest breeze sprang up, and by
eleven blew half a gale. It then gradually subsided until, at daylight, it
was almost calm. The rapid variations of the barometer, as well as rise,
and the general appearance, showing an unsettled appearance of weather, I
determined to go into Beaufort, North Carolina, and arrived off the bar at 5
p. m. of the 1st of February; but, no pilot coming off until dark, we anchored,
and entered the port at daylight of the 2d, when I reported our arrival to
the honorable Secretary of the Navy, and stated that I hoped to leave that
evening, and made report, as per general order, in relation to the vessel
having struck.
We coaled without delay at 2 p. m. When on the point of leaving, the
pleasant northwest breeze, though with a suspiciously high barometer,
changed to an easterly gale, which blew with great violence until the 6th,
when the sea was so heavy on the bar as to cause yet further delay.
On the morning of the 8th of February we left, again in tow of the Pawnee.
The weather gradually becoming pleasant and the water smooth, at 3 a. m.
of the 10th we anchored near the outer buoy of the southeast channel, and
at 8 a. m. came into this port.
The steadiness of this class of vessel in a sea-way is remarkable — pur-
chased, no doubt, by the disadvantage of a great strain on the upper works.
Should the " sponsons," now being placed on some vessels of this class, not
meet the expectations of the department, I will be pleased to present some
ideas in relation to that subject.
I take pleasure in stating that the vessel and engines appear to be well
built, and that I believe them to be in good condition.
Some ideas "in relation to a supposed advantageous mode of levelling
and pointing guns in this class of vessels " I will be pleased to submit to
you upon a personal inspection of the vessel.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN, Commander.
Eear-Admiral Samuel F. DuPont,
Gom'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Effects of shot on the Montauk.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyal Harbor, South Carolina, February 19, 1863.
Sir: The fleet captain. Commander 0. E. P. Eodgers, returned this evening
from Wassaw and Ossabaw, where I had sent him. At the latter place he
saw Commander Worden, and examined the effects of the enemy's shot on
the Montauk. One result referred to by him had previously been called to
my attention, though I have not yet reported it to the department. I allude
to the effect of Shot on the pilot-house, causing, by concussion or percussion,
the large nuts screwed on to the bolts inside, to fly off with great violence,
wrenching off the end of the bolt itself ; they cross the pilot-house and re-
182 AEMOEED VESSELS.
bound from the opposite side. This renders the pilot-house most dangerous,
and, indeed, if often struck, untenable; and such, in the engagement with
the Ogeechee battery, was almost the case on the Montauk, nearly ten of
these nuts having been wrenched from the bolts as above stated.
Our machine-shop has been at work making new bolts, and Commander
Worden would like to have them all replaced; but they are large and heavy,
and we shall not be able to do it We are also preparing a screen of boiler
iron to go around the pilot-houses.
It may be well to mention that the above effect was produced without the
round head of the bolt outside being struck, but by the impact of a shot be-
tween the bolts, not weighing over a 32-pounder. No such effect, however,
was produced on the turret.
Thinking the department would like to have these facts, I write them in
haste to save the mail.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Passage of the Nahant to Port Boyd.
[Deepatcli No 92—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, South Carolina, February 24, 1863.
Sib: I have the honor to report the arrival here, on the 20th instant, of
the United States steamer State of Georgia, having in tow the United States
iron-clad steamer Nahant.
Enclosed (marked No. 1) is Commander Downes's report of the passage of
the Nahant from Hampton Roads to this port.
The State of Georgia, in pursuance of the orders under which she arrived
here, left this port yesterday to rejoin the blockading force off Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral^ Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
[Despatch No. 92, 1863. — Enclosure No. 1.]
No. 9.] United States Ikon-clad Steamer Nahant,
Port Royal, February 20, 1863.
SiK: I have the honor to inform you of the arrival of this vessel at Port Eoyal
in good condition this day, at 10.40 a. m., after a passage of three days and
fifteen and two- thirds hours from Cape Henry, experiencing during the first part
of the passage, until we had passed Cape Pear, rough and boisterous weather,
from which, however, we suffered no injury, though the overhang thumped
forward heavily on the head seas off Hatteras, shaking the vessel very much.
The decks leaked badly, and considerable water forced its way under the
turret, wetting the belts of the blowers, causing the belts to stretch and
AEMOEED VESSELS. 183
break or tear out their lacings, putting everybody to serious inconvenience
for want of air below, besides causing, instant depression of steam by stop-
ping draught of the furnaces by constantly necessitating the stoppage of the
blowers to repair damages to the belting. To guard against future contin-
gencies of the kind, I have thought it advisable to ask for a couple of
sets of gutta percha belts, and recommend that all vessels of that class be
supplied with them before proceeding to sea.
I did not communicate with the blockading squadron off Charleston, as
your order of the 12th instant directed me to do, as Commander Armstrong,
commanding the State of Georgia, upon consultation before leaving Hampton
Eoads, coincided with me in the opinion that your subsequent telegraphic
order of the 15th instant, " not to stop on the way if it could possibly be
avoided," forbade our losing any time to do so, which, as we passed Charleston
in the night, must have been the case had we stopped to communicate.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN DOWNES,
Gommander.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Forwarded.
S. P. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, So.
Relative to testing the Monitor vessels.
[Despatch No. 101, 1863.— Confidential ]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, SovXh Garolina, February 21, 1863.
Sir: After very mature deliberation, I have determined to test the three
iron-clads, Patapsco, Passaic, and Nahant, on the Genesis Point battery, on
the Ogeechee. We find much in them to be attended to; and on a trip which
I made in the Patapsco up the Broad river, though only firing each gun
twice, some important matter was developed.
This operation will not retard the great work, but yield us advantages in
many ways. The Weehawken, I hope, will be ready to try her engine
to-morrow. Great expedition has been made on her.
I hope the Oatskill will be along soon. These iron-clads require so much
to be done that I am anxious for their early arrival. The army is not ready,
but doing its best.
Attempts to run the blockade everywhere are increasing, and from Fer-
nandina I have news to-day which makes me wish that I had a better vessel
there than the Mohawk.
Colonel Townsend will inform the department that we are preparing in
every possible way, working day and night.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding 8. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. GmEotf Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
184
ARMORED VESSELS.
Destruction of the privateer Nashville.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Fort Boyal Harbor, S. C, March 2, 1863.
Sir : I liave the satisfaction to inform the department of the destruction
of the privateer Nashville -whiXe lying under the guns of Port McAllister,
on the Great Ogeechee, Georgia, by the Montauk, Commander J. L. Worden,
whose enclosed report states succinctly the interesting particulars.
The department is aware that I have had this vessel blockaded for eight
months, and I am indebted to the extreme vigilance and spirit of Lieutenant
Commander J. L. Davis, of the Wissahrckon, Acting Lieutenant Barnes,
of the Dawn, and later of Lieutenant Commander Gibson, of the Seneca,
that I have been able to keep her so long confined to the waters of the
Ogeechee.
For several months the Nashville was loaded with cotton, but though
constantly on the alert, she never ventured to run out. She then withdrew
up the Ogeechee, and reappeared after a length of time thoroughly fitted as
a privateer, and presenting a very fine appearance.
Fort McAllister was strengthened, the river staked, with a line of torpe-
does in front to prevent its ascent by light vessels, to cut her out. She
has been frequently seen close under the fort ready to make a dash if the
opportunity offered, or was quietly waiting for an iron-clad to tow her to
sea.
If I am not misinformed she had a heavy rifle gun, on a pivot, as a part
of her armament, was proverbially fast, and would doubtless have rivalled
the Alabama and Oreto in their depredations on our commerce. I have,
therefore, never lost sight of the great importance of keeping her in, or of
destroying her if I could. I have accomplished both through the zeal and
vigilance of my gunboat captains mentioned above, and the quick percep-
tion and rapid execution of Commander Worden, who has thus added to his
already brilliant services.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Commander John L. Worden, of the Montauk.
United States Iron-clad Montauk,
Ogeechee River, Georgia, February 28, 1863.
Sib: I have the honor to report that yesterday evening the enemy's steamer
Nashville was observed by me in motion above the battery known as Fort
McAllister. A reconnoissance immediately made proved that in moving up
the river she had grounded in that portion of the river known as the Seven-
mile reach.
Believing that I could, by approaching close to the battery, reach and
destroy her with my battery, I moved up at daylight this morning, accom-
panied by the blockading fleet in these waters, consisting of the Seneca,
Lieutenant Commander Gibson, the Wissahickon, Lieutenant Commander
Davis, and the Dawn, Acting Lieutenant Commander Barnes.
By moving up close to the obstructions in the river, I was enabled, al
though under a heavy fire from the battery, to approach the Nashville, stil
ARMOEED VESSELS, 185
aground, within the distance of twelve hundred yards. A few well-directed
shells determined the range, and soon succeeded in striking her with 11-inch
and 15-inch shells. The other gunboats maintained a fire from an enfilading
position upon the battery and the Nashville at long range.
I soon had the satisfaction of observing that the Nashville had caught
fire from the shells exploded in her in several places, and in less than 20
minutes she was caught in flames forward, aft, and amidships. At 9.20 a. m.
a large pivot gun mounted abaft her foremast exploded from the heat. At
9.40 her smoke chimney went by the board, and at 9.5B her magazine ex-
ploded with terrific violence, shattering her in smoking ruins ; nothing
remains of her.
The battery kept up a continuous fire upon this vessel, but struck her but
five times, doing no damage whatever. The fire upon the other gunboats
was wild, and did them no damage whatever. After assuring myself of
the complete destruction of the Nashville, I, preceded by the wooden ves-
sels, dropped down beyond the range of the enemy's guns. In so doing a
torpedo exploded under this vessel, inflicting, however, but little injury.
I beg leave, therefore, to congratulate you, sir, upon this final disposition
of a vessel which has so long been in the minds of the public as a trouble-
some pest.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. WOEDEN,
Commanding, Senior Officer present.
Kear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Gom'dg S. A. B. Squadron, Port Boyal, South Carolina.
Attack on Fort McAllister.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyal Rarhor, S. C, March 6, 1863.
Sir : The department has already been informed of my desire, before en-
tering upon more important operations, to subject the various mechanical
appliances of the iron-clads to the full test of active service, and to give
the advantage of target practice to the officers and men with their new
ordnance. For this purpose I had ordered a concentration in the Ogeechee
of such of these vessels as were ready to attack Fort McAllister, and se-
cure or destroy the Nashville. ,
Before this concentration could take place the Nashville was destroyed
by Commander Worden, in the Montauk, the particulars of which occurrence
I reported to the department by the last mail.
The iron-clads having, however, arrived in Ossabaw, I directed Captain
Drayton, of the Passaic, to go on with the attack on the fort; accompanied
by the Patapsco and Nahant; the Montauk having been three times under
fire of the fort, and sufficiently tested, was not to join in.
I received, last evening. Captain Drayton's detailed report of his eight
hours' bombardment, with a statement of the damage done to his vessel,
and also the reports of Commanders Ammen and Downes to him, all of
which are enclosed, (marked Nos. 1, 2, 3,) and I think will be read with
great interest by the department, for it will not fail to perceive that valuable
information has been elicited and most important data obtained, and I feel
thankful that this I have done without any loss of life. Except that the
fort might possibly protect another blockade runner, its capture was of no
special practical importance.
186 AEMOEED VESSELS.
The injury to the Montauk from the torpedo is the most serious that has
occurred, and will require some ten days to repair, but the department will
remember the invaluable service she performed while receiving it.
I think it worthy of mentioning that this bombardment, so fruitful as
giving us experience, was witnessed by Brigadier General Seymour, the
chief of artillery, and Captain Duane, the chief engineer of this military
department, and I shall be able to receive from these gentlemen the results
of their observation, which, representing, as they do, special branches of
the military service, will be interesting and important.
I cannot close this communication without speaking of Captain Drayton,
who has been one of my commanding officers since October, 1861. He has
performed this service with that ability, judgment, and calm courage, which
have ever marked his execution of my orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, B. G.
Rqiarl of Captain Percival DrayUm.
United States Iron-clad Passaic,
Ogeechee Biver, March 4, 1863.
Sik: I wrote a short report last evening, after my return from the attack
on Fort McAllister, and will now make one more in detail. A list of the
ammunition expended, of the injuries to the vessel, and an extract from the
log, I enclose with this, from which latter you will perceive that my vessel
was under fire just eight hours. I was directly in front of the fort, the
guns being, as we looked at them, in the centre between high traverses of
earth, which were on each side. These, however, as we were placed, had
no effect in protecting either guns or men. The latter never exposed them-
selves to our fire, usually discharging their pieces either while we were
loading, or just as our port came in line, and before the guns were quite
ready, the turret being painted black, not deceiving them any more than
a different color had done in the first attack of the Montauk. I was
as close to the fort as the pilot (who is the best on the river, as was
proved in this case, by my being the only one whose vessel was not
aground when the tide fell) would take me, and as high as the Montauk
had been, except on her second attack, but only for an hour, when being in
twelve feet, as I understand, Captain Worden was obliged to drop down to a
position below where I was yesterday — a rather risky operation, too, in so nar-
row a channel, where, had the vessel grounded, she must have been exposed
below the side armor. This being the case, I am satisfied that twelve feet
cannot be carried when a vessel is to anchor above where I was. The channel
is close to the marsh, opposite to the fort, and as the piles were only about four
hundred yards beyond where I was lying, I don't see how more than two hun-
dred yards can be gained nearer to the fort by being against them, as the river
can't be crossed, and is very wide. Certainly, after discussing the matter with
the pilot on the spot, I doubt being able to get nearer than a thousand yards
without going above the piles, where the channel crosses over. My distance I
judged to be twelve hundred yards, from the following data : "The Xl-inch
gun was very carefuUy elevated by a spirit level to a little less than six de-
grees — this is, by ordnance manual, fifteen hundred yards, axis of bore ten feet
above the water; mine was not four — which requires a deduction of one hun-
AEMOEED VESSELS 187
dred and thirty yards ; then the parapet of the fort was at least twenty feet
above the water, which, req[uiring about half a degree more, will bring the dis-
tance about what I have stated it; then shot were always less than five seconds
in reaching me feom the flash, generally four, which would, considering their
greater initial velocity, about agree with my calculation. My five-second fuzes,
however, usually burst just before reaching; the seven after striking. The pilot
called the distance a thousand yards.
The fort is very solidly built, with high traverses between the guns, and
raised at least twenty feet above the river, and contained seven guns and an
eleven-inch mortar. One of these guns was, I think, destroyed; the others
used until we were out of range. Immense holes were cut into the earth, the
traverses and face much cut away, but still no injury done which I think a
good night's work would not repair, and I do not believe that it can be made
untenable by any number of iron-clads which the shallow water and narrow
channel will permit to be brought in position against it. The guns are one
ten inch, a shot from which lodged on the top of our turret; one heavy rifle,
about a hundred-pounder; and the remainder, I should judge, thirty-twos, with
a light gun throwing bolts, which would be aimed at any one showing them-
selves on the deck. These with the mortar were, however, nothing as a de-
fence to the river comparable to the shallow water and piles, as was proved by
my being exposed to their fire for eight hours without serious injury; but they
answer the purpose, which is simply to prevent the channel being cleared of
obstruction. Our three mortar schooners kept up a fire during the day from
about four thousand yards distance, but, so far as I could observe, without the
least efiect, the shells generally falling short.
The firing from this vessel was quite good, and I think very few shots missed
striking about the parapet after the first hour, as I had carefully corrected each
one up to that time from outside of the turret on deck, where the effect could
be well followed. Although the attack was an unsuccessful one, it was cer-
tainly not owing to any want of zeal and attention to duty on the part of either
officers or men; and I am greatly indebted to Lieutenant Oomraander J. N.
Miller, the executive officer, as well as to Acting Master S. Huse, who attended,
under him, to the management and pointing of the guns, and whose energy and
zeal was very marked on this occasion, as it has been on several others.
I feel very much, of course, the failure to a certain extent of the attack,
which you had intrusted to my direction, but am satisfied that the natural ob-
stacles are such as to render another just as little likely to succeed. The ex-
perience obtained is worth something in future operations. I only withdrew
when all my shell with fuzes long enough to reach (or over five seconds) had
been expended, and when the crew were almost beyond further work, having
been occupied for eight hours at the guns without even an intermission to eat :
and then I should have remained had I seen the least sign of faltering or
slackness of fire on the part of the enemy, but, on the contrary, I think that
it was, if anything, more rapid towards the last.
The gunboats Seneca, Lieutenant Oommander Gibson, Wissahickon, Lieu-,
tenant Commander Davis, and Dawn, Lieutenant Barnes, were anchored
near the mortar schooners in signal dfetance of us, and prepared to give us
assistance had any been required.
Everything about the guns and carriages worked to my satisfaction,
except that the box round the XV-inch gun, on examination, was found to
be almost detached from the side, owing to the breaking of the bolts which
secured it to the turret. From its appearance this morning, I should think
that it could scarcely stand a dozen more shots. My deck, having been
very badly injured, -will require some repairs before I could, I think, safely
go outside. The mortar shell which fell on deck over the bread-room would
undoubtedly have gone through had it not struck on a beam. As it was, it
188 AEMOEED VESSELS.
has completely crushed in the planking at the side of the beam, opening
quite a hole through, and had it been loaded with powder instead of sand,
might have set the vessel on fire. I have measured a piece of it, and it
does not seem to have been larger than ten-inch. This certainly does not
say much for the strength of the deck, the injury to which has been so much
more serious than to that of the Montauk, that I must attribute it to a
worse class of iron, unless heavier guns have been mounted since the attack
made by Commander Worden.
I have gone into greater length than, perhaps, would be required, were it
not that ill success always needs much explanation, and that things which
relate to the iron-clads possess, from their want of precedents, an interest
not otherwise belonging to them.
On the night previous to the attack, Lieutenant Commander Gibson, with
his boats, swept for torpedoes in the neighborhood of the one which ex-
ploded under the Montauk, but did not meet with any.
I have omitted to mention that my pilot was the same one who had
charge of the Montauk in her various operations in this river; and I have to
thank Commanders Ammen and Downes for the hearty support which they
gave me.
I send also the reports of Commanders Ammen and Downes.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. DRAYTON,
Captain, Senior Officer present.
Rear- Admiral S. F. DnPoNT,
Com'g S. A. B. Squadron,, Port Royal Harbor, Flag-Ship Wabash.
RqioH of Lieutenant Commander J. if. Miller of injuries to the Pmaaic.
United States Ieon-clad Steamer Passaic,
Ogeeohee River, Georgia, March 4, 1863.
Sir: I submit the following report of the injuries we received in the
attack on Fort McAllister.
We were struck nine times on the port side armor. Three of these were
about fifty feet from the bow, and within the distance of three feet from
each other. They made indentations of two inches, carried away several
bolts, and raised the adjoining deck plating one inch. The other shots in
side armor made indentations of about one inch, without injuring the bolts.
On deck plating we received thirteen shots. One over ward-room store-
room raised the plating and carried away several of the bolts. One struck
over the hammock-room, near the turret, crushing in the plating and deck
planking, causing the deck to leak when covered with water. Two shots
struck over the engine-room, breaking a number of bolts in the plating,
^ which it also broke through and raised the ends. A 10-inch mortar shell,
loaded with sand, struck over the bread-room, crushing in the deck plating
and planking. It struck partly on a. beam and the angle-iron which sup-
ports it, but, as far as we can see, these are not injured. The remaining
shots on deck did not seriously injure the plating.
Five shots struck the turret, making indentations varying from one-half
inch to one inch. One of these is six inches below the XV-inch port.
Two shots struck the pilot-house, carrying away three of the bolts and
making indentations of about one inch.
One shot struck the roof of the turret and broke one of its beams of rail-
road iron. The lower part of the smoke-stack was struck once close to the
AEMOEED VESSELS. 189
deck, making an indentation of one and one-fourth inch, and carrying away-
one of the bolt heads.
The concussion of the XV-inch gun broke all of the bolts holding the'side
of the box to the turret, and I have no doubt, unless the bolts are replaced,
that a few more fires would destroy the box, one side of which is much
bulged out. The bolt holding one of the rollers of the sliding plate, in con-
cussion box, parted during the action ; but as we always fired at the same
elevation, the plate was lashed so that we could run the gun in and out.
During the action we were struck thirty-four times, nine of which were
on side armor, thirteen on deck, five on turret, two on pilot-house, one on
roof of turret, one on smoke-stack ; one carried away pennant staff on pilot-
house, one carried away boat-spar aft, and one the out-rigger forward.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant.
J. N. MILLER, Executive Officer.
Report of Commander Daniel Ammen, of the Patapsco.
Iron-clad Patapsco,
Ogeechee River, March 3, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to signal at 8 a. m. of
to-day, the Patapsco was got under way, preceded by the Passaic and
followed by the Nahant, and at about 8.30 a. m. anchored below Port
McAllister.
The enemy immediately opened fire, and had established a target for
range on a marsh near the spot where the three vessels anchored, as near
each other as was possible to swing clear on a turn of tide. Seven guns
were visible on the face of the work, protected by heavy traverses, and in
an adjoining wood one or two mortars and a rifle were in position, and
directed their fire against us.
The difficulty of approach through a narrow channel and the shoalness of
the water evidently left you without a choice of position. We followed
your movements, and after firing a few shells, found the distance from the
battery greater than had been supposed.
We fired deliberately, and finding the XV-inch gun required more eleva-
tion than is desirable, confined ourselves for some time to the use of the
rifle.
The time fuzes of the rifle, except those made by the Ordnance depart-
ment, did not appear generally to explode the shells, and the percussion
shells did not explode with the ordinary percussion musket cap. By filing
the nipple so as to receive an ordinary cap, few failed even when striking
in the sand.
Fourteen XV-inch and forty-six 150-pound rifle shell were expended by us
against the enemy.
No injury was sustained by this vessel, and only one shot was known to
have struck the deck. Much the greater part of the firing of the enemy was
directed against the Passaic.
The works of the enemy appeared very much cut up. The parapet was
breached in several places, and three of the traverses very much injured.
When the Passaic and the Nahant swung to flood, at about 3 p. m,, we
remained across the tide, and I saw at once that we were aground, owing to
having anchored a few yards on the port quarter of the Passaic as she rode
to the ebb. A rising tide and working the engine enabled us to swing about
8.40 p. m.
190
ABMOEED VESSELS.
The signal by whistle to get under way was not understood by us, and
the "flag was not seen. After seeing the Nahant leave, and learning verbally
the order, I got under way, as directed, and proceeded to this anchorage.
I am, very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN, Commander.
Captain Peroival Drayton,
Iron-clad Passaic.
Report of Commander John Dotones, of the NaharU,
Iron-clad Nahant,
Ossahaw Sound, March 4, 1863.
Sm: I have the honor to submit the following report of the participation
of this vessel in the attack yesterday upon Fort McAllister.
Weighing anchor at 7.30 a. m., the commencement of ebb tide, in com-
pliance with signal, we steamed up the river, preceded by the Passaic and
Patapsco, and at 8.30 grounded in close vicinity to our subsequent anchorage,
and after the two leading vessels had anchored; but by backing our engines
fortunately got afloat again before the tide had receded sufficiently to make
us a fixture until the next high water. At 8.50, whilst still aground, we
commenced action about seventeen hundred yards from the fort, the enemy
having opened fire about ten minutes previously, and continued it subse-
quently at the reduced distance of about fifteen hundred yards, until ordered
by signal to "discontinue and drop out of action," at near 4 p. m.; during
which time we fired thirty-two XV-inch shell and thirty-nine Xl-inch shell.
After firing ten charges of thirty-five pounds from the XV-inch, with all the
elevation I could give the gun, the shell falling short of the parapet, and not
being able to reduce my distance from the fort, I considered it necessary to
increase my charge of powder to thirty-eight pounds, after which the practice
from this vessel was very satisfactory, and the effect upon the earthwork
opposed to us apparently very damaging, tearing away the parapet and
traverses, and bursting the shells with great certainty inside the work, and
very often in close vicinity of the guns.
1 can find no trace of this vessel having been struck by shot during the
action; indeed, the leading vessel, the Passaic, seemed to attract the atten-
tion of the battery almost exclusively, they giving us only an occasional shot,
which generally passed over. A mortar planted under cover of the woods
in the vicinity of the fort, and a small rifled piece or two, aimed apparently
at persons exposing themselves upon the deck, paid us particular attention,
but without eifect.
At various times during the action the compressor arrangements of the
XV-inch gun became disarranged, the gun twice revolving so far in that it
was with great difficulty, and once only with the assistance of a jackscrew,
that we forced it out again; and at the twentieth fire the rivets of the brass
guides on the after part of the carriage broke, the guides falling down into
the turret chamber below, without, however, disabling the gun.
At the thirty-ninth fire of the Xl-inch gun the cast-iron yoke snapped at
the outer edge of the port trunnion, thereby effectually disabling the gun
until another yoke is supplied to us.
I estimated the armament of the fort on the water faces at seven guns — a
large rifle, and the remainder Vl-inch, Vlll-inch, and X-inch guns — besides
one or two smaller rifles, not apparent to us, except from their execution,
and the one mortar previously mentioned.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 191
The bearing of the officers and crew was everything I had expected of
them, entirely satisfactory, and assuring to me that under any circumstances
they will perform their duties thoroughly. * * * * *
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN DOWNES, Commander.
Captain Percival Drayton,
Gom!g Iron-clad Passaic, and Senior Officer present, Ogechee Biver.
Arrival of the CatskUl at Port Boyal.
[Despatch No. 117—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyal Harbor, South Carolina, March 1, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform the department of the arrival here on the
5th instant of the United States steamer Bienville, having in tow the United
► States iron-clad steamer Catskill.
The Bienville will leave on Monday next for her destination.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Chief Engineer Stimers coming north to report.
[Despatch No. 114—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, South Carolina, March 7, 1863.
Sir: Chief Engineer A. C. Stimers returns north in the Ericsson, taking
charge of my despatches. He was on board the Passaic during the last attack
on Port McAllister, and is anxious to report his experience to the depart-
ment. Though his servicesjare valuable to me in the repair of the Monitors,
I have concluded to let him go.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPQNT,
Rear-Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
192
AEMOEED VESSELS.
Beport of survey on the Mordauh.
[Despatch No. 122—1863.]
Flags-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S- C, March 7, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose the report of the survey on the Montauk,
injured hy the explosion of a torpedo on the 28th ultimo, after the destruc-
tion of the Nashville. Drawings are also forwarded herewith.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear- Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. G., March 5, 1863.
Gentlemen: You will hold a strict and careful survey on the hull of the ,
United States iron-clad Montauk, and report to me in triplicate what dam-
ages she has sustained from the explosion of the torpedo on the 28th ultimo,
the best mode of repairing the same, and the time required for that purpose.
Kespectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Chief Engineer Alban 0. Stimebs, Chief Engineer R. McCleert, U. S.
steamer Wabash, Mechanical Engineer Edward Fabon.
[Despatch No. 122, 1863.— Enclosiire. ]
Port Royal, South Carolina, March 5, 1863.
Sir: In obedience to your orders of this date, we have examined the bot-
tom of the iron-clad Montauk with reference to the injury sustained by the ex-
plosion beneath it of a torpedo in the Ogeechee river, and we beg leave
very respectfully to report.
The explosion took place beneath the back end of the port boiler, under
a part where the ship's bottom is very flat.
We found the cast iron portion of the boiler — blow-off pipe — which in all
iron ships it is considered necessary to place between the copper pipes and
the wrought iron of the ship's bottom to prevent galvanic action, which
would otherwise take place, broken off, the bottom permanently indented
two and a half inches; the indentation extending five feet athwartship and
three feet fore and aft. The greatest force of the explosion was directly
under a twelve-inch floor, along beneath which the plating of the ship is
cracked a distance of two feet four inches, (2' 4" ;) thence diagonally aft
and toward the keel one foot ten inches (1' 10",) its direction being indi-
cated by saying that it extends aft nine inches (9",) and athwartships one
foot eight incl;ps (1' 8",) the diagonal portion of the crack being in the next
streak togarboard. This twelve-inch (12'') floor, and the sixteen-inch (16")
one forward of it, are warped and torn somewhat from the frames.
We would respectfully recommend that the ship be beached, and a soft
patch tap bolted to the inside of the cracked ijlate; that the floors be straight-
ened and refastened to the frames, and that a wrought-iron pipe be put in
place of the cast-iron one which broke.
AEMORED VESSELS. 193
In making this last recommendation, we are aware that we are departing
from what is considered the best practice in iron ship-building where cop-
per pipes are used, and that a torpedo may never again explode with that
nice adjustment of locality and force which may break a casi/iron pipe and
not break through entirely into the ship. Yet we prefer to assume that this
may occur, and to suffer the certain inconvenience of the galvanic action,
than to replace a broken part with material which will certainly be broken
upon an exact repetition of the accident.
We estimate the time required as follows :
To make the necessary preparations ■. 4 days.
To remain on the beach 2 "
To complete all that it is proposed to do 4 "
Total time from date 10 days.
We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
ALBAN 0. STIMERS,
Chief Engineer U. S. Navy.
R. W. MoOLEERY,
Chief Engineer U. S. Navy.
EDWARD FARON,
Mechanical Engineer,
Rear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Arrival of the Nantucket at Port Royal.
pespatch No. 132—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, March 15, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the department of the safe arrival this
morning of the iron-clad Nantucket in tow of the Florida.
Commahder Bankhead, in obedience to his orders, will return immediately
to Hampton Roads. She needs twelve hours to repair.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Gom'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Requesting commanding officers of iron-clads to make suggestions relative to
their improvement.
Navy Department, March 25, 1863.
Sir: The department desires the commanding oflScers of the iron-clads to
report frequently with regard to the qualities of those vessels, and to make
any suggestions which experience may dictate for their improvement.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Real-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 13
194 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Passage of Keokuk to Port Boyal.
[Despatch No. 156—1863.]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyal Sarbor, 8. C, March 27, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report to the department the arrival here yestei'-
day afternoon, in good order, of the United States iron-clad steamer Keokuk,
accompanied by the tug Governor.
Enclosed (marked No. 1) is a copy of Commander Ehind's report of the
passage from Hampton Roads to this port. She will be ready for service
in three days.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. DUPONT,
Pear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
[Enclosure No. 1.— Despatch No. 156, 1863.]
Untted States Steam Battery Keootk,
Port Boyal, March 26, 1863.
Sm: I have the honor to report the arrival of this vessel. We left Hamp-
ton Roads on Sunday evening at 9 o'clock, after a detention of several hours
by fog. On the passage down, in tow of steam-tug Governor, we had rough
weather after passing Cape Lookout shoals.
In a heavy sea the vessel rolls deeply, but easily. I consider her a good
and safe vessel at sea.
The convoy steamer B. B. Hale was lost sight of on Tuesday evening in a
heavy squall. When the engines are worked more, and in good order, the
Keokuk will be able to go without convoy, and I think will attain a speed
of over nine knots in smooth water.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. 0. RHIND, Commander.
Kear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Calling attention to request for report upon improvement of iron-clads.
Navy Department, May 1, 1863.
Sir : On the 25th March last, the department requested that the command-
ing officers of the iron-clads should report frequently with regard to the
qualities of those vessels, and make any suggestions for their improvement
which experience might dictate. No reports having been received, it is
thought the subject may have been overlooked.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Boyd, S. C.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 195
Injury to turret of the Ndhant.
[Despatch No. 211—1863.]
Plao-Ship Wabash,
Fort Boyd Harbor, S. C, May 3, 1863.
Sib: I herewith enclose copies (marked 1 and 2) of the reports of Com-
mander Downes, of the Nahant, and of his first assistant engineer, P. J.
Lovering, an experienced officer, respecting the turret of that vessel.
I also enclose (marked No. 8) a slip from the Baltimore American, written,
there is every reason to believe, either by Mr. Pulton or Mr. Stimers, in
which, among other things, it is stated "that the damage done to the Nahant,
Passaic, and Weehawken, the only vessels of the fleet materially injured,
was completely remedied before noon on Wednesday." The turret of the
Nahant is represented "to have been wedged by a shot striking it at the
lower edge where it comes in contact with the deck."
This was Tiot the case, and it was restored to working condition early
next morning by Mr. Parren, who found that the difficulty was in the socket
of the turret at the very bottom of the vessel, which had been jammed out
of its place by a heavy concussion in the upper edge of the turret. In two
hours he had it revolving at the rate of one and a half minute to the
current.
The department will perceive, by the reports of Commander Downes and
Mr. Lovering, that the turret of the N ahant is not yet in working order ;,
that as late as the 28th of April, with thirty pounds of steam it required
two minutes and forty seconds to make one revolution, and that when the
pressure was reduced to twenty-three pounds the turret stopped.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. DUFONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding 8. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
[Enclosure No. 1.— Despatch No. 211, 1863.]
Iron-clad Nahant,
NoHh Edisto Biver, April 29, 1863.
SiK : I have the honor to forward herewith enclosed the report of the senior
engineer, Mr. Lovering, upon the working condition of the turret of this
vessel, and the apparent causes of its unsatisfactory performance, by which
it will be perceived that for the space of a week we will be unfitted for ser-
vice. At the expiration of that time, however, I hope and think the obstacles
to the moving of our turret wiU have been removed, and this vessel ready
for service.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN DOWNES, Commander.
Eear- Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Fort Royal, S. C.
196 AEMOEED VESSELS.
[EndosureNo. 2.— Despatch No. 211, 1863.]
Ikon-clad Nahant,
North Edisto Biver, April 28, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that, this forenoon, having cut out the
pieces of the pilot-house ring, where it bound the base of the house, I
turned the turret, and with thirty pounds of steam it required two minutes
and forty seconds to make one revolution; with twenty -six pounds of steam,
three minutes and eight seconds; and where the pressure was reduced to
twenty-three pounds, the turret stopped.
The difSculty, in my opinion, is caused by the teeth of the main pinion
and wheel washing too deeply, and by the after or fifteen-inch gun side of
the turret settling, so that the main turret beam strikes the pinion in its re-
volution. To remedy this, it will be necessary to remove the main pinion
and reduce its thickness from one-half to three-quarters of an inch, dress
the teeth of the pinion and cut three quarters of an inch off the end of the
main pinion shaft. With the facilities at hand this can be done in one
■week.
I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.,
F. J. LOVEEING,
Senior Engineer.
Commander J. Downes.
[Enclusure No. 3.— Despatch No. 211, 1863.]
IMPREGNABIUTY OP THE MONITORS.
[From the Baltimore American.]
There will be found in our columns this morning a letter from Mr. Erics-
son with regard to the test of the strength of the fleet of Monitors under
the walls of Sumter and Moultrie. Having witnessed that great conflict,
and after the battle visited all the Monitors engaged in it, we have no hesi-
tation in asserting that it was a matter of astonishment to all experienced
observers to see how little they were really injured. They were scarred
and bruised, and their smoke-stacks penetrated by the projectiles literally
rained on them by the enemy; but even in this respect not one of them
fared as badly as the original Monitor in her conflict with the Merrimack.
No one doubted her entire ability to renew the fight next day, and our en-
tire fleet of Monitors were as competent to return to the walls of Sumter as
she was to meet the Merrimack.
The damage done to the Nahant, Passaic, and Weehawken, the only ves-
sels of the fleet really injured, was completely remedied before noon on
Wednesday. The turret of the Nahant is represented to have been wedged
by a shot striking it at the lower edge, where it comes in contact with the
deck; this was not the case, and it was restored to working condition early
next morning by Mr. Farren, who found that the difiSculty was in the socket
of the turret, at the very bottom of the vessel, which had been jarred out
of its place by a heavy concussion on the upper edge of the turret. In
two hours he had it revolving at the rate of one and a half minute to
the current. Some of the bolts of her pilot-house were broken, but there
was no penetration either there or in the turret. Her deck was scarred, her
smake-pipe .cut through, and the deepest indentation, (two and three-quarter
AKMOEED VESSELS. 197
inches) received by any of the vessels made in her turret, but she could
have fought as effectually next day as any of the fleet.
The only trouble in the Passaic was the protrusion of a bolt-head in the
turret, which prevented one of the slides of her port stopper from opening,
A cold chisel and an hour's application of the hammer remedied that ob-
struction.
The Weehawken was more extensively scarred by the shot of the enemy
than any other of the vessels, and her deck was, at one point, penetrated
by a steel-pointed rifle shot of small calibre. This shot cut a groove in the
deck about eighteen inches long and very smooth, and is supposed to have
passed underneath and into one of the coal bunkers. The fracture, however,
was very small, and the damage of no account, so far as her efiBciency was
concerned. The side armor of her hull was also severely tested, four balls
having struck on the upper edge within a space of two feet. It presented, at
this spot, a very ragged appearance. Her gallant commander, Oaptain John
Eodgers, led the battle, and was the first in and tiie last out, and never
ceased firing. For a renewal of the fight she had received no real injury.
So also with the other four: the Patapsco, Catskill, and Nantucket, and Mon-
tauk, were beautified by the scars of war, but not injured in the slightest
manner, so far as ability to renew the fight was concerned.
As to their steering qualities, they are unequalled by any vessels ever
constructed. We have sailed side by side with them for hundreds of miles
on the ocean, and have seen them in the strong tide-way of narrow and
shallow channels, and never heard any complaint of their steering quali-
ties, until we read accounts in the New York papers, in their attempts to
excuse the unsatisfactory operations of the naval authorities before
Charleston-
We contend that this first practical test of the power of endurance of the
iron-clad Monitors was most satisfactory, and that there was no more rea-
son for not renewing the conflict next day than there would have been for
not commencing it on the previous day. It was regarded by most of those
who witnessed it as a most satisfactory reconnoissance, showing the entire
capacity of the Monitors to withstand such a concentrated fire, and the ina-
bility of the enemy with the most powerful of modern projectiles to pene-
trate, their armor.
Bdaiive to forwarding suggestions of officers commanding iron-olads.
[Despatch No. 130—1863 ]
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal, South Carolina, May 11, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of l^e department's des-
patch of May 1, referring to a previous despatch, in which the command-
ing officers of the iron-clads were directed to make suggestions as to their
improvement.
A copy of the original despatch was immediately delivered to these oflS-
cers, and an answer has been prepared, which I had expected to have for-
warded by this mail.
It will be sent by the next steamer.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
198
AEMOEED VESSELS.
Telegraphic report of the capture of the Atlanta,
[Telegram at Washington-June 22, 1863.]
Newport News, June 22, 1863.
Tour telegram just received. Admiral DuPont sent Weehawken, John
Eodgers, and Nahant down to Wassaw sound to look out for the Atlanta.
June ITth, at 6 a. m., Atlanta came down, accompanied by two gunboats.
The engagement was exclusively between the Weehawken and Atlanta.
The latter mounted four of the Brooke rifles, two of seven-inch on bow and
stern pivots, and two of six-inch, one on each side. She could fight two "of
the former, and one of the latter, on a side. Rodgers engaged at close quar-
ters. The first fifteen-inch shot, fired by himself, took off the top of At-
lanta's pilot-house, and wounded two of her three pilots. Another fifteen-
inch shot struck half-way up her roof, iron-plated, four inches thick, killing
one and wounding seventeen men. Eleven shots were fired in all — five by
Weehawken, six by Atlanta. The latter, aground, surrendered. The fight
was short ; the victory signal. The Weehawken sustained no injury of any
sort. Atlanta steers well, and made six knots, against a head sea, going to
Port Royal. She was completely provided with instruments and stores for
a regular cruise. She had a ram, a saw, and a torpedo on her bow. Ex-
Lieutenant W. A. Webb commanded her. Her complement was one hun-
dred and sixty-five souls. Her wounded were left at Port Royal. The Atlanta
is said to have come down confident of capturing the Monitors easily, and
her consorts, filled with spectators, were prepared to tow them to Savannah.
She will soon be ready for service under the flag of the Union.
S. P. LEE,
Acting Bear-Admiral.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Capture of rebel iron-clad Atlanta.
Flas-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyal Harbor, South Carolina, June 11, 1863.
Sir : Having reason to believe that the Atlanta and other rebel iron-clads
at Savannah were about attempting to enter Warsaw sound, by Wilmington
river, for the purpose of attacking the blockading vessels there and in the
sounds further south, I despatched, some days ago, the Weehawken, Cap-
tain John Rodgers, from this port, and the Nahant, Commander J. Downes,
from North Edisto, to Warsaw, where the Cimmerone, Commander Drake,
was maintaining the inside blockade.
I have the satisfaction to report to the department that this morning the
Atlanta came down, by Wilmington river, into Warsaw sound, and was
captured. This information has just been received in a telegram from Fort
Pulaski, sent by Captain John Rodgers.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
AKMORBD VESSELS* 199
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, South Carolina, June It, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform the department that since mailing my
despatch (No. 316) I have received further details of the capture of the At-
lanta, sent, through the kindness of Colonel Barton, by telegraph from Fort
Pulaski.
The Atlanta, Captain William Webb, came down this morning, via Wil-
mington river, to attack our vessels in Warsaw, accompanied by two wooden
steamers, filled, it is said, with persons as spectators. The Weehawken,
Captain John Eodgers, at once engaged her, firing in all five shots, three of
which took efiect, penetrating her armor, and killing or wounding the crews
of two guns. Two or three of thej)il&t8 were also badly wounded, and the
pilot-house broken up whereuponlme vessel grounded, and immediately af-
ter surrendered. The Weehawken was not hit. The armament of the At-
lanta was two seven-inch and two six-inch guns. She is but slightly in-
jured.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding 8. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
P. S. — The officers and crew of the Atlanta numbered one hundred and
sixty-five persons.
S. F. D.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal, South Carolina, June 19, 1863.
SiK : I have the honor to forward herewith (marked No. 1) the interesting
report of Captain John Rodgers, of the Weehawken, of the capture, on the
17th instant, of the confederate iron-clad steamer Atlanta, better known as
the Fingal, as well as the report of Commodore Rodgers, and the report of
Commander Downes, of the Nahant, who participated in the capture, marked
No. 2.
The Fingal, in a dense fog, ran the blockade of Savannah a few days af-
ter the Port Royal forts *pere taken, in November, 1861. She has been
closely watched ever since, and, as in the case of the Nashville, the long
and ceaseless vigilance of my officers has been rewarded. The Atlanta is
now in. Port Royal under the. American flag, having, unaided, steamed into
this harbor from Warsaw.
The department will notice, in this event, how well Captain. Rodgers has
sustained his distinguished reputation, and added to the list of the brilliant
services which he has rendered to his country during the rebellion. It will
be my duty to recapitulate those services which have taken place during his
connexion with my command in another communication.
Commander Downes, with his usual gallantry, moved as rapidly as pos-
sible towards the enemy, reserving, his fire until he could get into close ac-
tion, but lost the opportunity, from the brief nature of the engagement, of
using his battery.
I have been told that the confederate government considered the Atlanta
as the most efficient of their iron-clads.
The officers and crew of the Atlanta, with the exception of the wounded
and one of the surgeons, have been transferred to the United States steamer
James Adger to Be conveyed to Fortress Monroe. A list is herewith en-
closed, marked No. 3.
200 ARMORED VESSELS.
I cannot close this despatch without calling the attention of the depart-
ment to the coolness and gallantry of Acting Master Benjamin W. Loring,
especially recommended by Captain Eodgers. I trust that the department
will consider his services as worthy of consideration.
I forward herewith (marked Nos. 4, 5, and 6) the list of the officers and
crews of the Weehawken, Nahant and Gimmerone.
Very respectfully,
S. F. DUPONT.
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of Captain John Rodgers, commanding United Stata steamer Weehawim.
United States Steamer Weehawken,
Warsaw Sound, Georgia, June 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that this morning at 4.10 an iron-clad
vessel was discovered coming down at the mouth of Wilmington river; also
two other steamers, one a side-wheel and the other a propeller.
Beat to quarters and commenced clearing the ship for action. At 4.20
slipped the cable and steamed slowly down towards the northeast end of
Warsaw island. At 4.30 turned and stood up the sound, heading for the
iron-clad, which at this time was discovered to have the rebel flag flying.
The Nahant, having no pilot, followed in our wake. At 4.55 the enemy,
being about one and a half mile distant, fired a rifle shot, which passed
across our stern and struck near the Nahant. At this time the enemy was
lying across the channel waiting our attack. At 5.15, being distant from
him about 300 yards, we commenced firing.
At 5.30 the enemy hauled down his colors and hoisted the " white flag;''
we having fired five shots, steamed near the iron-clad, and ordered a boat to
be sent alongside. At 5.45 Lieutenant Alexander came on board to surren-
der the confederate iron-clad Atlanta. He reported the vessel aground on
the sand spit that makes to the southeast from' Cabbage island. Shortly af-
terwards Captain W. A. Webb came on board and delivered up his sword.
Sent a prize crew to take charge of the vessel, under the command of Lieu-
tenant Commander D. B. Harmony, of the Nahant; sent also Lieutenant Com-
mander J. J. Cornwell, of this vessel, and Acting First Assistant Engineer
J. G. Young, to take charge of the engine.
About this time the Nahant came in collision with this vessel, striking her
eighteen inches from the end of forward overhang, starting apart the armor
at the stern two inches on the top, tapering to three-quarters of an inch at
water-line, extending down as far as can be seen, and detaching the armor
from the sides three-quarters of an inch, a distance of six feet, tapering to
nothing at seven feet from the stern. The deck plating on the forward end
of overhang is curved up twenty-two inches in length, the wood beneath
being somewhat crushed.
On examination it was found that the enemy had been struck four times —
first on the inclined side by a 15-inch cored shot, which, although fired at an
angle of 50 degrees with her keel, broke in the armor and wood backing,
strewing the deck with splinters, prostrating about 40 men by the concus-
sion, and wounding several by broken pieces of armor and splinters. One
man has since died.
The second shot, 11-inch solid, struck the edge of overhang, (knuckle,)
doing no damage, except breaking a plate or two.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 201
The third shot, 15-inch cored, struck the top of the pilot-house, knocking
it off, wounding two pilots, and stunning the men at the wheel. The fourth
Bhot, supposed to be the 11-inch, struck a port stopper in the centre, break-
ing it in two, and shattering it very much, driving many fragments in
through the port.
At 8.30 the engine of the Atlanta was reversed by Engineer J. G. Young,
and the vessel backed off into deep water, where she was brought to an
anchor.
The wounded, 16 in number, were removed to the steamer Island City,
which had been kindly brought over from Port Pulaski by Colonel Barton,
United States army.
The officers of the vessel were sent to the tug Oleander, and a portion of
the crew to the United States steamer Cimmerone for transportation to Port
Royal.
The Atlanta was found to have mountfed two 6-inch and two 7-inch rifles;
the 6-inch in broadside, the 7-inch working on a pivot, either as broadside or
bow and stern guns. There is a large supply of ammunition for these guns,
and other stores said to be of great value by some of the officers of the
vessel.
There were on board at the time of the capture, as per muster-roll, 21
officers and 124 men, including 28 marines.
The captured confederate officers told me that they thought we should
find the speed of the Atlanta reach ten knots. They believe her the strongest
iron-clad in the confederacy, ajid confidently anticipated taking both the
Nahant and the Weehawken.
The behavior of the officers and crew was admirable.
Lieutenant Commander J. J. Cornwell did his duty zealously and effi-
ciently. Acting Master Benj. W. Loring, whom I recommended for promo-
tion for gallant behavior under the fire of Fort Darling, served the guns
admirably, as the result shows. His energy and coolness were everything
which could be wished. Executive officer. Lieutenant Commander J. J.
Cornwell, informs me that on the berth deck the powder and shell divisions,
under Acting Master C. C. Kingsbury, wore the aspect of exercise so com-
pletely that no one would have thought the vessel was in action.
The engine, under the direction of Acting First Assistant Engineer James
G. Young, always in beautiful order, was well worked. Mr. Young has, I
hope, by his participation in this action, won the promotion for which, on
account of his skill and valuable services, I have already recommended him.
Jn a word, every man in the vessel did his duty.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
JOHN EODGERS, Captain.
, Bear- Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding South Atlantio Blockading Squadron.
The following is a list of officers of the late confederate iron-clad steamer
Atlanta: ,
*Wi!liam A. Webb, commander; *J. W. Alexander, 1st lieutenant; *A1-
fonse Barbot, 2d lieutenant; G. H. Arleage, 3d lieutenant; P. L. Wrag, mas-
ter; *A. L. Freeman, surgeon; L. L. Gibbs, assistant surgeon; J. Macon,
paymaster; *G. H. Johnson, 1st assistant engineer; W. F. Worrell, 2d assist-
ant engineer; L. G. King, 3d assistant engineer; J. S. West, midshipman;
E. J. Peters, midshipman, Wm. McBlair, master's mate; T. B. Travers, gun-
nCT; R. J. Thurston, 1st lieutenant marines ; G. W. Casey, paymaster's clerk.
<^I;ate of the ITuited States navy.
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204 ARMORED VESSELS.
Report of Commandtr John Dovma, commanding United States steamer NaJumt.
United States Ikon-clad Steamer Nahant,
Warsaw Sound, June 18, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following statement of the participa-
tion of this vessel in the capture of the rebel iron-clad steamer Atlanta, cap-
tured by the Weehawken and Nahant yesterday morning in these waters.
The Atlanta was first discovered at early dawn about three miles distant,
standing towards us, coming out from the Wilmington river, and rapidly
approaching. At first she was mistaken for our us.ual visitor, a steamer
thkt had reconnoitred us daily about this hour, but a few moments sufficed
to show us the true character of the vessel, and we instantly commenced
weighing anchor and clearing ship for action. The Weehawken, slipping
her cable, passed us, standing out seaward, at about 4.45 a. m. clearing ship
for action, and in a few moments, our anchor being weighed, we followed
in her wake. At this time the Atlanta fired the first shot, which passed
close to our pilot-house. The Weehawken having at this time turned, was
approaching the enemy, who continued, however, to direct his fire upon us,
though without effect. At 5 a. m. the Weehawken closed with the enemy
and opened fire on him with accuracy, this vessel approaching at the time
with the intention of running him aboard before delivering fire ; but at the
fourth fire of the Weehawken the enemy struck and hoisted the white flag,
the firing ceasing after one more shot from the Weehawken, this vessel
not having had the satisfaction of expending one shot in reply to the
enemy's fire, which had been directed exclusively at her.
Lieutenant Commander Harmony proceeded on board the prize at 5.30,
taking possession and hoisting the American ensign.
During the action two of the enemy's armed steamers were in sight up
the river, crowded with people, apparently observing the progress of events,
who steamed off up the river when the result was attained.
The behavior of the ofScers and men, was, as usual, everything that could
be desired. Acting Ensign Clark, though quite sick and under doctor's
charge, proceeded to his station at the first call, and remained there until
the affair was decided.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN DOWNBS, Commander.
Captain John Rodgers,
Senior Officer present, United States Steamer Weehawken.
Report of mrvey upon the hull, armor, Sfc., of the Atlanta.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyal Harbor, S. C, June 25, 1863.
Sir: The department has been informed in previous despatches of the
capture of the confederate iron-clad steamer Atlanta.
On the 20th instant I ordered a strict and careful survey to be made of
her hull, armor, machinery, armament, &c., (enclosed, marked No. 1,) and I
herewith submit the report made in pursuance thereof, (marked No. 2,) as
well as a drawing made of th& vessel by Second Assistant Engineer P. R.
Voorhees, of this ship, and a pencil sketch by Mr. Xanthus Smith, Commander
Corbin's clerk.
I also forward herewith a survey upon the paymaster's stores of the prize,
(marked No. 8,) part of which, as the department will perceive, are reported
ARMOEED VESSELS. 205
as of good quality and fit for use in the storekeeper's department of the
squadron; the rest of the stores are not considered suitable for that purpose,
and it is recommended that they be sold. May I ask the department to give
special directions whether they may be disposed of here, if practicable, or
whether they should be sent north. I will forward, by the next mail, the
report showing in detail the quantity and character of the ammunition found
on boar(^
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyd Harbor, S. C, June 20, 1863.
GrENTLEMEN: Tou will please make a strict and careful survey on the lafe
confederate iron-clad steamer Atlanta, describing her hull, armor, machinery,
armament, ammunition, the injuries to the vessel by the shot from the Wee-
hawken, the repairs necessary to be made, and the general internal arrange-
ment of the vessel for light and ventilation. You will report in duplicate.
Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Captain Wm. E. Tatlor, Commander C. E. P. Eodgers, Chief Engineer Eob't
Danby, Lieutenant A. S. Mackenzie.
United States Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, June 22, 1863.
SiS: In obedience to your order dated 20th instant, we have held a strict
and careful survey on the late confederate iron-clad steamer Atlanta, and
have the honor to submit the following report:
1st. We find that this vessel was originally an iron merchant steamer,
called the Fingal. She has been cut down, so as to leave the deck about
two feet above the water with her present draught. A casemate rises from
this deck, suflBciently large to accommodate four guns, the sides and ends
of which are inclined at an angle of about 29° with the horizon. The top
is flat, and the roof of the pilot-house extends over it, pyramidally, to a
height of about three feet. The deck overlaps the original iron hull six
feet on each side, tapering towards the ends of the vessel, and projecting
beyond them. The sides are protected by timber, running from a point
several feet below the water-line to the edge of the deck, forming a heavy,
solid overway of wood and armor.
The armor, four inches in thickness, is composed of two layers of 2-inch
rolled iron plates, seven inches wide, the inner of which runs horizontally,
and the outer vertically. They are secured to a backing of oak, three inches
thick, and of pine fifteen inches thick, by bolts one inch and a quarter in
diameter, countersunk on the outside of the armor, and drawn up on the in-
side of the vessel by nuts and washers. Wherever the bolts pass through,
a space is left between the horizontal plates, which is filled in with oak
plank, to avoid the expense and trouble of drilling through more than one
layer, as we suppose.
The bow terminates in an iron beak or ram, which forms a part of the
stem. A wooden pole connected with an iron lever, capable of being lowered
below the water and raised again at pleasure, projects beyond the ram, and
p.arrips at its end a percussion torpedo.
206 ARMOEED VESSELS.
There are three port-holes on each side, and one at each end. The bow
and stern guns are pivoted so as to work at the end or at either of the near-
est broadside port-holes. The broadside guns are not opposite to each other.
Each port-hole is defended by an iron shutter made in the same manner as
the armor of the vessel, except that the two layers of plates are strongly
riveted together. The shutters are hung upon a pivot in one of the upper
corners, and may be raised by a chain from one of the lower cornene, passing
through the side, and attached to a tackle on the inside of the vessel. When
the tackle is let go, the shutter will fall into its place by its own weight, and
close the port-hole.
The dimensions are as follows:
Extreme length, 204 feet; extreme breadth, 41 feet; draught of water, 15
feet 9 inches.
The battery deck is of great strength. It appears to be of solid timbers
seventeen inches thick, resting on beams ten inches thick.
2. The machinery consists of two cylinders, thirty-nine inches in diameter
and thirty inches stroke. The engines are vertical and direct acting, with a
surface condenser. There is one " flue tubular boiler," having four furnaces —
two at each end of the boiler. There are also one auxiliary boiler, three
steam pumps, a blowing engine, and pans. The engines were built by James
and George Thomas, of Glasgow, in 1861.
3. The armament is composed of two Vll-inch and two VIj\j-inch rifled
guns of the Brookes pattern, and they all bear the marks of the Tredegar
foundry.
The rifling consists of seven grooves, each of which is formed by a curved
cut, starting from the bore, running below it to a depth of about ten inches,
and then returning to the bore upon an increased curve. The next groove
commences where the last terminates.
The following are some of the principal dimensions :
Vll-inch. Vl^inch.
Extreme length inches.. 14T.00 142.00
Length to base ring to muzzle inches.. 124.25 121.00
Length from base ring to end of cascabel. . . .inches. . 22.15 21.00
Diameter of cylinder inches.. 31.30 24.65
at rimbases inches.. 31.40 24.15
at muzzle inches.. 14 15 10.79
Thickness of wrought-iron sleeve inches. . 2.00 2.00
Length of wrought-iron sleeve^ inches.. 30.25 30.00
Weight of wrought-iron sleeve pounds . 15,300 9,200
The chambers of the guns are conical. The guns are not turned ; their
exteriors are in the same condition in which they left the mould. There is
no chipping about the rimbases; but the metal runs from their faces, in a
curve, to the proper diameter on the vertical plane between them.
The elevating screws are similar to those in use on board our own ships.
The breech sights are described in the ordnance service as of the Brookes
pattern. The bar slides through the boxes, with an angle in front; the
graduation is in yards on one side, and in degrees on the other.
The locks correspond nearly with those in use on the modern navy guns.
The Vll-inch guns are mounted on pivot carriages resembling our own
very nearly. They traverse on iron circles.
The Vl/^inch guns are mounted on Marsilly carriages, differing in some
trifling particulars from our own standard. The port-holes are so small as
to admit of very slight lateral training, and of an elevation not to exceed
from 5° to 1°.
4. Owing to the extreme heat and foul air prevailing in the ship, but a
slight examinatio n could be made of the ammunition. It will bp nor-Mooi.
AEMOEED VESSELS.
207
to remove it before it can be safely overhauled. It is estimated, however,
that the quantity will not vary far from 125 to 150 rounds.
The powder is stowed in wooden tanks, and consists of 8, 10, 12, 14, and
16 pound charges. There are two magazines — one forward and the other
abaft.
We find on board various classes of projectiles for the guns : solid shot,
shells with percussion and time fuzes, sheila marked Kobbins's fluid shells
for Vll-inch rifles, and a quantity of grape and canister for the Vlj^^-inch
rifles. The following are the weights and lengths of the shot and shell :
Kinds of projectiles.
Vn-inch.
VljVinch.
Length.
Weight.
Length.
Weight.
Shells .:
Inches.
16
15i
12
14
Lbs.
100
133
114
123
Jnches.
13J
12
Lbs.
68
Wrought shot, long ..._...__.. ..
94
Wrought shot, short...................
m
76
The shot, shells, and small-arm ammunition are so scattered about the
vessel, and some of those articles are in such insecure places, that no exact
report, or even satisfactory examination of them, can be made until they are
collected and classified.
The same remark applies equally to small-arms, locks, sights, gun-imple-
ments, &c., &c., which are scattered promiscuously about the vessel.
5. For the reason assigned in the preceding section of this report, we
would respectfully recommend that the ship be thoroughly broken out, and
all stores in every department be collected where they can be examined, and
an accurate account be taken of them. At present any report upon them
must, necessarily, be very imperfect and unsatisfactory.
6. The ship requires thorough cleansing; at present she is in great disor-
der. It is impossible that any one could remain below the battery deck for
any length of time without serious inconvenience, if not danger, on account
of the foul air prevailing there. The ofiBcers' apartments, as well as the
berth deck, are very imperfectly ventilated, rendering them almost unin-
habitable in hot weather; the heat upon the latter is almost insupportable,
owing to the galley being placed there. Before employing this vessel in
our own service, we would strongly recommend that measures be taken to
provide light and air below.
T. The machinery, generally, is in good condition, and requires but slight
repairs to fit it for service. There are marks of four shot upon the hull.
One XV-inch struck the side of the casemate on a line with the port-holes ;
it broke the armor completely through, although its course was somewhat
oblique. The wooden backing was much splintered, and several bolts were
drawn from their places. It has left a large hole entirely thrxDugh the armor
and backing, though the shot itself did not pass through.
Another shot struck the midship port shutter on the starboard side, break-
ing both layers of plates, and indenting rthe armor beneath. The course of
this shot was more oblique than that of the former.
A third shot struck the top of the pilot-house, broke the heavy iron cast-
ing that formed it, and displaced several plates below it, breaking and in-
denting them. A fourth shot struck the edge of the overway about amid-
208 AEMORED VESSELS.
ships on the starboard side; it broke and displaced several plates, but did
not penetrate them. The direction of this shot was very oblique.
The smoke-stack has a hole through it, caused by a splinter from the port
shutter. ' • v, v, *■
All necessary repairs to the hull can be made in a few days, with but
trifling expense. . ,
8. One feature in this vessel is particularly noticeable, and that is tne
roughness of all the work about her. No expense has been incurred tor
finish or ornament. The comfort of the crew, and its sanitary condition,
appear to have been totally disregarded. Efficiency in battle seems to have
been the sole point aimed at. ■
9. The armor appears to have been made of English railroad iron rolled
into its present shape ; in some of the fractures it has broken off almost as
short as if it had been cast iron. The pine backing, it is probable, does not
possess the best qualities for resistance, being very brittle, and, in conse-
quence, dangerous to those inside of the casemates.
10. As chronometers and other nautical instruments were found 'on board,
there is reason to suppose that this vessel was intended for sea purpose.
11. Drawings accompany this report, which will show the general appear-
ance of the ship, and some of her arrangements.
We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
WM. ROGERS TAYLOR, Captain U. S. Navy.
C. R. P. RODGERS, Commander.
ROBERT DANBY, Fleet Engipeer U. S. Navy.
A. J. MACKENZIE, lAevienanl U. 3. Navy.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Comd'g S. A. B. Squadron.
Note — The backing of the armor is composed of three layers of wood. The outer one,
of oak, tuns vertically; the next, of pine, runs horizontally; and the third, also of piufi,
runs Teitically.
Survey on dothiTig and small stores on board the Atlanta,
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, June 19, 1863.
Gentlemen : You will please to hold a strict and careful survey on the
provisions, clothing, and small stores on board the prize rebel iron-clad At-
lanta, ascertain their quantity, appraise their value, and report the proper
disposition to be made of them, reporting in triplicate.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Comd'g S. A. B. Squadron.
Paymaster Frank C. Cosby,
United States Steamer Vermont.
Paymaster R. J. Richardson,
United Staies Steamer Wdiash.
Acting Assistant Paymaster J. S. Isaacs,
United States Steamer Vermont.
United States Ship Vermont,
Port Boyal, South Carolina, June 23, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order of the 19th instant, hereunto appended
we have held a strict and careful survey upon the paymaster's stores of the
prize rebel iron-clad steamer Atlanta, and beg leave to make the following
report, viz :
AEMORED VESSELS. 209
PROVISIONS.
26 barrels bread, 2,211 pounds, at 4.68 cents $103 76
1 barrel flour, 196 pounds 8 70
3 barrels rice, 586 pounds, at 8.56 cents 50 16
1 keg dried apples, 10'4 pounds, at 8 cents 8 32
Part keg dried apples, 10 pounds, at 8 cents 80
Part chest peas, 25 pounds, at 77 cents 19 25
2 barrels vinegar, about 50 gallons, at 12.19 cents 6 09
Part barrel vinegar, about 10 gallonSj at 12.19 cents 1 22
Which we find to be of good quality, and recommend to be turned into the
storekeeper's department of this squadron for issue. Also^-
12 barrels pork, value $15 $180 00
14 barrels beef, value $14 196 00
1 barrel hams, 218 pounds, value 10 cents 21 80
3 barrels bacon, 515 pounds, value 7 cents 36 05
2 barrels flour, value $5 10 00
6 barrels peas, 147 gallons, value 12^ cents 18 37
Which are of medium quality, and are recommended to be sold for the
benefit of the captors of the Atlanta.
GLOTHING.
28 blue cloth round jackets, value $3 $84 00
3 white duck overshirts, value 90 cents , 2 70
154 white cotton undershirts, value 50 cents 77 00
147 pairs cotton drawers, value 50 cents 73 50
28 pairs mixed cotton trowsers, value 50 cents 14 00
10 white blankets, value $175 17 50
15 seamless woollen caps, value 90 cents 13 50
SMALL STORES.
7 jack-knives, value 10 cents 70
25 tin pots, value 3 cents 75
17 tin pans, value 4 cents 68
CONTINGENT.
8 boxes candles, 400 pounds, value 16 cents 64 00
All of which we recommend to be sold for the benefit of the captors, the
articles not being of the kind or quality to issue in the navy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
PRANK 0. COSBY, Paymaster.
R. J, RICHARDSON, Paymaster.
JOHN S. ISAACS, Acting Assistant Paymaster.
Eear-Admiral S. P. DuPont,
United Stales Navy, Flag-Ship Wabash.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 14
210 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Appraisal of value of the Atlanta and her equijomerUs, and inventory of ordnance and ordnance ttoret.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, South Carolina, July 2, 1863.
Sir : I forward herewith (marked No. 1) the report of a board of survey ap-
pointed to appraise the value of the hull, machinery, ordnance, ordnance stores,
provisions and small stores, and equipments, of the prize iron-clad steamer
Atlanta. The whole valuation amounts to three hundred and fifty thousand
eight hundred and twenty-nine dollars and twenty-six cents, ($350,829 26.)
I also forward herewith an inventory of the ordnance and ordnance stores,
(marked No. 2,) the survey on the provisions and small stores, (marked No.
3,) and the survey on equipments and stores in the master's, boatswain's,
sailmaker's, and carpenter's departments, (marked No. 4.)
I have also forwarded by this mail, to the department, the flags of the
Atlanta, the muster-roll of that vessel and the Georgia, and the log-book of
the Atlanta.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Eear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington; D. G.
United States Ship Ho0satonic,
Port Boyal Harbor, July 1, 1863.
Sib: In obedience to your order of the 29th ultimo, we have made a "careful
and accurate appraisement of the value of the captured confederate iron-
clad steamer Atlanta, including therein her hull, machinery, ordnance, ord-
nance stores, provisions and small stores, and equipments," all of which we
present below, under those heads, respectively:
Hull $250, 000 00
Machinery ; 80, 000 00
Ordnance, ordnance stores, &c 14, 022 91
Medical stores 20 00
Provisions, clothing, and small stores 1, 012 85
Equipments and stores in the master's, boatswain's, sailmaker's,
and carpenter's departments 5, 113 50
Total valuation 350, 829 26
We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
WILLIAM ROGERS TAYLOR, Captain.
ROBERT DANBY, Fleet Engineer.
A. S. MACKENZIE, Lieut, and Executive Officer.
CHARLES BOARDMAN, Carpenter V. S. N.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Boyal, S. O.
ARMOEED VESSELS. 211
United States Ship Housatonic,
Port Boyd Harbor, June 30, 1863.
• Sir: In obedience to your order of the 29th instant, we have made a careful
and accurate inventory of the ordnance and ordnance stores on board the
captured confederate iron-clad steamer Atlanta, and have the honor to sub-
mit the following report:
Two T-inch pivot guns, weighing 15,305 and 15,162 pounds; two 6y^-inch
broadside guns, weighing 9,110 pounds each
The above are rifled guns of the Brookes pattern.
Two pivot carriages and slides for V-inch guns, complete, including ten slide
and carriage levers ; four pivot bolts; two elevating screws; four compressors;
two Marsilly carriages for broadside guns, complete, including two elevating
screws; sixty-nine 1-inch rifle shot, cast, Tennessee sabot; sixty-four 7-inch
rifle shot, wrought, hollow bottom ; fifty-three 6 j*jy-inch rifle shot, cast, Tennessee
sabot; twenty five Gj^g-inch rifle shot, wrought, hollow bottom; ninety 7-inch
percussion shell, loaded and fuzed, Tennessee sabot; seventeen 7-inch per-
cussion shell, loaded, not fuzed, Tennessee sabot; seventeen 7-inch Eobbins's
fluid shell, percussion, Tennessee sabot; nine 6j*o-inch Robbins's fluid shell,
5" time fuze, Tennessee sabot; ten 6^inch Robbins's fluid shell, 10" time
fuze, Tennessee sabot; three 6'j^inch Robbins's fluid shell, 15" time fuze,
Tennessee sabot; fifty-five 6j-%-inch percussion shell, loaded and fuzed,
Tennessee sabot; eighteen 6];^inch shell, loaded, 5" time fuze, lead sabot;
eighteen 6j-*j-inch shell, loaded, 10" time fuze, lead sabot; one 7-inch Eob-
bins's fluid shell, 10" time fuze, Tennessee sabot; three 7-inch shell, empty,
Tennessee sabot.
The greater part of the above shells are in boxes.
Seventeen 6j-*j-inch grape-shot; seventeen 6j*o-inch canister.
112 charges for 7-inch guns, 12 pounds each 1,344 pounds.
1,078 "
864 "
77
iC
it
14
54
tt
ti
16
87
6t^
It
8
46
((
''
10
116
tt
It
12
Loose cannon
powder
. . . >
- . . .
696
'460
1,392
150
Powder in good condition ^ 5, 984
Ten charges for 7-inch guns, 12 pounds each, (damaged,) 120 pounds;
one hundred and twelve cartridge bags for 7-inch charges, 12 pounds;
seventy-seven cartridge bags for 7-inch charges, 14 pounds; sixty-five
cartridge bags for 7-inch charges, 16 pounds; eighty-seven cartridge bags
for 6j*j-inch charges, 8 pounds; forty-six cartridge bags for 6j^inch charges,
10 pounds; one hundred and twenty-six cartridge bags for Gj^inch charges,
12 pounds; forty-two wooden powder tanks, 200 pounds; two boring bits;
six priming irons; five fuze wrenches; three vent punches; one tent drill;
twenty gun tackles, (not serviceable;) two 7-inch truckings; three 6yV'iich
truckings; six breeching pins; nine passing boxes, (only one serviceable;)
one 7- inch ladle; one 6j^-inch ladle; two 7-inch gun scrapers; two 6j*g7inch
gun scrapers; one 7-inch worm, with guide rings; one 6y*g;inch worm, with
guide rings; three 7-inch rammers; three 6j*^inch rammers; three 7-inch
woollen sponges, with Robinson's worm; three 6^inch woollen sponges,
with Robinson's worm; three rubber handspikes; nine ordinary handspikes;
twenty boarding pikes; two sponge caps; twenty-three Enfield rifles, calibre
.58, (three broken;) eleven United States muskets, calibre .69; thirty May-
212 AEMOEED VESSELS.
nard's rifles, breech-loading'; eleven sabre bayonets, Enfield; twenty-one
sabre bayonets, Sharpe's pattern; twenty-eight sabre bayonet scabbards;
thirty-six cap pouches; forty-nine cartridge boxes; twenty-nine waist belts;
two arm chests; two cutlasses, old pattern; one cutlass, new pattern; nine
cartridge-formers; twenty-six wipers for Maynard's rifles; twenty-nine
bullet-moulds for revolvers ; three bullet-moulds for muskets; twenty-five
screwdrivers; nineteen screwdrivers and cone keys; five hundred revolver
cartridges, (packages broken;) one bag of bullets; one box of bullets for
Maynard's rifles, (two hundred;) five padlocks; two fuze wrenches; one
hundred and thirty-five friction tubes; thirteen hundred cannon-primers;
fifteen metal stock fuzes; seven cannon locks; four cannon locks, strings
and toggles; four breech sights and screws, metal; five wooden truck
sights; four reinforce sights and screws, metal; seven vent punches; five
worms for sponges; two hundred and fifty-five musket cartridges; five
torpedoes; six torpedo fuzes; four boxes rifle cartridges, (five hundred
good:) twenty-one cartridge pouches; one pistol holster; one primer box;
twenty-three rockets, (damaged;) one box blue-lights, (damaged.)
Except such articles as are specially noted in the foregoing inventory,
these equipments and stores are in good condition, requiring but slight
overhauling and repairs to fit them for immediate service.
We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
WILLIAM ROGERS TAYLOR, Captain.
WILLIAM REYNOLDS, Gommander.
A. S. MACKENZIE, Lieutenant, Exec. Officer.
Eear-Admiral S. F. DdPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
Invenion/ of siora in carpenter's, sailmaher's, boatswain's, and master's departments.
Flag-Ship Wabash,
Port Boyd Harbor, South 'Carolina, June 20, 1863.
Gentlemen: Yon will make 'a careful inventory of the stores in the car-
penter's, sailmaker's, boatswain's, and master's departments of the prize
iron-clad steamer Atlanta, and appraise the value of the same.
You will also superintend their transhipment to the storeship Valparaiso.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Acting Master A. S. Gardner.
Acting Ensign John Blitz.
Sailmaker John Joins.
United States Ship Valpaeaiso,
Port Boyal Harbor, South Carolina, June 23, 1863.
Sir: In obedience to your orders of the 20th June, herewith annexed, we
have made a careful inventory of the stores in the carpenter's, sailmaker's
boatswain's, and master's departments of the prize iron-olad steamer Atlanta
and respectfully report as follows:
AEMOEED VESSELS.. 213
sailmaker's depaetmbnt.
Valuation.
Eighty new hammocks $100 00
Four hundred yards old canvas 10 00
Two old boat sails 3 00
1113 00
boatswain's department.
Fifty pounds spun yarn 5 00
Forty oars 15 00
Seven boat-hooks » . 3 00
Seventy-five fathoms 1-inch manilla 5 00
Fifty palmetto brooms 10 00
38 00
carpenter's department.
One tool-chest, with tools 10 00
master's department.
Three gallons spirits turpentine 5 00
One binnacle and compass 5 00
One broken barometer 2 50
12 50
Total appraisal 113 50
Also, a quantity of old blocks, tackle, and rigging, and old iron, worthless
Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
A. S. GAEDNER, Acting Master.
JOHN BLITZ, Acting Ensdgn.
JOHN JOINS, Sailmaher.
Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPont.
Congratulatory letter to Captain John Rodgers on the capture of the Atlantia.
Navy Department, June 25, 1863.
Sir: Tour despatch of the 17th instant, announcing the capture of the
rebel iron-clad steamer Fingal, alias Atlanta, has been received.
Although gallantly sustained by Commander John Downes, of the Nahant,
the victory, owing to the brevity of the contest, was yours, and it gives me
unaffected pleasure to congratulate you upon the result.
Every contest in which the iron-clads have been engaged against iron-
clads has been instructive, and affords food for reflection. The lessons to be
drawn are momentous.
On the 8th of March, 1862, there were lying at anchor at Hampton Roads
the first-class steam frigates Roanoke and Minnesota, the sailing frigates
Congress and St. Lawrence, the razee Cumberland, and several gunboats.
In the presence of this formidable force, representing the highest offensive
power of the wooden navy, boldly appeared the rebel iron-clad steamer Mer-
214 AEMORED VESSELS.
riniack; and, notwithstanding the broadsides poured into her by, and the
heroic defence of, the Congress and the Cumberland, these two wooden ves-
sels were easily destroyed, and the fate of the others was only reserved for
the morrow. During the night, however, the Monitor, the first vessel of her
class, arrived, and on the 9th of March, when the morning mists lifted and
showed the Merrimack and her wooden consorts approaching to complete
the work of destruction, our defence consisted not in the great ships that
were still afloat and their numerous heavy guns, but in a single small iron-
clad vessel armed with two guns. History has recorded the courage and
skill of Commander John L. Worden, who, disappearing in the smoke
of the advanced fleet, dispersed and put to flight their wooden steamers,
turned at bay the Merrimack, grappled with that formidable monster, and
drove her back into Norfolk, and kept her there until the evacuation of that
place led the rebels to destroy their famous iron-clad, rather than encounter
and risk her capture by her puny antagonist. The lessons_ of that contest
taught us the inadequacy of wooden vessels and our existing ordnance to
meet armored ships. For inland operations the Monitor turret was imme-
diately adopted, and the fifteen-inch gun of Rodman, being the only gun of
greater weight than the eleven-inch yet tested, was ordered to be placed in
the turrets of the vessels that were constructing. The result of this policy
is developed in the action through which you have just passed. In fifteen
minutes, and with four shots, you overpowered and captured a formidable
steamer, but slightly inferior to the Merrimack — a vessel that, the preceding
year, had battled, with not very serious injury to herself, against four
frigates, a razee, and for a time with one Monitor, armed with eleven-inch
guns— thus demonstrating the offensive power of the new and improved
Monitors armed with guns of fifteen-inch calibre.
Your early connexion with the Mississippi flotilla, and your participation
in the projection and construction of the first iron-clads on the western
waters — your heroic conduct in the attack on Drury's Bluff — the high moral
courage that led you to put to sea in the Weehawken upon the approach of
a violent storm, in order to teat the sea-going qualities of these new craft,
at the time when a safe anchorage was close under your lee — the brave and
daring manner in which you, with your associates, pressed the iron-clads
under the concentrated fire of the batteries in Charleston harbor, and there
tested and proved the endurance and resisting power of these vessels, and
your crowning, successful achievement in the capture of the Fingal, alias
Atlanta, are all proofs of a skill, and courage, and devotion to the country
and the cause of the Union, regardless of self, that cannot be permitted to
pass unrewarded. To your heroic daring and persistent moral courage,
beyond that of any other individual, is the country indebted for the develop-
ment, under trying and varied circumstances on the ocean, under enormous
batteries on land, and in successful rencontre with a formidable floating
antagonist of the capabilities and qualities of attack and resistance of the
Monitor class of vessels and their heavy armament. For these heroic and
serviceable acts I have presented your name to the President, requesting
him to recommend that Congress give you a vote of thanks in order that
you may be advanced to the grade of commodore in the American navy.
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Captain Johk Rodgers, U. S. N.,
Commanding United States Steamer Weehawken,
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Fort Royal, South Carolina.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 215
Congratulatory hUer to Rear-Admiral DuPont_ on the capture of the Atlanta.
Navy Department, June 26, 1863.
Sir : The department has received your several despatches announcing
the capture of the rebel iron-clad steamer Fingal, alias Atlanta, and enclosing
the detailed reports of Captain John Eodgers and Commander John Downes
of the affair.
I take occasion to express the department's appreciation of your prompt
measures to prepare for the expected appearance of the rebel iron-clads by
sending off Savannah two of our own, ably commanded, and congratulate
you on the acquisition of so powerful a vessel, which promises to be of im-
portant service on the station.
To your ceaseless vigilance, and that of the officers under your command,
were we indebted, some months since, for the destruction of the notorious
steamer Nashville, which the enemy had armed and fruitlessly endeavored
to send out to destroy our commerce ; and now to your timely measures,
and the efficient means provided, do we owe the capture of one of the most
powerful iron-clads afloat — 'a vessel prepared after months of toil and great
expenditure of money, and sent forth with confidence to disperse our block-
ading fleet and overcome our Monitors.
You may well regard this, and we may with pleasure look upon it, as a
brilliant termination of a command gallantly commenced, and conducted
for nearly two years with industry, energy, and ability.
The department desires you to recommend to it an officer of the South At-
lantic blockading squadron to command the Atlanta.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
S. F. DuPoNT,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Fort Royal, S. C.
Report of survey on turret of Patapsco.
[Despatch No. 330— 1863.]
Flag- Ship Wabash,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C, June 25, 1863.
SiK : I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a report (marked
No. 1) made by Lieutenant Commander Erben, of the Patapsco, stating
that a tooth of the main pinion of the turret gearing of that vessel had
given way a second time.
Commander George Eodgers, the senior officer in North Bdisto, ordered a
survey, the report of which is herewith enclosed, (marked No. 2.)
The board say that though it might be temporarily repaired at Port Eoyal,
yet for efficient service in action a new pinion should be ordered from the
north, where they have the pattern.
I desire, therefore, to call the particular attention of the department to
this report.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
216 AEMOEED TESSELS.
[Euolosure No. 1.— Despatch No. 330, 1863.]
United States Iron-clad Patapsco,
North Edislo, S. C, June 19, 1863.
Sib : I have to report that to-day a tooth of the main pinion of the turret
gearing gave way. On the 1st instant the same tooth gave way while
turning the turret. The chief engineer repaired it by dovetailing a wrought-
iron one in its place. The gearing was reported ready, and the turret turned
three times.
To-day it gave way a second time, and the chief engineer reports his
inability to repair the same here. The turret was used after the breaking
of the tooth ; but, with it gone, the whole pinion is liable to be broken.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
^ ^ H. EEBBN.Jb.,
Lieutenant Commander.
Eear- Admiral S. P. DuPont,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Port Boyal, S., C.
[Enclosure No. 2.— Deepatch No. 330, 1863.]
- United States Ieon-clad Steamer Patapsco,
North Edisto Mel, S. C, June 20, 1863.
Sir : We have examined the condition of the main pinion of the {urret
gearing of this vessel, and are of the opinion that it would be impracticable
to attempt to repair it here with the facilities at hand. It might be temjx)-
rarily repaired at Port Royal, but a new pinion, for effective service in
action, should be ordered from the north, where they have the pattern.
We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
B. B. H. WHAETON, 1st Assistant Engineer.
GEO. D. EMMONS, '■Id Assistant Engineer.
GEO. H. WHITE, M Assistant Engineer.
Commander Geo. W. Eodgebs, U. S. N.,
Commanding United States Iron-clad CatsbUl.
Occupation of Morris island. — Operations of the iron-dads.
Steamer Augusta Dinsmobe,
Off Morris Island, July 12, 1863.
Sir : I have already informed you that an agreement existed between Genr
eral Gillmore and myself to dispossess the enemy of Morris island. The
first measure was taken on Friday, the 10th, when, conformably to said
agreement. General Gillmore was to open his batteries on the north end of
Folly island against the opposite batteries of the enemy placed on Morris
island, and occupying the sandy eminences that form the southern portion
of that island for about a mile north of Light-house inlet.
At 4 a. m. the four iron-clads, Catskill, Commander George W. Kodgers ;
Montauk, Commander D. McN. Fairfax ; Nahant, Commander John Downes;
and Weehawken, Commander E. R. Colhoun, passed the bar, my.flag leading
in the Catskill. About this time General Gillmcre opened his guns with a
rapid and well-sustained fire on the enemy. As soon as sufficiently near, the
iron-clads began to fire with shell upon the enemy's batteries, which were
ARMORED VESSELS. ' 217
replying to General Gillmore, and dispersed ^their men wherever seen to
assemble. About 8 o'clock, being nearly abreast of the northern end of the
ridge of sand hills, the batteries of General Gillmore ceased, and our troops
were seen making their way upon Morris island. They advanced rapidly
and in some force along the beach.
The iron-clads now moved parallel to the low flat ground that extends north-
ward from the sand hills towards Port Wagner, and as near to it as the depth
of the water permitted, rolling shells in every direction over its surface to
clear away any bodies of troops that might be gathered there.
Our troops pushed on, and about this time two or three buildings standing
apart from each other were seen to be in flames, supposed to be the work of
the enemy to unmask the guns of Fort Wagner looking down the beach.
The iron-clads were now laid abreast of Fort Wagner. This is an open
sand work about two and three-quarter miles from the southern end of Mor-
ris island, lying about one and three-quarter miles north of the sand hills,
and commanding the low intervening level.
The number of cannon mounted I am unable to state precisely. There
may be ten or a dozen in all, looking seaward and landward.
It was about half past 9 o'clock when the first shot was fired at this work.
My wish was to close to short grape range, but the chief pilot could not place
the vessels nearer than twelve hundred yards. Our fire was met promptly
and vigorously till noon, when the Monitors dropped down in order to allow
the men an opportunity for dinner, after which our position was reoccupied,
and the attack continued till 6 p. m., when I signalled the action to cease,
for the men had now been at hard work for fourteen hours, and the weather
excessively hot.
The four iron-clads fired five hundred and thirty-four shell and shrapnell
during the day, and, so far as I could discern from the Catskill, and learn
from others who had a better view from a distance, the practice was ex-
cellent.
I was most favorably impressed with the endurance of these iron-clads,
and I had a good opportunity of judging, as the Catskill (according to report
of Commander Eodgers, herewith enclosed) was struck sixty times, a large
per-centage of the hits being very severe. The pilot-house, turret, side
armor, and decks were all more or less damaged. Some of the shots were
large ; one found on deck, where it fell after striking the turret, proved to
be a 10-inch. When these' heavy shot struck, the concussion was very great.
An officer (Acting Master Simmons) touching the turret at such a time was
knocked down senseless and much injured. The iron of the pilot-house was
broken through entirely, and a nut from one of the bolts driven against the
lining so as to break it through. The deck-plates are also cut through in
many places, so as to make the entrance of water troublesome.
The test was most severe, as any one would admit who will look at the
vessel. Yet after firing one hundred and twenty-eight rounds she came out
of action in good working order, as was proven by her going into action
next day.
The enemy seemed" to have made a mark of the Catskill. The Nahant was
hit six times, the Montauk twice; the Weehawken escaped untouched. The
next morning I received a note in pencil from General Gillmore, stating that
he had made an assault at early daybreak on Fort Wagner, and had been
repulsed. He learned that re-enforcements were expected at 10 a. m., and
asked for some action to prevent it. The four Monitors were again moved
to position near Fort Wagner, and scoured the ground in that vicinity.
The acquisition of to-day may not convey an impression of importance,
and yet the foothold on Morris island must lead to the fall of Sumter ■; and
218 AEMOEED VESSELS.
the possession of the main ship channel cuts off the best of the three en-
trances, and, by that much, lessens the chances of passing the blockade.
It is proper for me to add that my staff, and the commanding and other
officers and crews of the iron-clads, did their duties handsomely.
I have not yet heard from Commander Balch, who was directed to proceed
up the Stono, in convoy of a column of troops, but believe that all went,
right. Lieutenant Mackenzie, of the Wabash, had charge of the boats that
landed an assaulting' column on Morris island, and did it well.
The Wabash is now here, and I shall endeavor to organize one or two
battalions of marines and sailors for future operations.
May I ask to have the Passaic sent down, and a new pinion expedited for
the Patapsco, which is almost useless without'it. The tugs, such as Pusey,
are exceedingly convenient for communication, and I would request three or
four more of that class.
• It would be advisable that General Gillmore, under whose direction the
land operations have been so ably conducted, should be strengthened, for the
enemy will make efforts to repossess himself of Morris island.
General Gillmore has been with me this morning, and we shall soon com-
plete arrangements for pushing on. He does not consider it well to make
another assault.
I forward enclosed (marked No. 1) a copy of my general order No. 1,
issued this morning.
The department will please make allowance for the hasty character of this
communication, as I only took command on Monday, was in action Friday
and Saturday, and came here from the liorth so hastily that I have neither
secretary nor experienced clerks.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
General order qf Sear-Admiral DaMgrrn, thanking At» officer!.
General Orders No. 1.
My thanks are due to Commander George W. Eodgers, of the Catskill ;
Commander D. McN. Fairfax, of the Montauk ; Commander John Downes, of
the Nahant ; and Commander B. R. Colhoun, of the Weehawken ; to the ex-
ecutive and other officers, and to the crews of these iron-clads ; and to the
members of my personal staff. Fleet Captain William Rogers Taylor, Flag
Lieutenant S. W. Preston, and Ensign LaRue P. Adams, (signal officer,) for
the zealous and efficient manner in which they performed their duty during
the attacks of the 10th and 11th instant upon Fort Wagner and other forti-
fications on Morris island. I have also to thank the ordnance officer. Lieu-
tenant Commander 0. C. Badger, for his systematic promptness in supply-
ing the iron-clads with all requisite ordnance stores.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
July 12, 1863.
ARMORED VESSELS. 219
Report of Commander George W. Rodgers, commanding iron-clad Catskill.
United States Iron-clad Catskill,
Inside Charleston Bar, July 10, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report to you that upon your coming on board
this ship at 4 this morning, I hoisted your flag forward and stood over the
bar, crossing it at 5 o'clock, at which time our batteries on northern end of
Polly island opened upon the enemy upon the south end of Morris island.
We, steamed up within range of the batteries upon the south end and middle
of the island, and opened fire on them at about 6 o'clock. About 9 our
troops crossed over and skirmished up the island ; we got under way, and
standing to the northward along the island, shelled the batteries in advance
of the troops. About 10 arrived opposite and engaged Port Wagner. At
1 hauled off to give the men their dinner. At 2.30 renewed the engagement,
and at 6 hauled off and proceeded out of range to an anchorage inside the
bar, and near the troops.
During the action Acting Master J. W. Simmons was stunned and severely
bruised by the cpncussion of a shot upon the outside of the turret ; First-
class Boy James Meehan was wounded in the foot by a fragment of a shell
which entered the port ; Second Assistant Engineer Oroline and Third As-
sistant Clark were prostrated by the intense heat in the engine-room, as
were several of the firemen and crew. Ensign L. P. Adams, signal officer
upon your staff, took Mr. Simmons's duties in the turret, and rendered ex-
cellent service.
I herewith enclose a requisition for ordnance stores and ammunition ; a
request for an assistant engineer to be temporarily detailed for this ship, and
for some firemen to take the place of those broken down. I have fired fifty-
seven 15-inch shell and seventy-two 11-inch at the batteries and Fort Wag-
ner. The vessel was struck sixty times, as follows : hull, sixteen times ;
turret, seventeen; pilot-house, three; smoke-stack, seven; deck, seventeen.
There are other marks upon the hull under water which could not be counted.
Some of the effects of the shot are of a serious character ; the deck has
been entirely broken through in four places, two of these sufficiently large
to admit large quantities of water, requiring shot plugs ; the pilot-house
was twice struck nearly in the same place by shot from a 10-inch columbiad,
which broke off the nuts from the bolts, and forced one of them through the
half-inch lining of the pilot-house. The hull was struck upon the port quar-
ter, completely shattering all the plates ; one 10-inch shell landed upon the
deck after striking the turret, without fracture.
I have left twenty shell and shrapnell for 15-inch gun, and one 11-inch
shrapnell. The smoke-box for the 15-inch gun, when we ceased firing at
noon, was much damaged, three out of five bolts securing it to the turret
having broken off. One of the bolts securing the single cross-pin under the
turret was broken off. The whole fire of the fort was directed at this ship,
and being at anchor at about 1,200 yards during the forenoon, we were very
severely handled, their 10-inch smooth-bore doing us the most harm, the
rifles generally glancing or striking sideways.
This report is very hastily written after a hard day's work.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. RODGEES, Commander.
Rear-Admiral J A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. Blockading Squadron.
220 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Eeport of LtetUenani Oammander F. M. Bunce.
United States Steamer Pawnee,
Stono River, July 15, 1863.
Sm: In obedience to your order, I, on the 9th instant, at 2 p. m., started
from this vessel for the purpose of co-operating with the army in an attack
on Morris island. Under my command were the launch of this vessel, armed
with one rifled and one smooth-bore Dahlgren howitzer, Acting Master's
Mate Bache; two launches of the Wabash, each with a smooth-bore 12-
pounder Dahlgren howitzer, Ensign James Wallace and Acting Master's
Mate Bonn; one army lighter, fitted up and armed with two 24-pounder
Dahlgren smooth-bore howitzers furnished by the Commodore McDonough,
Acting Ensign Knapp; two unarmed cutters of the Wabash, one of the
New Ironsides, and one of the Flag, Lieutenant Robertson and Acting
Master Frost. I proceeded up Folly river to General Gillmore, and, by his
order, to General Strong. Lieutenant Mackenzie, in charge of transporta-
tion, not having arrived, I gave all the assistance in my power to General
Strong, and by 1 a. m. of the 10th instant his brigade was . in boats, ready
to proceed to Light-house inlet.
Forming the boats in line ahead, Acting Ensign Knapp taking the lead,
being well acquainted with the intricate channel, we proceeded up the
creeks, and by daylight were, with the whole brigade, at or near the junc-
tion of the creeks with Light-house inlet.
Just after daylight the batteries on Folly island opened upon the enemy.
Getting the armed launches in line abreast, I pulled into Light-house inlet,
and at a distance of 1,800 yards opened fire upon the Morris island batteries
with the rifled howitzer. Pulling down the inlet, slowly firing, till we got
within good distance of the batteries, I opened with all the howitzers, using
4-second shrapnell. The enemy returned the fire briskly with three or four
heavy guns, but without effect. After an hour's rapid firing the enemy's
batteries ceased to answer, except with one gun.
General Strong determined to effect a landing with his brigade, and desig-
nated the point. I sent the two launches of the Wabash below, while I took
up a position above this point, that with the heavier guns I might cover him
and enfilade the enemy's rifle pits, should he attempt to occupy them to op-
pose the landing. The landing was successful, all the launches keeping up
a rapid and effectual fire of shell and shrapnell over the heads of the troops,
falling about a hundred yards in their front and between them. This fire
did not cease till the assaulting forces had so far advanced as to render it
unsafe to continue lest injury might result to our own forces. Although
several of the transports were struck, and one sunk, none of the boats under
my command were hit, we being in a measure protected by the banks,
which, as the tide ran out, afforded some shelter. Every officer and man
did his whole duty with alacrity.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS M. BUNCE,
Lieutenant Commander.
Commander George B. Balch,
Commanding U. S. Steamer Pawnee, Senior Officer.
AEMOKED VESSELS. 221
The Monitors inside the bar. — Attack on Fort Wagner delayed.
Flag-Steameb Augusta Dinsmore,
, Cff Morris Island, July 17, 1863.
Sir : Under date of the 12th instant, I informed you that General Gillmore
and myself were in occupation of the lower half of Morris island and the
main ship channel.
Since that I have been occupied with measures for continuing the advance,
and have the Ironsides, with five turret iron-clads, inside the bar.
The attack on Fort Wagner was to have taken place on the 16th, but was
postponed to this day, as the shore batteries were not ready.
A very heavy rain through the night has, however, interfered with the
progress ashore, and the general now says he will be ready to-morrow
morning.
An attack was made on us yesterday at Stono, but repulsed. The Pawnee
was hit forty-two times.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Bear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. GroEON Welles.
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Bepori of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren of combined attach by the army and naval
forces on Fort Wagner.
Flag-Steamer Augusta Dinsmobe,
Of Morris Island, July 19, 1863.
Sm : On the 18th a combined attack was made on Fort Wagner by the
troops under General Gillmore and the vessels of my command.
The 16th had been originally agreed on, but the shore batteries were not
fully prepared before the 18th. At 11.30 a. m. I made signal to get under
way from the anchorage near'the bar, and led up, with my flag in the Mon-
tauk, followed by the Ironsides, Catskill, Nantucket, Weehawken, and Pa-
tapsco.
About 12.30 p. m. anchored the Montauk abreast of Fort Wagner, and
fired the first gun, which was immediately followed by the other vessels.
With an ebbing tide, the pilot did not deem it prudent to approach nearer
than the inner edge of the channel, and the least distance at this time was
about twelve hundred yards. Meanwhile the gunboats Paul Jones, Com-
mander A. C. Rhind; Ottawa, LieutenantCommanderW.D. Whiting; Seneca,
Lieutenant Commander Wm. Gibson; Chippewa, Lieutenant Commander T.
C. Harris; and Wissahickon, Lieutenant Commander J. L. Davis, under
charge of Commander Rhind, were using the pivot gun with efiect at long
range, and our batteries ashore were firing very deliberately and steadily.
About 4 p. m., the tide flowing, weighed anchor, and closed in with the
fort to about three hundred yards, which silenced it so that, for this day, not
a shot was fired afterwards at the vessels, nor was a man to be seen about
it. It was nearly sunset when I received a note from General Gillmore,
saying that he had ordered an assault, and we could see the battalions ad-
vancing along the beach. There might have been a thousand yards between
our nearest shore batteries and Fort Wagner, and before our troops had
reached the work it became too dark to discern them.
222 AEMOEED VESSELS.
To this moment an incessant and accurate fire had been maintained by the
vessels; but now it was impossible to distinguish whether it took effect on
friend or foe, and, of necessity, was suspended.
Very soon afterwards, the rattle^ of musketry and the flashes of light
artillery announced that our men were mounting to the attack. This con-
tinued, without intermission, till 9.30 p. m., gradually decreased, and then
died away altogether.
The ill tidings of a repulse were not long in coming. After the lapse of
an anxious hour, common report told me that the assault had been repulsed
with some loss.
It now only remained to prosecute the work with patience and perse-
verance. At the same time, I cannot forbear repeating my opinion that the
number of troops is inadequate. The ofiScers and men are zealous, and labor
hard. . . ,
The general plans are well conceived, but there is to my mind a manifest
lack of force. This morning I sent a boat ashore, with Flag Lieutenant S.
W. Preston and Surgeon Duvall, under flag of truce, to ascertain if our
wounded had been cared for, and to offer to take charge of them. It was
also impossible to renew our fire if any of them remained on the ground.
Lieutenant Preston reported that some of the dead and wounded were still
lying about the work where they had fallen, and that the offer was declined;
the answer being that the dead would be buried, and the wounded properly
provided for. There being nothing more possible for the day, I caused the
turret vessels to drop down out of range, so that the men might have some
fresh air below, and the Ironsides also, inasmuch as she lay stern to the
fort, without a gun bearing.
The conduct of officers and men ia entitled to every commendation. Cap-
tain Rowan, of the Ironsides; Commander Rodgers, of the Catskill; Com-
mander Fairfax, of the Montauk; Commander Beaumont, of the Nantucket;
and Lieutenant Commander Badger, whom I assigned temporarily to the
command of the Patapsco, did their duty well, and handled their vessels in the
narrow channel and shoal water with great skill.
The spirit of the men was excellent; neither the incessant labor of action
by day, or blockade by night, nor the privations of inhabiting turret vessels,
checked their earnest determination, and they tvorked the cannon with great
effect, as the silenced guns of the enemy makes manifest. The officers of
my staff were, as usual, assiduous in the discharge of their duties. The
vessels were well piloted by Acting Masters Godfrey and Haifords.
In conclusion, permit me to say that on this occasion the vessels did all
that was intended or could be expected from them ; they silenced the fort,
and forced the garrison to keep under shelter. At the same time the loss
sustained by our troops bears witness to the persevering gallantry with
which they endeavored to storm the work, and which deserved the success
that will, I trust, reward a renewed effort.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.-
Hon. GmEON Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D, C.
AEMOEED YESSELS. 223
Seport of Commander G. W. Badgers.
United States Iron-clad Catskill,
Of Morris Island, S. C, July 18, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that in obedience to the sig'nal from
the flag-ship, I got under way at 11.52 this day, and followed the Montauk,
bearing your flag, standing up the channel in the direction of Port Wagner.
Arriving within range, opened at 12.44 with my 11-inch gun upon Port
Wagner, and soon after anchoring in 13J feet of water, some 800 yards
from the fort, continued my fire until dusk, when the troops advancing to
the assault, I fired rapidly into the fort, and then following in the motions
of the Ironsides, ceased firing. Shortly after 8.15 p. m., in obedience to your
order, got under way and proceeded out into the channel, anchoring near
the Ironsides.
I have fired this day forty-seven 15-inch shell, sixty-three 11-inch shell,
twelve 11-inch shrapnell, one 11-inch canister, one 11-inch grape, making 124
shots. My 11-inch shell and shrapnell being nearly expended, I reserved
the remainder until just before the assault.
This vessel was not struck during the day, and I have no casualties to
report.
I beg leave to call your attention to the zeal, energy, and tact shown by
the executive oflBcer of this vessel. Lieutenant Commander C. C. Carpenter,
the good result of which is shown by the cheerfulness and alacrity of the
officers and crew.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. RODGERS, Commander.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Attack on Fort Wagner.
Flag-Steamer Dinsmore,
Off Morris Island, July 25, 1863.
Sir: Yesterday I went up with the iron-clads and opened a heavy fire on
Fort Wagner, in order to prevent a sortie upon some new works which General
Gilmore had pushed to within 600 yards of the fort.
The gunboats assisted at long range. The firing was good, and frequently
excellent.
The firing of Port Wagner was soon silenced, and the garrison driven to
shelter, so that in the course of the morning a few new batteries were partially
armed.
The fire was interrupted by a flag of truce, borne by a steamer having on
board some of our wounded who had been taken prisoners at various times.
General; Gillmore tells me that his advance position is now secured. * * *
i have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron,
Hon. Gideon Welles, %
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
224 ARMORED VESSELS.
Additional reporta of Eear- Admiral DaMgren.
Flag-Steauee Dinsmore,
Off Morris Island, July 30, 1863.
Sir: The position of affairs is not materially changed since the date of my
last despatch, (July 25,) except that our advanced batteries (600 yards from
Wagner) are in operation, and will receive frequent additions to their arma-
ment. I have contributed four rifle cannon, with a detachment of seamen,
(say 120,) under Captain Parker, and will land more when I have the men
to spare.
Every day two or three of the iron-clads join in and sweep the ground be-
tween Wagner and Cummings's Point, or else fire directly into Wagner; the
only objection to which is, that it is drawing largely on the endurance of
our cannon. However, I have no doubt the Bureau of Ordnance will enable
me to meet this difficulty.
The enemy also seek in every way to distract our attention. The night
before last there was an alarm from Stono about a ram, and last night a
deserter to the camp stated that the iron-clad at Savannah was to move. I
had sent the Nahant to check this ; but as the rumor added several gunboats,
and the Unadilla alone was with the Nahant, it seemed better to make sure,
so I sent down the Weehawken in tow of the Conemaugh.
The tuiTets receive a shot occasionally with the usual result, and the Iron-
sides has been struck repeatedly by 10-inch shot (1,200 to 1,400 yards) with-
out material impression. A shot from Fort Sumter, in passing along the
spar deck, glanced from the edge of it, and by the concussion damaged the
beam below, with knees connecting.
If the depth of water would only permit her to approach, I would sweep
the ground clean with her powerful broadside.
It is to be remembered that Wagner is the key to Sumter, wherefore the
enemy will spare no effort for the defence, and will protract any result to
the last.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Attack upon Forts Wagner and Sumter.
Flag-Steamer Dinsmore,
Off Morris Island, Ajigitst 18, 1863.
Sir : Yesterday was begun another series of operations against the
enemy's works.
Early in the morning General Gillmore opened all his batteries upon Fort
Sumter, firing over Fort Wagner and the intermediate space.
About the same time I moved up with the entire available naval force
leading with my flag in the "VSeehawken, followed by tlie Catskill, Nahant
and Montauk ; the Passaic and Patapsco in reserve for Sumter ; the Iron-
sides in position opposite to Wagner ;' and the gunboats named in the
margin at long range — Canandaigua, Captain J. F. Green ; Mahaska, Com-
mander J. B. Creighton ; Cimarron, Commander A. K. Hughes ; Ottawa
Lieutenant Commander W. D. Whiting; Wissahickon, Lieutenant Com-
AEMOEED VESSELS. 225
mander J. L. Davis ; Dia Ohing, Lieutenant Commander J. C. Chaplin ;
Lodona, Lieutenant Commander E. Brodhead.
As the tide rose the Weehawkeu was closed to about four hundred and fifty
yards of Wagner ; the other three Monitors followed, and the Ironsides as near
as her great draught of water permitted. After a steady and well-directed fire,
Wagner was silenced about 9.20 a. m., and that of our own vessels was slack-
ened in consequence.
Meanwhile the fire of our shore batteries was working effectually upon the
gorge of Sumter, which appeared to have been strengthened in every possible
manner. At this time the flag was shifted to the Passaic, which, with the Pa-
tapsco, (both having rifle guns,) steamed up the channel until within two
thousand yards of Fort Sumter, when fire was opened on the gorge angle and
SE. front of the work. The Patapsco fired very well, and is believed to have
struck the SE. front nine consecutive times.
To all this Sumter scarcely replied ; Wagner was silenced, and Battery Gregg
alone maintained a deliberate fire at the Passaic and Patapsco.
It was now noon. The men had been hard at work from daybreak, and
needed rest, so I withdrew the vessels to give them dinner.
During the afternoon our shore' batteries continued the fire at Sumter, with
little or no reply from the enemy, and I contented myself with sending up the
Passaic and Patapsco to prevent Wagner from repairing damages. The fort
replied briskly, but in a brief time left off firing. I am not able to state with
exactness the result of the day's work, but am well satisfied with what a
distant view of Sumter allowed me. Our entire power is not yet developed,
as it will be daily, while the enemy is damaged without being able to repair.
The officers and men of the. vessels engaged have done their duty well, and
will continue to do so.
All went well with us, save one sad exception : Captain Rodgers, my chief of
staff, was killed, as well as Paymaster Woodbury, who was standing near him.
Captain Rodgers had more than once asked, on this occasion, if he should go
with me as usual, or resume the command of his vessel, the Catskill, and he re-
peated the query twice in the morning, the last time on tlie deck of the Wee-
hawken, just while preparing to move into action. In each instance I replied,
"Do as you choose." He finally said, "Well, I will go in the Catskill, and the
next time with you."
The Weehawken was lying about one thousand yards from Wagner, and
the Catskill with my gallant friend just inside of me, the fire of the fort coming
in steadily; observing the tide to have risen a little, I directed the Weehawken
to be carried in closer, and the anchor was hardly weighed when I noticed that
the Catskill was also under way, which I remarked to Captain Colhoun.
It occurred to me that Captain Rodgers detected the movement of the Wee-
• hawken, and was determined to be closer to the enemy if possible. My atten-
tion was called off immediately to a position for the Weehawken, and soon after
it was reported that the Catskill was going out of action with signal flying that
her captain was disabled ; he had been killed instantly.
It is but natural that I should feel deeply the loss thus sustained, for the
close and confidential relation which the duties of fleet-captain necessarily occa-
sions, impressed me'deeply with the loss of Captain Rodgers. Brave, intelligent,
and highly capable, devoted to his duty and to the flag under which he passed
his life, the country cannot afford to lose such men; of a kind and generous
nature, he was always prompt to give relief when he could.
I have directed that all respect be paid to his remains, and the country
H. Ex. Doc. 69 15
226 AEMOEED VESSELS.
will not, I am sure, omit honor to the memory of one who has not spared ni»
life in her hour of trial.
I have the honor to he, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGEEN,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Letter of Admiral DaUgrm, iransmUing nota of the engagemait taken hy Flag-IAeuUnant Moreau
lorreat.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Of Morris Island, August 19, 18G3.
Sir : I enclose herewith, for your infoi-mation, notes taken by Flag-Lieu-
tenant Moreau Forrest during the engagement of the 17th instant, and also
copies of reports showing the state of the marine battalion, and from command-
ing officer of the Catskill.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGEEN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding 8. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C
Nota of the engagement on Monday, Augutt 17, 1863.
At 5.30 a. m. the admiral and his staff, Fleet Captain George W. Kodgers,
Flag-Lieutenant Moreau Forrest, and Ensign Larue P. Adams, left the United
States steamer Dinsmore, and at 5.40 flag was hoisted aboard the United States
iron-clad Weehawken. Fleet Captain George W. Eodgers then left to take
command of the United States iron-clad Catskill.
6.15. — Flag under way, aii4 steaming up the channel to the buoy abreast
Fort Wagner.
6.35. — All the Monitors under way, steaming up the channel.
6.40. — Flag anchored a little below and about seven hundred yards from
Wagner.
6.45. — Flag opened with XLinch shell at Wagner.
6.48. — First shot from Wagner at flag passed over.
6.49. — Weehawken opened with XV-inch shell.
6.52. — Ironsides opened fire a little high. At this time the shore batteries .
were delivering a telling fire on Sumter.
6.54. — Montauk opened a little astern of flag.
6.60. — Wagner firing grape and musketry at the Monitors.
7.03. — Wagner struck flag's deck.
7.05. — Wagner fired twice, one striking flag, the other passing through the
smoke-stack of Ironsides.
7.12. — Ironsides apparently under way, as if to shift berth or insure swing-
ing the right way.
7.16. — Nahant opened fire.
7.18. — Another shot through Weehawken's smoke-stack.
7.25. — Signalled to Ironsides — firing too high.
7.29. — Moultrie opened at Ironsides, making very good practice.
7.40. — Catskill anchored a little inshore of the flag.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 227
7.42. — Oatskill opened.
8.00. — Mahaska opened.
8.05. — All the wooden gunboats in action.
8.06. — Moultrie struck on top of Ironsides's deck.
8.08. — Passaic opened.
8.20. — Patapsco opened.
8.25. — Flag under way ; and having shifted berth nearly to the battery,
anchored.
8.35. — Oatskill under way, moving a little further off.
8.50. — Oatskill made sitrnal " Captain is disabled," and went out of action.
9.20. — The firing from Wagner ceased.
9.30. — Flag ceased firing. The gunboats still firing slowly.
10.00. — Flag under way and moving towards Passaic, to which vessel the
admiral shifted his flag, the enemy's sharpshooters' keeping up a brisk fire.
10.05. — The flag being hoisted on the Passaic, the Passaic, accompanied
by the Patapsco, headed up the channel and rounded to about eighteen hun-
dred yards from Sumter.
10.30. — Passaic opened with rifle and struck the top of Sumter.
10.32. — Gregg opened on flag, shot passing over.
10 42. — Moultrie opened on flag and Patapsco.
10.44. — Patapsco opened on Sumter, making fine practice.
10.50. — Flag struck twice by Gregg.
11.05. — Oatskill resumed position, firing slowly at Wagner and Gregg.
11.15. — Sumter opened.
12.00. — Montauk made signal that her small gun was disabled.
12.10. — Came down from action to go to dinner, and ordered the other
vessels to do the same. As we passied the Oatskill, learned that Fleet Gap-
tain George W. Eodgers and Assistant Paymaster Woodbury had been killed.
At 12.40 p. m. hoisted the flag aboard the Dinsmore.
Very respectfully,
MOEEAU FOEEEST,
Flag-Lieutenan t.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren, II. S. N.,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
United States Iron-clad Oatskill,
Off Morris Island, August 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to submit to you the following report of the action
to-day :
About 7.30 steamed up abreast of Fort Wagner and anchored. Captain
Eodgers, chief of staff, in charge, opened fire on the works, which was re-
turned heavily.
About 8.30 a shot struck the top of the pilot-house, fracturing the outer
plate and tearing off an irregular piece of the inside plate of about one square
foot in area, and. forcing out several of the bolts by which the two thick-
nesses are held together, pieces of which struck Captain George W. Eodgers
and Acting Assistant Paymaster J. G. Woodbury, killing them instantly,
also wounding the pilot, Mr. Penton, and Acting Master's Mate Trescott ; after
which I hove up the anchor, steamed down to the tug Dandelion, transferred
them to her, and returned, taking position astern of the Weehawken; con-
tinued the fire until signal was made to withdraw.
We were struck, in all, thirteen times. The smoke-box of XV-inch gun is
gradually becoming weaker, the angle iron around the bottom and eight or
ten bolts having been broken off to-day, the other side being so badly sprung
228 ARMORED VESSELS.
that the bolts cannot be replaced. The inside bearing of the after truck ot
Xl-inch gun came off at the first discharge; was temporarily repaired, so as
to use the gun, but found the axle to be broken; used it with a slide.
Enclosed I send the report of Dr. Abbott, of this vessel.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAKLES 0. CARPENTER,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Reir-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
United States Iron-clad Catskill,
Of Morris Island, August 17, 1863.
Sib : I respectfully report the following casualties which occurred on board
this vessel during the engagement this day with Fort Sumter and the Morris
island batteries. These injuries were all caused by a single shot, which struck
the top of the pilot-house and shattered the inner plating.
ICillcd. — Commander George W. Rodgers ; Acting Assistant Paymaster Josiah
G. Woodbury.
Wounded. — Pilot Abner C. Penton, wound of scalp, slight; Acting Mas-
ter's Mate Peter Trescott, concussion, slight.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL W. ABBOTT,
Assistant Surgeon.
Lieutenant Commander C. C. Carpenter,
Commanding United States Iron-clad Catskill.
United States Naval Battery,
August 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that I fired to-day from this battery
one hundred and seventy shells and one hundred and twenty-five solid shot,
the greater portion of which stnick the face of Sumter or its parapet.
By making officers and men " cover" when shot or shell were passing over the
battery, I avoided, through the mercy of a kind Providence, all casualties.
The ofiicers who were with me. Lieutenant Brower, Ensign Wallace, and Act-
ing Ensign Owens, and the men, deserve great credit for their laborious exertions
of fifteen hours under a burning sun.
Very respectfully,
FOXHALL A. PARKER, Commander.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
United States Steamer Nevit Ironsides,
Off Morris Island, August 21, 1863.
Sir: I enclose herewith the report of Mr. Bishop, carpenter of this ship,
showing the damage sustained by the fire of Forts Wagner and Gregf during
the action of the 17th instant.
I also enclose the report of Lieutenant Robeson, ordnance officer, of the
ARMORED VESSELS. 229
firing at Wagner, Gregg, and Sumter, on tte 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th in-
stant.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. 0. ROWAN,
Captain Commanding.
Rear-Admiral Dahlgrex,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
Flag-Ship Philadelphia, Off Morris Island.
United States Ship New Ironsides,
Off Morris Island, August 16, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to make the following report respecting the injuries
received by this ship in the action of to-day. I count, in all, thirty-one hits,
though I think we were struck several times below the water-line.. The plating
received nineteen shots, eleven others struck the wood work, and eight passed
through the smoke-stack. No material damage was done to the armor, though
in four places the iron was so much crushed in as to crack it. The backing,
except in one place where one width of the ceiling, just forward of No. 6 port
on the starboard side, is driven in about three-fourths of an inch, shows no
signs of having been started. The forward shutter of No. 3 port on the star-
board side was shot off and lost overboard, having been struck on its upper
edge near the pivot on which it swung. One shot came »through the wood
work on the starboard quarter into the cabin, and passed down into the ward-
room, tearing out a large piece of the clamps in one of the cabin state-rooms,
ripping up the coaming of the wardroom hatch, and splintering the beam under-
neath. One of the wheel ropes, which ran through the beam, barely escaped
being cut away by this shot.
Another shot struck the deck, unprotected by sand bags, just abaft the
partemers of the mizzenmast, going through the planking and glancing off as
it met the iron underneath.
The iron, however, was crushed down to the depth of an inch and a half, and
partially broken.
The deck pump on the starboard quarter was carried away, and the shot
striking the sand bags, glanced forward and remained on deck, but the knee
supporting the beam underneath the place where the sand bags lay was split,
and one of the carlins broken.
All these hits were made by 10-inch solid shot, which seemed to have been
fired with exceedingly heavy charges, some of them at a distance of not more
than, from nine hundred to one thousand yards.
Very respectfully,
T. H. BISHOP, Carpenter.
Captain S. C. Eowan,
Commanding U. S. Steamer New Ironsides.
Engagement toith Fort Sumter.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, August 23, 1863.
Sir : This morning, before daylight, I moved the five Monitors to about 800
yards from Sumter, and opened fire upon it. A fog arose, which prevented us
from seeing the work a part of the time ; nevertheless, much damage must have
been done to its southeast and northeast faces.
230 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Snmter only replied with six shots, hut Moultrie, with its extended lines of
earthworks, opened heavily, and struck the Monitors frequently with heavy
shot. The Weehawken, in which was my flag, received two blows on the
pilot-house, which were more forcible than any I have seen, owing, probably,
to the diminished distance.
Notwithstanding the difficulties of manoeuvring during the night in a chan-
nel edged with shoals, only one of the Monitors got agrotind, but extricated
herself.
About 6 o'clock, the men being much exhausted by the labor of two suc-
cessive days and nights, I drew off in full daylight under the steady fire of Fort
Moultrie.
It is now blowing from the southeast, and when it subsides I propose passing
Sumter into the harbor, if the obstructions are not of such a nature as to prevent
it. The returns from all the vessels have not yet been received, so that I am
unable to render a full statement in detail at this time.
The gorge of Sumter has been completely ruined by the severe fire of the
shore batteries, which has also reached the other faces of the work, and must
have dismounted most of their barbette guns, besides seriously injuring the
walls themselves. In this the naval battery of four rifled cannon has partici-
pated, under Captain F. A. Parker.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
P. S. — Fort Wagner is quite as strong as ever, perhaps more so. The
trenches have, however, been pushed quite close to it, and an assault may agaiu
take place before long. Battery Gregg is also unimpaired.
Notes of the engagement, taken by Ftag-Lieutenani Moreait Forrest.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Of Morris Island, August 24, 1863.
Sir : I enclose herewith, for your information, notes taken by Flag-Lieu-
tenant Forrest, of the engagement on the morning of the 23d instant.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Notes of the engagement with Fort Sumter on the night of the %%dof August, 1863. .
11.05 p. m. — Admiral, accompanied by his staff, Flag-Lieutenant Forrest,
Ensign Adams, and the pilot, left flag-steamer Kiiladelphia, and at 11.30
hoisted the flag on the WQehawken. ,
11.40. — Under way, and sent tug to other Monitors to tell them to get under
way.
11.50. — Heading up the channel, accompanied by Montauk and Nahant.
12. — Shoved alongside Patapsco, and told him to proceed, whilst flag hailed
Ironsides to show a red light as soon as the firing commenced.
18.30. — At the lower buoy.
1. — Hailed Passaic, and shortly afterwards Patapsco, to tell them that flag
would take the extreme left.
AEMOKED VESSELS, 231
1 . 15. — Anchored.
1 . 30. — Flag weighed anchor and headed for the upper buoy.
2. — Saw the lights flashed by Ensign Porter at upper buoy and headed for
them.
2 . 30. — By the upper buoy. Ensign Porter came aboard.
2.45. — -Anchored near Sumter, and sent Porter to tell the other Monitors
to anchor on our right in a line extending towards Moultrie.
2.55. — All the Monitors anchored. The Passaic on our right, the Patapsco
on our left, the Montauk on our extreme right, the Nahant just astern of flag,
flag being about 900 yards from Sumter.
S. 03.— Flag fired first shot at Sumter, XI".
3.10.— Flag fired XV".
3 . 15. — Montauk opened.
3.20. — Passaic opened.
3 . 30. — Patapsco opened and the firing became general. The practice was
very good ; the heavy thugs distinctly heard as the shot struck the fort.
3.20. — Sumter fired first gun at flag, just after sending up rocket ; passed
over.
3 . 45. — Gregg opened on flag.
4.10. — Heavy fog came over from Moultrie completely enveloping the fort.
Flag fired in the direction, however, having taken its bearing under a star.
Hailed the Patapsco and Passaic, giving them the bearing, and told them to do
the same.
4. 15. — Flag moved up, about 150 yards, towards Sxmiter.
4 . 20. — Fog having lifted, Moultrie opened with a heavy fire on the Mon-
itors.
4 . 30, — Flag strack by Moultrie, and quartermaster wounded.
5. — Another fog-bank came over, accompanied by a breeze from the eastward
that swung the ships, and we had to suspend operations again.
5.20. — Resumed firing again and fired until 6.10, at which time there being
no signs of the fog lifting, and it being broad daylight, flag got under way and
moved down towards • the lower buoy. In passing, hailed the Monitors to fol-
low flag down in line.
6 . 30. — Made signal " withdraw from action."
6.40. — At lower buoy. Monitors taking their positions for coming down
under a heavy fire from Moultrie, Bee, and Beauregard, which batteries con-
tinued their fire until we had passed well down below the Ironsides. In looking
at the fort it appeared to be very severely battered on the sea-coast wall.
7. — Admiral and staff took a tug, and at 7.20 hoisted the flag on board the
PhOadelphia.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c., &c.
MOREAU FORREST,
Flag-Lieutenant.
Rear- Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Engagement with Forts Sumter and Moultrie.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, September 2, 1863.
SiB: The present condition of affairs here, so far as my information extends,
may be stated thus :
The siege batteries of General Gillmpre opened on Sumter on the 17th
and continued in operation through the week. The distance of the batteries
232 ARMORED VESSELS.
from the object exceeded anything of the kind hitherto attempted in snch
operations.
By the expiration of the week the work was ruined. The gorge was com-
pletely cut down, and the guns on the other faces almost entirely disabled.
It was a new illustration of the engineering art, and will always be deemed
a great triumph for General Gillmore. Without regard to further results, i
think he has already handsomely earned his next step in rank.
Having thus rendered Sumter useless to the confederate system of defences
here, it still remains to turn the acquisition fully to account. A glance at the
map, and at the means at disposal, will show that the entire advantage cannot
yet be realized to ourselves, because we cannot occupy the fort.
The army is unable to do it unless possession of Fort "Wagner is had ; nor
the navy, without forcing the defences by water in the shape of obstructions
protected by Fort Moultrie, and under its full range, even to Sumter.
General Gillmore is actively engaged on the one, and deems the naval aid in-
dispensable to success. I have agreed to render all that I have. This neces-
sarily compels me to forego an immediate move on the obstructions. I had al-
ready begun, however, and some progress had been made.
On the night of the 1st of September I moored the Ironsides and Monitors
up the channel before midnight, just before tlje flood tide had ceased.
The first purpose was to make sure that Sumter had no guns to fire on us.
It was believed that they had remounted a few on the NE. and NW. faces. At
my request General Gillmore had resumed fire yesterday ; and in the evening
notified me that he knocked down some four or five pieces that were perceived
on the more remote fronts.
The nearest approach was about 500 yards with the Monitors, my flag being
in the Weehawken ; but so great was the force of the tide, that it was half
past eleven o'clock before the first shot was fired by the Weehawken.
We lay right off the angle of the NE. and SE. fronts. Being much occu-
pied in the movements of the vessels, I did not perceive that Sumter fired ; but
Flag-Lieutenant Preston saw distinctly two shots fired from a gun on the east-
ern angle.
The firing was steadily maintained from all the Monitors, which were well
handled.
The Ironsides was brought up to a good range, and joined in the action.
Meanwhile Moultrie opened a rapid and sustained fire from its extended line,
which told with effect ; the obscurity of the night, however, interfered with
their accuracy of aim at objects so small as the turrets.
Our fire was also directed at the floating obstructions that had been reported
from day to day.
I should have wished to remain after daylight, so as to have had a good view
of the scene of operations, but the flood tide set in before daylight, which would
have exposed the Monitors unnecessarily, so I withdrew, leaving it to another
morning to prosecute the matter.
The vessels were engaged for five hours, and in that time fired two hundred
and forty-five shots, and received in all seventy-one hits ; of these, the Iron-
sides fired fifty, and received seven.
The enemy fired some shot of wedge shape, samples of which were picked
up on the decks of the Lehigh — an absurd practice, originating in the brain
of some wild inventor. A round shot struck the base of the Weehawken'a
(flag) turret, and drove in a fragment of iron, which struck Fleet Captain
Badger on the leg and broke it short — so that I have lost three flag-captains
in the short space of two months, which has emban-assed me beyond meas-
ure in the transaction of public business ; Captain Taylor went home sick,
Captain Eodgers was killed in action, and now Captain Badger is badly
wounded.
AEMORED VESSELS. 233
I shall feel greatly the loss of Captain Badger's service at this time. He has
been with me for more than eight years, and his sterling qualities have rendered
him one of the very best ordnance officers in the navy. I hope his disability
may be short.
The commanders of the iron-clads — Captain S. C. Eowan, Commander
Thomas H. Stevens, Commander A. Bryson, Commander E. K. Colhoun, Lieu-
tenant Commander E. Simpson, Lieutenant Commander J. L. Davis, and Lieu-
tenant Commander J. J. Cornwell — handled their vessels with ability in the
narrow channel and the obscurity of the night.
I should have resumed operations with a view of forcing a passage, but
General GUlmore is now ready for another movement, and 1 propose to assist
him first.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. DAHLGEElSr,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon "Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C
Evacuation of Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg.
United States Flag-Ship Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, S. C, September 7, 1863.
Sir: The enemy evacuated Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg during the
night. An assault was to have been made at nine (9) a. m. this morning,
preparatory to which a steady cannonade was maintained all of yesterday from
the trenches and the Ironsides. A deserter gave notice to General Gillmore of
the evacuation. I have demanded Sumter to surrender, being no longer defen-
sible, and am waiting an answer from Charleston. If in the negative, I shall
move at once on it and the obstructions. A Monitor has already taken position.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGEEN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Engagement with forts in Charleston harhor.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, September 8, 1863.
Sir : I have already informed you, by express despatch, that the enemy
evacuated ' the whole of Morris island yesterday morning, just previous to an
assault. I immediately designed to put in operation a plan to capture Fort
Sumter, and, as a preliminary, ordered the Weehawken to pass in by a narrow
channel, winding about Cummings's Point, so as to cut off all communication
by that direction. In so doing the Weehawken grounded, and though at low
water, did not succeed in floating at the next high tide.
Late in the day, at the proper time, I went on board the Ironsides,
and moved up with the iron-clads to feel and, if possible, pass the obstruc-
tions north of Sumter. Moultrie and batteries Bee and Beauregard quickly
234 ARMORED VESSELS.
opened on ns, and soon experienced a severe fire from our vessels, which was con-
tinued until I deemed it best to give entire attention to the Weehawken. Steam-
tugs and hawsers were provided amply, but at the high tide of this morning
did not succeed in floating her. About 7 a. m. the enemy perceived her con-
dition and began to fire from Moultrie, about two thousand yards distant. I
ordered up the iron-clads to cover the "Weehawken, which, meanwhile, gallantly
replied, and, in less than an hour's firing, blew up one of the enemy's maga-
zines, which was recognized by a cheer from the men of our vessels near me.
Some movement in Sumter seemed to draw attention from the Weehawken,
which, with a few well-directed shells, settled that business.
Captain Oolhoun has, in my opinion, more than compensated for the misfor-
tune of getting aground by the handsome manner in which he has retorted on
the adversary and defended the glorious flag that floats above him. At llj
a. m. I telegraphed to him : " Well done, Weehawken. Don't give up the ship."
We may lose the services of this vessel — I hope not — but the honor of the
flag will be maintained.
It is proper to say that the iron-clads have been navigated under the most
disadvantageous circumstances. They really have not had pilots. Mr God-
frey has left us, and Mr. Hafibrds fell off the turret at night, being the only
real pilots in this squadron. The Monitors have been aground several times in
action, and it is surprising that some of them have not been lost.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy., Washington, D. C
P. S. — 6 p. m. I am happy to say that at high water the Weehawken was
gotten off. I commend Captain Oolhoun, his officers and crew, to the notice of
the department. The crews of the other vessels' cheered spontaneously as he
passed.
J. A. D.
Report of Commander E. R. Calhoun, commanding the Weehawken,
United States Iron-clad Weehavfken,
Of Fort Wagner, S. C, September 9, 1863.
Sir : On the 7th instant, in obedience to your order, I proceeded with the
Weehawken to buoy out the channel inside the buoy off Fort Wagner, in the
direction of Oummings's Point. After passing the buoy off Wagner about 200
yards, I dropped a buoy in seventeen feet water, and again, 400 yards further
on, a second one in fifteen feet water, steering up nearly midway between
Cummings's Point and Sumter. I anchored at 8.30 a. m., about 300 yards from
the last buoy, it being then nearly low water. At 9.30 a. m. she swung to the
flood tide, and the channel being narrow, she touched bottom very lightly in
eleven feet water. When the tide had risen sufficiently to float her I got under
way, in obedience to your order, to " return to my anchorage near the New
Ironsides," but in consequence of the shoal water she steered very badly j
taking a " rank sheer " to port, she brought up on the bank in eleven feej;
water. In the afternoon, at high water, I failed to get her off, as also on the
following morning, though every effort was made by taking coal and shot out,
with one tug to assist us.
ARMORED VESSELS. 235
At 8.30 a. m. Fort Moultrie opened on us, the lower part of the overhang
on the port side heing then nearly out of water. As we lay upon the hank
Fort Moultrie was nearly on our port beam. She fired slowly and deliberately
at first to get the range, aiming under the overhang, then with rapidity, fol-
lowed by other batteries on Sullivan's island. This 1 had expected and was
ready for. I had been on deck from early in the morning, and had given orders
to let the men sleep after their hard work during the night. We opened in a
few minutes on Moultrie. The second shell from the XV-inch gun exploded a
magazine to the left of the flag-staff, and she was silent for some time. When
the Ironsides and Monitors engaged the batteries they ceased firing at us. I
then sent the men to breakfast, and after they had finished, opened on Sumter.
When the Ironsides and Monitors withdrew from action they let the Weehawken
alone.
I then made my preparations to get afloat at high water in the afternoon, and
succeeded, though under a heavy fire from SuUivan's island and Fort Simkins
on James island. I had three men wounded by a shot from battery Bee, strik-
ing on top of the turret, breaking the plating and railroad iron — one, John O.
Grady, ordinary seaman, severely in the left thigh. I enclose herewith Assist-
ant Surgeon E. M. Stein's report. We were hit twenty-four times, doing no
material damage. One shot struck the lower part of the overhang, passed
under, made a hole about three inches in diameter, and fractured the iron from
the angles. The leak was soon stopped. We fired at Moultrie and battery
Bee 36 shell ; at Sumter 46 — total 82.
The officers and men under my command deserve the highest praise for their
behavior. Such a measure of endurance, patriotism, and valor as I have seen
exhibited since I have been in command assures me they cannot be excelled.
Very respectfidly, your obedient servant,
EDWIN K. COLHOUN, Commander.
Bear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Report of AssxUmt Surgeon Stein of caaualties on the Wtehawken.
United States Steamer Iron-Clad Weehawken,
Of Charleston, S. C, September 9, 1863.
Sir : I have to report to you that whilst this vessel was lying ashore off
Cummings's Point yesterday afternoon, a shot from battery Bee struck her on
the top of the turret, breaking off several pieces of railroad iron, which wounded
the following three men, who were standing inside the turret at the time :
John O . Grady, ordinary seaman, fracture of the left thigh and slight wound
near right arm ; Edward Christiansen, ordinary seaman, wounded slightly in the
left foot ; Bernard Cassidy, landsman, wounded slightly in the breast and right
leg.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWIN M. STEIN,
Assistant Surgeon United States Navy..
Commander E. R. Colhoun,
Commanding United States Steamer Weehawken.
236 ARMORED VESSELS.
Additional reports relative to the attack upon the forts on the Sth of September.
[Despatch No. 77.]
Flag-Steamer Harvest Moon,
Tort Royal Harbor, S. C, February 26, 1864.
Sir : I herewith transmit, for the information of the department, reports of
Captain 0. W. Pickering, of the Oanandaigua ; Lieutenant Commander Jb\
M. Bunce, of the Patapsco ; Lieutenant F. J. Higginson, of the Housatonic ;
Acting Master Commanding Benjamin C. Dean, of the Dan Smith ; and Acting
Master Commanding J. P. Carr, of the Daffodil, of their respective participation
in the assault upon Sumter on the night of the 8th of September last.
These reports were not received until some time subsequent to my despatch
upon the subject, and I now forward them in justice to all the oflScers concerned.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGKEN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
United States Steamship Housatonic,
Of Charleston, S. C, October 3, 1863.
Sir : In forwarding the enclosed report from Ensign Craven, I would state,
in reference to the Housatonic's second launch, alluded to as not having been
brought into action, that I have interrogated the cockswain of that launch upon
the subject, who states as follows :
The launch had been employed for several days previous in the creek. Half
of her crew, being sick, were put on board the flag-ship Philadelphia, and six
marines with a sergeant took their place. There was no officer in chai-ge of the
boat, and none of the crew knew anything of their destination further than the
fact that an attack was to be made somewhere. The tiig, in approaching Sumter
with the boats in tow, swept around a buoy, fouled the boats and cast them off.
In the confusion which ensued, the launch followed the lead of the Housatonic's
first launch, which was manned with a crew from the Powhatan, with no officer
in charge. These two launches, instead of going to Fort Sumter, went along-
side the Philadelphia ; and from thence were ordered to the fort. Upon get-
ting within forty or fifty yards of the fort, the cockswain of the second launch
states that the sergeant told them that they had better go back ; that there was
no one to tell them where to go, and that they would only get shot — that some
of the boats were already retreating, &c.
Whereupon the second launch alluded to in the report pulled for the Iron-
sides, where she made fast until the next day.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
0. W. PICKERING, Captain.
Bear- Admiral J. A. Dahlghen,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 237
United States Iron-clad Patapsco,
Fort Royal, September 23, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of
the 21st instant.
In obedience to its requirements, I would state that I left the ilag-steamer
at 11 p. m., and with the other boats, in tow of a tug, stood up towards Fort
Sumter.
After communicating with the two Monitors on picket, we were towed to
within about nine hundred yards of Fort Sumter. The boats were then
formed in three columns ; Lieutenant Higgenson with his column was ordered
to move up the ndrthwest face; the other two columns to close up and move
up towards Sumter.
As we approached the fort many of the boats gave way strongly and landed.
The order was then given to push for the fort, and all gave way.
The foremost boats were received by a heavy fire of musketry, hand gre-
nades, &c., from the fort. Moultrie and some of the Sullivan's island batteries
also opened, together with one of the rebel gunboats. We pushed in till the
boat grounded, and it became perfectly apparent that there was no footing for
the men, nor any means of scaling the high walls. The order was then given
• for all boats to withdraw, and after some little delay all, as I supposed, had
shoved off. We then withdrew to the tug, where a large number of boats were
already collected.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS M. BUNCE,
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgrbn,
Comd'g 8. A. B. S., Flag-ship Philadelphia, off Charleston, S. C.
In forwarding this report, 1 have to state that Ensign C. H. Craven is too
sick to make the report required of him.
0. W. PICKERING, Captain.
United States Steamer Housatonic,
Off Charleston, S. C, September 21, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the
boats under my command in the naval assault on Fort Sumter on the Sth of
September, 1863.
After casting off from the tug, I pulled up to the northeast face of the fort,
in obedience to my instructions. I succeeded in reaching the fort without being
seen, and immediately attempted to land.
I found myself upon a narrow ledge of sharp rocks, in which no foothold
could be obtained. My boats were in danger of getting stove, and after several
ineffectual attempts I withdrew.
I then pulled around to the southeast face, and found the boats were in
retreat. Picking up a boat in which there were but two men, I pulled out.
As I was pulling up to the northeast face, I observed a steamer close to the fort
on my right. Whether she was an Iron-clad vessel or a river steamer, 1 am
unable to state. My impression is that she was the latter. As I neared the
fort she steamed quietly away towards Charleston.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. HIGGINSON, Lieutenant.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Flag- Steamer Philadelphia, off Morris Island, S. C.
238 AEMOBED VESSELS.
United States Schooner Dan Smith,
Cff Morris Island, 8. C, September 9, 1863.
Sir: I -would most reapeotfully beg leave to transmit the following report :
At 6 p. m. on the 8th instant I received an order from the fleet captain to send
two of my boats with men armed with revolvers and cutlasses.
At 7.30 p. m. I sent Acting Master's Mate Jacob 0. Van Deventer, in charge
of first and second cutters, with twelve men, armed as per order, to report to
fleet captain.
At 4.15 a. m. Acting Master's Mate J. 0. Van Deventer, returned in first
cutter, after having reported on board flag-ship, whose report_jou will please
find enclosed.
I have also to report that the second cutter has not returned, and that the
following named crew are missing, namely: William Dowden, boatswain's
mate; Alexander Clark, carpenter's mate; Henry B. Middleton, master-at-
arms; Richard Kaine, ordinary seaman; Francis Swift, landsman.
At 12.15 a. m. I sent gig and four men on board flag-ship, which returnsd at
7.30 a. m.
Hoping this may meet your approval, sir, I remain, very respectfully, yotrr
obedient servant,
BENJAMIN C. DEAN,
Acting Master, Commanding.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren, U. S. N.,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
United States Steamer Daffodil,
Off Morris Island, S. C, September 10, 1863.
Sir: In obedience to your order, I have the honor to make the following re-
Eort. At 9 o'clock and thirty minutes on the 8th instant, by order of Captain
tevens, I left the flag-ship, with twenty-five boats in tow. We stopped at the
Montauk, and Captain Stevens went on board of her. In fifteen minutes he
returned, and ordered me to proceed up to the Patapsco. He went on board of
her. In twenty minutes he returned, and put bis pilot on board, and ordered
me to proceed to Fort Sumter. At eleven o'clock and thirty minutes was
within a quarter of a mile of Fort Sumter, in eight feet of water, which I re-
ported to Captain Stevens. He then said he wanted to go nearer. I told him
I could not go any nearer, as we had already touched the bottom. He then
ordered me to go up to the picket Monitor, which I did, and he went on board.
In a short time he returned, and took his pilot into the boat. He then ordered
me to go towai'd Fort Sumter again, which I did; and after getting within a
quarter of a mile of the fort, and in eight feet of water, I reported it to him.
He ordered the boats to cast off from the steamer, and told me to come to an
Mchor, and wait for the boats to tow them out. After coming a short distance
I saw the Philadelphia, and told them they would be ashore if they went twice
their length further. I was then near the small buoy off the point of the flats
near Sumter. About 2 o'clock I came to anchor in two and three-quarters
fathoms of water. About 3 o'clock Captain Stevens came alongside, and
ordered me to leave with the boats in tow, and take them to the steamer
Memphis and leave them, which I did.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN P. OARR,
Acting Master, Commanding Daffodil.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Ccmmanding 8. A. B. Squadron, off Morris Island, S. C.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 239
InjuHes to the Monitors.
[Despatch No. 130.]
Flag-Steamer PftitADELPHiA,
Of Morris Island, September 8, 1863.
Sir: Conformably to your directions, I will cause weekly reports to be
made of the injuries sustained by the iron-clads.
The heavy shot fired which have struck have generally been 10-inch, and
are well borne at 1,200 yards; but when the distance is less than 1,000 yards
there is a marked difference.
The shot which struck the top of the Catskill's pilot-house on a glance,
killing Captain Eodgers and Paymaster Woodbury, must have been a 10-iaefi.
To prevent similar accidents, the plate should be strengthened and have an
interior lining.
The shot which struck the turret of the Weehawken at the base came from
Moultrie, and was probably a 10-inch. It detached a portion of the interior
lining, which broke Captain Badger's leg.
The .decks always suffer severely, and two or three of the Monitors are
now in need of repairs from this cause.
The Catskillhas been eighteen days at Port Royal under repairs; when
she returns another will be sent.
Ensign Johnson was slightly hurt last night in the turret by a bolt.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Bear-Admiral Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Services of the New Ironsides against the defences of Charleston.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, September 15, 1863.
Sib: I enclose herewith the reports concerning the part taken by the Iron-
sides in some of the recent actions, and concur with Captain Rowan in the
estimate he takes of the services of the ship and ship's company, in which I
consider himself as most conspicuous.
The spar deck, not included in the armor, exhibits evidence of the severe
fire to which the vessel has been exposed.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGRBN,
Bear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Captain S. 0. Rowan,
United States Steamer New Ironsides,
Off Fort Wagner, Morris Island, S. C, September 10, 1863.
Sir: The Weehawken being hard aground off the pass between Sumter
and Cummings's Point, the baiteries from Fort Moultrie opened upon her.
In obedience to orders, I moved tMs ship up (casting off the Memphis, which
was at the time supplying me with shell) and anchored off buoy No. 3, inter-
240 ARMORED VESSELS.
posing my ship, and completely covering the Weehawken from the fire of the
enemy. The moment we anchored and commenced swinging head on to Fort
Moultrie, the enemy opened a concentrated fire upon us which was terrific.
Fortunately, however, we succeeded in getting her port broadside to bear
by the time he had gotten our range. We opened slowly at first to get range
on Moultrie, when I directed a very spirited and concentrated fire on that
fort, which compelled it to slacken. I soon discovered that we suffered se-
verely from their other batteries of 10-inch guns, between Moultrie and Beau-
regard, when I directed two guns to be opened on each of them. One of the
heaviest guns in their works was dismounted, and the fire of the others sen-
sibly slackened. I then directed one gun to continue rapid fire on each of
these forts, and directed the remaining fire to open on Moultrie. The fire of
all the forts slackened down to an occasional gun, when I directed a slow
fire to be kept up to economize shell. The moment the enemy discovered
this, he jumped from behind his sand bags and opened rapidly. I renewed
our rapid fire and silenced him again. Having but thirty shells left, I di-
rected the anchor to be weighed, keeping up a well-directed fire from such
guns as were not rendered unavailable in working the cables and anchors,
and BO withdrew from action (for want of ammunition) without further mo-
lestation, after one of the severest artillery duels ever sustained by a ship
through a space of two hours and fifty-five minutes.
It affords me great pleasure to bear testimony to the fine bearing, zeal,
and gallantrj' of the divisional officers — Lieutenant H. B. Robeson, Acting
Master Geor,e:e W. Domett, Acting Master John M. Skillings, Acting Ensign
Charles W. Howard, and Ensign Benjamin H. Porter.
The captains of guns and their spirited crews have my warmest thanks for
the splendid manner in which they handled their guns. Paymaster Russell
has my thanks for great zeal and ability in command of the powder and
shell division. I particularly recommend to your notice, and that of the de-
partment, the services of Lieutenant Commander Belknap, to whose zeal and
ability as executive officer I am so much indebted, for his untiring efforts to
make the ship efficient in every department, and for his fine judgment and
bearing in carrying out my orders as commander of the gun deck during the
fourteen times this ship has been under the fire of the enemy's batteries.
The pilot, Mr. Benjamin Dorey, merits my thanks for the able manner in
which he has handled this ship, particularly in working her up to Moultrie
in the night without lights, bearings, or compass. # » * *
I am happy to say I have but few casualties. The surgeon's report of
them is enclosed.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. 0. ROWAN,
Captain Commanding.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgrb.\,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Eejpori of Surgeon M. Duvall of the casualties on the New Ironiides.
United States Ship New Ironsides,
Of Fort Wagner, South Carolina, September 11, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order, I have to report that, in the action recently
with the forts on Sullivan's island. Acting Master G. W. Domett was
wounded in the upper lip from a splinter overhead, which cut through the lip
and struck the gum. This was a slight wound, which did not prevent Mr.
Domett from directing his guns, nor has it interfered with his duty since.
ARMORED VESSELS.
241
George M. Knapp, seaman, attached to gun No. 5, was wounded in the
glans penis and prepuce by a splinter of iron, which was either a fragment
of a shot or of a shutter. This fragment came in between the shutters
nearly closed. This is a slight wound, but it renders it necessary to keep
the patient recumbent. WiWiam Connell, ordinary seaman, contusion of
knee, from a lever in working No. 6 gun. Mild case; will be restored in
short time.
Very respectfully,
MARIUS DUVALL, Surgeon.
Captain S. C. Rowan,
Commanding New Ironsides.
Report of Executive Officer H. B. Robeson of the firing of the New Ironsides.
United States New Ship Ironsides,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, September 8, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the firing of this
ship during the recent engagements with the rebel defences of Charleston:
Kama of vessel.
Date.
i
to
to
1
S
6
c
a
s
Object.
Remarks.
New Ironsides
Sept. 6, 1863
Sept. 7, 1863
Sept. 8, 1863
38
152
t83
"24"
70
Yds.
1,300
1,200
1,200
Fort Wagner -
Fort Moultrie.
The report of Sept. 6
includes firing from
meridian to sundown.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. B. EOBESON,
Lieutenant and Ordnance Officer.
Captain S. C. Rowan,
Commanding New Ironsides. .
Part taken by the Patapsco in atlachs at Charleston.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Patapsco,
September 23, 1863.
Sir: In accordance with the orders of the Navy Department, I have to
state that, during the time I have been in cotnmand of this vessel, she
has been eng.iged with the batteries and defences of Charleston and its
approaches six times;
On the 22d of August opened fire on Fort Wagner, and engaged, in com-
pany with the Monitor Weehawken, for about two hours without receiving
any damage. On the 23d of August, in company with all the Monitors
and the Ironsides, went up within 800 yards of Sumter, and engaged it for
H. Ex. Doc. 69 16
242 AEMOEED VESSELS.
three and a half hours, under a strong fire from the enemy's defences, with-
out receiving any material damage from their fire; and that, on the 31st
of the same month, with the Monitor Weehawken, opened fire upon Fort
Moultrie, at a distance of about 1,000 yards, for half an hour. Subsequently,
being joined on the same day by the Passaic and Montauk, and occupying
the same relative position, again attacked the batteries on Sullivan's
island, without receiving any material injury, the Patapsco being hit seven
times. This engagement lasted for about two hours, and was terminated
by the signal order from the admiral to withdraw from action. Upon the
night of the next day another demonstration, participated in by all the
Monitors and Ironsides, was made upon Sumter, which lasted for about four
hours, under a heavy cross-fire from the enemy's guns, when we were struck
several times, without receiving any important injuries, except from one
shot which penetrated the deck badly.
Upon the 7th of September, at 5.30 p. m., the iron-clads again got under
way, with the exception of the Weehawken, aground, the intention being
for this vessel to go as close to the obstructions as was prudent, for the
purpose of inspecting them, while the other vessels engaged heavily the
enemy. We succeeded in going within 150 yards of them, when we met
with a terrific fire from Fort Moultrie and Battery Bee, with all the sur-
rounding batteries, which we sustained for half an hour, when the Patapsco
dropped down to where the Ironsides was anchored near Moultrie, and I
went on board to report to the admiral.
During this engagement we were struck twenty-three times in as many
minutes, the ship receiving some very considerable wounds. Two of the
shot broke through the deck plank; one stove in the top of the pilot-house
badly; while another, striking upon the edge of the turret, carried away
two of the T-iron beams.
On the morning of the 8th of September all the iron-clads, with the
Weehawken, then aground, excepted, moved up to attack the defences upon
Sullivan's island. At 11 o'clock a. m. anchored nearly abreast' of Port
Moultrie, and within 800 yards of it, and opened an enfilading fire upon
Battery Bee, the batteries upon Sullivan's island replying briskly. At 1.30,
just as the signal from the Ironsides was made to withdraw from action,
the smoke-stack was nearly carried away and our engine disabled from the
effect of one of our shot; hailed the Nahant and requested to be taken in
tow, which was gallantly performed by Lieutenant Commander Cornwell,
who towed us out of action, and we anchored near the Ironsides, which,
had dropped to seaward and out of range of the forts and fire of the enemy.
We received three shots — one of which cut the shank and stock of the
spare anchor, stowed abaft the turret in two, and carried the upper half
ovierboard.
The health of the officers and crew of the Patapsco is excellent, and their
performanqp in the several engagements we have had with the enemy all
that could be desired.
While it must be admitted that the vessel is not so good as new, I think,
when the repairs in progress are completed, she will be in a condition to do
good service and give and take hard blows. The effect of the firing upon
the men below has not been complained of.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. H. STEVENS, Commander.
Kear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren, U. S. N.,
Commanding South Atlanlio Eloclcading Squadron.
ARMORED VESSELS. 243
Reports from officers commanding Monitors in South Atlantic blockading
squadron relative to their coridition.
[Despatch No. 159.]
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, September 23, 1863.
Sir : This document should have gone on the 19th by the Fulton, if the
commander of that vessel had been so polite as to wait five minutes longer.
Enclosed are sundry documents furnishing more or less of the infoi-mation
called for by the department in relation to the condition of the Monitors, viz:
Report from Mr. Patrick Hughes, assistant inspector of iron-clads, Port
Royal; Commander A. Bryson, Lehigh; Lieutenant Commander J. L.Davis,
Montauk; Lieutenant Commander E. Simpson, Passaic; Lieutenant E. C. V.
Blake, Catskill; Lieutenant Commander J. J. Cornwell, Nahant.
From Tvhich it will be seen that my movements are now stayed by the
necessity of repairing the Monitors, otherwise I should be ready to resume
operations as soon as the side-wheel steamer arrives here. The department no
doubt understands that this operation must be more or less decisive in its
character. If the obstructions between Sumter and Moultrie are passed, little
or no pause ought to ensue before moving against the next set, which is pro-
tected by the guns of Forts Johnson, Moultrie, and Ripley, and by three iron-
clads. On the other hand, I ought to retire only after sustaining considerable
loss. If I were free to choose, I should say that ten Monitors are the least
number to meet contingencies. But I have only seven, and do not know
whether the department may be prepared to send me any more.
The progress to Charleston will embrace —
1st. The passage of the obstructions between Sumter and Moultrie.
2d. Endurance of the fire of Moultrie, Johnson, and Ripley.
3d. The passage of obstructions near Ripley and encounter with the three
iron-clads.
4th. Attack of Ripley.
5th. Obstructions beyond, attack of Pinkney, and any works at Charleston.
A certain portion of our force may be properly risked to attain the purpose*
but I presimie the department would hardly permit me to go so far as not to
attain the object, and perhaps expose the communications of the land forces on
the island.
It seems proper to bring this subject to your attention, because it may be
more or less connected with other plans, of which I am ignorant, and which the
department may prefer to keep within its own control. Will the department
please to inform me if this is the case, or whether I am at liberty to encounter
such risks as may ofifer 1 The report of Commander Stevens has not yet reached
me, but may be expected very soon, he being at Port Royal, where his vessel is
under repair.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
.Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Steamer Relief, Port Royal, S'ejptember 20, 1863.
Sir : I received a copy of an order from you, dated September 9, ordering
me to report weekly the injuries received by the iron-clads while engaged with
the enemy, and particularly with reference to the shot that struck the pilot-
244 AEMORED VESSELS.
house of tlie Oatskill, causing the death of Commander Eodgers and Paymaster
Woodbury.
I have the honor to report as follows :
The pilot-house covers of the Monitors are made of two plates of one-inch
iron riveted together in the form of an arch. A plunging shot struck the pilot-
house cover of the Catskill, bending the outside thickness in, and breaking the
inside thickness, some of the broken pieces being driven with such force as to
cause the melancholy occurrence within mentioned. The extent of the break
is about eight square inches. I had a new pilot-house cover made out of three
of the extra plates that were sent here for strengthening the covers of the pilot-
houses. The Oatskill also received the following damages : Five shots on her
pilot-house, which broke twelve bolts. I had those replaced by new ones.
The turret received about twelve shots, breaking fifteen bolts, which were also
replaced. The smoke (or concussion) box of the fifteen-inch gun was jarred
from its seat, and the fastenings and angle iron broken, which had to be renewed.
The deck was struck seven times ; five of the shots broke the deck plank
through, requiring to be repaired with fourteen half-inch deck plates, and also
pieces of deck plank put in where broken. The armature received a number of
very hard shots, starting the plating and bolts in some places; this we could do
very little with. I had the bolts driven home again where we could get at them.
I am happy to inform you that all the additions were put on this vessel.
The Weehawken has received the following injuries : Twelve shots in her
■deck, six of which broke the deck plank through, requiring fourteen deck
plates to repair. The turret received a number of shots, breaking fifty bolts,
which will have to be replaced, and also breaking the flange of the composition
ring that ths turret slides on while revolving. The wood work of gutter will
ihave to be cut away to give this ring clearings. Two of the T-iron beams of
Tooi, which are broken, will have to be replaced. The pilot-house has received
six shots, breaking twelve bolts, which will have to be replaced. Armature re-
ceived twenty -two shots above the water-line, which have started off the plating
in a good many places, and some of these shots have penetrated the five thick-
nesses of plating. The plating in the bow is started off the wood work four
inches. Two of these plates will have to be taken off and straightened and put
on again. This vessel also received one shot under the overhang, which broke
through her side. To do the repairs that are necessary to this vessel, it will
require almost eight days, and eight days additional to complete the additions,
making in all sixteen days from the time we commenced, which was on the 17th
instant.
The Pata,pseo received three shots in deck, two of which broke the deck
plank, requiring six half-inch deck plates to repair, and also deck plank to go
in where broken. One side of concussion box of fifteen-inch gun was carried
away and the angle iron broken, requiring one sheet of boiler iron and
twenty feet of a>agle iron to repair, and sixteen l:J-inch bolts and thirty-four
seven-eighths ibolts.
The smoke-pipe is almost carried away by a shot from her own fifteen-inch
gun. I have required a new one from New York, but in case it does not get
here in time I will have it repaired as well as I possibly can, but it is impossi-
ble to make a good job of it without having a new one.
Two of the T-iron beams are broken in roof of turret. This vessel received
a shot on her pilot-Jiouse cover, same place as Catskill; as hard a shot appa-
rently, with the exception that the iron of the inner thickness did not fly off.
To rcjpair thifi cover, I will have the old one taken apart, and the outside
thickness .brought to its original shape, and two of the extra plates put on, viz:
one above and one below the outside thickness of old cover, and all faiStened
together with ij-inch rivets. I will put those rivets around the outer
edge of co.vex, so that .there will be no danger of their flying off inside if
AEMOEED VESSELS. 245
Struck by shot. The time required to repair that vessel will be about twelve
days. I have not got any base ring for turret or pilot-house of this vessel, but
I am expecting them every day, and if they come in time, it will take twelve
additional days from the time we commenced the work on this vessel, which
was on the 13th instant.
I might be a little longer, as I have only one-third of my men working this
vessel, two-thirds being on the Weehawken.
Very respectfully,
PATRICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector of Iron-clads.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgreiv,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
United States Iron-clad Lehigh,
Off Morris Island, September 18, 1863.
Sir : I herewith send you the information required in your order of Septem-
ber 15.
Commander Jno. C. Howell reported for duty February 14, 1863, and was
detached July 27, 1863. I was her next commander.
The guns of this vessel had not been fired before the 10th July; up to this
date the 15-inch has been fired forty-one times, and the 8-inch rifle twenty-eight
times. The vessel has been struck in side-armor thirteen times ; turret, seven-
teen times; pilot-house, twice; deck, once; smoke-stack, three times; total,
thirty-six times. The general condition of the vessel is good. Her most seri-
ous wounds are, one within eight inches of the bow, on the port side, which
opened the stem from one to four inches, starting four bolts, warping the whole
bow, and opening side-armor on both sides. One 11-inch shot nearly abreast
cabin-hatch, on port side, which penetrated four plates of the side-armor, and
drove the fifth into wood backing, raised two of the deck plates, starting all
their bolts, and knocking out nine of them. The backing is penetrated about
five inches, and badly splintered; this wound caused the deck over cabin to
leak badly. Three hits abreast the turret, on side-armor, within a space of six
feet, have started all the plates, and raised two deck plates and wood backing,
causing the deck to leak. Near the stern, on port side, a heavy shot has opened
the side-armor about an inch, and starting the deck plates. The most serious
wound on the turret has bent in all the plates, cutting entirely through a portion
of the outer plate and cracking the inner one.
Extra plating is required over magazine, boilers, and shell-room.
The only repairs required are those of the wounds on the side-armor already
described.
Not knowing what the facilities are for making such repairs at Port Eoyal, it
is impossible for me to state the length of time necessary to make them.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. BRYSON, Commander.
Eear-Admiral John A. Dahlgrbn,
Commanding South Atlantic Blochading Squadron.
United States Iron-clad Montauk,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, September 18, 1863.
Sir: In obedience to your order of the 15th instant, I have the honor to re-
.port. as follows: _,
Commander D. M. Fairfax commanded this vessel from July 10 to August
246
ARMOEED VESSELS.
22, 1863. Lieutenant Commander 0. C. Badger temporarily in command the
night of the 22d, August, in the attack on Fort Sumter.
By your order of the 23d August I assumed the command.
I have the honor to enclose the reports of the executive officer and senior en-
gineer in regard to the condition of the vessel and engines.
The probable length of time necessary to make the repairs at Port Eoyal, re- •
quisite for effective service, it would be difficult to state, as they are extensive.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. DAVIS,
Lieutenant Commander.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren, U. S. N.,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
[Forwarded by John L, Davis, lieutenant commander, to Eear-Admiral J. A. DaMgren,
U. S. N., commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron.]
United States Steamer Montauk,
Off Morris Island, September 18, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of firing from this, prior
to the 10th of July and up to this date ; also, the number of hits received from
the enemey :
ABMOEED VESSELS.
247
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248 ARMORED VESSELS.
The damages received to side-armor are of a serious nature. The plates are
badly broken in a number of places, rendering it necessary to replace a number
of them ; many others require refastening.
A large number of bolts in turret and pilot-house are supposed to be broken
off. Deck plating badly cut up. Xl-iuch gun disabled.
EespectfuUy submitted.
P. GIRAUD,
Acting \st Lieutenant and Executive Officer.
•John L. Davis,
Lieutenant Commander.
[Forwarded by John L. Da-ris, lieutenant commander, to Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
U. S. N., commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron.]
United States Iron-clad Montauk,
Off Morris Island, September 17, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your orders, I have the honor to report to you the con-
dition of the engines and boilers of this ship.
The main engines require an overhauling. The boilers are in a leaky con-
dition. The ash-pans of the port furnaces are nearly burned through. The
door frames of Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are broken in several places. The blower
engines require an overhauling ; the beam on which they are attached is not
sufficiently rigid. The turret engines require a slight overhauling.
The turret has been jammed several times ; and in the fight of the 8th the
composition ring was bulged in so as to render it impossible to revolve the turret
until it was keyed up nearly to its full extent. The turret at present does not
come down to its proper place, and in rough weather admits a great quantity of
water. Also, as regards the fracture in the bottom, immediately under the port
boiler, caused by the explosion under the ship of a torpedo while in the Ogee-
chee river, which was only partially repaii-ed. Having uo centrifugal pump
makes it very unsafe, as the pumps which we have are totally incompeJ;ent to
expel any large amount of water. The ship leaks badly from the combined
effect of two shot, one of which was received on the 8th instant, which neces-
sitates the use of one donkey pump nearly all the while to free the ship of
water. The ship at present makes twelve inches of water in four hours.
Very respectfully,
CHARLES A. STUART, Smiw Engineer.
John L. Davis,
Lieutenant Commander.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Passaic,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, September 17, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order of 15th instant, I have to report :
First. That I have commanded this vessel since the 10th of July, having
been ordered to her on the 22d of June, 1863.
Second. I am not supplied with the history of the guns of this vessel previous
to the 10th of July, but since the date of my assuming the command the 15-
inch has been fired 119 times; the 150-pounder rifle fired 107 times.
Third. This vessel has been hit ninety times.
Fourth. The injuries consequent upon the shot of the enemy, combined with
the derangement of my steering gear, and the fact that the turret shaft and
pUot-house revolve with the turret, force me to state that the vessel is disabled.
ARMORED VESSELS. 249
Fifth. The repairs necessary to put the vessel in good condition might be
completed at Port Koyal in two weeks excepting the adjustment of the turret
and pilot-house, which may require a much longer time, and more conveniences
than are supplied at Port Eoyal.
Very respectfully,
E. SIMPSON,
Lieutenant Commander, Commanding,
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahi.gren,
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Catskill,
Off Morris Island, September 16, 1863.
Commanding officers since July 10: Commander, George W. Eodgers, Lieu-
tenant Commander, C. C. Carpenter.
Length of time in command : Commander George W. Eodgers, from Tebruary
24 to July 20 ; Lieutenant Commander C. C. Carpenter, from July 20 to Septem-
ber 14.
Number of guns fired before July 10: 15-inch, twenty, (20;) 11-inch,
twenty-nine, (29.)
Number of guns fired to this date: 15-inch, one himdred and fifty-eight,
(158;) 11-inch, four hundred and fifty-four, (454.)
Number of times the vessel has been struck, eighty-six, (86.)
General condition of the vessel, good.
United States Iron-clad Nahant,
^ Off Charleston, September 17, 1863.
SiK : In obedience to your order of the 15th instant, I have the honor to
submit the following statement, viz :
First. Since the 10th of July, (inclusive,) this vessel has been commanded by
Commander John Downes, one month and eighteen days ; and by Lieutenant
Commander J. J. Comwell nineteen days. The entire command of Commander
Downes was just eight months.
Second. The 15-inch gun has been fired prior to the 10th of July, fifty
times; July 10 to date inclusive, 170 times. Total rounds 15-inch, 220.
The 11-inch gun has been fired prior to July 10, 66 times; July 10 to
date inclusive, 276. Total rounds 11-inch, 342.
Third. The number of hits received from the shot of the enemy is sixty-nine.
Fourth. The general condition of the vessel is good.
Fifth. The only repairs requisite to make this vessel completely efficient is
the rebolting of the smoke box of the 15-inch gun, which would probably occupy
four days at Port Eoyal, during which time a sleeve could be placed upon the
pilot-house.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. J. COENWELL,
Lieutenant Commander
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgeen,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia, off Charleston.
250 AJBMOEED VESSELS.
United States Iron-clad Patapsco,
Fort Royal, September 18, 1863.
Sir : In reply to your requisition, I have to state that this vessel has been
hit ninety-six times; that previous to the 10th of July the 15-inch gun was fired
thirty-one times, and the rifle gun seventy times.
The battery is in good condition, with the exception of the rifle gun, which
has a split on both sides of the muzzle, but has been fired a number of times
since the discovery of the injury, without any perceptible increase of the injury.
It will require three weeks to make essential repairs.
This vessel has been commanded since the 10th of July by Lieutenant Com-
manders Erben and Badger, and by Commander T. H. Stevens.
Very respectfully,
T. H. STEVENS,
Commander.
Captain G. F. Emmons,
Fleet Captain, Sfc.
United States Iron-clad Nantucket,
Warsaw Sound, Ga., September 21, 1863.
Sir : In compliance with your order of the 15th September, instant, I would
respectfully inform you I have been in command of this vessel since the 10th of
July last, having assumed command of her on the 7th of May last, and have
now been in command four months and thirteen days.
The 15-inch gun has been fired before the 10th of July last seven times, and
up to this date fifty-one times; the 11-inch gun has been fired before the 10th
of July last eighteen times, and up to this date one li|tindred and seventy-three
times. This vessel has been hit fifty-three times.
The general condition of the vessel i»good, excepting the defects in the engine
department, specified in the accompanying report of senior Engineer George H.
mite.
The bottom of this vessel is exceedingly foul ; so much so that her speed has
decreased to about one-half of what it was on her passage out from New York.
The additional plates have not yet been put upon the pilot-house, and I am
unable to estimate the time necessary to accomplish it.
The probable time necessary to make the requisite repairs in the,engine de-
partment, to render the ship efiective, is estimated by the senior Engineer George
H. White, of this vessel, at about four days.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. BEAUMONT,
Commander.
Kear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
off Morris Island, S. C.
United States Iron-clad Steamer WEEHAV^fKEN,
Port Royal, S. C, September 19, 1863.
Sir : In reply to your letter of the 15th instant, I beg leave to state that
Commander E. R. Colhoun has commanded the Weehawken since the- 10th of
July, 1863, having assumed command on the 7th of July, 1863. The 15-inch
gun has been fired, previous to July 10, 1863, 20 times ; since July 10, 1863,
264 times ; up to September 15,' 1863, 284 times. The 11-inch gun has been
AEMOEED VESSELS. 251
fired, previous to July 10, 1863, 20 times ; since July 10, 1863, 633 times ;
up to September 15, 1863, 653 times. Hits by the enemy since July 10, 1863,
82 times ; previous to July 10, 1863 ; in the action of April 7, 1863, 52 times ;
up to September 15, 1863, 134 times.
The general condition of the Weehawken is good ; some seventy bolts in
turret are broken, and twelve in pilot-house ; twelve hits on the deck, six of
which broke the deck plank through, and one hit under the overhang, causing
quite a leak in the hull. To make the necessary repairs to the vessel, it will
require about eight days, and eight more to complete additions, making in all
sixteen days from the time the work was commenced, which was on the 17th
instant.
I arrived at Port Royal Tuesday morning, (15th,) too late to get in the creek ;
went in next morning; it rained that day, and also on the next, (17th.)
I will keep you advised from time to time of the progress made in our repairs.
I should have written sooner, but have been delayed getting the necessary in-
formation. I have just received Fleet-Oaptain George F. Emmons's order to
furnish a detailed report of the firing, hits, injuries, and casualties of this vessel,
and will make it as soon as possible.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDMUND B. OOLHOUN,
Commander.
Bear- Admiral John A. Dahlgren,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
United States Flag-ship Philadelphia, off Charleston, S. C.
Injuries, Sjv., received by the WeehawJcen.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Weehawken, .
Port Royal, S. C, September 24, 1863.
Sir : I have received your order of the 17th instant, with a copy of a letter
from the Navy Department dated September 11, 1863, and addressed to Eear-
Admiral John A. Dahlgren. My reports dated July 28, September 9, and
19, 1863, are full with respect to the number of rounds fired by this vessel,
and number of times we were struck by the enemy. The most severe injuries
received were from a 15-inch solid shot, which struck the turret, the shot that
passed under the overhang when we were aground, making a hole about five,
inches in diameter and four on the deck, breaking through the one-inch plating
and deck plank. The first struck the turret just clear of the deck, breaking
two pieces from the flange of the composition ring upon which the turret slides
when revolving ; one piece wounding severely in the right leg Acting Fleet
Captain 0. 0. Badger, and slightly in the left fore-arm Stephen McDonald,
landsman, causing the turret to revolve with difficulty. With a base ring that
hit would have been harmless. The second, which made a hole in the hull,
struck about three feet eight inches below the overhang — so near an angle iron,
with its support of iron bulkhead, as to prevent the shot penetrating. That leak
was stopped during the action by driving a pine plug, and then filling up with
smaller ones. Bespecting the injuries to the deck, the worst were from rifle
shot. One struck near the engine-room hatch, breaking the ironj driving splinters
through, cutting steam-pipe of donkey engine, forcing bolts partly through the
beam, and breaking gong-bell. The second struck over coal bunker on port
side near the battle plate, driving it through, together with a portion of the
iron plating of the deck. A third struck over the bread room with like effect,
driving a piece of the deck plating through. The fourth was over the ward-
room on the starboard side, and forced some Splinters through. One (a round
252 AEMOEED VESSELS.
shot) struck on tlie top of tlie turret, breaking two of the T-iron beams, bending
another, and wounding three men. All the shot which struck the Weehawken,
either on or above the deck, glanced off. When aground off the north end of
Morris island, the overhang being out of water, a round shot penetrated the
armor, and now lies imbedded in the wood of the overhang just inside the armor.
Being now under the water, I cannot ascertain the size of the shot. I think it
is eleven inches. Others which have struck the side, though breaking the
armor, making in some cases deep indentations, have not penetrated. I find it
necessary to fire clear of the boilers, as firing over them causes them to leak.
The guns and carriages are in good order. The guide irons always break off
after firing a few rounds, notwithstanding our care in compressing, though not
apparently making any difference, as we have fired much without them. The
effect of the firing on the men is not perceptible. Those stationed below suffer
most from imperfect ventilation. It is very close and hot there during action.
The vessel, though sluggish in her movements in consec[uence of the bottom
being so foul, steers very well when not in too shoal water. In some of the
actions we were under way, and I found no difiiculty in her management.
During the night attack on Sumter, August 23, a mortar > shell struck the sand
bags around the extra plating over the shell-room, and, exploding, tore them to
pieces, causing a visible depression of the iron plating for several feet. In
reference to the injuries to the deck from rifle shot, I would remark that similar
shot striking the side of the turret were not so injurious as round shot fired
from the same battery.
In order that this letter may contain the additional information called for by
the department, I will embody the substance of former reports :
The 15-inch gun has been fired, previous to July 10, 1863, 20 times ; since
July 10, 1863, 264 times; up to September 15, 284 times. The 11-inch gun
has been fired, previous to July 10, 1863, 20 times; since July 10, 1863, 633
times ; up to September 15, 1863, 653 times. Hits by the enemy since July
10, 1863, 85 times; previous to July 10, 1863, 52 times; up to September 15,
137 times. My former reports give "hits by the enemy since July 10, 1863,
82," but we have since discovered three more. Those she received during the
action of April 7, 1863, are marked thus : 1 ; since July 10, 1863, thus : II.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDMUND -E. OOLHOUN,
Commander.
Kear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
United States Flag-Steamer Philadelphia, off Morris Island, S. C.
Operations of the Nantucket at Charleston.
United States Ibon-clad Nantucket,
Warsaw Sound, Georgia, September 29, 1863.
Sib : In compliance with a general order from the Navy Department of Sep-
tember 11, I respectfully submit the following report:
This vessel joined the fleet off Charleston on the 11th of July last, and on
the 16th she fired twenty-three ll-inch and eleven 15-inch shell at Fort Wagner.
On this occasion she was hit twice abaft the smoke-stack on the deck, one
breaking entirely through, dashing the deck armor down upon and breaking
the cast-iron floor of the fire-room ; Artemas L. Grow and George Reily, firemen,
were slightly wounded by .splinters.
I forward herewith a sketch of the injury done by this shot. The other shot
crushed the deck-armor and breaking over the starboard coal bunker, but did
not, as in the former case, show daylight th rough. Both shots glanced off.
ARMORED VESSELS. 253
They were fired from the heavy gun on the northeast angle of the fort, supposed
to be a 10-inch columbiad.
On the 18th July the Nantucket fired forty-eight 11-inch and thirty-three
15-inch shell. On that occasion the smoke-box of the 15-inch gun had all four
of its angle irons broken, and the box itself torn from its fastening to the turret,
rendering further firing of the gun dangerous.
On the 20th she fired twenty-five 11-inch shell and three 11-inch shrapnell.
On the 22d she fired nine 10-second 11-inch shell, and on the 24th she fired
fifty-four 7, 10, and 20 second shell at Ports Wagner and Gregg.
No unpleasant effects were experienced by the officers and crew jfrom the
firing of the guns.
The highest range of the thermometer on the berth deck while engaged was
128°, and in the engine-room 141°.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. 0. BEAUMONT,
Commander.
Bear- Admiral J. A. Dahlgren.
Report oj" injury to turret of the Passaic.
pespatch No. 174.]
Flag- Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, September 30, 1863.
Sir : It grieves me to be obliged to transmit the enclosed, for, if correct, I
shall be deprived of the use of a Monitor in preparing for a service which would
require the addition of two or three more.
I have no time to inquire into the matter, for the papers have just reached
me by the Massachusetts, which will leave almost immediately.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Hear- Admiral Commanding S..A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
United States Iron-clad Passaic,
Port Royal Harbor, September 28, 1863.
Sir : I have to report that it is now one week since my arrival in this harbor,
during' which time I have been employed with the assistant inspector of iron-
clads (Mr. Hughes) in trying all means to make the turret of this vessel revolve.
Our efforts have been without success, and the vessel is conceded to be entirely
disabled, and that by the effect of the fire of the enemy. , , ^ ,
The report of Mr. Hughes states that the pilot-house must be taken oft and
the spindle removed. The spindle is in two parts, and if, after removing the
upper part of the spindle, it should be found that the difficulty lies m the lower
part of the spindle, the guns must come out, and the floor of the turret must be
removed before it can be taken out. This is, in fact, taking the whole turret to
^^ ThCTe are no means at hand for lifting the weights required. The pilot-house
weighs twenty-four tons, which, with the friction to be overcome in startmg it
from its seat, wUl increase the strain to be brought on the purchases to an
enormous degree.
254 ARMORED VTESSELS.
The main yard of the Vermont is the only derrick that can he used ; and even
if it can be so secured as to bear the strain, there are no purchases on board of
that vessel which can lift the weight. The blocks cannot possibly arrive before
the return of the Massachusetts, and will probably be delayed still longer, and
until they arrive not a blow can be struck in the way of repairs. After they
arrive the assistant inspector estimates that he can complete the work in thirty-
five days. This supposes that no difficulty arises in the lifting of the weights.
Allowing a fair margin in the arrival of the purchases, the lifting of the
weights, and the completion of the work, it will require three months to put the
vessel in fighting order, if her repairs are carried on at this place.
After maturely considering the subject with all the light I have collected, I
have no hesitation in saying that I believe the most expeditions manner in
which to get this vessel ready for service is to send her immediately to a northern
port, where every facility can at once be placed at the disposal of those charged
with her repairs. Such being my convictions, I respectfully recommend that
this course be pursued.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. SIMPSON,
Lieutenant Commander, Commandirig.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgken,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Repairs needed on the Nakant.
United States Iron-clad Nahant,
Off Morris Idand, October 2, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order of September 30, I report that this vessel
will require twenty-one through-bolts in the turret, six of which are near the
15-inch port, and must be riveted, which will require mechanics.
The fresh-water condenser has been worn out and entirely unfit for use more
than a month. At present one of the heaters is used for the purpose ; and as
cold, damp weather, may be expected shortly, I think it absolutely necessary
to have a new one.
The pilot-house was partly prepared to receive the sleeve the last time the
vessel was at Port Eoyal, and is, I think, weakened thereby, and should have
it put on.
The chief engineer requests ten days, if possible, to overhaul the engines and
boilers, which has never been done since the vessel left home.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. J. COENWELL,
Lieutenant Commander.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Comd'g S. A. B. Squadron, Flag-Steamer Philadelplda.
Part taken hy the Passaic in attacks on Charleston.
United States Iron-clad Steamer Passaic,
f .Port Royal Harbor, October 9, 1863.
Sir : Conformably to the call of the Navy Department for reports from the
commanders of the iron-clads, of the actions in which they have been engaged,
I have the honor to submit the following :
ARMORED VESSELS. 255
On the 29th day of July, 1863, I went into action in this vessel with Fprt
Wagner, on Morris island, at the distance of 1, 200 yards. In this action I fired
thirteen rounds from the 15-inch, and ten rounds from the 150-pounder rifle.
A cap square bolt was carried away on the carriage of the rifle. I received
no hits from the enemy.
On the night of the 15th of August, while employed on the same duty of
close picket, I discovered a steamer of the enemy communicating between Fort
Sumter and Oummings's Point. I opened fire upon her, which had the efi'ect of
causing her to move rapidly up the harbor. Battery Gregg opened fire in re-
turn, hut I received no hits.
On the 17th of August I joined the squadron in the attack of the forenoon on
Port Wagner, after which I was engaged with Fort Sumter at a distance of 2,000
yards. In the afternoon of the same day I again engaged Fort Wagner at a
distance of 900 yards, in company with the Patapsco, and succeeded in silencing
the fire of two guns that had been mounted subsequently to the withdrawal of
the squadron in the forenoon. During the day the vessel was hit thirteen times.
I fired thirty shells from the 15-inch gun, and 9 from the rifle, having been
ordered to retain the fire of the rifle for service against the walls of Sumter.
On the 18th of August I was again engaged with Fort Wagner at a distance
of 1,000 yards. During the action I fired eighteen shells from the 15-inch gun,
and received five hits from the enemy, one of them causing the water to run
freely through the deck into the bread room.
On the night of the 23d of August I was engaged, in company with the rest
of the squadron of iron-clads, in an attack on Fort Sumter, at a distance of about
750 yards. The mist obscured the fort so much as to make it very difficult to
distinguish the object. I fired nine rounds from the 15-inch gun, and ten from
the rifle. I was hit five times by the enemy.
On the afternoon of the 31st of August I was engaged, in company with the
Patapsco, Weehawken, and Nahant, with Fort Moultrie, at a distance of 875
yards. I fired one round from the 15-inch gun, and nine rounds from the rifle,
and received nine hits from the enemy. Three of the hits penetrated the deck,
forcing pieces of broken iron through on the berth deck; one hole measured
twenty inches by nine inches.
On the night of the 1st of September I was engaged, in company with the
rest of the iron-clad squetdron, in an attack on Fort Sumter, at a distance vary-
ing from 1,200 to 700 yards. During this action I fired twenty rounds from the
15-inch gun, and twenty-six from the rifle, and received seven hits from the
enemy.
On the nioming of the 6th of September I was engaged, in company with the
other vessels of the iron-clad squadron, in shelling the covered way from Fort
Wagner to Battery Gregg. There was no reply from the enemy. I fired six
rounds from the 15-inch gun, and nine rounds from the rifle.
On the night of the same day I was on picket, under orders to fire an occa-
sional shot to prevent re-enforcements crossing from Sullivan's island to Morris
island. After firing one round from each gun, while revolving the turret, it was
discovered that the central shaft or spindle of the turret had taken up motion
with the turret, carrying the pilot-house with it. The steering gear was of
course deranged ; in revolving the spindle back to its proper place, a casting
indispensable for the steering gear was broken. Temporary steering gear was
rigged on deck, and I returned to the lower anchorage. During the night, find-
ing it impossible to detach the spindle from the turret, a starting bar was shipped
in the shaft of the turret engine, in the turret chamber, and relieving tackles
were hooked to the steering chains and brought to the barrel of a wheel, tempo-
rarily rigged in the turret chamber. The vessel was reported as ready to go
into action on the morning of the 7th.
On the 8th of September I was engaged, in company with the rest of the iron-
256 AEMOEED VESSELS.
clad squadron, with the batteries on Sullivan's island, and having been ordered
to go well up and engage battery Bee, I became a prominent mark for the fire
of the enemy. The turret, spindle, and pilot-house, all revolved together. I
received three new holes through the deck; the side-armor was badly injured
in several places, and was sprung off the side abreast of the turret. Eleven hits
took effect on the ring around the base of the turret ; one of these hits caused so
much friction on the plate below the ring as to require thirty-four pounds of
steam to revolve the turret, until it was eased by melted tallow squirted in from
the outside. Had it not been for the elastic character of the packing under the
plate, the turret would inevitably have stopped.
The difficulty of steering the ship with relieving tackles, the quartermaster
below not having even the benefit of a compass to know when the vessel is
running " steady," and the copious leaks through seven holes in the deck, com-
bined with my desire to adjust the turret and spindle, induced me, after this
action, to represent to you the condition of the vessel, and on being informed by
you of the probable suspension of active operation for a while, I applied for per-
mission to come to this place for repairs. The concussion from the guns is not
found to inconvenience any one on board. During the last action a shot struck
one of the armor plates on the roof of the turret, driving it down into the turret.
Fortunately no one was seriously injured; one man was cut, and slightly bruised.
The wounds inflicted on the deck are very rough and jagged; all signs of
fibre disappear from the iron, and the projecting pieces are broken off with a
sledge. The shot generally burrows along on the plate that it first strikes until
it comes in co.ntact with the edge of the next plate, when it breaks.
The armor on the sides does not successfully resist the impact of the shot
from the guns of the heavy calibre of the enemy. There are several places on
the side of this vessel where all five plates are broken through.
The turret of this vessel is much battered, but very few bolts or nuts have
broken off. The strength of the turret has been most severely tried; at one
place two round shot of very large calibre (estimated by some as 11-inch, by
others as 15-inch,) have struck close together on the same plate, the impres-
sion of the second shot overlapping a portion of that made by the first. The
mass of iron has been pressed in, so as to form an extensive bulging in on the
inside, and the outer plate is broken; but no serious effect was produced.
In an official report of the actions in which this vessel has been engaged, I
cannot refrain from making especial mention of Lieutenant Wm. Whitehead, the
executive officer, whose earnest zeal, fine ability, and untiring energy, make him
most valuable in his position, and have been of the greatest assistance to me.
I must also specify Mr. Henry Mason, (the senior engineer,) and 3d Assistant
Engineer Wm. A. Dripps, whose valuable services as rendered on board of this
vessel, from their interest in the cause, have on several occasions called forth
my commendation. If Mr. Dripps remains iu the service, he is destined to
occupy a prominent place in his corps.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
E. SIMPSON,
Lieutenant Commander, Commanding.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Suggestions of Lieutenant Commander Simpson relative to the Monitors,
United States Iron-clad Steamer Passaic,
Port Royal Harbor, October 14, 1863.
Sir : Conformably to a call from the Navy Department, I have made a report
to the commander-in-chief on this station, of the actions in which this vessel has
AEMOEED VESSELS. 257
been engaged; but as the letter from the department implies a desire for such
experience as the commanders of the iron-clads may have acquired, I respect-
fully submit the following remarks :
DECKS.
In order to prevent dampness on the lower deck of an iron-clad Monitor, it
should be covered with two or three coats of paint, with shellac over all. AH
the washing that is then required is simply wiping with a wet cloth or swab.
The wood does not absorb the water, and the consequence is a dry atmosphere.
The spar decks of these vessels, as at present constructed, are not sufficiently
protected to resist such projectiles as are now in use. The six inches of wood
are sufficient backing, but the two J-inch plates of iron are unequal to perform
the work required of them. In this vessel there have been seven holes made
through the deck, the shot driving the iron and wood on the berth deck. The
holes made over the berth deck caused such a leak, when the deck was awash,
as to deprive the crew of a large portion of their accommodation, which at best
is too contracted. Two of these holes are caused by shot which struck the
base ring of the turret, near the bottom ; one of them just cleared the steam-pipe
of a blower engine, which, if disabled, would have been a serious damage, as
the blowers are literally the life of the ship. One hole over the awning-room
caused the wetting of all awnings, hammocks, &c., and another over the bread-
room injured a quantity of bread before it could be removed to another place.
It is impossible to plug these holes so as to stop all the leak ; in this vessel
they have been rammed full of oakum, with heavy bags of sand on top, while
below, after chipping off the splinters to obtain a smooth surface, sheet- lead has
been nailed up under the hole, but all without being able to stop the flow of
water. The surface of the iron on deck is very rough and jagged, and nothing
can be done in the way of repair until time is given to cut off all the injured
part, and to replace it with a new plate.
I recommend that the strength of the decks of the Monitors now in service be
increased by laying extra plates of 1-inch iron from over the forward part of
the magazine and shell-room as far aft as the condenser, extending the plates
only to two feet from the edge of the overhang on each side forward and abreast
of the turret, contracting the surface abaft the turret so 'as to cover only two
feet of the coal-bunkers on each side of the boilers and abaft the smoke-pipe,
running one plate amidships as far as the high-pressure valve. The uneven
space thus left on the deck can be 90vered with planking, which, forward and
aft, will be found a great comfort to officers and men. The wooden deck laid
on this vessel is found to be a great advantage in preventing rheumatism, and,
in hot weather, iu modifying the temperature. The additional weight thus
placed on the deck will be about 50 tons.
ARMATURE.
The side-armor, as disposed on the overhang of these vessels, does not per-
fectly fulfil the requirements. A shot of any size never strikes it without pro-
ducing more or less of serious effect, sometimes breaking through all the plates,
generally driving the mass of iron before it into the backing, and- sometimes
causing leaks. The solid plates of hammered iron on the New Ironsides,
though only 4 inches in thickness, resist the impact of shot much better than
the 5 inches of laminated iron on the sides of the Monitors.
This difference in effect may be caused by the different manner in which the
surfaces are presented to the shot, the sides of the Ironsides being inclined,
while those of the Monitors are vertical. The manner in which this armor is
arranged at the stem is very insecure. These vessels are useless as rams, ex-
cept against wooden vessels.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 17
258 AKMOEED VESSELS.
The security is by means of very small bolts at the extremity, which allow
the armor to open on a very slight provocation. The armor of this vessel at the
stem is sprung apart six inches by contact with another Monitor while in the
act of turning ; the collision was one with very slight force. I recommend that
all these vessels should be iitted with a shoe for the purpose of reinforcing the
stems.
The laminated iron, when disposed in a plane perpendicular to the flight of
the projectile, does not seem to answer all demands; but when disposed in the
form of a turret, no objection can be raised to it. The turrets are as near im-
pregnable as anything can be made, and eleven inches of iron seem to be enough
for all purposes of defence.
The only objection to them is the " through bolts," which allow the nut inside
to fly when the head of the bolt is struck. The new system of makiiig turrets
now adopted by the Navy Department obviates this difficulty.
ROOF OF TURRET.
The most vital and dangerous part of this construction of vessel is the roof
of turret, which must be apparent to every one as weak. It never can be struck
without causing damage. The number of the beams should be increased ; they
should have a better bearing in the wall of the turret, (at present they have but
two inches.) The railroad iron should be discarded, and good square iron, of
proper dimensions, substituted.
The roof of the "Weehawken" was struck at long range; the result was the
fracturing of the thigh of one man, and lighter wounds to two others ; and this
or worse must be the result as long as the roof is left in its present state.
PRESENT PRINCIPLE OF TURRET.
I will, perhaps, be excused if I hazard an objection to the principle involved
in the present arrangement of turret, pilot-house, and spindle.
The turret has two bearings on the spindle — one on a shoulder, under the
centre of the floor-beams, and another (through diagonal braces) from the ends
of these beams to another shoulder at the level of the roof. These bearings are
provided with composition rings to prevent " cutting."
The pilot-house is supported on the end of the spindle. In order to secure
the pilot-house from being knocked off by the effect of a blow, a composition
ring is secured to the roof of the turret, which, at its top, has a horizontal flange
which overlaps a projecting ring attached to the base of the pilot-hou^e.
This is the best manner in which the object could be attained, and, as long as
the form of all parts remains as they came from the foundry or machine-shop, it
will work well. But the battering effect of heavy ordnance will knock any-
thing out of shape, even an 11-inch turret or pilot-house, as in the case of this
vessel, causing the turret to revolve eccentrically. The effect of this eccentric
motion on board of this vessel was the derangement of the whole system by the
jamming of a piece of i-inch bolt between the composition ring and the old
pilot-house.
The piece of bolt entered freely at the place whereit had stopped in, but the
eccentric motion caused the surfaces of ring and pilot-house to approach each
other when the turret was revolved, and the jam took place ; thus uniting the
turret, pilot-house, and spindle, so that the turret could not be made to revolve
without carrying with it the other parts of the system.
Efforts were made to force them apart, with 3.5 pounds of steam, at the risk
of destroying the gearing of the turret engine, and causing the beams of the ship
to work several inches ; but no effect was produced, and the object could not be
attained until the ring was detached from the roof of the turret, when the cause
of the difficulty was discovered.
ARMORED VESSELS. 259
This difiSculty is most serious in its consequences ; the steering gear is, of
course, deranged, and the pilot-house becomes useless. It may occur again in
this vessel ; it may occur on board of any other vessel of this class.
It is also possible that the bearings of the turret on the spindle may " cut,"
although the fact of having two composition surfaces to work on makes the
danger remote. Great delicacy is required in adjusting the diagonal braces, and
any yielding on their part can at any time stop the tureet from reviving ; they
occupy, besides, much room in the turret, interfering with the work about the
guns.
I recommend that a system of turret should be devised by which it wOl have
no connexion with the spindle, but have a bearing all around its base, running
on such anti-friction rollers as the inexhaustible ingenuity of our mechanics can
invent.
The weight will not then be concentrated on one point of the vessel, but will
be spread over a greater surface, and the duty of the spindle will be simply to
support the pilot-house, without the remotest chance of derangement. The
diagonal braces will be thus removed from the turret.
1 would also recommend that the base of the turret should be carried below
the spar deck. The base ring as now attached to the turret prevents injury to
the bottom of the turret itself; but the liability of stopping the revolution of the
turret by forcing the iron down to the deck plates is just as great as ever.
In a late action in this vessel, owing to this cause, it required at one time thirty-
four pounds of steam to revolve the turret, until melted tallow was squirted in
from the outside ; and had it not been for the elastic character of the packing
under the plate below the ring, the turret would have inevitably stopped. I
have also had two shots that penetrated the deck directly under this ring. If
the base of the turret were carried down below the spar deck, it might be so
enclosed as to prevent the rush of water into the vessel through the opening
between the turret and deck, as- is the case at present. I consider that, if it be
found practicable to make the system work as I propose, it will be a great im-
provement.
The composition ring under the turret does not perform the work required of
it. After the turret has been struck several times at the base this ring ceases
to act independently, and attaches itself to the turret, becoming a part of it,
and rises or falls, or revolves with it. It is also found to be dangerous-, as the
flange inside the turret is broken by the force of the blows on the base, the
pieces flying in over the berth-deck beams. The extra base ring around the
turret does not prevent this effect, for in this vessel there are three pieces of the
flange broken ofi', one or two of them as much as four feet in length.
COMPRESSION OF THE GUNS.
The system of compression of the guns in the turret of these vessels is too
delicaite. The perfect action of the compressor plates between the beams form-
ing the bed or slide depends on the preservation of the parallelism of these
beams. If this parallelism be destroyed the plates take angling, and it has
been found at times very difficult to run the guns in and out from this cause.
To preserve the parallelism of these beams their elasticity must be perfect ; but
it is found in practice that, aftfer being subjected to a certain amount of compres-
sion, they require to be wedged apart in order to relieve the effort of running
in and out. A simple method of compression is proposed by Lieutenant Wm.
Whitehead, the executive oiEcer of this vessel, which is new only in its appli-
cation, but which, I think, could be substituted with advantage for the method
now in use. I enclose his sketch.
260 ARMORED VESSELS.
TURRET CHAMBER.
I would recommend that the floor of the turret chamber be covered with sheet
zinc, which will prevent much oil and dirt from going down on the skin. Two
hatches, forward and abaft, should also be cut in the deck, in the wake of the
heel of the^spindle, which, if unshipped wlieri keying up or lowering the turret,
would preveflt any hindrance to the " rams" that are used for these purposes.
PROTECTION OF ARMATURE.
In remarking the track of shot that have struck on the deck of this vessel, I
have noticed that, when they strike the edge of a plate they break, and their
effect ceases, leaving the edge of the plate much injured, but not affecting the
deck beyond. There are now on the deck of this vessel several places where
the shot have struck on a plate, pursued its course, burrowing along until the
edge of the next plate has suddenly stopped its further progress.
I cannot help thinking that something can be devised to be placed on the
outside of the armature of iron-clads which might have the effect of robbing the
shot of a great portion of its power by causing it to break immediately on con-
tact, in fact, before its whole force is developed on the main armor. The plan
that seems to me most feasible is to place over the armature a system of steel-
pointed cones, extending over the whole side, these to be so arranged as to
bring the points close enough together to prevent a shot of ordinary calibre
from sti'iking between the points.
The length of the cones would have to be determined by experiment, but I
should think one inch, or one inch and a half, would be all that could be re-
quired. The projection would, gf course, be flattened down by the force of the
blow, but I am inclined to believe that they would have their effect in acceler-
ating the moment when the shot would break. If they would not break the shot,
of course they would be of no use ; but the uniform manner in which the shots
break when coming in contact with the edge of the deck plates of this vessel
induces me to suppose that experiments carried on in this direction may lead to
valuable results.
The department will judge of the value of this report; my effort has simply
been to state impressions that I have received while in command of this vessel.
They are not theories, but deductions from practical effects which I have
remarked dui-ing very active operations. I shall be glad if they can be made
of any service.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. SIMPSON,
Lieutenant Commander, Commanding.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral DuPoni's vindication of himself.
Near Wilmington, Delaware,
October 22, 1863.
Sib.: Your communication of the 26th June, iik reply to my despatch of the
5d June, was received the day before I left Port Royal.
I had trusted tbat my communications of the 27th May and 3d June would
convince the department of the injustice of its imputations in its despatches of
the 14th and 15th May. I had confined myself to a detailed, accurate, and
AKMOEED VESSELS. 261
calm statement of facts known to the department, not less than to myself, but
of which I supposed it had been betrayed into a momentary forgetfulness by
the sensation of disappointment at the failure of the Monitors. I was silent
respecting its harsh language and unjust reproaches, trusting with confidence
that, when the facts were recalled to its recollection, the department would
retract the wounding words it had written, but which it could never expunge
from its records. In this I have been painfully disappointed. It is with pro-
found regret I perceive in your despatch of the 26th June a reiteration of the
charges and reproaches of previous despatches, and in your silence 'since, during
a period of three months, a resolution not to recall them. My last hope of
justice at the hands of the department is therefore extinguished.
If I have failed in my duty I am liable to trial, but insulting imputations in
official despatches are grave wrongs, perpetuated on the public records to my
peiTuanent injury. ,
The remedy which the law would afford me against a superior officer indulging
in the language of your despatches does not exist against the civil head of the
department. It only remains, therefore, for me to place again on the records of
the department my indignant refutation of its renewed charges.
I concur with the department in the observation that the further discussion
of what it is pleased to term the demonstration of the 7th April would not be
profitable. 1 regret that this has not been adhered to in your present despatch,
in which also I perceive new suggestions which I cannot pass over in silence.
I share the regret which the department expresses that my views were not
understood by it before the event took place, but I must be permitted to say
that, though not understood by the department, they were formally and clearly
expressed by me- on its records before the event took place. My despatch of
the 3d of June, from which the department now understands them, merely cited
and repeated what was already on its records.
My reply to the order to attack ; my despatches, with the reports of Captains
Drayton and Worden, of the operations on the Ogeechee, and my letter to the
Assistant Secretary, informing him that the only limit to my demand for iron-
clads was the capability of the government to supply them, if consulted, could
not be misunderstood. The department was under no necessity of seeking my
opinion of the Monitors from intimations to 'others: a much more authentic
' source of information was its own records.
Among them 'it possessed the official expression of exactly what I thought pf
the capabilities of the Monitors as against forts, accompanied by the experiments
in the battle on which they were founded, in my despatch of the 28th January,
transmitting the detailed report of Captain Worden, and followed by the
detailed report of Captain Draytcm, which I forwarded with my own report of
the 6th of March. Just such a detailed exposition of the condition of the
Monitors after the attack on Charleston was characterized by the department
as " a labored efflDrt to depreciate our national iron-clad^."
It is a just subject of regret that these reports should have been overlooked,
or thought not worthy of consideration by the department.
I was aware of the visit of the Assistant Secretary to Charleston, but I learn
with surprise from your despatch that, without a commission in the navy, he
commanded the expedition which witnessed the bombardment of Sumter with-
out relieving it. But I am at a loss to see how such an inspection of the port at
that time can make him familiar with all the points of fortifications created since
his visit, though it may well explain the interest which led him to make it a
specialty.
But the department will pardon me i^or saying, with all proper respect for its
head, that it is incomprehensible to me that the Assistant Secretary could ever
. have supposed there was entire coincidence of views on the subject between
him and myself. He cannot have forgotten his opinion of the power and Invul-
±isi;i£5fa,ys controverted. Still less can he have
_r ii,,^ji£^i_it^
262 AEMOKED VESSELS.
failed to recollect his persistent resolution to make the expedition depend for
success solely on the naval force, and his anxiety to exclude the co-operation of
a land force, against my opinion that a purely naval attack could give no
assurance of success, and that to secure it troops were necessary, often and as
formally expressed before the 7th of April as it is now contained in my report
of the attack.
The department has been further misled in supposing I went with the Assist-
ant Secretary into particulars respecting the attack on Charleston during my
visit last fallf The only detail that was arranged and promised by the Assist-
ant Secretary was never executed — the removal of serious defects in the New
Ironsides. She came three months afterwards to Port Royal unchanged in
important particulars.
I am not suflSciently sure that I understand the allusion of the department
to Eear-Admiral Dahlgren, then Captain Dahlgren, to make any comment
upon it ; I therefore pass it in silence.
It is gratifying to me to perceive that the department is sensible of the
propriety of assigningVa reason for its unusual delay in acknowledging my
reports of so important an action as that of the 7th of April. But the depart-
ment must permit me to remind it that I answered the President's order of the
13th April, which the letter of the 14th merely repeated, modified and softened,
on the 16th of April, the day of its receipt, in a full despatch, which Ifeft Port
Eoyal on the 17th, the day after the transmission of my detailed report of the
action of the 7th, and must have reached the department within four or five
days of its date ; and if the department delayed its reply to my report for
several weeks, in daily expectation of a despatch then in its possession, it is
another illustration of the neglect with which it treats my despatches. And
while the department informs me that my detailed report of the action of the
7th was received only on the 20th April, the department should not forget
that my report of the 8th, containing every material fact necessary for the com-
prehension of the attack on the 7th, and the causes of its failure, was delivered
to the Secretary on the 12th of April, only five days after the battle, by Com-
mander Rhind, himself a distinguished actor in that event.
That despatch was entitled to the courtesy of an acknowledgment, even if
the department had no word of thanks to the brave men and officers who so
gallantly tried its experiment.
I have no desire to question the power of the department to relieve me at
its discretion, but its order of the 3d June assigns causes which do not exist,
and ascribes to me opinions which I had neither expressed nor entertained.
In my despatch of the 28th January I advised the department that troops
were necessary to secure success ; it persisted in ordering a purely naval attack ;
reiteration of my repeated advice the department could not expect unless on
its request.
That request was for -the first time expressed in your despatch of the 14th
May, and before it could receive my reply giving a detailed plan of operation
the department relieved me.
The department will search my letters in vain for any justification of its
regrets that I did not concur in the reluctance of the government to relinquish
all further efforts against Charleston.
Long before the government ordered any attack, I opened the way on the
Stono and placed its troops within reach of Charleston, and since this failed,
because not supported, my suggestions to the department have been confined
to pointing out the way to secure success in other directions, always holding
the Stono, however, without which the ;present operations could not have been
attempted by the military forces.
The tenor of my letters nowhere justifies the suggestion that iny judgment
was in opposition to a renewed attack on Charleston with an adequate land
AEMOKED VESSELS. 263
force supporting the naval attack. They expressly confined my opposition to
" a purely naval attack" with forces that had just proved insufiicient. If I am
not misinformed, the department has not ordered such an attack, nor found an
officer willing to undertake it, .and the recent operations before Charleston
sufficiently vindicate my judgment.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
8. F. DUPONT,
Rear-Admiral United States Navy.
Hon. Gideon "Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, WasJiington. ^
Secretary of the Navy in reply to Rear-Admiral DuPont's letter of October 22. (
Navy Department, November 4, 1863.
Sir: Your communication dated "near Wilmington, Delaware, 22d of Octo-
ber," was received at this department on the 27th ultimo. This communica-
tion purports to be an acknowledgment of a letter of the department of the 26th
of last June, the receipt of which you had already acknowledged several months
since.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to enter into a controversy or
review of the transactions attending the demonstration of the 7th of April, nor
can I neglect public duties to discuss your alleged, but, in my opinion, entirely
imaginary personal grievances. Your prompt abandonment of the harbor of]
f Charleston after a brief attack — your disinclination to occupy the harbor — your '
I declarations that the Monitors could not remain there with safety — ^your doubts i
\ and misgivings in relation to those vessels — your opposition to a naval attack — '
^ your omission to suggest or advise any system of naval proceeding — your con- i
stant complaints — the distrust that painfully pervaded your correspondence — ;
your distressing personal anxiety about yourself that seemed to overshadow
public duty — your assaults upon editors instead of assaults upon rebel batteries — ,
your neglect of any reconnoissance of the harbor obstructions, or if such was ;
ever made, your neglect to inform the department of the fact — these, with the
querulous and censorious charges which subsequently, during four months'
leisure, have been garnered up and cherished, and which finally find expression
in your communication received on the 2tth ultimo, are, agreeably to your wish,
all on the files of the department, and the failure of the 7th of April has become
history. In the department also are the records of my despatches to which
you have taken exception, in language which is, if not unbecoming an officer,
at least so unusual that, though conned and prepared as necessary for your
vindication, it requires special indulgence in order to be permitted to be received
on the public files. •
, Those despatches are not of the character you represent. " Insulting impu-j
jtations in official despatches," by whomsoever made, are no more excusable)
/than oj)trusive impertineii cg_5jd diliberate insolence. Concurring, as you de-l
clare you do, with the departmmFniuFl;lir1uftEer~3iscussion of the brief dem-
onstration of the 7th of April, which you feared, and have often declared,
would, if repeated, result in disaster, you nevertheless, in your leisure, " near
Wilmington," once more bring forward your failure and your grievance, and de-
clare you must " place again on the records of the department my (your) indig-
nant refutation of its renewed charges."
Four months had passed away since I had written you, except the brief
despatch of July 15, congratulating you on your arrival in Delaware — our cor-
respondence had closed — yet late in October you forward an elaborate despatch,
reopening the subject, and accusing me of "renewed charges." The "imputa-
264 ARMOEED VESSELS.
tion'' that I have ever made charges against you is as incorrect as that I had
"renewed" them.
Your rehictance to assail Sumter and occupy the harbor of Charleston, and
the anxiety manifested to hastily withdraw the.fleet, were facts which I learned
with regret; but, though I did not concur in your views, I carefully abstained
from making either "charges" or "imputations" against you.
Differing with you, it was my duty to express my opinions, and I did it ill
language and terms which you do not presume to quote to sustain your asser-
tions. I lamented what appeared to me an en-or or infirmity of judgment, and
the development of views that were in direct conflict with what I had previously
supposed was our united and joint opinion, and I frankly but mildly communi-
cated my disappointment on learning that you disapproved, or claimed never to
have advised, the assault on Sumter, or the attempt to penetrate Charleston
harbor.
But while thus differing with you and compelled to state my opinions, I was
not unifiindful of your ability and attainments, your topographical and hydro-
graphical knowledge of the coast, and your professional experience and service
exhibited not only at Port Royal, but in the general management of the block-
ade from the North Carolina boundary to Cape Canaveral. Everywhere, and
on all occasions, I awarded you full and cheerful credit for what you are, and
what you had done; but because I was surprised and disappointed at your
failure and your conclusions at Charleston, which it appears was not your spe-
cialty, and because I did not wholly conceal my opinions, you accuse me of
making charges and renewing them. It was no less my duty to inform you
wherein we disagreed, than wherein we concurred. I knew that in the autumn
of 1862 our views coincided in regard to assailing Sumter and occupying
Charleston harbor; that you then expected to make that assault; that both of
us then anticipated its success, and that we mutually spoke of it as the crown-
ing glory of a successful career. Until within a few weeks prior to the attack
your letters were all unmistakably of that character, and were calling for as-
sistance for that work. As the crisis approached, doubts and misgivings, the
almost certain precursors of failure,' began to manifest themselves. Such, how-
ever, was then my confidence in your ability and sagacity, that I trusted and
believed you would, resolutely as well as skilfully, press forward to the accom-
plishment of the object intrusted to you. . ,
I expected that you would proceed fearlessly and intelligently, and if not
with as much preparatory labor and care as you have exhibited in the eompo-
- sition of your late letters, certainly with a due regard to the public service, and
with the intention at least of a successful result. I did not suppose that during
the eighteen months you had blockaded Charleston you were ignorant of the
true character of the obstacles to be overcome, or that when the assault was
commenced the whole fleet would be compelled to huddle together without
order under the fire of the batteries, but it was assumed that you would have
some plan of attack ; that there had been some previous reconnoissance of the
harbor, and a thorough knowledge obtained of the submerged obstructions.
I was disappointed when I learned the true state of the case, and that all the
vessels except your own, which was not and unfortunately could not be got near
the batteries, after a demonstration of less than two hours, during which the
Monitors were subjected to a terrific fire with the loss of one man, your forces
were withdrawn, and you, having taken a night's reflection, concluded to leave
the harbor and abandon the attack. The principal reason assigned for this
abandonment was the injury that had been done the Monitors, and your in-
ability to renew the assault in consequence. These vessels, which you claim not
to have disparaged, have since been under fire for about two months, and, but for
the submerged obstructions which you treated lightly, but of which you appear
AEMOEED VESSELS. 265
to have never obtained authentic information, they could have gone to the
wharves of Charleston and returned. No batteries could have prevented.
Nevertheless you imputed your failure to the Monitors; you reported them
greatly injured; you apprehended they could not remain inside the bar and ride
out the storin; you urged the renewal of the blockade off the harbor.
The results which have since followed ; the fire which the Monitors have sus-
tained for many weeks ; the safety with which for months they have rode out
gales inside the bar; the much more stringent efficiency of the blockade with
the Ironsides and Monitors inside, than it ever was while the vessels were out-
side, have confirmed me in the belief that the Monitors were not solely nor even
mainly responsible for the failure of the 7th of April.
Yon complain because I did not acknowledge your preliminary despatch of
the 8th, sent forward by Commander Rhjnd in the Flambeau. In this you seem
strangely oblivious of my despatch of the 11th of April, written and forwarded
immediately on receiving intelligence of your failure through rebel sources, con-
firmed by telegram from Fortress Monroe, informing us of the arrival of the
Flambeau at Hampton Roads with tidings of the demonstration of the 7th.
Tou were in that despatch promptly advised of the views of the President and
the department in relation to a "renewed attack" and continued operations, for
the brief demonstration of the 7th was at first regarded by us as a mere recon-
noissance or preliminary attack, to be followed up by more decisive action.
When Commander Rhind arrived in Washington on the 12th he brought little
if any new intelligence, and I had nothing to say in addition to my despatch
of the 11th, which had anticipated your formal communication. Nor am I aware
that there were any means of immediate conveyance had I made a formal ac-
knowledgment of your brief report, for there was no regular communication.
The despatch of the 11th, which you received on the 16th, put you in pos-
session of the views of the government after the attack of the 7th was known,
without delaying to communicate till notice was formally received and acknow-
ledged.
I did not communicate with you further on the subject, for I was in daily and
hourly expectation of hearing from you as to the prosecution of the attack.
That you had wholly neglected to inform yourself of the submerged harbor
obstructions I was unwilling to believe, and yet I had no assurance on that
point. Waiting for developments and suggestions which your opportunities,
official position, and long experience on the coast authorized you to make, and
which were a part of your duty, days wasted, and uo communication from you
as to an attack or future operations was received. Your detailed report, when
transmitted, was soon followed by another and more ponderous document, but,
to my regret and surprise, neither of them brought any more information or any
suggestion of any plan of naval operations looking to its accomplishment.
Your report, consisting of eight pages, and its accompaniments, expatiated on
alleged deficiencies of the irou-clads and their injuries. I regretted that the
report was not such a plain narrative of the attack, unconnected with other
topics, as to justify its publication, but the account was so interwoven with com-
plaints of the feebleness and inefficiency of the vessels that its publication would
have been impolitic and injurious. There was no necessity to have exposed the
deficiency of the vessels to the rebels, even if as great as represented. Only
one object was to be gained by such exposure or exaggeration, and that was to
place the entire failure on the Monitors. The tone which pervaded your report
and despatches was by no means encouraging, but the reverse. You had evi-
dently no enthusiasm or zeal for operations in Charleston harbor, but advised a
return to the outside blockade.
The most elaborate as well as the most extended of all your despatches, how-
ever, at that interesting and exciting period when the government and the whole
country were intent upon your, action, and sympathizing with you in your ardu-
266 AEMOEED VESSELS.
ous labors and responsibilities, was the ponderous document of the 22d of April.
Not having been encouraged by your report or previous despatches, I antici-
pated that this document would contain a well matured plan of operations, and
turned to it with high expectation, but, to my amazement, I found it consisted
of fourteen foolscap pages, which you had prepared in that excited period, com-
plaining of and criticising a newspaper article which commented with some
sharpness on what the writer considered the errors of the seventh of April and
the mistake in hastily withdrawing the fleet.
That an officer with such important trusts confided to him — the whole country
interested in the results of his labors, and skill and bravery — the world itself a
- spectator of his acts — should at such a period so waste his time as to write four-
teen full pages of personal defence and justification against newspaper remarks —
bei-ating and censuring others — was as pitiable as it was astonishing. 1 confess
that, while as ready as ever to award you abilities of a certain description, I
from that moment became satisfied that you would never reduce Fort Sumter
nor capture -Charleston. Still, remembering the services you had rendered,
acknowledging your abilities in the sphere where your usefulness had been
proved, and disposed to kindly regard your failure as an unavoidable infirmity,
I worded my despatches in language as mildly expressive of my disappoint-
ment as I could frame. This forbearance of the department you have strangely
misconstrued, and, after four months' deliberation, you come forward and seek
to reopen the closed correspondence in order to manifest your latent indignation
by denouncing my mild expressions as " insulting imputations" and "grave
wrongs." Undoubtedly more terse and explicit language might have been used,
but to you, 1 apprehend, it would have been much less satisfactory. It has
evidently never occurred to yon that the delays and failures at Charleston were
in any degree imputable to the infirmities of the commander-in-chief.
You disapproved of the occupancy of the harbor, yet I am not aware that
you ever caused or attempted to have a reconnoissance of the obstructions or an
examination of the harbor made before the attack, nor am I aware that you
have ever offered an excuse for this omission. After the attack was made you
were dissatisfied with the Ironsides — dissatisfied with the Monitors — dissatisfied
with Chief Engineer Stimers, against whom you prepared charges and desired
that he might be arrested and sent to you for trial, he having expressed his sur-
prise that you should abandon the assault on s'o brief an effort — dissatisfied with
Surgeon Kershner, whom you court-martialed for a similar offence — dissatisfied
with Mr. Fulton, the special agent of the Post Office Department, for his criti-
cisms on your movements and acts — dissatisfied with the President for his tele-
gram, and dissatisfied with the department for not more promptly and formally
acknowledging and publishing your reports.
If these complaints and reports, wherein the admiral of the squadron devoted
BO large a portion of his time to his personal matters and so little towards mar-
shalling his force for the occupation of the harbor of Charleston and the capture
of the city, were not received with the patience to which they were entitled, it
was my misfortune. I do not deny that it would have been more acceptable
to the department to have witnessed the zeal manifested in hunting down news-
paper editors, engineers, and surgeons, directed against rebel enemies and to the
destruction of their works.
It is not my object to review or criticise your acts and doings, nor to consider
other points than those which you in this elaborate and studied document have
again obtruded upon the department after four months' rumination. The expedi-
tion to Ogeechee and assault on Fort McAllister, which you again refer to, was not
such an exhibition of tact and strategy as to have commended itself to my
judgment ; yet, you having deemed it expedient, I did not object to or even
criticise it. That it gave you more confidence in the Monitors in some respect
you admit ; but it is obvious your doubts and prejudices were not removed. If
ARMORED VESSELS. 267
they did not inspire you with confidence and reliance, you congratulate yourself
with the information you acquired. Did it ever occur to you that the informa-
tion which the rebels derived from that experience was infinitely more valuable
to them than any that you obtained was to you 1 When they beheld the invul-
nerability of the Monitors, they were conviaced that ijo batteries could prevent
the ingress of those vessels to Charleston, and that the defence of the city must
be the submerged obstructions. How much the obstructions may have been in-
creased, and the defence of the place strengthened, in consequence of the inform-
ation so obtained by them, no reconnoissance or exploration of yours has ever
informed us. If there was not entire coincidence of views between you and
the department until within a brief period preceding the attack, your views
were greatly misapprehended, not only by myself, but by the Assistant Secretary,
with whom you held free unofficial correspondence.
Not until after the 7th of April was I aware of your disinclination to enter or
occupy the harbor and encounter Sumter. The batteries, the storms, the anchor-
age, the rebel iron-clads, the torpedoes, were your apprehension, but the sub-
merged obstructions you treated hghtly, although they gave disquiet to the
department, which could obtain no certain information from you in regard to
them. You may have exercised a cautious and wary reserve in withholding
"advice" on the subject of the assault, but the tenor of your despatches left
me in no doijbt of your opinion, while your conversati6ns and private corre-
spondence were explicit.
That your failure disappointed me I did not conceal, but frankly stated, not,
however, in " harsh language " or " unjust reproaches." Your anxiety to leave
the harbor and abandon naval demonstrations in that direction disappointed me
more than your failure. For a long period the department had exerted itself
assiduously to strengthen your command, had given you its efficient vessels,
sometimes at the expense of other squadrons. It was for the admiral to inspire
all with his opinions and resolution, and to give direction to all. That direc-
tion was, however, to withdraw after ^ single, brief, confused attack, in which
one man was killed.
The detailed report was a deplorable representation of injuries to the Moni-
tors, followed by expressed dissatisfaction because the account which decried
them was not promptly acknowledged and published to the world. There was
a manifest determination to fassten whatever weakness existed on the vessels.
Fortunately they have vindicated their own reputation from this hasty condem-
nation, by months of endurance through storm and fire .which the commander-
in-chief declared they could not sustain.
You do not scruple to charge upon the department harsh language and unjust
reproaches, yet nowhere in the correspondence to which you refer are they to
be found, nor am I conscious of ever having entertained an unkind thought
towards you to provoke them, even when lamenting what appeared to me your
errors. In the overwhelming pressure of great events, and measures of deep
public concernment, my language may have been unstudied, but never inten-
tionally offensive. Nor did any intimation of "wounding words" ever escape
you in the day when these occurrences transpired. There were regrets, disap-
pointments, and differences of opinions, that were sufficiently painful without
the addition of "harsh language," "unjust reproaches," or "wounding words."
I had given you my willing confidence, and supposed there was entire frank-
ness and sincerity between us, nor was I undeceived until after the 7th day of
April, when you informed me that demonstration was "a measure you never
advised." Until that declaration I had never suspected any want of concert or
candor. In the same communication you indicated a general non- concurrence
in the views of the President and of the department ; said that you had " with-
drawn the iron-clads from the very insecure anchorage inside the bar;" spoke of
the "great peril of their being lost on Morris island beach;" asserted that "their
268 ARMORED VESSELS.
grotind tackling tas been found to be insufiicient ;" dwelt on " the serious injury-
sustained hy the Monitors," but s'tated you would " get them inside Charleston
bar with all despatch, in accordance with the order of the President;" thought
it your "duty, however, to state to the department that this will be attended
with great risk to these v,essel3 from the gales which prevail at this season, and
from the continuous fire of the enemy's batteries, which they can neither silence
nor prevent the erection of new ones." These are but parts of that despatch,
not to dwell on others equally censorious, indicating disagreement with the pre-
vious policy and understanding — distrust and discontent — and concluding with
your " request that the department will not hesitate to relieve me by any officer
who is more able to execute that service in which I have had the misfortune to
fail."
This letter was written on the 16th of April, immediately after receiving my
despatch of the 11th, directing renewed operations, and before there had been
time for formal acknowledgment of your communication of the .8th, and in fact
superseding its necessity. Thenceforward, until you were relieved, I was
painfully impressed with the want of earnest zeal and enthusiasm, the lack of
vigor, the omission to make suggestions, and the absence of will and energy and
resolute determination to carry forward the vast operations intrusted to you.
Your request to be relieved was not an unmeaning or unimportant expression.
Uttered as it was at a critical period in front of the enemy, and with active ope-
rations in progress, I was not at liberty to disregard it. Taken in connexion
with the changed tone of your correspondence, and the declaration that you
" never advised" the measure, with the consequences that might follow, a respon-
sibility devolved upon the department and the government, from that request
and your evident discontent, that could not be evaded.
/ The whole condition of affairs, with your changed opinions and feelings, was
j deliberately considered, and contributed to delay the acknowledgment and reply i
j to your detailed report. I was anxious to know whether this request to be
; relieved could be considered a mere momentary impulse, and waited further
' developments on that point, as well as in regard to your views and plans for
attacking Charleston. But instead of plans and suggestions for naval opera- ■
' tiona such as I looked for and had a right to expect from the admiral in com-
i mand, there came the dissertation of fourteen pages complaining of a newspaper
article, and exhibiting a sensitive tenderness of what concerned yourself per-
1 sonally. What action could I take or what course pursue, when the officer who
; had been selected for, this important command was at this crisis engaged in a
newspaper dispute, complaining of his friends and requesting to be relieved 1
Disappointed that you, at the period when the government had a right to rely ,
I upon you most, should seem so indifferent to the public necessities, so solicitous j
for yourself, the department was embarrassed, but yet retained a lingering hope
) that you would feel sufficient interest to suggest some plan for prosecuting naval
1 operations. When, however, weeks passed, and nothing substantial was re-
' ceived, but the apathy or indifference continued, you were finally relieved in
June. Alluding to these matters and your neglect or omission to suggest a
plan of operations, and to the request that I made in my letter of the 14th of
May, specially inviting you to communicate your views to the department, you
Bay : " Before it could receive my reply, giving a detailed plan of operations,
the department relieved me." That relief was not unsolicited ; but had it been
given without request of any kind from you — ^liad you been earnest and diligent
in carrying out the policy of the government, and had all the imaginary wrongs
which you conceive yourself to have suffered been real, was it right for you, as
an officer and a patriot, after being specially invited to submit your views, to
withhold from your government and country any " detailed plan of operations"
which your abilities and long experience had enabled you to form t There is ^
patriotism that leads to self-sacrifice, and causes one to forget personal wrongs in
ARMORED VESSELS. 269
devotion to his country. If you really had in your miud a " detailed plan of
operations," could any personal consideration Or private griefs, real or imaginary,
induce you to suppress and withhold it from that government which had so hon-
ored and trusted you, and to which you were under so many and great ohliga-
tions ? If so, I must say that you were not relieved one moment too soon. And
here let me say, that the plan of operations to which you refer as already exist
ing in your mind, being the results of observations derived from eighteen months'
experience, and, as you intimate, ready to be communicated, is still- withheld.
You not only disavow advising the operations on Charleston, but have taken
special occasion to say there was non-coiicurrence of views between yourself
and the Assistant Secretary. In saying this you profess not to understand the
character of the mission of that gentleman for the relief of Sumter in 1861,
and to be ignorant of his making more than one visit to Charleston. It is not
necessary that I should go into an explanation of the confidential trust which
the President instituted to succor the famishing garrison at that time. But the
Assistant Secretary had made himself so familiar with the harbor and defences
that you communicated and advised with him freely and unofficially in regard
to operations. If, as you remark, his visit in 1861 did not " make him familiar
with all the points of fortifications," he knew enough of them to entertain no
apprehension of their preventing the passage of the Monitors. But while the
batteries are powerless to those vessels, the submerged obstructions may be
formidable and dangerous. These are really the present chief and almost only
defences of Charleston against a purely naval attack, and yet you always treated
those obstructions lightly and as of little account. If, from the want of accurate
information, you underestimated them before the demonstration of the 7th of
April, the subsequent omission to obtain the facts and report to the department
exhibits a want of vigilance that was not to have been expected from the com-
manding officer, who had been eighteen months on the coast, commencing before
there were any submerged obstructions to be overcome.
As you express your surprise at, and your inability to comprehend, the trust
confided to the Assistant Secretary in 1861, I herewith transmit a copy of his
letter to me, embodying his authority from the Secretary of War, and also from
Lieutenant General Scott, when commissioned to convey supplies to the famish-
ing garrison in Fort Sumter. Unfortunately the bombardment of Sumter had
commenced before the supplies arrived, and he was compelled, as you are pleased
to remind us, to witness the surrender of the fortress without being able to re-
lieve the garrison. You. will also find appended extracts from your private and
unofficial letters to him, alluded to in your late communication, and also to Com-
mander Wise, which may serve to refresh your memory as to the views and
feelings which you actually entertained at the time they were written in regard
to operations, if you did not officially "advise" them.
I must also call your attention to one or two official despatches, not supposing
that there were differences between us in regard to the operations which,
since your failure, you say you never " advised." I did not scan your despatches
with a view of ascertaining how far and to what extent you were committed to
the undertaking. On my part there were no reserves ; arid if there were any on
yours, to them perhaps may be attributed much of your difficulty. My despatches
were frank and explicit. On the 6th of January I Wrote you that "the New
Ironsides, Passaic, Montauk, Patapsco, and Weehawken, iron-clads, have been
ordered to, and are now on the way, to join your command, to enable you to
enter the harbor of Charleston and demand the surrender of its defences, or
suffer the consequences of a refusal."
There certainly was no question as to the views of the department in this
despatch ; and if you did not advise the measure, the fact that you did not inti-
mate a doubt or make an adverse suggestion, permitted me to draw no other
270 ARMORED VESSELS.
inference than that you concurred. It was, indeed, in conformity with all our
previous understanding and preparation.
You, yourself, wrote on the 24th of January that, "The department is aware
that I have never shrunk from any responsibility which circumstances called
for, nor desired to place any failure of mine on others. But the interests in-
volved in the success or failure of the undertaking strike me as so momentous
to the nation at home and abroad at this particular period, that I am confident it
will require no urging from me to induce the department to put at my disposal
every means in its power to insure success, especially by sending additional
iron-clads, if possible, to those mentioned in your despatch. The army is not
ready for even the limited co-operation it can give, though anxious to render
any assistance."
If this was not advising the measure, it was in concert with it. True it is
that four days later, on the 28th of January, you made some allusions of a pre-
cautionary character, and which may have been intended to intimate more than
was expressed. But on the 31st of January you were advised that, "The de-
partment does not desire to urge an attack upon Charleston with inadequate
means, and if, after careful examination, you deem the number of iron-clads in-
sufficient to render the capture of that port reasonably certain, it must be aban-
doned." But.it was not abandoned, nor was there any intimation it should be,
and it was consequently taken for granted that you "advised" the measure.
You were further informed in the same despatch that, "The department is not
acquainted with the harbor obstructions constructed by the rebels, and therefore
cannot advise with you in regard to these obstacles. If they ai-e not considered
sufficient to prevent your entrance, it is not believed possible for the rebels to
prevent your success with all other means combined." On this point the depart-
ment has not changed its views. But, unfortunately, you failed to inform your-
self in regard to the obstructions ; or if you had accurate knowledge of them, it
has been withheld from the department. "^
Although trespassing on time that I cannot well spare, I have, induced by
your extraordinary letter, read over the correspondence to which you have taken
these late exceptions, and I perceive therein nothing to justify the accusations
and complaints, which, in closing the subject, I must be permitted to say, are as
unworthy of you as they are unjust to the department.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
EearA-dmiral S. E. DuPont,
Near Wilmington, Delaware.
[Enclosures to the foregoing letter.]
Navy Department, Novemher 3, 1863.
Sir : Rear-Admiral DuPont's despatch, dated near Wilmington, October 22,
alluded to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy and the correspondence had
with him, which being private and unofficial, has no place on the record.
As it is the evident wish of the admiral that that portion which relates to the
contemplated attack upon Charleston should be before you, I have the honor to
furnish extracts bearing upon the subject, including one from a note of the ad-
miral to Commander Wise.
So much surprise is expressed by the admiral at rpy having commanded an
expedition which "witneBsed"*the bombardment of Sumter in AprU, 1861, that
ARMORED VESSELS. 271
I append herewith the order of honorable Simon Cameron, Secretary of War,
under which I acted ; also an order of Lieutenant General Winfield Scott.
Very respectfully,
G. V. FOX, Assistant Secretary.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Private letter dated Septemher 12, 1862.
Several reports have reached us which interest me, that you contemplated
some attack on Charleston. Please not give orders without previously hearing
from me. This is too serious a matter, and too much involved in a failure, not
to be maturely considered.
I feel too sure of ultimate success to hesitate to check premature action.
Extract from private letter, dated January 8, 1863.
* * * We have a good deal of information from Norris. No obstructions
to speak of, but the two iron-clads are formidable, and they say 140 guns can
be brought to bear on an approaching vessel, and have not the slightest appre-
hension. * * *
Extract from -private letter dated January 10, 1863.
* * * Norris, whom we took, represents the Charleston iron-clads as
very formidable in everything but motive power. * » *
Extract from private letter dated February 25, 1863.
* * * The ammunition is all received, and we are working steadily in ref-
erence to its proper and available distribution. The Ordnance Bureau has done
wonders for us in this line. * * *
The experiment — for it is nothing else, (the trying of 200 guns with 20) — ^is too
momentous to be trifled with. You must therefore be patient until we are
ready. Better be successful in March than fail in February. I am surprised
you believe for a moment that we could be humbugged into a siege. * * *
There is another battery going up nearer Cummings's Point, so we shall have
to knock this over, as well as Fort Wagner, to win our harbor and get our own
base of operations. To keep up the supply of ammunition in these vessels re-
quires gi-eat preparation and system. * * * "W"e are up and doing.
Nothing will be wanting on our part, if it pleases God to give us the day.
Extract from private letter dated March 2, 1863.
* * * While I thank you for your great efforts, I think it right to say
that the limit of my wants in the way of iron-clads is the capacity of the de-
partment to supply them. # * * If you send me all you can, I can ask no
more. * • * Morris island has been covered with batteries, where we
have to win our harbor and establish our naval base. * * *
272 AEMORED VESSELS.'
Excuse me, but I could not but smile at your grand plan of sailing in silently
on our friends. There is no question about what the result would be, and be a,s
you say it would; but, my friend; you have to get there. We will do it if it
can he done. I think we shall have to batter and pound beyond any precedent
in history. * * #
Memorandum dated March 7, 1863.
The conclusion to be drawn from the very valuable practice at Fort McAllis-
ter is, that none of the 15-inch guns can be worked for more than a day's fight
without repairs. The attack on Charleston may take a week before any final
result is reached. Four Monitors have attacked Fort McAllister. Of these two
got aground, two had their concussion boxes injured, one had her 15-inch gun-
carriage injured, one was injured by a torpedo, and one by a bombshell, without
taking a seven-gun fort. Part only of those vessels which go into the fight at
Charleston will be efficient at the end of it, and part, therefore, of the attacking
force must take the city.
Then Dahlgren gives the life of his gun at 300. That will never answer, I
think. We had better have 11-inch. * * »
Extract of a letter from Port Royal dated January 16, 1863.
• • • In reference to the former it would. appear, if we can rely upon
recent statements — what I cared as much for and more than forts, (obstructions) —
we are in a nieasure relieved. The depth of water, a gale or two, and some
spring tides, have removed the great mass of them, well constructed as they
were — five fourteen-inch timbers, hooped with iron, with iron points or heel to
sink them, then fastened together by a chain cable about ten feet apart, with a
torpedo hung to the festoons.
They are still at work on the defences, however, and the number of forts
and guns is simply fabulous. My comfort and hope is, that with our experience
and study of eighteen months on the coast, we can apply whatever means are
furnished for the end desired, about as well as most people. * * *
War Department,
Washington, April 4, 1861.
Sir : It having been determined to succor Foi't Sumter, you have been se-
lected for this important duty. Accordingly you will take charge of the trans-
ports provided in New York, having the troops and supplies on board, to the
entrance of Charleston harbor, and endeavor, in the first instance, to deliver the
subsistence. If you are opposed in this you are directed to report the fact to
the senior naval officer off the harbor, who will be instructed by the Secretary
of the Navy to use his entire force to open a passage, when you will, if possi-
ble, effect an entrance and place both the troops and supplies in Fort Sumter.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary of War.
Captain Gr. V. Fox, WasMngton.
HEADaUARTERS'OF THE ArmY,
Washington, April 4, 1861.
Sir: This letter will be handed to you by Captain G. V. Fox, ex-officer of
the navy, and a gentleman of high standing, as well as possessed of extraordi-
nary nautical ability. He is charged by high authority here with the command
ARMORED VESSELS. 273'
of an expedition (under cover of certain sliips-of-war) .wliose object is to re-en-
force Fort Sumter.
To embark with Captain Fox, you will cause a detachment of recruits, say
about two hundred, to be immediately organized at Fort Columbus, with a com-
petent number of officers, army ammunition, and subsistence. A large surplus
of the latter, indeed as great as the vessels of the expedition will take, with other
necessaries, will be needed for the augmented garrison of Fort Sumter. The
subsistence and other supplies should be assorted like those which were provided
by you and Captain Ward, of the navy, for a former expedition.
Consult Captain Fox and Major Eaton on the subject, and give all necessary
orders in my name to fit cmt the expedition, except that the hiring of the vessel
will be left to others.
Some fuel must be shipped, oil, artillery implements, fuzes, cordage, slow-
match, mechanical levers, and guns, &c., &c., should also be put on board.
Consult also, if necessary, (confidentially,) Colonel Tompkins and Major
Thornton.
Eespectfully, yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Lieut. Col. R. L Scott,
Aide-de-Camp, Sfc., SjC.
Journal of Surgeon Marius Duval. "*"
U. S. Ship New Ironsides, off Charleston Bar.
April 24, 1863. — The attack on the forts at the entrance of Charleston harbor is
still the subject for reflection. and conversation, but the discussion upon it is not
conducted with coolness. An angry partisan feeling has been started here. Mr.
Stimers has been assailed; Captain will cowhide him if he says or does
so and so. The Monitors are decried, wooden vessels are put in invidious com-
parison with them, and a thousand silly side issues are started ; so the real mat-
ter is lost sight of. We are all bound, in duty, to examine the subject attentively
and dispassionately ; any convictions founded on facts, and plainly expressed,
need not be considered as centred upon any one. The truth never can be dis-
tasteful to honest people.
The Monitors attacked Fort Sumter (nothing else) at the distance of 600 or
800 yards ; we were all under the fire of Fort Morgan and Cummings's Point
battery, (on Morris island,) Fort Sumter, and Battery Beauregard, Moultrie, and
Battery Bee, (on Sullivan's island.) The Monitors generally were closer to
Fort Sumter and Battery Bee than this ship ; all under fire about one hour.
During this time it is computed the Monitors fired on an average 20 shot each ;
all theirs (with the exception of possibly 10 shot from all of them) were sent at
Fort Sumter — these exceptional 10 were fired at Wagner, &c. This ship fired
eight shot in all — seven 11-inch at Moultrie, and one rifle 200-pounder at Wag-
ner. This ship fired not a shot at Sumter ; could not get her broadside to bear for
tide, &c. ; (there was no thought, I believe, of anchoring.*) In this hour (under
fire I mean) several minutes were lost because this ship and two or three Moni-
tors were foul of each other, and neither of them could fire. It was not intended
to fire on Moultrie, but our guns bore on it, and we fired. Then the vessels
were ordered to haul out of action. It was after 5 p. m. when the action ceased.
All the commanders of the attacking vessels were ordered to come on board this
*NoTE. — Did not anchor to engage the batteries, I mean. During the action the ship
was drifting about, and was near grounding, the lead showing 17 feet. To prevent her
grounding (and consectuently her inevitable loss) the anchor was dropped under foot twice.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 18
274
ARMORED VESSELS.
ship, (being the flag-ship,) and reported. The Keokuk riddled; the Nahant
damaged, (turret would not revolve;) Nantucket damaged, (could not open and
shut the big gun shutter, I believe ;) Patapsoo damaged, and one other. Up to
this report, it was the common opinion that the attack would be renewed. I
have heard said commanders then declared that there was no prospect of suc-
cess even if the attack were renewed. Mr. Stimers said the Monitors were not
much injured, and they could be repaired in less than 20 hours. The com-
manders supposed no damage had been done to Sumter. One commander cer-
tainly was convinced the 15-inch gun was useless. He represented the shot from
that gun as lazily running on the water, and feebly falling against the walls of
Sumter. The next morning we examined (I, Quartermaster English, remark-
able for the accuracy of his vision, and others) Fort Sumter, about 3| miles
distant, and we could count the dents and holes in its walls. They were very
plain to us, so much So to me that I could not refrain from calling the attention
of the admiral to them. He took the glass from my hand, and after several
minutes' scrutiny, he remarked, " Yes, it is a good deal pock-marked." As this
was the iirst occasion that heavy ordnance, smooth-bore and rifled, had been
tried in actual warfare on the brick walls of a fort, it stnick me with surprise
that a Monitor was not sent as close as possible to inspect these walls.
The rebel papers (and I have read a file of Charleston ones, from 7th to 20th
April inclusive) admit damage to Wagner and Moultrie slight, but still some.
The same papers state Sumter was not damaged, although struck 34 times. I
am satisfied that one more hour's firing at Fort Sumter would have destroyed
this face of it.
To me our ability to reconnoitre was extremely interesting. I examined at-
tentively Fort Wagner and the battery on Oummings's Point ; then Fort John-
son ; all earthworks. The guns of the two first-mentioned were visible, uncovered ;
those of Fort Johnson could not be seen. Wagner and Oummings's Point are
easily assailable by this ship, the Monitors, and gunboats. Fort Moultrie, Bat-
teries Bee and Beauregard are also uncovered, works, and could be assailed by
our iron and wooden fleets, after Wagner and Sumter were demolished. An
impression had been received (and it was so stated as a fact after we recrossed
the bar) that the reason the iron-clads were withdrawn from the inside of the
bar was because the pi-ivate secretary of the President had brought orders to the
admiral to that effect. This statement was made by Oaptain Turner to the ofli-
jeers and crew at muster ; but it was a singular error, the explanation of which I ,
intend to ask from Oaptain Turner. Preparations for withdrawing from the in-
side had been made before the arrival of the President's secretary. We trust
the attack will soon be repeated. One of our shutters was knocked off; the shot
dropped from our sides like boys' brickbats from the roof of a house.
There were several ofScers who had the opinion, before going into the JightA
that the Monitors could not do much; that the 15-inch gun did not throw its shot
with velocity enough, &c. Does this account for the opinion expressed, after j
ike fight, that no damage had been done to Sumter?
April 25. — Our iron-clads were anchored after the action with Sumter in main
ship channel, three miles distant from said fort, which bore about N.NW.
Wagner bore about NW., about 1 J mile distant. The Monitors can easily get
within 1,000 yards of last-named work, and this ship within a mile of it. It is
an open work of nine or ten guns, four of which are pointed south to resist land
forces approaching in that direction ; only five or six could be brought to bear
on our attacking fleet, together with the four or five on Oummings's Point. The
iron-clads can bring 32 guns to bear upon these ten uncovered ones. How long
ought it to take to demolish them 1 This demolition accomplished, or the guns
in the works kept silent by the wooden vessels, we begin the attack again on
Sumter ; the Monitors can go at it, and this ship steaming up to Moultrie and
Beauregard, within 1,200 yards of them, can occupy their time, and in this way
ARMORED VESSELS. 275
make a fine diversion for the Monitors. The strength of the rebel fortifications
here are greatly overrated. There are 22 guns in Moultrie, 9 in Bee, and 5 in
Beauregard — 36 guns in all from Sullivan's island. Possibly 3.5 in casemate
and " en barbette" in Sumter, together with those stated on Morris island, make
up the sum total of all the guns which protect the entrance of the harbor against
our fleet. I venture to state that if the Monitors could be so relieved, the sea-
face of Sumter would be destroyed in two hours. In the recent attack this ship
was of no more use than if she had been at the Philadelphia navy yard. As it
is, the damage done to that work is manifestly very great. Yesterday and to-
day are plainly seen two scaffoldings along the wall battered, and more will
have to be adjusted to embrace all the scars upon it. These scaffoldings have
been up for ten days at least — the work of repairs going on all the time. Atten-
tion must be called to the fact already noticed, that in the recent action several
minutes were lost by this ship's fouling the two or three Monitors. How small
must have been the actual fire upon Fort Sumter, yet observe its effect upon
the walls. My prayer now is, that in the next attack the Monitors may go up
as close as possible to Sumter and anchor, while we ancJior off Moultrie, then
there will be no fouling each other. The enemy are erecting a battery about
the middle of Morris island, to command the channel by which this ship crossed
the bar. I hope Admiral DuPont, as soon as he hears it, will send us and some
Monitors inside to look after those fellows.
May 20. — To-day the scaffoldings about Fort Sumter were not seen, have
been removed, the work of repairs having been completed. With a glass we can
see the walls smooth again, the impressions of fresh brick and mortar are still
visible, however. It was on the 14th of April that these scaffoldings were first
seen; they remained until the 20th of May — 36 days. Will any military man
say that, working as the occupants of Sumter must have worked in these 36
days to repair damages, the enemy still in sight, those damages to the work were
anything but serious ?
June 7. — This morning at dawn two deserters came off to us from Fort
Beauregard; they state that the east angle of Sumter (this is the exact point where
the scaffoldings were seen the longest period) was almost knocked to pieces
in our attack; that the walls at that point are still " shaky," and "are backed
by ten feet of sand bags." We have this same statement from other sources.
They also state that there are few troops in or about Charleston at this moment,
all nearly having been sent to Virginia and Vicksburg. Some days since word
was received from our naval officer commanding off Georgetown, South Caro-
lina, that all the troops had gone from that region to parts unknown. Would
it not be a convenient season to repeat our attack now ? A steamer running
out a few nights since was forced back and sunk off Fort Beauregard; these de-
serters think it is the Isaac Smith, converted into a blockade runner. There
are a great number of such now inside, watching to run out ; many will succeed,
for our vessels being outside, are too heavy and too slow to prevent them. A
stringent blockade will never be had until our iron-clads are anchored inside the
bar. Assistant Surgeon Kershner is to be tried- by a court-martial for having ',
written to the Baltimore American, passing some strictures upon the admiral be- j
cause he withdrew his iron-clads from before Charleston, instead of repeating
the attack. It is against orders to give information to newspapers, &c., and for
violating this order Dr. Kershner is to be tried. How strange ! It is known to
the whole fleet that, on the night after the attack, a national vessel, the Flam-
beau, with Admiral DuPont's despatches, was sent to Hampton Eoads. The
correspondents of the New York Times and the New York Tribune were per-
mitted to go in her. Everybody on board her knew that these correspondents
would hasten to represent the affair in a manner the most favorable possibly to
Admiral DuPont, and that, too, before the admiral's despatches could reach the
department. Was that proper in Admiral DuPont? Was it subordinate?
276
AEMOEED VESSELS.
'Should not the Navy Department be allowed to judge of the acts of its ^^^^^
before the leadingjournals of the country should take the matter in hand. ^iP^^
constitutes the difference, so far as military offence is concerned, between an officer
sending his information and comments to a newspaper by mail, and one who sends
it in the pockets of correspondents of newspapers ? The answer just occurs to
me. One is humble, the other is exalted. A spider's web catches a small fly ;_a
big one breaks through it. Dr. Kershner did violate a rule of discipline; but in
this case, and for this cause, said rule was more honored in the breach than in
the observance,
Juli/ 9.— Admiral DuPont has been relieved, and Admiral Dahlgren has been
appointed to succeed him. He is now here with the Moiiitors outside. He is
going in across the bar to-morrow morning to flank the batteries on the south end of
Morris island, while the army batteries, secretly planted on the north end of Folly
island, attack in front. ' All are alive with expectation now. 10th. — Just be-
fore sunrise, the batteries on Folly island open on the enemy on Morris island.
At this moment Admiral Dahlgren is seen with the Monitors crossing the bar,
his flag flying from the Oatskill. The army practice is superb ; artillery could
not be served more rapidly; the shell seem to fly over the whole island, even
beyond "Wagner and Oummings's Point, and almost up to Sumter. By this time
the Monitors have position and open their batteries. The rebels are evidently
taken by surprise, and answer feebly and timidly. In about two hours and a
half they are in full flight towards Wagner, and our troops are seen pouring
upon Moms island. The Monitors are moving up towards Wagner, shelling
the flying rebels all the time. At 8 a. m. the admiral is abreast of Wagner, and
opens upon it, one other Monitor with him; continues the assault until 12 m.,
and hauls off to rest and refresh the men; resumes his assault at 2 p. m., and,
continues it until sunset. The' tenacity of the admiral excites the enthusiasm
of everybody; one of^the petty officers of this ship was heard to exclaim, "By
God! this ship's company will cheer that man."* The confidence in the Mon^
itors is restored by the example of Admiral Dahlgren, and a great public service
rendered to the government thereby. The enemy make a target of the CatskiQ
because the admiral's flag is there. At night it is ascertained that that Monitor in
this day's work was hit oftener (and as heavOy) than any one of these vessels
in the attack of April 7.
JuIt/ 29. — The army have advanced their batteries to 800 yards of Wagner,
and 3,500 yards of Sumter. The guns from Wagner and Gregg (Oummings's
Point) annoy the working parties continually ; every day the admiral is requested
to silence these guns of the enemy; he complies with alacrity; the ship, the
Monitors, and gunboats ai-e continually put in requisition for this purpose. The
admiral goes into action sometimes, I presume, to examine, and set an example ;
whenever he does his flag is made a target. This ship has been already tested;
our shutters have been struck squarely in the centre with 10-inch shot, and were
not broken through.
November 4 — About ten days ago the army batteries on Morris island (on
Oummings's Point) opened again on Sumter, some intelligence having been re-
ceived that the rebels were busily at work in it. Two Monitors joined in the
bombardment, and splendid work have they done; Stevens in the Patapsco, and
Bryson in the Lehigh. They have rifle guns, besides the 15-inch. The army
people seem to be convinced now that Fort Sumter was not entu'ely reduced by
the first bombardment.
'■* This remavk was made in allusion to the fact that the crew had refused to cheer Ad- '
miral JJuPont as he was leaving the ship. I put it in the record, not to preserve that in-
decorous and mortifying omission on the part of our crew, but to jihow the effect on it of
Admiral Dahlgreu's tenacity. Every person on board was convinced that this ship was the
most powerfully offensive war vessel afloat at that time, and to have her taken into action,
and eight random shots fired from her broadsides, and then put out to blockade again,
filled the men with indignation.
ARMORED VESSELS. 277
Judging from some of the newspapers at home, one would suppose that some
are angry because Charleston is not taken. Admiral Dahlgren is harshly
spoken of for this. In my humble opinion, the admiral is doing everything that
a commander-in-chief here can do. Besides many attacks on Wagner and Gregg,
Admiral Dahlgren has assailed Sumter twice with the Monitors — himself being
in one of them. These vessels have been greatly battered in all these attacks.
I am free to say that these vessels have been hammered six times as much since
the 10th of July as they were in the attack of April 7, some requiring repairs
continually. The admiral cannot command more than five sound ones at any
one time for an attack. Would it not be foolhardy to enter the inner harbor
with so small a force? One or two might be disabled before getting there, where
they have to encounter the rebel iron-clads. Every man here knows that if the
iron-clads were lost our land forces conld not remain on Morris island. The
blockade is now perfect, why jeopard everything by an attack with a small
force 1 Admiral Dahlgren was the first to take this ship under the guns of Bee,
Moultrie, and Beauregard, which he did at night, when the Weehawken was
aground. Yet, from the tone of some of the papers at home, one might suppose
he had never carried the iron-clads into action. We all on board here know
that after the April attack on Sqmter this ship was pronounced a failure, that
she would not steer, &c. But for the tests to which she has been subjected by
Admiral Dahlgren the government would not have known her efficiency. In
this recent bombardment of Fort Sumter by the two Monitors, under the
command of Captains Stevens and Bryson, there was some experience of the
15-inch guns. Those officers have seen the 16-inch shell strike the walls at
the distance of 1,600 yards, and have declared that their explosion has brought
down heavier masses of the masonry than half a dozen rifle shot. I have heard
Lieutenant Commander Bunce, ex-officer of some of them, make the same state-
ment. Surely the observation of these officers is more accurate than any made
in the April attack, when these 15-inch shell or shot were supposed to have
fallen so feebly against Sumter.
December 13. — The defensive power of Charleston now to what it was in April
last is about five to one, notwithstanding Sumter is considered out of the ques-
tion. But my impression is, that when we enter the inner harbor we shall find
ten or twelve guns to play on us from that work ; all the guns in lower tier of
casemates on northwest and some on northeast faces are probably in good work-
ing order. We saw what the batteries on Sullivan's island were — three detached
works; now those are strengthened, and all connected by fresh earthworks,
containing several mortar batteries, in addition to many newly mounted guns.
Moultrie has been converted into an earthwork of great strength. After run-
ning by the fire of these batteries and we reach the inner harbor, we have the
fire of battery Simkins and Fort Johnson, on James's island. Fort Ripley and
Castle Pinkney, and those from the point of the city.
We cannot take Charleston to hold it, but we can burn it ; and, as a military
measure, it would be justifiable to do so. Its factories at work and vessels on
the stocks are seen every day. We would hold the garrison in Sumter uneasy
by cutting off their supplies, &c., and the troops on Sullivan's island also.
It is a great mistake to suppose the iron-clads have been idle at any time
since the 10th of July. Up to the time of the capture of Wagner and Gregg,
the demands upon this ship and the Monitors to engage those works to enable the
army to carry on its sapping operations were so frequently made as to almost
exhaust the officers and crews, so that I proposed to Captain Rowan that I, in
my professional capacity, should see the admiral and ask him to give the men
longer intervals between the engagements if possible. Since then the picket
duty performed by the Monitors is probably the most laborious ever performed
by naval vessels, necessitating frequent repairs, for which they must be sent to
Port Royal. Since the attack of the torpedo on this vessel, the officers and
crew may be said to sleep upon their arms, which is wearing upon us all. But
278 ARMORED VESSELS.
we are all compensated by the fact that the blockade is perfect. Not one vessel
has passed in since the iron-clads anchored inside; one certainly, possibly two,
have run out since that time.
January 1, 1864. — Another year has passed away. Surely it has given some
instructive lessons to those who have watched the military and naval operations
about this harbor. Up to the arrival of Admiral DuPont with the Monitors to
make the attack, we all on board here were in high glee at the prospect. The
blockaders had been coming out constantly and running in; as we saw them, in
the morning after they "got in," they were going by Sumter with hundreds of
banners flying. Soon after the admiral's suite came on board this ship our
hopes were dampened sensibly. Want of confidence in the Monitors was openly
expressed by some of them, based upon the experience of two of them which
had attacked an earthwork on the Ogeechee river. It was remarked contemp-
tuously of these two, that after bombarding the fort fol' several hours "they had
succeeded in killing one cat;" t^at the 15-inch gun was devoid of power; that
its projectile was cast with too small velocity to injure the brick walls of Sum-
.ter. I heard the epithet "machine" applied to this class of vessels, with the
remark that it was useless to expect to take Charleston by machinery. One of
them was confident the rebels had 15-inch guns on Sumter and Moultrie. Well,
the attack was made, and the result is "before the world." After the attack
the Monitors, disabled seriously as it was said, were scattered about ; the most
of them were deposited in Edisto, because, as I heai'd, the anchorage in Port
Royal was insecure for them. This ship took up her old position outside the
bar. Three months later. Admiral Dahlgren, then in command of the fleet here,
took these same crippled vessels (I had been told that seventy-seven bolts frpm
the tuiTet of the Nahant had been sent by Admiral DuPont to the Navy Depart-
ment, and that some persons had said that if that Monitor had continued the at-
tack, April 7, one hour longer, her entire turret would have been knocked to
pieces) and began operations on Morris island. Since that time these Monitors
have been hit five times as often as they were on the 7th of April, yet they do
good work still. It seems to me a matter of demonstration that the officers
who reported them so seriously damaged in the April attack on Sumter were in
error. Why, it may be speculated, should Mv. Stimers be harshly spoken to
and of, by naval officers, because he gave his professional opinion that these
vessels were not much injured then ? And why should he be assailed as an in-
terested (and, from his connexion with the government, as a dishonest one, of
course) agent of the "iron interests of the country?" And why should it have
been said that he was improperly sent down here by the Navy Department?
The events since then enacted by these Monitors have, to my mind, demon-
strated the accuracy of Mr. Stimers's observation.
When the Weehawken was aground, September 8, nine hundred yards
from Sumter, and forty guns playing on her from Sullivan's island, she sent
a 15-inch shell ricochetting into Moultrie, 1,200 or 1,400 yards distant, and ex-
ploded a magazine there. As soon as two Monitors afloat were interposed
between her and Moultrie, her guns were turned upon Sumter, and I saw tj>e
15-inch shell pitched into that work time and again. Afterwards, Captain Ool-
houn, the commanding ofiicei-, told me he threw on that occasion forty shell
into Sumter — more, according to rebel accounts, than all the iron-clads did on
the 7th of April. When at a later period the Lehigh was aground, all the
Monitors, with Admiral Dahlgren in one of them, were within 1,600 yards of.
Moultrie. The 15-inch gun of the Passaic was principally used by her com-
manding officer. Captain Simpson, with beautiful effect upon Moultrie. I have
been told that when General Gillmore saw the great havoc made upon the walls
of Sumter when it was being bombarded by the Patapsco and Lehigh, he de-
clared that more damage was done to these walls by one 15-inch shell than
by a half dozen of any other calibre. These facts, to my mind, demonstrate
that those gentlemen who held the oninion at the Anvil nttonk tlnot nr.*
AEMOEED VESSELS. 279
much could be expected from the 15-inch gun because of the slow motion of
its projectile, and the feebleness of its impact, were also in error.
On the 8th of September this ship was directed by the admiral to interpose I
between the Weehawken and the forts assailing her. Captain Eowan took the
ship up and anchored under Moultrie, 1,500 yards (say) distant, on the flood-
tide too, so that^the vessel was exposed to the fire until she had " swung to the
tide," tlien she opened on Moultrie principally, and in less than an hour had
silenced it utterly. This fact was witnessed by ten thousand people. Does it
do too much violence to " loyalty _to Ad miral B .ul'w''"* now to say that had
this ship been so managed 'in the attack of April 7, she would have greatly
assisted the Monitors, instead of "fouling them." This fact must demonstrate
to any one that those gentlemen who held the opinion that the New Iron-
sides was a failure were also in error.
We have received the "report of the Secretary of the Navy." In the
despatch of April 16, 1S63, contained therein. Admiral DuPont says that
the New Ironsides, if she were to go inside the bar, could not elevate her guns
to reach any of the enemy's batteries, so great is the distance at which she
would be compelled to anchor. Since the 10th of July last this ship has en-
gaged the enemy's batteries here fifteen times. In those engagements she has
sent into Wagner 3,300 shell ; into Gregg, 300 ; and into Moultrie, 400 ; she
alone silencing these works whenever she engaged them. Our ordnance officer,
Lieutenant Robeson, informs me that of these shell 2,000 were five-second
fuzes (for distance of 1,000 yards,') 1,500 were seven-second fuzes (for distance
of 1,200 yards,) and 500 were ten-second fuzes (for distance of 1,600 yards.)
When, on the 10th of July, Admiral Dahlgren with the Monitors engaged the
batteries on the south end of Morris island, the 15-inch shell (as well as the
11-inch) of those vessels were easily thrown into those batteries with decided
effect, as stated by the rebels then captured. In their subsequent contests with
the works on the north end of Morris island these vessels threw their
shell into them with the greatest ease ; the same with Sumter and Moultrie.
These facts clearly demonstrate that Admiral DuPont was not acquainted with
the "offensive power" of the iron-clads, and hence was mistaken in the opinion
which he in that despatch expressed.
The Monitors have been at anchor inside here since July 10. No one
thinks of their being lost on Morris island beach. This fact is the best answer
to the opinion as to the "insecure anchorage" here. . -^
Operations of the Patapsco against Fort Sumter.
United States Iron-clad Patapsco,
Off Charleston, November 2, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that, according to your instructions, I
have been engaged for the past week in co-operation with the batteries on
Morris island, formerly called Ports Gregg and Wagner, and in company
with the Monitor Lehigh, Commander Bryson, in bombarding Fort Sumter.
Upon Monday last, owing to some unfinished work upon the Lehigh, she did
not participate. The Patapsco upon that occasion proceeded within 1,800
yards of the fort and opened fire. As the tide was running flood when the
order was given, I was compelled to fight the ship under way, and of course to
some disadvantage. Notwithstanding, the fire was effective, almost every shell
"The words "loyalty to Admiral DuPont" were frequently heard about here — they repre-
sented a well-defined sentiment and principle. A prominent officer (staff) in my presence
reiparked that "the New Ironsides was the only 'disloyal ship' in the squadi'on." Upon
asking him what he meant, it appeared his idea was, 'disloyal" to Admiral DuPont. I
know nothing better than this to show the strange distemper under which the minds of cer-J
tain officers were laboring.
■280
ARMORED VESSELS.
bursting near upon or insidg the fort. The next two days, the 27th and 28th,
as soon as the tide served, both Monitors opened upon the northeast bastion,
the fire being very destructive upon this part of the fort and the walls adjacent;
so that when the army batteries were directed to this position, the walls being
already greatly weakened by our fire, 1»hey soon crumbled.
Subsequent to this our fire has been mainly directed to the Charleston face and
interior of the fort, with what effect the appearance of Sumter will clearly indi-
cate. The explosion of the 15-inch shell fired with 15" and 20" fuzes in the
inside of the fort, which gun was fired occasionally, produced an effect which
is hardly describable, throwing the bricks and mortar, gun-carriages, and timber
in every direction, and high into the air.
The flag upon Sumter was yesterday at two o'clock shot away for the third
time, and has not since been hoisted. A man was seen making an attempt to
get it up again, but just at the time three shells from the army and navy
batteries exploded over him, doubtless with fatal effect.
The shells of the enemy have fallen around and about us without- causing
any casualties. It was not, however, until last Saturday, the 31st, their fire
seemed to be directed to us, when Battery Beauregard and a battery upon
James's island opened upon us, striking the Lehigh twice, but doing no dam-
age of importance. Upon hauling off from Sumter, I stood over toward
Beauregard and delivered five shots, four of which landed in the battery and
produced great excitement, the people in the neighborhood flying from our
shells. Upon this, Fort Moultrie fired one gun. Yesterday we were not molested
on that side, although the James's island batteries still continued to fire.
VVe have been engaged at a distance varying from 1,600 to 2,000 yards.
I enclose herewith a tabular statement of the firing, from which it appears
that out of 455 shots 315 have taken effect upon some portion of the fort.
The guns appear to stand the firing well. I have forwarded to the Ordnance
oflSce an impression of the vents of both guns, taken yesterday after the firing
was over. The rams of the enemy apjjear to be anchored in four-fathom hole,
and above Fort Johnson.
On Friday last, as wfe were steaming up from the lower anchorage toward
Sumter, a boat with a considerable number of men around and in it, was seen
upon the north shore of Sumter, but before we could get in range the boat and
men had disappeared.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. H. STEVENS,
Commander, Commanding U. S. Steamer Patapsco.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgiien,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron-
Operations of the Lehigh against Fort Sumter.
United States Iron-clad Lhhigh,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, No-vemher 4, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with your order, I
have been engaged for the last nine days, in company with the Patapsco and
the shore batteries, in the bombardment of Fort Sumter ; during which time
I have fired from the 8-inch rifle 408 percussion shell, and from the 15-inch
smooth-bore twenty-four shell ; the distance varied from 1,600 to 1,800 yards.
The effects of the lodgment of many of these shell were those of displacing
large masses of masonry, and throwing high in the air pieces of heavy timber,
knocking over-gun carriages, and opening casemates. During the greater part
of the bombardment, my attention was given almost wholly to the inner face of
the northwest wall, and the result of the firing can easily be seen by the naked
ARMOEED VESSELS.
281
shot away by the shore batteries ; a short time aftrr, two flags were raised, very
near each other. The rifle was then directed to the flags, and at the third fire
both flags were shot away. (Lieutenant Commander Phythian had this
pleasure.) On the fourth of November, my attention was given to the north-
east face of the fort. At the angle at which I was firing, I found that the shell
glanced from tMe face, doing but little damage ; after having fired a few shell at
the fair face, and finding that they would not lodge, I then directed the fire to
the angle of the same face, nearest Cummings's Point, which was already some-
what broken. At this point I found that the shell lodged ; I then continued
the fire at this point with very fine efifect, knocking down tons nf masonry and
exposing the arch of a new casemate.
After I had made a lodgment for the shell at this part of the wall, I inclined
the fire gradually to the right, and succeeded during the day in cutting into the
wall for about thirty feet along its fair or northeast face. On the afternoon of
October 31, battery Beauregard opened on this ship and the Patapsco, (firing
six shots,) doing, however, little damage ; one shot cutting away half of the
pennant stafi' of the Lehigh, and a shell exploding on the after part of the deck
I enclose a tabular statement of the firing.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. BEYSON, Commander.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgekn,
Commanding Sotith Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Summary of shots fired hy the United States iron-clad Lehi-gh, at Fort Sumter.
RIFLE 8-INCH PARROT.
XV-INCH SMOOTH BORE.
Date.
No. of
hits.
No. of
misses.
Premature
explo'ns.
No. of
shots.
Date.
No. of
hits.
No. of
misses.
Premature
explo'na.
No. of
shots.
October 27...
15
19
19
31
42
51
35
36
38
13
15
10
16
13
13
4
10
4
1
S
1
4
4
5
3
3
1
29
36
30
51
59
69
42
49
43
2
2
1
2
2
28...
29..
November 2. . .
3...
4...
Total
6
3
6
1
9
4
30...
31...
November 1...
2...
3...
4...
1
9
Total
286
98
24
408
15
7
2
24
Rear-Admiral DaAlgren's report o/ operations against Fort Sumpter.
[Despatch No. 225.]
FliAG-STEAMEE PHILADELPHIA,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, November 4, 1863.
Sir : Since my last on the general course of operations here, our own part
has still been restricted to the repair of the Monitors and the cleansing of their
bottoms, which had become so foul b.y the adherence of grass and barnacles, as
to reduce their speed from 6^ or 7 knots, to 3j and 4. The divers have
been engaged in removing these from two or three of the Monitors, it is believed
with good effect ; but in this respect the information is not yet complete, and it
is probable that a surer means has been discovered through the agency of Mr.
Griffin; that "is, the' vessels are beached at a suitable jjlace, and the barnacles,
&c., removed completely from the sides, leaving only the flat part of the bottom
to be cleaned by the divers. It was necessary to replace the rifle gun of the
Patapsco, and the 11-inch of the Montauk.
282
ARMORED VESSELS.
There are now two Monitors at Port Royal ; the Montauk arrived here last
evening, with clean bottom, a new gun, and in good condition.
Mr. Griffin is now engaged with the Ericsson torpedo, and I am in hopes he
will be successful in getting it into operation. The rough weather which has
prevailed lately has stopped his proceeding for a week or ten days, but he thinks
one will be ready for trial soon.
I wish very much that some measures could be taken to form a kind of frame-
work, projecting from the Monitors, so as to prevent contact with the torpedoes
at the bows of the enemy's iron-clads, and also to apply their method to the
Monitors. Here, I have neither the time nor the means for such undertakings.
The army having sufficiently advanced with the re-fortification of l^Iorris
island, opened fire on Fort Sumter 26th October; the object being to complete
its reduction by driving out the garrison and occupying it. The firing has been
prosecuted steadily since, and I have examined the progress daily by going up
the channel, where a near view could be obtained of the works.
I directed the Patapsco and Lehigh, being armed with rifle guns, to take
position also at effective range, but not exposed to that of Fort Moultrie and its
adjacent batteries.
The line of fire ii-om Putnam passed directly through the northwest and
southeast angles of Sumter, therefore looked equally on the gorge and southeast
front.
The fire from the Monitors was nearly perpendicular to the southeast front,
and looked acutely on the northeast front. At first the fire ashore seemed aimed
at the gorge, which had been originally faced for two-thirds of its height with
sand bags. Upon these the fragments of the top of the wall had lodged and
formed one mass of sand and crumbled brick, where the rifle shells entered to no
great depth.
The fire of the Monitors was directed at the southeast face, and appeared to
exhibit a more marked action there, because the debris had fallen down into
deeper water, and not lodged to the same extent as on the gorge.
The fire of Putnam and Strong was soon after applied to the southeast front,
ivhich gradually gave way to the united fire, until it, too, was reduced to a slope
of fragments, much lower, however, than that of the gorge.
By the end of the week the opposite walls of the fort were cvit and jagged by
the shells which passed over the main front ; and the northeast face looked very
dilapidated.
On Sunday I had a conversation with General Gillmore on the state of affairs,
and on Monday went up with him and General Seymour to view Sumter from
Fort Strong; after which we had a conversation in General Seymour's tent on
the best probable course to be pursued. General Gillmore finally concluded for
the present to continue the fire on Sumter.
The fire of the Monitors has been generally very good, and on many occa-
sions most excellent.
Captain Stevens reports that of 455 shells, fired in seven days, 315 took ef-
fect on or in the fort.
1 regret to say that on the 2d two men were killed in the Patapsco by the
premature explosion of the rifle gun. Their names were William Colter and
John Morris.
Captain Stevens states: "The explosion of the fifteen-inch shells, fired with
15" and 20" fuzes in the inside of the fort, which gun was fired occasionally,
produces an effect which is hardly describable, throwing the bricks and mortar,
gun-carriages, and timber in every direction, and high into the air."
ARMORED VESSELS. 283
I find that the effect of these shells is also noticed by the commanding general
ashore.
Last evening I examined the appearance of the fort, (as I have done every
day,) and could plainly observe the further effects of the firing. Still this mass
of ruin is capable of harboring a number of the enemy, who may retain their
hold until expelled by the bayonet, which, in the proper order of things, will
devolve on our comrades ashore.
Last evening the schooner Ward came down from Morrill's inlet and re-
ported the capture of an officer and nine men by a party of the enemy, who
were, no doubt, annoyed by the presence of the schooner, and her endeavor to
prevent some effort to run in or out. I shall despatch a gunboat to stop that
game. This is another of the indications that the perfect blockade of Charleston
is driving speculators to the smaller ports to get cotton out, and a return cargo in.
I have the honor to he, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Com'dg S. A. ■£. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
P. S. — The speed of the Montauk was tried this morning, and found to be
improved from 3J to 6 knots, with the same amount of steam. The Ericsson
raft will be tried to-day on a Monitor.
Trial of a torpedo.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, November 6, 186.3,
Sir : The torpedo was tried to-day, and its action was complete. There
was said to be six hundred (600) pounds of powder in it, but the shock was so
slight as not to compare with the shock even of distant cannon. The column
of water was large, but not what I should have expected. The raft very
naturally retards the motjon of the Monitors, whether direct or lateral, but in
the perfect smooth water which we had, (a miracle here,) not inconveniently.
The vessel performed quite well.
I enclose the reports of Commander Stevens and Mr. Griffin.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C
United States Iron-clad Patapsco,
Off Morris Island, November 7, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that after two trials, one of which failed on
account of the damaged condition of the powder, we succeeded yesterday in
exploding the torpedo designed by Mr. Ericsson. For the special purpose
of removing fixed obstructions, I think it like all that Mr. Ericsson under-
takes — a complete success. The shock of the explosion was hardly perceptible
upon the vessel.
While I give my unqualified approval, resulting from this practical test in
favor of this invention of Mr. Ericsson, I am constrained to believe that, for
operations against iron-clads, or a moving force, the arrangement and attachment
are too cumbersome and complicated. In my opinion, we require something,
284 ARMORED VESSELS.
in the way of a torpedo, whicli can be managed with facility, and will not in-
terfere with the steaming and manoeuvring of the iron-clads.
I am, sir, yours respectfully,
T. H. STEVENS, Commander.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren',
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
United States Monitor Patapsco,
Off Charleston, South Carolina, November 7, 1863.
Sir : I respectfully submit the following report of an experiment made yes-
terday of an obstruction remover, which was designed by Captain Ericsson.
This obstruction remover consists of a cast-iron shell, or torpedo, about twenty-
three feet long and ten inches in diameter, containing six hundred pounds of
powder. This is discharged by a trigger-board placed directly in front, and ex-
tending the entire length of the shell, adjusted on the plan of a parallel ruler.
This board, by being pushed in contact with obstructions, will spring two
locks, placed equi-distant on the torpedo, causing an explosion of the shell.
These torpedoes are suspended from rafts carried on the bows of Monitors, and
held in position forward by two booms, which are firmly secured to the raft.
There is also attached to the forward part of the torpedo a series of air vessels,
so an-anged as to cause the explosive pov/er to be expended in that direction.
As this trial was only made to show the effect of the explosion on the Monitor
and how much it interfered with the manoeuvring of the vessel, it was earned
on in deep water. The Patapsco, the vessel on which the trial was made, had,
on account of the foulness of her bottom, only a speed of about 3J knots with the
raft on. I should judge she was not to be driven more than three knots; and
in making a circuit, with the helm hard down, it takes at least half as much more
room.
In exploding the torpedo, which was suspended at a depth of thirteen feet,
the shock was hardly perceptible on the Patapsco, while the body of water dis-
placed and thrown upwards to a height of from forty to fifty feet was really
fearful." This body of water was thrown forward, and but a slight quantity of
water fell upon the deck of the vessel. The raft was raised about two feet at
the forward end, but sustained no material injury. In reference to the efi'ect-
iveness of this arrangement for removing and destroying obstructions, such as
spiles, chains, net-work, and torpedoes, which it can be brought in contact
with, I believe it will be completely successful. The three rafts which are now
at hand can have all the attachments made, except launching the torpedo over-
board, so as to be ready for use at short notice.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
. THOMAS J. GRIFFIN,
Assistant Inspector of Iron-clads.
Rear- Admiral J. A. Dahlgren, U. S. N.,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Repairs made on the Passaic, &c.
United States Iron-clad Passaic,
Off Morris Island, S. C, November 8, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the return of this vessel from Port Royal,
where she has been undergoing repairs.
In addition to the injuries to the deck, &c., caused by the fire of the enemy,
the turret of this vessel was so jammed that it could not revolve without carry-
ing with it the spindle and pilot-house. Much time was expended, under the
HnnprviHinn nf Mr TTno-lifiR. flsaisfflnt ingr>ppf.nr nf irrtTi-plgrlq — i n pnil ojajTrm-inn. +/\
ARMORED VESSELS. 285
overcome this difficulty ; during which endeavors the turret , engines were sub-
jected to much strain. He did not succeed in overcoming the difficulty, but the
opportune arrival of Mr. Griffin, assistant inspector of iron-clads, from the
north, prevented the vessel from going north for repairs.
Mr. Griffin detected the difficulty as existing in the composition ring on the
roof of the turret, which is used for the purpose of steadying the pilot-house.
He cut the ring in two, and found a piece of broken bolt which had jammed
between the ring and the pilot-house. The removal of this obstruction allowed
the turret to revolve independently of the spindle, and the repairs on the vessel
were forthwith commenced.
Much of the old wooden deck had to be removed. Wherever it was cut
away, the wood was found to he of the best quality and well preserved. The
manner in which the original deck of this vessel had been calked cannot be
surpassed. Much of the comfort of the crew on board this class of vessel must
depend upon the ability to keep the lower deck dry ; thus too much attention
cannot be paid to the calking of the deck when it is first laid.
The work of repairs was carried on in an espeditious manner, the workmen
working faithfully at the different jobs ; but the manner in which the work of
repairing the deck was designed has proved faulty. In several places bolts
have been driven through the wooden deck so that the ends project below, thus
causing leaks, depriving the crew of a portion of their sleeping room, already
quite contracted. I hope to be able to correct this difficulty in this vessel, but
I consider it as a very necessary precaution, in all repairs of the decks of these
vessels, that the work must be so designed as not to require the driving of a
single bolt through the deck. Short bolts should be required to "take" in a beam.
The armor of the stern of this vessel was sprung apart about six inches by
contact with another Monitor. Holes were drilled, and three two-inch bolts
were inserted, by which the parts of the armor were made to approach each
other. When they were as close as they could be drawn by this means, the
bolts and nuts were removed, and rivets substituted. Although the contact is
not perfect, I consider the stern stronger than it was before.
While undergoing repairs in Station creek, the " divers," employed by the
Bureau of Construction, were occupied in cleaning the bottom. They reported
that but few barnacles were attached to the bottom, but that the grass was very
thick and long. They brought up baskets full of grass in proof of their asser-
tion. On leaving the creek, in order to test the work of the divers, the vessel
was beached, and her bottom subjected to as careful an examination as the state
of the tides would allow, the approach of the neap tides not permitting us to
see more than a foot below the overhang. There were no barnacles nor oysters
to be seen — nothing hut a quantity of grass, evidently lately formed, with here
and there a patch of old grass Jeft by the divers.
It would seem that the reason why the barnacles and oysters do not attach
themselves to the bottom of this vessel is, that it is covered with zinc paint,
instead of the red lead with which the other Monitors are painted. The bot-
toms of the Montauk and Weehawken (which came under my notice) were
perfect oyster beds. I think that there can be no doubt that the use of the
zinc paint will enable an iron vessel to retain her ^eed for a much longer time
than if she were painted with red lead. The zinc paint seems to have a ten-
dency, however, to scale off, which might leave the iron exposed. Perhaps a
judicious mixture of the zinc and red lead might meet both objects, viz : to pro-
tect the iron, while preventing the barnacles and oysters from attaching to the
bottom.
After beaching, I took on board ordnance stores and coal, and, in tow of the
Admiral DuPont, proceeded to this place.
Difficulty has always been experienced in stowing the amount of ammunition
that was considered desirable to be kept on board of vessels of this class during
active operations.
286 ARMORED VESSELS.
In order to make more room, 1 have removed, from under rooms in the ward-
room, ballast to the amount of twenty-five tons, and have taken on board that
additional amount of ammunition. In order to find room for the storage of
powder, I now use my shell-room as auxiliary powder magazine, and the shells
are stowed all along under the ward-room and berth deck. ,
I have been fortunate in having as my senior engineer an officer of much ex-
perience and ability, which will account for the trifling repairs that were required
for the engine and boilers.
In conclusion, I would state that this vessel feels the effect of the battering
she has received. Water finds its way into her much more freely than it did
formerly, and when loaded full of coal, steady streams of water poured into the
fire-room from leaks apparently existing in the upper parts of the overhang. I
cannot say that any of the parts of the deck which have been repaired have
proved to be perfectly tight.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. SIMPSON,
Lieutenant Commander, Commanding.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgken,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Ammunition expended by the Patapsco.
United States Iron-clad PatapscO,
Off Morris Island, November 10, 1863.
Sir : Since my last report of the bombardment of Sumter, I have the honor
to inform you we have fired from this vessel ninety-six rifle projectiles at the
fort, of which three were defective, eighty-two struck the fort, and eleven
missed.
From the XV-inch gun twenty-two twenty-second fuzed shell have been fired
at the same object, of which sixteen struck the fort, and six missed.
During all the time we have been engaged, there have been five hundred and
seveiity-three shells (of which five hundred and fifteen were from the rifle gun)
fired, of which number four hundred and thirteen struck the fort, twenty -seven
were defective, and one hundred and thirty-three missed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. H. STEVENS,
Commander.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Engagement of the Lehigh with the enemy while aground; gallantry of certain
officers and men.
* [Despatch No. 254.]
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, November 17, 1863.
Sir : I beg leave to call your attention to meritorious service under a severe
fire of the enemy, by certain persons of this squadron.
Last evening the enemy unexpectedly opened a very heavy fire from Moul-
trie upon our works on Morris island. General Gillmore telegraphed me accord-
ingly thus : " The enemy have opened a heavy fire on Gummings's Point. Will
you have some of your vessels move up so as to prevent an attack by boats on
the sea face of the point 1"
' AEMOEED VESSELS. 287
It was now about 10 p. m., and I at once ordered the Monitors on picket to
move up, so as to attend to tliis duty, and also to cause the tugs on patrol to
keep a good look-out.
This morning early it was reported that the Lehigh had grounded, and the
enemy had opened heavily on her from Moultrie and the adjacent batteries. I
at once signalized to the iron-clads to get under way, and myself went up in
the Passaic. On reaching the spot I perceived that the Nahant was very close
to the Lehigh, so I passed to her, where I found Lieutenant Commander Oorn-
well preparing to assist his comrade.
With difficulty and mixch danger it was contrived to get three or four hawsers
successively from the Nahant to the Lehigh ; two were cut by chafing and one
by the enemy's shot ; the last one held, and at high water the Lehigh floated off.
"With pleasure I bring to your notice the gallant behavior of Acting Ensign
R, Burke, who was severely wounded, and also of the medical officer of the
Lehigh, Dr. W. Longshaw ; twice he passed in a small boat from the Lehigh to
the Nahant, carrying a line bent on the hawser ; the shot and shells from can-
non and mortars were flying and breaking all around.
The third time, this service was performed by three seamen, Horatio Young,
William Williams, and Frank S. Gile. These I advanced on the spot in
their rates.
I have also given appointments as master's mates to the two petty officers
who rowed Dr. Longshaw, George W. Leland and Thomas Irving.
It would also have been very gratifying to me if it had been in my power to
advance' Acting Ensign Burke and Dr. Longshaw under the fire, when they so
well performed their duty, and by which the former had been severely hurt ;
for a recognition of this kind has always been more valued in military service
than any other. I beg leave to recommend them to the notice of the depart-
ment, with the observation that they risked their lives to save an invaluable
vessel, which, I am glad to say, sustained no great damage.
It is proper for me to remark that the few officers were actively employed in
other duties at the time.
The Passaic and Montauk fired with great precision, and I think with effect,
for their shells seemed to me to strike the test of the parapet every time.
Commander Bryson and Lieutenant Commander Oornwell, with their officers,
did their duty handsomely on the occasion.
I enclose the report of Commander Bryson.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. DAHLGEEN,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington} D. C.
November 18.
I may add in continuation of this letter, that in the afternoon of to-day it was
reported to me that the Lehigh had suddenly sprung aleak, which let in nine
inches of water the hour. When I went on board the water was coming in at
the bow with some noise, apparently a foot below the overhang. It is impos-
sible to speak with certainty of the extent of this leak or the cause that has
produced it ; the latter would -naturally be attributed to the events of yesterday,
and yet its locality renders it difficult to understand that it could have been
caused by the shot of the enemy or by contact with the shoal.
When the vessel has been beached I shall be able to report with certainty.
The accident is unlucky just at this time, when three Monitors are absent under
repair.
The inflow of water has now been reduced to five inches per hour, and I am
in hopes that the injury will prove immaterial.
J. A. D.
288 ARMOEED VESSELS.
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery,
November 28, 1863.
I beg leave to recommend, as a recogiiition of the gallant conduct and efficient
service, under a heavy fire of shot and shell from the enemy's cannon and
mortars, of Assistant Surgeon William Longshaw, of the Monitor Lehigh, so
amply set forth by Rear-Admiral Dahlgren in general orders of the 17th instant,
that an order issue giving Assistant Surgeon Longehaw the privilege of
examination as soon as his two years' sea service required by law shall be com-
pleted, and if successful, that he shall rank as passed assistant surgeon from the
date of his examination, without reference to others of his date or class.
W. WHELAN, Chief of Bureau.
United States Iron-clad Lehigh,
Off Morris Island, S. C, November 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your order of the night
of November 15, 1 moved up, whilst on picket service, to a position which would
enable me to use my guns on any boats of the enemy which might be seen
approaching Oummings's Point.
I anchored the ship in thi-ee-quarters fathom of water, on a half ebb tide,
feeling that she was perfectly secure. On the making of the flood tide she
swung, and in swinging it is my belief that she touched on a lump and there
hung. The water was so smooth, and she went on so easily, that it is impossible
for me to say at what time during the night she touched. After daylight I
made the attempt to get under steam, and found, to my surprise, that the ship was
on the bottom. Signal was then made to this effect, and that assistance might
he rendered me. I was within range of the enemy's batteries on Sullivan's
island, and as soon as they perceived that the ship was ashore they opened on
me from nine different batteries, striking twenty-two times, nine of which are
wounds on the deck plating ; and these are the most serious of all the wounds
she received.
The Nahant being the nearest ship to me, immediately came to my assistance,
and anchored near us. Lines were procured from the Nahant on three occasions,
the first two being shot away, and the third successfully made fast. The
Nahant then steamed ahead, the Montauk being ahead of her, the Lehigh back-
ing, and in the course of an hour the ship floated. No injury has been done
the ship by grounding that can be perceived. I regret to inform you that, while
under the fire of the enemy's batteries, there were wounded one officer and six
men — two seriously, the others slightly.
It is a pleasure for me to say that all under these trying circumstances did
their duty, there being no confusion and everything working well.
I would especially mention the valuable services voluntarily rendered by
Assistant Surgeon Longshaw, and the promptness and alacrity with which
George W. Leland (gunner's mate,) and Thomas Irving (cockswain,) manned
the boat which was engaged in passing lines under a heavy fire.
Acting Ensign Kichard Burke also commanded my admiration for the coura-
geous manner in which he performed all his duties, the value of which I cannot
speak too highly of.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. BEYSON, Commander.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
ARMORED VESSELS. 289
Opinion of Assistant Inspector Hughes on various points.
Stkamer Relief,
Port Royal, S. C, December 4, 1863.
Sir : I received from Commander William Reynolds a copy of your order
dated November 26, desiring a report from me on any of the following questions
that come within my knowledge :
1. The effect of the shot on the turret, pilot-house, deck, side-armor, and
working parts, &c.
2. Quantity of excrescence on the bottom, and its nature. Was the work of
the divers efficient on the Passaic and Patapsco ; could they remove the oyster-
shells as well as the grass? Does the beaching allow of the cleaning of all
parts of the bottom ; if not, are the divers able to complete the parts that are
not reached on the beach t Which, paint, zinc, or lead, is most preventive of
fouling ?
3. How, beached and shored, does the operation appear to strain the hull, or
effect its form or fastenings in any way? Is any effect perceptible on the ma-
chinery of the engine or turret?
4. What is the condition of the boilers ? Had the scaling been injurious ?
Were the boilers blown as frequently as they should have been? What
means can be adopted to give opportunity in service for ascertaining the state
of the scale, preventing its formation and removal ?
Sir : In answer to the above questions I have the honor to make the following
report :
1. The effect of the shot on turret. — The shot make an indentation on the iron,
and break the bolts that fasten the plating together. The greatest indentations
that have come to my knowledge were to the depth of 2J and 2^ inches. In
my opinion, those indentations were made from 11 and 13-inch solid shot, most
of them from 11-inch. A shot of this kind will generally break from one to five
or six bolts. The Nahant received a shot that broke twelve bolts. I find that
the shot broke more bolts in the Nahant's turret than in any of the others.
I think the reason of this is, the bolts are not so good a fit in the Nahant's
turret as in the others. Some of the Monitors' turrets have received seventy
and eighty shots. When the bolts break they can soon be replaced. I do not
see that the turrets are injured practically.
The effect of shot on pilot-house. — The shots make an impression on pilot-house
about the same as on turret ; but since the extra thickness of three inches has been
put on, the shots do no other injury.
The effect of shot on the deck. — If the shot strikes on abeam, it generally cuts
away the iron plating and makes an indentation in the beam; and if it strikes
between the beams, it generally breaks the deck' plank through.
The effect of shot on the armature. — The armature has been penetrated to the
depth of the five thicknesses of inch plating, and some of the shot have lodged
where they struck. The shot also bends the plating and starts the fastenings.
I have never known any shot or shell to do any injury to any of the machinery
or working parts of the vessel.
You will please observe that the shots I have been referring to, I believe
to have taken effect when the Monitors were fighting the enemy at the shortest
range. The Monitors have received shots on all parts that were scarcely per-
ceptible.
2. Quantity of excrescence on the bottom. — The bottom of the Monitors is
covered with a thick coating of oyster-shells and grass. • JThe grass grows to a
considerable length; I have a sample here of what came off the bottom of the Cats-
kill. It seems to be grass coralized ; it resembles strong broom-corn, and is twelve
inches long, In my opinion, the work of the divers was efficient on the Passaic
H. Ex. Doc. 69 19
290
AEMOEED VESSELS.
and Patapsco. They must have removed the oyster-shells off those vessels.
The quantity of excrescence on the bottom of the above named vessels was very
different from what was on the Oatskill. The beaching does not admit of clean-
ing all parts of the bottom ; there are about two feet or two feet six inches not
reached. In my opinion the divers can clean the part that is not reached as
well as they can the other parts of the bottom.
In my opinion, zinc paint is the best to prevent fouling. I do not think that
any kind of paint we can put on the bottom of the Monitors, while on the beach,
will do a great deal of good. The time being so short from the time the paint
is put on, it is covered with water before it gets a sufficient time to dry.
3. How beached and shored. — The Monitors are put broadside on the beach,
without any shoring. When the Monitors are properly beached there is no
danger whatever of straining any part of the vessel, or having any injurious
effect on machinery or turret.
The Oatskill lay on the beach in a very bad position for one tide. She lay
stern on, and there was a difference of eight feet of water between bow and stem.
While she lay in this position some parts of the machinery had to be unfast-
ened, and there was a perceptible alteration in the fire-room floor plates. When
she floated the parts went back to their places. The vessel does not appear to
have sustained any injury.
The fourth question, regarding the boilers, comes under the fleet engineer.
Very respectfully,
PATKICK HUGH.es,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlgren,
Rear-Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
Weekly report of the condition of the Monitors.
Port Royal, S. C,
Steamer Relief, September 26, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your orders requiring me to hand in a weekly report of
the condition of the iron-clad Monitors, I have the honor to report as follows:
Weehawken.
The work on this vessel is very nearly completed. The deck is repaired, and
new packing put around the turret. The bolts broken in turret and pilot-house
have all been replaced — the extra thickness put on the pilot-house cover.
The men are working on the pilot-house sleeve, which will take five days to
finish. The patch on her side, under the overhangs is nearly finished.
This vessel will be finished, with all the additions, about Friday, October 3.
Patapsco.
The deck of this vessel has been repaired, and smoke-box very nearly fin-
ished; bolts replaced on pilot-house and turret; the holes drilled in turret for
base ring; new cover made for pilot-house. I, am afraid I cannot repair the
standing part of the smoke-pipe to make it satisfactory. I hope this vessel will
not be required until a new pipe comes from New York. To finish the repairs
and put all the additions on this vessel, it will take fourteen days.
Passaic.
I have examined this vessel, and report her condition as follows :
The deck has received eleven shots, seven of which have broken through the
ARMORED VESSELS. 291
deck timber. The turret was struck forty-eiglit times ; some of these shots were
very heavy, having injured the turret and base ring considerably. Armature
was struck twenty-eight times, which has started the plating oflF the wood work
in a nuijiber of places. The plating on, her prow is started open almost four
inches by coming into collision with the Montauk. The pilot-house received
three shots. The bolts in the turret and pilot-house of this ves.iel have stood
well, considering the heavy shots received. There are only a few broken.
The turret of this vessel is in a very bad condition ; the spindle has got jammed
in the beam, andi I tried all means in my power to make it revolve, without suc-
cess. I had new chucks fitted in to hold the spindle, and the wooden beams in
turret chamber all shored to keep them from springing. Thirty-five pounds
pressure of steam got on boilers, (all that captain would allow, ) and started the
turret engines at the great risk of smashing the geariug, but I could not succeed
in revolving the turret. I have come to the conclusion that the spindle will
have to be taken out of turret. To do this the pilot-house and turret beams
will have to come out. The pilot-house, as it is at present, weighs, about twenty-
three or twenty-four tons. I cannot make it any lighter, as the shots received
on pilot-house prevents me from taking the sleeve off. It will take a great deal
of labor and time, with the means we have here, to do the repairs to this vessel.
It will require thirty-five days to put this vessel to rights with the work I have
bn hand at present.
Very respectfully,
PATRICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlgren,
Rear-Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
P. S. — I do not know if Captain Reynolds will undertake to lift twenty-four
tons on the yard-arm of Vermont.
P. H.
Steamer Relief,
Fort Royal, October 3, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, to
wit : Weehawken, Patapsco, and Passaic.
The "Weehawken will be finished on Sunday evening, October 4, with all the
additions on her. I tried to take the plates off her prow, but found that I could
not take the bolts out that are under water.
Patapsco. — The smoke-box is finished, and broken bolts replaced in turret
and pilot-house, and new cover made for pilot-house. I am having the deck
cut out around the turret, and repairing the smoke-pipe. This vessel will be
finished, with all the additions, by the 11th instant.
Passaic. — I am awaiting orders on this vessel.
Very respectfully,
PATRICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlgren,
Rear- Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron. .
Steamer Relief,
Port Royal, S. C, October 10, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, to
wit : Patapsco, Passaic, and Montauk.
The Patapsco will be finished, with all repairs and additions put on, on Tues-
day, 13th instant. The divers are now working on her bottom.
■292 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Passaic. — I am happy to inform you that the turret of this vessel now re-
volves. Mr. Griffin very wisely concluded that the trouble was in the pilot-
house base-ring, (that is, the ring for keeping the pilot-house in its place.) We
cut it apart and found a bolt one inch in diameter and one inch long between
pilot-house collar and base-ring. It seems very strange how it got there. I
would almost say that it was impossible to get there by accident. We were
compelled to cut the ring apart to remedy the difficulty, as the sleeve on pilot-
house prevents the ring from being lifted off. I will have the decks repaired
and bow fixed, and turrat and pilot-house in good order, and the vessel ready
for action by the 2d of November.
Montauk. — The turret, pilot-house, and deck of this vessel have not suffered
much. • She received four pretty hard shots in her armature, from the effect of
which she leaks a little. I will have the additions on her, and the vessel ready
for action same time as Passaic, to wit, 2d of November. The pilot-house cover
of this vessel has received a very severe shot, almost as bad as Oatskill or Pa-
tapsco. I have not yet any extra plates for strengthening the pilot-house covers,
but I expect some from New York, every day, and I believe will bo here before
I have done the rest of the work.
PATEIOK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlqrbn, Rear-Admiral.
Steamer Belief,
Port Royal, S. C, October 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, to
wit : Passaic and Montauk.
The repairs to the Passaic are progressing very satisfactorily. The men are
working on her deck, turret, and bow. I will have her ready to leave here on
the 25th instant. Thia will be seven days less than 1 stated in my last report.
The reason of this is, that I employed four new men. These men answer me
very well. They had left Key West, and were going north in the 'steamship
Union. I employed those men after I saw a copy of an order from you to have
the men work as much time as they were able; and also to employ more, if ne-
cessary, in order to get the Monitors done as quick as possible.
As I stated to you in my last report, there is not a great deal of repairs to be
done to the Montauk. The men are putting on the base-ring of turret and
working on pilot-house sleeve, and I expect to have the additions on about the
same time as the Passaic, to wit, 25th October. I am happy to inform you that
a new pilot-house cover arrived here in the steamer Karnak. It was made for
the Oatskill. I will put it upon the Montauk. It came in good time. You
are aware we made a new cover for the Oatskill, out of three of the extra plates
that were for strengthening the covers.
If you can spare the Nahant, I will have the remainder of her additions
put on in six days after I get through with the two Monitors that are now here.
If she arrives here by the 25th instant, I will have her ready by the 2d of
November.
Very respectfully,
PATRICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlgbbn,
Rear-Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 293
Steamer Relief,
Fort Royal, S. C, October 24, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, to
wit : Passaic, Montauk, and Nahant.
The Passaic is nearly finished. We are still working on her deck and bow.
We will be through with the repairs to-morrow. The nuts of top row of bolts
in turret are not covered by the pilasters. I am going to take them out and put
rivets in their places. I do this at the request of Captain Simpson. It will
detain the vessel about one and a half day. I will be all through with this
vessel on Tuesday, 27th instant.
The additions to the Montauk are nearly finished. I am going to put a new
light iron part on smoke-pipe, and take the bolts out of top row of turret and
put rivets in their places. I have one small patch to put on her armature, to
stop a leak. I will have this vessel done by Tuesday morning, 27th instant.
The pilot-house cover that came from New York was a very rough job. I will
have to make some alterations on it.
The Nahant is in very good condition. All the repairs to be done to her can
be done by three men in about three days. I will have the pilot-house sleeve
put on; anct this vessel ready to leave here on the 2d of November. I have not
any plates here for strengthening the pilot-house cover. I expect some from
New York ; but, in case they do not come in time, I will strengthen the cover
of pilot-house by some of the old covers that I took from other vessels.
If you could send the Nantucket here after I am through with those ves-
sels, I can have her additions put on in twelve days.
When I get the additions put on the Nantucket, I will be through with
^the work that I came here to do. If you have any work of importance for me
to do, you will please send me an order to the effect, as I could not take the
responsibility of keeping this vessel and so many workmen without an order
from you.
The workmen under my charge are pretty well used up. They had to
work very hard and long hours. They did not expect to be here so long.
Their garments are about worn out. I would like to get them and this vessel
to New York as soon as possible.
Very respectfully,
J. A. Dalghren,
Rear- Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
PATRICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
Steamer Relief,
Port Royal, S. C, November 1, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, to
wit : Passaic, Montauk, and Nahant.
The Passaic is finished. I was through with the repairs yesterday morning,
October 31. I have been longer with this vessel than I expected. The
cause of delay was for want of machinery from the machine shop. I could not
get the use of the shears and drill when I required them, as there is so
much work on hand.
The M&ntauk is finished. I was through with the repairs and additions on
Wednesday morning, October 28.
The work on Nahant is progressing satisfactorily. The sleeve was put on
the pilot-house yesterday. I will have to make use of the old pilot-house coyer
of Montauk, to strengthen the pilot-house cover of this vessel. The extra plates,,
for strengthening the covers, have not yet arrived from New York. I will be
294 ARMORED VESSELS.
through with the repairs and additions of this vessel on Tuesday morning, 3d
instant.
I received a letter from Commander Eeynolds, senior officer, containing
an extract from a letter of yours, dated October 29, ordering me to have a frame-
work of wood or iron can-ied around the bow of the Monitors, like the guards of
a side- wheel steamer, or even projecting beams of wood or rods of iron, to keep
the enemy's vessels off for the length of pole on which the torpedo- is placed.
If you would please order the Nantucket here to have the additions put
on, we could, at the same time, put on this torpedo preventive. I am afraid
it will take considerable time to have anything made satisfactorily, with the means
we have at our command, to keep off the enemy's vessels.
Very respectfully,
PATEICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlgben,
Rear-Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
Steamer Belief,
Port Royal, South Carolina, November 7, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, vdz :
Nahant and Weehawken.
The Nahant is finished. I made some alterations at the request of the cap-
tain, viz : cutting holes in bulkheads to let the water get running to the pump,
and cut a dead-light hole in deck to change one of the deck. This extra work.,
has detained me two days longer. I completed this vessel on Friday, 6th
instant.
The Weehawken came here on Wednesday, 4th instant. The work to be
done to her is as follows : The eleven-inch gun to be taken out and a new one
put in ; a new turret pinion put on ; smoke-box repaired, and bow repaired.
The repairing of the bow will be the longest job. I think I will be able to get
through it about Sunday, 16th instant. Captain Oolhoun requested me to
change his galley, and run the galley-pipe into the smoke-pipe. I will be able
to have this work completed by the time I get the bow repaired, which will be
the 16th ilistant.
If you cannot spare the Nantucket here, permit me the use of one of
those side-wheel tugs to carry the brass ring for turret to Warsaw. I would
take this vessel and men there, and put all additions on, with the exception of
pilot-house sleeve. I could arrange it so that the vessel could come here and
get the sleeve put on, and would not be detained longer than thirty hours.
Very respectfully,
PATRICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlgiibn,
Rear-Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
Steamer Relief,
Port Royal, South Carolina, November 22, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, viz :
Catskill and Patapsco.
The' Catskill got off the beach this morning. I expect the captain will be
ARMORED VESSELS. 295
ready to leaye here in a few days. I am sorry there is not any iron in the
boiler shop here to make the galley pipe, as I had plenty of time to change the
galley. The captain is very anxious to have it done. I have made all the
necessary arrangements so as the galley can be changed in short time when the
pipe can be made.
The Patapsco is on the beach cleaning. I will be through with all work I
have to do to this vessel on the 24th instant. I have changed the upper row
of turret bolts and nuts into rivets. I had this done at the request of the cap-
tain. I am having her bow repaired, and the composition ring for holding down
the pilot-house parted, and the holes cut in the coal-bunker bulkheads, so as to
be in readiness to change the galley when the pipe can be made. The galley
pipes can be made and sent to these two vessels as soon as the iron arrives. I
have left the dimensions of those pipes in the boiler shop.
Seeing an order from you for concussion-box bolts in the machine shop, I
take this opportunity to send six dozen of spare turret bolts and four dozen, of
concussion-box bolts.
Very respectfully,
PATEIOK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlg-ken,
Rear-Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
[Despatch No. 283.]
Flag- Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, December 1, 1863.
Sir : I enclose herewith the report of the superintendent of repairs on Moni-
tors at Port Royal, which has just been received.
The department will perceive that the work on them is nearly completed,
except the Nantucket.
Last evening came the first rumor of General Grant's success, but I have no
authentic information.
The army to-day has been saluting, and I shall follow the example.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Steamer Relief,
Port Royal, South Carolina, November 29, 1S63.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, viz :
Catskill, Patapsco, and Lehigh.
In my report of the 22d instant I informed you that the Catskill came
off the beach that morning, and I expected she would leave here in a few days.
This vessel went on the beach again that same evening, and remained there until
the morning of the 28th instant, getting off at 10 o'clock. In trying to get the
vessel off on the morning of the 27th, they carried away the anchor gear,
breaking one tooth in each of the pinion-wheels, and bending the shaft. It.
will take three days to repair. On the morning of the 28th instant one of the
296 ARMOEED VESSELS.
tow-boats struck the plating on the bow and started the fastenings, breaking^
some of the blunt bolt-heads off. To fasten this plating properly, it will take
about three days. I will have all the damages to this vessel repaired by Thurs-
day morning, December 3.
The Patapsco has not yet got off the beach. The captain expects to get her
off this morning at high tide.
The Lehigh arrived here on Monday, 23d instant. She has not yet been
beached. This vessel has received the following damages : Eleven shots on
deck, six of which have broken the deck plank through ; the remainder struck
on the deck beams ; sixteen shots on turret, seven of them pretty hard, making
an indentation of about two inches deep, and breaking twenty-two bolts ; one
shot on turret-roof, cutting a piece off the composition ring, and breaking one of
the plates, and bending two of the T-iron bars ; two shots on pilot-house, mak-
ing an indentation of about two inches, doing no injury ; one side of the smoke-
box carried away ; armature has i-eceived fourteen shots, one of them injuring
the bow very much, starting nearly all the fastenings and opening the plating
four inches. The hull has received one shot about twelve inches from the over-
hang, bending the plating in and opening the seams so as to make considerable
of a leak. The following will be the material required to repair this vessel :
Deck : Two full plates and twenty-seven parts of plates ; twelve pieces of
deck plank. Turret: Twenty-two bolts and one new plate for roof; T-iron
bars straightened ; side of smoke-box straightened and refastened, and one new
wrought-iron strap made. Ai-mature : .Four light iron patches where the shots
have penetrated, the five thicknesses of plates ; bow refastened and plating
straightened, if possible. Hull : One patch of ^ iron on the outside where the
shot struck ; anchor gear overhauled. I expect to have this vessel finished on
the 8th of December.
The captain of the Lehigh wants extra plating of one inch thick over the
boilers, engine-room, magazine, and shell-room. There are not any inch plates
at this place. I expect if there were any extra plating to go on this vessel it
would have been put on wheu at New York.
Very respectfully,
PATRICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlqrkn,
Rear- Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
Steamer Relief, ■
Port Royal, S. C, December 5, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the condition of the following Monitors, viz :
Oatskill, Patapsco, and Lehigh.
The Catskill is lying in Station creek. The divers are goir)g to clean the
parts of the bottom that were not reached on the beach. I am all through with
her. I expect she will leave here the first of the week.
The Patapsco is still on the beach. I am afraid she will have to stop on the
beach for seven or eight days. The tides are very low a;t present.
The repairs to the Lehigh arc progressing very satisfactorily. The deck is
finished, and the smoke-box nearly finished. I have commenced to repair the
bow and armature.
I omitted to mention in my report of the 29th that this vessel requires a new
light iron part of smoke-pipe, the old one being nearly shot away. I expect
this vessel will be finished by the 8th or 9th instant. This vessel is on the
beach. Her bottom looks w'ell. The excrescence can be removed with brooms.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 297
There is nothing growing on the bottom, so far as I can see, but grass almost
two inches long.
Very respectfully,
PATEICK HUGHES,
Assistant Inspector.
J. A. Dahlgrbn,
Rear-Admiral, S. A. B. Squadron.
The safety of the southern coast depends upon the Ironsides and the Monitors.
Flaq-Stbamer Philadelphia,
' Off Morris Island, January 19, 1864.
Sir : The department's letter of the 4th of January has been received.
The irregularities in regard to complement of ofScers is rather the result of
circumstances. The Ironsides, as well as all the Monitors, occupy petitions en-
tirely exceptional. Our entire safety on the southern coast depends on these
vessels. Without them, the rebel iron-clads would quickly ruin the blockade
and capture our land forces. They also have the most severe and never-ceasing
duties to fulfil while on picket, particularly in keeping off the various submerged
devices of the rebels. I can, from frequent inspection of them after dark, bear
witness to this. For these reasons I keep them at the highest possible state
of efficiency, and, as a general rule, give whatever they ask for. # * * *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C
Sinking oflhe Weehawken.
[Despatch No. 294.]
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Idand, December 6, 18C3.
Sir : With feelings beyond my ability to express, I have to announce that
the Monitor Weehawken sank at her anchorage to-day at half past two o'clock.
It was blowing a moderate gale from east by north at the time, and I had been
occasionally noticing the motions of the Montauk, which was anchored the
highest up the harbor, and had been under way.
Mr. Hughes, the superintendent of repairs of the Monitors, was talking to
me at the time — asking leave to go home — when the signal officer announced
that the Weehawken had flyiug'a signal "for assistance," and this was followed
almost immediately by the entrance of the fleet captain, who reported that the
Weekawken appeared to be sinking.
Directions were given at once to let her make for the beach, but before the
least measure could be taken the Weehawken disappeared beneath the water,
and nothing was seen above but the flag and the top of the smoke-stack.
Scarcely five minutes elapsed between the time that the signal " for assist-
ance" was made and the sinking of the vessel.
I am entirely unable, from the imperfect information at hand, to satisfy
myself of the real cause of the disaster. Some attribute it to the entrance of a
heavy sea into the fore hatch, filling the anchor well ; others say that there was
298 ARMORED VESSELS.
an excess of water in the vessel three hours before she went down, which is also
attributed to the hawse-pipe. Some talk of the water forcing in at the joint of
the overhang ; but it would appear that no apprehension of danger existed until
ten or fifteen minutes before the signal was made.
The Weehawken lay about east of the beacon-house on Morris island, and
nearest to her were a mortar schooner, a tug, and my own steamer. The Iron-
sides and other vessels lay lower down, except the Montauk, which was on
picket.
Steam-tugs and boats were despatched at once to pick up the crew, but it is
to be feared that some lives have been lost. These cannot yet be known with
exactness, as the survivors are scattered among different vessels, and it blows
too fresh to communicate with facility.
I shall send to Port Royal for the divers and other means to raise the Wee-
hawken, and would ask that the department would also send here any assistance
that is available.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGEEN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary/ of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Detailed report of the sivMng of the Weehawken.
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Cf^ Morris Island, December 8, 1863.
Sir : Another despatch informs you of the sad disaster that has befallen the
Weehawken. I have ordered an inquiry, which will supply all the evidence
that is attainable. Meanwhile there are differences of opinion among well-
informed officers. Some attribute the cause to the water in the anchor well,
the influx through the hawse-pipe, and the depression forward, so that the water
would not flow to the pumps. •
A written opinion (A) from Lieutenant Commander Simpson, who has the
Monitor Passaic, states that the water did run aft, and that the rotatory pump
was in full action. He thinks that weakness from injuries in service, with, per-
haps, some strain in beaching, had loosened rivets of bottom plates, and did
the rest.
Among the melancholy consequences are the loss of life. Four engineers
and twenty men are missing, the names of whom are enclosed, (B.) Every
effort was made to save the crew, and in a few moments the water was alive
with boats. It is to be hoped that some may have escaped ashore, but the
chances are very slight.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DAHLGEEN,
Rear Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 299
A.
United States Iron-clad Passaic,
Off Morris Island, S, C, Dccetnber 6, 1863
Sir : I respectfully submit my opinion of the cause of the sinking of the
"Weehawken :
From the testimony that I have been able to collect, it appears that between
11 a. m. and meridian thewindlass-room was full of water; the forward hatch was .
then closed, and no water could find its way in except through the hawse-hole.
At this time the centrifugal pump did not work, as there was not enough water
aft to make it " fetch. " This indicates a want of free communication through
the limbers. It seems that this difficulty was overcome, for some time afterwards
the water rose to about four inches of the fire-room floor (which would make it
twenty- six inches below the grate bars) when the centrifugal pump was in
operation discharging steadily its 2,000 or 3,000 gallons of ^water per minute.
No apprehension seems to have been felt at this time as to the danger of
sinking, the vessel was not noticed to be settling, but the commanding officer
desired the presence of the captain, and commenced to signalize to that effect.
At this instant the water suddenly rose in the vessel, and she commenced to
settle forward. The signal "in want of assistance" was made immediately,
and she went down. My conclusion is, that the sinking of the vessel was not
occasioned by the water that found its way into her through the hawse-hole, for
it seems clearly proven that free communication was established (through the
limbers) between the hawse-hole and centrifugal pump, and I conceive that the
centrifugal pump is able to discharge all water that enters by the hawse-hole.
I believe that the injuries that the vessel had received in service, particularly
while aground under the fire of the Sullivan's Island batteries, (assisted perhaps
by the straining produced by being beached at Port Koyal,) had so strained her
that the rivets were loose on some of her bottom plates, and- the rough sea that
was running at the time of the disaster must have been sufficient to open the
plates and admit the water. From all that I can learn, it was no gradual
accumulation of water that caused the vessel to sink, but it was almost in-
stantaneous. This could alone be caused by such reason as I here assign.
I merely submit this hurried paper with a view to rendering some slight aid
towards assigning a reason for the terrible disaster.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. SIMPSON,
Commanding.
J. A. Dahlgren,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
B.
List of the Weehawken's officers supposed to be lost.
Henry W. Merian, third assistant engineer.
Augustus Mitchell, third assistant engineer.
George W. McGrowan, acting third assistant engineer.
Charles Spongbergh, acting third assistant engineer.
Very respectfully,
FEEDEKICK E. STOW,
Acting Assistant Paymaster.
Commander J. M. Duncan.
300
ARMORED VESSELS.
List of men's names who are supposed to he lo&t from the Weehaw^en.
1. Thomas Piper.
2. James Scollan.
3- Jolm Buckley.
4. John Kerrigan.
5. John Carpenter.
6. Joseph Grogan.
7. Charles F. Davis.
8. John Williams, 2d.
9. Charles H. Wilson.
10. William H. Williamson.
11. Christian Anderson.
12. John Eutlage.
13. Ralph Anderson.
14. Edward Gayhkn.
Very respectfully,
15. Edward Mullen.
16. Michael Clines.
17. James Lennan.
18. Thomas Mec.
19. Eobert Nugent.
20. Thomas Donovan.
21. William G. Pike.
22. George Leighton.
23. Henry Sumner.
24. Thomas Stocker.
25. Thomas Donlon.
26. Stephen C. Newman.
27. (Not ascertained.)
FEEDEEICK R. STOW,
Acting Assistant Paymaster.
Reports of officers of Weehawkm.
A. Commander Duncan December 7.
B. Lieutenant M. S. Stuyvesant December 7.
0. Lieutenant M. S. Stuyvesant December 9.
D. Lieutenant M. S. Stuyvesant December 11.
E. Acting Master C. C. Kingsbury December 8.
F. Assistant Surgeon E. M. Stein December 9.
G. Assistant Surgeon E. M. Stein December 11.
H. Acting Paymaster F. E. Stow December 7.
1. Ensign L H. Eeed December 7.
K. Acting Second Assistant Engineer J. B Allen December 9.
L. Acting Ensign B. H. Chadwick December 7.
M. Acting Ensign F. H. Crandall , December 7.
N. Master's Mate and Gunner William E. Bayne December 10.
0. Pilot Levi Jump December 7.
A.
United States Flag-Ship Philadelphia,
Off Charleston, S. C, December 7, 1863.
Sir : I have to report that on the evening of the 4th instant I received orders
detaching me from gunboat Paul Jones, and ordering me here to take command
of the iron-elad steamer Weehawken. On the morning of the 5th I arrived
here, and in the evening took command of her and went up on the advanced
picket, and remained there until 9.30 of the morning of the 6th ; then came
down ; made fast to buoy No. 2 ; then came on board this vessel.
About 1.30 p. m. a signal was made that the Weehawken wanted assistance.
I immediately got in a boat with the pilot of this vessel. Before we could reach
her she went down. Boats from all the vessels around went to the assistance
of the men that were overboard, and succeeded in saving all but four of the
engineers and twenty- seven of the men. When I left the vessel everything
ARMOKED VESSELS. 301
appeared to be riglit; the anchor-hold was all dry; no water coming through
the hawse-pipe. I enclose you statements of all the officers now on board.
Not being on board myself at the time, I am not able to give any account of the
sad accident.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. DUNCAN,
Commander.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron, Flag-Ship Philadelphia.
B.
United States Flag-Ship Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, December 7, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your orders of to-day, I make the following report of
circumstances attending the loss of the United States iron-clad steamer Wee-
hawkeu :
At or near 12 o'clock yesterday the seas were washing over the bows of the
vessel, and water was going down the forward hatch in small quantities, as has
frequently been the case.
To prevent its splashing into the cabin the iron door leading into the anchor-
room was closed ; and in order to ease the ship, fifteen fathoms of chain were
veered. We were at our usual moorings, made fast to buoy No. 2. The wind
freshened, and the seas grew larger very rapidly, and while closing down the
forward battle-plate several seas went over, almost filling up the anchor-room.
Men were immediately sent down to keep the limbers clear. The berth-deck
battle-plate was then let down, and at this time I observed that the vessel was
not so much by the stern as usual. This I attributed to the large body of
water forward. As the limbers were clear, I had no fears but that the water
would run aft, and be pumped out. It was now reported to me that my room
was flooded, and while on my way to examine it, the captain of the hold re-
ported five (5) inches of water, which was evidence that the water was making
its way aft.
The leak in my room was around the end of one of the beams where it joined
the side, and seemed to be one that could be easily stopped.
In the cabin the water was pouring in in small streams by the upper edge of
the forward bulkhead. The hatches were taken off the cabin-lockers to let the
water into the bilge.
For many minutes the vessel did not settle any by the head. I saw nothing
serious in the condition of the vessel, but thought that the commanding officer
ought to be on board, and began to make signal for him. I should have mentioned
that the commander, James M. Duncan, was on board the flag-ship, near at hand.
The centrifugal and other pumps were started as soon as the water was high
enough for their suction to take effect, and all of them worked well apparently.
After -some minutes had elapsed with the vessel in this condition — I cawiot
say how long — she suddenly began to settle forward and to cant to starboard.
Signal was made for assistance immediately, and all hands ordered on deck,
but she sunk so rapidly now that many were caught below. Assistance arrived
promptly, and I believe that all who succeeded in reaching the upper deck were
picked up by boats. The saving of many lives is attributable to the self-pos-
session displayed by all those officers and men who fell under my observation.
I have since heard from officers of the vessel that there were leaks in all the
302 ARMOEED VESSELS.
wing-rooms, and, aa she had been much strained from various causes, my impres-
sion is that these leaks became suddenly enlarged, filling the ship forward, and
causing her to sink almost immediately.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant.
_ M. S. STUYVESANT,
Lieutenant and Executive Officer.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren,
Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron, off Charleston, 8. C.
C.
United States Storeship Supply,
Off Morris Island, December 9, 1863.
Sir : Agreeably to your orders, I have questioned the oflScers and crew from
the late United States steamer Weehawken regarding the use of a jackass in
her hawse-hole.
A temporary one made of coal bags was used on her passage from New
York to Fortress Monroe, but nothing has been seen of it since. None others
made, nor any one detailed for that duty on the ship.
It will gratify you, sir, to know that the Weehawken'a officers and mAi are
well cared for in their new quarters, and as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. S. STUYVESANT,
Lieutenant United States Navy.
Rear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
D.
United States Storeship Supply,
Off Morris Island, December 11, 1863.
Sir : I enclose copies of the reports of J. B. Allen, acting second assistant
and senior engineer, and E. M. Stein, assistant surgeon ; also, a second report
from W. E. Bayne, acting master's mate, in accordance with your orders of De-
cember 10.
I forwarded the reports of the first two officers on the 9th ultimo, and am sorry
they failed to reach.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. S. STUYVESANT,
Lieutenant United States Navy.
Lieut. Com. J. M. Bradford,
Fleet Captain, S. A. B. Squadron.
E.
Flag-Ship Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, December 8, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your orders, I beg leave to submit the following state-
ment of what came under my observation in relation to the sinking of the iron-
clad Weehawken :
AKMOEED VESSELS. 303
At about 1 o'clock p. m., being in my room, received an order from Mr.
Stuyvesant, the executive officer, to come on deck, and, in obeying the order, heard
some one say "the water is coming in the cabin through the door." When I got
on deck I received an order from executive officer to veer away chain, the vessel
being fast to her mooring buoy ; and whilst obeying the order, observed the sea
washing over her from three to iive feet in depth. After having obeyed the order,
having given her about forty-five fathoms of chain, received permission to go
below, and, upon my doing so, found the water rushing into my room in large
streams ; raised the hatch in my room, and found the place full of water; looked
into the cabin, and also saw the hold full : then went on deck and reported the
same to executive officer, and the want of some one to haul the limber chains ; was
ordered by executive officer to take some men and to go down and see to the hauling
of them myself, and whilst executing the order saw the hold under the berth
deck was rapidly filling. Saw Mr. Allen, second assistant acting chief engineer,
and spoke to him about the water not running aft; heinade answer, "the pumps
work well;" then went into the turret-room, and heard the order given for
everybody to come off the berth deck ; then used all my endeavors to get the
men up as quickly as possible ; got up myself, leaving one or two on the ladder
to come up after me.
In my opinion, the cause of her sinking was the shattered condition of her
side armor, and a large increase of weight in ammunition and coals, which, with
a rough sea, and her forward compartment full of water, caused an opening be-
tween the overhang and hull, which' made itself manifest by the rushing in of
water in all the side rooms.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
OHA'S 0. KINGSBURY,
Acting Master U. S. N.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, Flag-Ship Philadelphia.
F.
United States Storeship Supply,
Of Charleston, S. C, December 9, 1863.
Sir : I am of opinion that the sinking of the Weehawken was caused by the
filling of the forecastle with water, which caused her to go down by the head, be-
sides strainjng her to such a degree as to separate the overhang from the hull,
thereby causing a general leakage throughout the forepart of the vessel. The
over-crammLog of the vessel with shot and shells increased the strain on her,
and no doubt caused her to sink more rapidly than she otherwise would have
done. These are the chief causes, as it appears to me, to which the loss of this
vessel is attributable.
Very respectfully, your obedipnt servant,
ED. W. M. STEIN, Ass't Surgeon.
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron, off' Charleston, S. C.
304 ARMORED VESSELS.
G.
United States Stoeeship Supply,
Off Charleston, S. C, December 11, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order requiring the officers of the Weehawken to
present you with a statement of t\iQ facts, as far as they know, connected with
the loss of that vessel, I would respectfully say, that the filling of the forecastle
with water, and " the going down by the head" of the vessel in consequence
of the accumulation of water in the forepart thereof, are the facts which imme-
diately caused the sinking of the Weehawken, as it appears to me. The exces-
sive quantity of shot and shells stowed away in the vessel is another yac« which,
yl take it, caused her to sink sooner than she otherwise would have done.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. W. M. STEIN, Ass't Surgeon.
iP.ear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron,
Flag-Ship Philadelphia, off Charleston, S. C.
Flag-Ship Philadelphia,
Off Charleston, S. C, December 7, 1863.
Sir : In compliance with your request, I have the following statement to make
in regard to the sinking of the iron-clad steamer Weehawken on the 6th instant.
About 1 o'clock p. m. I observed the water making so fast in the anchor-
room that it was necessary to close the bulkhead door. About thirty or forty
minutes afterwards I noticed that the anchor-room was so full of water as to
cause it to flow over the top of the door and flood the cabin floor. The water
_did not appear to flow aft but a very little, but accumulated rapidly forward,
and fast coming up with the cabin and ward-room floors. I also observed the
water leaking rapidly into the officers' rooms and into my own room, through
the seams in the sides of the ship. This latter I had never known to occur
since I had been on board. When I observed this, I became at once convinced
that she wjis making water fast throughout the entire forward part. When I
left the ward-room, which was about five minutes before she sank, the water
was an inch upon the floors.
The quantity of ammunition stowed forward was larger than it ever was since
, I have been on board, which caused her to be more down by the head than I
have ever known her to be. Taking the large stock of shells and the vast
quantity or weight of water in the anchor-room together, I believe so strained her
forward as to let water into scores of places aft the cabin. She fast settled for-
ward and prevented the water flowing aft. In my opinion the ship would not
have sunk if she had not opened in her side.
Very respectfully,
FKEDERIOK R. STOW,
Acting Assistant Paymaster.
Commander J. M. Duncan,
Flag-Ship Philadelphia.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 305
I.
Flag-Ship Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, Bccemhcr 7, 1863.
Sir: In obedience to your order, I respectfully submit an account of the cir-
cumstances connected with the sinking of the Weehawken that came under my
observation.
At about 9.30 a. m. we came down from .the picket ground and shackled on to
the buoy known as buoy No. 2. At that time, and until 12 meridian, when I gave
up charge of the deck, the sea was breaking over the ship forward, but being
nearly an every day occurrence, no notice was taken of it.
Between 1.15 and 1.30 p. m. a heavy sea broke over the ship and filled the
anchor- well with water. The forward battle-plate and also the berth-deck battle-
plate were immediately closed, and the iron door connecting the captain's cabin
and anchor-well was also closed and secured by iron turn-buckles. When the
door was first closed the water leaked from the top to the bottom of the door,
but in a short time it leaked but a very little from the bottom. This, in my
opinion, proves that the limbers were clear, and that the hawse-hole, which was
not closed, had nothing to do with the sinking of the ship. At about the same
time a large leak was observed in the executive officer's room. This leak was
about half way from the berth to the main deck. I reported it to the executive
officer, and went on top of the turret.
The sea was then breaking over the ship forward, but not more than I have
seen it before. In fifteen or twenty minutes it became apparent that we were
sinking a little by the head. The centrifugal pump was started and threw a
large stream of water through the out- board delivery on deck; but she did not
rise any, and the executive officer ordered all the officers and men on deck, and
also ordered the signal "captain needed on board" to be made.
I had mastheaded the first number of the signal, when she commenced to sink
very rapidly. I was ordered to discontinue the first signal and substitute " as-
sistance needed." The crew were directed to go aft and save themselves, and
in from five to ten minutes the sea was making a clean run over the deck.
It is my opinion, and I believe the opinion of most of the officers, that the
leak in the executive officer's room enlarged suddenly and caused the ship to
sink.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. REED, Ensign, United States Navy.
Eear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
K.
United States Storeship Shpfly,
Off Charleston, S. C, Wednesday, December 9, 1863.
Sir : In accordance with your order requiring those officers who were saved
from the ill-fated iron-clad steamer Weehawken to send in to you their report
regarding the sinking of that vessel, I herewith transmit my views.
After having made my usual visit, at 9 a. m., around that part of the vessel
belonging to the engineer department, and finding all the machinery in good
order, I retired to my room, feeling somewhat unwell. Soon after (I cannot
exactly name the hour) I heard a rush of water forward, and went into the
H. Ex. Doc. 69 20
306
ARMORED VESSELS.
cabin to find out the cause. I there found Ensign Ohadwick engaged in closing
the communicating door between the anchor-well and cabin. I assisted him in
closing this door and securing it, (which is done by means of iron turn-buckles
and bars,) and by this means the water was prevented for a time filling up the
bilge. I then went into the engine-room, and ordered one Worthington pump
started to pumping out the bilge, and then went to the executive officer, and
requested that the limber-chains might be hauled. This was done, and I
returned to the engine-room, and there found that the water was coming aft
very fast. I ordered the remaining "Worthington pump started and the cen-
trifugal pump cleared and got ready for use. I then went back into the cabin,
and saw the water forcing its way through all sides of the communicating door,
and that the water under the cabin floor covered the shot and shell, and was
nearly over the floor. I returned to the engine-room, and ordered the cen-
trifugal pump started. This pump worked well, but drew the water from the
bilge faster than it ran through the limbers, and therefore, for a time, it was
sucking.
All that possibly could be done by the engineers was done, as is plainly seen
by those four noble fellows dying at their posts.
The vessel (Weehawken) having been twice subjected to heavy straining,
(first while ashore near Fort Sumter, and lastly while beached at Port Royal,)
and having an unusual weight of ammunition forward, I respectfully submit as
my reasons for the melancholy loss. As fast as she filled with water forward,
so much more did it pull her down by the head, and prevent the water from
running aft ; and I believe that heavy weight of ammunition and water caused
a large opening between the overhang and hull.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. B. A. ALLEN, U. S. N.,
Acting Second Assistant Engineer,
Late Senior Engineer United States Steamer Weehawken.
Eear-Admiral John A. Dahlgren, U. S. N.,
Com'g S. A. B. Squadron, Flag- Steamer Philadelphia, off Charleston, S. C.
Flag-Steamee Philadelphia,
Off Charleston, South Carolina, Decemher 7, 1863.
Sir: I have the following to report in relation to the disaster on the iron-
clad Weehawken, on the afternoon of the Gth instant, as came under my obser-
vation, viz :
About 1 p. m. I was seated in the ward-room, when my first apprehension of
any unusual occurrence in regard to the safety or sinking of the Weehawken
was occasioned by the pilot's calling my attention to the volume of water flowing
in around the bulkhead iron door, between the captain's cabin and the anchor-
room, which was closed and only latched; and from the flow of the water in at
the sides of the door, should judge the water in the anchor-room at that time to
be about eighteen inches deep. This water was flooding the cabin floor. I
called for assistance. Mr. Allen, the chief engineer, came, and we put on and
screwed up the cross-bars to the door, which nearly stopped the water coming
through. The water rose gradually in the anchor-room, as indicated by the
leak about the door, and in about thirty minutes it was on the top of the door.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 307
I next saw a leak around the end of a beam in executive officer's room, on star-
board side forward, and, on opening a hatch in the starboard forward room, the
water came up over the floor.
_ The sinking of the Weehawken I attribute to the excessive weight of ammu-
nition, keeping the vessel down by the head, causing the water to flood the
anchor-room through the hawse-pipe; thenih^ combined weight of water and
ammunition caused the ship to strain and leak badly between the overhang and
the hull forward when in a sea way ; and, lastly, the water would not flow aft
to the pumps, making it impossible to free her.
Most respectfully submitted.
BENJ. H. CHADWICK,
Acting Ensign, United States Navy.
Commander J. M. Duncan.
M.
Flag-Ship Philadelphia,
Of Charleston, S. C, December 7, 1863.
Sir ! In obedience to your order, I respectfully submit the following state-
ment in relation to the sinking of the United States. Monitor Weehawken on
December 6.
I relieved the officer of the deck at 12 meridian, noticing that we were shack-
led on to a buoy, and not very far from several steam-tugs lying at anchor. The
wind was quite fresh from northward and eastward, and a pretty heavy sea on,
breaking over the decks forward, which, I suppose, is a common occurrence to
the Monitors during rough weather. About 1 p. m. a heavy sea partly carried
away the forward hatch. I immediately called all of the watch on deck.
About this time Lieutenant Stuyvesant, the executive officer, came on deck also.
I went forward with the watch to replace and secure it, and found the battle-plate
unshipped, and hanging by the tackle. This was placed and closed down as
soon as possible. The room which had been closed up below was about half
full of water before the battle-plate could be shipped. Acting Master Kingsbury
came on deck about now, and received orders from the executive officer to veer
away chain, which was done. After everything was secured, Mr. Stuyvesant
told me to go below and change my clothing for a dry suit. Before arriving
below, I observed the water coming over the door from the anchor-room into
the cabin. Just as I started to come on deck the water came up through the
hatch in my room.
When I arrived on top of the turret the order was sent down by Mr. Stuy-
vesant for everybody to come on deck. Soon after, the order to go aft and
save themselves. Under the circumstances, officers and men behaved with great
coolness.
In going down she canted over to starboard. I staid aboard until a heavy
sea washed me off, when I made a spring and caught hold of the boat, and was
hauled in. I then took charge, but found her completely unmanageable. Her
row-locks were gone, and all we could do was to keep her head to sea. Finally
we were picked up by a tug-boat.
As to the real cause of her filling with water, I am not able to state. I judge
she must have parted the "overhang" from the main hull. The anchor-room is
"308 AEMOEED VESSELS
supposed to be a water-tight compartment, which, being filled with water, would
not affect the vessel.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. N. GRAND ALL,
Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Comd'g S. A. B. Squadron.
N.
Acting Ensign, U. S. Navy.
United States Storeship Supply,
OJ' Morris Island, December 10, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order, I transmit an account of what I saw in
reference to the sinking of the United States steam iron-clad battery Weehaw-
, ken.
The first intimation that I had of anything being wrong was, upon looking
through one of the turret ports, I saw that the forward battle-plate over the
captain's hatch had been washed by a heavy sea out of its place, and I also
saw Mr. Stuyvesant, in person, having it put in its place. When, about five or
ten minutes afterwards, I went and found the water rushing over the door
leading to the anchor -well, which was closed but not secured; finding which, I
looked for and found the cross-bars, and helped to secure it. The pUot was in
the cabin at the same time. I also had the hatches taken off the forward shot-
lockers to let the water run aft quicker to the pumps. After seeing all secure,
went to dinner, thinking that the water would soon run aft. In fifteen minutes
afterwards heard that the water was i-unning into the first lieutenant's room ;
went to see what could be done with it. I sent for padding and tallow, and
stopped it as far as possible. Afterwards I went to look at the cabin again,
thinking it might be all clear, but found it worse than ever, but did not think
there was any danger, as all the pumps were working well ; but found things
still getting worse and the water still rushing into the ship. I also thought
that the ship was sinking by the head, and upon going to the top of the turret
found it to be so ; when I got an order to fire a gun, but could not do so for the
boats. Heard the executive officer give an order to leave the ship by any means
in our power. He was busy ai that time with signals. Left the top of the turret,
and held the boats till they were full of men, and got washed overboard, but
got into the boat again.
I remain, very respectfully, yours,
WM. E. BAYNE,
Master's Mate, Acting Gunner.
Kear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,
Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
O.
Off Morris Island,
December 7, 1863.
Sir : The sinking of the United States iron-clad steamer Weehawken, moored
at buoy No. 2, on the 6th instant, in my opinion, was caused by leaving the
battle-plate over the captain's hatch off too long, causing the forecastle to be
filled with water, and that, coupled with extra weight of shell, caused her to sink
by the head, preventing the water from going aft ; and the pressure of water
ARMORED VESSELS. 309
was so strong as, in my opinion, to burst the main hull from the overhang, as
all the leaks started were fresh ones.
Sir, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEVI JUMP, Pilot.
J. M. Duncan,
Late Commander of IT. S. Iron-clad Weehawken.
List of officers and men saved from the United Stales steamer Weehawken.
Officers. — J. M. Duncan, commander; M. S. Stuyvesant, lieutenant ; C. 0.
Kingsbury, acting master; E. M. Stein, assistant surgeon; F. R. Stow, acting
assistant paymaster ; J. H. Eeed, ensign ; B. H. Chadwick, acting ensign ; F.
H. Crandall, acting ensign ; J. B. A. Allen, acting second assistant engineer ;
William E. Bayne, acting master's mate ; Levi Jump, pilot. — Total, 11.
Men. — John Smith, first class fireman; John Hurley, do. ; John Connolly, do.;
Edward Clarkson, do. ; Edward Carr, do. ; David H. Serburne, second class fire-
man ; James Collins, do. ; James Byers, do. ; Patrick Reardon, do. ; Henry
Sumner, do. ; Maurice Phelan, coal-heaver ; Bernard Oassiday, do. ; Thomas
Hogan, do.; Thomas Doran, second master; C. B. Brunn, do.; William A. Mun-
son, second gunner ; George Orotts, do. ; William Brown, seaman ; Michael
Rice, do. ; John Williams, 1st, do. ; William A. Davis, do. ; Thomas Goggin,
captain of hold ; Carl Grandman, ordinary seaman ; Edward Christenson, do. ;
John Walters, do. ; Thomas Bailey, landsman ; John Nee, do. ; Stephen McDon-
ald, do.; L. Johnson, second class boy; Charles Drage, landsman; John Russell,
do. ; William Batten, do. ; Edward Lewis, do. ; Patrick McGovern, do. ; Matthew
T. Jackson, do.; Michael Dunn, do.; John Anderson, do.; E. A. Redding, do.;
Samuel E. Seaman, do. ; James T. Brace, do. ; Francis Gallagher, do. ; William
H. Dunbar, do.; William Orange, do.; James Kohlay, do.; Dan. O'Brien, do.;
Henry Dobson, ward-room cook ; Harry Read, paymaster's steward ; Benjamin.
S. Birdsall, doctor's steward; James Hagan, boatswain's mate on board the
Home; William E. Nongle.
Missing. — Thomas Piper, second master ; John Scallen, landsman ;
Buckley, do.; John Kerrigan, do.; John Carpenter, do.; Joshua Crogan, second
class boy; Charles F. Davis, first class fireman ; John Williams, 2d, landsman;
Charles Wilson, master-at-arms; William H. Williamson, captain's cook; Chris-
tian Anderson, ship's cook; John Rutledge, landsman; Ralph Anderson, do.;
James Gayhan, first class fireman ; Edward Mullen, second class fireman ;
Michael Clines, coal heaver; James Lenman, second class fireman; Thomas
Mee, first class fireman; Robert Nugent, coal-heaver; George M. Leighton,
first class fireman ; Thomas Stothers, do. ; Stephen C. Newman, second class
fireman ; Thomas Donaran, ordinary seaman ; William G. Pike, do. ; Thomas
Dowlin, landsman ; Thomas A. Mason, yeoman, (.since dead.) v
[Despatch No. 351.]
Flag-Stbambr Philadelphia,
Of Morris Island, December 29, 1863.
Sir : The order of the department directing me " to convene a court of in-
quiry for the purpose of ascertaining all the facts relating to the sinking of the
Weehawken" has been received.
Immediately after the disaster such was ordered. The commanders of three
Monitors were selected for the purpose, (Lieutenant Commanders Simpson,
Davis, and Oornwell,) as better qualified to judge by their experience in this,
^lass of vessel.
310
AEMOEED VESSELS.
A succession of stormy weather has interfered with their proceedings, and
required their personal attention to their own vessels, but I hope it will be soon
completed and forwarded for your information.
The final repair of the Monitors still lingers. The Patapsco and Lehigh are
at Port Royal. When completed, one will relieve the Nantucket, and the other
will come this way. When I look back at my own anticipations in regard to
the readiness of these vessels, I confess I am almost in despair. All that I
could do to hasten the repair I have done, and, it may be, all possible despatch
has been done. However, one thing is certain : when the other -Monitors are
called on for service, no one of these shall be out of line.
The boilers now begin to be troublesome, and I have just called the Mon-
tauk down, to draw her fires and patch up, leaving only three Monitors above
to do duty. The air-pump was also disabled this morning by the negligence of
an engineer.
There is almost too much dependent on the Monitors now here. There is
not the least allowance possible for accidents.
My notice has just been called to a passage in the correspondence of the
Tribune of the 14th of December, dated "Headquarters Department of the
South, December 6," which attributes the delay here "to instructions from
Washington."
I have only to say, that no person has ever heard me say anything of the
kind, nor even allude to the views of the department. The two special docu-
ments from the department have not left my own custody, nor have they been
seen even by my secretary, nor by any one except the commanding officers
whonj I convened to obtain their opinions, as directed by the department, and
by General Gillmore, to whom the department directed them to be shown, and
I feel sure that nothing ever would transpire from them.
It is another evidence of the unscrupulous propensity with which some
writers are possessed to make news, if they cannot collect it.
The infamous abuse which these gentlemen have lavished on me for some
months past very naturally precludes the possibility of my having intercourse
with them.
The quantities of obstructions which were washed down by the freshet
proves to be very considerable. I saw yesterday a string of railroad bars (22
feet long each) being drawn from the water, linked together, the wood work
gone, and have been told that 33 of them have been beached, which would have
extended two hundred and fifty yards.
The rebels are busy at work on a new iron-clad, and it is reported to be
nearly plated.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J NO. A. DAHLGEEN,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Proceedings of a court of inquiry convened on board the United States ship Supply, of Morris Island,
South Carolina, by virtue of the following order, viz:
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, December 7, 1863.
Gentlemen : It is important that a full inquiry should be made into the
-causes of the deplorable disaster that befell the Weehawken yesterday. You.
ARMORED VESSELS. 311
are therefore appointed a court of inquiry to ascertain the facta in the case,
and give your opinion thereon. Acting Assistant Paymaster Benjamin F.
Munroe is appointed the judge advocate of said court. You will endeavor to
regulate the proceedings so as not to interfere with your duties as commanders
of Monitors.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Commanding S. A. B. Squadron.
Lieutenant Commander E. Simpson,
Lieutenant Commander John L. Davis,
Lieutenant Commander J. J. Cornwell.
10 o'clock a. m., December 10, 1863.
The court met pursuant to the above order. Present : Lieutenant Com-
mander E. Simpson, Lieutenant Commander John L. Uavis, and Lieutenant
Commander J. J. Cornwell ; Acting Assistant Paymaster Benjamin E. Munroe,
judge advocate.
The court was duly sworn by the judge advocate, and the judge advocate
was duly sworn by the presiding officer of the court.
Commander James M. Duncan, late of the Weehawken, was called, but
beiug absent on duty, could not attend. Lieutenant M. S. Stuyvesant, late
executive officer of the Weekawken, was called, and being duly sworn, testified
as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service 1
Answer. M. S. Stuyvesant ; lieutenant, and late executive ofiicer of the
Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State what you know of the causes that led to
the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. Ship came to her moorings between ten and eleven a. m. on Sunday,
6th of December, 1863 ; wind from northeast, fresh breeze ; spray washing over
the deck and fore-hatch into the windlass-room. The battle-plate being up,
one end of the battle-plate resting on the rabbet of the hatch, the other end
being triced up by a tackle led across the deck ; the berth-deck battle-plate
being up and secured in the same manner. We were made fast to our usual
moorings (buoy number two) by a chain from our on deck to a shackle
on the buoy, having five or six fathoms scope. After securing to the buoy, I
gave orders to bank the fires as usual, being a standing order of the ship to
keep up twenty-five pounds of steam. About this time the captain left the ship.
On going below, I noticed the water slopping in under the forward cabin door,
a temporary wooden door ; ordered the iron door to be secured ; this was a
common occurrence. Shortly after twelve o'clock Ensign J. H. Reed came
below and remarked there was no change in the weather, in answer to a question
from me, and that she was riding easy. Some time after, from half to three-
quarters of an hour, I heard the watch being called on deck, which being an
unusual occurrence, and the ofiicer of the watch. Acting Ensign E. H. Orandall,
having reported for duty only a day or so before, I went up to ascertain what
he wished of the watch, not wishing to have theia roused out unnecessarily. I
found the sea and wind increased considerably, and that the forward hatch
coaming, which was shaped like a hopper, was broken by the sea, and the
battle-plate knocked down and across the hatch, but not so as to prevent a large
portion of a sea from going into the anchor-room. I gave orders to have the
battle- plate put in its place, but this could not be done before two or three other
seas coming over, nearly filled the anchor-room. I then veered about fifteen
fathoms of the mooring chain. Then closed the berth-deck battle-plate ; also
312
AEMORED VESSELS.
ordered the limber chains to be hauled previous to closing the berth-deck ba*"^'
plate. I ordered the watch to go below. The bilge pumps and centrituga
pumps were all started at about this time, but there was not yet sufficient water
aft to enable the suction of the centrifugal pump to work. While veering cbain,
it was reported to me that there was a leak in my room. While on my '^^/r*
examine it, after seeing everything properly secui-ed on deck, the captain ot the
hold reported six inches of water in the h(jld abreast the berth-deck hatch
amidships, which I regarded as evidence that the water from the windlass-room
was going aft, as this hold had heretofore been dry. The leak .m my room,
which was the after wing room, on the starboard side, was round the edges of
one of the beams where it joined the side.
Acting Master's Mate William E. Bayne was engaged in calking it up,_and
said it could be easily stopped, and did not appear to me to be anythmg serious.
Then I went forward into the cabin and found the water making its way in over
the upper edges of the forward cabin iron bulkhead in small streams. Had the
covers taken off the cabin shot-lockers, filled with fifteen-inch solid and cored
shot, to let the water in the bilge. Then went on deck and ordered signal to be
made that the captain was needed on board, he being on board the flag-ship,
near at hand ; also ordered Acting Master Kingsbury to keep the limbers clear.
Some little time was lost in getting signals out, and the first number was just
answered when I noticed the vessel settling by the head and at the same time
canting to starboard. I ordered everybody on deck, sending messengers below
for that purpose, and the senior engineer, Acting Second Assistant Engineer J,
B. A. Allen, jr., to send all out of the fire-room. Ordered signals to be changed
to one for assistance, which was answered. Up to the time signals were made
for assistance I did not consider the ship in any danger. Thinking the captain
would prefer to be on board under the circumstances, I had ordered signals to
be made accordingly, and the canting to starboard was the first indication I had
of her being in a sinking condition. We had two boats made fast to the stern.
As fast as the men came up, I ordered them aft to the boats. Acting Ensign
Chadwick I ordered below to get life-preservers, at his own suggestion. He I'e-
tumed, driven back by the water, the vessel sinking so rapidly. In my opinion
not more than two minutes elapsed from the time she canted to starboard until
she disappeared. Acting Master Kingsbury staid below until the last moment,
driving the men on deck. No report had been made to me of leaks, other than
the one in my own room. I had noticed as soon as the windlass-room filled
with water that it appeared to bring the ship on an even keel ; previously she
trimmed two feet by the stem. She remained in this position about half an hour
before canting to starboard.
Question by the court. How soon after you received the report from the cap-
tain of the hold that there were five inches of water in the hold did you receive
the report that the centrifugal pump was throwing water ?
Answer. I cannot say definitely. I should judge the centrifugal pump was
working well twenty minutes before she sank.
Question by the court. Did you receive a second report of the depth of water
in the hold ?
Answer. None.
Question by the court. Had you any reason to suppose that the depth of
water was increasing graduaUy in the hold, or do you of your own knowledge
know that the water accumulated in the vessel previous to the moment when
she filled and went down 1
Answer. Had no knowledge.
Question by the court. When the battle-plate or fore hatch was put down,
was it secured there from below or by any means on deck 1
Answer. It was not secured from below. We could not get at it ; neither
was it secured on deck.
ARMORED VESSELS. 313
Question by the court. What do you understand to have been the depth of
water in the vessel when the captain of the hold reported five inches in the
hold?
Answer. Five inches above the flooring of the hold.
Question by the court. Was the beiith-deck, battle-plate, and the one over the
fire-room secured from the time the vessel was making water up to the time she
went down ]
Answer. They were closed, but not secured.
Question by the court. Was there any way for the people in the fire-room to-
get out of the ship, except through the passage leading to the berth deck 1
Answer. None, unless they could raise the fire-room battle-plate from below.
Question by the court. Was there a jackass on the chain leading out of the
hawse-pipe, and was there one always used in rough weather 1
Answer. None to my knowledge.
Question by the court. Was the valve at the bottom of the forward cabin
bulkhead open of shut 1
Answer. Don't know. To the best of my belief it was open, as the water
ran aft freely. Do not know that there was a valve ; never saw or heard of it;
had understood there was a water communication from the windlass-room to the
pumps.
Question by the court. Was the water in the windlass-room, at the time the
leak in your room was discovered, on a level with that leak 1
Answer. To the best of my belief it was.
Question by the court. How long have you been attached to the Weehawken
as executive officer?
Answer. Since the 18th of October, 1863.
The testimony of the witness was here read over to him ; he pronounced it
correct.
J. B. A. Allen, jr., acting second assistant engineer, late senior engineer of
the Weehawken, being called and sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service ?
Answer. J. B. A. Allen, jr., acting second assistant engineer.
Question by judge advocate. Were you the senior engineer of the Weehawken ?
Answer. I was.
Question by judge advocate. State what you know of the cause that led to
the sinking of the Weekawken.
Answer. At 9 a. m. last Sunday I made my usual visit around that part of
the vessel belonging to the engineer's department. Feeling indisposed, I retired
to my room. Soon after I heard a rush of water forward. I jumped up and
went into the captain's ciibin to find out the cause, and there found Ensign
Chadwick had closed the communicating iron door leading from the windlass-
room to the cabin. I saw water running under the door. I assisted Mr. Chad-
wick in securing it by the cross-bars and turn-buckles. Heard some one re-
mark that the water was caused by the battle-plate being ofi', and the sea wash-
ing over the hatch. Having seen the door secured, I went on deck and saw the
battle-plate had been put on. Went down in the engine-room ; the water there
was not higher than usual in the bilge. I ordered one Worthington pump
started to pump the bilge, then went on deck and requested the executive officer,
Lieutenant M. S. Stuyvesant, to send men down to haul the limber chains.
Men were sent. I went into the cabin, and while they were hauling them asked
if they worked free ; told me yes. I then went back to the engine-room ; saw
the water was running aft very freely, and that it increased in the bilge. Ordered
the remaining Worthington pump started, pumping the bilge, and the centrifugal
pump cleared and made ready for use. I returned to the cabin, and found»the
water forcing its way through all sides of the communicating door. I raised
314
AEMOEED VESSELS.
the hatches of the cabin floor, and endeavored to find a cock leading from the
water-tight bulkhead to the bilge. I was unable to find the cock on account of
the shot or shell. I then concluded it was best not to open this door and allow
the water to run in the bilge, it being a water-tight compartment and the
ship being then down by the head, caused by the water, shot, and shell. On
looking down the shot-locker hatches, I found the water was over the shell, and
nearly up on the cabin floor. I went aft ; the water still increased in the bilge
aft in the engine-room. I ordered the centrifugal pump started. This pump
worked well, but drew the water from the bilge faster than it would run aft. I
returned to the cabin ; there found about four inches water on the cabin floor
and ward-room floor. Eeturned aft to the engine-room ; found the water much
increased there ; noticed the pumps were all working well, and then went up
and reported to the executive officer that I was doing all I could in the engine-
room. While in the act of replying, the ship heeled over to starboard very
heavily. I again asked the executive oflicer what was to be done. At that
"time there were signals flying, which I understood to be sig«|als for assistance.
The executive oflicer asked me if the ship was ever in that position before. I
was in the act of replying, when he informed me he had passed the word for all
hands to come on deck. The forward part of the vessel was then some distance
under water. Seeing that she was sinking very rapidly, I first thought of those
in the engine-room ; could not get down through turret on account of the crowd
of men coming up the hatch. I jumped ofi' the turret on to the deck, ran for
the engine-room hatch, the battle-plate of which was on, and jumped on this
hatch, in hopes that those below would raise it. About this time I presume
the water had struck the fires, and the steam issuing therefrom suffocated those
in the engine-room, the ship being then far gone. I ran aft and jumped over-
board, and swam to a boat.
Question by the court. You have stated the water came through around the
door leading from the windlass-room to the cabin. Did you see any water
come over the forward cabin bulkhead 1
Answer. I did not.
Question by the court. You have stated that at one period the water did not
come aft sufficiently fast to supply the centrifugal pump. Do you consider that
the centrifugal pump would have been able to keep the vessel clear if the only
feed of water had been through the valve at the bottom of the forward cabin
bulkhead 1
Answer. The Worthington pumps would have been able to keep her clear,
provided the water could have come aft.
Question by the court. To what, then, do you charge the increase of water in
the engine-room when you made the last visit ?
Answer. The water had increased to such a height forward as to run aft.
Question by the court. Is it your opinion that the increase of water forward
was caused by the water running into the hold througTi the valve at the bottom
of the cabin bulkhead, or that water ran in from other places ? If the latter,
state your reasons for such an opinion.
Answer. The water ran in from other places. I saw water running in from
the cabin-communicating iron door ; saw a leak in the executive officer's room,
and also one in the room of the master of the ship.
Question by the court. Was the amount of water large that came in around
the door in the iron bulkhead 1
Answer. Ye,s, but not more than the pumps would have taken out.
Question by the court. How extensive were the leaks in the executive officer's
and master's room?
Answer. I saw the water coming in at the rate of two to three gallons per
minute in the executive officer's room, and about the same in the master's room.
AEMORED VESSELS. 315
Question by the court. Do you consider that all the water that caused the
vessel to sink came into her through the windlass-room ?
Answer. I do not.
Question by the court. In what other way could water have got into her 1
Answer. From the fact of seeing water coming in through the executive offi-
cer's room and the master's room, I judge it was caused by an opening be-
tween the overhang and hull, for when I noticed the leak it appeared to me to
be about where the overhang joined the hull.
Question by the court. How far below the deck was it that you noticed the
leak ?
Answer. A foot and a half, or two feet and a half.
Question by the court. Have you ever seen the vessel before when she had
any large quantity of water in her ?
Answer. I have not. Have seen the water wash over the fire-room plate on
the passage from Portress Monroe to Port Eoyal.
Question by the sourt. Do you know what was the depth of water in the
forward part of the vessel at the time you refer to in your answer to the last
question ?
Answer. Have no idea.
Question by the court. How long was the interval between the time that you
noticed the water coming through all sides of the door in the forward cabin bulk-
bead and that at which the vessel filled and went down ?
Answer. Between fifteen and thirteen minutes.
Question by the court. At the time you jumped on the engine-room hatch
was there water over it, and could it be opened by those in the engine-room 1
Answer. The water was on the starboard side of the vessel, audit could have
been opened had any one been alive or there to do it.
Question by the court. Was there any other way by which information could
be conveyed to the engine-room ?
Answer. None other but by passing down through the turret.
Question by the court. Do you know if the people in the engine-room were
informed of the order for all hands to come on deck 1
Answer. I believe not.
Question by the court. When you left the engine-room hatch did you con-
sider all had been done to communicate with the people down there ?
Answer. I did all that could possibly have been done.
Question by the court. How long have you been attached to the Weehawken,
and how long as senior engineer 1
Answer. Since the twenty-ninth of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, and about two months as senior engineer.
Question by the court. When the men were being sent up from the berth deck,
could the word have been passed through the speaking-tube into the engine-
room 1 '
Answer. I believe not.
Question by the court. Was the speaking-tube ever used to convey orders
to the engiiie-room, and was it in order on the occasion of the Weehawken
sinking 1
Answer. Yes, as far as I know, the tube was in order.
Question by the court. Why could not the tube have been used on this oc-
casion 1
Answer. Because from the excitement on the bertli-deck and in the turret
chamber at the time the word was passed for all hands to come on deck, and the
noise created by the working of the pumps, I doubt if anything could have been
heard by speaking through the tube.
Question by the court. Was there any other effort made for the preservation
of the men in the engine-room 1
316
AEMOEED VESSELS.
Answer. One man volnnteered to go down into the engine-room. I permit-
ted him to go, and presume he went, as he has not been accounted for. His
name was Robert Nugent, coal-heaver.
The testimony was here read over to the witness ; he delared it to be correct.
The court adjourned until 10 o'clock a. m., Friday, December 11, 1863.
United States Ship Supply,
December 15, 1863.
The court met pursuant to adjournment ; gales of wind having prevented their
meeting since December 11, 1803. •
Present: Lieutenant Commander E Simpson, Lieutenant Commander J. L.
Davis, Lieutenant Commander J. J. Oornwell ; Acting Assistant Paymaster B.
P. Munroe, judge advocate. The proceedings of December 11, 1863, were then
read over and corrected by the court.
Acting Second .Assistant Engineer J. B. A. Allen, jr., being recalled, testified
as follows :
Question by the court. State any causes, that you know of, which have opera-
ted upon the Weehawken to produce a tendency to open in the manner that
you think she did.
Answer. From the heavy straining the ship got while ashore near Fort Sum-
ter and while beached at Port Eoyal, and the unusual weight of ammunition in
the forward part of the vessel, and the shock produced by the sea striking under
the overhang, I think had a tendency to weaken .her in those parts where the
overhang joined the hull.
Question by the court. How much was the unusual weight of ammunition
stowed forward, and when was it stowed ?
Answer. I cannot tell how much was in there; have never seen the vessel
stowed so full before. It was stowed since our return from Port Royal.
Question by the court. When you first joined the Weehawken, how many
inches of water -did she leak per hour as a genei-al rule 1
Answer. Six to eight inches in four hours.
Question by the court. Was any increase in the general leak perceptible after
the causes of weakness mentioned by you in answer to a previous question ?
Answer. After coming off the beach near Sumter, I perceived no difference in
the vessel making water. After coming from Port Eoyal, and while at sea on
our way to Charleston, a leak was discovered in our after overhang, the water
coming in on both sides adjoining the after water-tight bulkhead. When first
discovered, the water had tilled the overhang as high as the man-hole leading
into the after overhang of the vessel, the water turning into the engineer store-
room. One pump kept this water clear by only occasionally pumping it out.
I endeavored to find out where the water came from; could not on account of
this bulkhead. After arriving inside Charleston bar, and in smooth water, for
some reason or other this leak stopped — troubled us no further. Ever since I
had been attached to the vessel there had been a leak on the port side of the
VBSsel, about even with the deck, in the engineer's room.
Question by the court. Have you ever seen the cock or valve leading through
the forward cabin bulkhead, and was it the custom in the ship to keep it open
or shut ?
Answer. I never saw the cock; judging from the fact of there being one in
the after water-tight bulkhead, thought, as a matter of course, there must have
been one iu the forward water-tight bulkhead.
The testimony of the witness was here read over to him; he pronounced it
correct.
Acting Ensign F. H. Crandell, being called and duly sworn, testified as
folk)ws :
ARMOEED VESSELS. 317
Question by judge advocate. State what you know of tte cause that led to
the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. I relieved the deck at about ten minutes after twelve o'clock, De-
cember 6, 1863. Noticed we were shackled to a buoy, not very far from sev-
eral tug-boats ; also, it was blowing quite fresh from the northeast, an occasional
sea breaking over forward. About one o'clock a heavy sea partly carried away
the forward hatch combing. I immediately called the watch on deck. About
the time the watch came on deck. Lieutenant Stuyvesant came up also. I went
forward with the men and found the battle plate was unshipped, hanging in the
windlass-room by a tackle. Hauled up the battle-plate and shipped it in its
proper place in the hatch as soon as possible. The windlass-room was half full
of water, or half the depth of the windlass- room. About this time Acting Mas-
ter Kingsbury came on deck. He was ordered by Lieutenant Stuyvesant to
veer chain, which was done. I had the gig called away (by orders) and man-
ned. Sent her alongside the flag-ship for Captain Duncan. After the battle-
plate was placed down and the chain veered. Lieutenant Stuyvesant told me to
- go below and put on a dry suit of clothes. I went below. The water was just
beginning to wash in over the windlass-room door. While I was changing my
clothes I heard the water flowing in much more rapidly over the door; thought
I heard the water rushing between the wood and the iron at the side of my
room. I occupied the starboard forward room. After I had put on my dry
clothing, Acting Ensign Ghadwick came down and went in my room ; he raised
the hatch in the deck to get at the life-preservers. I noticed the water rushed
up right away in the room. I then made my way up through the turret, and
about the time I arrived on top of the turret, Lieutenant Stuyvesant sent word
down for everybody to come on deck. I noticed, also, they were signalling.
Soon after the order was given for everybody to come on deck, another order
was passed by Lieutenant Stuyvesant to go aft and save themselves. The
vessel went down very quick.
Question by the court. When was the main or berth deck hatch closed, and
was it secured down?
Answer. I don't know ; was below.
Question by the court. When the battle-plate was put on, you say the wind-
lass-room was half full of water, but when you went below to change your
clothes you noticed the water coming in over the door in the water-tight bulk-
head. To what do you charge this increase of water in the windlass-room?
Answer. I know little of the construction of these vessels. The real cause
I am not able to state; my supposition is, the overhanging parted from the
main hull.
Question by the court. At the time the rush of water was heard by you, at
the side of your room, what was its height from the deck in your room, and
where did it come from?
Answer. I should judge between six and seven feet. I do not know where
it came from.
Question by the court. As officer of the deck, did you, or any one to your
knowledge, order the forward battle-plate secured below ?
Answer. Not that I know of.
Question by the court. Was the turret keyed up, and did any water wash in
the vessel under it ; and if so, in what quantity ?
Answer. Do not know.
Question by the court. How long have you been attached to the Weehawken,
and in what capacity ?
Answer. I was attached to her about two days, as acting ensign.
Question by the court. Have you ever seen the cock, or valve, communicating
through the water-tight bulkhead forward ?
Answer. No.
318 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Question by the court. What was the interval of time that elapsed between
the putting on the battle-plate forward and your going below to change your
clothes ?
Answer. About half an hour.
The testimony was here read over to the ixitaess ; he pronounced it correct.
Ensign J. H. Reed being called, and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service ?
Answer. J. H. Keed, ensign, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. I gave up charge of the deck at about twenty minutes after 12
o'clock, December 6, 1863. I went below, shifted myself, and came out of my
room at about fifteen minutes after one. I then saw the senior engineer and
Acting Ensign Chadwick engaged in closing the iron door connecting the wind-
lass-room and captain's cabin ; the water was then leaking through around the
cracks of the door, about half way up. I then sat down to my dinner, and got
through about 2 o'clock, and then took another look into the captain's cabin ;
the water then was not leaking through so high up as when the door was first
closed. I then looked into Lieutenant Stuyvesant's room ; saw the water was
then leaking through the inner planking of the ship, a little above half way be-
tween the two decks — a leak about four or five feet long, and three-eighths of an
inch wide. I started to go on the turret ; met Lieutenant Stuyvesant on the
berth-deck ; told him his room was adrift. Then went on top of the turret and
sat down. About fifteen minutes after Lieutenant Stuyvesant directed me to
make signals, "Captain needed on board." I bent on the first number, signify-
ing " captain," and a few minutes after hoisted it. The ship then commenced
to- settle quickly by the head, and I was ordered to make signals for assistance.
I immediately hoisted No. 82 : " Assistance, I am in want of," having hardly
time to have the signal hoisted before she canted on her starboard side, and
commenced sinking very rapidly.
Question by the court. Have you any reason to suppose that the amount of
water which caused the Weehawken to sink accumulated gradually in her hold,
or that it came in suddenly?
Answer. It came in suddenly ; because, if it had been gradually accumula-
ting, I think she would have sunk down by the head, so the officers would have,
all noticed it.
Question by the court. From the time that the windlass-room was closed tOi
the time of the sinking of the vessel, were there, to your knowledge, any obr-
servations made of the amount of water running into the hold?
Answer. None at all.
Question by the court. Have you ever seen the cock or valve opening thi'ouglU
the water-tight bulkhead forward ?
Answer. No.
Question by the court. Was water rushing down the forward hatch before or
at the time you were relieved?
Answer. No water going down that I know of. The battle-plate being,'
up, the water was washing over the b , but not high enough to go over, the-
false coaming.
Question by the court. When you saw the water the first time leaking around!
the windlass-room door, did or did you not apprehei}|i a serious leak, in, the-
vessel?
Answer. Not a serious one.
Question by the court. Was the turret keyed up or not ?
Answer. I don't know.
Question by the court. To what do you attribute the rapid filling aud siakiag
the vessel?
AEMOEED VESSELS. Sl^
Answer. I was on top of the turret when she commenced to sink, and as I
had not noticed before that her bows were much down by the head, I think her
rapid sinking was caused by the leak in Lieutenant Stuyvesant's room suddenly-
enlarging.
Question by the court. Do you know, of your own knowledge, if the hatches
were secured down in their places ?
Answer. I know they were down, but I never have seen them secured down.
Question by the court. How long had you been attached to the Weehawken ?
Answer. I think about one month and one day.
Question by the court. What was done with the signal-book when the vessel
sank?
Answer. Left on top of the turret.
The testimony was here read to the witness. He pronounced it correct.
The court then adjourned till ten o'clock, December 16, 1863.
U. S. Ship Supp£y, December 19, 1863.
The court met pursuant to adjournment, gales of wind having prevented their
meeting since December 15, 1863. Present : Lieutenant Commander E. Simpson ;
Lieutenant Commander J. L. Davis ; Lieutenant Commander J. J. Cornwell;
Acting Assistant Paymaster B. F. Munroe, judge advocate.
The proceedings of December 15, 1863, were then read over, and corrected
by the court.
Pilot Levi Jump being called and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name, and rank in the service ?
Answer. Levi Jump, southern coast pilot, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. Between- one and two o'clock I came on deck on Sunday, December
6, 1863, on top the turret; wind from northeast, blowing fresh, with some sea
making over the bows of the vessel, and at that time the officer of the deck
ordered a tarpaulin to be put over the hatch that leads into the windlass room,
the battle-plate of the forward hatch that leads into the windlass-room being up.
After a few minutes there were four seas shipped over the bows, that caused the
battle-plate to be unshipped and fall down into the windlass-room, and hang by
the tackle. That instant,' the officer of the deck called the watch ; with the
assistance of Lieutenant Stuyvesant replaced the battle-plate, and a bucket of
tallow was called for to place over the seams. The sea was so rough they
could not get the tallow into the seams. A few minutes after, the ward-room
boy reported to me that dinner was ready. At that time Lieutenant Stuyvesant
ordered chain to be given, which was done by Acting Master Kingsbury, to
make the ship ride easy. At that time I returned to the ward-room, but I went
to the captain's cabin and found the windlass-room full of water, and running
over the top of the iron door that leads into the captain's cabin. At that time
Senior Engineer Allen was securing the turn-buckles of the iron door, to make
it water-tight. He took up the hatches in the captain's cabin, to let the water
into the bilge. At that time I did not think it serious, thinking the water would
run aft to the pumps. I returned to my dinner. After being at my dinner a
few minutes, the ward-room boy came from Lieutenant Stuyvesant's room and
reported the water was running in. I went there and found the water running
in over the top of the ceiling, about a foot below the deck. I then returned to
the captain's cabin, and found the water still rushing in, and the men were work-
ing the limber chains. I found the vessel was settling by the head. I returned
to the engine-room. I found all the pumps at work. The water was just
awash over the fire-room floor. I returned then to the captain's cabin, and
found the water fully three inches on the cabin floor, and running into the ward-
room over the b on the deck. I then returned to the berth deck ; found the
320
ARMORED VESSELS.
water was coining over the deck, through the hatches. At that instant I heard
Lieutenant Stuyvesant sing out for all hands to come on deck and save them-
selves, or words to that effect. The baltle-plate of the berth deck was shut
down about fifteen minutes after the one over the windlass-room. The battle-
plate of the berth-deck hatch was not secured ; the turn-buckles were not on.
In obedience to orders, I immediately came on deck, 8.nd found the vessel sink-
ing by the head, the top of the ventilator just out of water. I then jumped from
the top of the turret aft, and ran for the boats.
Question by the court. Did you have any idea that the vessel was likely to
fill and go down ?
Answer. I did not until within five minutes before she went down.
Question by the court. Do you consider that anything could have been done
during that five minutes that was not done, which might have saved the vessel,
or any of the crew who were drowned 1
Answer. Yes, the crew could have been got on deck if they had had warning.
Question by the court.' As the pilot of the vessel, did you, or did you not,
suggest to the commanding ofScer what, in your opinion, was necessary to be
done, under the circumstances, to save the vessel from sinking in the depth of
water she did?
Answer. I did not, as Captain Colhoun, lately in command of the Weehawken,
and Lieutenant Stuyvesant, gave me orders to have nothing to say or do, only
when called on ; that I was pilot, to point out deep water.
Question by the court. Have you ever seen the cock or valve at the bottom
of the water-tight bulkhead forward, and was it the custom to keep it open or
shut?
Answer. I have never seen it. I don't know what the custom was.
Question by the court. Where, in your opinion, did the water come in that
caused the sinking of the vessel?
Answer. Through the hawse-pipe, and through the forward hatch.
Question by the court. How much do you think the vessel's draught was
changed by the ammunition lately taken in?
Answer. Customarily she has been a foot by the stern; after the ammunition
was in, only eight inches, which I found out by the marks used for that purpose.
The testimony was here read over to the witness, and he pronounced it correct.
E. M. Stein, assistant surgeon, being called and duly sworn, testified as
follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name, and rank in the service?
Answer. Edward Jl. Stein, assistant surgeon, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. The principal cause that I know was the filling of the windlass-room
with water so suddenly as to cause the vessel to incline down by the head, and
thus preventing the water from running aft to the pumps. This is the only
direct cause I know. I suppose that, after the vessel's head was submerged,
there was a continuous stream running through the hawse-hole, which caused a
further accumulation of water in the forward part of the vessel — sufficient, in
my opinion, to cause her to sink.
Question by the court. Do you know, of your own knowledge, that the water
accumulated gradually in the hold of the vessel, or that the water that caused
her to sink came in suddenly ?
Answer. I infer the water came in gradually. I saw the water rise gradually
on the cabin floor and Vard-room floor.
Question by the court. How deep was the water on the deck in the ward-room
when yon left the ward-room 1
ARMORED VESSELS. 321
Ansiwer. It was deeper forward than aft ; in the deepest part about two or
three inches.
Question by the court. How soon did the vessel sink after you left the ward-
room 1
Answer. I should say about a quarter of an hour.
Question by the court. Did you remark any leaks in any of the rooms ?
Answer. No ; heard there was a leak in Mr. Kingsbury's room ; also in Lieu-
tenant ytuyvesant's room.
Question by the court. At the time all hands were ordered on deck, do you
know if the sick were saved or lost 1
Answer. I infer they were all on deck, as those I met were all tending
towards the turret. There were only about five on the sick-list, and all able to
go on deck.
The testimony was here read to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
Frederick E. Stow, acting assistant pay master, being called and duly sworn,
testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name, and rank in the service?
Answer. Frederick R. Stow; acting assistant paymaster, late of the Wee-
hawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken 1
Answer. Sunday morning, December 6, 1863, I went on deck at twenty
minutes of twelve; went up on the turret and conversed with the ofiicer of the deck,
Mr. Keed. I was up there till he was relieved, which was about twelve o'clock.
The wind was blowing fresh, the deck so wet you could.not walk about. By
the time the ofiicer of the deck was relieved, the wind and sea had increased
considerably. I then went below ; some of the officers asked me how the
weather was. I told them the sea was running high ; it was a fine sight, and
they had better go up and look at it. I remained below until I went on deck
for the last time. I made one attempt to go up, but I was stopped by so much
water coming down the berth-deck hatch. In the vicinity of half-past one
o'clock I noticed Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Allen, and one of the ward-room boys,
putting the bars on the bulkhead door, between the cabin and windlass-room,
and in a short time I noticed the water pouring over the top of the door, and
through the sides of it. It was flooding the floor so, they took up the hatches
to have the water run off from the floor to the bilge. I went into my room sev-
eral times and heard the water rushing under the floor. I noticed it through
the air register. I had never heard any water underneath before. I went to'
the doctor and asked him if he had ever heard it underneath before in that
great gale they had coming out. He told me yes, he had seen as much water
then. I think it was a little after two when I sat down to dinner ; spent about
twenty minutes at table. When I got up from the table I went to my room ;
noticed the depth of water had increased. The water was nearer the register
than when I sat down to dinner. I noticed the water leaking through the side
of the ship in my room, near the beam on the top, and in various places down
the sides. I never knew a drop of water to come in my room before from that
source. Went from my room to Acting Master Kingsbury's room ; it was leak-
ing in his room worse than in mine; and I went from there to Lieutenant
Stuyvesant's room ; the water was pouring in there tremendously. I went back
into my room, and again asked Doctor Stein, " Now, Doctor, did you ever see
anything in that great gale like this ?" He said no. I stooped over the register ;
the water underneath dashed up in my face. I stepped back to wipe the water
off my face. T'he water washed up again, raised the hatch, and raised my
iron safe that was on it, and dropped it again heavily. It was then I noticed a
H. Ex. Doc. 69 2]
322 AEMOEED VESSELS,
very great inclination of the vessel by the head. I then immediately took my over-
coat and went on deck. When I got on top of the turret Mr. Eeed was just haul-
ing down a signal, and immediately hoisted another. I looked at her bows ;
they were submerged ; should think the water was about two feet deep at her
forward flag-staff. Immediately after the last signal was hauled down, Lieuten-
ant Stuyvesant gave orders for all hands to come on deck. About three or four
minutes after that the order was passed for the men to go aft and get into the
boats. I fell off the turret, and was picked up and passed into one of the boats
by Quartermaster Brown. I noticed after I was in the boat the vessel careened
to starboard and went down.
Question by the court. Do you consider that the whole amount of water that
caused the vessel to sink came in through the windlasa-room ?
Answer. No ; do ^not think it did, because I saw it run in freely from other
places.
Question by the court. Did you save the accounts of the officers and men
and the funds belonging to the government ]
Answer. N^o, I did not.
Question by the court. What was the amount of money belonging to the govern-
ment at the time the vessel sunk, and where was it?
Answer. About four hundred dollars, in the safe.
The testimony was here read over to the witness, and he pronounced it to be
correct.
Acting Ensign Ohadwick being called and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name, and rank in the service 1
Answer. BenjaminiH. Ohadwick; acting ensign, late of the Weehawken.
•Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. On the sixth of the present month, about half- past one, the first
knowledge I had of anything being unusual, the pilot, Levi Jump, came down
and called my attention to the quantity of water in the windlass-room, coming
through the bulkhead door around the edges, the door being closed and latched.
The water indicated a depth of about eighteen inches in the windlass-room
above the bottom of the communicating door. The bars lay there, but were
not put on. I called for assistance to put them on. Mr. Allen, senior engineer,
came and assisted me in putting on the bars. I took the hand screws belonging
to the upper or third bar and laid them on the deck, while placing the upper
bar, when the hatch was suddenly opened, and the water carried the screws
down into the shot locker. We then tried to lift the shot up, but they were too
heavy. I then tried to assist Mr. Allen in getting shot away to open a valve or
plish. Two hatches were left off to let the water run off into the lower hold. I
cock, to let the water from the windless-room run aft, which we failed to accom-
watched the rise of the. water in the windlass-room, by its coming in around the
edge above the second bar. It was about thirty minutes before it came over
the top from the second or middle bar. I next saw a leak in the after state-
room on the starboard side around the end of one of the main beams ; it seemed
to have a greater or less force at intervals, caused by the working or straining
of the vessel. I went on deck about ten minutes after two ; found Lieutenant
Stuyvesant in charge of the deck. He asked me to relieve him while he went
down on the berth deck, which I accordingly did. He returned in a few
moments in company with Ensign Reed, signal officer. The vessel was then
with her bows two feet under, indicated by the flag-staff forward ; made signals,
and ordered me to go and get out life-preservers. I went with the captain of
the hold, Thomas Gaggin, to the forward state-room on the starboard side, in
the ward-room, occupied by Acting Ensign F. H. Crandall. Opened the hatch
AEMOEED VESSELS. 323
and the water boiled up, indicating there were about four inches over the state-
room floor. Gaggia and myself were taking out life-preservers ; nearly all
were found to be rotten — would come to pieces, and the cork fall out ; but few
could be got on account of the place being flooded with water. I passed on
deck ; while passing I told the men on the berth deck the vessel was sinking,
and to go on deck. I went to the top of the turret, and considered the vessel
was going down. I left the turret and went aft, shortly followed by Ensign
Reed. Saw the men go into the boats. Mr. Reed and myself took a hatch-
coaming from the engineer's hatch on the port quarter, shoved it off, and jumped
'overboard. Lieutenant Stuyvesant had ordered us to look out for ourselves.
Question by the comt. Did you notice that the water was rising in the hold
when the cabin hatches were ofif ?
Answer. Yes.
Question by the court. Did the water seem to rise rapidly in the hold at the
time you noticed it 1
Answer. Yes.
Question by the court. Do you think that the rapid rising of the water in
the hold was caused only by the water that came through around the iron door
and through the cock or valve at the bottom of the bulkhead 1
Answer. No ; unless this cock or valve was very large and was open.
Question by the court. Do you consider that the whole amount of water that
caused the vessel to sink came through the windlass-room ]
Answer. No. At the time there was considerable water coming in under the
turret and in through under the overhang, which you could hear striking against
the inner ceiling on the starboard side forward by the ward-room state-rooms.
Question by the court. How much water was in the hold of the vessel when
you say the leak in Lieutenant Stuyvesant's room appeared to have greater and
less force at intervals ?
Answer. About a foot from the floor in the captain's cabin.
Question by the court. To what do you attribute the rapid filling and sinking
of the vessel ?
Answer. To the various leaks before mentioned, and the unusual quantity of
ammunition forward. The vessel was six inches by the head more than I ever
saw her before ; also to the starting the centrifugal pump and pumping the
water from aft, which made her tip by the head.
Question by the court. How long had the life-preservers been under Acting
Ensign Orandall's room, and were they rotten when put down ?
Answer. They must have been rotten, as they were placed there but two or
three days previous, having been previously stored in the hold.
Question by the court. How long have you been attached to the Weehawken,
and in what capacity 1
Answer. About three months, as acting ensign.
Question by the court. How much was the unusual amount of ammunition on
board ?
Answer. I cannot say.
Question by the court. To what do you attribute the increase of water in the
windlass-room after the battle-plate had been put on 1
Answer. Coming in through the hawse-pipe.
Question by the court. Is it your opinion that the unusual amount of ammu-
nition in the vessel, bringing her down by the head, was the chief cause of her
loss?
Answer. Yes. '
Question by the court. Did you make any report to the executive officer
when you noticed the water rising under the cabin deck 1
Answer. No ; because I knew Acting Master's Mate Bayne had done so.
324 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Question by the court. At what moment did you first entertain the idea that
the vessel was in danger of sinking 1
Answer. When I saw the leak on the starboard side forward, and saw the
vessel was by the head.
Question by the court. Between the time specified in your last answer and
the time of the sinking of the vessel, do you consider that anything could have
been done that would have saved her 1
Answer. It might have been possible by rolling shot aft.
Question by the court. Do you know if word was conveyed to the engine or
fire-room for all hands to assemble on deck 1
Answer. I don't know. I heard the order started by Lieutenant Stuyvesant
to the senior engineer, Mr. Allen.
The testimony was here read to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
The court adjourned until 10 a. m. on Monday, the 21st.
United States Ship Supply,
December 21, 1863.
The court met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Lieutenant Commander
E. Simpson, Lieutenant Commander J. L. Davis, Lieutenant Commander J. J.
Cornwall ; Acting Assistant Paymaster B. F. Munroe, judge advocate.
The proceedings of December 19, 1863, were then read over.
Acting Master's Mate William E. Bayne, being called and duly sworn, testified
as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name, and rank in the service?
Answer. William E. Bayne ; acting master's mate, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. The first I knew of it was by looking out of one of the turret ports
on the day she went down, about half-past eleven o'clock. I saw a good many
men busy at the forward battle-plate. Going forward, found the sea had struck
it and washed it down the forward hatch. Saw, I should judge, about five feet
of water had gone down the hatch into the windlass-room. Then went down
below after the plate had been put on ; found the door closed that leads from
the captain's cabin to the windlass-room, but not secured. Pound the cross-bars
and helped secure the door. At that time the water was coming over the top
of the door into the captain's cabin. Lifted shot-locker hatches in the captain's
cabin to allow the water to run quicker aft. About half an hour after a ward-
room boy reported water coming to the ofiicers' state-rooms. I stopped the leak
in Lieutenant Stuyvesant's room as well as I could ; found the beam started in
two inches, as shown by the paint-marks having separated that distance from
the ceiling. On examining the other beanis found them all on both sides started
in the same way. Saw the water, as if coming from the upper deck from outside,
running between the skin and the iron side down into the bilges. She was
tipping at that time rapidly by the head. Came up on top of the turret ; found
Lieutenant Stuyvesant making signals. The only report I made to Lieutenant
Stuyvesant was that the windlass-room was filled with water. I kept going
around all the time, trying to stop all the leaks I could see. Did not think the
ship was going down till about five minutes before she went down. At that
time Lieutenant Stuyvesant passed the word for everybody to leave the vessel.
I believe the forward end of her was on the bottom before any of the boats left.
Question by the court. When you stopped the leak in Lieutenant Stuyvesant's
room, did you prevent the water from coming into the vessel ?
Answer. No ; the water continued to run into her between the side and the
skin.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 325
Question Ly tte court. What amount of water was coming into the vessel
through the leak that you saw from Lieutenant Stuyvesant's room ?
Answer. It would fill a barrel in about ten minutes.
Question by the court. Did you remark leaks in other places, where you say
the beams were started T
Answer. Yes ; the whole length forward, from Lieutenant Stuyvesant's
room on one side, and from Mr. Kingsbury's room on the other side. The
amount of water at all the leaks was about the same as at Lieutenant Stuyve-
sant's room.
Question by the court. Describe the position of the rooms occupied by Lieu-
tenant Stuyvesant and Mr. Kingsbury.
Answer. The after rooms in the ward-room, next the ship's side, and run fore
and aft the side.
Question by the court. Did you notice the water rising in the vessel under
the berth deck ?
Answer. No.
Question by the court. Was there more ammunition than usual on board the
Weehawken at the time she went down 1
Answer. Yes ; she used to carry, on an average, about seventy-five fifteen-
inch shell, and one hundred and twenty eleven-inch shell. When she went
down, she had one hundred and forty-five fifteen-inch shell and three hundred
and twenty-three eleven-inch shell. The quantity of solid shot, grape, canister
and shrapnell, were the same in both cases. There was powder also taken in
for the additional shell. After all the weight was in, she was seven inches by
the stern ; found this by actual measurement from the top of the deck to the
surface of the water at stem and stern.
Question by the court. The projectiles you speak of in your last answer,
where were they stowed, and was weight removed to give place for them ?
Answer. Stowed all in the forward part of the vessel, and in the captain's
storeroom on the berth deck. There was no weight removed to give place for it.
Question by the court. At what time did you measure the vessel's draught,
as you describe, and was the water smooth at the time 1
Answer. About eight o'clock, on the night after the ammunition was taken in.
The water was perfectly smooth.
Question by the court. After the ammunition had been taken in, was any of
it fired away before the loss of the vessel ?
Answer. No.
Question by the court. What was the draught of the vessel before the extra
ammunition was taken on board ?
Answer. I don't know.
Question by the court. Were you in charge of the gunner's department on
board the Weehawken 1
Answer. Yes.
The testimony was here read over to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
Acting Master Charles 0. Kingsbury, being called and duly sworn, testified
as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name, and rank in the service 1
Answer. Charles C. Kingsbury; acting master, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. Between one and two o'clock on Sunday, sixth of December, 1863,
I received an order from Lieutenant Stuyvesant to come on deck. In passing
through the ward-room, I heard some one say the water is rushing into the
cabin. On getting on deck, I was ordered by Lieutenant Stuyvesant to veer
326 ARMORED VESSELS.
away cbain. The men at that time were engaged about the forward battle-
plate. Calling them aft, I commenced giving her chain. After giving chain
until Lieutenant Stuyvesant said that would do, I received permission to go
below. On going into my room, saw the water streaming in close to the top,
between the knees ; took the hatch up underneath ; found the place full of water,
so that it washed up against the hatch. Went into the cabin ; saw a hatch off
there, and water nearly to the top of the shot. Went on deck and reported to
Lieutenant Stuy vesant the water in the cabin, and the want of some one to
haul the limber chains. Received an order from him to go down below, take
some one with me, and see to hauling them myself Went down below ; took
Quarter Gunner Munson, with two men ; sent them into the cabin to haul the
limber chains, then went about the berth deck, and fell down one of the shot
lockers ; found the water there nearly to the top of the shot. Looked for the
men in the cabin, and found they were gone ; found the quarter gunner ; asked
him where they were ; he told me they were there. While looking for more,
saw a commotion; heard some one say, '- All hands on deck." Then turned my
attention to getting the crew on deck as soon as possible. Lifted Olarkson,
first-class fireman, up through a grating in the after part of the turret, abaft
the fifteen-iuch gun ; told him to take off the other gratings, so the men could
get up. He took hold of one grating, lifted it, and said, " I can't get it up ;"
then got up myself, moved the shell and took off all the gratings on that side ;
then went around the other side, took off the other gratings, and called to them
on the top of the turret to haul back the slide. Finding no attention paid to
that, a man, Williams, suggested to me the propriety of putting in the port
stoppers; I told him this was no time to put in port stoppers, but to get on
deck as soon as he could. Seeing one or two on the ladder leading to the top
of the turret, and the vessel careening to starboard, I got on top the turret as
soon as I could. Took hold of the stanchion ; saw the bows of the vessel under
water, and she was sinking. Looked behind me ; saw the ship's cook. Christian
Anderson, about half way up the hatch, and, while stooping down to pull him
up, a sea struck me and knocked me from the stanchion, all save my leg, which
I had turned around it; looked for the cook and saw him nowhere. Saw
Lieutenant Stuyvesant and one man on the turret, and the doctor and one man
on the pilot-house. Was hauled from the stanchion to the top of the pilot-
house by the man Williams, with the bight of a lead line. Eemained there
until all had left, then let go myself and paddled to a boat ; was picked up by
the " Racer's" boat. The large increase of weight of ammunition, and the
forward compartment being full of water, caused an opening between the hull
and overhang, which made itself manifest by a rush of water through all the
side rooms, and was, in my opinion, the cause of her sinking.
Question by the court. When you left your room at the call of the executive
officer, was water leaking into the room 1
Answer. It was not.
Question by the court. How long were you occupied in veering chain on deck ?
Answer. As near as I can judge, from half to three-quarters of an hour. The
chain was veered and secured two or three times. While doing it, the sea
washed the men and slack chaih away along the deck.
Question by the court. After vecriug the chain, did you go at once to your
room?
Answer. I did.
Question by the court. What amount of water was leaking into your room
between the knees ?
Answer. About a barrel a minute.
Question by the court. When yoii went below to haul the limber chains, did
you at any time inform Lieutenant Stuyvesant of the amount of water in the
vessel 1
ARMORED VESSELS. 327
Answer. I did not.
Question by the court. What was your object in hauling the limber chains
when you knew that the water was nearly to the top of the shot, ou the berth
deck?
Answer. Whenever there was any water in the ship forward, it had been
customary to haul the limber chains ; had heard an order given previously for
some one to haul the limber chains, and when I saw no one there, I reported
the water, and the fact of no one being there, to Lieutenant Stuyvesant.
Question by the court. At the time you were in the turret-chamber, where
the speaking-tube leading to the engine-room is situated, did you, or any one to
your knowledge, speak through it, passing the order for all hands to come on
deck?
Answer. I did not, and no one to my knowledge.
Question by the court. Was there one or more ladders leading from the
turret-chamber into the turret, at the time the people were coming up 1
Answer. One leading from the turret-chamber into the turret ; have never
seen but one ladder,
QuestioQ by the court. How long have you been attached to the Weehawken,
and in what capacity ?
Answer. Since the 23d of last February, as an acting master.
Question by the court. Was the eleven-inch gun run in at the time the vessel
sunk?
Answer. When I left the turret, it was.
Question by the court. As the master of the vessel, did you save the log-
book, or anything belonging to your department ?
Answer. I did not.
Question by the court. When did you begin to think the vessel was in a
dangerous condition, and liable to sink ?
Answer. Whilst down below with the men to haul the limber chains, at the
time I fell into the shot locker on account of the water there.
Question by the court. Was the cock or valve at the bottom of the forward
water-tight bulkhead open or shut ?
Answer. Do not know.
Question. Could anything have been done, in your opinion, which would
have saved the vessel, after you knew she was in danger ?
Answer. I think she could have been saved by running her ashore.
Question by the court. Do you think that there was sufficient time to have
slipped the chain and run the vessel ashore, after you knew her to be in danger?
Answer. Being employed as I was, I have a very indefinite recollection of
the time.
Question by the court. Do you know if steam was ready to work the engine ?
Answer. No other way but by the word of the chief engineer, at that time
expressed while I was at work ou the berth deck.
Question by the court. How long would it have taken to slip the chain when
you left the deck ?
Answer. Five minutes.
Question by the court. How much chain did you veer, and how much chain
was out altogether ?
Answer. I veered away about thirty fathoms ; should judge there were twelve
or fifteen fathoms out when I comnienced.
The testimony was here read over to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
William A. Munson, quarter gunner, being called and duly sworn, testified as
follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name, and rank in the service ?
Answer. William A. Munson ; quarter gunner, late of the Weehawken.
328
ARMORED VESSELS.
Question by judge advocate. State to tlic court wliat you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. The first I knew of there being so much water in her, was after one
o'clock. xVcting Master Kingsbury came into the turret ; asked if there were
any petty oiEcers there. I spoke ; said I was there, and George Orotts, q^uarter
gunner, told me he wanted to see me below. I followed him down below into
the ward-room, then into the cabin. Says he, I Want you to get two men and
stop by three ' limber chains. Previous to that there had been two men, but
there were none there at that time. He wanted me to put on the bar to the
bulkhead door. I went out, got two men, led the limber chains into the ward-
room, as it was impossible to haul them there, the water came down from over
the door so fast. We hauled the limber chains several times ; found them per-
fectly clear. The hold at this time was full of water up to the berth deck. The
windlass-room was full of water, the water running through the speaking-tube
to the turret-chamber. The two men, William J. Pike and Lewis, did not stop
more than three minutes before they ran away. Went off and found Mr. Kings-
bury ; told him I could not keep men there ; he told me I must get two men,
stay there, and keep them there. I went out; asked for volunteers ; Lewis said
he would stay as long as I did, and went back with me. Found the water
rising very fast ; about eight inches of water on the cabin floor. I thought she
was going to sink at that time. I spoke up ; said she was filling very fast, and
that it was about time we got out of this ; they all started and went on deck.
About a minute after, I heard Mr. Kingsbury pass the word for all hands to go
on deck ; I went on deck. I noticed large quantities of water in the morning
going down the forward hatch, from ten o'clock until the hatch was knocked
down, and spoke of it to Quarter Gunner Orotts ; wondered why it was not put
on, as it was usual to put it on in rough weather. Saw the hatch coamings
capsized, and the battle-plate knocked down below. At that time they called
for men to get the hatch up ; the hatch was got up out of the windlass-room,
and put in its place. I think this occurred after dinner ; we got our dinner late
that day — I think a few minutes before one o'clock. When I went on deck she
was going down' fast, and everybody was looking out for themselves. A few
days previous to this we had taken in about one hundred and fifty eleven-inch
shell, forty or fifty fifteen-inch shell, and about two hundred charges of powder ;
some few were put in the shell-room, the rest under the ward-room hatches.
Myself, other of the men, and Mr. Bayne were talking about it. Mr. Bayne
said it would do her no good to put so much in her ; that he understood Cap-
tain Corn well had trouble with the Nahant. I don't think he had any more
ammunition in than we have now. It was the opinion of the men; they spoke
about it several times, while taking in the ammunition. Think the ship was
not started in any place, and that she was in as good order as ever, as far as I
know of, up to the morning she sunk. A large quantity of water came in around
the turret that day — more than I ever saw before.
Question by the court. Did you see any water come in over the top of the
iron bulkhead, between the cabin and windlass-room ?
Answer. A large quantity of water was coming in overhead, but I cannot say
positively that it came over the top of the bulkhead or not.
Question by the court. While you were below in the cabin, or ward-room, did
you see any water coming in through the rooms, or over the beams ; and if so,
was it in large quantities 1
Answer. When I first went in I did not see any ; but when I came out the
last time I saw water coming in along the beams.
Question by the court. Was the turret keyed up, or not ; and did the water
come in under it, and at what rate ?
Answer'. The tuiTet was keyed up. When at Port Royal we had two troughs
made — one on each side, inside the turret — to make the water pass off; but that
AEMOEED VESSELS. 329
day they would overflow and not carry off more than a quarter of the water at
times. After we came from Port Royal we found the hase ring take the deck
when keyed up to the old mark. We had to key it up higher, which let more
water in. We generally used to have a large hawser to stop the leak ; this day
there was no hawser. So much water came in as to make it difficult to keep
the blowers going. I said at the time it will take two pretty good pumps to
keep the water out that comes in there.
Question by the court. Were the guns in or out ; and did any water come in
through the ports ?
Answer. The 16-inch gun was out, the 11-inch gun run in, the compres-
sors down. Occasionally a heavy sea would come in the 11-inch port. The
smoke-box prevented my seeing any water run in the 15-inch port.
The testimony was here read over to the witness. He pronounced it correct.
The court adjourned to meet at 10 o'clock a. m., Tuesday, December 22, 1863.
United States Ship Supply,
December 22, 1863.
The court met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Lieutenant Commanders
E. Simpson, J. L. Davis, and J. J. Cornwell; Acting Assistant Paymaster B.
r. Munroe, judge advocate.
The proceedings of yesterday were read over and corrected by the court.
Commander J. M. Duncan, being called and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service 1
Answer. J. M. Duncan, commander, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. I joined the Weehawken on the 5th of December, 1863, off Morris
island. South Carolina ; think it was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon ; went up
that evening on the advance picket ; lay there until next morning ; at about 9
o'clock got under way and came down to the mooring buoy known as buoy No.
2, and made fast to that, giving her about twelve or fifteen fathoms cham ; it
was blowing quite fresh at that time, but no water coming over forward. I left
the vessel a little before 10, probably about 9.50 a. m., and went on board the
flag-ship Philadelphia. At the time I left the windlass-room was perfectly dry;
the only water I could see was coming over forward and abaft the turret, as I
have frequently seen it when lying near the ironclads. Between 2 and half-
past 2 o'clock the fleet captain told me a signal had been made ; the Weehawken
wanted assistance. I immediately jumped to the gangway and told the cockswain
of the Weehawken's gig to haul up to the gangway. He was some distance astern,
so I jumped into one of the boats of the Ironsides, with the pilot of the Phila-
delphia, and started for the Weehawken as soon as possible, telling the cockswain
of the Weehawken's gig to go to the Weekawken as soon as possible. Before
we got half way there she had sunk. Should think the distance of the Wee-
hawken from the Philadelphia was about five hundred yards. After I dis-
covered she had sunk I pulled astern to pick up all I could that were in the
water ; succeeded in picking up three, and then pulled up to near the Wee-
hawken. A great many boats and three or four tugs were there picking up the
men that were in the water.
Question by the court. While you were on board the flag-ship did you notice
that the wind had increased in force, and that the sea was higher than when
you left the Weehawken ?
Answer. I did not.
Question by the court. What was the depth of water alongside when you
made fast to the buoy ?
Answer. I think four fathoms at nearly low water.
330 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Question by tlie court. Did you remark when in the boat, after the Wee-
hawken went down, that the sea was much higher than when you left her in
the forenoon t
Answer. I did not notice any particular motion in the seas.
Question by the court. When you left the vessel was the door leading from
the cabin to the windlass-room open or shut 1
Answer. It was open.
Question by the court. Have you had any previous knowledge or experience
of the Monitor class of iron-clads before you took command of the Weehawken ?
Answer. None whatever.
Question by the court. "When you took command of the Weehawken, whom
did you relieve in command, and did you relieve him in person ?
Answer. When I took command, the commanding officer was Lieutenant
Stuyvesant. Lieutenant Commander Bunco had had charge for twenty-four
hours previous. The regular commander who preceded me was Commander E.
B. Oolhoun. I did not relieve Commander Colhoun in person.
Question by the court. When you assumed the command of the Weehawken,
did you receive any instructions as to the management of that class of vessels,
and were you informed of the condition, stowage, &c., of the Weehawken ?
Answer.- 1 received no instructions, and was not informed of the condition,
stowage, &c.
Question by the court. Were you aware that the vessel had stowed forward
an extra allowance of ammunition, and did it occur to you that she was in good
or bad trim?
Answer. No, I was not. It appeared to me she was in good trim.
Question by the court. When you left the Weehawken, in the forenoon, did
you anticipate bad weather ; and if so, what orders did you leb,ve with the ex-
ecutive officer?
Answer. I did not anticipate any worse weather than it was at the time, and
only left orders to look out for the vessel, as I always do.
The testimony was here read ovet to the witness. He pronounced it correct.
Henry Sumner, being called and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service 1
Answer. Henry Sumner; second-class fireman, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. On Sunday, 6th of December, it was my watch in the turret chamber
from twelve to four in the afternoon. About half past two Mr. Allen came in
and asked me how much water there was in the bilge. I picked up one of the
floor boards ; he looked down, and then it wanted about a foot of coming over
the floor. Mr. Allen went on top of the turret then ; came do*n to me again and
asked the reason why the blowers did not work ; told him the water was coming
on the belt, and the belt was slipping on the pulley. He started out on the
berth deck, and that was the last I saw of him. I noticed the water rising ; it
was about six inches in about half an hour. I went up in the turret then, and
I saw the vessel down forward under water. I returned to the turret chamber.
Went on to the berth deck ; the shot-locker hatch was raised, and I saw that
full of water. While I was standing, the cry was for all hands on deck. I
ran into the turret chamber, stopped the blowers, and went on deck. When I
got on top of the turret I found a great many up there. I jumped over the
side of the turret and ran aft. I jumped into the sea, and climbed into a boat.
Saw her listing over when I was in the boat.
Question by the court. Was the amount of water coming in under the turret
greater than usual, and how much do you estimate the q[uantity that came in in
a minute?
AEMOEED VESSELS.' 331
Answer. I don't consider the quantity unusual, until about five minutes before
I left the turret chamber; the water then poured in in a steady stream all round.
I can't estimate the quantity ; have been stationed in the turret chamber about
a week.
Question by the court. Did you, or any one, to your knowledge, speak through
the tube leading to the engine-room, calling the people to leave there and come
on deck, when the order was given for all hands to do so ?
Answer. No, I did not, nor anybody to my knowledge.
Question by the court. Was it usual to use the speaking tube as a means of
communicating between the engine-room and turret chamber ?
Answer. Yes, it was.
Question by the court. What was your object in stopping the blower engines?
Answer. It was no use running them ; the belt slipped on the pulley. I tried
the fans with my hands, and there was not a breath of air, tod I did not stop
them until all hands were called to go on deck, and many had passed up before
me.
The testimony was here read over to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
Thomas Gaggin, being called and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service 1
Answer. Thomas Gaggin ; captain of the hold, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. On Sunday, the day the Weehawken went down, I heard some
water had come in forward. Between one and two 1 went down the hatch for
a deck tackle ; noticed about five inches of water over the skin. The next I
noticed, about fifteen minutes after that, coming through the speaking tube that
led to the windlass-room, the water was leaking through the tube ou the berth
deck. Five minutes after that from two to three tons of water came down the
berth-deck hatch. Next I went to the ward-room ; found the hatches full of
water. I was trying to get up life-preservers from the ward-room. When I
could not get the life-preservers, on account of the water in that hatch, I went
to another hatch on the berth deck, where there were others stowed, and found
that full of water too. The engineer came to me (Mr. Allen) and asked me
how much water there was in the hold ; told him all the holds were full, when
he said be would have it out, as the big pump was going. While he was speak-
ing they called all hands on deck. The water was coming in the bigness of
both ports in the turret. I went into the tuiTCt chamber to see if they wanted
ropes or anything from the hold. Went back to the berth deck, got a life-pre-
server, and went up on the turret. I saw her bows under water and heel to
starboard. I was then washed off.
Question by the court. How long have you been captain of the hold on board
of the Weehawken ?
Answer. Since the sixth of July, 1863.
Question by the court. Have you ever known water to rise any height in the
hold before ? If so, when and where ?
Answer. Yes ; I have seen it inside the bar here at Charleston once ; I think in
July. It was then seven inches over the skin ; it was during a heavy blow.
The bilges were choked at the time under the turret, and it was four hours
before they got it pumped out. Once, at sea, I have known the waterin the windlass-
room to be overthe gratings. This water was drawn out into the bilge by lead
pipes leading from the windlass-room into a hatch in the captain's cabin. At
that time the valve at the bottom of the water-tight bulkhead was jammed in
the slide, and could not be opened. After we got to Port Eoyal the valve was
enlarged, and made to turn instead of a slide.
332 ARMORED VESSELS.
Question by the court. At the time of the sinking of the Weehawkea, was
the valve at the bottom of the water-tight bulkhead open or shut ?
Answer. Cannot tell.
Question by the court. Was it the custom of the ship to keep this valve open
or shut 1
■ Answer. Generally the custom to keep it open.
Question by the court. To your knowledge, were there any orders issued in
regard to keeping the valve open, and were there any orders about the time
when it should be shut 1
Answer. No.
Question by the court. Did you make any reports to the executive officer
about the amount of water in the hold during the day on which the Weehawken
went down ?
Answer. Yes ; I reported to him once, when the five inches water was in the
hold, between one and two o'clock.
Question by the court. Did you make any subsequent report that the water
was rising in the hold ?
Answer. No, I did not.
Question by the court. When was the berth-deck battle-plate put on ?
Answer. Immediately after the large quantity of water came down that I
mentioned before.
The testimony was here read over to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
Lieutenant Commander J. J. Oornwell, being called and duly sworn, testified
as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service 1
Answer. John J. OornweU, lieutenant commander, commanding the iron-clad
Nahant.
Question by the court. In the testimony before the court it is stated that the
Nahant, under your command, at one time made water to an unusual amount.
State all you know in relation to the occurrence, and the cause leading to it.
Answer. During November last, while at Port Royal for repairs, I took in
twenty-eight tons of ammunition in addition to what she had usually carried,
which was stowed under the ward-room. It was remarked by several, and
mentioned to me, the vessel sat lower forward in the water than before. I found
she was still by the stern by measurement, and considered it an advantage for
the vessel to be low in the water to avoid injuries from the enemy's shot. On
proceeding to sea, in tow of the Admiral DuPont, found the sea outside rough,
setting from the northeast. Before sailing, a jackass had been placed in the
hawse-hole, in the anchor-well, but the chain, surging, dislodged it, and it could
not be again replaced on account of the high sea ; water came through the
hawse-pipe with great force. The diameter of the hawse-pipe was about seven
inches. The vessel's progress and heavy sea kept the water above the level of
the hawse-hole all the time, although when in smooth water, at an anchor, it
was at least six or eight inches below the hawse-hole. Feeling anxious lest the
vessel should take in water forward, which would not run to the pumps, I ex-
amined frequently. Before we had been in rough water an hour there was two
feet of water in the hold from the cabin to the turret ; none in the engine-room.
Ordered the Admiral DuPont to stop. Pound that the water did not increase,
none coming in the hawse-pipe. Waited one hour and a half to see if I could
pump the ship out. Finding the water did not run to the pumps but slowly,
returned to Port Eoyal. While on our return to the harbor the water gradually
found its way to the pumps in the engine-room, and was pumped out. After
returning, took out all the pig-iron, about fifteen or twenty tons, from under the
cabin deck, which changed her draught about six inches, bringing her that much
ARMORED VESSELS. 333
more by the stern. The vessel at this time had about one hundred tons coal.
Since that time I have found no difficulty with the water running aft, although
the coal has since been reduced to twenty tons, nor has an unusual amount of
water come through the hawse-hole since.
Questign by the court. Was the whole amount of the ammunition additional
weight when you took it in in Port Royal, or did you take out any ballast in
order to make room 1
Answer. I think we took out about five tons to make room for the ammunition,
Question by the court. Why did you take in additional ammunition in the
Nahant at the time specified ?
Answer. The Monitors had previously carried but about one day's supply
for action, and I thought it advisable to have more, as it could be carried with-
out any inconvenience or danger to the ammunition or vessel. Experience
since has taught me that the vessel is in better trim than before the ammunition
was put in and the ballast taken out, as the ballast was in the bow, and the
ammunition more in the body of the vessel, which caused her to ride easier.
Question by the court. Did you receive any order on the subject of increas-
ing the ammunition of the vessel you commanded, or had you any intimation that
such was the desire of the commander-in-chief?
Answer. I had no order, at any time, about the quantity of ammunition I
was to carry ; but in answer to a letter I addressed to Lieutenant M. Forrest,
ordnance officer, he told me the admiral thought it was a good idea to increase
the ammunition if possible.
Question by the court. You state that the water was about two feet from foi-
ward aft to the turret, but little made its way to the pumps in the engine-room.
To what do you attribute the water not making its way to the pumps freely 1
Answer. I did attribute it to the vessel being tipped by the head in conse-
quence of the quantity of water in the forward part of the vessel, and I know
of no other cause now.
The testimony was here read over to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
The court adjourned until 10 o'clock a. m. Wednesday, 23d December, 1863. "
United States Ship Supply,
December 23, 1863.
The court met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Lieutenant Commanders
E. Simpson, J. L. Davis, J. J. Cornwell, and Acting Assistant Paymaster B.
F. Munroe, judge advocate.
The proceedings of yesterday were read over and corrected by the court.
J. B. A. Allen, jr., acting second assistant engineer, was recalled by the
court.
Question by the court. What amount of coal was on board the Weehawken
when she went down ?
Answer. I think about one hundred tons.
Question by the court. Had you any conversation with Acting Master
Kingsbury, on the berth deck, on the subject of an effort to prevent the vessel
going down in deep water % If so, state what the conversation was.
Answer. No, I had not.
Question by the court. Do you remember conversing with Acting Master
Kingsbury on the berth deck, and mentioning to him anything about the
amount of steam you were carrying ?
Answer. Yes, I do.
Question by the court. Were you then carrying steam enough to run the
vessel with any speed and for any distance in such weather %
Answer. Yes ; the fires were spread and rather heavy. I think I could have
run her all day long if necessary.
Question by the court. Did not the water that came in under the turret in-
334 ARMORED VESSELS.
terfere with the working of tlie blowers, so as to make it very difficult to keep
up steam T
Answer. No more than it had done in a heavy sea before. Water always
did come down there in a heavy sea.
Question by the court. What is your estimate of the time that elapsed between
your conversation with Acting Master Kingsbury and the moment when the
vessel went down 1
Answer. I should think about half an hour.
Question by the court. What engineers were on duty in the engine-room, and
where were the other assistants, and what were they doing? State when you
last saw each of them.
Answer. Messrs. Merrian, third assistant, and McGowan, acting third assist-
ant engineers. Mr. McGowan relieved Mr. Sponburg, acting third assistant,
to dinner. The last time I saw Mr. Mitchell, third assistant engineer, was on
the berth deck, and appeared to me to be walking towards the ward-room. I
saw each of them just before I went on top of the tui-ret for the last time, and re-
ported to Lieutenant Stuyvesant the condition of things in the engine-room. I
saw Mr. Sponburg on the berth deck going towards the passage leading to the
engine-room.
Question by the court. Was the entire force stationed in the engine-room
lost t If any were saved, state who they were.
Answer. Of the entire watch stationed in the engine-room, I think none were
saved. The one stationed in the turret chamber was saved.
Question by the court. Do you remember the day Commander Colhoun left
the Weehawken to return north?
Answer. I think on Friday, the 4th of December, 1863.
Question by the court. Why was Mr. Merrian in the engine-room,, it not
being his watch?
Answer. Mr. Merrian went down there of his own accord, to superintend the
working of the pumps.
Question by the court. You say you were repeatedly in the engine-room; did
you at any time give any orders to Mr. Merrian?
Answer. I did.
Question by the court. Then did you not consider he was there on duty, and
acting under your orders ?
Answer. I did
Question by the court. When you received the order from the executive
officer to send the people out of the engine-room, and when you found you could
not pass down into the turret on account of the crowd of men coming up, did
you make any effort to have the word passed through the speaking tube 1
Answer. I did not, through the speaking tube. I did not think of the speak-
ing tube at the time, but, as I mentioned in the former part of my testimony, I
went to the engine-room hatch and jumped on it.
The testimony was here read over to the witness; he pronounced it correct.
George Orotts, being called and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service?
Answer. George Crotts ; quarter gunner, late of the Weehawken.
Question by judge advocate. State to the court what you know of the causes
that led to the sinking of the Weehawken.
Answer. The vessel being down by the head, the water came in the forward
hatches and underneath the turret. The water being forward staid forward, and
did not come to the pumps. A great deal of water came in under the turret that
day. There was no packing under it. I was in the turret most of the day.
Saw everything forward pretty much washed off deck by looking through the
turret port. About ten minutes before the ship went down I was ordered by
AEWOEED VESSELS. 335
Acting Master Kingsbury to see that the men were in the after part of the engine-
room hauling the limber chains. I went there ; saw the men were not there.
Went out on the berth deck for volunteers to haul the limber chains, and could
not get them. Up to that time no order had been given to leave the ship. The
word was then passed for all hands to come up on the turret ; went up into the
■ turret ; received an order from Mr. Bayne to run out the eleven-inch gun and
fire it. I threw the cover off the gun and shipped the crank for running her out.
I asked some men to help run her out, and could get no one ; they ran right up
the turret. When I saw them all going I went myself; left the crank shipped,
the gun compressed.
Question by the court. Did you know, any time before the vessel went down,
that she was filling with water 1
Answer. I did not know it until I went on the berth deck ; saw the lockers
full of water.
Question by the court. Was it evident to you that the men on the berth deck
considered the ship in danger, and that they considered the engine-room the
place of greatest danger 1
Answer. I know some men on the berth deck knew that the ship was in
danger, for as I passed from the turret chamber to the alley way I heard a man
say, " things look dubious." I suppose as no one would volunteer to go to the
engine-room, they thought the ship would sink.
Question by the court. State the names of the officers and men that you saw
in the engine-room when you left it 1
Answer. Mr. Merrian, George Laighton, Davis, the engineer's yeoman, and
Gayhen, a fireman. There were other men on the other side, by the centrifugal
pump.
Question by the court. When you went to the engine-room did you observe
any unusual excitement there, and did the officers and men there show any anx-
iety by words or actions ?
Answer. When I went into the engine-room I spoke to the engineer's yeo-
man. He did not appear to be excited, or ask any questions about the water in
the ship. Saw the men have hold of the laniards of the safety-valve ; that I
never saw before. Did not hear any of them speak. There did not appear to
be any excitement that I saw.
Question by the court. When you left the engine-room did you meet anybody
going to the engine-room 1
Answer. I met nobody in the passage until I passed Eobert Nugent in the
turret chamber, who appeared in a great hurry, and was going towards the en-
gine-room.
Question by the court. How long after you passed Ooal-heaver Robert
Nugent did the vessel go down 1
Answer. I suppose in three minutes' time.
Question by the court. Were you, to the best of your knowledge, the last
man who escaped from the engine-room 1
Answer. I think I was the last man.
Question by the court. How many people did you notice on the berth deck
and in the turret chamber when you were on your way for the last time to go
into the turret ?
Answer. I think I saw eight or ten trying to get up. There was a rush at
the ladder and I told the men to go on the other side, some of them, and get
up on the turret, engine, and blowers. I heard Mr. Kingsbury, who was taking
off gratings, tell them to come up that side.
Question by the court. Do you know if any men in the turret chamber try-
ing to get up failed to do so, and were lost ? If any, give their names.
Answer. I don't know.
336 ARMORED VESSELS.
Question by the court. Did any man make use of the eleven-inch port to get
clear of the vessel ?
Answer. I did not see any. When I came up the turret chamber some water
was coming in the port.
The testitaony was here read over to the witness ; he pronounced it correct.
Mr. T. J. Griffin, being called and duly sworn, testified as follows :
Question by judge advocate. What is your name and rank in the service ?
Answer. T. F. Griffin; assistant inspector of irou-clads.
Question by the court. Is the iron bulkhead between cabin and windlass-
room in Monitors water-tight 1
Answer. It was the intention of the contractor ; it should be such.
Question by the court. What is the arrangement in Monitors by which water
is carried aft in the bilge to the pumps ?
Answer. By a water limber or hollow keel, four inches in depth by eighteen
inches wide.
Question by the court. Are there any holes in the sixteen-inch cross-floors 1
If yes, at what height are they from the keel, and what is their diameter 1
Answer. To the best of my belief, there are two three-inch holes through each
sixteen-inch cross-floor, at about eight inches above the base line, the base line
being a line running across the top of the keel.
Question by the court. What holes are there in the forty-eight-inch cross-
floors, and at what height are they from the base line, and what is their diame-
ter?
Answer. There are two eight-inch holes through each forty-eight-inch cross-
floor. The bottom of the hold is thirty-two inches from the base line.
Question by the court. Describe valve at bottom of water-tight bulkhead.
Answer. A sheet-iron slide valve, four inches by six inches.
Question by the court. What weight of water will the windlass-room hold ?
Answer. About twenty -nine tons of water, exclusive of windlass beams, joiner
work, &c.
Question by the court. How much will the bow of a Monitor, trimmed as the
Weehawken was, (seven inches by the stern,) be depressed by having the wind-
lass-room full of water ?
Answer. It is necessary, in answering this question, to have the centre of
weight. I do not think it would bring her more than on an even keel, and think
she would still be by the stern.
Question by the court. Will that depression bring the hawse-hole under water ?
Answer. I cannot reply, not knowing her draught.
Question by the court. How much water would have run in through the lim-
ber-hole, eighteen inches by four inches, in an hour, supposing the windlass-room
to have been full of water all the time ?
Answer. I think the quantity run in would sink the vessel in less than an
hour without pumping.
Question by the court. Supposing the water to have free passage to the pumps,
and that no water was coming into the hold except through the valve in the
water-tight bulkhead, are the pumps sufficient to keep the vessel clear 1
Answer. Yes.
Question by the court. Describe the manner in which the overhang and arma-
ture is secured to the hull of a Monitor.
Answer. The overhang is secured by the best five-eighths flanged iron, and
double riveted. The armature is secured first by an angled iron shelf extend-
ing around the hull of the ship ; to that is attached an armor shelf of five-eighths
plate iron. The width of it is forty-eight inches amidships, decreasing to twenty-
two inches at the end of the vessel. This shelf is also secured and held in place
by angle iron which is riveted vertically to the hull of the vessel, and extends
AEMOEED VESSELS. 337
at riglit angles across the shelf; securely riveted to the angle iron are gusset or
knee pieces of about five-eighths iron, extending at their lower side twenty-two
are inches; these placed at about every three feet around the vessel. The ver-
tical armor timbers, of oak, are placed between these knee pieces, and held in
place at top by one-inch bolt passing through the hull of the vessel, and at bot-
tom by an angle iron step. These timbers are also held in place by one-inch
blunt bolts, which are driven through the knee pieces fore and aft the ship. The
other armor timbers are composed of twelve-inch longitudinal timbers, the upper
ones being of oak. The armor plates are placed on these, five thicknesses of
one-inch plates breaking joints, and securely fastened by IJ-inch blunt bolts to
the timbers.
Question by the court. Is any effort made to prevent the entrance of water
into the armor timber ?
Answer. No.
Question by the court. What means are adopted to prevent water circulating
in the armor timber from entering 4;he vessel over the hull 1
Answer. It would have to pass between the plank-sheer and top of the angle
iron. This plank-sheer has been neatly fitted ; it overlaps the topping of the
angle iron about half way, and is secured to the deck-beams by blunt bolts ; and
in case of all the vessels, I know it has been calked, or has felt between it.
The plank-sheer is also bolted to the armor timbers.
Question by the court. Is there any direct connexion by means of bolts be-
tween the plank-sheer and the topping of angle iron in which the hull of the
vessel terminates ?
Answer. I believe not.
Question by the court. Suppose the angle iron step securing the lower end
of the vertical armor timber to be carried away, would water have much diffi-
culty in entering the vessel over the hull 1
Answer. It would have no effect.
Question by the court. In your opinion could a strain under the overhang,
such as being much down by head or stern, produce an opening under it, but
not separating it from the lower hull sufficient to admit water in the vessel to
any amount, and in what quantity ?
Answer. No.
Question by the court. From what you know of the construction of Monitors,
-and from what you know of the condition of the Weehawken, do you think that
the increased weight of ammunition in her, combined with the weight of water
when the windlass-room was full, increased by that of a quantity of water »in
the hold of the vessel, could so affect her armature as to make her take in water
rapidly under the spar deck ?
Answer. No, it would not affect her armature. The cause pf leaks shown on
that day would be due to the depth that the vessel was submerged.
Question by the court. Did you ever notice the water-tight bulkhead between
the cabin and windlass-room of the Weehawken ? And if so, state when, and
what was its condition.
Answer. It had the same general appearance as the rest of the vessels.
The testimony of the witness was read over ; he pronounced it correct.
Court adjourned, to meet December 24, 1863.
United States Ship Supply, December 29, 1863.
The court met pursuant to adjournment, gales of wind having prevented their
meeting since the 23d. ' j r t
Present: Lieutenant Commander E. Simpson, Lieutenant Commander J. L.
Davis, Lieutenant Commander J. J. Cornwell ; Acting Assistant Paymaster B.
F. Munroe, judge advocate.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 22
338 AEMORED VESSELS.
TLe proceedings of December 23 were read over and corrected by the court.
Mr. T. F. Griffin was recalled, and testified as follows :
Question by the court. Since your last appearance before the court have you
any further information to communicate on the subject of the holes in the
sixteen-inch cross-iioors 1
Answer. I have found that in some of the vessels they are perforated, but
not all of them ; they are not to be depended on as water limbers.
Question by the court. Do you think that it ia likely to be very injurious to
Monitors to lie for any time in. water where worms abound ?
Answer. Some of the Monitors have been shattered in the armor plating,
exposing the wood to the action of the worms ; it may have been affected
thereby.
Question by the court. You have had some experience in Monitors during bad
weather in their present anchorage off Morris island ; do you think that they
are likely to be seriously affected by exposure to such influence for one year ]
Answer. From examination of these vessels out of water, after the heavy
seas the Monitors have been exposed to on their passage from the north to this
place, I can see no danger of their rupturing themselves under their overhang,
which is considered the most liable to be affected.
Question by the court. It is stated in evidence before the court, that at one
period it was observed that the beams of the Weehawken showed indications of
having moved inboard ; what cause could have produced such an effect ?
Answer. I can see no cause of such an effect while the vessel was afloat.
Forces which would create such an effect would have to be greater inside than
that outside the vessel ; pressure of the water outside has the tendency to keep
the vessel together.
Question by the court. Suppose the vessel to be actually ruptured ; might not
such an appearance be produced ]
Answer. I cannot see how the beams could come inboard.
Question by the court. What is considered as the floating capacity of a
Monitor when loaded with coals, ammunition, &c. 1
Answer. Not less than one hundred and fifty tons.
Question by the court. What weight of water will a Monitor hold if filled up
to the forty-eight-inch floors forward of the turret, supposing the ammunition,
&c., to be stowed?
Answer. I suppose not less than two hiindred tons.
Question by the court. About how much weight would sink the vessel one inch?
Answer. I cannot answer positively.
The testimony was here read over to the witness, and pronounced correct.
The court adjourned till ten a. m., December 30, 1SC3.
United States Ship. Supply, December 30, 1S63.
The court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present : Lieutenant Commander E. Simpson, Lieutenant Commander J. L.
Davis, Lieutenant Commander J. J. Cornwell ; Acting Assistant Paymaster B.
F. Munroe, judge advocate.
The proceedings of December 29 were read over and corrected by the court.
The testimony of a diver being necessary to complete the case, and the diver
not being prepared to testify, the court adjourned till ten a. m., December
31, 1863.
United States Ship Supply, January 2, 1864.
The court met pursuant to adjournment, gales of wind having prevented their
meeting since the 30th December, 1863.
Present : Lieutenant Commander E. Simpson, Lieutenant Commander J. L.
Davis, Lieutenant Commander J. J- Cornwell ; Acting Assistant Payniaster B.
F. Munroe, judge advocate.
ARMORED VESSELS. 339
The proceedings of December 30, 1863, were read over by the court. The
prevailing bad weather interfering much with the work of the divers at the
wreck of the Weehawken, and it being desirable to close the record in the case,
the court concluded to dispense with the testimony of a diver.
All the evidence in the case being thus in possession of the court, the court
was cleared for deliberation, and having .maturely considered the evidence ad-
duced, submit the following statement of the facts in the case of the sinking
of the Weehawken.
On the forenoon of Sunday, the sixth of December, 1863, the Weehawken,
under the command of Commander -T. M. Duncan, came down from an ad-
vanced position up the channel, where she had been doing picket duty during
the previous night, and was moored at a buoy called Buoy No. 2, with a scope
of chain of about ten fathoms, there being about four fathoms water at the buoy
at low water. Commander Duncan had assumed the comniaud of the vessel on
the afternoon of the fifth of December, and consequently had only been in
charge of her for about eighteen hours. After the vessel was made fast to her
moorings. Commander Duncan at about ten a. m. left the vessel and proceeded
on boaj'd the flag-steamer Philadelphia, where he remained until the time of the
disaster which befel liis command.
On leaving the Weehawken Commander Duncan saw no water dashing over
the deck except near the turret. The forward part of the deck was dry, and
the btittle-plates were up, admitting air to the lower deck of the vessel. The
communicating door between the windlass-room and cabin was also open. At
this time the wind was fresh from the northeast, but there was not much sea om
The open hatches _ over the windlass-room and berth deck were protected by
high wooden coamings shaped like a hopper, which shed the water that soon
began to flow on the deck as the sea rose. Notwithstanding the coaming
around the forward hatch, some water continually flowed down in the windlass-
room and began to slop into the cabin, when a temporary wooden door in the
water-tight bulkhead was closed so as to prevent the water entering the cabin,
but not preventing it from collecting in the windlass-room or running from there
through the limber, into the vessel. The battle-plates for the hatches forward
of the turret were resting with one of their ends on the rabbet of the hatch,
while the other ends were triced up by tackles leading to ring-bolts on the op-
posite side of the deck. The anchor was up and hanging in the anchor-well,
no precaution having been taken to prevent water finding its way into the ves-
sel through the hawse-hole. The turret was keyed up quite high, such having
been found to be necessary in order to avoid a friction of the new base-ring
against the deck, and much water was finding its way into the vessel through
the opening under the turret, the composition-ring having ceased to perform the
work for which it was designed, viz., "that of preventing a leak at this place."
The water that entered the "vessel at this place was much more on this day than
had ever been before noticed, and before the sinking of the vessel, is described
as rushing in in a steady stream. It had been usual to wrap around the base
of the turret on occasions of this kind a piece of a hawser, serving the purpose
of a packing under the turret; but on this day the hawser was not in use.
The usual trim of the vessel with ammunition and coals on board had been
about a foot by the stern, but a short time before the disaster there had been
taken on board twenty-five tons additional weight in the form of shells and
powder, all of which had been stowed in the forward part of the vessel. Her
trim was thus changed, so that she was about seven inches by the stern. Such
being the condition of things on board, it was evident that as the sea rose quite
a large quantity of water was finding its way slowly into the vessel, and this
water, owing to the trim of the vessel, could find its, way aft to the pumps but
slowly.
The limber was clear. The 11-inch gun was run in in the turret, and the
34-0 ■ ARMORED VESSELS.
port being open, added in the day anothei- opening through which watel' found
its way into the vessel.
No notice was taken of the condition of thiiigs as here stated, nor were any
measures adopted for keeping the vessel more dry until about one p. m., when
» heavy sea rolling over the bow broke down the coaming around the fprward
hatch, and tripping the battle-plate from its position, precipitated it into the
windlass-room, where it hung by the tackle which was fast to it.
A watch was called on deck to ship the battle-plate, but before this could be
done three or four more seas rolled down the hatch, depositing a large amount
of water in the windlass-room, wbere, with the exception of such quantity as
escaped through the limber, it was retained by the iron door in the water-tight
bulkhead, which had been closed a sbort time before.
While securing the iron door below with its turn-buckles, much water came in
on the cabin floor ; and in order for this water to find its way into the bilge,
two of the hatches in tbe cabin floor were taken* up, when it was discovered
that much water was under the cabin floor, and that it rose rapidly. This was
thought to be caused by the water running aft through the valve at the bottom
of the water-tight bulkhead ; and when subsequently five inches of water was
reported in the hold, it was still looked upon 'as proof that the water was find-
ing its way aft, and would soon reach the pumps.
This mistake was fatal to the vessel ; for at this time, notwithstanding the
depth of the water in tbe forward part of tbe vessel, there was very little water
aft at the jumps, showing that the vessel had been tipped down forward by the
weight of water in the windlass-room, and that all the water in the vessel was
tending to the depressed point forward. ,
Much time was then occupied in veering chain (about forty fathoms) on deck,
no observation being made, meantime, of the accumulation of water in the hold.
About fifteen minutes after the forward battle-plate was shipped in its place,
the berth-deck battle-plate was also shipped, but not before two or three tons of
water had found its way into the vessel through this opening. Neither the
forward nor berth-deck battle-plates were secured down! After the chain was
veered, which occupied about three-quartcr.s of an hour, leaks were discovered
in the rooms of the ward-room, which could only be caused by water finding its
way in under the plank-sheer, owing to the state of immersion in which the
bow of the vessel was then held. The volume of water pouring in through
each of these leaks is described as in quantity about a barrel a minute. At the
time these leaks made their appearance under the plauk-sheer, the water had
risen to about one foot below the cabin floor. A short time afterwards the water
was found to have risen to the level of the deck in the ward-room, and about
three inches above the deck in the cabin ; while the water in the windlass-room,
from being twenty inches high when the iron door was closed, had risen to the
top, as was shown by the water leaking through the speaking-tube which passes
from the windlass-room to the turret-chamber along the beams on the berth
deck.
The water had now reached such an elevation forward, and the body of water
was so large, that it began to make its appearance in considerable quantities
aft. The fire-room floor was awash, and all the pumps working up to their
greatest capacity. The centrifugal pump was throwing water freely.
About an hour and a half had elapsed from the time that the water flooded
the windlass-room, when it was found that the water had risen to the top of the
forty-ijsight-inch cross-floors forward gf the turret ; in fact, that the forward
part of the vessel was full of water up to the berth deck. The weight of such
a body ef water amounts to more than the floating capacity of the vessel when
loaded. It was then that for the first time the full danger of the vessel waa
recognized by those on board.
Signal was made for assistance. By the time it was answered, and the word
passed for all hands to come on deck, the Weehawken careened to starboard,
ARMORED VESSELS. 341
settled by the liead, and in about five minutes sunk to the bottom, where she
righted, her smoke-stack showing itself about two feet above water.
At the time 4)f her sinking, there were attached to her fifteen officers and
seventy-six men. Of this number there were saved eleven officers and fifty
men, making the sad record of four officers and twenty-six men lost. These
are supposed to have gone down in the vessel. The watch in the fire-room did
not receive the order to come on deck, and they, with some others of the en-
gineer's force, must have perished in the fire-room when the water struck the fires.
Third Assistant Engineer Henry W. Merrian was not on watch at the time
of the disaster, but is known to have been in the fire-room acting as a volun-
teer. A coalheaver, Robert Nugent, undertook to carry the order to the fire-
room ; but as he is among the missing, it must be concluded that he only
reached the fire-room in time to share the fate of those to preserve whom he
ffobly hazarded and sacrificed his own life.
The speaking-tube, in common use for passing orders from the turret-cham-
ber to the fire-room, was entirely neglected on this occasion.
The opinion of the court on the facts in the case, as here detailed, is, that
the causes of the sinking of the Weehawken were :
1. The additional weight of ammunition that had been lately put on board
of her, leaving her trim so little by the stern as not to allow sufficient inclina-
tion for water to get to the pumps freely.
2. The neglect to close the hawse-hole, and the delay in closing the hatch
over the windlass-room, which permitted the rapid accumulation, at the forward
extremity of the vessel, of sufficient water to bring her nearly on an even keel.
3. The large amount of water that was permitted to come into the vessel
under the turret through the Xl-inch port, and down the berth-deck hatch,
which assisted to tip the bows of the vessel.
4. The amount of water which, owing to the immersion of the forward part
of the vessel, came in under the plank-sheer.
5. The absence of a,ll effort to relieve the forward part of the vessel from its
depressed position by rolling shot aft, or moving any weight from the bow.
The court does not consider that it has any positive evidence that the hull of
the Weehawken is ruptured. Extensive openings were apparent under the
plank-sheer, but there is nothing in the testimony to indicate a rupture of the
hull, except the evidence of one witness, who states that he found the beams
started in two inches, as shown by the paint-marks having separated that dis-
tance from the ceiling. The court is unable to account for this appearance. All
other points in the evidence, it thinks, are reconciled in the statement of the
facts in the case, as already set forth.
It remains for the court to express its opinion on the merits of the case, and
it recognizes the propriety of further military proceedings in the case.
E. SIMPSON,
Lieut. Commander, Presiding Officer of the Court of Inquiry.
B. F. MUNROE,-
Judge Advocate of the Court of Inquiry.
[Memorandum.]
Flag-Steamer Philadelphia,
Off Morris Island, January 6, 1864.
In transmitting the foregoing to the Navy Department I beg leave to append
the following remarks :
1-st. I am of the opinion that the sinking of the Weehawken was entirely
due to the quantity of water that found its way into her.
342
AEMORED VESSELS.
2d. It cannot, of course, be absolutely decided that there was no leakage
from strain or rupture untO the vessel is fully examined; but, so far as the evi-
dence goes, it must be accepted as almost conclusive that the yater which sunk
the Monitor entered by the hatches and other apartures belonging to the con-
stfuction.
3d. By assigning the additional weight of ammunition as one cause of the
disaster, and giving it the first place in order, may lead to the opinion that the
court considered it as the most important cause of the sinking of the Weehawken.
With this I am unable to concur.
Mr. Griffin states the floating capacity of a Monitor like the Weehawken to
be not less than one hundred and fifty tons.
The weight of additional ammunition appears to have been about twenty-five
tons, which is one-sixth of the floating capacity. It is evident* therefore, that
with no more additional weight than twenty-five tons, the Weehawken wouM
have ridden out the gale as easily as the other Monitors.
4th. How far the locality of the stowage of the additional ammunition might
have effected the flow of the water aft is of moment. The pilot states that it
changed the trim of the Weehawken from twelve inches astern to eight.
It does not appear from evidence that eight inches by the stern would be in-
sufficient for the flow of water aft to the pumps, and it is certainly reasonable
to suppose that the inclination thus given would suffice, unless there were im-
pediments in the way. But the court states that it did not flow by the limbers,
and that the pumps did not draw until the water was so high as to come over
the berth deck.
Now I find in the report made to me by the senior engineer immediately after
the disaster that the water did come "aft very fast," and occupied two \¥orth-
ington pumps ; but aa it continued to gain forward, the centrifugal pump was
started. "This pump worked well, but drew the water from the bilge faster
than it ran through the limbers, and, therefore, for a time it was sucking," says
the engineer. Hence, it follows that the trim of the vessel did not interfere
with the fltw of the water to the pumps, but that the (^^uantity was limited by
some other cause.
The limber or gutter by which the water passes to the pumps is eighteen inches
wide by four inches deep; but the communication to this gutter from the chain-
locker, where the water deposited, is anaperture six inches byfour inches ; and this,
therefore, is the measure of the quantity of water delivered to the limber, and
which, from the statement of the engineer, was much less than the pumps were
capable of throwing off.
I cannot perceive, therefore, that the eflfect of the additional ammunition on
the buoyancy or trim of the hull can be considered as a prominent cause of the
accident.
The mischief was really done by the entrance of too much water through
the hatches, hawse-pipes, &c., before proper measures were taken. When this
was done, it was too late, and the example will lose some of its efficacy if, by
any course of reasoning or statement of the case, the attention of Monitor offi-
cers is directed from the influx of water as the real source of peril to this class
of vessels.
The foregoing report of the court of inquiry concludes "that further military
proceedings are necessary."
As the Navy Department has directed a court of inquiry to be held, this
opinion of the court belongs to it to decide upon. I therefore respectfully sub-
mit the whole to the pleasure of the Navy Department, and have the honor to
be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGEEN,
Rcar'Admiral, Com'dg S. A. B. Squadron.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 843
WESTERN GULF SQUADRON,
Engagements vyith the Ram, Arkansas, July 15, 1862.
United States Flag-Ship Hartford,
Below Vicksburg, July 11, 1862.
Sir: It is with deep mortification that I announce to the department that,
notwithstanding ray prediction to the contrary, the iron-clad ram Arkansas
has at length made ker appearance, and taken us all by surprise. We had
heard that she was up at Liverpool, in the Yazoo river, and Lieutenant
Colonel BUet informed me that the river was too narrow for our gunboats to
turn, and was also shallow in places, but suggested that Flag-Officer Davis
might send up some of his iron-clad boats, which draw only six or seven
feet of water.
When this was proposed to Flag-Officer Davis he consented immediately,
and General Williams offered to send up a few sharpshooters. The next
morning they went off at daylight, and by six iu the morning we heard firing
up the river, but supposed it to be the gunboats firing at the flying artillery,
said to be lining the river. In a short time, however, the gunboats appeared,
and the ram in pursuit. Although we were all lying with low fires, none of
us had steam, or could get it up, in time to pursue her; but she took the
broadside of the whole fleet. It was a bold thing, and she was only saved
by our feeling of security. She was very Auch injured, and was only able
to drift or go at the slowest speed — say one knot, and with the current she
got down to the forts of Vicksburg before any of us had steam up.
I had a consultation with Flag-OfBcer Davis, and we thought it best to
take the evening, when he dropped down to take the fire of the upper battery,
and ray squadron passed down with the determination of destroying the ram,
if possible; but, by delays of getting in position, &c., it was so dark by the
time we reached the town that nothing could be seen except the flashes of
t]ie guns, so that, to mj' great mortification I was obliged to go down and
anchor, with the rest of my fleet, to protect the'transports, mortar-boats, &c.
The ram is now repairing damages — for we put many holes through her^ —
though we do not kn.ow the extent of damage done to her. Be assured, sir,
however, that I shall leave no stone unturned to destroy her. I regret to
report that the loss from this vessel was one olficer and two men killed, *^<^
five men wounded. The total loss in the fleet was five killed and sixteen
wounded. I enclose herewith the fleet surgeon's report of casualties.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. G. FAERAGUT,
Flag-Officer, Comd'g Western Gulf Blockading Squadron,
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C,
Report of Lieutenant Commnnding Lowry.
United States Gunboat Soiota,
Above Vicksburg, July 15, 1862.
Sir: This morning, about 6.10 o'clock, heavy firing was heard on board
this vessel, apparently from the direction of the Yazoo river, the cause of
344
AEMORED VESSELS.
which soon manifested itself in the appearance of the gunboat Tyler, Lieu-
tenant Oommanding Gwinn, running before, and closely followed by, an
iron-clad ram — since ascertained to be the Arkansas — escaped out of the
Yazoo river. This vessel — of a similar construction to the Louisiana and
Mississippi, destroyed at New Orleans; that is, with a screw propeller and
inclined iron sides, armed with nine guns — seemed, from her movements, to
trust entirely to her invulnerability for a safe run to the cover of the Vicksburg
batteries. The .Tyler made a running fight until within our lines, when the
vessels opened as their guns bore, the rebel's speed diminishing very visibly.
This gunboat was anchored fourth in line from up river, without steam and en-
gines under repairs; but as soon as I heard the firing I ordered fire started
and steam to be raised with all despatch. jMy eleven-inch gun being loaded
with a ten-second shell, which I had endeavored in vain to draw, as the rebel
came within my train I tired, striking him fair, but the shell glanced off
almost perpendicularly into the air and exploded. At the same time I
opened a brisk fire with all my small arms against his ports, which, I am
confident, prevented them from manning her port guns till after she had
passed us. I observed one man in the act of sponging tumble out of the
port, sponge and all, evidently shot by a rifle ball.
I found my oiEcers and men ready, but such'Was the suddenness of the
appearance and passing of this formidable vessel of the enemy that but
little time was afforded for any continued attack upon her with the unwieldy
gun carried by this vessel. After passing down stream out of my line of
fire, which he did in from four to six minutes, I was unfortunately only a
spectator of the final result of this event.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. B. LOWRT,
Lieutenant Commanding U. S. Gunboat Sciota.
Flag-Officer D, G. Farragut,
Commanding Western Oulf Blockading Squadron.
Destruction of the ram Arkansas.
Flag-Ship Hartford,
Baton Rouge, August 1, 1862.
Sir: It is one of the happiest moments of my life that I am enabled to
inform the department of the destruction of the ram Arkansas; not because
I held the iron-clad in such terror, but because the community did.
On the 4th instant I sent the Tennessee up to Baton Rouge with provisions
for Commander Porter and the gunboats stationed at that place. On the
night of the 5th she returned with the information that the enemy had made
a combined attack upon Baton Rouge by the ram and two gunboats, the
Webb and Music, and calling for assistance. At daylight the Hartford was
under way for this place, with orders for the other vessels to folhjw me as
fast as ready.
I arrived here to-day at 12 m., in company with the Brooklyn, Westfield,
Clifton, Jackson, and Sciota. I had sent the Cayuga up before me, agreeably
to a request of General Butler, in consequence of the guerillas firing into
some of his transports. On ray arrival I was informed by Commander W.
D. Porter that yesterday morning at 2 o'clock the enemy's forces, under
General Breckinridge, attacked General Williams, drove in his pickets, &c.
General Williams, having had ample warning, was all prepared for him.
The fight was continued with great energy on both sides unlil 10 a. m , by
which time the enemy had been driven back two or three miles; but, unfor-
ARMORED VESSELS. 345
tunately, the gallant General Williams, while cheering on his men, received
a Minie.ball through his heart.
General Williams had informed Lieutenant Commanding Ransom the
evening before of his plans, and requested him not to fire a gun until he
notified him; and when he did so, our gunbgats — the Kineo and Katahdin —
opened with fine effect, throwing their shells directlj' in the midst of the
enemy, producing great dismay and confusion among them. Lieutenant
Ransom had an oiEcer on the State-house, which overlooks the adjacent
country, and could direct the fire of every shell.
As soon as the enemy was repulsed. Commander Porter, with the gun-
boats, went up stream after the ram Arkansas, which was lying about five
miles above, apparently afraid to take her share in the conflict, according to-
the preconcerted plan. As he came w.ithin gunshot he opened on her, and
probably soon disabled some of her machinery or steering apparatus, for she
became unmanageable, continuing, however, to fire her guns at the Essex.
Commander Porter says he took advantage of her presenting a weak point
towards him, and loaded with incendiary shells. After his first discharge of
this projectile, a gush of fire came out of her side, and from that moment it
was discovered that she was on fire, which he continued his exertions to
prevent from being extinguished. They backed her ashore and made a line
fast, which soon burnt, and she swimg off into the river, where she continued
to burn until she blew up with a tremendous explosion, thus ending the
career of the last iron-clad ram of the Mississippi. There were many persons
on the banks of the river witnessing the fight, in which they anticipated a
triumph for Secessia; but on the return of the Essex not a soul was to be
seen.
I will leave a sufficient force of gunboats here to support the army, and
will return to-morrow to New Orleans, and depart immediately for Ship
island, with a light heart that I have left no bugbear to torment the commu-
nities of the Mississippi in my absence.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. G. PARRAGUT,
F lag-Officer, Commanding Western Qulf Blockading Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
, On Ghnboat Essex,
j Off Baton Eouge, August 6, 1862.
Sir: This morning, at 8 o'clock, I steamed up the river, and at 10 o'clock
attacked the rebel ram Arkansas, and blew her up. There is not now a
fragment of her left.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. D. PORTER,
Com'ding Division of Flotilla in Western Waters.
Rear-Admiral D. G. Farragut.
Report of Commander W. D. Porter.
United States Gunboat Essex,
Off Baton Rouge, August 6, 1862.
Sir: On the evening of the 4th instant I was informed by General Wil-
liams that the rebels, in considerable force, under General Breckinridge,
were moving on this place. The rebel ram Arkansas, with two gunboats,
the Webb and Music, were also in the vicinity of the •city to support the
346 AEMOEED VESSELS.
attack of the rebel army. I made such a disposition of the naval force under
my command as I thought would give the most aid to our small force on
shore.
On the morning of the 5th instant, at 1 o'clock, the enemy made an attack
on our land forces and drove in the left wing of our army, killing General
Williams. Our men retreating, I opened fire with shot and shell over them
on the advancing enemy, and turned them back.
It was the intention of the enemy to make a simultaneous attack by land
and water; but the fire from the Essex and the other gunboats driving the
enemy back, evidently disconcerted their plans.
Though not making her appearance, I had information of the vicinity of
the ram Arkansas; and this morning I determined to steam up the river and
attack her, and, if possible, prevent her rendering further assistance to the
land forces she was co-operating with. At 10 a. m. I came in sight of her, at
about the distance of half .a mile, and immediately opened fire. After a^i
action of about twenty minutes I sucneeded in setting fire to her, and at
meridian she blew up with « tremendous explosion.
The Arkansas had a crew of 180, and mounted ten guns, (six 8-inch and
four 50-pound rifles.) This vessel, the Essex, mounts seven guns, and had
only forty men on duty at the time of going into action. My first master,
R. K. Kiley, was in sick hospital, and his place was supplied by Second
Master David Porter Rosenmiller, who conducted himself to iny entire
satisfaction.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. D. PORTER,
Commanding Division of FlolUla in Western Waters.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Flog-Officer Farragut gives rebel reports of the Arkansas.
Flag-Ship Hartford,
New Orleans, August 10, 18&2.
Sir: Since forwarding the reports of Lieutenants Fairfax, Ransom, and
Roe, we have picked up a number of prisoners from the ram Arkansas, all
of whom I have catechised very closely. They agree very well respecting
her exit from the Yazoo, and her passing the fleets; they also agree as to
the number of killed and wounded on each of these occasions, making in all
eighteen killed and a large number wounded. At Vicksburg they plated
the deck with iron, and fortified her with cotton inside. She then came
down in command of Lieutenant H. K. Stevens, (Brown having been taken
sick at Vicksburg,) with the intention of making a combined attack with
General Breckinridge upon Baton Rouge; but her port engine broke down.
They repaired it in the course of the day, and went out to meet the Essex
the next morning, when they saw her coming up; but the starboard engine
gave way, and they ran her ashore, she being perfectly unmanageable.
They say that when the gunboats were seen coming up, and the Essex
commenced firing, the captain set the ram on fire and told the crew to run
ashore. They also state that the gunboats Webb and Music were sent for
to tow her up the river, but they did not arrive, and neither of them had
been seen. This is the statement, all of which is respectfully submitted by
your obedient servant,
D. G. FARRAGUT,
Flag-Officer, Commanding Western Oulf Blockading Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles, .
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
ARMORED VESSELS. 347
Engagement between the ram Arkansas and the Essex and Colonel EUet's ram, on the 15th July, 1862.
Flag-Ship Hartfoed,
New Orleans, July 29, 1862.
Sir: I am happy to inform the department that I arrived here yesterday
about noon, with the ships Brooklyn, Richmond, and Hartford, and gunboats
Pinola and Kennebec, the other gunboats, excepting the Katahdin and Kineo,
left at Baton Rouge for the protection of the troops, having preceded me.
On the 2ffth instant I received the order of the department to drop the
ships down the river, and not to risk them before the batteries more thto
possible. The river had fallen very much, and ray anxiety was great that I
should not be able to get the large ships down. Unfortunately the iron-clad
ram Arkansas came down on the 15th, before I received your order, and her
commander being satisfied by the reception we gave her that she was not
shot-proof, kept her close in under the forts, which are mounted with 8 and
10-inoh columbiads and 50-pounder rifles. Still, Flag OfiScer Davis was de-
termined that as Commander W. D. Porter thought his vessel, the Essex,
was shot-proof, he would make an attack on the ram and drive her down to
us or destroy her. He had also determined to let the Sumter run at her,
and to let Colonel Ellis also attack her with one of his rams. The ram lay
between the two forts, at the upper bend of the river, about four miles above
the fleet.
It was stipulated that I was not to pass up the river, but be ready to
receive her if she attempted to come down. Unfortunately, the attack was
a failure. The Essex ran at the ram, but being so clumsy, they let the bow
of the ram swing off from the shore so that the Essex ran fast aground; but
she delivered her three 9-inch guns into the ram at not more than ten or twelve
feet, and those who sa.w the ram afterwards say she had a large hole knocked
into her. Colonel Ellet's ram also ran at the iron-clad, but the fire from the
forts and ram so damaged her that it was with difiSculty she got back to her
anchorage, and it was only remarkable that she was not destroyed. We do
not know that she damaged the ram. The Sumter, from some misunder-
standing, did not go in.
This was a daring act on the part of Colonel Ellet, and one from which
both Flag-Officer Davis and nyyself tried to deter him.
The Essex, after She got afloat, ran down to our fleet through a storm of
shot and shell; and strange to say, not a shot struck her after she left the
upper forts. She was only penetrated by three projectiles from the ram and
forts, viz: one 9-inch and one 50-pou'nd rifle solid shot, and one 50-pound
coaical shell. The last went through the casemates aboat six feet from tWe
forwar corner, and exploded inside, killing one man and wounding three,
which was nearly all the damage done the crew. The 9-inch solid shot pen-
etrated the forward casemate nearly amidship, passed through the iron, but
did not go through the wood. The 50-pounder rifle passed through the port
quarter and lodged in the ward-room, doing no harm; but, of course, each
of these shots started the wood and iron considerably, the other shot in the
vicinity would have done much damage.
I waited a day or two for General Williams to make his preparations for
leaving, as he had determined to do so, not having well men enough to take
care of the sick ones. When all was ready, I settled with Flag-Olficer
-Davis that Commander W. D. Porter was to take charge of the lower part of
the river, with the Essex and Sumter. I do not, however, consider this
force sufficient, for there are two gunboats in the Red river and two in the
Yazoo. I presume Flag-Officer Davis will destroy those in the Yazoo, and
348 ARMORED VESSELS.
my gunboats chased the Music and Webb up the Red river, but drew too
much water to go far.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. G. PARRAGUT,
Flag-Officer, Commanding Weatern Gulf Blockading Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, B. G.
Attempt to blow up the Essex with a torpedo.
United States Iron-clad Essex,
Off Baton Rouge, June 19, 1863.
Sir: I have respectfully to report an attempt on the part of the rebels to
blow up this vessel with a torpedo, and its failure.
Oil the 18th instant I went up the river with the Essex to Port Hudson
on a reconnoissance. Arriving abreast the centre of Profit's island, and be-
tween two points, one making out from the island, the other from the oppo-
site shore, I observed what appeared to be a buoy. On examining it with
my glass I found it to be a large demijohn, anchored about 400 yards from
the island. I immediately suspected the reason of its being placed there,
and turned my glass to tlie island shore, and near it observed another demi-
john buoy, and ten or twenty yards outside of it a barrel nearly submerg
I wished to stop the vessel immediately; but as wo were almost in a 1
with the buoys, the wind blowing half a gale, and right aft, and the vessel
at full speed, it would have been impossible to stop in time, and I was forced
to pass between the buoys and over the apparatus. We experienced no •
trouble, however, and proceeded on, finishing our reconnoissance of Port
Hudson. On my return I stopped the vessel below the infernal machine,
with her head up stream, sent the men to quarters, and despatched two
boats to take up or destroy the apparatus. Prom the inside buoys an iron
wire (apparently telegraph wire) was discovered leading up the beach, then
over a glass bottle, (attached to a tree as an insulator,) and from thence
into the woods. About fifty fathoms of this wire was hauled down to the
boats, and its connexion with the buoys severed. All the buoys were then
raised, and found to be connected by wires, and a torpedo of cylindrical
form, three feet long and a foot in diameter, made of boiler iron, and finished
in a most workmanlike manner, was found attached to the barrel buoy, and
hung thereto with about a dozen turns of wire rove through two eye-bolts
riveted in one end of the machine; the other end had a plug fitted in, with
a wire leading through and communicating with the interior. A number of
wires appeared to connect with this end of the machine, but the connexion
could not be understood, as the wires were all broken while raising it, or
cut immediately after, to prevent accident.
We raised, in all, one machine, three buoys, and about one hundred fathoms
of telegraph wire. Other portions of the apparatus were lost, together
with a quantity of wire, owing to the latter breaking by the heavy strain
on it, in attempting to weigh the lost portions. ^
This apparatus was skilfully made, and carefully laid — exactly in our
track, and between the points already mentioned, which contracted the river
to its narrowest bounds Near the opposite shore the current runs with
great velocity. I was extremely anxious to examine the contents of this
machine, but after making a few careful experiments I found it could not
be opened without danger of moving the wire ; I therefore had it taken
on shore and secured in a hole in the levee, and a long line bent to the wire;
aemoEed vessels. 349
•
then a boat pulled out with the other end of the line, and when it became
taut the macliine burst with a tremendous explosion, tearing away a large
piece of the levee, and throwing the pieces of iron in every direction. One
piece, weighing about two pounds, fell on board the vessel, distant about
300 yards. It would seem that the machine V7as made to explode both by
friction, and electricity. I think there were others besides the one raised. I
consider these machines too dangerous to handle, and hereafter shall destroy
the buoys, and taking the in-shore end of the wire, drag the apparatus well
into the river and sink it.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. H. B. CALDWELL, Commander.
Rear-Admiral D. G. Parragut, U S. N.,
Commander-in-Chief, Western Gulf Blockading Squadron.
Forwarded by your obedient servant,
JAMES ALDEN,
Commanding Naval Forces, Baton Rouge.
Report of Commander Robert Townaend, commanding United States steamer Essex.
United Stxtes Steamer Essex,
Grand View Reach, July 10, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report, that, in obedience to your orders, given
before your departure this morning, I proceeded in the Essex to the relief of
the New London, the Monongahela, on our starboard beam, towing us more
rapidly against the current than we were able to steam down willi the cur-
rent last evening. • We found the New London ashore, made fast to the
bank below Whitehall Point, and out of range from the battery, a position
where Lieutenant Commander Perkins, after much difficulty, had succeeded
in placing her. The Monongahela got her off, took her in tow on the port
side, and made fast to the port side of the Essex.
Thus sheltered, they made the downward trip almost unscathed. As the
Now London is completely disabled by shots through her boiler, I sent word
to Lieutenant Commander Waters, of the Kineo, to take her in tow to New
Orleans and report to you. Lieutenant Commander Perkins having fruit-
lessly sent messages to Donaldsonville for assistance, was finally, this morn-
ing, obliged to proceed thither himself Lieutenant Day, who was left in
charge, although wounded, was on the alert and preserved good order and
discipline among the crew.
On our way up, the batterj' at the head of Grand View Reach did not
open upon us; but it did so, spitefully, upon our return. The battery oppo-
.■site College Point gave us a warm reception both going and returning.
'{Whilst the Monongahela was getting the New London afloat, we proceeded
-.up in the Essex, off Whitehall Point, and opened upon the Winchester Plan-
-.taliion battery, Isoth at long and short range. They did not return our fire.
We. counted seven embrasures, but saw no guns in position there. A crowd
,<)f, sharpshooters, lining the levee^ disappeared soon after we opened fire.
:Last. evening and to-day we were struck by shot and shell nine times. One
penetrated the solid timber of the starboard forward guard; three glanced
.from our plating on the sides and quarter, doing no particular damage; the
.others passed, respectively, through both sides of the wheel-house, the awn-
ing rail and furled awning, the starboard smoke-stack, the galley funnel,
.and botli. ventilators.
I will .not particularize the pattering showers of musket balls, as they did
no material damage. We expended of 100-pounder rifle, 9-inch, and 32-
Dounder shell, and shrapnell, 150 rounds.
350 AEMOEED VESSELS.
«
Lieutenant Commander Dewey displayed coolness, skill, and judgment m
managing the Monongahela and in getting off the New London. He was
able to i.se his bow and stew gnns and boat howitzers, and, whilst passing
the batteries, he did so effectively. Acting Master Parker, executive officer
of the Essex, worked the battery with cool discretion and ability, and made
a number of excellent shots. Mr. Attenborough, our pilot, occupied a very
exposed position, but it did not militate against the skill with which he
habitually directs the course of the ship. I am much pleased that I can
speak in the most commendable terms of the conduct of all the officers aiid
men. It is also gratifying that I am able to report the execution of your
orders without loss or injury to any engaged in the expedition.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBERT TOWNSEND,
Commander, United States Navy.
Rear- Admiral D. G. Paeragut,
Com'dg W. O: B. Squadron, U. S. Flag-Ship Tennessee, New Orleans.
MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON.
Report of Commander H. Walke of the part taken by the Mound City in the
battle of Belmont, Kentucky.
United States Gunboat Taylor,
Mound City, November 9, 1861.
Sib : I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 6th instant I
received instructions from General Grant to proceed down the river, in com-
pany with the Lexington, under Commander Stembel, for a reconnoissance
and as convoy to some half dozen transport steamers. We proceeded oppo-
site to Norfolk, near the Kentucky shore, where we rounded to, and anchored
for the night. I then learned for the iirst time the extent of the recon-
noissance.
At 3 o'clock the following morning, at the request of General Gratit, the
Taylor and Lexington started down the river for the purpose of engaging
their batteries at Columbus, but, after proceeding a few miles, we were met
by such a dense fog as to render any further progress hazardous ; we there-
fore rounded to, and returned to the point from whence we started. At 6
o'clock we all got under way, our two gunboats taking the lead and convoy-
ing the steamers containing Generals Grant and McClernand and their aids,
and some 3,000 troops, two companies of cavalry, and some artillery. We
proceeded down the river to the extreme end of Lucas's bend, and just
without, as I thought, the range of their guns on Iron banks. After the
troops had disembarked and were under marching orders, (half past eight
o'clock,) our two boats proceeded to engage their batteries on Iron Banks,
expending each several rounds of shell, and returning 'to the transports.
Their shot passed over us, though in some instances coming very close to
us. At this time, with their long-range rifled cannon, they sent a la'rge
number of shot half a mile above the transports. I requested the captains
of the transports to move up and out of the range of their shot, which they
did. At ten o'clock, the engagement having commenced at Belmont, we
again engaged the Iron bank batteries, expending still more shell, their
shot flying around us but doing no harm, while our shell seemed to go where
ARMORED VESSELS. 351
they could be eff(;ctive. We returned, after an engagement of about twenty
minutes, to the transports.
At about noon, hearing the battle of Belmont still going on, our two gun-
boats made a third attack upon their batteries, this time going nearly a
quarter of a mile nearer to them. We opened a brisk fire of shell, and
seemingly with good effect, while in this engagement one of their 24-pound-
ers struck us on the starboard bulwarks, and, continuing obliquely through
the spar deck, took off the head of Michael Adams, seaman, and broke the
arm and otherwise seriously injured James Wolfe, seaman, and slightly
wounding a third. Acting Surgeon Kearney, who was cool and assiduous
in the discharge of his duties, immediately dressed Wolfe's wound, but con-
siders him in a critical condition. We fired a few more shell and returned,
keeping up the fire from our stern guns as long as we were within reach of
them.
It is providential that we have escaped with so little damage. A frag-
ment of one of their shells struck us in the stern, doing but trifling damage.
When nearly all our troops had re-embarked, or were about ready to start,
a sudden attack was made upcm the transport vessels by a large force
coming in from above. Our gunboats being in good position, we opened a
brisk fire of grape, canister, and 5" shells, silencing the enemy with great
slaughter. After the transports were under way we followed them, throw-
ing a shell occasionally to repel the enemy's approach to the banks. When
a few miles up the river, we met one of the transports (Chancellor) with
Brigadier General McOlernand aboard, who stated that some of their men
were left behind, and asked that we might return with our gunboats and
see if we could find them. We did so, the Lexington accompanying us,
and between us succeeded in securing nearly all there were left behind, to-
gether with about forty prisoners, including some badly wounded.
We then proceeded up to Island No. 1, when the Kob Roy met us, with
instructions from General Grant to turn over all the troops and prisoners,
and to remain until Colonel Cook, who was down the Kentucky shore on a
reconnoissance, should return. He returned at ten o'clock, and at eleven I
weighed anchor and proceeded to Cairo, having sent the Lexington on
before me.
It is but an act of justice to the ofScers and crew to state that they acted
throughout all our engagements with perfect coolness, ability, and courage,
the crew answering the calls to quarters with an alacrity becoming earnest
co-operators for the government. 1 was astonished, with the apparently
new material we have, to see with what zeal and efBciency they all per-
formed their parts.
The Lexington, under Commander Stembel, as consort, supported me
throughout the day with the most commendable energy and efficiency.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. WALKE,
Commander U. S. N.
Captain A. H. Poote, U. S. N.,
Commanding Naval Forces on Western Waters.
[Telegram.]
United States GuiNboat Tayloe,
Mississippi, below Cairo, January 11, 1862.
Sir : Yesterday, as reported to the department, I sent Captain Porter,
with the Essex, and Lieutenant Commanding Paulding with the St. Louis,
down the river to protect the advance" brigade under General McOlernand,
352
AEMOKED VESSEI/S.
and, also, have sent two other gunboats up the Tennessee river. This
morning three rebel gunboats came up from Columbus, and opened the at-
tack on the Essex and St. Louis at long range, and for twenty minutes the
fire was very brisk between the five boats engaged, when the rebel boats
retreated, but -a running fire was continued for an hour, until the rebel
boats were driven behind their batteries at Columbus. Captain Porter be-
lieves that one of the rebel boats was disabled.
A. H. FOOTE, Fls.g-Offi.cer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Letter from Flag-Officer Foote, enclosing report of Commander W. D. Porter,
of the gunboat Essex.
Cairo, January 13, 1862.
Sir : I forward a report from Commander Porter. The rebel gunboat
shells all fell short of our boats, while our shells reached and ranged bej'ond
their boats, showing the greater range of our guns, but the escape of the
rebels showed the greater speed of their boats.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles, •
Secretary of the Navy.
United States Gunboat Essex,
Fort Jefferson, January 13, 1862.
Sir : On the morning of the 11th General McClernand sent on board this
vessel and informed me that the enemy were moving up the river from Co-
lumbus with several vessels, towing up a battery. I immediately" signalled
Lieutenant Commanding Paulding, of the St. Louis, to get under way and
prepare for action. A very thick fog coming on, we were compelled to
steam slowly down the river, but about 10 o'clock, or a little after, it rose,
and showed us a large steamer at the head of Lucas's bend. We heard her
whistle the moment we were seen by them. Shortly after whistling she
was joined by another large and a small steamer. We pursued our course
steadily down the river, and when within long range the large steamer
fired a heavy shell gun, which struck the sand bar between us and ricocheted
within about two hundred yards of this vessel and burst. We at this time
did not return the fire, but continued our course down in order to near the
vessel. By this time the large steamer was joined by her consorts, and
they opened a brisk fire upon us. I now hailed Lieutenant Commanding
Paulding, and directed him to try one of his rifle cannon. He instantly
fired, and sent his shot completely over the enomjf. I then opened from my
bow guns, and the action became brisk on both sides for about twenty min-
utes, the enemy firing by broadsides. At the end of this time the enemy
hauled off and stood down the river, rounding to occasionally and giving us
broadsides. This running fight continued until he reached the shelter of his
batteries on the Iron bank, above Columbus. We continued the action, and
drove him behind their batteries in a crippled condition, as we could dis-
tinctly see our shell explode on his decks. The action lasted over an hour,
and terminated, as I think, in a complete defeat' of the enemy's •boats, supe-
rior in size and number of guns to the Essex and St. Louis. On the 12th
ARMORED VESSELS. 353
General McOlernand requested me to make a reconnoissance. towards the
Iron banks. I did so, and offered the enemy battle by firing a round shot
at their battery, but they did not respond, nor did I see anything of their
boats. I have since been informed, through the general, that the boats of
the enemy were completely disabled, and the panic became so great at the
Iron banks that the gunners deserted their guns.
The fire of the St. Louis was precise, aild the shot told well. The officers
and men of this vessel behaved with firmness — Mr. Riley, our first master,
carrying out all mj' orders strictly, while the officers of the gun divisions,
Messrs. Laning and Perry, paid particular attention to the pointing of their
respective guns. Mr. Brittan, my aid, paid all attention to my orders, and
conveyed them correctly and with alacrity. In fact, all the officers and
men on board behaved like veterans.
I have the honor to be, &c.
W. D. PORTER, Commander.
Flag-Officer A. H. Poote.
Flag-Officer Foote's report of attack on Fort Henry, February 6, 1862.
Cairo, III., February *l, 1862.
Sib: I have the honor to report that on the 6th instant, at 12J o'clock p.
m.,. I made an attack on Port Henry, on the Tennessee river, with the iron-
clad gunboats Cincinnati,. Commander Stembel; the flag-ship Essex, Com-
mander Porter; the Carondelet, Commander Walke, and St. Louis, Lieutenant
Commanding Paulding; also taking with me the three old gunboats Cou-
estoga. Lieutenant Commanding Phelps; the Taylor, Lieutenant Command-
ing Grwinn, and the Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk, as a second
division, in charge of Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, which took position
astern and inshore of the armored boats, doing good execution there in the
action, while the armored boats were placed in the first order of steaming,
approaching the fort in a parallel line.
The fire was opened at seventeen hundred yards distance from the flag-
ship, which was followed by the other gunboats, and responded to by the
fort. As we approached the fort under slow steaming till we reached within
six hundred yards of the rebel batteries, the fire, both from the gunboats
and forts, increased in rapidity and accuracy of range. At twenty minutes
before the rebel flag was struck, the Essex, unfortunately, received a shot
in her boilers, which resulted in the wounding, by scalding, of twenty-nine
officers and men, including Commander Porter, as will be seen in the en-
closed list of casualties. The Essex then necessarily dropped out of line,
astern, entirely disabled, and unable to continue the fight, in which she had
so gallantly participated until the sad catastrophe. The firing continued
with unabated rapidity and effect upon the three gunboats, as they contSnued
still to approach the fort with their destructive fire until the rebel flag was
hauled down, after a severe and closely-contested action of one hour and
fifteen minutes.
A boat, containing the adjutant general and captain of engineers, came
alongside after the flag was lowered, and reported that General Lloyd Tilgh-
man, the commander of the fort, wished to communicate with the flag-officer,
when I despatched Commander Stembel and Lieutenant Commanding Phelps,
with orders to hoist the American flag where the secession ensign ha'd been
flying, and to inform General Tilghman that I would see him oa board the
flag-ship. He came on board soon after the Union had been substituted by
Commander Stenibel for the rebel flag on the fort, and possession taken.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 23
354 AEMORED VESSELS.
I received the general, his, staff, and some sixty or seventy men as pris-
oners, and a hospital ship containing sixty invalids, together with the fort
and its effects, mounting twenty guns, mostly of heavy cal^re, with barracks
and tents capable of accommodating fifteen thousand fiken, and sundry
articles, whiph, as I turned the fort and its effects over to General Grant,
commanding the army, on his arrival in an hour after we had made the cap-
ture, he will be enabled to give the government a more correct statement
of than I am enabled to communicate from the short time I had possession
of the fort. The plan of the attack, so far as the army reaching the rear of
the fort to make a demonstration simultaneously with the navy, was frus-
trated by the excessively muddy roads and high stage of water preventing
the arrival of our troops vntil some time after I had taken possession of the
fort. ■
On securing the prisoners and making necessary preliminary arrange-
ments, I despatched Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, with his division, up
the Tennessee river, as I had previously directed, and as wiJl be seen in the
enclosed orders to him to remove the rails, and so far render the bridge
incapable of railroad transportation and communication between Bowling
Green and Columbus, and afterwards to pursue the rebel gunboats, and secure
their capture, if possible. This being accomplished, and the army in pos-
session of the fort, and my services being indispensable at Cairo, I left Fort
Henry in the evening of the same day, with the Cincinnati, Essex, and St.
Louis, and arrived here this morning.
The armored gunboats resisted effectually the shot of the enemy when
striking the casemate. The Cincinnati (flag-ship) received thirty-one shots;
the Essex fifteen; the St. Louis seven, and the Carondelet six — killing one,
and wounding nine in the Cincinnati, and killing one in the Essex; while
the casualties in the latter from steam amounted to twenty-eight in number.
The Carondelet and St. Louis met with no casualties.
The steamers were admirably handled by their commanders and officers,
presenting only their bow guns to the enemy, to avoid exposure of the vul-
nerable parts of their vessels. Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, with his
division, also executed my orders very effectually, and promptly proceeded
up the river in their further execution, after the capture of the fort. In fact,
all the officers and men gallantly performed their duty, and, considering the
little experience they have had under fire, far more than realized my expec-
tations.
Port Henry was defended with the most determined gallantry by General
Tilghmau, worthy of a better cause, who, from his own account, went into
action with eleven guns of heavy calibre bearing upon our boats, which he
fought until seven of the number were dismounted or otherwise rendered
useless.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
A. H. POOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of part taken by the Carondelet in the capture of Fort Henry.
United States Gunboat Cahondelet,
Fort Henry, . Tennessee Biver, February 8, 1862.
Sir: In compliance with your special order of the 2d instant, and in accord-
ance to your signal number of the morning of the 6th, I respectfully report
the incidents which oecu'rred en board this vessel, coumected with the victory
you so nobly won, in the capture of Fort Henry on that day.
ARMORED ' VESSELS. 355
The Caropdelet was kept in line as nearly as possible with the other boats,
(first order of steaming,) with the exception of being interlocked with the
St. Louis a considerable portion of the time, in consequence of being crowded,
and, by mistake of our pilot in ringing the bell to back, instead of one to go
ahead, according to my repeated orders, the boat lost one length astern of
her position for the space of two or three minutes. The mistake being
immediately corrected, she resumed her position in line, keeping up a con-
tinued, steady, and careful firing upon the enemy's batteries from the instant
you fired your first gun until he struck. None killed or wounded on board.
The Carondelet was struck nine or ten times during the engagement by
the enemy's shot, as follows: five times on plating of the bow, four of which
were within eight inches of the ports; one upon the starboard bow, under
water; one on the port broadside, cutting the timbers and planking some
six feet; one' taking away a section of the port hammock nettings; one
taking away a portion of the port awning stanchion; and another cutting
away the gig's fall.
It is with pleasure and pride that I have to state that during the action
the officers and crew under my command performed their duties with per-
fect courage, coolness, and ability, so far as I could observe; and I have
reason to believe, from what I have seen and heard on shore, that their aim
was correct, their shot striking with terrible effect on Fort Henry.
With most sincere congratulations, I have the honor to be, sir, most re-
spectfully, your obedient servant,
H. WALEB,
Commander, United States Navy.
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Gom'dg Naval Forces, Western Waters.
TJnited States Gunboat Conestoga,
Fort Henry, Tennessee, February 6, 1862.
Sir : In conformity with your directions, the division of gunboats under
my command, consisting of the Tyler, Lieutenant Commanding Gwin; Lex-
ington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk, and this vessel, in the attack of this
morning on this work, took up a position upon the left bank of the river, and
opened fire with shells immediately after your first gun was fired, and con-
tinued firing until the rebel flag was hauled down, having succeeded in.
throwing shells without firing over your flag-ship, or over the other iron-
plated boats in close contact with the fort. There were fired from this ves-
sel seventy-five 32-pounder shells, fourteen 12-pounder rifled shells, and two
round shot. No injury was done to either of the vesselsj and no casualties
occurred, though we were at times exposed to the ricochet of the close fire
upon your vessel, as well as to the direct fire of a 32-pounder rifled piece-
until it burst. The commanders of the Tyler, and Lexington handled their
vessels with excellent judgment. I enclose their reports. The ofBcers and
crew of this vessel displayed coolness and an admirable spirit in this action,
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. L. PHELPS,
lAeutenaM-Gornmanding, United States Navy.
Flag-Officer' A. H. Foote, U. S. N.,
Oom'dg Naval Forces, Western Waters.
366 AEMORED VESSELS.
Letter from Flag- Officer Foote, forwarding Lieutenant Commanding Phelps's
report of operations on the Tennessee river.
United States Flag-Steamer St. Louis,
Fadvcah, February 12, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor and high gratification to forward to the department
the official report of Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, by which it will be
seen that he has, with consummate skill, courage, and judgment, performed
a highly beneficial service to the government, which, 1. doubt not, will ap-
preciate it. I cannot too highly commend the conduct of Lieutenant Com-
manding Phelps for this his signal service in his long cruise to the head of
navigation on the Tennessee river.
I am now, with three iron-clad steamers, ascending the Cumberland river,
to co-operate with General Grant in an attack on Fort Donelson. Lieuten-
ant Commanding Phelps, with his division, accompanies me.
In great haste, I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Lieutenant Commanding Phelps's report of operations on the Tennessee river.
Unfted States Gunboat Conbstoga,
Tennessee River, February 10, 1862,
Sir :. Soon after the surrender of Fort Henry, on the 6th instant, I pro-
ceeded, in obedience to your order, up the Tennessee river, with the Tyler,
Lieutenant Commanding Gwin; Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk,
and this vessel, forming a division of the flotilla, and arrived after dark at
the railroad crossing, twenty-five miles above the fort, having on the way
destroyed a small amount of camp equipage abandoned by the flying rebels.
The draw of the bridge was found closed, and the machinery for turning it
disabled. About a mile and a half above were several rebel transport steam-
ers escaping up stream.
A party was landed, and in one hour I had the satisfaction to see the draw
open. The Tyler being the slowest of the gunboats. Lieutenant Command-
ing Gwin landed a force to destroy a portion of the railroad track and to
secure such military stores as might be found, while I directed Lieutenant
Commanding Shirk to follow me with all speed in chase of the fleeing boats.
In five hours this boat succeeded in forcing the rebels to abandon and burn
three of their boats loaded with military stores. The first one fired (Samuel
Orr) had on board a quantity of submarine batteries, which very soon ex-
ploded. The second one was freighted with powder, cannon, shot, grape,
balls, &c. Fearing an explosion from the fired boats — there were two to-
gether — I had stopped at a distance of one thousand yards; but even there
our skylights were broken by the concussion, the light upper deck was
raised bodily, doors were forced open and locks and fastenings everywhere
broken.
The whole river, for half a mile round about, was completely " beaten up"
hy the falling fragments and the shower of shot, grape, balls, &c. The house
of a reported Union man was blown to pieces, and it is suspected there was
design in landing the boats in front of the doomed home. The Lexington
having fallen astern, and being without a pilot on board, I concluded to wait
for both of the boats to come up. Joined by them, we proceeded up the
AEMOEED VESSELS. 357
river. Lieutenant Commanding Gwin had destroyed some of the trestle-
work at the end of the bridge, burning with them a lot of camp equipage.
I. N. Brown, formerly^ a lieutenant in the navy, now signing himself "Lieut.
0. S. N.," had fled with such precipitation as to leave his papers behind.
These Lieutenant Commanding Gwin brought away, and I send thcra to
you, as they give an official history of the rebel floating preparations on the
Mississippi, Cumberland, and. Tennessee. Lieutenant Brown had charge of
the construction of gunboats.
At night on the 1th we arrived at a landing in Hardin county, Tennessee,
known as Cerro Gordo, where we found the steamer Eastport being con-
verted into a gunboat. Armed boat crews were immediately sent on board,
and search made for means of destruction that might have been devised.
She had been scuttled and the suction-pipes broken. These leaks were soon
stopped. A number of rifle shots were tired at our vessels, but a couple of
shells dispersed the rebels. On examination I found that there were large
quantities of timber and lumber prepared for fitting up the Eastport; that
the vessel itself — some 280 feet long — was in excellent condition, and
already half-finished; considerable of the plating designed for her was lying
on the bank, and everything at hand to complete her. I therefore directed
Lieutenant Commanding Gwin to remain witli the Tj'ler to guard the prize
and to load the lumber, &c., while the Lexington and Conestoga should pro-
ceed still higher up.
Soon after daylight on the 8th we passed Eastport, Mississippi; and at
Chickasaw, further up, near the State line, seized two steamers, the Sallie
Wood and Muscle — the former laid up, and the latter freigh.ted with iron
destined for Richmond and for rebel use. We then proceeded on up the
river, entering the State of Alabama, and ascending the Florence at the foot
of the Muscle Shoals. On coming in sight of the town three steamers were
discovered, which were immediately set on fire by the rebels. Some shots
were fired from the opposite side of the river below. A force was landed,
and considerable quantities of supplies, marked " Port Henry," were secured
from the burning wrecks. Some had been landed and stored. These I
seized, putting such as we could bring away on our vessels, and destroying
the remainder. No flats or other craft could be found. I found, also, more
of the iron and plating intended for the Eastport.
A deputation of citizens of Florence waited upon me, first desiring that
they might ,be made able to quiet the fears of their wives and daughters with
assurances from me that they would not be molested; and secondly, praying
that I would not destroy their railroad bridge. As for the first, I told
.them we were neither ruffians nor savages, and that we were there to protect
from violence and to enforce the law; and with reference to the second, that
if the bridge were away we could ascend no higher, and that it could pos-
sess no military importance, so far as I saw, as it simply connected Flor-
ence itself with the railroad on the south bank of the river.
We had seized three of their steamers — one the half-fioished gunboat —
and had forced the rebels to burn six others loaded with supplies; and their
loss, with that of the freight, is a heavy blow to the enemy. Two boats are
still known to be on the Tennessee, and are doubtless hidden in some of the
creeks, where we shall be able to find them when there is time for the
search. We returned, on the night of the 8th, to where the Eastport lay.
The crew of the Tyler had already gotten on board of the prize an im-
mense amount of lumber, &o. The crews of the three boats set to work to
finish the undertaking, and we have brought away probably 250,000 feet of
the best quality of ship and building lumber, all the iron, machinery, spikes,
plating, nails, &g., belonging to the rebel gunboats, and I caused the mill
to be destroyed where the lumber had been sawed.
358 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Lieutenant Commanding Gwin had, in our absence, enlisted some twenty-
five Tennesseeans, who gave information of the encampment of Colonel
Drew's rebel regiment at Savannah, Tennessee. A portion of the six or
seven hundred men were known to be " pressed" men, and all were badly
armed. After consultation with Lieutenant Commanding Gwin and Shirk,
I determined to make a land attack upon the encampment. Lieutenant
Commanding Shirk, with thirty riflemen, came on board the Conestoga,
leaving his vessel to guard the Eastport, and, accompanied by the Tyler,
we proceeded up to that place, prepared to land 130 riflemen and a twelve-
pounder rifle howitzer. Lieutenant Commanding Gwin took command of
this force when landed, but had the mortification to find the camp deserted.
The rebels had fled at 1. o'clock in the night, leaving considerable quan-
tities of arms, clothing, shoes, camp utensils, provisions, implements, &c.,
all of which were secured or destroyed, and their winter quarters of log
huts were burned. I seized, also, a large mail-bag, and send you the let-
ters giving military information. The gunboats were then dropped down
to a point where arms, gathered under the rebel " press-law," had been
stored, and an armed party, under Second Master Goudy, of the Tyler, suc-
ceeded in seizing about seventy rifles and fowling-pieces. Returning to
Cerro Gordo, we took the Eastport, Sallie Wood, and Muscle in tow, and
came down the river to the railroad crossing. The Muscle sprang a leak,
and all efforts failing to prevent her sinking, we were forced to abandon
her, and with her a considerable quantity of fine lumber. We are having
trouble in getting through the draw of the bridge here.
I now come to the, to me, the most interesting portion of this report — one
which has already become lengthy; but I must trust you will find some ex-
cuse for this in the fact that it embraces a history of labor and movements,
day and night, from the 6th to the 10th of the month, all of which details I
deem it proper to give you. We have met with the most gratifying proofs of
loyalty everywhere across Tennessee and in the portions of Mississippi and -Ala-
bama we visited. Most affecting instances greeted us almost hourly. Men,
women, and children several times gathered in crowds of hundreds, shouted
their welcome, and hailed their national flag vnth an enthitsiami there was no
mistaking; it was genuine and heartfelt. These people braved everything to
go to the river bank, where a sight of their flag might once more be en-
joyed, and they have experienced, as they related, every possible form of
persecution. Tears flowed freely down the cheeks of men as well as of
women, and there were those who had fought under the stars and stripes at
Moultrie, who, in this manner, testified to their joy.
This display of feeling and sense of gladness at our success, and the hopes
it created in the breasts of so many people in the heart of the confederacy,
astonished us not a little, and I assure you, sir, I would not have failed to
witness it for any consideration. I trust it has given us all a higher sense
of the sacred character of our present duties. I was assured at Savannah,
that of the several hundred troops there, more than one-half, had we gone
to the attack in time, would have hailed us as deliverers and gladly enlisted
with the national force.
In Tennessee the people generally, in their enthusiasm, braved seces-
sionists and spoke their views freely; but in Mississippi and Alabama what
was said was guarded. "If we dared to eocpress ourselves freely, you would
hear such a shout greeting your coming as you never heard." " We know there
are many Unionists among us, but a reign of terror makes us afraid of our
shadows." We were told, too, " bring us a small organized force, with
arms and ammunition for us, and we can maintain our position and put
down rebellion in our midst." There were, it is true, whole communities
who, on our approach, fled to the woods; but these were where there was
AEMOEED VESSELS. 359
less of the loyal element, and where the fleeing steamers in advance had
spread tales of our coming' with firebrands, burning, destroying, ravishing,
and plundering.
The crews of these vessels have had a very laborious time, but have
evinced a spirit in the work highly creditable to them. Lieutenant Com-
manding Gwin and Shirk have been untiring, and I owe to them and to their
officers many obligations for our entire success.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
S L. PHELPS,
Lieutenant Commanding, United States Navy.
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Commanding leaved Forces Western Waters.
Flag-Officer Foot^s report of attack on Fort Dondson, February 14, unth list
of casualties.
Flag-Ship St. Louis,
'Hear Fort Donelson, Cumberland Biver, February 15," 1852.
Snt: I have the honor to report to the department that, at the urgent re-
quest of Major General Halleck and General Grant, who regarded the
movement as a military necegsity, although not, in my opinion, properly
prepared, I made an attack on Fort Donelson yesterday, the 14th instant, at
3 o'clock p. m., with four iron-clad and two wooden gunhoats, the St. Louis,
Carondelet, Louisville, and Pittsburg, and the Tyler and (Jonestoga. After
a severe fight of an hour and a half, being in the latter of the action less
tiian four hundred yards from the fort, the wheel of this vessel, by a shot
through her pilot-house, was carried away; the tiller-ropes of the Louisville
were also disabled by a shot, which rendered the two boats wholly un-
manageable, and they drifted down the river, the relieving tackles not being
able to steer or control them in the rapid current. The two remaiaing boats,
the Pittsburg and Carondelet, were also greatly damaged between wind and
water, and soon followed us as the enemy rapidly renewed the fire as we
drifted helplessly down the river. This vessel, the St. Louis, alone received
fifty-nine shots, four of them between wind and water; one in the pilot-
house, mortally wounding the pilot and others, requiring some time to put
her in repair. There were fifty-four killed and wounded in this attack,
which, notwithstanding our disadvantages, we have every reason to sup-
pose would, in fifteen minutes more, could the action have been continued,
have resulted in the capture of the two forts bearing upon us. The enemy's
fire had materially slackened, and he was running from his batteries, when
the two gunboats helplessly drifted down the river from disabled steering
apparatus, as the relieving tackles could not control the helm in the strong
current, when the fleeing enemy returned to their guns and again reopened
fire upon us from the river batteries which we had silenced.
The enemy must have brought over twenty heavy guns to bear upon our
boats from the water batteries and the main fort on the side of the hill, while
we could only return the fire with twelve bow-guns from the four boats. One
rifle gun aboard the Carondelet burst during the action.
The officers and men in this hotly-contested but unequal fight behaved
with the greatest gallantry and determination, all deploring the accident
which rendered two gunboats suddenly helpless in the narrow river and
swift current.
On consultation with General Grant and my own officers, as my services,
tintil we can repair damages by bringing up a competent force from Cairo to
360 AEMOEED VESSELS.
attack the fort, are much less required here than they are at Cairo, I shall
proceed to that point with two of the disabled boats, leaving the two others
here to ^protect the transports, and, with all despatch, prepare the mortar
boats and the Benton, with other boats, to make an effectual attack upon
Fort Donelson.
I have sent the Tyler to the Tennessee river to render impassable the
bridge, so as to prevent the rebels at Columbus re-enforcing their army at
Fort Donelson. I am informed that the rebel batteries were served with the
best gunners from Columbus. I transmit herewith a list of casualties.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE,
Flag- Officer, Com'dg U. S. Naval Forces, Western Waiers.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. O.
CASUALTIES.
St. ioMis.— Killed : Charles W. Baker, ship's cook; F. A. Kiley, pilot.
Wounded: Flag-Officer A. H. Foote; R. G. Baldwin, pilot; Charles Smith,
boatswain's mate; R. H. Medill, carpenter; Antonio Calderio, Thomas Kirk-
ham, W. S. Coon, and John Thompson, seamen.
Carondelet. — Killed: Albert Eichardson, Joseph G. Laycock, Albert Mark-
ham, and William Duff, seamen. Wounded: William Hinton, pilot, (since
dead;) Samuel Brooks, 2d assistant engineer; John Doherty, second master;
Thomas Brown, captain of gun; Richard Mahoney, quartermaster; John Mc-
Bride, ship's cook; Owen Canty, James Plant, James Brown, Patrick Laugh-
lin, Edward Green, Owen Conly, Henry Smith, Patrick Sullivan, John Owen,
William B. Roney, James McFadden, John Diamond, Amos Dutch, Richard
O'Brien, William Johnson, Patrick O'Brien, William Thielman, Benjamin Ed-
ger, Henry Anderson, Daniel F. Charles, John Doughty, John Murphy, John
McConnell, seamen.
Pittsburg. — Wounded: Charles Merwin and George Smith, seamen.
Louisville. — Killed: James Curtiss, E. W. Avilla, Charles Billips, and John
Williams, seamen. Wounded: Michael Kelley, E. S. Collins, William Higgins
John Paul, Charles Might.
Rqicrri of part taken by Carondelet in the attack on Fort Done'eon.
United States Gunboat Carondelet,
Cumberland River, Fdn-uary 15, 1862.
Sm: I hereby report the part which the gunboat Carondelet took in the
bombardment of Fort Donelson on the 14th instant. Agreeably to your in-
structions, we weighed anchor at 2 p. m., and steamed up the river, slowly
approaching the fort, and keeping a little in advance of our position on your
extreme left against the eastern bank of the river.
At 3 p. m. commenced firing at about a mile distant from the fort, continu-
ing a deliberate and well-directed firing from the instant your vessel com
menced, and kept up the same until about 5.30 p. m. and until all the fleet
had dropped down the river out of the enemy's range.
During the engagement one of our rifled guns burst, about 5 p. m., our
officers and men serving the remaining two guns faithfully as long as the
enemy were within reach. We suffered most severely in the latter part of
the action being disabled by a shot striking our wheel-house and jamming
the wheel, and being the last out of the enemy's reach.
I am sorry to add that an 8-inch, apparently from our flotilla, burst astern
ARMORED VESSELS. 361
of us, the fragments of which penetrated our casemate. We were struck
with 35 of the enemy's shot, 128-pounders to 32-pounder8 solid. Four of our
crew were killed and thiity-two wounded, some dangerously, one of whom is
our pilot; in all, forty-six wounded since the battle and capture of Fort
Henry. Our hoats were so much cut up that I have but one fit for service.
We leak badly forward and aft, and require extensive repairs above and
below water-mark and in almost every department.
The officers and crew on duty conducted themselves with admirable cool-
ness and fidelity during the engagement; but I must, in justice to J. E. Hall,
gunner United States navy, and Edward B. Brenard, master's mate, state that
their intrepid and efficient conduct, under all emergencies, deserves my high
est commendation.
We are in want of coal, provisions and ammunition.
I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. WALKS,
Commander United States Navy.
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Gmtimanding United States Naval Forces, Western Waters.
P. S. — As we dropped out of the action the Pittsburg, as she turned, struck
us on our starboard quarter, and broke off our starboard rudder iron.
Flag- Officer Foote reporb leaving for ClarlavUle, Sfc.
Cairo, February IT, 1862.
Sir: I forwarded a despatch this morning, announcing the fall or capture
of Fort Donelsoa by the army.
I' leave immediately, with a view of proceeding to Clarksville with eight
mortar boats and two iron-clad boats, with the Conestoga, (wooden boat,) as
the river is falling rapidly. The other iron-clad boats are badly cut up, and
require extensive repairs. I have sent one of the boats already since my
return, and ordered a second to follow me, which with eight mortar boats I
hope to carry Clarksville.
I have no further information than that communicated by telegram this
morning. Enclosed are papers from Commanders Walke and Dove, referring
to matters the, day before and the day after an attack upon Fort Donelson,
which fort we sadly disabled in the fight of the 14th.
My foot is much inflamed; but with care, the surgeon considers, will soon
be better, as I have two days' rest on board the Conestoga before reaching
Clarksville. I leave Fleet-Captain Pennock in charge, who is performing
excellent service; but we are sadly in want of men. I have ordered 150 car-
penters to repair damages.
The department will please excuse this hasty communication, as I must
leave immediately, and every moment of my time is occupied.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. t'OOTE, Flag-captain.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
P. S. — I have ordered Lieutenant Sanford, on his return with the ammu-
nition steamers, now at Cincinnati, to inform the ordnance department of the
loss or disabling of one gun and gun-carriage. Please inform that depart-
ment. A. H. F.
362
AEMOEED VESSELS,
Eepori of Commander Walke.
United States Gtunboat Cakondelet,
l^ear Fort Donelson, Oumherland River, February 15, 1862.
Sm: I arrived here (towed by the Alps) on the 12th instant, about 11.20
a. m., and seeing or hearing nothing of our army, I threw a few shell into
Port Donelson to announce my arrival to General Grant, as he had previously
desired. I then dropped down the river a few miles and anchored for the
night, awaiting General Grant's arrival. On the morning of the 13th instant
I weighed anchor and came again to this place, when I received ,a despatch ■
from General Grant, notifying me of his arrival the day before, "and succeeded
in getting position almost entirely investing the enemy's works. Most of our
batteries (he writes) are established, and the remainder soon will be. , If you
will advance with your gunboats at 10 o'clock a, m., we will be ready to take
advantage of our division in our favor." I immediately complied with these
instructions by throwing some 139 15" and 10" shell into the fort, receiving,
in return, the enemy's fire from all their batteries, most of their shot passing
over us, and but' two striking us, one of which was a 128-pound solid. It
passed through our port casemate forward; glancing over our barricade at
the boilers, and again over the steam-drum, it struck, and bursting our steam-
heater, fell into the engine-room without striking any person, although the
splinters wounded slightly some half dozen of the crew. I then dropped
down to this anchorage, but the sound of distant firing being heard, we again
attacked the fort, throwing in some 45 shell and receiving but little damage.
I returned to this place to wait for further orders, when I received a
second depatch from General Grant that you were expected in the following
morning.
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. "WALKE,
Commander, United States Navy,
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Western Waters, Cairo, III.
Seport of Commander Dove. ,
UNrrED States Gunboat Louisville,
Off Dover, February 16, 1862.
Sir: At 2J p. m. yesterday, shortly after your departure, I received the
enclosed despatch (No. 1) from General Gi'sint.
It seemed of so much importance for us to keep up a show of force that I
decided not to accompany the Pittsburg down the river. I immediately
went on board the CarOndelet and St. LOuis, to see their condition and con-
sult with their commanders.
The Carondelet could not well be moved, but I ordered up the St. Lobis
and followed up with this vessel. The St. Louis threw a few shells, and
towards dark both vessels returned to their former anchorage.
At 8| p. m. yesterday I received the despatch marked No. 2, and early
this morning went on board the vessels to give instructions. The condition
of the Oarondelet's wounded would not allow them to be moved or the gnna
to be used. I sent my own and those of the St. Louis on board of one of
the transports, and got under way; steaming up towards the batteries at
Fort Donelson, both vessels cleared for action.
On approaching near enough, two white flags were seen • flying from the
ARMORED VESSELS. S63
Tipper one. I then stopped the gunboats and proceeded in the tug, with a
■white flag flying, and landed at the foot of the hill below the fort. I was
met by a major, who offered me his sword, which I declined to receive,
thinking it most proper to consult with General Grant. I took the major
on board the tug and proceeded up to General Buckner's headquarters,
whei-e I found General Wallace and his iaids. General Grant arrived about
hialf an hour afterwards. -The fort had soirrendered, but what the conditions
were I was not officially informed.
The transports 'arfe all up at Dover, to receive the prisoners. The Oaron-
delet, being most disabled of the gunboats, will go down this afternoon.
I will remain here with this vessel and the St. Louis until further orders,
or until the fall of the river compels me to go down. The St. Louis will
make a short reconnoissance up the river, at General Grant's suggestion,
this afternoon. This vessel will remain off the town.
The Graham arrived to-day with the mortar and gunboat ammunition.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BENJ. M. DOVE, Commander.
Flag-Officer A. H. Poote,
Commanding Mississippi Flotilla.
Flag-Officer Foatds report of contemplated reconnoissance to Columbus, Feb-
ruary 23, enclosing telegram and proclamation.
Flag-Steamer Conestoga, February 22, 1862.
Sir: After having telegraphed for several hours with General Cullum, th4
chief of General Halleck's staff here, and finding that nothing definite could
be ascertained, I ran down here; and to-morrow morning, at 6 o'clock, I go
down with General Cullilm, and four gunboats and two mortar boats, on ati
armed rfeconnoissance to Columbus, to see the condition of things at that
point. I am excessively hurried to get ready, and please excuse this letter.
I send copy of my first telegram.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
A. H. FOOTB, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
I enclose copy of a telegrard sent yoii yesterday. A. H. F.
United States Flag-Steamer Conestoga,
Ctarksmlle, Tenn., February 20, 1862,
We have 'possession of Clarksvflle. The citizens being alarmed, two-
thirds of them have fled, and, havitg expressed my views and intentions to
the mayor and Hon. Cave Johnson, at their request I have issued a proclama-
tion assuring all peaceably-disposed persons that they may with safety
resume their business avocations, requiring only the military stores and
ieqiiipments to be given up, and holding the authorities responsible that this
shall be done without reservation.
I left Fort Donelson yesterday, with the Odhestoga, Lieutenant Command-
ing Phelps, and the Cairo, Lieutenant Commanding Bryant, on an armed
reconnoissance, bringing with me Colonel Webster, of the engineer corps,
S64 AEMOEED VESSELS.
and chief of General Grant's staff, who, with Lieutenant Coromanding Phelps,
took possession of the principal fort and hoisted the Union flag. A Union
sentiment manifested itself as we came up the river. The rebels have re-
treated to Nashville, having set fire, against the remonstrances of the citi-
zens, to the splendid railroad bridge across the Cumberland river.
I return to Fort Donelson to-day for another gunboat and six or eight mor-
tar boats, with which I propose to proceed up the Cumberland. The rebels
all have a terror of the gunboats. One of them, a short distance above
Fort Donelson, had previously fired an iron rolling mill belonging to Hon.
John Bell, which had been used by the rebels.
A. H. FOOTE,
Flag-Officer, Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
PKOCLAMATION
To the inhdbiiants of Clarksville, Tennessee.
At the suggestion of the Hon. Cave Johnson, Judge Wisdom, and the
mayor of the city, who called upon me yesterday, after our hoisting the
Union flag and talsing possession of the forts, to ascertain my views and in-
tentions towards the citizens and private property, I hereby announce to all
peaceably-disposed persons that neither in their persons nor in their property
shall they suffer molestation by me or the naval force ander my command,
and that they may in safety resume their business avocations with the assu-
rance of my protection.
At the same time I require that all military stores and army equipments
shall be surrendered, no part of them being withheld or destroyed ; and
further, that no secession flag, or manifestation of secession feeling, shsjl
be exhibited ; and for the faithful observance of these conditions I shall hold
the authorities of the city responsible.
ANDREW H. FOOTE,
Flag- Officer, Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
U. S. Flag-Steamer Oonestoga,
Clarksville, Tenn., February 20, 1862.
Flag-Officer Foote to Omeral Oullum about moving on NashviUt.
Paducah, February 21, 1862.
General Grant and myself consider this a good time to move on Nash-
ville. Six mortar boats and two iron-clad steamers can precede the troops
and shell the forts. We were about moving for this purpose, when General
Grant, to my astonishment, received a telegram from General Halleck,
" Not to let the gunboats go higher than Clarksville." No telegram was
sent to me.
The Cumberland is in a good stage of water, and General Grant and I
believe we can take Nashville. Please ask General Halleck if we shall do
it. We will talk per telegraph, Captain Phelps representing me in the
office, as I am still on crutches.
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Offioer.
General Oullum, Cairo.
ARMORED VESSELS. 365
Flag- Officer Foote reports result of reoonnoissance to Columbus, Ey., Fehruw^
23, 1862.
United States Flag-Steamek Cincinnati,
Mississippi River, near Columbus, Ry., February 23, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to report that, in company with General CuUum,
chief of General Halleck's staff, with four iron-clad boats, two mortar boats,
and three traijsports, containing one thousand men, I made this day a
reconnoissance in force towards Columbus to ascertain its condition ; and
when near the batteries a flag of truce came out to communicate with us,
the result of which will be seen in the enclosed papers. The object of the
reconnoissance being attained, and finding that fire from the mortars would
lead the enemy to plant guns where they could reach them with their bat-
teries should we again open upon them with ar larger number of mortars, I
concluded to return to Cairo ; and there we must remain until the gun and
mortar boats are completed, as otherwise the flotilla will be demoralized for
want of time and means to properly prepare for active service. The army
will not move without gunboats, yet the gunboats are not in condition to
act offensively at present. On this subject I will soon write more fully. A
telegram will be sent the department on my arrival at Cairo, referring to
the events of to-day.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer, &c
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
P. S. — Columbus evinces no signs of an evacuation or dismounting guns.
The batteries seem to be intact, and we saw great numbers of tents and
troops.
A. H. F.
Headquaeters First DrrisioN Western Department,
Columbus, Ky., February 22, 1862.
-Presuming you will be willing to reciprocate the courtesy shown to the
families of officers of the United States army, after the battle of Belmont, in
allowing them to visit those officers who were prisoners within my lines, I
take the liberty of sending up, under a flag of truce, the families of several
of our officers who were captured at Donelson. Tiiese are the families of
General Buckner, Colonels Hawson and Medeira. They are accompanied by
Colonel Russell, Mr. Vance, and Sfockdale, as escorts ; also by Mr. Mass.
Hoping you may find it convenient to send these ladies forward to their
husbands, I have the honor to remain, respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. FOLK,
Major General, Commanding.
The Commanding Officer U. S. Forces, Cairo, III.
United States Flag-Steamer Cicincinnati,
Mississippi River, near Columbus, Ky., February 23, 1862.
General : Tour letter of the 22d instant, received to-day by the hands of
Captain Blake under a flag of truce, nearly within range of your guns, and
in the presence of our armed forces, at half-past twelve o'clock to-day, will be
366 ABMOEED VESSELS.
answered to-morrow by a flag of truce at the same point of the riyer at
■which this was received.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ANDREW H. FOOTE,
Flag-Officer Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
GEO. W. CULLUM, Brig. Gen.,
Chief of Staf and Engineers, Department of Missouri.
Major General L. Polk,
Commanding at Columbus, Ey.
Lieutenant Commanding Bryant to Flag-Officer Foote, reporting arrival, at
Nashville, February 25, 1862.
Gunboat Cairo,
Nashville, Tenn., February 25, 1862.
Sir : Uncertain that my letter of the 23d reached you, I repeat that I
departed from Clarksville for this point by the request of Brigadier General
Smith, commanding at Clarksville, and arrived here this morning, preceding
seven steamboats, conveying an army commanded by Brigadier General
Nelson. The troops landed without opposition. The banks of the river are
free from any hostile force. The railroad and suspension bridges here are
destroyed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. C. BRYANT,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Flag-OflScer A. H. Foote,
Commanding Flotilla, So.
Flag-Officer Foote encloses reports of Lieutenants Commanding Owin and
Shirk of attack on Pittsburg, Tennessee, March 1, 1862.
Cairo, March 3, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to forward reports made to me by Lieutenants
Commanding Gwin and Shirk, of the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, a
synopsis of which I telegraphed to you immediately on their receipt. I
cannot too highly commend the cautious, judicious, and bold conduct of
Lieutenant Commanding Gwin and his command in the service. I have
assigned hira on the Tennessee river. I regret it is not in my power to go
up the Tennessee in person; but the more important attack upon Columbus
tomorrow with five gunboats, four mortar boats, in charge of Lieutenant
Commanding Phelps, and the regiments, renders my presence at that point
absolutely necessary.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer,
Comd'g U. 8. Naval Forces on the Western Waters.
Hon. Gideon Welles, '
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. O.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 367
Report of Ideutenant Commander Gwin.
United States Gunboat Ttleb,
Savannah, Tennessee, March 1, 1862.
Sie: Having learned that the rebels had occupied and were fortifying a
place called Pittsburg, nine miles above, on the right bank of the river, (the
best point in the river for that purpose,) I determined to attack them.
At 12 m. the Tyler, followed by the Lexington, .Lieutenant Commanding
Shirk, proceeded up the river. When within twelve hundred yards of
Pittsburg we were opened upon by the rebel batteries, consisting, as well
as we could determine, of six or eight field-pieces, some rifled. Getting
within one thousand yards, the Tyler and Lexington opened a well-directed
fire, and we had the satisfaction of silencing their batteries.
We then proceeded abreast of the place, and, under the cover of grape
and canister, landed two armed boats from each vessel, containing, besides
their crews, a portion of company " 0," Captain Thaddeus Phillips, and com-
pany "K," First Lieutenant John T. Rider, of the 32d regiment Illinois
volunteers, (sharpshooters.) Second Master Jason Goudy commanded the
boats of the Tyler, and Second Master Martin Dunn commanded the boats
of the Lexington. The landing was successfully accomplished ; and this
small force actually drove back the rebels and held them in check until
they accomplished their difiBcult object, which was to discover their real
strength and purpose, and to destroy a house in close proximity to where
the batteries had been placed.
I found that, in addition to their artillery, they had a force of not less
than two regiments of infantry and a regiment of cavalry. In conclusion, I
have to state that the result was entirely satisfactory. Their batteries
were silenced in a short time, the landing was effected, the house destroyed,
and we discovered from their breastworks that they were preparing to
fortify strongly this point.
Too much praise cannot be given to Lieutenant Commanding Shirk for the
efiScient manner in which his vessel was handled. My thanks are due to
Captain Phillips, Lieutenant Rider, and their men, for the gallant manner
in which, in the face of the enemy, they charged up the hill, drove back and
held in check the rebels, until the boats' crews had effected the destruction
of the house designated. The ofiScers and men of this vessel behaved with
the greatest spirit and enthusiasm. Much praise is due to First Master
Edward Shaw and- Third Master James Martin for the efficient manner in
which the batteries were worked. I would particularly call your attention
to the gallant conduct of Second Master Jason Goudy, in charge of the
boats inshore, who succeeded in destroying the house under such heavy
fire, and Gunner Hermann Peters, in charge of the howitzer, who displayed
the greatest coolness and courage, although exposed to the whole fire of the
enemy, all but one of his men having been wounded. My thanks are also
due to Pilots Herier and Sebastian for their coolness under such a tremen-
dous fire of musketry, our vessel being perfectly riddled with balls. My
aid. Acting Paymaster William B. Coleman, rendered me, valuable assist-
ance during the action.
I have sent Lieutenant Commanding Shirk to Cairo with the transport
Izetta, loaded with the balance of the wheat I left at Clifton. I shall remain
aboi;it; here, paying Pittsburg a daily visit, which I hope will prevent the
rebels from accomplishing their object. Captain Shirk will lay before you
the importance, of keeping open this as well as all other points above here.
X have learned from reliable authority that the rebels have soi^e 4,000
troops in Florence, 5,000 or 6,000 in and about Eastport and luka, (near
368 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Bear Creek bridge,) and that they are fortifying in that vicinity. You will
therefore see the necessity of my remaining here.
We expended ninety-five shells, thirty stand of grape, ten of canister, and
sixty-seven rounds of shrapnell, grape, &c., from howitzer.
Enclosed is the report of casualties, by Acting Assistant Surgeon T. H.
Kearney, to whom I am indebted for his unremitting attention to the
wounded. I feel confident that we inflicted a severe loss on the enemy, as
several bodies were seen on the ground, and many seen to fall. I also
enclose Lieutenant Commanding Shirk's report.
Hoping that my course will meet your approbation, I have the honor to
be, &c.,
WM. GWIN,
Lieut. Comd'g Division of Gunboats on Tennessee Biver.
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Commanding Naval Forces in Western Waters.
List ofcasuaUUi sustained in the action at Pitlsbwg, Tennasee, March 1, 1862.
On the gunboat Tyler: Pleasant Gilbert, seaman, gunshot wound of leg,
necessitating amputation of the limb ; Crawford T. Hill, seaman, gunshot
wound of forearm; John Matthews, seaman, gunshot (flesh) wound of shoul-
der, slight; G-. W. Shull, seaman, gunshot wound of back, slight; Robert
Bell, seaman, gunshot wound of arm (flesh) and chest, not penetrating.
In detachment of thirty-second regiment of Illinois volunteers (company C)
carried on board: Captain Phillips, gunshot wound of leg, flesh; Daniel
Messick, orderly sergeant, killed.
Respectfully,
THOS. H. KEARNEY,
Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Gunboat Service.
Lieut. Commanding W. Gwin.
United States Gunboat Lexington,
Savannah, Tennessee, March 1, 1862.
Sm : In company with the gunboat Tyler, Lieutenant Commanding Gwin,
I this day proceeded in this vessel up the river to a landing on the west side,
called Pittsburg, distant about nine miles from this place.
When we had arrived within twelve or thirteen hundred yards of Pittsburg
we were fired upon by a rebel battery, consisting, as well as I could judge,
of six or eight field-pieces, one of which, at least, was rifled. We returned
their fire with shell, whicii were exceedingly well directed, and continued
until after their guns were silenced.
By order of Lieutenant Commanding Gwin, I despatched on shore two
armed boats, in charge of Second Master Martin Dunn, containing, in addi-
tion to their own pi;Dper crews, a detachment of company K, thirty-second
regiment Illinois volunteers, commanded by First Lieutenant John T. Rider,
with orders to follow the motions of the Tyler's boats. While the boats
were being landed we kept up a steady fire of grape and shell, raking the
side of the hill.
The landing party having accomplished their object and being met by a
much superior force, retired, receiving in their retreat a terrific fire of mus-
ketry. The enemy also fired several volleys of musketry at the gunboats,
AEMOEED VESSELS. 369
and then retired back from the brow of the hill. After the boats returned,
we gave the rebels a few more shell, and, receiving no answer, we dropped
down the river to this place.
My men report having seen several dead rebels upon the hill, and I my-
self saw a shell from this vessel, after the return of the boats, take eifect
upon a field offiicer, emptying his saddle, and dropping three foot soldiers.
I cannot speak in too high terms of the gallantry, good discipline, and
patriotic spirit evinced by the officers and men whom I have the honor to
command. For the efficient services of himself and his command I am
greatly indebted to First Lieutenant John T. Eider, company K, 32d regi-
ment Illinois volunteers.
I regret to have report the following casualties, viz: James Sullivan, sea-
man, killed ; Patrick Sullivan and Thomas M. Borland, seamen, missing ;
John Hines, corporal, company K, 32d regiment Illinois volunteers, missing.
James Sullivan was seen to fall upon the field shot through the breast.
During the action there were expended forty-five eight-inch shell, twenty-
five six-inch shell, and sixteen stand of grape.
Two rifles and one musket are missing. They are those taken by the un-
fortunate men whom we have lost.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
JAMES W. SHIRK,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Cairo, Illinois.
Flag-Officer Foote reports the evacutUion of Coiumbus, March I, 1862.
Cairo, March 1, 1862.
Sir : Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, sent with a flag of truce to-day to
Columbus, has this moment returned, and reports that Columbus is being
evacuated. He saw the rebels burning their winter quarters and removing
their heavy guns on the bluff's, but the guns in the water batteries remain
in tact. He also saw a large force of cavalry drawn up ostentatiously on the
bluff's, but no infantry were to be seen as heretofore, and the encampment
seen in our armed reconnoissance a few days since has been removed.
Large fires were visible in the town of Columbus and upon the river banks
below, indicating the- destruction of the town, military stores, and equip-
ments.
1 shall consult General Cullum, and we shall probably proceed to Colum-
bus, with the force we have ready, soon after daylight. General Polk informs
us that he will send a flag of truce at meridian to-morrow to the point where
the flags of truce met to-day, in reference to which we shall be governed ac-
cording to circumstances. But as General Oullum has not been fully coa-
sulted, I can give no particular information of our movements to-morrow.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 24
370 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Ilag-Officer Fooie repartifall of Columbus, and his purpose to proceed to New Madrid.
United States Flag-Steamer Cincinnati,
Columbus, March 4, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to forward a copy of the telegram sent to the de-
partment to-day announcing the fall of Columbus.
The fleet not being in a condition to proceed down to Island No. 10 and to
New Madrid where the rebels are represented as fortifying, I leave for Cairo
immediately to make the necessary preparation for going down the river
with a suitable foi-ce of gunboats and mortar boats in a proper condition for
effective service. I am fully impressed with the importance of proceeding
to New Madrid as soon as possible, where General Pope has arrived with
10,000 men ; but such is the condition of my command that I shall decline
moving, as I informed Generals Sherman and Cullum, unless I am ordered
to do so by the Secretary of the Navy, as I must be the judge of the condir
tion of the fleet, and when it is prepared for the service required,
It is due to Commander Pennock, the fleet captain, and to Mr. Sanford, the
ordnance ofBcer of the flotilla, to say to the department that these eflScient
officers earnestly entreated me to permit them to go on this expedition, as
well as up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers; but their services in pre-
paring the gun and mortar boats at Cairo being absolutely necessary, I re-
luctantly denied their application from a sense of duty to the government,
yet their services should be regarded as equally important to the great ob-
ject of the expedition as if they had participated personally in the difierent
actions.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. POOTB,
Flag-Officer, Cammanding If aval Forces, do.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Columbus, Kentucky, March i, 1862.
Sib: Columbus is in our possession. My armed reconnpissance, on the 3d
instant, caused a hasty evacuation, the rebels leaving quite a number of
guns and carriages, ammunition, and a large quantity of shot and shell, a
considerable number of anchors, and the remnant of the chain lately stretched
across the river, with a large number of torpedoes. Most of the huts, tents,
and quarters are destroyed.
The works are of very great strength, consisting of formidable tiers of
batteries on the water side, and on the land side surrounded by a ditch and
£^batis.
General Sherman, with Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, not knowing that
the works were last evening occupied by four hundred of the 2d Illinois
cavalry, on a scouting party sent by General Sherman from Paducah, made
a bold dash to the shore under the batteries, hoisting the .American flag on
the summit of the bluff, greeted by the hearty cheers of our brave tars and
soldiers.
The force consisted of six gunboats, four mortar boats, and three trans-
ports, having on board two regiments and two battalions of infantry, under
command of Colonel Buford — General Cullum and General Sherman being
in command of the troops. The former leaving a sick bed to go ashore,
discovered what was evidently a magazine on fire at both extremities, and
immediately ordered the train to be cut, and thus saved the lives of the
garrison.
ARMORED VESSELS- 371
While I cannot express too strongly my admiration of the gallantry and
wise counsels of this distinguished aid and engineer of General Halleck,
(General Gullum,) I must add that Commanders Dove, Walke, and Stembel,
and Lieutenants Commanding Paulding, Thompson, Shirk, and Phelps, the
latter being in command of the mortar division, assisted by Lieutenant San-
ford, of the ordnance department of the United States army, nobly performed
their duty.
I have my flag on board the Cincinnati, commanded by the gallant Com-
mander Stembel. General Sherman remains temporarily in command at
Columbus.
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon AVelles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Flag-Officer Foote forwards report of Lieutenant Commanding Gioin, of the
gunboat Tyler, March 5, 1862, communicating important information.
Cairo, March 6, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to forward a report just received from Lieutenant
Commanding Gwin, of the Tyler, communicating important information,
which, with a telegram just received from General Grant, commanding at
Fort Henry, stating that the rebels were fortifying Savannah, on the Ten-
nessee river, and calling for an additional gunboat, has been communicated
to General Halleck. I shall probably send an additional gunboat, making
three boats on that river.
The Assistant Secretary of War is now in my oflSce, and is informed of
the state of things, and we shall be able to meet the demands, I trust, by
having a force at hand suflScient to prevent any fortifications being erected
on the Tennessee as far up as the stage of water will permit the gunboats to
ascend the river.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c.,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
United States Gunboat Tyler,
Cairo, Illinois, March 5, 1W62.
Sir: I have returned from up the Tennessee, having left Pittsburg (the place
of our late engagement) last night. The enemy has not renewed his attempt
to ibrtify. I watched the point closely, and yesterday landed under a flag
of truce, which was allowed to go a mile from the river before being stopped
by their pickets. No sign of a renewed attempt could be discovered.
In mj' report of the engagement I stated that I felt confident the enemy
had suffered severely. 1 can now report that on the morning after the en-
gagement (Sunday) nine dead bodies and oub hundred wounded — many of
them mortally — were counted in their camp, which had been removed the
evening of the engagement, three miles back of the river. Some tents, where
they were carrying badly wounded men, they would not allow any one ta
visit; they were still bringing in wounded.
There is no doubt of the correctness of the above. It was reported fbat-
they buried fifteen the evening of the engagement. I think I can safely put
372 ARMORED VESSELS.
their loss down at twenty killed and one hundred wounded. Their force
eng-aged on that day was 1,000 infantry (Louisiana) and 500 cavalry,
Mississippi,) besides a battery of six pieces of field artillery. Two guns
(32-pounder8) were on the ground, but were not mounted. _ . .
I have reliable information that the enemy have now at Corinth, Mississippi,
eighteen miles from the Tennessee river (Pittsburg) junction of Mobile and
Ohio and Memphis and Charleston railroads, fifteen to twenty thousand
troops. At Henderson station, eighteen rniles from Coffee landing, Ten-
nessee river, and thirty-five miles by railroad from Corinth, some ten or
twelve thousand, and bodies of troops arriving every day, mostly from
Columbus, and some from Louisiana. At Bear Creek bridge, seven miles
back from Eastport, Mississippi, they have from eight to ten thousand, and
are fortifying. At Chickasaw, Alabama, I understand they are erecting
heavy batteries. This last is not very reliable.
Information received last night near Savannah, Tennessee, from a reliable
source, indicates that General Johnson, with all his force, is falling back
from Murfreesboro' to Decatur, Alabama, the place where the Memphis and
Charleston railroad crosses the Tennessee river, and the junction of the rail-
road leading from Nashville to that place, showing that they are preparing
to send large re-enforcements to Bear creek.
The result of the recent elections in Harden and McNairy counties, South
Tennessee, will prove to yon that the Union sentiment is very strong through-
out that section of the State. The former gave five hundred majority for
the Union candidate out of a poll of one thousand votes. The latter gave two
hundred Union majority out of a poll of eighteen hundred votes. The con-
stant cry from them to me is, " Send us arms and a suflBcient force to pro-
tect us in organizing, and we will drive the secessionists out of Tennessee
ourselves."
I have enlisted a few more men; Captain Phillips recruited several for his
company. I have captured J. B. Kendrick, of Captain Fitzgerald's company
of Tennessee volunteers, who represents himself as a colonel of militia of the
State of Tennessee, and Clay Kendrick, private in Captain Fizgerald's com-
pany (Colonel Crew's I'egiment) Tennessee volunteers.
Very respectfully, &c.,
WILLIAM GWm,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Plag Officer A. H. Foote, U. S. N.,
Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
[Telegram.]
Engagement with Jive rebel forts below Columbus, Kentucky.
Flag-Ship Benton, March 8, 1862.
We have this moment returned to our anchorage after five hours' fighting
with five rebel forts, in which we have not suffered materially othei- tlian in
the bursting of a rifled gun aboard the St. Louis, killing and wounding
fourteen officers and men, and some injury sustained by the Cincinnati.
This vessel was struck four times, two of the shots passing through upper
decks. We damaged the nearest fort, and, had not darkness prevented
would have silenced it, as their men at one time were seen running from it'.
The place is stronger and more difficult to take than Columbus ever was
as a long line of forts on the river command one another. The mortar
boats do well, and, had we a place to put them out of sight of the forts we
ARMORED VESSELS. 373
could soon shell out the rebels. They have done good execution as it is.
I will write as soon as possible.
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Oficer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary 'of the Navy.
I/ieutenant Commanding Qvnn's report of reconnaissance to Chickasaw,
Alabama.
United States Gunboat Tyler,
Pittsburg, March 16, 1862.
r Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your orders, I reported
to General Grant, at Fort Foote, on the Ith instant, and remained at Dan-
ville bridge, twenty-five miles above, awaiting the fleet of transports, until
Monday morning, by direction of General Grant, when General Smith
arriving with a large portion of his command, forty transports, I convoyed
them to Savannah, arriving there without molestation on tiie lltii. The
same evening, with General Smith and staff on board, made a recon-
noissance of the river as high as Pittsburg. The rebels had not renewed
their attempts to fortify at that point, owing to the vigilant watch that had
been kept on them in my absence by Lieutenant Commanding Shirk.
The same evening, at 11.45, stood up the river with the Lexington, Lieu-
tenant Commanding Shirk, for the purpose of reaching Eastport bj daylight,
it having been reported to me that the rebels had erected a battery at Chick-
asaw, Alabama, one and a half mile above that place. Arriving there at
7.30, this vessel and the Lexington opened fire on the point which had been
indicated. The rebels immediately responded. After expending sixty-three
shell, having accomplished my object, which was to ascertain the strength
of their battery, both vessels retired without any damage having been done
on our side. As well as I can judge, their battery consists of five pieces —
three rifled, and, with the exception of one, I should think, not less than
32-pounders. Both vessels have since been actively employed in convoying
transports to and covering the landing of troops at different points above
Savannah in this river.
The river is again very high, and rising. The people have given substan-
tial evidence of the strength of the Union sentiment so often expressed to
me before in this vicinity, as very many have enlisted in the different regi-
ments. The Tyler is lying at Pittsburg for the protection of General
Sherman's division, which has occupied that point. The Lexington is lying
at Crump's lauding, protecting the division of General Wallace, which occu-
pies that point. Everything is working favorably for the cause of the Union.
Enclosed you will find Lieutenant Commanding Shirk's report.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
WILLIAM GWIN,
Lieutenant, Commanding Division of Gunboats, Tennessee Biver.
Flag-OfiBcer A. H. Foote, U. S. N.,
Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
374 AEMORED VESSELS.
Lieutenant Commanding Shirk's report of proceedings, March 15, 1862.
United States Gunboat Lexington,
PUtshurg, Tennessee, March 15, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to make the following report of my proceedings
since my last arrival in this river.
We reached Savannah on the 6th instant. The next morciing I received on
board this vessel twenty armed men, refngees from Wayne county, Tennessee,
who asked my protection from the rebel marauding cavalry. Six of these men
were from a rebel regiment which had been stationed at Clarksville, and had
been told, upon the fall of Fort Donelson, to make the best of their way home.
Their arms were those that had been issued at Clarksville. Some of these
twenty men have shipped on board this vessel, and the remainder have en-
listed in regiments in General Smith's command.
I then proceeded up the river to take a look at this place, and discovered
several flags of truce on the hill. I sent a boat to communicate with a rebel
ofBcer at the landing, and received a letter from Lieutenant Commanding
Gwin in relation to exchange of prisoners. No work had been done since
the bombardment of the place on the 1st instant by the Tyler and this
vessel. The nights of the Tth and 8th I lay at Craven's landing, protecting
many Union men from Robinson's rebel cavalry. During the 8th and 9th I
conveyed about one hundred and twenty refugees from Craven's and Chalk
bluff to Savannah for safety. On the 9th I paid another visit to Pittsburg,
having on board Colonel Worthington, of General Smith's advance. On the
10th I took on board some more arms at Chalk bluff. That night I lay
opposite Savannah, the transport with the forty-sixth Ohio volunteers lying
at the town.
On the 11th the United States gunboat Tyler arrived, followed by General
Smith with his command, in sixty-three transport steamers. At midnight
this vessel followed the Tyler up the river, to make a- reconnoissance, and
at 1.20 a. m. on the 12th instant reached Chickasaw, Alabama, where we
discovered that the rebels had erected a battery, as had been reported. The
two gunboats opened fire upon it at long range, which was returned by the
enemy. This vessel expended twenty-five shell. There were no casualties.
The battery consisted of at least five pieces, two or three of which were
rifled. One of the latter was a 32-pounder, and had a very great range —
great enough to prevent the landing of 'troops at Eastport. At 11.30 a. m.
wc reached Savannah again. That evening I convoyed a division of thq
army, under General Wallace, to Crump's landing, and lay there that nightj
and the following day and night. This morning I convoyed another divi-
sion, under General Hurlburt, to this place, and went on with the transport).
Crescent City to where General Sherman had his command, about ten mileq
below Eastport. I returned at 5 p. m., and will await here further orders.
There are no rebel troops near here at present; General Cheatham, who
was at Shiloh (three miles back from here) day before yesterday, having
gone with his command to Purdy. The river is rising very rapidly, and
there is so much back water that General Sherman found it impossible to
perform the duty upon which he was sent. General Wallace succeeded,
night before last, in destroying about half a mile of the railroad, a few miles
north of Purdy. Twelve new-made graves have been found upon the hill at
this place. The small arms which I have taken from Craven's and Chalk
bluff belong to Union men, and I have promised that they should event-
ually be returned to their owners.
1 have the honor to be, &c.,
JAMES W. SHIRK, Lieutenant Commanding.
Plag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Commanding Naval Forces, Sjv.
ARMORED VESSELS. 375
Flag-Officer Footers report of operations at, and capture of, Island No. 10, and
correspondence conjiected therewith.
United States Pi.ag-Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, March \1, 1862.
Sir: Leaving Cairo on the 14th instant with seven iron-clad gunboats and
ten mortar boats, and being joined at Columbus on the same day by Colonel
Buford, in command of some twelve hundred troops, I reached Hickman that
evening with the flotilla and transports, when the Louisville, Commander
Dove, was found leaking in her boilers, and was sent back to Columbus for
repairs.
On the 15th instant, at daylight, the flotilla and transports moved down
the river, arriving in the vicinity of Island No. 10 at 9 a. m. The rain and
dense fog prevented our getting the vessels in position, other than two
mortar boats, for the purpose of ascertaining their range.
, Early on the morning of the 16th instant I placed the mortars in as good
position as the circumstances would admit, when they shelled several regi-
ments out of their encampments, and, at extreme range, reached the batte-
ries on No. 10, the floating battery, and the five batteries on the Tennessee
shore. The mortar boats are in charge of Captain Maynadier, United States
army, as ordnance ofiBcer, assisted by Acting Lieutenant Commanding J. P.
Sandford, United States navy, who volunteered his services.
This morning, the Hth instant, soon after daylight, the mortar boats being
in position, I had the Benton lashed between two other steamers, the Cincin-
nati and St. Louis, and with the remaining iron-clad steamers made an attack
on the forts, at a distance of two thousand yards or more, on account of the
rapid current, rendering the boats too unmanageable to come within a shorter
range, without endangering their being carried under the enemy's guns;
and as a nearer approach would expose the bow and quarter of the vessels,
their most vulnerable points, to a fire of six other batteries, mounting forty-
three guns. We opened fire on the upper fort on the Tennessee shore at
meridian, and continued to give and receive quite a brisk fire from this and
also four other batteries on the same shore until darkness obscured the forts
from view. The ten mortars, in the mean time, shelled the troops out of
range, excepting those manning the batteries.
The upper fort was badly cut up by the Benton and the other boats with
her. We dismounted one of their guns, and the men, at times, ran from the
batteries.
Colonel Buford has been busily, and, I trust, profitably, engaged in making
reconnoissances, and is preparing to mount his siege guns.
In the attack of to-day this vessel received four shots; while a rifle gun
burst aboard the St. Louis, killing and wounding fifteen, ofiicers and men;
I enclose a list of casualties. The Cincinnati has had her engines injured,
which may render it necessary for me to send her to Cairo for repairs.
I hope to be able to silence the upper battery to-morrow; after which we
can plant the mortars in a position where we expect to be able to shell the
rebels out of their batteries. This place is even stronger and better adapted
for defence than Columbus has ever been. Bach fortification commands the
one above it„ We can count forty-nino guns in the different batteries, where
there are probably double the number, with ten thousand troops.
From exhaustion, arising from continuous service and want of sleep, you_
will excuse this incoherent discursive report.
Our shells bursting prematurely we have to drown them before loading
376 ARMOEED VESSELS.
the guns. The fuzes, many of which, I am informed, were made before the
Mexican war, onght to have been condemned.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A H. FOOTE,
Flag-Officer, Comd'g Naval Forces, Western Waters.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
List of killed and wounded an gunboat St. Louis, March 17, 1862.
Killed, by bursting of a rifle gun, Jas. Jackson, seaman, Chicago, Illinois;
P. S. Goth, seaman, Maine.
Wounded, by bursting of rifle gun, S. H. McAdani, master's mate, Chicago,
severely; John A. McDonald, gunner, Baltimore, slightly; H. T. Bly, seaman,
New Bedford, severely; J. W. Sprowl, seaman, Bristol, Maine, severely: P.
Mulheiiin, seaman, Boston, Massachusetts, severely; Wm. Kelcher, seaman,
Boston, Massachusetts, severely; Rich'd Gouger, seaman, severely; Frank
Clemens, seaman, severely; Charles Wolf, seaman, severely; Charles Wilson,
seaman, Philadelphia, severely; Henry Joy, seaman, Worcester county, Mas-
sachusetts, slightly; M. C. Donaghho, seaman, Fredericktown, Pennsylvania,
slightly; Peroc Leon, seaman, Sardinia, slightly.
J. B. McDILL.
Assistant Surgeon, United States Gunboat St. Louis.
EespectfuUy submitted.
LEONARD PAULDING, Lieutenant Commanding.
Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off" Island No. 10, March 19, 1862.
Sib : On the ITth instant I communicated to the department an account of
our leaving Cairo for the purpose of attacking Island No. 10, and expressing
the hope that to-morrow (yesterday) we should be able to capture the upper
fort at this point.
Yesterday we were firing on the upper fort at long range, reaching it oc-
casionally, and dismounted another gun, while the mortars were playing on
the lower fortifications, having driven the encampments down the river, jnst
out of range of our shells. As the forts are distinct from each other, and
occupy but little space, and have been mostly constructed for four or five
months, it is impossible to use the mortars with as much effect as could have
been done at Columbus, where the batteries were more compact and exposed,
and the troops having less shelter than here. We are, however, keeping up
an occasional fire day and night, to prevent the enemy from repairing his
damages, gradually approaching his strongest holds, and I trust we will be
able, in co-operation with General Pope's division of the army, soon to get
possession of the place. This position was selected by the rebels on account
of its being inaccessible by land, in a high stage of water, on the Missouri
side, which side General Pope's army occupies, at New Madrid ; and he has
no transports of any kind with which to cross over to the Tennessee side
and march in upon the rear of the rebels. I have this morning sent him two
tugs, and hope to be able to get two gunboats also through the same bayou
or slough to him. If we can do this, with the two gunboats coming up and
attacking the forts from below with the land attack, I have no doubt but
that we shall secure a complete victory. We must proceed here slowly and
AEMOEED VESSELS. 377
cautiously, which alone can prove effective, especially bearing in mind the
rapid current and certainty of falling into the hands of the enemy in these
slow boats if we run as close to the batteries as we might do were the rebels
up stream. Colonel Buford, commanding the troops here, amounting to
about 1,500, will be ready to perform all service required until the arrival
of General Pope in force. We shall not be able to make the grand attack
for several days. This will depend upon the arrival of General Pope.
Your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
Flag-Steamek Benton,
Off Island No. 10, March 20, 1863.
Sir : Most of the iron-clad steamers, including this vessel, are still lying
within long range of the rebel forts, and occasionally, with the mortar-boats,
are throwing shells into the enemy's batteries, which have induced them to
withdraw all their superfluous men not required for serving their guns. To-
day the upper battery opened upon us, but was silenced in half an hour, this
ship dismounting a gun. I send, to-night, a boat to sound in a narrow and
shallow channel, in hopes the present rise of water in the river will enable
me to despatch a small steamer with light draught to General Pope, near New
Madrid, who, as I have already informed the department, has several times
requested that I would send him two or three gunboats to enable him to cross
over to the Tennessee side, with the view of attacking the rebels in the rear
at this point, while we make the attack in front or on the river side. I am
apprehensive, however, from our ill success thus far, that this project may
not prove feasible. To-day, for the first time since I have been in command
of the flotilla, I called a council of war, with the view of ascertaining the
opinions of the officers with reference to sending, or attempting to send, aid
to General Pope. The officers, with one exception, were decidedly opposed
to running the blockade, believing it would result in the almost certain de-
struction of the boats which should attempt to pass the six forts, with fifty
guns bearing upon the vessels. I have been seriously disposed to run the
blockade myself with this vessel, which is better protected than the other
boats, although she is slow and works sluggishly; but, upon reconsideration,
as her loss would be so great if we failed, and my personal services here are
considered so important with the fleet and transports, I have, for the present,
abandoned the idea.
This place is admirably chosen for defence by the rebels, as its rear can
only be approached, in this stage of water, from the river side opposite New
Madrid, it being surrounded by bayous or sloughs, while its long line of six
forts, commanding one another from the river front, render it almost impreg-
nable to an attacking force. General Pope has no transports, and, without
our reaching him by running the blockade, is unable to cross over to the
Tennessee side from New Madrid, where he now is in force, and it is impos-
sible for him, from the inundated state of the country, to send or march his
troops to this point. Were we to attempt to attack these heavy batteries
with the gunboats, or attempt to run the blockade and fail, as I have already
stated in a former communication, the rivers above us — Mississippi, Ohio,
and Cumberland — would be greatly exposed, not only frustrating the grand
object of the expedition, but exposing our towns and cities bordering those
rivers ; especially 'so should General Pope be unable to hold his position at
New Madrid. Under these circumstances, and our boats being so ill-adapted
to fighting down the river, with two rifle guns having burst, and our shells
378 ARMORED VESSELS.
imperfect, I am induced to act -with great caution, and expose the flotilla less
than under more favorable circumstances it would be my duty to do, for the
great object for which the fleet was created. For the future, in the absence
of instructions from higher authority, I shall be governed by circumstances
as they may arise. When the object of running the blockade becomes ade-
quate to the risk, I shall not hesitate to do it. The place may be occupied
by us in a short time without an assault, as the rebels must be cut off from
their necessary supplies. Still, if this does not soon take place, it may be-
come necessary to force the blockade, or adopt some other measures which
have not yet suggested themselves.
Your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
United States Flag-Ship Benton,
Inland No. 10, March 26, 1862.
Sir: Since my communication of the 20th instant we have been lying off
the forts at long range, occasionally giving a rifle shot, and more frequently
throwing mortar shells upon the island and at the fortifications on the Ten-
nessee shore. The rebels still hold the forts, but the encampments are
moved beyond range, with a sufficient number of men to serve their heavy
guns, which seem to be well protected from our shells by their breastworks.
A communication from General Halleck (a copy of which is enclosed) leads
me to hope that we may yet derive support from the army, irrespective of
General Pope's force, which will cross over from New Madrid and attack the
rebels in the rear, while we make the attack in front, in case we succeed in
getting two steamers and several cutters, which are now working their way
towards that point, through the baj'ous or sloughs. Should this effort be
successful, I hope to hear that a land force of some 10,000 men will be in
the rebels' rear in the course of five or six days. With the exception of a
ridge, or higher land, on the river bank on the Tennessee side, from directly
opposite New Madrid to nearly opposite Island No. 10, the whole country is
inundated, or at least so much so as to prevent troops from other points
reaching the rebels' rear, showing how admirably their position has been
chosen for defence.
We now have here six iron-plated gunboats, one wooden gunboat, the
Conestoga, and sixteen mortar-boats; one iron-clad gunboat being at Nash-
ville, one guarding Columbus and Hickman, and two Wooden boats up the
Tennessee; while the Essex, Commander Porter, is repairing at St. Louis.
We have all the mortar-boats that we can use to any advantage, and still
want two tow-boats for these in greater force, as we have a strong current,
requiring the greatest vigilance to prevent them and the gunboats from
being carried down stream, from the want of steam-power of the latter.
Colonel Buford, commanding the troops, has a force of between 1,900 and
2,000 men ; but who, in fact, living as they necessarily do, aboard the trans-
ports — the banks being overflowed, and they surrounded by water — cannot
accomplish anything of consequence. Thus we are waiting to open commu-
nication with General Pope, at New Madrid.
I forward herewith a copy of a letter sent to me by General Strong, com-
manding at Cairo, from which it will be seen that the rebels have thirteen
gunboats, independent of the five below New Madrid, and the Manassas, or
ram, at Memphis. I presume that these boats are not equal to ours; still, we
have no means of ascertaining their character, especially those at New Or-
AEMOEED VESSELS. 379
leans. I have ordered the rifle guns as they arrive at Cairo to be sent to
ns, as our rifles are unsafe, and must be condemned as soon as others can
be supplied. The rifle shells, as well as those of the 8-inch guns and thirty-
twos, also burst prematurely, and I have been obliged to drown all fuses at
a distance exceeding one thousand yards.
I shall proceed with caution in our work here, being fully aware of our
disadvantages, if, however, any disaster should occur, from circumstances
beyond my control, I have ordered the two iron-clad gunboats Cairo and
Louisville, with the wooden boats Tyler and Lexington, to meet at Cairo,
or as far down ae Columbus and even Hickman, to prevent the rebel gun-
boats from ascending the river beyond Cairo, which place is now so nearly
overflowed as to render it necessary for us to remove all our ammunition.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
P. S. — Were we able even to shell the forces out of their fortifications,
they would reoccupy as we passed down the river, as we have less than
2,000 troops to take possession.
A. H. F.
Letter from General Sdlieck U> Ftag-Officer Foote.
Headquaeteks Department of the Mississippi,
St. Louis, March 21, 1862.
, Sir: I have just received your report (without date) of your operations
against the enemy's batteries in the vicinity of Island No. 10. While I am
certain that you have done everything that could be done successfully to
reduce these works, I am very glad that you have not unnecessarily exposed
your gunboats. If they had been disabled it would have been a most serious
loss to us in the future operations of the campaign; whereas the reduction
of these batteries this week or next, is a matter of very little importance
indeed. I think it will turn out in the end that it is much better for us that
they are not reduced till we can fully cut off the retreat of their troops.
Everything is now progressing well on the Tennessee river toward opening
your way down the Mississippi. The reduction of these works is only a
question of time, and we are in no hurry on that point. Nothing is lost by
a little delay there. I am directing all my attention now to another object,
and when that is accomplished the enemy must evacuate or surrender.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. W. HALLECK,
Major General Commanding.
Flag-Officer A, H. Foote,
Commanding Naval Forces, SfC.
Letter from General Strong to Flag-Officer Foote.
Headquarters United States Forces,
Cairo, Illinois, March 24, 1862.
My Dear Commodore: I enclose you a copy of a letter received this morn
ing from Captain Dresser. It contains important information relating t(^i
380 AKMOEED VESSELS.
movements of tbe enemy down the river. I have sent General Pope, also
Colonel Buford, a copy of the same.
Very truly, yours,
W. K. STRONG,
Brigadier General Commanding.
Flag-Officer Foote,
On the Benton, near Island No 10.
Cairo, Illinois, March 24, 1862.
General : I left Savannah, Tennessee, yesterday morning, and vchiJe at
Perrysyille, some forty miles this side of Savannah, we took on board a man
by the name of M. A. Clark, formerly of Paducah, Kentucky, late of New
Orleans. He left New Orleans a week ago last Thursday; I gained from
him the following statement : Fort Pillow was being evacuated whnn he
was at Memphis last Wednesday; confederates moving all their stores from
Memphis to Corinth. The heavy guns of Fort Pillow were left under water;
Beauregard was at Jackson on Thursday last; would leave with his troops
on Friday for Corinth. Eleven engines and two hundred cars were taken
from the Mississippi Central railroad to the Memphis and Charleston railroad,
to move Johnson's forces from Decatur to Corinth. Confederates are building
thirteen gunboats at New Orleans — twelve of them for river and one for sea
service. One — Murray's boat — carries thirty guns; would be ready last
week, and balance this week; were to come up the river as soon as finished;
Bragg and Polk were at Corinth.
Very respectfully,
JASPAR M. DRESSER, Captain.
Brigadier General Strong,
Commanding, Cairo.
Letter from Flag-Officer Foate to General Bdlleck.
Benton, of No. 10, March 26, 1862.
General : In view of the rebels having, as is reported, thirteen gunboats
at New Orleans, irrespective of four or five below New Madrid, with the
Manassas, or ram, at Memphis, I respectfully suggest, in view of the con-
tingency of their passing up the river, that it would be desirable to have a
river battery placed at Columbus which would sweep the river 'below that
point. Cairo, being now almost overflowed, presents a less defensible posi-
tion than Columbus.
I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.,
Major General H. W. Halleck,
Commanding, St. Louis, Missouri.
A. H. POOTE, Flag-Officer.
Flag-Steamer Benton,
Island No. 10, March 26, 1862.
Sir : You will inform the commander of the gunboats Cairo, Tyler, and
Lexington, not to be caught up the rivers with too little water to return to
Cairo. They, of course, before leaving, will consult the generals with whom
they are co-operating. As it is reported, on the authority of different per-
AEMORED VESSELS. 381
sons from New Orleans, that the rebels have thirteen gunboats finished and
ready to move up the Mississippi, besides the four or five below New Madrid
and the Manassas, or ram, at Memphis, the boats now up the rivers and at
Columbus or Hickman should be ready to protect Cairo or Columbus, in case
disaster overtakes us in our flotilla. *****
EespectfuUy, &c.,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Commander Pennock, Cairo, Illinois.
Letter from Flag-Officer Foote, mchaing report of Colonel Roberts.
UNrrED States Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, April 2, 1862.
Last night an armed boat expedition was fitted out from the squadron and
the land forces at this point, under command of Colonel Roberts, of the 42d
Illinois regiment.
The five boats comprising the expedition were in charge of First Master
J. V. Johnson, of the St. Louis, assisted by Fourth Master G. P. Lord, of the
Benton ; Fourth Master Pierce, of the Cincinnati ; Fourth Master Norgan,
of the Pittsburg, and Master's Mate Scoville, of the Mound City, each with
a boat's crew of ten men from their respective vessels, carrying in all one
hundred men, exclusive of officers, under command of Colonel Roberts.
At midnight the boats reached the upper or No. 1 fort, and, pulling directly
in its face, carried it, receiving only the harmless fire of two sentinels, who
ran on discharging their muskets, while the rebel troops in the vicinity
rapidly retreated ; whereupon Colonel Roberts spiked the six guns mounted
in the fort and retired with the boats uninjured.
The commanding officer represents all under his command, from their
coolness and determination, as being ready to perform more hazardous ser-
vice had it been required to the fulfilment of the object of the expedition.
Enclosed is the report of Colonel Roberts.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c., your servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
/Secretary of the Navy.
On board Steamer Memphis, April 2, 1862.
In obedience to your orders, I have the honor to report that last evening,
at half past five o'clock, I took command of an expedition designed against
the rebel battery No. I, on the Tennessee shore. My force consisted of five
boats furnished by the gunboats Benton, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburg,
and Mound City, manned by crews of these boats, respectively, and trans-
porting a detachment of fifty men from company A, 42d regiment Illinois
volunteers.
My first endeavor was to proceed through the overflowed woodland on the
Kentucky shore, and thus escape observation ; this proved to be impracti-
cable, as well because of the fall of the river as of the large amount of drift
accumulated among the trees. We then dropped down to the first mortar
boat and lay by until 11 o^clock p. m , when all the boats were got under
way and proceeded, one after the other, keeping close under the shadow of
the shore. The Benton's boat led until the outlines of battery No. 1 wer
382 AEMOBED VESSELS.
well defined, when the order of attack, the suggestion of First Master J. V.
Jijhnson, was taken up as follows : The boats of the St. Louis, Benton, and
Pittsburg advanced in line, the Benton's boat in the centre ; the remaining
boats followed a few yards behind.
We approached the battery with muffled oars, in such silence that we
were less than ten yards distant when the sentinels at the guns discovered
us. They cried out in great surprise, fired twice on our boats, and ran away.
We landed in good order and with great expedition, the rear boats falling
to the right and left of the centre boat of the advanced line, and at once
commenced spiking the guns. Lieutenant Church, with twenty men, ad-
vanced toward the supposed rebel camp to anticipate an attack, and, at the
same time, protect the men engaged in spiking the guns. No such attack
was made.
The work was done with perfect coolness on the part of our men, but as
rapidly as possible, for the rebel gunboat Grampus had taken alarm at the
sentinels' fire, and was standing toward us. I did not go on board to return
until I had first personally inspected every gun. I report, sir, that every
gun in the battery except one (dismounted and lying in the wpter) was
spiked by our party. I believe the spiking will prove effectual. The object
of the expeditiim being thus accomplished, we took to our boats and returned
without any loss whatever.
To the naval officers in command of the boats great praise is due for the
admirable manner in which our approach was conducted. The officers of
the detachments were prompt and efficient, while the men of both land forces
and marines, by their implicit obedience of orders, have proved themselves
worthy of any service whatever. The kindness of Captain Phelps, of the
Benton, in giving personal attention to the outfit of the expedition, is kindly
remembered.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. W. ROBERTS,
Colonel Commanding i2d Regiment Illinois Volunteers.
Flag Officer A. H. FooTE.
Cairo, April 4, 1862.
This morning the Benton, Cincinnati, and Pittsburg, with three mortar
boats, opened, and continued for more than an hour a fire on the rebels'
heavy floating battery at Island No. 10, when the latter, having received
several shells from the rifles and mortars, cut loose from her moorings and
drifted down the river two or three miles. The shells were thrown from the
flotilla into different forts of the island and into the rebel batteries lining the
Tennessee shore. The return fire produced no effect on the squadron. No
more men than were actually necessary to man the batteries were visible.
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer, ^c.
Hon. GroEON Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Flag-Steameb Benton,
Of Island No. 10, Apil 6, 1862.
Sib : 1 have the honor to inform the department that the gunboat Caron-
delet ran the blockade on the night of the 4th instant, under a heavy fire of
forty-seven guns, and reached New Madrid safely, without even receiving a
shot. Captain Walke, his officers and crew, merit the commendation of the
ARMORED VESSELS. 383
government for their gallantry, coolness, and general conduct on this occa-
sion. I would especially call the attention of the department to the acting
first master, Mr. Hoel, of Cincinnati, who so creditably volunteered his ser-
vices to go in the Carondelet, and did go in her, although he was attached
to the gunboat Cincinnati.
I enclose a correspondence, or a copy of it, between Major General Pope,
at New Madrid, and myself, in relation to another gunboat attempting to
run the blockade for his relief or assistance.
The rebels are very strongly fortified here, and seem determined to do all
in their power to maintain their position. I trust, however, when General
Pope crosses with his army and moves upon their rear that we shall be able,
by an attack in front, to carry the place.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. POOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Instrudions to Commander Walke.
United States Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, March 30, 1862.
Sir : You will avail yourself of the first fog or rainy night, and drift your
steamer down past the batteries on the Tennessee shore and Island No. 10,
until jou reach New Madrid.
I assign you this service, as it is vitally important to the capture of this
place that a gunboat should soon be at New Madrid for the purpose of cov-
ering General Pope's army while he crosses at that point to the opposite or
to the Tennessee side of the river, that he may move his army up to Island
No. 10, and attack the rebels in rear while we attack them in front.
Should you succeed in reaching General Pope, you will freely confer with
him, and adopt his suggestions, so far as your superior knowledge of what
your boat will perform will enable you to do, for the purpose of protecting
his force while crossing the river.
You will also, if you have coal, and the current of the river will permit,
steam up the river when the army moves, for the purpose of attacking their
fortifications. Still you will act cautiously here, as your own will be the
only boat below.
You will capture or destroy the rebel steam gunboat Grampus, and the
transports, if possible, between this place and No. 10, at such time as will
not embarrass you in placing yourself in communication with General Pope
at the earliest possible time after leaving this place.
On this delicate and somewhat hazardous service to which I assign you I
must enjoin upon you the importance of keeping your lights secreted in the
hold or put out, keeping your officers and men from speaking at all when
passing the forts, above a whisper, and then only on duty, and of using every
other precaution to prevent the rebels suspecting that you are dropping
below their batteries.
If you successfully perform this duty assigned you, which you so wil-
lingly undertake, it will reflect the highest credit upon you and all belong-
ing to your vessel, and I doubt not but that the government will fully ap-
preciate and reward you for a service which, I trust, will enable the arnay
to cross the river and make a successful attack in rear while we storm the
batteries in front of this stronghold of the rebels.
Commending you and all who compose your command to the care and
384 AEMOEED VESSELS.
protection of God, who rules the world and directs all things, I am, respect-
fully, your obedieut servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Commander H. Walkb,
Commanding Carondelet.
P. S. — Should you meet with disaster, you will, as a last resort, destroy
the steam machinery, and, if possible to escape, set fire to your gunboat, or
sink her, and prevent her from falling into the hands of the rebels.
A. H. F.
United States Plag-Steamee Benton,
Off Island No. 10, AprU 4, 1862.
General : The gunboat Carondelet, Commander Walke, left her anchorage
this evening-, at 10 o'clock, in a heavy thunder-storm, for the purpose of run-
ning the fire of tlie batteries on Island No. 10 and those lining the Tennes-
see shore, to join your forces at New Madrid. By a previous concerted
signal of three minute-guns, twice fired at intervals of five minutes, which
have since been heard, as near as the heavy thunder would enable us to
ascertain, leads me to hope that the blockade has been run successfully,
although the batteries opened upon her with forty-seven guns while passing.
I am, therefore, so exceedingly anxious to hear the fate of the noble officers
and men who so readily were disposed to attempt the hazardous service,
that I beg you will immediately inform me by bearer if Commander Walke
Las arrived with his vessel, and the condition in which you find her and her
oiScers and men.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Major General John Pope,
Commanding Army at New Madrid, Missouri.
Letter from General Pope to Mag-Offlcer Foote.
Headquarters District of the Mississippi,
New Madrid, AprU 5, 1862.
Sir: Your note of yesterday has just been received. Captain Walke ar-
rived safely with the Carondelet, not a shot having touched her. Officers
and men are in good condition for service.
I requested Colonel Scott, Assistant Secretary of War, to write to you
yesterday in relation to sending another one of the gunboats, and, with pro-
found respect, I venture to urge you still further on the subject. I have not
a doubt but that one of them could run the batteries without any serious
injury. Notwithstanding their inferior character, the enemy's gunboats
pass and repass our batteries in the night without injury.
My best artillerists — officers of the regular army, of many years' expe-
rience — state positively that it is impossible, in the night, to fire with any
kind of certainty the large guns (32s) of our batteries, especially at a mov-
ing object. The shot fired at the Carondelet passed 200 feet above her.
I am thus urgent, sir, because the lives of thousands of men, and the suc-
cess of our operations, hang upon your decision. With the two boats all is
safe; with one it is uncertain. The lives of the men composing this army
AEMOEED VESSELS. 385
are in my keeping, and I do not feel justified in omitting any steps to fortify
this movement against any accident which might occasion disaster not to be
repaired.
Certainly the risk to a gunboat running down in the night is not nearly
so great, and involves no such consequences, as the risk to ten thousand
men crossing, a great river in the face of the enemy.
You will excuse me, I am sure, if I seem urgent. A sense of duty impels
me to present the facts as forcibly as possible.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,-
JOHN POPE,
Maqjr General Commanding.
Flag-Officer A. H. Poote,
Commanding Mississippi Flotilla.
LeUerfrom Flag-Officer Foote to General Pope.
Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, April 6, 1862.
General: Your letter of this day's date, announcing the safe arrival of the
Carondelet at New Madrid, was received at 8 o'clock this evening. The
telegram of Assistant Secretary Scott reached me a few minutes later. .
Colonel Bissel, who has charge of the steamers and barges now in the
slough, e?i route to New Madrid, has requested that two tugs, even, might
be sent to you, which would, with arrangements he could make, enable you
to transport your forces to the opposite side of the river, in case it was
deemed inexpedient to send a gunboat for that purpose. You, yourself, in
a late letter, apply for a gunboat, our smallest gunboat, even, for that purpose.
I could last night, had you made a point of having two gunboats, sent them
with comparative safety, as the night was dark, while the vivid lightning
enabled the pilots to keep the channel. Again, it is now too late to obtain
the hay and other necessary articles for the protection of the gunboat to-
night, to say nothing of the clear atmosphere, rendering a boat as visible,
or as good an object to sight, as in the daytime. For these reasons I can-
not, neither does a single navy officer, and, I presume, not a pilot, in the
squadron, consider that a gunboat could run the blockade to-night without
an almost certainty of its being sunk in the attempt, especially if the guns
were served with any degree of skill or ability whatever.
I am sorry to find the expression in your letter, "The success of our opera-
tions hangs upon your (my) decision," especially referring to my directing
a gunboat to attempt running the blockade in this clear night; for, in my
judgment, and that of all the other officers, the boat might as well expect to
run it in the daytime. I cannot consider the running of your blockade,
where the river is nearly a mile wide, and only exposed to a few light guns,
at all comparable to running it here, where a boat has not only to pass
seven batteries, but has to be kept " head on " to a battery of eleven heavy
guns at the head of Island No. 10, and to pass within 300 yards of this strong
battery. If it did not sink the gunboat, we would, in the navy, consider the
gunners totally unfit for employment in the service; and, therefore, my re-
sponsibility for the lives of the officers and men under my charge induces
me to decline a request which would, especially without protection to the
boat, were the rebels at all competent to perform their duty, result in the
sacrifice of the boat, her officers, and men, which sacrifice I should not be
justified in making — certainly not now, when, by your own admission, it
will be easy for the neW* rebel steamers, reported to be on their way up the
386 ARMOEED VESSELS.
river, to pass your batteries in the night, and if they meet my squadron
reduced by loss, so as to be unable to cope with them, can continue up the
Mississippi or Ohio to St. Louis or to Cincinnati.
In view, however, of rendering ynu all the aid you request, and no doubt
require, while I regret that you had not earlier expressed the apprehension
of the necessity of two gunboats, instead of the smaller gunboat, I will, to-
morrow, endeavor to prepare another boat; and if the night is such as will
render her running the blockade without serious disaster at all probable, I
will make the attempt to send you the additional boat requested in your
letter of this day's date.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
'^ A. H. FOOTB,
Flag-Officer Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
Major General John Pope,
Commanding Army at New Madrid.
United States Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, April 5, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose several letters and papers referring to
our action here within the last three or four days.
By spiking the rebel guns in one fort, and compelling the floating battery
to cut adrift from her moorings on the following day from our effective fire
upon her, these have enabled the Carondelet, Commander Walke, to run, as
I hope, successfully the blockade, and join General Pope at New Madrid,
who has been urging me to send him one or two gunboats to cover his troops
while he lands in force to attack them in front. While the Carondelet was
running the blockade last night in the midst of a heavy thunder-storm, the
batteries opened upon her with forty-seven guns. Still, as the preconcerted
signal with that vessel of firing minute ^uns was made as far as the heavy
thunder would enable us to hear, I trust that she is now safely at New
Madrid.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
A. H. POOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, J). C.
Passage of rebel batteries by the Carondelet.
United States Gunboat Carondelet,
New Madrid, April 5, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival here last night, about 1 o'clock,
all well. On our way all of the rebel batteries and a large number of in-
fantry opened fire upon us, which was continued until we were out of range.
Providentially, no damage was done to the vessel or the ofiScera and crew,
who conducted themselves with admirable courage and fidelity. The terri-
ble storm which prevailed at the time rendered it impossible to make any
reliable observation.
Most respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
H. WALKS,
Commander, U. S. Navy.
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Commanding U. S. Naval Forces. Western Wate.rx.
AKMOEED VESSELS. 387
[Telegrams. ]
Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, April 1, 1862.
Two officers have this instant boarded us from Island No. 10, stating that,
by order of their commanding officer, they are ordered to surrender Island
No. 10 to the commodore commanding the gunboats. As these officers knew
nothing of the batteries on the Tennessee shore, I have sent Captain Phelps
to ascertain something definite on the subject. I will telegraph when fur-
ther information is received.
With General Pope now advancing from New Madrid in strong force to
attack iu rear, I am, with the gun and mortar boats, ready to attack in front,
while General Buford here is ready to cooperate with the land forces; but
it seems as if the place is to be surrendered without further defence.
A. H. FOOTE,
Flag-Officer Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, April 8—1 a. m.
My telegram, three hours since, informed the department that Island No.
10 had surrendered to the gunboats. Captain Phelps has this instant re-
turned, after having had an interview with the late commandant. I have
requested General Buford, commanding the troops, to proceed immediately,
in company with two of the gunboats, and take possession of the island.
The batteries on the Tennessee shore have been hastily evacuated, where we
shall find, no doubt, in the morning, large quantities of munitions of war.
1 communicate with General Pope, who has, under cover of the two gun-
boats which gallantly ran the blockade in the thunder storm, crossed the
river in force, and was ready, as well as the gun and mortar boats, with
General Buford and his troops, to make a simultaneous attack upon the
rebels, had they not so hastily evacuated the Tennessee shore and surren-
dered Island No. 10.
A full report will be made as soon as we can obtain possession of the land
batteries and I am able to communicate with General Pope.
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer, ^.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
[Telegram, ma Cairo. ]
Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off Island No. 10, April 8, 1862.
This morning at 2 o'clock, in a heavy thunder-storm, the gunboat Pitts-
burg, Lieutenant Commanding Thompson, ran the blockade, under fire of
seventy-three guns, and has probably reached New Madrid, and is now with
the Carondelet, Commodore Walke, as reports of heavy guns are heard
opening upon the rebel batteries on the opposite shore, to destroy them, that
General Pope, with his army, may land on the Tennessee side, preparatory
to moving to attack the rear of the rebels at this place while we attack them
iu front.
A. H. FOOTS, Flag-Officer, Commanding.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
388 ABMOEED VESSELS.
Plag-Stbamee Benton,
Island No. 10, April 9, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a telegram of my report to the
department of the surrender of Island No. 10.
1 also send a copy of the rebel navy signals. Commander Kilty, of the
gunboat Mound City, captured the signal-book, signals, and telegraphic dic-
tionary. As we shall probably meet the rebel gunboats, I retain the signal-
book, which is almost a copy from ours. I will soon send the drawings and
plans of the celebrated floating battery, which lies submerged between here
and New Madrid.
General Pope is now with me, and reports that he has captured 6,000
prisoners, including three generals. He wishes to move an army of 25,000
men down the river; but as time is important, and I am ready to move with.^
the flotilla, I have asked him to send some 3,000 or 5,000 with us, by which
I hope to move on Fort Pillow by day after to-morrow. It is important.that
an early move should be made on our part on Fort Pillow, before the rebels
recover from their panic, and then we are on to Memphis.
I write in the greatest haste, and trust that this incoherent report will be
excused.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Flag-Ship Benton,
Island No. 10, April 8, 1862, (via Cairo.)
I have the honor to inform the department that since I sent the telegram
last night, announcing the surrender to me of Island No. 10, possession has
been taken of both the island and the works upon the Tennessee shore by the
gunboats and the troops under command of General Buford. Seventeen
ofBcers and three hundred and sixty-eight privates, besides one hundred of
their sick and one hundred men employed on board the transports, are in
our hands, unconditional prisoners of war.
I have caused a hasty examination to be made of the forts, batteries, and
munitions of war captured. There are eleven earthworks, with seventy
heavy cannon, varying in calibre from 32 to 100-pounders, rifled. The maga-
zines are well supplied with powder, and there are large quantities of shot,
shells, and other munitions of war, and also great quantities of provisions.
Four steamers afloat have fallen into our hands, and two others, with the
rebel gunboat Grampus, are sunk, but will be easily raised. The floating
battery of sixteen heavy guns, turned adrift by the rebels, is said to belying
on the Missouri shore below New Madrid. Two wharf boats, loaded with
provisions, are also in our possession.
The enemy upon the main land appears to have fled with great precipita-
tion after dark last night, leaving, in many cases, half-prepared meals in
their quarters ; and there seems to have been no concert of action between
the rebels upon the island and those occupying the shore, but the latter fled,
leaving the former to their fate. These works, erected with the highest. en-
gineering skill, are of great strength, and, with their natural advantages,
would have been impregnable if defended by men fighting in a better cause.
A combined attack of the naval and land forces would have taken place
this afternoon or to-morrow morning had not the rebels abandoned this
stronghold. To mature these plans of attack absolutely required the last
ARMORED VESSELS. SS^'
twenty-three days of preparation. General Pope is momentarily expected
to arrive with his army at this point, he' having successfully crossed the
river yesterday, under a heavy fire, which, no doubt, led to the hasty aban-
donment of the works last night. I am unofBcially informed that the two
gunboats which so gallantly ran the fire of the rebel batteries a few nights
since yesterday attacked and reduced a fort of the enemy opposite, mount-
ing eight heavy guns.
The following is a copy of the order of General Mackall on assuming
command of the rebel forces on the 6th instant :
" Headquaetees, Madeid Bend, April 5, 1862.
"SoLDiEEs : We are strangers, commander and commanded, each to the
other. Let me tell you who I am. I am a general made by Beauregard ; a
general selected by Beauregard and Bragg for this command when they
knew it was in peril. They have known me for twenty years ; together we
have stood on the fields of Mexico. Give them your confidence now ; give
it to me when I have earned it.
"Soldiers, the. Mississippi valley is intrusted to your courage, to your
discipline, to your patience. Exhibit the vigilance and coolness of last
night, and hold it.
"W. D. MACKALL,
"Brigadier General Commanding."
I regret that the painful condition of my foot, still requiring me to use
crutches, prevented me from making a personal examination of the works.
I was therefore compelled to delegate that duty to Lieutenant Commanding
S. L. Phelps, of the flag-ship Benton.
I am, sir, respectfully, &c.,
A. H. POOTE,
Flag Officer, Commanding N. F , Western Waters.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Engagement of the Garondelet and Pittsburg with the enemy in the vicinity of
New Madrid; April 6, 1862.
United States Steamee Benton,
Island No. lO,- April 11, 1862.
SiE : I have the honor to enclose a report from Commander Walkej, of the
gunboat Garondelet, detailing the services rendered by him and the Pitts-
burg, Lieutenant Commanding Thompson, in the vicinity of New Madrid,
from which it will be seen that the boats opened upon and efiectually silenced
and captured several heavy batteries on the Tennessee side of the river, on
the 6th and Ith instant, without which destruction it would have been
impossible for General Pope to have crossed the river for the purpose of
attacking the rebels in the rear at No. 10, while the gun and mortar boats
would make the attack in front.
There has been an effective and harmonious co-operation between the land
and naval .forces, which has, under Providence, led to the glorious result of
the fall of this stronghold. No. 10, with the garrison and munitions of war,
and I regret to see in the despatches of Major General Halleck, from St.
Louis, no reference is made to the capture of forts, and the continuous shell-
ing of gun and mortar boats, and the navy's receiving the surrender of No.
10, when, in reality, it should be recorded as an historical fact that both
390 ARMORED VESSELS.
services equally contributed to the victory — a bloodless victory' — more
creditable to humanity than ii' thousands had been slain.
I also enclose reports from Lieutenants Commanding Gwin and Shirk, of
the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, in the Tennessee, giving a graphic ac-
count of that great battle, and the assistance rendered by these boats near
Pittsburg; stating that "when the left wing of our army' was being driven
into the river, at short range, they opened fire upon them, silencing the
enemy, and, as I hear from many army ofScers on the field, totally demoral-
izing his forces, and driving them from their position in a perfect rout, in the
space of ten minutes."
These ofScers and men, as well as those of Commander Walke, and the
ofScers and men of the Carondelet and Pittsburg, behaved with a degree of
gallantry highlj' creditable to themselves and the navy.
I proceeded to-day, with the entire flotilla, to New Madrid, and leave to-
morrow for Fort Pillow, or the next point down the river which may attempt
to resist the raising of the blockade.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
linport of CcfTtiTnander Walke.
United States Gunboat Caeondelet,
Off Tiptonville, Tenn., April 8, 1862.
Sir : In accordance with the instructions of General Pope, 1 received on
board General Grainger and staff on the morning of the 6th instant, and
proceeded down the Mississippi river opposite this place, making an exten-
sive reconnoissance.
On our way down we exchanged a few shots with some of the enemy's
batteries on the Tennessee side, and on our way back we attacked one of
two siege guns, 28-pounders, which had engaged us. We disabled and
spiked these guns without receiving any injury. The remainder of the
enemy's batteries fired upon us on our way to New Madrid, as long as we
were within range.
After my return to New Madrid General Pope informed me of you;' inten-
tion to send another gunboat, and requested that I should go down the
river and destroy'the remaining rebel batteries above Point Pleasant.
At dawn the following morning, and after a given signal, he would land
his army and attack that of the enemy at or near Island No. 10. The Pitts-
burg did not arrive until 5 o'clock in the morning ; but, as the transports,
(one at least,) without troops on board, were under way, going down, I got
under way at 6.30, (having ordered Commander Thompson verbally, and by
signal, to follow my motions,) and proceeded down to the enemy's lower
and heaviest battery, consisting of one 64-pound gun and two 64-pound
siege howitzers. We opened a constant, deliberate, and well-directed fire
upon it for three quarters of an hour, feebly assisted by our batteries on
shore, when the enemy slackened his fire. A shot passed through our fourth
cutter and starboard quarter, catting away the sheave of our wheel-rope,
striking our stern-gun, and hounding over our stern. About this time the
Pittsburg commenced firing at long range, as she came down. As soon as
our steering gear was repaired, I gradually closed on the enemy, firing a
shot now and then, (the Pittsburg, at a distance astern, throwing shell in a
dangerous position across our bow,) until the fort was deserted by the
ARMORED VESSELS. . 391
enemy. I spiked and disabled the guns of this fort, and I then proceeded
up 300 yards further, and found a 64-pounder siege howitzer dismounted ;
300 yards further on I spiked another 64-pounder siege ho-witzer, and 480
yards further we found a fine 64-pound gun on a pivot, spiked, and being
deserted by the enemy, who set fire to a private residence there, and upon
whom we fired as they ran off. A large quantity of ammunition was left
by them at each fort. I then made the required signal, crossed over to our
army, received further instructions from General Pope, and covered their
disembarkment on the Tennessee shote, at the captured fort, above Point
Pleasant. At evening we steamed down to our camp opposite the enemy's
fort at this place, and headed the gunboats for the enemy's battery until
early this morning, when we got under way and crossed over to Tipton-
ville, the enemy having disappeared.
The officers and crew of this vessel, during the trials and dangers of
their battles, conducted themselves with admirable coolness and ability ; to
•do justice to many of whom will require a more special letter.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. WALKE,
Commander, U. S. N.
Flag-Officer A. H. Poote,
Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Western Waters.
Report of Lieutenant Commander Cfwin.
United States Gunboat Tyler,
Pittsburg, Tennessee, April 8, 1862.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that the enemy attacked our lines on
the left the morning of the 6th instant, at 6.30, and, by his overwhelming
numbers, forced our men to fall back in some confusion. At 9.25, finding
that the rebels were still driving our left wing back, I steamed up to a
point one mile above Pittsburg, taking a good position i,o support our
troops, should they be forced down to the banks of the river. At 10.15 the
Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk, joined me, having come up from
Crump's landing. After a short time she returned, for the purpose of sup-
porting the command of General Wallace, which occupied that point.
Not having received any instructions from the commanding general in
regard to the service to be rendered by the gunboats, I awaited them
patiently, although, for an hour or. more, shot and shell were falling all
around us. Feeling that, could some system of communication be estab-
lished, the Tyler might be of great advantage to our left wing, at 1.25 p. m.
I sent an officer, requesting that I might be allowed to open on the woods
in the direction of the batteries and advancing forces of the enemy. Gen-
eral Hurlburt, who commanded on our left, sent me word to do so, giving
me directions how to fire that I might do it with no danger to our troops,
and expressing himself grateful for this offer of support, saying that with-
out re-enforcements he would not be able to maintain the position he then
occupied for an hour. Therefore, at 2 50 I opened fire in the line directed,
with good effect, silencing their battery on our left ; at 3.50 ceased firing, .
and dropped down opposite the landing at Pittsburg.
Sent Mr. Peters, gunner, on shore, to communicate with General Grant for
further instructions. His reponse was, to use my own judgment in the mat-
ter. At 4 p. m. the Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk, having
arrived from Crump's landing, the Tyler, in company with the Lexington,
392 . ARMORED VESSELS.
took position three-quarters of a mile above Pittsburg, and opened a heavy
fire in tlie direction of the rebel batteries on their right, the missiles from
v^hich were falling all around us. We silenced them in thirty minutes. At
5.30, the rebels having succeeded in gaining a position on our left, an
eighth of a mile above the landing at Pittsburg and half a mile from the
river, both vessels opened a heavy and well-directed fire on them, and in a
short time, in conjunction with our artillery on shore, succeeded in silencing-
their artillery, driving them back in confusion.
At 6 p. m.'the Tyler opened deliber'ate fire in the direction of the enemy's
right wing, throwing 5" and 10" shell ; at 6.25 ceased firing.
At 9 p. m. thti Tyler again opened fire, by direction of General Nelson,
(who greatly distinguished himself in yesterday's engagement,) throwing
5", 10", and 15" shell and an occasional shrapnell from the howitzer, at
intervals of ten minutes, in the direction of the enemy's right wing, until
1 a. m., when the Lexington relieved us, and continued the fire at intervals
of fifteen minutes, till 5 a. m., when, our land forces having attacked the
enemy, forcing them gradually back, it made it dangerous for the gunboats
to fire.
At Y I received a communication from General Grant — enclosed is a.
copy — which prevented the gunboats taking an active part throughout the
rest of the day. Lieutenant Commanding Shirk deserves the highest praise
for the efficient manner in which the battery of the Lexington was served.
At 5.35 p. m. the enemy were forced to retreat in haste, having contested
every inch of ground with great stubbornness during the entire day.
The officers and men of this vessel displayed their usual gallantry and
enthusiasm during the entire day and night. Your "old wooden boats," I
feel confident, rendered invaluable service, on the 6th instant, to the land
forces. Gunner Herman Peters deserves great credit for the prompt and
courageous manner in .which he traversed our lines, conveying communica-
tions from this vessel to the commanding general.
The rebels had a force of 100,000 men; A. S. Johnson, (killed — body found
on the field, ) Beauregard, Hardee, Bragg, and Polk being their commanding
generals. Govei nor Johnson, provisional governor of Kentucky, is a prisoner
in our hands, mortally wounded. Loss severe on both sides; ours probably
10,000; the rebels suffered a much greater one. I think this has been a
crushing blow to the rebellion.
I am happy to state that no casualties occurred on either of the gunboats.
The Tyler expended 188 shell, four solid shot, two stand of grape, and
six shrapnell. Enclosed I send you Lieutenant Commanding Shirk's report.
Your obedient servant,
WM. Gwm,
lAeutenant Commanding Division of Gunboats on Tennessee River.
Flag-OfScer A. H. Foote,
Commanding Naval Forces on Western Waters.
Report of Limtmant Commander Shirk.
UNiTEn States Gunboat Lexington,
Pittsburg, Tennessee, April 8, 1862.
Sir: On the morning of the 6th instant, while lying at Crump's landing,
I heard severe cannonading in the direction of Pittsburg. I got under way,
and stood up the river to communicate with Lieutenant Commanding Gwin,
of the Tyler.
AKMOEED VESSELS. 393
Upon my reaching this place I found that an attack had been made by
the rebels in force. I returned to Crump's to support the division under
command of General Lew. Wallace, when I found that his division had pro-
ceeded to join the main force, back of Pittsburg landing.
I then steamed back to this place, and no instructions reaching the gun-
boats from the commanding general on shore, we were forced to remain
inactive hearers of the desperate fight, until the left wing of our forces
having been forced back and completely turned, and the rebels getting so
near the river that the missiles from tfieir batteries fell thick and fast over
and around us, enabled us to* use our great guns with such effect that the
fire of the enemy was silenced in thirty minutes.
This was between 4.iO and 4.40 p. m. Again, at 5.35, the enemy having
gained a position on the left of our lines, within an eighth of a mile of the
landing and of the transports, we again, with the Tyler, opened fire upon
them, silencing the enemy, and, as 1 hear from many army ofScers on the
field, totally demoralizing his forces, and driving them from their position,.
in a perfect rout, in the space of ten minutes.
The firing on the part of the land forces then ceased. At eight o'clock I
went down to Crump's landing, and finding that everything was quiet there
returned to this place.
At 1 a. m. on the tth I relieved the Tyler, Lieutenant Commanding Gwin,,
in a position immediately above the landing, and fired, until daylight, a
shell every fifteen minutes into the enemy's camp.
Yesterday, at daylight, the fight recommenced between the two parties
on shore, and continued until 5 p. m., when the enemy made a hurried
retreat.
The gunboats occupying a position on the left of our lines not being-
allowed to fire, I spent the morning and part of the afternoon in acts of
mercy — picking up the wounded who had found their way to the river and
conveying them to the hospital boats.
I must say thqt the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and men
whom I have the honor to command, displayed upon this occasion, as ofteii
before, are beyond all praise.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
JAMBS W. SHIRK,
Lieutenant Commanding,
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
United States Navy, Commanding United States
Naval Forces on Western Waters, Cairo, Illinois.
Thanks of the department to certain officers.
Navt Depaetment, April 12, 1862.
Sir: The department desires you to convey to Commander Henry Walke
and the officers and men of the Carondelet, also to Acting First Master
Hoel, of the Cincinnati, who volunteered for the occasion, its thanks for the
gallant and successful service rendered in running the Carondelet past the-
rebel batteries on the night of the 4th instant. It was a daring and heroic
act, well executed, and deserving of special recognition.
Commendation is also to be extended to the officers and crew of the
Pittsburg, who, in like manner, on the night of the Ith instant performed
a similar service. These fearless acts dismayed the enemy, enabled the
army under General Pope to cross the Mississippi and eventuated in the
surrender to yourself of Island No. 10, and finally in the capture, by General
394
AEMOBED VESSELS.
Pope, of the forts on the Tennessee shore, and the retreating rebels under
General Mackall.
I would also, in this connexion, render the acknowledgments which are
justly due the ofBcers and crews of the several boats who, in conjunction
with a detachment of the forty-second Illinois regiment, under Colonel
Roberts, captured the first rebel battery and spiked the guns on Island No.
10 on the night of the 1st instant. Such services are duly appreciated by
the department, which extends its thanks to all who participated in tBe
achievement.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servaSt,
GIDEON WELLES.
Flag-OfBcer A. H. Foote,
Commanding Gunboat Flolilla, SfC, Cairo, Illinois.
Destruction of trestle-work of the Memphis and Charleston railroad.
United States Gunboat Tyler,
Pittsburg, Tennessee, April 14, 1862.
I have the honor to inform you that the Tyler and Lexington convoyed
two transports, containing two thousand troops, infantry and cavalry, under
the command of General Sherman, to Chickasaw, Alabama, where they dis-
embarked and proceeded rapidly to Bear Creek bridge, the crossing of the
Memphis and Charleston railroad, for the purpose of destroying it and as
much of the trestle-work as they could find.
I am happy to state that the expedition was entirely successful. The
bridge, consisting of two spans, one hundred and ten feet each, was com-
pletely destroyed, (i. e., the superstructure, ) together with some five hundred
feet of trestle-work and half a mile of telegraph line.
The rebels made a feeble resistance to our cavalry, one hundred and
twenty in number, but soon made a hasty retreat, losing four killed; our
loss, none.
I regret to state that, in firing a salute on the 12th, John D. Seymour,
boatswain's mate, was so much injured by the premature discharge of a gun
as to cause his death yesterday morning.
Allow me to congratulate you, and those under your command, on your
great success at Island No. 10. Enclosed I send you Lieutenant Commanding
Shirk's report.
Very respectfully, &c.,
WILLIAM GWIN,
Lieutenant, Commanding Division of Gunboats on Tennessee JRiver.
Flag-Officer A. H. Poote,
Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
Flag-Officer Foote reports having gone to New Madrid from Island No. 10.
Flag-Steamer Benton,
Off Fort Pillow, April 14, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on the 11th instant I proceeded with
the flotilla from Island No. 10 to New Madrid, and left that place with all
our force on the 12th instant, and anchored the same evening near and just
below the Arkansas line, fifty miles distant from New Madrid.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 395
Early in the morning General Pc^e, with transports conveying his army
of twenty thousand men, arrived from New Madrid. At 8 o'clock five rebel
gunboats rounded the point below us, when the gunboats, the Benton in
advance, immediately got under, way and proceeded in pursuit; and when
within long range opened upon the rebels, followed by the Carondelet, and
Cincinnati, and the other boats. After an exchange of some twenty shots,
the rebel boats rapidly steamed down the river and kept beyond our range
until they reached the batterie.s of Fort Pillow, a distance of more than thirty
miles. We followed them to within a mile of Fort Pillow, within easy range
of their batteries, for the purpose of making a good reconnoissance, at con-
siderable expense, however; but it was not till we had rounded to and ran
some distance up the stream when the enemy opened fire upon us, and then
with no effect, their shot, most of them, going beyond us. Having accom-
plished our object, I tied the flotilla up to the banks on the Tennessee side,
out of range of the forts, for the night.
General Pope, with Assistant Secretary Scott, came aboard at 3 p. m,,
when it was arranged that the mortar boats should be placed in the morning
on the Arkansas shore, within range of the forts, to be protected by the
gunboats, and General Pope, with most of his force, should land five miles
above, with the view of getting his army, if possible, to the rear of "the for-
tifications and mate the attack in rear, while we should, with gun and mortar
boats, attack them in front.
This plftce has a long line of fortifications, with guns of heavy calibre;
their number and the number of their men I have not yet been able to as-
certain. The secession feeling here, as I learn from several persons coming
on board, is very strong, and they express the opinion that the resistance
will be very determined.
Three p. m. — General Pope has returned with his transports, and informs
me that he is unable to reach the rear of the rebels from any point of the
river above, and proposes to cut a canal on the Arkansas side, which will
enable us to get three or four of the gunboats below, and thus enable him
to cross the river below the upper forts, and thus cut off the batteries. We
shall thus have three iron-clad boats above and four below, which I presume
will be all that will be required in case the six gunboats of the rebels make
an attack upon either division, as three of our gunboats ought successfully
to cope with six of theirs.-
The mortar.pi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sketches of Fort Hindman and of the casemates destroyed.
United States Mississippi Suuadro.nv
January 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose a chart and sketches of Fort Hindman,
Post of Arkansas, showing the position and destructive fire of the iron-clads
Louisville, Baron De Kalb, and Cincinnati.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting-Rear Admiral, Gom'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
VIEW OP FORT HINDMAN, AKKANSAS POST.
Casemate No. 1, destroted bt the U. S. Gunboat "Baron DeKalb.'
Appearance of Casemates before the attack.
(Covered with railroad iron.)
CAS] MATE No 8 DESTROYED BT THE U. S. GUNBOAT " LODISVIIJUE,
BEAR VIEW OF Casemate No. 2.
434 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Acting Rear- Admiral Porter reports the evacuation of St. Charles, on the
White river.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Arkansas River, January 16, 1863.
Sir : On the morning of the 12th instant, after taking Fort Hindman, I sent
the gunboats Baron De Kalb and Cincinnati, under the command of Lieutenant
Commander John G. Walker, to St. Charles, on the White river, to capture
the fort and guns there, General Gorman moving up at the same time with
transports and troops. They reached St. Charles on the 14th, and found the
rebels had evacuated, leaving their defences, unfinished. The enemy suc-
ceeded in carrying off two 8-inch guns in the Blue Wing, an army transport the
guerillas captured a short ti^ne since.
' I have sent two light-draught steamers to Lieutenant Commander Walker,
with instructions to pursue the Blue Wing as long as he can hear of her, and
get the guiis if it is possible. This escape would not have taken place had an
attack been made on both places at the same time, which should have been
done. About such matters, however, I have no control at present, but hope to
have hereafter.
I presume we will now move down the Mississippi to carry out what I con-
ceive to have been the plans for which this army was organized, viz : the cap-
ture of Vicksburg.
It is rather a waste of time stopping here after the defences are destroyed.
We cannot go any higher (until April) up this river, nor can anything of
any draught get down. The Pontchartrain, a rebel ram, is up at Little Bock,
but preparations have been made to destroy her. I presume by this time she
has shared the fate of other rebel rams. She draws eleven feet, and cannot
possibly get down ; besides, she has no guns, her battery having been destroyed
at Fort Hindman.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker.
United States Steamer Baron De Kalb,
St. Charles, Arkansas, January 14, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your order of the 12th,
I left Arkansas Post on that day, with the Cincinnati and this vessel, and met
General Gorman with his command the next morning at Prairie landing, on
White river. Having a transport to tow each of the gunboats, I reached this
point at 11 a. m. to-day, and found it evacuated. From information received
here, it appears that the gmall body of troops stationed here left on the evening
of the 12th on board the Blue Wing, taking two 8-inch guns and a field battery
with them, and went up the river.
They left one casemate unfinished and an extensive range of rifle-pits.
General Gorman has asked that one of the vessels shall go up the river with
a part of his force, and the other remain at this place.
AEMQEED VESSELS. 435
I have ordered the Cincinnati to remain here, and shall go up the river myself
this afternoon.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. WALKEE,
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi. Squadron.
Burning of the steamers Jacob Mussbrain and Grampus. — Retaliatory measures.
United States Mississippi SauADRON,
January 18, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose a communication from Lieutenant Com-
mander Joshua Bishop in relation to investigations made about the burning, of
the steamers Jacob Mussbrain and Grampus above Memphis.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C,
B^port of lieutenant Commander Joshua Bishop, commanding Unikd States steamer General Bragg.
United States Steamer General Bragg,
Memphis, January 13, 1863.
Sir : I respectfully report that I went on board the light-draught gunboat
Linden, on the afternoon of the 12th, to visit the place where the Jacob Muss-
brain and Grampus were burned. The Linden had on board the part of the
89th regiment of Indiana volunteers under the command of Major Cabborly.
Proceeded up the river, passing by way of Mound City, (where the steamer
Grampus was burned;) anchored near Bradley's landing, (where the Jacob'
Mussbrain was burned.) About 10 p. m. a steamer passed down, and when a
short distance below us a signal-light was shown on the bank; the steamer blew
her whistle and made a landing. Perceiving that she was landing, I hailed
her with the steam- whistle, which she did not notice. Got under way, and the
vessel which had left the bank sounded the whistle and fired a gun. After-
chasing the vessel some distance, brought her to and boarded her — the steamer
Chippeway Valley ; finding nothing wrong, permitted her to proceed on down,
the river.
Steamed back to Bradley's landing and anchored. At 7 a. m. got under-
way and landed at Bradley's landing to communicatfe. Ascertained that there-
was c[uite a force of guerillas in the neighborhood ; that they intended destroy-
ing steamers ; that their rendezvous was at Mound City, Marion, and Hopefield ;
that a man named Cheek was instrumental in burning the steamers. At 9 a. m..
left Bradley's landing and proceeded to Mound City-»-firiDg shells at intervals
into the i woods, a? it was supposed there were guerillas thereabouts. At 10'
a. m. landed at Mound City and disembarked the troops; the infantry made-
prisoners of several citizens who had been harboring guerillas ; set fire to and
burned several unoccupied houses belonging to Mr. Cheek and others, as there
was evidence that they had been lately occupied.
The infantry proceeded by land to Hopefield, searching houses for arms. At
436 ARMOEED VESSELS.
2 p. m. landed at Hopefield and embarked the troops. Steamed down to Fort
Pickering and disembarked the troops.
The pickets exchanged shots with some mounted men, and a number of shot-
guns, rifles, and revolvers, &c., were captured.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOSHUA BISHOP,
Lieutenant Commander.
Lieut. Com'dr Thomas 0. Selfbidge, U. S. N.,
Com'dg U. S. Steamer Conestoga, Senior Officer, Memphis, Tenn.
Acting Rear-Admiral Porter's report of expedition up the White river.
• United States Mississippi Squadron,
January 20, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that the naval expedition up White
river, under the command of Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker, was suc-
cessful in accomplishing the duty on which it was sent. Lieutenant Commander
Walker pushed on to Duvall's Bluif in the Baron de Kalb, and reached there
just as the two 8-inch guns were being placed on the cars for Little Bock. He
landed his men and took possession of all rebel property ; the rebels fled. The
capture of these guns makes it very difficult for the rebels to defend the ap-
proaches to Little Rock, and the State of Arkansas is completely in our power.
When all the light-draught gunboats join me I will see that the river is kept
under surveillance. *******
I sent Lieutenant Commander Walker three swift, light-draught vessels as
soon as I could, and with these and the Baron De Kalb he is pursuing the
Blue Wing, and any other steamers that are there.
The Cincinnati remains at St. Charles to guard the river thereabouts. The
Baron De Kalb has already ascended the White river over three hundred and
fifty miles.
I enclose a copy of Lieutenant Commander Walker's report.
I beg leave to state that all the property that was on board the Blue Wing
when she fell into the enemy's hands is in our possession, excepting the mails.
It only remains to take her, or have them destroy her. I enclose a list of
prisoners captured and pai'oled.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POKTEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington City, D. C.
Lieutenant Commander Walker's report.
» United States Gdnboat Baron De Kalb,
Duvall's Bluff, White River, January 16, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report my arrival at this place. Leaving the trans-
ports at Arkapola, four miles below, I cleared for action and steamed up, arriving
at about 3 p. m. Meeting with no resistance, I made fast to the bank, and land-
ing a party took possession of all the public property.
I found two fine 8-inoh guns and carriages, about two hundred stand of arms,
with accoutrements, and three platform cars.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 437
The guns ■were upon skids, and were being parbuckled upon the cars, when
the rebels took the alarm and fled. The supper for the soldiers was cooking
when I arriv|d, and they left blankets and traps of all kinds behind. I took
seven prisoners, and from them and the negroes learned that the troops engaged
in loading the cars ran about fifteen minutes before I arrived, and at the same
time the steamer Blue Wing went up the river. The guns and carriages are in
good order, and many of the small-arms are new Enfield rifles.
Upon the arrival of General Gorman's troops I drew off my men, and turned
over to the army.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. WALKER,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Bear- Admiral David D. Porter,
Com'dg United States Mississippi Squadron.
Results of the White River Expedition.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
January 26, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose a report from Lieutenant Commander John
G. Walker, in relation to the winding up of the White river expedition, which
was as successful as could be desired, with the exception of the recapture of the
Blue Wing. The troops will not move without a gunboat, and Lieutenant Com-
mander Walker had to return with them, much to his and my disappointment.
Every gun of any importance has now been captured or destroyed in Arkan-
sas; thirteen (13) fort guns taken by the navy in the defences or in transit,
and eighteen (18) field-pieces by the army, which cut the guns off at Fort
Hindman, in all thirty-one (31) guns and a large amount of stores and ammuni-
tion. All our vessels were much broken in ascending and descending the narrow
rivers, (Arkansas and White,) but all hands are at work repairing damages, and
are now ready to go at anything when all the army arrives here, and pronounce
themselves ready for action.
Lieutenant Commander Walker performed the duty I sent him on much to
my satisfaction, and deserves all the credit for the capture of guns, other rebel
property, and prisoners.
The army is still landing. I cannot see, though, what can possibly be done
by the entire army landing on the neck of land opposite Vicksburg. They
have no siege guns, except four, with which I supplied them ; and a sudden rise
of water, overflowing the levee, will drown them all out, and destroy much gov-
ernment property.
The naval vessels, however, are busily employed, doing all they can to cover
the troops, convoy them up and down the river, and guard those points from
which guerillas fire on the boats.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadzo^.'^
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of tie Navy, Washington, D. C,
438
AEMORED VESSELS.
Rt^ort of lAmtmaM Comrnander John G. Walker.
United States Gunboat Baron De Kai.b,
Mississippi River, January 22, 1863.
Sir : On the 18th I received your letter, directing me, if General Gorman
would furnish a detachment of troops, to push up White river, and endeavor to
capture or destroy the Blue Wing and other steamers. General Gorman gave
me the troops, and I was ahout starting, when orders from Generals Curtis and
Grant obliged him to withdraw his troops from the river, and prevented the ex-
padition. I therefore followed the transports down the river. Before leaving
Duvall's Bluff the depot building and cars were set on fire by the troops. The
wood of which the depot was built was green cypress, and covered with snow.
Seeing that but little damage was likely to be done by the fire, I sent an officer
and boat's crew, who cut away the upright timberSj and bending a line to the
building, pulled it down and burned it. At the same time the chief engineer,
with a party of men with sledges, broke the car wheels and journals to pieces,
utterly ruining them. The cars were also burned.
On my way down I remained at Clarendon until the cavalry force there started
for Helena. At St. Charles I assisted an officer of General Hovey's staff to
blow up the magazine, using the powder I captured at Des Arc. The iron gun-
slides I threw upon the burning timber of the casemates. I believe everything
of use to the enemy at St. Charles that could be destroyed was destroyed by
the army or ourselves.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. WALKER.
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy.
Acting Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Additional report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter.
United States Mississippi Sciuadron,
January 28, 1863.
Sir : I mentioned in one of my reports to you that the army had captured
eighteen field-pieces at Arkansas Post on the field. Only seventeen guns were
captured in all, six besides the guns in "the fort, captured by the navy. I was
misinformed.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Expedition up the Cumberland River.
Office of Mississippi Squadron,
Cairo, Illinois, January 31, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith the report of Lieutenant Com-
mander S. L. Phelpg, whom I sent up the Cumberland river, in the United
States gunboat Lexington, on special duty, to examine the condition of that
river, and report its requirements to me.
AEMOKED VESSELS. 439
The Lexington will be sent up the river again to-night, and will be placed
under the command of Lieutenant Commander Le Eoy Fitch temporarily. That
vessel had b^en ordered by Acting Rear- Admiral D. D. Porter to return to the
fleet in the Lower Mississippi as soon as she had conveyed the prisoners cap-
tured at the Post of Arkansas to this place, and had received some necessary
repairs here ; but deeming that the emergency of the case would excuse my ac-
tion, and that the telegrams from the department and General Rosecrans would
warrant it, and knowing that much time must elapse before I could communi-
cate with the acting rear-admiral, and receive. £tn answer, I sent her, together
with the Silver Lake, up the Cumberland.
I shall endeavor, in every way in my power, to co-operate with the army, and
I trust that I shall be able to carry out the directions of the department and
acting rear-admiral in regard thereto in every respect.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. PENNOCK,
Fleet- Captain and Commandant of Statiom
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Lieutenant Commander Phelps.
Office of Mississtppi SauADEON,
Cairo, Illinois, January 30, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your ord*, I proceeded up the Cumberland river with
the gunboat Lexington to Nashville, Tennessee, and returned to this place last
night. Meeting with a transport that had been fired upon by artillery, twenty
miles above Olarksville, I at once went to that point, and landing, burned a
storehouse used by the rebels as a resort and cover. On leaving there to de-
scend to Olarksville, where I had passed a fleet of thirty-one steamers, with
numerous barges in tow, convoyed by three light-draught gunboats, imder Lieu-
tenant Commander Fitch, the Lexington was fired upon, by the enemy, who had
two Parrott guns, and struck three times, but the rebels were quickly dislodged
and dispersed.
I then returned to Olarksville, and, agreeable to the arrangement aheady made
by Lieutenant Commander Fitch, left that place at midnight, with the whole
fleet of boats, and reached NashviUe the following night without so much as a
musket-shot having been fired upon a single vessel of the fleet. Doubtless the
lesson of the previous day had effected this result.
From the best information to be had it appears that the rebels had a num-
ber of.guns, with a considerable covering force, extending along Harpeth shoals,
a distance of some eight, or ten miles. This force can readily operate upon both
the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Besides these guns, the enemy also has
several pieces about Savannah, on the Tennessee. No steamer should be per-
mitted to run on either river, above Forts Hemy and Donelson, without the
convoy of a gunboat. Lieutenant Commander Fitch has not, at present, an
adeq[uate force to protect government transports upon the two streams, and I
would suggest the propriety of sending him the Lexington. Her heavy guns
have great effect with the rebels, and while they will fire upon vessels immedi-
ately under the howitzers of the light-draught gunboats, they wiU not show
themselves where the heavier gunboats are. I have no doubt, with the aid of
440 AEMOEED VESSELS.
the Lexington, Captain Fitch will be able efiectually to protect all the govern-
ment vessels in those rivers.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
^ ^ ^ S.L.PHELPS,
Zdieutenant Commander.
Captain A. M. Pennock, U. S. N.,
Fleet- Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, 111.
Telegram from Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch.
[By telegraph from Smithfield, Kentucky, 1863.]
United States Military Telegraph,
• Cairo, January 31, 1863.
The Robb joined me yesterday at this place. Nothing very serious up Ten-
nessee river. Have sent the Eobb and St. Clair to Paducah to bring up our
coal barge.
The small-pox is in that place. Have another large convoy to take to Nash-
ville, and one to bring down. No danger of either river being blockaded by the
rebels.
LE ROY FITCH,
Lieutenant Commander.
Fleet-Captain A. M. Pennock,
Commandant of Naval Station.
Passage of the Vicksburg batteries by the Queen of the West. — Proceedings
below Vicksburg.
Yazoo River, February 2, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that on the 1st February I gave the follow-
ing order to Colonel Charles R. Ellet, of the ram fleet.
This order was carried out, excepting the destruction of the vessel, and we are
now enabled to prevent supplies reaching the enemy at Vicksburg and Port
Hudson by the Mississippi river.
The 'Queen of the West passed the batteries in broad daylight, instead of in
the dark, as I intended, and received twelve shot and shell; but as I had ordered
her covered with two thicknesses of cotton bales, no damage was done to the
hull, though she was exposed to the fire of all the batteries for fifty (50) minutes.
Some of the heaviest shot struck her. My orders were handsomely and
gallantly carried out, and if the Vicksburg was not sunk, it was because of her
wide guards and great strength. I have ordered the Queen of the West to
proceed down as low as Red river, to capture and destroy all the rebel property
she may meet with. The first favorable opportunity I will re-enforce her, and
if we cannot take Vicksburg, the enemy will have to evacuate its other points
on the river for want of supplies and transportation.
I send Colonel Charles R. EUet's report. I cannot speak too highly of this
gallant and daring officer. The only trouble I have is to hold him in and keep
him out of danger ; he will undertake anything I wish him to without asking
questions, and these are the kind of men I like to command. The enemy fired
over fifty (50) heavy guns and many field-pieces.
The calibre of shot that struck the Queen of the West was 100-pounder rifle,
64-pounder solid and shell, 50-pounder shell, 30-pounder shell, and 32-pounder
AEMOKED VESSELS. 441
smooth-bore. The Vicksburg is in' a sinking condition, and has her steam-pump
going all the time.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Orders to Colonel Ellet.
Yazoo River, February 1, 1863.
Sir : Ton will proceed with the Queen of the West to Vicksburg, and destroy
the steamer Vicksburg, lying off that place ; after which, you will proceed down
the river as far as our batteries, below the canal, and report to me. In going
down you will go along under low speed, having steerage-way enough, and
keeping close to the right-hand shore going down. Before you start, it would
be better to have a large bed of coal in, so that you will not have to put in fresh
coal. The smoke might betray you. After you have destroyed the steamer,
go down stream, and when clear of the city, show three vertical lights, that our
batteries may not fire on you. If you get disabled, drift down until abreast of
our batteries, and the small army steamer will go to your assistance. Have
every light in your ship put out before you leave for Vicksburg, except the
three lights to he shown to our batteries, which must be kept covered up. See
that no lights show from the stern, as you pass the town, enabling them to rake
you; and adopt every means of concealment. The best place to strike the
steamer is twenty feet forward of her wheel. After disabling her there, so that
she will sink, fire through her boilers and in among her machinery as she goes
down.
It will not be part of your duty to save the lives of those on board. They
must look out for themselves, and may think themselves lucky if they do not
meet the same fate meted out to the Harriet Lane. Think of the fate of that
vessel while performing your duty, and shout Harriet Lane into the ears of the
rebels. If you can fire turpentine balls from your bow field-pieces into the light
upper works, it will make a fine finish to the sinking part.
Further orders for duty to be performed below will be given after your report.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Colonel Ohas. R. Ellet,
Ram Queen of the West.
Report from Colonel Ellet.
United States Steam Ram Quebx of the "West,
Below Vicksburg, February 2, 1863.
Admiral : In compliance with your instructions, I started on the Queen of
the West, at half past four o'clock this morning, to pass the batteries at Vicks-
burg and sink the rebel steamer lying before that city.
I discovered immediately on starting that the change of the wheel from its
former position to the narrow space behind the Queen's bulwark did not permit
the boat to be handled with sufficient accuracy. An hour or more was spent in
rearranging the apparatus, and when we finally rounded the point the sun had
risen, and any advantage which would have resulted from the darkness was
lost to us.
442 ARMOEED VESSELS.
The rebels opened a heavy fire upon us as we neared the city, but we were
only struck three times before reaching the steamer. She was lying in nearly
the same position that the Arkansas occupied when General Ellet ran the Queen
into her on a former occasion. The same causes which prevented the destniction
of the Arkansas then, saved the City of Vicksburg this morning. Her position
was such that if we had run obliquely into her as we came down, the bow of
the Queen would inevitably have glanced. We were compelled to partially
round to in order to strike. The consequence was, that at the very moment of
collision, the current, very strong and rapid at this point, caught the stern of
my boat, and, acting on her bow as a pivot, swung her round so rapidly that
nearly all her momentum was lost. I had anticipated this result, and therefore
caused the starboard bow gun to be shotted with three of the incendiary pro-
jectiles recommended in your orders. As we swung round. Sergeant J. H.
Campbell, detailed for the purpose, fired this gun. A sixty-four pound_ shell
crashed through the barricade just before he reached the spot, but he did not
hesitate. The discharge took place at exactly the right moment, and set the
rebel steamer in flames, which they subsequently succeeded in extinguishing.
At this moment one of the enemy's shells set the cotton near the starboard
wheel on fire, while the discharge of our own gun ignited that portion which
was on the bow. The flames spread rapidly, and the dense smoke rolling into
the engine-room suffocated the engineers. I saw that if I attempted to run into
the City of Vicksburg again, my boat would certainly be burnt. I ordered her
to be headed down stream, and turned every man to extinguishing the flames.
After much exertion we finally put the fire out by cutting the burning bales
loose. The enemy of course were not idle. We were struck twelve times, but
though the cabin was knocked to pieces, no material injury to the boat or to any
of those on her was inflicted.
About two regiments of rebel sharpshooters, in rifle-pits, kept up a continual
fire, but did no damage. The Queen was struck twice in the hull, but above
the water-line. One of our guns was dismounted and ruined.
I can only speak in the highest terms of the conduct of every man on board.
All behaved with cool, determined courage.
I remain, very respectfully,
CHARLES EIVERS ELLET,
Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet,
David D. Porter,
Anting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
United States Mississippi Sciuadron,
February 2, 1863.
The following is a list of the oflScers on board the ram Queen of the West
while running the batteries at Vicksburg to-day :
Colonel Charles Rivers Ellet, Captain E. W. -Sutherland, First Lieutenant
J. E. Tuttle, Master Sims Edison, Master J. C. Duncan, Engineer Heuben
Townsend.
Letter of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Mouth of the Yazoo, February 5, 1863.
Sir: After the ram Queen of the West had "reported progress" before
Vicksburg, I ordered her down the river to sink and destroy all vessels she met
with. Colonel Ellet returned this morning, passing the fort at Warrenton in
AEMOEED VESSELS. 443
broad daylight, and was hit several times. He destroyed below three large
steamers loaded with pork, sugar, molasses, and army supplies. He captm-ed
fivte captains and two lieutenants. A number.of rebel officers made their escape
by jumping overboard. Colonel Ellet came within two hours of catching
General Dick Taylor with a transport load of troops.
The Queen of the West went ten miles up the Red river, where there are
many fine steamers that are supplying Port Hudson. They will likely not
attempt to go out while the ram is about. She is now out of coal, and had to
return on that account. I am going to supply her, either by drifting a barge
around at night or by sending across the land.
■Colonel Ellet learns from the prisoners that General Banks is seven miles
from Port Hudson. They had a severe engagement a few days ago. The rebels
withdrew and went back to the fort, and our troops went back to their camp ;
a " drawn battle," I presume.
■The ram took all the vessels by surprise ; the people did not dream of any-
thing of the kind. If we cannot take just now the six miles of river in front of
Vicksburg, we can take anything that steams upon that portion of the Missis-
sippi between Vickskurg and Port Hudson.
Very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTEE,
Acting Rear- Admiral.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Further ryiorl of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter, relative to the Queen of the West.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
February 8, 1863.
Sir : I am happy to inform you that the steamer Vicksburg was so badlj
injured by the ram Queen of the West that she has to be kept afloat with large
coal barges fastened to her side. Her machinery has been taken out, and she
will likely be destroyed. This is the fifth steamer we have deprived the rebels
of. The Vicksburg was the largest and strongest steamer on this river, and I
think they were preparing to use her against our transports, being very fleet.
Her wheel and guards were all smashed in, and a large hole knocked in her
aide ; so deserters report.
Last night I started a coal barge with twenty thousand bushels of coal in,
from the anchorage up rivjer, to " run the batteries at Vicksburg." It had ten
miles to go to reach the Queen of the West, and arrived safely within ten
minutes of the time calculated, not having been seen by the sentinels. This
gives the ram nearly coal enough to last a month, in which time she can commit
great havoc if no accident happens to her.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Inaiructiona to Oolonel EWst.
"United States Mississippi Squadron,
February 8, 1863.
Colonel : When you have taken in your coal you will proceed, at night,
after dark, with the De Soto and the coal barge down the river, showing no
444
AEMOKED VESSELS.
lights. When you get near Red river, wait until daylight, above the mouth ;
from there you Tvill be able to see the smoke of any steamer, over the trees, as
she comes down Bed river. When you capture them do not bum them until
you have broken all the machinery ; then let go the anchors, and let them burn
under your own eyes at their anchors. There wiU be no danger then of any
part of them floating down to the enemy.
There is one vessel, the Wehb, that you must look out for. If you get the
first crack at her you will sink her, and if she gets the first crack at you she
■wiU sink you. My advice ia to put a few cotton bales over your bow about
fifteen (15) feet abaft the stem, and if she strikes you there, there will be no
harm done. It is likely that an attempt will be made to board you ; if there is,
do not open any doors or ports to board in return, but act on the defensive,
giving the enemy steam and shell. Do not forget to wet your cotton before
going into action. Do not lose sight of the De Soto, unless in chase, and under
circumstances where it will be perfectly safe. When your coal is all out of the
barge you can take the De Soto alongside. You can help each other along.
Destroy her at once when there is the least chance of her falling into the hands
of the enemy. She is now, though, a government vessel, and should be brought
back if possible. Destroy all small boats you meet with on the river ; also
wharf-boats and barges. If you have a chance, and have plenty of coal, take
a look at Port Hudson, and give them a few rifle shots, but do not pass by.
Communicate with the squadron below by signal if possible. The great object
is to destroy all you can of the enemy's stores and provisions, and get your
vessel back safe. Pass all batteries at night. If the canal is opened I will
keep you supplied with coal. Keep your pilot-house well supplied with hand
grenades, &c., in case the enemy should get on your upper decks. Do not show
your colors along the river, unless necessary in action.
Very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Colonel Charles R. Ellet,
Commanding Mississippi Ram Fleet.
S^ort) of Golanel JBUtt of Kii proceedings.
U. S. Mississippi SauADEOPf,
February 6, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith Colonel Ellet 's reports of his pro-
ceedings down the river.
I hope to be able to get him off again as soon as I can get coal around to him.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Commandiag Mississippi Squadron,
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Miss. River Ram Fleet, U. S. Steam Ram Queen of the West,
Below Viclcshurg, February 5, 1863.
Admiral : I have the honor to report to you that I left the landing, below
the cut-off, about 1 o'clock p. m. on the 2d instant, and proceeded down the
river. At Warrfinton, a few miles below, the enemy had two batteries of four
AEMOEED VESSELS. 445
pieces each, of wMch four are twenty-pounder rifled guns. They opened upon
us as we passed, but only struck us twice, doing no injury.
On reaching the Big Black river I attempted to ascend it, but found it im-
possible from the narrowness of the stream.
Passing it, we reached Natchez just at midnight. I landed at Vidalia, on the
opposite shore, threw out some pickets, and went into the village in the hope
of picking up some rebel officers. There can be no telegraphic line between
Vicksburg and this point, for not a word of our coming had reached the place,
and the people scarcely knew who we were. One rebel. Colonel York, was
halted, but made so rapid a retreat that he escaped the shots fired after him.
Leaving this point, I kept on down the river. We passed Ellis's cliffs at
3 o'clock a. m. There are no fortifications at that or any other point between
Warrenton and Port Hudson.
We had got about fifteen miles below the mouth of Red river, when we met
a side-wheel steamer coming up. Her pilot blew the whistle for the Queen to
take the starboard side, supposing her to be a southern boat. Receiving no
answer, and not liking the Queen's looks, as she bore straight down upon him,
he ran his boat ashore. As we neared her, numerous rebel officers sprang into
the water and made their escape. She proved to be the A. W. Baker, had
just discharged her cargo at Port Hudson, and was returning for another. We
captured on her five captains, two lieutenants, and a number of civilians, among
them seven or eight ladies.
I had just placed a guard on the boat, when another steamer was seen coming
down the river. A shot across her bows brought her to. She proved to be the
Moro, laden with one hundred and ten thousand pounds of pork, nearly five
hundred hogs, and a large quantity of salt, destined for the rebel army at Port
Hudson. I placed Captain Asgill Connor in command of the captured boats,
and as the Queen's supply of coal was very limited, I thought it best to return.
A short distance above our landing I destroyed twenty-five thousand pounds of
meal, awaiting transportation to Port Hudson.
On reaching Red river I stopped at a plantation to put ashore the ladies, who
did not wish to go any further ; I also released the civilians. While doing so,
another steamboat, the Berwick Bay, came out of Red river, and was imme-
diately seized. She was laden with supplies for the rebel forces at Port Hud-
son, consisting of two hundred barrels of molasses, ten hogsheads of sugar, and
thirty thousand pounds of flour. She had also on board forty bales of cotton.
I ascended Red river fifteen miles in the hope of getting some more boats,
but found nothing. Night came on as we again started on our return. I found
at once that the progress of the three prizes was so slow that our short supply
of coal would not permit us to wait for them. T accordingly ordered them to
be set on fire. We had not time to transfer their cargoes.
We met with no interruption on our return until we reached Warrenton.
Before arriving at this point, I landed and sent my prisoners around by land,
under a strong guard, to avoid exposing them to the enemy's fire.
On passing Warrenton we found that another battery had been erected there,
and the three combined opened a very heavy fire upon us. They struck us
several times, but did no damage worth mentioning.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES RIVERS ELLET,
Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet.
David D. Porter,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
446 AEMOEED VESSELS.
United States Ram Queen of the West,
Below Vicksburg, February 8, 1863.
Admiral : I have the honor to report to you that the coal barge reached me
in good condition at half past eleven o'clock last night. I secured it without
difficulty, and removed it this morning into the slough, where it is entirely out
of danger from the enemy's shot. I shall coal immediately.
I have mounted one of the thirty-pounder Parrott guns on the De Soto.
I hope to be able to procure cotton enough down the river to thoroughly
protect her.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
^ ^ ^ ^ CHARLES RIVERS ELLET,
Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet.
David D. Porter,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Approaches and defences of Vicksburg — proceedings and designs of Admiral
Porter.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
February 7, 1863;
Sir : I have the honor to forward you a chart of the approaches and defences
of Vicksburg, as far as we can detect them ; the number of guns has not yet
been ascertained, though we know of over fifty of heavy calibre. This chart
has been made by Messrs. Strauss and Fendall, of the Coast Survey, and is the
best and most accurate one constructed.
The rebels at Vicksburg were very amicable in permitting the two above-
mentioned gentlemen to prosecute their labors unmolested, having fired at them
particularly only once, while they fired on the army surveyors constantly.
On one occasion an officer from the rebel side came over in a boat, and, with-
out landing, inquired what our party were about with that table, (meaning the
plane table.) He was told to come on shore and see, which he declined doing.
Still the rebels did not molest us, though only 750 yards from us.
This enabled the party to get the heights of hills, prominent buildings, shape
of forts, and, in fact, everything but the guns, which are so completely covered
that it is impossible to make them out.
On the morning wUen the ram Queen of the West went by the batteries, I
had officers stationed all along to note the places where guns were fired from,
and they were quite surprised to find them firing from spots where there were
no indications whatever of any guns before.
The shots came from banks, gulleys, from railroad depots, from clumps of
bushes, and from hill-tops two hundred feet high. A better system of defence
was never devised.
Vicksburg was by nature the strongest place on the river, but art has made
it impregnable against floating batteries — not that the number of guns is formi-
dable, but the rebels have placed them out of our reach, and can shift them from
place to place, in case we should happen to annoy them (the most we can do)
in their earthworks.
In a report I made to the department while attached to the mortar flotilla, I
remarked " that the navy could silence the water batteries whenever it pleased,
but that the taking of Vicksburg was an army affair altogether," and it would
have to be taken by troops. At that time it mounted twenty guns, all told,
scattered along^ as they are now, and ten thousand men could have marched
right into it without opposition.
ARMOKED VESSELS. 447
When Admiral Farragut's fleet first went there, Vicksburg had mounted five
guns, and three thousand men might have taken it with ease. Even as late as
six months back no extra defences were put on at Vicksburg, or on the Tazoo,
and our gunboats went sixty miles up that river (which they should never have
left) without molestation. The long-talked-of expedition for the capture of
Vicksburg, and the various plans that were expressed by our treacherous press,
gave the rebels warning, and before I came into these waters Vicksburg was
inaccessible in front, and unapproachable by the Yazoo, on account of the
strength and position of their batteries.
The people in Vicksburg are the only ones who have, as yet, hit upon the
method of defending themselves against our gunboats, viz : not erecting water
batteries, and placing the guns some distance back &om the water, where they
can throw a plunging shot which none of our iron-clads could stand.
I mention these facts to show the department that there is no possible hope
of any success against Vicksburg by a gunboat attack, or without an investment
in the rear of the city by a large army. We can, perhaps, destroy the city and
public buildings, but that brings us no nearer the desired point (the opening of
the Mississippi) than we are now, and would likely put out the little spark of
Union feeling still existing in Vicksburg.
The attack of the army having failed at the enemy's weakest point, for want
of nerve in the leader of a brigade, the next thing to be done is to attack them
at some unsuspected point. The canal is a failure, and not even practicable, as
yet, for taking through a coal barge, and the army (in daily danger of having
it burst its frail embankments) have wisely retreated to higher ground, leaving
the enemy still in wonder at their eccentric movements. In the mean time
General Grant and myself have been studying maps, and consulting about what
is the best course to pursue. I sent down the ram as a diversion, to cut off the
enemy's supplies here, and at Port Hudson; the result has met my m»st
sanguine expectations. Over two hundred thousand dollars' worth of property
was captured and destroyed, amongst it many supplies for the rebel army at
Port Hudson. At present we command the Mississippi, and the first step towards
the evacuation of the stronghold has been adopted. After that. General Grant
proposes to cut a canal into Lake Providence. This lake communicates with
the Tensas river, a deep stream, and the Tensas runs into the Washita, which
empties into the Eed river, near the mouth of the latter. The canal is not yet
finished, and what the result will be no one can foresee. Some think that the
great rush of the Mississippi will clear away everything before it, and the Tensas
river become a fine navigable stream for the largest steamers : it is now capable
of passing medium-size steamers ; at all events it will give us the command of
Red river, and cut off all supplies from that qharter ; the result no one can
calculate.
While General Grant was cutting his canal at Lake Providence, I proposed
cutting away the levee, at a place called Delta, near Helena, into Old Yazoo
Pass ; and General Grant sending a detachment of diggers, I sent the Forest
Rose up to enter the channel, when it should be cut out ; this used to be the main
way to Yazoo city, and the rivers Tallahatchie and Yallabusha, before the
southern railroad was built, and it was closed up to reclaim some millions of
acres of land that laid useless. It leads into the Tallahatchie river, and through
it we command the heart of the Mississippi, and all the resources of the enemy
around Vicksburg.
The levee was cut, and the water rushed in with such force, sweeping every-
thing before it, that it at once cut a channel eighty yards wide, and at last
accounts the water was sweeping everything before it. It will take some days
for the water to reach its level, having a fall of nine feet ; and in the mean time
I have fitted out a force of five light-draughts, and the iron-elad Chillicothe, to
go through and take the enemy by surprise. The commander of the expedition,
448 AKMOEED VESSELS.
Lieutenant Commander Watson Smith, has instructions to destroy all the means
of transportation the enemy has, destroy all gunboats and rams, and break up
the bridges over the Tallahatchie and Yallabusha.
If this expedition is successful in getting through. General Grant -will follow
with his ai-my, and Vicksburg attacked in the rear, in a manner not likely
dreamed of; the troops at Vicksburg will be obliged to evacuate, as they have
heretofore done other strongholds ; that accomplished. Port Hudson must fall,
and if I have the gunboats I could keep the river open.
By looking over the map of Mississippi, you will perceive the importance of
this move, if successful ; if it is not, it will overflow a large tract of country from
which the rebels draw their supplies.
I am trying to get coal to Colonel EUet, that he may continue his attacks on
the enemy below, and in the Red river, before they can wake up from their
astonishment at his first appearance.
I have endeavored to give you, sir, a fair account of the situation here, that
you may not expect too much from the present fleet. What it is possible to do,
will be done. My main object is to meet with no defeats, and I shall undertake
nothing where there is no chance of success.
A defeat of the navy on this river would be considered a calamity, but the
werld will not blame us for waiting until we are perfectly prepared.
So many of my men's time is out, and the vessels being less than half manned,
I applied to General Grant for a regiment of soldiers, which he has promised
me, to be detailed for detached service. This makes us comfortable again.
I hope it meets with the approval of the department. It will take a couple
of weeks to break them in.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POETER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Cemi'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Attach on the rebels at Dover, Tennessee.
No. 14] Office Mississippi Squadron,
Cairo, Illinois, February 9, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a report of Lieutenant
Commander Le Roy Fitch, United States navy, giving his account of his attack
on the rebels who had surrounded and were attacking the post at Dover, Ten-
nessee. I had been informed that the enemy were attacking that post, but I
felt no uneasiness in regard to the result, for I was sure that the gunboats were
near Fort Donelson, and that Lieutenant Commander Fitch would hasten with
them to the rescue of those who were so gallantly defending it against a very
superior force.
I have the honor to be, very respeotfiilly, your obedient servant,
A. M. PENNOCK,
Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
VICKSBURG AND VICINITY.
Scale of 'Miles
450 ARMORED VESSELS.
Ktpart from, Lieutenant Oamrmnder Le Roy Fitch.
United States Gunboat Fairplay,
Off' Dover, Tennessee, February 4, 1863.
Sir : I have tlie honor to report, that on the 3d instant I left Smithland,
Kentucky, with a fleet of transports and the gunboats Lexington, Fairplay, St.
Clear, Brilliant, Eobb, and Silver Lake, as convoy up the Cumberland river. _
When about twenty-four miles below Dover I met the steamer Wild Cat with
a message from Colonel Harding, commandant of the post at Dover, informing
me that his pickets had been driven in, and that he was attacked in force. I
immediately left the transports and made signals to the gunboats to follow on
up as fast as possible. A short distance below the town I met another steamer,
bringing the intelligence that the place was entirely surrounded. Pushing on
up with all possible speed, I arrived here about 8 p. m., and found Colonel
Harding's force out of ammunition and entirely surrounded by the rebels in
overwhelming numbers, but still holding them in check.
The enemy not expecting gunboats, had unwisely posted the main hody of
his army in line of battle in the graveyard at the west end of the town, with his
left wing resting in a ravine that led down to the river, giving us a chance to
throw a raking fire along his lines. Simultaneously the gunboats opened fire
up this ravine, into the graveyard, and over into the valley beyond, where the
enemy had horses hitched, and, most probably, kept his reserve. The rebels
were so much taken by surprise that they did not even fire a shot, but immedi-
ately commenced retreating. So well directed was our fire on them, that they
could not even carry off a caisson that they had captured from our forces, but
were compelled to abandon it, after two fi-uitless attempts to destroy it by fire.
After having dispersed the main body of the enemy, I stationed the Kobb and
Silver Lake below the town to throw shell up the ravine and prevent the rebels
from returning to carry off the wounded, while the Lexington, Fairplay, St.
Clair, and Brilliant went above, and shelled the roads leading out to the eastward.
Supposing the retreating forces would follow the river for a short distance, I
sent the Lexington and St. Clair on up to shell the woods, harass and annoy
them as much as possible, while this boat and the Brilliant lay opposite the up-
per ravine and threw shells up the road. About 10 p. m. we ceased firing, with
the exception of now and then a random shell up the roads. At lip. m., learn-
ing from Colonel Harding that the enemy had entirely disappeared, we ceased
firing and took position to guard the roads approaching the town.
Although much of our firing was at random, we have the gratification of
knowing that scarcely a projectile went amiss, and that out of 140 buried to-day,
the gunboats can claim their share. Even when the Lexington and St. Clair
went above, many of their shells fell right in the midst of the retreating rebels,
killing and wounding many.
It is reported that the attacking force numbered some 4,500, with eight pieces
of artillery, under the command of Major General Wheeler, Brigadier Generals
Forrest and Wharton. It is certainly very gratifying to us to know that this
entire force was cut up, routed, and despoiled of its prey by the timely arrival
of the gunboats, and that Colonel Harding and his gallant little band were
spared to wear the honors they have so fairly won.
At first I regretted that I was not here with the gunboats sooner, but, upon
reflection, I do not think I could better have arranged the time, had it been in
my power. Had we been here before Wheeler he would not have made the
attack, but, most probably, would have marched on Fort Henry. Had we ar-
rived daring the day he would have seen our strength, and would have retreated
with but little loss. Arriving as we did, after dark, and when he least expected
us, and was so sanguine of success, we caught his forces arranged in the most
favorable position to receive a raking fire from our guns.
• ARMORED VESSELS. 451
The officers and men were very glad to have a shot at these river infesters,
and only regret that they did not remain within reach of our guns a little longer.
As it is, they claim the honor of dispersing them and saving Fort Donelson.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LE ROY FITOH, Lieut. Commander.
Fleet Captain A. M. Pbnnock, U. S. N.,
Commandant of Naval Station, Cairo, Illinois.
Passage of the Vichshurg batteries hy the Indianola.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
February 14, 1863.
Sir : I ordered the Indianola, Lieutenant Commander G-eorge Brown, down
the river, and she ran the batteries last night under a heavy fire, without, I be-
lieve, receiving any damage. She carried with her two coal barges, enough
to last two months. This gives us entire control of the Mississippi, except at
Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and cuts off all the supplies and troops from Texas.
"We have below now two Xl-inch guns, two IX-inch guns, two 30-pounder rifles,
six 12-pounders, and three vessels. They have orders to burn, sink, and de-
stroy.
I send you a copy of my instructions to Lieutenant Commander Brown, and
have the honor to remain,*very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POUTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. GriDEON Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
[Strictly confidential.]
Indructions to Lieutenant Oommander Oeorge Brown.
United States Mississippi SauADRON,
Febriiary 12, 1863.
Sir: Tou will take two coal barges alongside, that have been somewhat
lightened of coal, and stand by to run past the batteries at Vicksburg, and join
the vessels below. The object in sending you is to protect the ram Queen of the
West and the De Soto against the Webb, the enemy's ram ; she will not attack
you both. I do not wish you to go below Red river, but to remain there while
Colonel EUet reconnoitres Port Hudson, and prevent his being taken by vessels
from Red river. Keep your guns loaded with solid shot, or, if you are at-
tacked by vessels protected with cotton bales, fire shrapnell, which are good
incendiary shell. If you can capture a good steamer, I want you to keep her.
Go to Jeff. Davis's plantation, and his brother Joe's, and load up said steamer
with all the cotton you can find, and the best single male negroes. If you can-
not get cotton enough to protect the steamer you capture, obtain it at Acklen's
landing, and when you have filled the prize up with as much as she will carry
and make good speed, send her up to run the batteries and join me here. To
do this daub over her white paint with mud, so that she cannot be seen in the
dark. Dispose the cotton bags so that everything is well protected, and no
light can possibly show in any part of the boat. You must select dark and
rainy nights for running the blockade, and don't show yourself below Warren-
ton as you come up. After you pass the batteries at Vicksburg show two red
lights on your bow, that our people at the canal may know you. K you receive any
452 AEMOEED VESSELS. ,
damage from the Ijatteries send me a short report from the other side, and go on
with care until you are the other side (some distance) of Warrenton; lay by there
until the moon is up and proceed to Ked river. When the Que* of the West
returns, Colonel EUet and yourself will go up Eed river (provided you can get
good pilots) and destroy all you meet with in the shape of enemy's stores. This
part must be left to your discretion ; Ellet and yourself will consult together
what is best to be done; and whatever you undertake, try and have no failure.
When you have not means of certain success, undertake nothing ; a failure is
equal to a defeat. Never leave your coal barge unprotected by the De Soto,
and never leave her between you and the enemy. Don't forget that I had your
vessel strengthened to perform the part of a ram — don't hesitate to. run anything
down. When you have emptied the coal barges, either destroy them, so that
the enemy cannot possibly use them, or fill them with cotton and bring them
back. Make your calculations to get back here with plenty of coal on board.
Tell Colonel Ellet when he gets to Port Hudson to send a communication in a
barrel, (barrel to be marked "Essex,") and tell the commander, in said com-
munication, that I direct him to pass Port Hudson in a dark night and join the
vessels above. Have your casemates and sides well covered with tallow and
slush before you start.
Very respectfully,
DAVID D. POETER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Lieutenant Commander George Brown, U. S. N*
Commanding Indianola, Mississippi Squadron.
Report of Lieutenant Commander George Brown.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Yazoo River, February 24, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose you a communication from Lieutenant
Commander George Brown. We still hold the mouth of Eed river.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POETEE,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
United States Steamer Indianola,
Mouth of Red River, February 18, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your written instructions,
I left the anchorage in the Yazoo river at 10.15 p. m. on the 13th instant, hav-
ing in tow two barges of coal containing about seven thousand bushels each.
The weather was all I could desire. At 11.10 p. m. I was abreast of the upper
batteries, which did not open fire; the rebel lookouts at those batteries could
not have seen us. The first gun that was fired at us was at 11.22 p. m., from a
battery abreast the point.
At this time we were running very slowly, but at once started at full speed ;
other guns opened on us in very quick succession, and rockets were sent up at
the upper batteries. At 11.41 p. m. the last gun was fired. Eighteen guns
were fired at us in the space of nineteen minutes, none of which struck us.
They were generally good line shots, but all passed over us. Every shot' came
from abaft the beam. When abreast of the lower end of the canal I showed
two red lights on the starboard side. At Warrenton two musket shots were
fired at us. At 1 a. m. on the 14th ir°*""<- "■■" — i J -i — <■ " ji— ^-•'f>Ty
ARMORED VESSELS. 453
Warrenton. At 5.20 a. m. -we got under way and proceeded slowly down the
river. Nothing of importance transpired until the morning of the 16th, being
at anchor about eight (8) miles below Natchez, when a steamboat was heard
approaching from below. I got under way at once and stood across the river,
when the fog lifted, and I made the steamboat Era, No. 5 ; I hailed her and
learned that she was in charge of Colonel Ellet, having on board the few officers
and men who were saved from the Queen of the West. The particulars of her
capture will be reported to you by Colonel Ellet.
I again anchored, and, after consulting with Colonel Ellet, concluded to pro-
ceed on down the river as soon as the Era could be put in running order. At
4.30 p. m. we started down, the Era ahead. At 5.10 a steamer was seen abreast
of Ellis's Cliff, which I -at once recognized as being the rebel gunboat Webb.
At the same time the Era's whistle was blown, indicating that she saw danger
ahead. I cleared for action, and was going ahead at full speed, when the Webb
turned and started down. I fired two 1 1-inch shot at her, both of which were
good line shots; one struck within at least fifty yards of her. Both guns had
all the elevation that the port would admit of. The Webb at this time was
making most excellent speed, and soon disappeared behind the point. As we
rounded the point the fog set in so thick that not ev«n her smoke could be seen.
On account of the dense fog we anchored for the night under Glasscock's island.
Thinking it probable the Webb might get ashore in the fog, and knowing that
if she did we would drift by her without seeing herj I thought it best to remain
at anchor until I could run with safety, and be certain of seeing everything on
either side of the bank as we passed. At 1 p. m. on the 17th instant, the fog
lighting up, we got under way and proceeded on down the river as far as the
mouth of Red river, opposite which place we anchored at about 5 p. m. I sent
on shore for Colonel Acklen, who informed me that three boats had accompanied
the Webb in chase of Colonel Ellet, but that they had all turned back and gone
up Red river. I was informed that Colonel Lovell, who commanded the Webb
and the expedition, said that he would make a stand at Norman's landing,
where he could have the assistance of the fort at that place. I was also informed
that the Queen of the West has been hauled off and towed up to Norman's
(sometimes called Gordon's) landing ; that she was injured only in her steam
and escape pipes, which could easily be repaired. That the rebels will make
use of her to attack us I do not doubt, but I feel prepared to meet both the
Queen and the Webb. A deserter from the Webb reports that she has no iron
on her bow, but that the machinery below the spar deck is well protected by
cotton. On account of her walking-beams, which are not at all protected, she
will not come within close range of our guus.
Two boats are being fitted up with cotton at Port Hudson — ^for what particu-
lar service I am unable to learn.
My only trouble is to look out for the coal barges, which I can tow up stream
at a slow rate, and I cannot run the risk of losing sight of them, unless in case
of some pressing emergency. I keep the coal-bunkers full at all times, so that
in the event of my losing the barges we wUl have plenty of coal to take us to
Vicksburg. Colonel Ellet thinks that it is important that he should go up the
river at once and communicate with you; I am convinced that I can remain
alone in this vicinity for some time, but at the same time I consider it important
that there should be at least one other serviceable vessel with me.
If the river rises one foot more, of which there is a strong probability, Port
Hudson wiU be unapproachable by land ; so you can readily understand the
importance of the stoppage of all river communication.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE BROWN,
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy.
Acting Rear-Admiral David D. Portbk,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Yazoo River.
454 AEMORED VESSELS.
Loss of the United States steamer Glide.
Unitkd States Mississippi Squadron,
February 15, 1863.
Sir : I enclose herewith reports of Captain A. M. Pennock and Acting Lieu-
tenant Selim E. Woodworth, in relation to the burning of the Glide; and also
enclose general orders, showing that I omitted no precaution against fire pre-
vious to my leaving Cairo.
I have ordered an investigation of the matter.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Rqiort of Fled Gaptain Pennock.
Office of the Mississippi Squadron,
Cairo, Illinois, February 7, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report to you that at about 5.20 o'clock this morn-
ing the gunboat Glide was reported to be on fire. On my arrival at the place
where she was moored, (between the inspection boat and the General PiSce, at
the stern of the wharf boat,) I found that she was on fire in the fore hold.
Every exertion was made by her commander, officers, and crew, and those
attached to the Eastport and to this station, to extinguish the fire; but finding
that their efforts were of no avail, and that the fire was gaining, and fearing
that it would be communicated to the Abraham and General Price, I directed
that a bow-line be veered away until her bow was clear of the stern of the
Price, and when it was cast off, a tug canted her and towed her out into the
strength of the current. After burning some time, she grounded about two
miles below, on the Kentucky shore. I think that her guns and machinery
will be saved.
It is reported that two contrabands were lost.
The cause of the fire is not known; but I shall have the whole matter
thoroughly investigated, the result of which will be reported to you.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. PENNOCK,
Fleet Captain and Commander of Station.
Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
P. S. — Captain Woodworth's report will be forwarded to you as soon as pos-
sible. The officers and crew have lost everything they possessed.
Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant S. E. Woodworth.
Cairo, Illinois, February 7. 1863.
Sir : I have to report to you the loss of the United States steamer Glide by
fire, late under my command.
Although having assumed charge of the General Price, I still retained my
quarters on board the Glide, she lying alongside.
Mr. Dahlgren had taken charge of her outfits and equipments as executive
officer in command.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 455
Atout 5.15 this morning I was aroused by the ringing of the fire-hell on the
naval depot -wharf boat; hut not seeing any light or smoke when I looked out,
supposed the alarm proceeded from fire in town. I dressed myself with all
haste, and proceeded to the forward part of the boat to call the officers and
crew, when I discovered smoke proceeding from the fire-scuttle and forward
hatches, they having been forced open by Mr. Dahlgren, who was already
engaged, with the officers and crew of the Glide, in drawing and passing water,'
and making every exertion to extinguish the fire. I at once started with some
contrabands to drown the magazines, but they were not fitted with bilge cocks,
and we could only introduce water in them through the hatches with buckets.
Captain Pennock was on hand with a strong force of officers and laborers,
and made every exertion, with such facilities as were at hand, to extinguish the
fire; but, from the extreme cold weather, leaving everything frozen, but little
was efiected by the use of buckets.
The Glide was moored astern of and to the warf boat, outside of the boat
Abraham, with the General Price outside of her. Having made every prepara-
tion to drop the Glide clear of the tier by running lipes, &c., a tug was pro-
cured and made fast to the quarter of the steamer. Renewed exertions were
now made to extinguish the fire by cutting through the deck with axes, but the
light and inflammable materials about the boilers were soon in a living flame.
Upon consultation with Captain Pennock it was deemed impossible to save
the Glide; and, at this time, the flames were endangering the inspection boat
and the General Price, and leaving the wharf boat also in danger. Captain
Pennock ordered cast off and drop out of the tier, but not until the whole
forward part of the vessel was in flames. The tug having her in charge suc-
ceeded in reaching the middle of the river, out of reach of the naval station,
where she was cast off. She drifted ashore at Fort Holt, and burned to the
water's edge.
The magazines did not explode, but the fixed ammunition seemed to be fired
slowly, as shell and shrapnell continued to burst in the air, from time to time,
for an hour after she grounded.
To the efficient aid rendered by Captain Pennock, Captain Sanford, and Cap-
tain Phelps, and the officers and men under their command, may be attributed
the safety of all the public property at the wharf boat.
Acting Ensign Wiight and the engineer of the tug Dahlia are deserving of
much credit in holding on to the Glide until she was so far removed as not to
endanger the lives or property at Cairo by the explosion of her magazines.
They did not leave her until her fasts were burned off, and the small arms being
discharged in every direction.
The wreck of the Glide is now lying in five feet of water on the Kentucky
shore. Her guns, engines and boilers can be readily recovered, also all the iron
plates from her sides.
The officers and crew of the Glide have lost all but their clothes in which
they dressed. The crew have been transferred to the Henry Millen, which
vessel will be despatched as soon as ready.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SELIM E. WOODWORTH,
Acting Vol. Lieut. U. S. N., late Com'dg U. S. Steamer Glide.
Rear- Admiral D. D. Porter.
Capture of the Queen of the West.
United States Mississippi SauADRON,
Yazoo River, February 22, 1863.
Sir : The best calculations are liable to be upset, and mine have been dis-
arranged by the capture of the Queen of the West up Red river. That vessel
456 ARMORED VESSELS.
•
grounded under the guns of a battery, which she foolishly engaged, and re-
ceived a shot through her boilers and steam drum which drove most of her
people overboard. Many escaped in a prize, the steamer New Era, No. 5, but
most of the deck hands and contrabands fell into the power of the rebels. The
officers and Colonel Ellet were then chased up the Mississippi river by the
"Webb and sonle two or three other vessels, until they met the Indianola, which
vessel saved them and drove the rebels back. This is all I can learn of this
aflfair.
The colonel arrived here safe with the New Era, No. 5, having ran the bat-
teries all along the river, and had 120 shots fired at him without being hit,
bringing up 170 bales of cotton. It is said that he left the Indianola and Webb
engaged. I hope to get a report from him in a day or two ; he is on the other
side and sick, and the road is almost impassable. # * * * #
DAVID D. POKTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Wavy, Washington, D. C
Additional report of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter.
United States Mississippi SauADRON,
Yazoo River, February 23, 1863.
Sir: Colonel Ellet has arrived on this side of the river. He informs me that
his ram was not destroyed, but fell into the hands of the rebels. He could not
destroy her without sacrificing his wounded.
She will not be worth anything for some time to the rebels, and is much used
up ; will not do to ram with any longer, being too weak and shattered. I am
going to try it again with another one. The ram committed great havoc on
Ked river — destroyed many stores, also, along the river. She destroyed and
captured altogether over one hundred thousand dollars of confederate property.
Ho returned with cotton to the value of seventy thousand dollars, and a boat
worth about eighteen thousand.
I enclose herewith Colonel Ellet's report.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report from Colonel EUet.
United States Steamer Era, No. 5,
Below Vicksburg, Mississippi, February 21, 1863.
Admiral : I have the honor to report to you that I left the landing below
Vicksburg, in obedience to your written instructions, on the night of the 10th
instant, taking with me the De Soto and coal barge, and proceeded down the
river. We passed Warrenton without interruption, and reached Red river on
the following evening. I destroyed, as you directed, the skiffs and flatboats
along either shore.
I ascended Red river on the morning of the 12th as far as the mouth of the
Atchafalaya, leaving the De Soto and coal barge in a secure position. I pro-
ARMORED VESSELS'. 457
ceeded down this stream. Six miles from its month I met a train of twelve
army wagons returning from Simsport. I landed and destroyed them. On
reaching Simsport I found that two rehel steamboats had just left, taking with
them the troops and artillery stationed at this point. They had left on the bank
seventy barrels of government beef, which I broke open and rolled into the
river. I pursued another train of wagons for some distance, but they retreated
into the swamps and escaped. One of their wagons, loaded with ammunition
and stores, fell into our hands and was destroyed.
On her return at night a party of overseers and other civilians fired into the
Queen from behind a levee, and immediately fled under cover of the darkness.
First Master James D. Thompson, a gallant and efficient officer, was shot
through the knee. Anchoring at the mouth of the Atchafalaya, I waited until
morning, and then returned to the spot from which we had been attacked. All
the buildings on three large adjoining plantations were burned by my order.
I started vip Ked river the same day, and reached Black river by night. On
the morning of the 14th instant, when about fifteen miles above the mouth of
Black river, a steamboat came suddenly around a sharp bend in the river, and
was captured before she could escape. She proved to be the Era, No. 5, laden
with forty-five hundred bushels of corn. She had on board two rebel lieu-
tenants and fourteen ^privates ; the latter I at once paroled and set ashore.
Hearing of three very large boats lying with steam down at Gordon's landing,
thirty miles above, I decided on making an effort to capture them, intending
to return if I should find the battery at that point too strong, and ascend the
Washita. I left the Era and coal barge in charge of a guard. We reached
the bend just below Gordon's landing before dark. The dense smoke of
several boats, rapidly firing up, could be seen over the tops of the trees as we
approached. I ordered the pilot to proceed very slowly, and merely show the
bow of the Queen around the point. From the sharp bend which the river
makes at this place, there was no apparent difficulty in withdrawing out of
range of the enemy's guns whenever it might be desii-ed. The rebels opened
upon us with four 32-pounders the moment we came in sight. Their guns were
in a fine position, and at the third shot I ordered Mr. Garocy, the pilot, to back
the Queen out. Instead of doing so he ran her aground on the right-hand
shore. The position at once became a very hot one. Sixty yards below we
would have been in no danger ; as it was, the enemy's shot struck us nearly
every time. The chief engineer had hardly reported to me that the escape-pipe
had been shot away, when an explosion below, and a rush of steam around the
boat, told me that the steam-pipe had been shot in two. Nothing further, of
course, could be done. I gave orders to lower the yawl at the stern of the
Queen to carry off Captain Thompson, who lay wounded in my state-room.
Some person had already taken the yawl, however, and it was gone. The
other yawl was on the De Soto, a short distance below. Fortunately the cotton
bales with which the Queen was protected afforded an avenue of escape, and
the majority of the men and officers succeeded in reaching the De Soto. I
ordered this boat to be brought up as far as it was practicable, without being
struck, and sent her yawl to the Queen. Lieutenant Tuthill and Third Master
Duncan bravely volunteered for this purpose. I remained with the De Soto
over an hour, picking up men on cotton bales. Lieutenant Tuthill barely suc-
ceeded in escaping from the Queen, the rebels boarding her in skiffs as he
escaped. Mr. Duncan staid too long, and was captured. The Queen could
easily Have been burned, but this could not be done while Captain Thompson
was on board, and it was impossible to remove him ; all the passages had been
blocked up with cotton. The interior of the boat was intensely dark, full of
steam, and strewed with shattered furniture. The display of a light enabled
the batteries to strike her with unerring certainty. To have brought the De
Soto alongside would have insured her destruction, as the light from the latter's
! ronrlprprl ]ip,v a consnicuous mark.
458 ARMORED VESSELS.
A dense fog sprang up as we started down in the De Soto, and she lost her
rudder by running into the bank. Drifting down fifteen miles, I took possession
of the Era, and scuttled and burnt the De Soto and barge, knowing that the
rebels would lose no time in pursuing. I pushed on down through the fog,
throwing off the corn to lighten her. We reached the Mississippi at dawn,
opposite Ellis's cliffs. Mr. Garocy ran the Era, a boat drawing less than ten
feet of water, hard aground, actually permitting her wheels to make several
evolutions after she had struck. It was with the utmost difficulty that she could
be gotten off. The disloyal sentiments openly expressed by Mr. Garocy a few
hours previous to this occurrence rendered it necessary for me to place him
under arrest, and forced upon me the unwilling conviction that the loss of the
Queen was due to the deliberate treachery of the pUot. It is to be regretted
that the unfortunate illness of Mr. Scott Long, who piloted the Queen past
Vicksburg, rendered it necessary for me to intrust the Queen to the management
of Mr. Garocy.
The next morning, a short distance below Natchez, I met the Indianola.
Captain Brown thought that he might be able to ascend the Eed river and de-
stroy the battery at Gordon's landing, and I accompanied him down in the
Era, leading the way. I had not gone three miles when a break in the fog dis-
closed a steamer rapidly moving up stream, about a mile ahead. I at once
rounded to, and caused the whistle to be blown to warn Captain Brown of her
presence.
As soon as the rebel steamer, which was undoubtedly the Webb, perceived
the Indianola, she turned and fled. The latter fired two shots at her, but with-
out effect. I learned afterwards that three other armed boats had been sent
in pursuit of the Era, and had been turned back by the Webb on her retreat.
They all went back up Eed river. On reaching this stream Captain Brown
decided not to ascend it, and I thought it best to return at once.
Thinking we might be attacked on the way up, I seized a hundred and
seventy bales of cotton, and protected the Era's machinery as far as practicable.
At St. Joseph's I landed and seized the mails, and leai-ned from them that
Colonel Adams was waiting for us at Grand Gulf, with two pieces of artillery.
Thirty-six shots were fired at the Era while passing this point, none of which
took effect. On reaching Island No. 107, a body of riflemen opened a heavy
fire upon the Era from the Mississippi shore. Suspecting it to be a ruse to
drive us to the other side of the river, I decided in keeping to the right of the
island. The furnaces of the Era became so clogged at this point ^at I found
it necessary to stop and have them cleaned out, causing a delay of twenty min-
utes. The Era had scarcely passed the island, when a battery of three guns
opened upon her from the Louisiana shore. Forty-six shots were fired, but did
no injury.
At Warrenton the rebels opened fire upon the Era with two rifled 20-pounder
guns. They fired twenty -four shots, but did not succeed in striking her.
Extraordinary as it may seem, there is every reason to believe that no one
was killed on the Queen. It is probably attributable to the fact that those
below got into the hold through the numerous hatches, and thus escaped the
effects of the steam.
Mr. Taylor, one of the engineers, is reported to be badly scalded, by a deserter
from the Webb. Twenty-four men were taken prisoners, ten of whom were
civilians employed on the boat. Assistant Surgeon Booth was the only com-
missioned officer captured.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES EIVERS ELLET,
Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet,
David D. Porter,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 459
Lai of pritoners captured on board the Utaled StaUt aUam ram Queen of the West, m Red river,
Zouitiana, February 14, 1863.
Daniel S. Booth, assistant surgeon; C. S. Eddison, mate; H. S. Duncan, 2d
mate ; Edward Taylor, engineer ; James W. Foster, carpenter ; Eichard Greve,
blacksmith ; G. W. Hill, steward ; John Bates, Ist sergeant company I, 63d
I. M. ; Carrol Smith, private, company 0, 63d I. M. ; Charles D. Faulkner,
private, company I, 63d I. M.; William Brown, private, company F, 63d I. M.;
M. Cullan, private, company F, 63d I. M. ; Leo. C. Tarbol, private, company K,
18th I. M. ; John Foley, deck hand ; John Williams, cabia boy ; E. G. Holstein,
private ; T. F. Eice, private ; Thomas L. Williams, private ; Charles Lamner,
private ; George Watson, deck hand ; George W. Bailey, private. — ^Total, 21.
Capture of the TndAanola.
Umtbd States Mississippi Squadron,
February 27, 1863.
SiE : I have just received information through one of tbe men who escaped
from the Indianola that she had an encounter on Tuesday night with the two
rams, Webb and Queen of the West, and that after being struck six times, and
the report being made that she was sinking, she was surrendered to the enemy.
The commander then ran her on shore, when the man who gives the information
got on shore with some others, and he brought me the news. He could not see
whether the vessel had sunk or not. From his account it appears that Lieu-
tenant Commander Brown laid at the mouth of Red river three days, (just about
time to allow the Queen of the West to repair damages,) and then, being appre-
hensive of attack, or reading over my instructions, and finding out that he was
sent down only to protect the Queen, of the West, and was ordered to attempt
nothing when he was not certain of success, he started up the Mississippi river
with the two coal barges in tow, giving the enemy all that advantage. I had
cautioned Lieutenant Commander Brown so much, before he started, about the
management of his ship, and told him particularly to use his butting powers,
which would have defeated both his antagonists ; but he was caught with the
two barges alongside, and his vessel must have been immanageable.
I had every reason on this expedition to demand the most perfect success.
The rebels had but one old boat, (the Webb,) so weak that they had to take her
iron off the bows, and, as one of her crew inibrms me, with planking too old to
calk. She carried three thirty-two pounders. The vessels I sent down carried
twelve heavy guns.
The importance of this move to our army here cannot be estimated. We had
already broken the communications of the enemy in Teias with Vicksburg and
Port Hudson. •
We had cut off all supplies and means of transportation, having destroyed
some of their best boats. In a week more the water would have surrounded
Port Hudson, and there being no means of getting away, they would have been
obliged to evacuate in time. We hoped in a short time to force this thing by
getting one or two more gunboats below, and troops enough to land close to
Port Hudson. That place evacuated. General Banks could have ascended the
river. The department has a copy of my instructions to Colonel Charles R.
Ellet and Lieutenant Commander George Brown, and they will, I am sure, do
me the justice to say that my plans were well laid ; the object contended for
was a very important one, and that I was suflSciently cautious in sending down
twelve guns to contend with three.
460 ARMORED VESSELS.
There is no use to conceal the fact, but this has, in mj opinion, been the most
humiliating affair that has occurred during this rebellion ; and after taking so
much trouble to make matters sure, it almost disheartens me and puts me out of
the conceit of sending off any expedition, unless I can go with it. I certainly
had a right to expect that two vessels, carrying twelve guns, that had passed
all the batteries at Vicksburg, Warrenton, Carthage, and other places on the
river, could manage, between them, to take one old steamer, or else have the
wisdom and patriotism to destroy their vessels, even if they had to go with
them.
A flag of truce is, I believe, coming up, and I shall know in a short time
whether the Indianola sunk, or whether the enemy will be able to save her.
A terrific explosion occurred last night in the direction of the Indianola, and
my only hope is that she has been blown up.
In conclusion, had the Indianola thrown off her coal barges and run up stream
with the speed she is reported to have, she could have disabled both the rams
.with her two 11-inch guns in iron casemates before either of them could get
alongside of her. They tracked her along from point to point, found out exactly
how she was operating, and made their disposition accordingly.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Ddailed report of Lieutenant Oommander Oeorge Brown.
Washington, D. C, May 28, 1863.
Sir : At this, my earliest opportunity, I respectfully submit to the department
a report of the operations of the United States steamer Indianola while
below Vicksburg, Mississippi; also, the pai-ticulars of the engagement with the
rebel armed rams Queen of the West and William H. Webb, ajid armed cotton-
clad steamers Dr. Batey and Grand Era, in which the Indianola was sunk and
her officers and crew made prisoners.
In obedience to an order from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, commanding
Mississippi squadron, I passed the batteries at Vicksburg and Warrenton on the
night of the 13th of February last, having in tow two barges containing about
seven thousand bushels of coal each, without being once struck, although
eighteen shots were fired, all of which passed over us. '
I kept on. down the river, but, owing to dense fogs, made but slow progress,
until the morning of the 16th, when, about ten miles below Natchez, I met the
steamboat Era No. 5, having on board Colonel Ellet, of the ram fleet, and a
portion of the officers and crew of the steamer Queen of the West. I then
learned for \1d.b first time of the loss of that boat, and after consulting with
Colonel Ellet I concluded to continue on down as far as the mouth of the Red
river. On the afternoon of the same day I got under way, the Era No. 5 lead-
ing. On nearing Ellis's cliffs the Era made the pre-arranged signal of danger
ahead, soon after which I made out the rebel steamer William H. Webb. Before
I got within range of the Webb she had turned, and was standing down stream
with great speed. I fired two > shots from the eleven-inch guns, but both fell
short of her. She soon ran out of sight, and in consequence of a thick fog s,et-
ting in I could not continue the chase, but was obliged to anchor.
I reached the mouth of the Red river on the 17th of February, from which
time until the 21st of same month I maintained a strict blockade at that point.
I could procure no Red river pilots, and therefore did not enter that river.
AEMORED VESSELS. 461
The Era No. 5 being unarmed, and having several prisoners on board, Colonel
Ellet decided to go up the river and communicate with the squadron, and sailed
at noon on the 18th of the same month for that purpose.
On learning that the Queen of the West had been repaired by the rebels and
■was nearly ready for service, also that the William H. Webb and four cotton-
clad boats with boarding parties on board were fitting out to attack the Indian-
ola, I left the Red river for the purpose of getting cotton to fill up the space
between the casemate and wheel-houses, so as to be better able to repel the
boarding parties.
By the afternoon of the 22d of same month I had procured as much cotton
as I required, and concluded to keep on up the river, thinking that I would
certainly meet another boat the morning following, but I was disappointed. I
then concluded to communicate with the squadron as soon as possible, thinking
that Colonel Ellet had not reached the squadron, or that Admiral Porter would
expect me to return when I found that no other boat was sent below.
I kept the bunkers of the Indianola filled with coal, and would have sunk
what remained in the barges ; but knowing that if another boat was sent below
Vicksburg I would be expected to supply her with coal, I concluded to hold on
to the barges as long as possible. In consequence of having the barges along-
side we could make but slow progress against the current ; the result of which
was, that I did not reach Grand Gulf until the morning of the 24th of the same
month, at which point and at others above we were fired on by parties on shore.
As I knew that it would be as much as I could do to get by the Warrenton
batteries before daylight the next morning, I returned the fire of but one party.
At about half-past nine p. m. on the 24th of the same month, the night being
very dark,' four boats were discovered in chase of us. I immediately cleared
for action, and as soon as all preparations were completed I turned and stood
down the river to meet them. At this time the leading vessel was about three
miles below, the others following in close order. As we neared them I made
them out to be the rams Queen of ths West and WilUam H. Webb, and two
other steamers, cotton- clad and filled with men.
The .Queen of the West was the first to strike us, which she did after passing
through the coal barge lashed to our port side, doing us no serious damage.
Next came the Webb. I stood for her at fuU speed ; both vessels came together
bows on, with a tremendous crash, which knocked nearly every one down on
board of both vessels, doing no damage to us, whUe the Webb's bow was cut in
at least eight feet extending from about two feet above the water-line to the
keelson.
At this time the engagement became general and at very close quarters. I
devoted but little attention to the cotton-clad steamers, although they kept up
a heavy fire with field-pieces and small-arms, as I knew that everything de-
pended on my disabling the rams. The third blow crushed the starboard
barge, leaving fmts hanging by the lashings, which were speedily cut. The
crew of the Indianola not numbering enough men to man both batteries, I kept
the forward guns manned all the time, and fired them whenever I could get a
shot at the rams. The night being very dark, our aim was very uncertain, and
our fire proved less efiective than I thought it at the time. The peep-holes in
the pilot-house were so small that it would have been a difficult matter to have
worked the vessel from that place in daylight, so that during the whole engage-
ment the pilots were unable to aid me by their knowledge of the river, as they
were'unable to see anything. Consequently they could do no more than obey
such orders as they received from me in regard to working the engines and the
helm. No misunderstanding occurred in the performance of that duty, and I
was enabled to receive the first five blows from the rams forward of the wheels,
and at such angles that they did no more damage than to start the plating where
they struck.
462 AKMOEED VESSELS.
The sixth blow we received was from the Webb, which crushed in the star-
board wheel, disabled the starboard rudder, and started a number of leaks abaft
the shaft. Being unable to work the starboard engine, placed us in an almost
powerless condition ; but I continued the fight until after we received tie sev-
enth blow, which was given us by the Webb. She struck us fair in the stem,
and started the timbers and starboard rudder box so that the water poured in in
large volumes. At this time I knew that the Indianola could be of no more
service to us, and my desire was to render her useless to the enemy, which I
did by keeping her in deep water until there was two and a half feet of water
over the floor, and the leaks were increasing rapidly as she settled, so as to
bring the opening made by the Webb under water.
Knowing that if either of the rams struck us again in the stem, which they
then had excellent opportunities of doing on account of our disabled condition,
we would sink so suddenly that few if any lives would be saved, I succeeded
in running her bows on shore by starting the screw-engines. As farther resist-
ance could only result in great loss of life on our part, without a corresponding
result on the part of the enemy, I surrendered the Indianola, a partially sunken
vessel, fast filling with water, to a force of four vessels, mounting ten guns, and
manned by over one thousand men.
The engagement lasted one hour and twenty-seven minutes. I lost but one
killed, one wounded, and seven missing ; while the enemy lost two officers and
thirty-three men killed, and many wounded. Before the enemy cortld make
any preparations for endeavoring to save the Indianola, her stern was under
water. Both rams were so very much crippled, that I doubt whether tbey
would have tried to ram again had not their last blow proved so fatal to us.
Both signal-books were thrown in the river by me a few minutes before the
surrender.
In conclusion, I would state that the 9-inch guns of the Indianola were
thrown overboard, and the 11 -inch guns damaged by being loaded with heavy
charges and solid shot, placed muzzle to muzzle, and fired by a slow match, so
that they were rendered useless.
This was done in consequence of the sham Monitor, sent from above,-having
grounded about two miles above the wreck of the Indianola.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE BROWN,
Lieutenant Commanding, U. S. Navy.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
- Expedition through Steele's Bayou and Deer Gwkh.
Mississippi SauADRON,
Yazoo River, March 26, 1863.
Sir : Since my last communication with the department I have been absent
on an expedition into the enemy's country, or that part which he professes to
hold.
I have for some time past been under the impression that, by cutting our
way through the woods, (which are all under water,) I could find an entrance
into the river Yazoo, and thus get into the rear of Vicksburg without loss of
life or vessels.
In consequence of this idea, and from information obtained from a negro, I
made a reconnoissance with Lieutenant Commanding Murphy.
We started up Steele's bayou, which at low stages of water is nothing but a
ARMORED VESSELS. 463
ditch, following it for about thirty miles. This part of the route was perfectly
practicable, the creek, though very narrow, having five fathoms of water in it.
Black bayou seemed to oppose our further progress ; but, on a closer examina-
tion, we found that, by removing the trees, we could heave the vessels around
the bends, which were very short, and left us not a foot to spare.
All we could hear of the route in advance was very favorable, having ob-
tained as pilot a man well acquainted with the country. I determined to start
immediately, having made arrangements with General Grant by which the army
could co-operate with us.
On the 14th I started with the Louisville, Lieutenant Commander Owen, Cin-
cinnati, Lieutenant Commanding Bache, Carondelet, Lieutenant Commanding
Murphy, Mound City, Lieutenant Commanding Wilson, Pittsburg, Lieutenant
Commanding Hoel, four mortars and four tugs.
The expedition went along finely until it reached Black bayou, a place about
four miles long, leading into Deer creek. Here the crews of the vessels had to
go to work to clear the way, pulling up trees by the roots or pushing them over
with the iron-clads, and cutting away the branches above. It was terrible
work, but in twenty-four hours we succeeded in getting through these four
miles, and found ourselves in Deer creek, where we were told there would be no
more difficulties.
General Sherman had arrived up with a small portion of his command ; and
as he had only twelve miles to march to EoUing Fork, (where we would meet
with no further difficulties,) while I had to go thirty- two miles by water, I de-
termined to push on. I found the channel much narrower than I expected,
filled with small willows, through .which we could scarce make our way, and
the branches much overhanging. Still we made at first about a mile an hour,
being assured by the pilot that we would find it better as we advanced. It cer-
tainly could not get worse.
We had succeeded in getting well into the heart of the country before we
were discovered. No one would believe that anything in the shape of a vessel
could get through Black bayou, or anywhere on the route. Still, however, as
we molested no one, the inhabitants looked on in wonder and astonishment, and
the negroes flocked in hundreds down to the banks of the creek to see the novel
sight. Soon we were discovered by the government agent, who immediately
began to apply the torch to the cotton, public and private. All along, as far as
the eye could see, there was nothing but cotton fires burning up, and many
dwellings consuming with it. The only persons who saved their cotton were
those who would not obey the order to bum. They felt confident we were not
going to molest their private property, and their confidence saved them their
cotton, which is still in their possession.
It was melancholy to see such fanatical destruction ; but as we abstained from
anything of the kind ourselves, it placed the two parties in strong contrast be-
fore the people of the country, and there were many remarks made not at all
complimentary to the confederate government.
Finding that our presence was discovered, I pushed on the vessels as fast as
the obstacles would permit, not making more than half a mile an hour. We
were passing through a beautiful country, filled with live stock of all kinds, and
containing large granaries of corn belonging to the confederate government. The
people were more than surprised at the presence of such an expedition, having
supposed themselves far removed from the " horrors of war," and there was a
good deal of change of opinion on the part of some who never supposed they
would be under the protection of the American flag once more.
After very great labor we arrived within seven miles of the Eolling Fork,
where everything would be plain sailing before us.
We were here informed that some confederate agents, and some of the citi-
zens, were forcing the negroes to cut down trees in our path. I immediately
464 AEMOEED VESSELS.
pushed on the tug Thistle, which had a boat howitzer on her, and she succeeded
in reaching the first tree before it was cut down. She proceeded on, under
charge of Lieutenant Commanding Murphy, while I followed in the Oarondelet,
the leading ship. The enemy succeeded at last in getting a large tree down,
which stopped the progress of the tug, and then the negroes, with muskets at
their breasts, were made to ply their axes until the creek was supposed to be
sealed against our further advance.
The labor of clearing out these obstructions was very great, but there is
nothing that cannot be overcome by perseverance. The character of the Amer-
ican sailors for endurance was particularly manifested on this occasion, as they
worked night and day, without eating or sleeping, until the labor was accom-
plished.
I hoped .by this time to have seen something of our army coming on, but
they had their difficulties to contend with, as well as ourselves, and did not
reach us in time. The transportation could not be procured at a moment's
notice, and we had gone on faster than they expected.
When within three miles of Eolling Fork we discovered smoke in the direc-
tion of Yazoo river, and I was informed that the enemy were already landing
troops to dispute our passage. I did not mind the troops so much as the timber
they would cut in Rolling Fork. I immediately sent on Lieutenant Com-
manding Murphy, with two boat howitzers and 300 men, to hold Rolling Fork
until we could cover it with our guns ; which he did, occupying also an Indian
moxmd some sixty feet high, which commanded the whole country.
After working all night and clearing out the obstructions, which were terrible,
we succeeded in getting within 800 yards of the end of this troublesome creek;
had only two or three large trees to remove, and one apparently short and easy
lane of willows to work through. The men being much worn out, we rested
at sunset.
In the morning we commenced with renewed vigor to work ahead through
the willows, but our progress was very slow; the lithe trees defied our utmost
efibrts to get by them, and we had to go to work and pull them up separately,
or cut them off under water, which was a most tedious job. In the mean time
the enemy had collected and landed about 800 men and seven pieces of artil-
lery, (from 20 to 30-pounders,) which were firing on our field-pieces from time
to time, the latter not having range enough to reach them.
I was also .informed that the enemy were cutting down trees in our rear to
prevent communication by water, and also to prevent our escape ; this looked
unpleasant. I knew that 5,000 men had embarked at Haines's Bluff for this
place immediately they heard that we were attempting to go through that way,
and, as our troops had not come up, I considered it unwise to risk the least
thing ; at all events, never to let my communication be closed behind me. I was
somewhat strengthened in my determination to advance no further until re-en-
forced by land forces, when the enemy at sunset opened on us a cross fire with
six or seven lifled guns, planted somewhere off in the woods, where we could
see nothing but the smoke. It did not take us long to dislodge them, though a
large part of the crew being on shore at the time, we could not fire over them
or until they got on board.
I saw at once the difficulties we had to encounter with a constant fire on our
working parties, and no prospect at present of the troops getting along. I had
received a letter from General Sherman informing me of the difficulties in getting
forward his men, he doing his utmost, I know, to expedite matters.
The news of the falling trees in our rear was brought in frequently by
negroes who were pressed into the service for cutting them, and I hesitated no
longer about what to do. "We dropped down again, unshipped our rudder, and
let the vessels rebound from tree to tree.
As we left, the enemy took possession of the Indita mound, and in the morn-
ARMORED VESSELS. 465
ing opened fire on the Oarondelet, Lieutenant Murphy, and Cincinnati, Lieuten-
ant Bache; these two ships soon silenced the Katteries, and we were no longer
annoyed.
The sharpshooters hung about us, firing from behind trees and rifle-pits ; but
with due precaution we had very few hurt — only five wounded by rifle balls,
and they were hurt by being imprudent.
On the 2 1st we fell in with Colonel Smith, commanding 8th Missouri and
other parts of regiments ; we were quite pleased to see him, as I never knew
before how much the comfort and safety of iron-clads, situated as we were, de-
pended on the soldiers. I had already sent out behind a force of 300 men to
stop the felling of trees in our rear, which Colonel Smith now took charge of.
The enemy had already felled over forty heavy trees, which Lieutenant Com-
mander Owen, in the Louisville, working night and day, cleared away almost
fast enough to permit us to meet with no delay.
Colonel Smith's force was not enough to justify my making another efi'ort to
get through ; he had no artillery, and would frequently have to leave the vessels
in following the roads.
On the 22d we came to a bend in the river, where the enemy supposed they
had blockq,ded us completely, having cut a number of trees altogether, and so
intertwined that it seemed impossible to move them. The Louisville was at
work at them, pulling them up, when we discovered about three thousand rebels
attempting to pass the edge of the woods to our rear, while the negroes reported
artillery coming up on our quarter.
We were all ready for them, and when the artillery opened on us we opened
such a fire on them that they scarcely waited to hitch up their horses. At the
same time the rebel soldiers fell in with Colonel Smith's troops, and after a sharp
skirmish fled before the fire of our soldiers. After this we were troubled no
more, and dropped down quietly until we fell in with General Sherman, who,
bearing the firing, was hurrying to our support. I do not know when I felt
more pleased to see that gallant officer, for without the assistance of the troops
we could not without great loss have performed the arduous work of clearing
out the obstructions. We might now have retraced our steps, but we were all
worn out. The officers and men had for six days and nights been constantly at
work, or sleeping at the guns. We had lost our coal barge, and the provision
vessel could not get through, being too high for such purposes.
Taking everything into consideration, I thought it best to undertake nothing
further, without being better prepared, and we finally, on the 24th, arrived at
Hill's plantation, the place we started from on the 16th.
Altogether this has been a most novel expedition Never did those people
expect to see iron-clads floating where the keel of a flatboat never passed.
Though nothing has resulted from it more than annoying the enemy and caus-
ing him to expend his resources, it has been of great service to the crews, and
given me an insight into the character of the commanders and officers of the
expedition. I must say that they deserve my warmest commendation for the
perseverance and coolness they exhibited during the arduous undertaking. As
to the iron-clads themselves, I beg leave to withdraw everything I may have said
to their disparagement, for I never yet saw vessels so well adapted to knocking
down trees, hauling them up by the roots, or demolishing bridges ; we neces-
sarily destroyed all that came in our way, and it has cut off for the present all
the means of transporting provisions to Vicksburg.
We destroyed a large amount of confederate corn, captured a large number
of mules, horses, and cattle. The rebels themselves burnt over twenty thousand
bales of cotton, and we burnt all that we found marked C. S. A.; have taken
on our decks, and on the mortar boats, enough to pay for the building of a good
gunboat.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 30
466
ARMORED VESSELS.
Tlie soldiers enjoyed the esoursion amazingly, the fine country through
which we travelled being quite dififerent from the swamp where they have spent
the winter. Had we succeeded entirely, it would have been a severe blow to
this part of the country ; but it was not to be, and we must console ourselves
with the damage we did the enemy and the moral effect of penetrating into a
country deemed inaccessible. There will be no more planting in those regions
for a long time to come. The able-bodied negroes left with our army, carrying
with them all the stores laid up by their masters (for whom they showed little
affection) for harder times. I regret to say that we lost one oificer, Henry Sul-
livan, acting third assistant engineer of the tug Dahlia, who was struck by a
rifle shot and died of his wounds. Only two were severely wounded. iTie
boats of some of the vessels were badly damaged (which was about the only
serious injuries) in crashing through the trees.
We performed a distance of seventy miles each way, making one hundred
and forty miles of the most severe labor ofiScers and men ever went through.
We found our new mortar boats (though badly built) well adapted for this kind
of business, and very useful in clearing the woods of sharpshooters.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER, •
Acting Rear-Admiral, CorrCdg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. GiDEOM Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. '
Additional.
I look upon it as a great misfortune that this expedition did not get through,
for it would have been a most perfect surprise; would have thrown into our
hands every vessel in the Yazoo, and every granary from which the rebels
could draw a supply.
The great difficulty seems to have been for want of more promptness in
moving the troops, or rather I should say, want of means for the moving of
troops, for there were never yet any two men who would labor harder than
Generals Grant and Sherman to forward an expedition for the overthrow of
Vicksburg.
At one time I felt most uncomfortable, finding the enemy increasing in
strength in front of me, cutting down trees behind me, and in front a chance of
blocking up the feeders of the canal and letting the water out, and not a soldier
of ours in sight, or (by the answers I received to my communication) any pros-
pect of any coming in time to prevent a landing of the enemy. I never knew
how helpless a thing an iron-clad could be when unsupported by troops ; our
guns were three feet below the levee ; the woods stood just far enough back to
enable the sharpshooters to pick off our men, without our being able to bother
them, except with the mortars, which kept them off.
When the army did come up it was without provisions ; we had to subsist
them partly. They left their artillery at Hill's landing, to protect that place,
and I felt uneasy about them whenever they would get away from the guns
of the iron-clads. Under the circumstances I could not afford to risk a single
vessel, and therefore abandoned the expedition. I knew the difficulties to be
overcome ahead after we were once discovered, and the impossibility of doing
anything with the want of preparation on the part of the army to follow this
matter up. The army officers worked like horses to enable them to accom-
plish what was desired, but they were behind time, and that ended the matter.
No other general could have done better, or as well, as Sherman, but he had
not the means for this peculiar kind of transportation.
ARMORED VESSELS. 467
With the end of this expedition end all my hopes of getting into Vicksburg
in this direction; had we been successful, we could have made a sure thing of
it, provided the army had been pushed on in sufficient numbers. It is not
likely that they would have been, want of "U certain kind of transportation
being felt.
All we can do here now is to harass the enemy by keeping his troops moving
to and fro ; they will never again be caught by surprise, for after this attempt
they will guard every ditch leading into the Yazoo.
As to any harm that gunboats can do Vicksburg, it is not to be taken into
consideration at all ; the batteries at that place could destroy four times the
number we have here, and not receive any damage in return.
There is but one thing now to be done, and that is to start an army of 150,000
men from Memphis via Granada, and let them go supplied with everything
required to take Vicksburg ; let all minor considerations give way to this, and
Vicksburg will be ours. Had General Grant not turned back when on the way
to Granada, he would have been in Vicksburg before this.
Admiral Farragut's vessels can cut off the supplies at Port Hudson and Red
river if he confines them solely to that Ijusiness — it is the only way in the
world of £heir getting supplies ; but if he risks his vessels by trying to capture
the Queen of the West or the Webb, he might as well not attempt the blockade.
The Yazoo Pass expedition at first bid fair to do well, but I am afraid it
won't amount to much — merely a kind of duel between batteries and iron-clads,
in which shell and powder are expended without any use.
Though I feel relieved to get back safe with all the vessels, yet, sir, I see the
misfortune of not having succeeded. It would have been a splendid performance.
Now we must console ourselves with the damage we did the enemy, in having
his cotton burned and his corn and live stock destroyed. The demoralization
of the negroes was complete, and I much fear that terrible scenes will be en-
acted in the district through which we went. The slave there has been told
that he is free, and more than any place that I have seen do the sjiives seem
determined to maintain what to them seems a most precious boon. I do not
blame them, for slavery exists in its worst form in the valley of the Mississippi.
Excuse me, sir, for sending you so long a communication.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welle.s,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Yazoo Pass Expedition, U. S. Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, March 26, 1863.
SiH : I have the honor to enclose a report from Lieutenant Commander
Foster, of the Ohillicothe, and one from Lieutenant Commander Smith. The
Yazoo Pass expedition does not seem to be doing much beyond exchanging
shots with the batteries. The Chillicothe, from all accounts, has proved her-
self unfit to engage a battery, the bolts confining the iron to the ship having
been found very destructive to those on board. The Chillicothe has sufi'ered a
good deal in killed and wounded, as will appear by the report of her commander.
Lieutenant Commander Smith, who commanded the Yazoo Pass expedition,
was taken sick soon after entering the Tallahatchie and after operations com-
menced, and was sent back in, I fear, a dying condition. I depended a good
deal on his energy in carrying out my orders, for the success of the expedi-
468 ARMORED VESSELS.
tion. Unless the fort is takeu before this, General Grant has ordered the troops
to return. They have only retarded our movements so far, there being no
chance of landing them at the place where the rebels have blockaded the river.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTEK,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Heport of Lieutenant Oommander Watson Smith.
United States Ship Battler,
Tallahatchie River, March 11, 1863.
Sir : Stood on this morning to within a mile of the battery, and went ahead
with General Rush, in the Chillicothe, to observe. A turn brought us within
view of the enemy's works ; almost Immediately they opened fire from five
guns. One shell struck the Chillicothe on the starboard side of the starboard
forward port, damaging the plate, and breaking and starting several bolts;
another struck on the port side, ahead, six inches above water — a conical rifle
shot, making as great an indentation as possiljle without breaking through;
another glanced from the deck. Captain Foster, in reply, threw three shells
from his 11-inch guns. With this knowledge of their strength and position, we
then turned the point until covered by the trees, and arranged to advance as
soon as the army should report ready, which would not be until morning. In
the afternoon the rebels appeared to be shipping cattle and goods from the bat-
tery, which we believed to be indications that thej' were preparing to leave.
Advanced the Chillicothe, the De Kalb following, the Lioness in readiness,
and was about to bring up the Battler, but going on board the Chillicothe, found
her already much injured by the shot of the enemy, one of which struck be-
tween the slide-covers of the port forward port, which was at the time suffi-
ciently ajar to allow the rammer handle to pass out. The men were in the act
of sending the shell down, when this shell striking the Chillicothe's shell, both
exploded, (fragments of each being found,) killing two men, and wounding eleven
others, three of them perhaps mortally. The 11-inch was struck on the muzzle,
damaging, but not disabling it; the slide-covers of this port were blown off, one
going overboard. Other shots struck, killing one man. The Chillicothe and
De Kalb were strengthening themselves with cotton when advanced, and I now
withdrew them for the purpose of completing that defence. The short distance,
and the stream being narrow, prevents the easy use of two vessels upon the
fort. I have, therefore, landed the 30-pounder Parrott gun from the broadside
of this vessel; and, with the assistance of the troops, expect to have it in posi-
tion to annoy the rebels' best gun, at about six hundred yards, by morning, and
well protected by cotton and earth. Of the seven shells fired by the Chillicothe,
two appeared to burst well, and two to strike a steamboat lying just beyond the
fort below Greenwood. There is a steamer sunk there by the rebels, not quite
in position desired by them.
A rebel called over this afternoon, stating that they had a vessel ready for
the Chillicothe. She will be guarded, and, if boarded, will, if possible, be swept
by our own vessels, her crew going below. This is different from engaging
with head up stream. The Chillicothe works well, but the De Kalb and other
stern-wheels are very awkward. The base of a rifle shell,. measuring 6 J inches,
shows the size of one of their guns ; another seems like a sixty-eight ; another
a 4j-inch rifle.
ARMORED VESSELS. 469
Mr. Morton, the pilot, was badly blown by the explosion of the shells on bosird
the Chillicothe; he is not seriously injured, and will soon be on duty,
I shall use all the means we have of silencing this battery — the mortar, xidth
the others, when it arrives. The Chillicothe's turret is not well backed ;Aejthfer
she nor the De Kalb can stand those rifled shot. " • ^
I have not ascertained sufiiciently about the raft to speak of it with certa^y.
My letter of yesterday acquaints you with our situation as regards 'proVi^fims
and fuel. Those of us that are but partly manned feel the want of me!iii',%e
soldiers serve the guns Avell, but the others are needed. It is with di^i'c^iity
that the small boats can be manned. " ""' ^
The small army steamer has arrived, not having been interfered wi^K'Tiy
guerillas. ' '■' "'' '•*
Midnight. — The rebels are busy at something; don't think they are leiait^&g.
The Yallabusha is probably fortiiied at each bluff, as they feared fot Gtraiik&a,.
I am obliged to keep steam now at night, which is exhavfsting to th^ coal.
Respectfully yours,
WATSON SMITH,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Rear- Admiral D. D7 Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
^ Report of Lieutenant Commander Jome.1 P. Foster.
United States Gunboat Chillicothe,
Tallahatchie River, Mississippi, March 22, 1863.
Sir : When I last wrote you, a retrograde movement was unanimously agreed
upon, it being hazardous to remain longer. This movement was postponed,
but, on the morning of the 19th instant, was reagreed upon, and we started for
Helena in the perfect belief that there was no hope of reducing Fort Greenwood
(or Pemberton) without a strong re-enforcement of heavy iron-clads.
Since our departure (to-day) we have met on the Tallahatchie river General
Quimby and his command en route for Fort Greenwood. General Quimby
states to me that other large latid forces were on their way also to join in the
attack on Fort Greenwood, and that his forces and armament would be such,
that with the gunboats of the Mississippi squadron, composing the Yazoo Pass
expedition, failure is impossible, in his opinion. I send you a copy of his letter
of request, and while I feel the responsibility, without consulting you of it,
being impossible, I still feel and hope that, in complying with General Quimby's
request, I shall meet your hearty approval, notwitstanding the disabled
condition of the Chillicothe, and the shortness of ammunition and provisions;
the latter. General Quimby promises to furnish for the present. It is proper
for me to say that General Ross, with whom the gunboats have heretofore been
co-operating, and who, during the whole expedition, has been indefatigable in
his exertions to render it successful, had it been possible with the forces before
engaged, remains quiet, but thinks we can take the fort if re-enforced by
gunboats.
From my knowledge of General Ross, I have to say that I believe him to be
as sincere as I know him to be magnanimous and brave. Colonel Wilson joins
in the renewal of the Yazoo Pass expedition, and from his known engineering
abilities, and his well-established patriotism, I can but accord to his opinion
great weight.
I hope that the expedition will redound to our cause, and I fervently hope to
despatch to you that the gunboats of the Yazoo Pass expedition, in conjunction
with the army, have added other laurels to our flag.
470
ARMORED VESSELS.
After we pass Fort Greenwood, if not before, I think it will be absolutely
necessary to our perfect success to have at least two more heavy iron-clads.
Two months' provisions are required now for what gunboats are here of all
, classes.
I regret to say that I have just heard pretty reliably that the Rattler, ere
route for Helena, and in command of Acting Master Fentress, late executive
. o^cei- of the Eattler, was attacked in the Tallahatchie river, and during the'
. action lost two men killed and several wounded. I also regret to say that
-Lieutenant Commander Smith was said to be dying.
The wounded of the Chillicothe, in the actions of the 11th, 13th, and 16th,
,, that have been retained here, are doing well. I, however, sent the worst cases
to the fleet surgeon, except the wounded soldiers doing duty as marines. These
.latter I sent to the army hospital boat. I will remain off Fort Greenwood ten
"d,ays, and await your answer to former despatches.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. P. FOSTEE,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Liat of killed and icoundtd oil board the GhiUicothe
United States Mrssissippi Suuadron,
United States Gunboat Chillicothe, March 11, 1S63.
The following is a list of the killed and wounded during the action uf to-day:
J. F. Morton, pilot, wounded; Thos. Greenslade, quarter-gunner, killed;
Jerry Norton, marine, killed ; Jno. G. Singleton, marine, killed ; Jno. Hender-
son, marine, killed ; Henry B. Levague, boatswain's mate, wounded ; Newton
Porter, marine, wounded ; Jas. M. Young, marine, wounded ; Jas'. F. HoUaday,
marine, wounded ; Patrick Conner, marine, wounded ; Robt. Brown, marine,
wounded; J. A. Briton, marine, wounded; C. C. Huff, marine, wounded;
Stephen N. Cornell, seaman, wounded.
W. C. FOSTER,
Acting Assistant Surgeon.
List of ihe wounded on hoard the Umied Staks gunboat GhiUicothe, w the action before Fort Green-
wood, on Murch 13, 1863.
Francis 'Neil, landsman, wounded badly in arm; Leopold Trost, marine,
wounded in the face; Roney Hupple, seaman, contusion of the hand; John
Mitchell, seaman, violent contusion of brain ; D. Miller, marine, wounded in the
hand ; Harrison Gill, landsman, wound of the hand.
W. 0. FOSTER,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, Chillicothe.
List of hilled and toounded on hoard the United States gunhoat Chillicothe, during the action
at Fort Greenwood, March 16, 1863,
John Young, seaman, wounded in right side ; Christopher Talbot, cabin boy,
wounded, by falling overboard, a.» we were going into action.
W. C. FOSTER,
Actiug A-Ssistfinf. RurXrrOT).. TTvifPfl. Sitnfpje Af^i^ai
AEMORED VESSELS. 471
Report of killed and wounded on the Rattler.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Yazoo River, April 7, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose a list of the killed and wounded on board
the United States steamer Rattler, on her passage out of the Tallahatchie river,
March 19, 1863.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
United States Steamer Rattler,
Tallahatchie River, March 19, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the following killed and wounded aboard
this vessel :
Killed. — Jeremiah Harrington, seaman ; ball passing through external caro-
tid artery.
Wounded. — George S. "West, acting ensign ; ball entered left side, between
ninth and tenth ribs, passing round anterior to the bowels, lodging below right
nipple. The patient will recover.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. WILSON,
> Acting Assistant Surgeon, Steamer Rattler.
Walter E. H. Fentress,
Acting Master, Com'dg U. S. Steamer Rattler.
Extract from report of Rear-Admiral Porter.
Yazoo River, April 11, 1863.
'^'liPi Yazoo Pass expedition has done harm to the enemy, though not as suc-
-_- • '- T^. oa.nsed the enemy to sink the Star of the
cessful as I intended it to oe. j.„ >„. '- '^'•- --..--J-'^n.
West, Magnolia, and Natchez — three of their best vesseis. iiic squtt<^x<.„
chased the steamer Thirty-fifth Parallel on shore, where she was burnt, with
three thousand bales of cotton. One steamer transport was sunk by our sheila,
and one other, I believe, destroyed to avoid falling into our hands.
The fort (Pemberton) was silenced at one time by our gunboats, and re-
mained so for a day. The army did not think themselves strong enough to at-
tempt the assault; waited for re-enforcements and lost their chance.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
472 ARMORED VESSELS.
IfuHher report of Admg Rear-Admiral Pmlei-.
Mississippi SanADRON,
Yazoo Rii^er, April 13, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose you a repoi t of the Yazoo Pass expedition,
from Lieutenant Oommander Foster who took ■ommand after Lieutenant Com-
mander "Watson Smith was ohliged to give up frnm extreme illness.
The department will observe that the Chill. cothe has proved herself en-
tirely unfit for a fighting vessel, as she now is; her hacking of fine wood, twelve
inches thick, being found inadequate to stand shot.
The Baron De Kalb, supposed to be an inferior vessel, received no damage
of any consequence.
The department can form their opinion of the importance of the expedition
from the report of Lieutenant Commander Foster. Fort Pemherton was fairly
whipped and silenced by the De Kalb and Ohillicothe. No attempt was made
by the troops to assault or take possession. At one time the enemy had not a
charge of powder in the fort; and the shells of our vessels were passing through
seven bales of cotton, which must have made the place untenable.
There were difficulties in the way of an assault, but whether they were suf-
ficient to stop the troops, when the fort was silenced, I am unable to say.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Additional report of Li' lUenant Oomm mdcr Foi,t«r.
United States Steamer Chillicothe,
April 13, 1863.
Sir : On the 18th March, in consequence of the ill health of Lieutenant Com-
mander Watson Smith, I fell into the command of the Yazoo Pass expedition,
and have to make the following report :
The orders which were turned over to me by Lieutenant Commander Smith
were positive, and urged the necessity of pushing on, urging him by no meana
to delay, as the success of the expedition depended entirely upon tlie rapidity of
the movement. Had these in?tructicr.a been carried out," I have no doubt that
the expedition would have been successful, and that we would have reached
Yazoo City in half the time that we were in making Fort Pemherton; and as
there was no opposition at that time of sufficient force to check us, we would
have had complete control of the river, with all their steamers at our mercy.
Success here, and the controlling power of the Cold Water, Tallahatchie, Yal-
labusha, and Yazoo rivers, would, in my opinion, have opened a sure road to
Vicksburg, as it is by these rivers that they receive most of their supplies.
The first attack made on Fort Pemherton was on the 1 1th of March, on a re-
connoissance, about 11a, m., when five or six shots where exchanged, doing little
or no damage. On the afternoon of the same day the Chillicothe again went
down and opened fire on the fort. During the action the Chillicothe had four
men killed and fifteen wounded; after having a whole gun's crew disabled the
Ohillicothe withdrew.
The Chillicothe is a perfect failure, as a fighting vessel, and will have to be
repaired before going into action again.
ARMORED VESSELS. 473
On tlie 13th the Chillicothe and Baron De Kalb got imder way at 11.30 a. m.,
and commenced the attack on Fort Pemberton, at seven hundred and eighty
yards. The Chillicothe remained in action one hour and thirty-eight minutes.
During this action she received forty-four shots ; and after expending nearly all
her ammunition of five-inch and ten-inch shells, retired by order of the com-
manding officer. On the retiring of the Chillicothe the fort ceased firing, although
the De Kalb remained, and kept firing slowly during the remainder of the day.
Deserters and prisoners captured reported that their guns were silenced, and
that the fort would have been taken had our forces advanced, as they were en-
tirely without ammunition.
On the 18th we retired, believing the fort too strong for the forces there en-
gaged, and being short of ammunition.
The day after leaving Fort Pemberton the Chillicothe, De Kalb, light-draughts,
&c., arrived before the fort again ; and at the suggestion of General Quimby
the Chillicothe took her old position before the fort, firing three shots for the
purpose of drawing the enemy's fire; failing in this, she withdrew. We, along
with those on shore, were under the impression that the enemy blew up a tor-
pedo, just forward the Chillicothe's bow.
We remained twelve days waiting for the army to do something; and when
General Quimby was ordered to withdraw his forces, we brought up the rear.
We captured five prisoners, three of whom I have paroled at Helena ; the
remaining two I shall send- to you.
On our return to the fort we remained twelve days, and during the whole of
that time nothing was done by General Quimby towards the reduction of the
fort. On meeting General Quimby, I told him that it was impossible to take
the fort without heavy siege guns; he said that he had a number of heavy
24-pounders, and would procure others without delay, and expressed his entire
confidence as to the capture of Fort Pemberton. I then, at his earnest and
written request, (a copy of which I have sent you,) returned with him, and re-
mained until the army was ordered to withdraw. The cotton captured and de-
stroyed is about 4,000 to 5,000 bales.
The Yazoo Pass, Cold Water, and Tallahatchie, at the present, are in good
condition, and no difficulty is experienced in their navigation.
The enemy burnt two large steamers, the 35th Parallel (supposed to have
On board 2,500 bales of cotton) and the Magnolia ; cargo reported to be cotton.
In addition to these, they sunk the Star of the West near the fort. The enemy
lost, by his own acknowledgment, 12 men in killed and wounded.
The gunboats, had they pushed on even after the delay at Helena, would
have reached Fort Pemberton before a spade was put in the ground for its
erection.
In conclusion, let me again say, had the expedition been carried out as it
was originally planned, and had not the army detained us by the slowness of
their movements, the expedition would have been a complete success.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. P. FOSTEE,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Kear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Map of operations of the Yazoo Pass Expedition, under command of
Lt. Com. Watson Smith, U. S. N., 1863.
MAP SHOWING THE ROUTE OP THE LATE EXPEDITION, COMMANDED BY REAR-ADMIRAL PORTER, U. S. N., IN ATTEMPTING TO GET IKTO THE YAZOO RIVER BY THE WAY OF STEEL'S BLUFF
AND DEER CREEK.
Plan showing the place from tchich
the Gunhoats first commenced to
fall had;, to open communica-
tions behind them, which had
been ohstrifctefl.
'Kizoo Citj
The shaded Bayou shows the route actually travelled
by the Gunboats. The dotted line shows the re-
maining proposed route.
^ J * tScale of Miles »
ARMORED VESSELS. 475
Rtport of Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker.
United States Gunboat Baron De Kalb,
iWouth of Yazoo, April 13, 1863.
Sir : I liave the lionor to submit the following report of the operations of this
vessel before Fort Pembertou, Tallahatchie river :
"We arrived before the fort on the 11th of March, and after examining the
work prepared for action, but, owing to the temporary disabling of the Ohilli-
cothe by a shot from the enemy, were ordered to withdraw. On the 13th went
into action at 10.45 p. m., in company with the Chillicothe and mortar boat,
engaging the fort at about eight hundred yards. The engagement was severe
until about 2 p. m., when the Chillicothe was forced to retire for the want of
ammunition. This vessel remained in her position until dark, firing upon the
enemy at intervals of fifteen minutes, the enemy having ceased firing. After
dark, by order of Lieutenant Commander Smith, she was backed up to her old
position.
The enemy fired but few shots after 2 p. m. On the 16th, landed an 8-inch
gun, with a supply of ammunition, and placed it in battery on shore, with a
crew to work it. At 12.30 p. m., on the 16th, we again moved into action, but
the Chillicothe, being disabled in a few minutes after getting under fire, withdrew
by order. On the 19tli took on board the 8-inch gun from the shore batteiy.
In the engagement of the 13th the loss on board this vessel was :
John O'Neil, quartermaster, killed; Eobert Murphy, ordinary seaman, killed;
F. E. Davis, master's mate, mortally wounded, since dead; G. W. Male, sea-
man, lost a leg ; John McGovem, seaman, slightly wounded ; Frank McGuire,
seaman, slightly wounded.
This vessel was considerably cut up, losing ten gun-deck beams, having the
wheel-house and steerage badly knocked to pieces, and various other damages
to the wooden parts of the vessel, but nothing to render her unserviceable.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
JOHN G. WALKER,
Lieutenant Commander.
Rear- Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Sinking of the Lancaster and Switzerland [rams) in passing the Vicksiurg
t batteries.
Mississippi Squadron,
Yazoo River, March 26, 1863.
Sir : During my absence on an expedition into the enemy's country General
Ellet, at the request of Admiral Farragut, sent the rams Switzerland and Lan-
caster to run the batteries at Vicksburg.
The Lancaster was sunk and the Switzerland disabled. These vessels were
not at all prepared for so hazardous an adventure, nor at all suited for any ser-
vice that will take them any distance from a machine shop.
I send you a letteV from General Ellet on the subject, in answer to one from
me.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
476 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Lelfer of Acting Rear-Admiral Perler to Gineral A. W. EUet.
Uniteli States Mississippi Sciuadron,
Yazoo River, March 26, 1863.
General: Will you please inform me by -wliat authority you sent the rams
Lancaster and Switzerland past the batteries at Vicksburg iu open day, and
without taking any precaution to guard their hulls. One of these vessels has,
in consequence, been sunk, and the other damaged extensively, which might
very well have been expected under the circumstances.
You will also inform me who W( re the commanders of those vessels, and all
of the circumstances attending this unfortunate affair.
Very respectfully, &c.,
DAVID D. POETER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Brigadier General A. W. Ellet,
Com'dg Marine Brigade, Mississippi Squadron.
Rtpmi of General A. W Ellti.
Headquarters Mississippi Marine Brigade,
Flag-Ship Autocrat, above Vicksburg, March 25, 1863.
Admiral: In compliance with your instructions, I would respectfully report
that the Switzerland and Lancaster were sent past the batteries at Vicksburg
by my order this morning, in consequence of receiving an urgent request from
Admiral Farragut for their assistance to aid him in keeping the river open from
Vicksburg to Port Hudson, and in destroying the enemy's communication from
Red river, and also for the purpose of passing troops over the river to Warren-
ton to aid in the destruction of the formidable batteries now being constructed
at that point.
The boats started before daylight. You have been misinformed of the pas-
sage being made in open day. It is true that in consequence of the injury that
the boats sustained they did not get past before the sun had risen ; yet, if they
had not been injured and obliged to float, they would have made the passage
before it was fully light.
The Lancaster, I regret to say, is a total loss. Her boilers were exploded,
and being a very rotten boat she went to pieces and sunk immediately. She
was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John A. Ellet.
The Switzerland was commanded by Colonel Charles R. Ellet in person, who
also commanded the expedition. She received a number of shots, but being a
stronger boat was not much injured. Her boiler was exploded by a plunging
shot. In other respects the damage w,as not material. She will be repaired in
a few days, and is in a position where I trust she may be able to redeem what-
ever of mishap has attended the passage of tlie Vicksburg batteries.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
ALFRED W. ELLET,
Brigadier General, Com'dg Miss. Marine Brigade.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
ARMORED VESSKLS. 477
hellers from Rear-Admiritl Farrugui to Acting Eear-Admnul I'urler.
United States Flag-Ship Haktford,
Below Vichshurg, March 25, 1863.
Dear Admiral: I find myself in a most awk-vvard predicament, being liere
with only my ship and the little Albatross as a tender, perfectly unable to do
anything but go up and down the river, or, what is of much more importance,
blockade the mouth of Ked river for a limited period. I have expressed the
desire to you to have an iron-clad, one at least, and two rams, to assist me in
this matter; and I now repeat it, so that, when it becomes absolutely necessary
for me to go down the river to replenish my provisions and resume ray duties
in command of the blockading squadron, I may be able to do so without re-
opening the Red river trade. There is nothing below, or in Red river, that
could successfully compete with an iron-clad and two rama. G-eneral Ellet
called on me to know if I desired two of his rams ; I replied to him that I
needed such vessels and would be very much gratified to have them, but I would
not interfere with Admiral Porter — that I understood his boats to be a com-
ponent part of your fleet. He said all he desired was to know if I considered it
a benefit to the country and the cause to have them below Vicksburg; to which
I replied "certainly;" and he said that was all he wanted to know, and that he
should run two down in the night. I told him although I was very anxious
for the force I had asked of you, and was ignorant of your relative positions, I
feared he was wrong in doing so, although it might be done with safety during
the darkness of the night, which he said he would avail himself of. I had
made an an'angement with General Grant, and more particularly with Colonel
Wood, of the 76th Ohio volunteers, to convoy a party to Warrenton and cover
their attack on that place for the purpose of breaking up a casemated battery
the enemy had built there, which General Ellet proposed his two rams could
carry over, while we attacked the battery when they should arrive below. All
these arrangements were made; the troops ready for embarcation; the night
serene and beautiful, so much so that I sincerely hoped the general would not
think of sending his vessels down; and, just as I had come to that conclusion,
between half past 5 o'clock and 6 in the morning, I heard the batteries open. I
felt that all was lost unless by the merest accident. My fears were realized.
The Lancaster was totally destroyed; the Switzerland had two shots in her
boilers, otherwise not materially injured. My engineer says her boilers can be
repaired in a week ; not a man killed ; two or three unfortunate negroes were
badly scalded, some of whom may die. It was a wonderful escape for the crew.
I write this letter for two purposes ; first, to exonerate myself from any charge
of a disposition to interfere with your command; and, secondly, with a hope to
excuse General Ellet from any feeling to do that which he thought would be
disagreeable to you; but, on the contrary, all who surrounded him at the time
thought, and so expressed themselves, that it would be in accordance with your
wishes if you were present. In conclusion, I beg leave to state that I shall now
return to the mouth of Red river, which I consider the limit of my jurisdiction
under my old orders, but which will be curtailed to below Port Hudson, when
once I pass that place, until it is captured by our forces. On my arrival below
I shall endeavor to communicate with General Banks, across the isthmus oppo-
site Port Hudson, when he will have a full understanding of General Grant's
views as to an attack on that place above and below.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. G. FARRAGUT,
Rear- Admiral.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Western Flotilla.
478
ARMORED VESSELS.
United States Flao-Ship Hautford,
Beloic Vickslurg, Marr./i 25, 1S63.
Dear Admiral; Since my last letter I have received your last letter by my
secretary, Mr. Gabaiidon, and am delighted to find that our ideas agree so well
on the subject of the blockade of Rod river, but you say nothing of the iron-
clads and rams to assist me in that operation, when I shall be compelled to leave
thfem and make my way down to New Orleans. I was in hope that you would
have been here in time and sent me an iron-clad down to assist me in demolish-
ing the casematcd battery at AVarrenton, unless a force is landed and captures
it — a thing I think easily accomplished at present, as the town is surrounded by
water, and assistance, except by infantry, is not easily obtained. My isolated
position requires that I should be more careful of my ship than I would likely
be if I had any fleet with me, as I cannot get to a machine shop to obtain the
most ordinary appliances for repairs without fighting my way to them. I deeply
regret the rashness of General Ellet in sending his boats past the batteries in
broad daylight, as it afforded the enemy nothing but a tai'get practice. You
say truly when you say that I have had some disasters in my own fleet similar
to those of the Indianola. I consider the Galveston affair the greatest blow that
the navy has sustained during the war. It has emboldened our enemies, and,
in many cases, demoralized our own people. Wo are pretty well prepared for
their boarding. Wishing you every success in yovir undertaking.
Your friend and obedient servant,
D. G. FARRAGUT,
Rear Admiral.
Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Western Flotilla.
Extract from desfalch of Hear- Admiral Porter.
Mississippi Squadron,
Yazoo River, April 11, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of
the 3d instant. I have already informed you of the cause of the disaster to the
ram Lancaster, in relation to which I had nothing to do, being absent at the
moment, and being unwilling at any time to send down that class of vessels
unless at night and properly prepared.
Selfridge's " Cut-of."
No. 195.] Mississippi Squadron,
Yazoo River, Ajml 16, 1863.
Sir ; I have the honor to enclose a letter from Lieutenant Commander Thomas
O. Selfridge, which is interesting from the fact that it shows how easily cut-
ofi's are made in the Mississippi, when conducted with ordinary intelligence. I
send a diagram which will explain the operation. We have been threatened
for some time past with an attack from the Arkansas rebels in steamers. Every
provision was made to meet it. Lieutenant Commander Selfridge saw the difli-
culty in defending the mouths of White and Arkansas rivers while kept so far
apart by a useless neck of land, and proposed to me to cut it. I ordered him
to do so, and he passed through with his vessel twenty-four hours after he cut
the bend, thus saving a distance of over ten miles. The mouths of Arkansas
ARMORED VESSKLS. 479
and White rivers are now brought close together, and a small force can defend
both.
One of the worst points for guerillas is also cut off, as those pests of the
human race could, from the isthmus, attack a vessel on one side and he ready to
meet her on the other as she came round, the distance being ten miles around
and half a mile across.
Captain Selfiidge deserves credit for cutting this new river route, Had the
Vicksburg canal (which was first proposed by Captain Alden, United States
navy, and myself to General Butler) been cut originally in the right place, we
would have had a good ship channel, well clear of Vicksburg; as it is, jt
amounted to nothing. By looking at the map you will perceive that the two
necks are very similar in conformation.
I have force enough at Arkansas and White rivers to prevent any attack.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Limteriant Commanding Thos. 0. Sflfridge.
United States Steamer Conestoga,
Off' Arfcansas River, April 14, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival of the Curlew, Cricket, Rattler, and
Prairie Bird, also the ram ; permit me to thank you for the strong re-enforce-
ments you have sent.
If you are willing, I should prefer to meet an attack in the Mississippi, rather
than the Arkansas, as the latter river is falling fast, and it gives me so much
more room to ram the steamers.
The cut-off, above Alexander's, made on Saturday last, I passed through
on Sunday — the first steamer through. It shortens the distance between the
two rivers at least ten miles, and enables me to concentrate our strength very
completely. I enclose diagram of the different stations.
Though my information of an intended attack was entirely through the
negroes, it came in so many different ways that I think confidence could be
placed in their statements. Since, though, I have learned through a prisoner,
and also some women that came last Saturday from Pine Bluff, that the Arkansas
river is too low for steamers to get out. I do not think, therefore, that an attack
can be made until a rise of the river, or will be made with the present imposing
force. Should they attempt it, there will be none go back. I have moved the
coal barges to a point about a mile below White river, a more secure position,
more easily defended.
The force I now have I consider more than sufficient for this point. If you
wish any of the light-draughts sent elsewhere, I shall give them all an inspection
and report the result.
Learning that there were U. S. arms at McGhee's place, Carson's landing,
I sent the Juliet up, which captured two men, Alexander Smith and J. N. Crow.
These men have been employed hunting runaway negroes, and acknowledge
to have shot some who attempted to escape; they are notorious rascals, and
Smith was concerned in the burning of the Lake City. I found at McGhee's
a United States Belgian rifle, sword bayonet with complete equipments, marked
U. S., and a hunting rifle. Smith's story is that he purchased them from two
of our deserters ; the negroes say he robbed them of them.
480 AElVfOEED VESSELS.
I have these two in double irons on the Bragg. My intention wus, if it mot
your approval, to punish tliein for their villany, and send them beyond the Imos.
I was up through the cut-off iijto the Arkansas yesterday, on a rccimnois-
sanco. I captured a prisoner, Oornolins Jones, private of twenty-first Texas. Ho
was employed as a mail or despatch carrier. He had on at the time a i'cika-al
uniform, and attempted to jiass liimself off as a citizen. Ho says that all the
pickets on the river had been drawn in. His regiment had gone to Batesville,
Arkansas. From all I can learn there is some secret move on liand amongst
their forces. What disposition shall I make of him 1
I have sent the Signal to Memphis for provisions, and for some little repairs,
that can be made during the short time she is there.
I have sent word to the Chillicotho to remain at Helena until she receives
your orders.
Very respectfully, j'-our obedient servant,
THOS. O. SELPEIDGE,
hicutenamt Commanding.
Acting Roar-Admiral David D. Pouter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
General Prentiss, at Helena, wishes all the ncgroi'S he can get, as he is form-
ing them into regiments. Am I authorized to send up such as jjresent them-
selves ?
Passage of the Vichshurg haiteries hy Acting Rear- Admiral Porter with
Ms fleet.
Mississippi Squadron,
Yazoo Riiwr, Ajyril 7, 1863.
Sir: There is nothing new at this point, with the exception that General
Steele's division has been sent up to take possession of the country through
which we lately took the gunboats. When that is secured we can reach the
Yazoo when we please, provided the water keeps up.
I am preparing to pass the batteries of Vicksburg with most of the fleet. Gen-
eral Grant is marching his army below, and wo are going to endeavor to turn
Vicksburg and get to Jackson by a very practicable route. If General Grant
can raise 60,000 men, which he says he can do, he cannot fail.
The enemy, owing to our late raids on them, have much reduced their force
at Vicksburg. They are cut off from all supplies from below ; so is Port Hudson.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Gom'dg Mississippi Squadron-
lion. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Mississippi SauADKON,
New Carthage, Missis.nppi Rircr, April 17, 1863.
Sib; I have the honor to inform you that I passed the batteries at Vicksburg,
on the night of the 16th of April, with a largo force for operations below. Three
army transports were prepared to resist shot, and accompanied the squadron. I
led in the Benton, and having drifted down on the batteries, got up with the
first one without being discovered. At 11.16 p. m. the batteries opened on usj
we immediately responding with a rapid fire, the vessels of the squadron all in
line following our example.
MAP SHOWING THE NEW CUT-OFF MADE BY LT. COM. T. 0. SEU'EIDGE, U. 8. N., 1863.
1 s
2/
I — ' I-
Sralc oi'. 'Mites
aONTGOMEKv'S PT
oHUTl-S^Rlt
482 ARMORED VESSELS.
The enemy lighted up the river on both aides, and we were fair targets for
them. Still, we received but little damage. The squadron was under fire for
two hours and thirty minutes. No one was killed, and only eight wounded —
the gleatest number on board this ship, which, being ahead, received a concen-
trated fire. An army transport, the Henry Clay, was sunk by a heavy shot.
The Forest Queen, transport, became temporarily disabled, and was turned into
safe quarters by the Tuscumbia.
The fire from the forts was heavy and rapid, but was replied to with such
spirit that the aim of the enemy was not as good as usual.
The conduct of all the commanders met my entire approbation. All the ves-
sels were ready for service half an hour after passing the batteries.
I had the Indianola examined to-day. She is much shattered. The rebels
got her two 9-inch guns. One 11-inch gun was burst, and ia lying on deck;
the other fell overboard, and now lies alongside, in nine feet water.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Detailed report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter.
Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Benton, New Carthage, Mississippi, April 19, 1863.
Sir: Being anxious to send back despatches by General Grant, I wrote you
a short report. I omitted to state the number and names of the vessels com-
posing this expedition, as my letter would go through the Memphis post oflfice ;
and as I have no great confidence in that department, I omitted names and num-
bers from prudential motives.
The following is the order in which the vessels started, fifty yards apart :
Benton, Lieutenant Commander Green ; Lafayette, Captain Walke, with the
General Price lashed on starboard side; Louisville, Lieutenant Commander
Owen; Mound City, Lieutenant Wilson; Pittsburg, Lieutenant Hoel; Caron-
delet, Lieutenant Murphy ; and Tuscumbia, Lieutenant Commander Shirk ; also
the tug Ivy, lashed to the Benton. The three army transports were in the rear
of the above-mentioned vessels, and the Tuscumbia was placed astern of all, to
see that the transports did not turn back. This duty Lieutenant Commander
Shirk performed handsomely. Two of the transports, when firing became heavy,
attempted to run up stream, but Lieutenant Commander Shirk drove them back,
and staid behind them until the Forest Queen was disabled. He then took her '
in tow and placed her out of reach of the enemy's shot.- All the vessels, except
the Benton, took in tow coal barges, containing each ten thousand bushels of
coal, and all except the Lafayette brought them safely past the batteries. Hav-
ing the General Price alongside, the Lafayette did not manage ver-y well, and the
coal barge got adrift, but was afterwards picked up at Carthage. The Louis-
ville, Lieutenant Commander Owen, lost hers in the "mel6e," but picked it up
again while under fire.
The Benton was beautifully handled by her pilot, Mr. Williams, who was also
in the Essex when she ran the batteries. He kept the vessel's guns bearing on
the town and water batteries all the time while drifting down. The guns of the
Benton fired over eighty shell, well directed to the town and batteries.
The Pittsburg, Lieutenant Hoel; Tuscumbia, Lieutenant Commander Shirk;
and Mound City, Lieutenant Wilson, were more fortunate than the others in not
AKMORED VESSELS. 483
turning round as they came hy, although no ill results happened to those ves-
-sels that did turn.
The pilots were deceived by a large fire started on the side opposite to Vicks-
burg by the rebels for the purpose of showing the vessels more plainly— fires
being started on both sides of the river at once.
Altogether, we were very fortunate. The vessels had some narrow escapes,
but were saved, in most instances, by the precautions taken to protect them.
They were covered with heavy logs and bales of wet hay, which were found to
be an excellent defence. ^
I cannot speak in too high terms of, the conduct of all the commanders. They
caiTied out my orders to the best of their ability, haviog great diiEculties to con-
tend with — strong currents and dangerous eddies, glaring fires in every direc-
tion that bothered the pilots, smoke almost enveloping the sc^uadron, and a very
heavy fire on vessels that were fair targets for the enemy. I have no cause to
be dissatisfied with the result. No one was killed ; only one or two badly
wounded, and only twelve casualties in all. Most of the wounded are walking
about.
The shot the enemy fired were of the heaviest calibre, and some of excellent
pattern. They came on board, but did no material damage beyond smashing
the bulwarks.
I am in hopes soon to have some of our Monitors down here, and if they are
properly built we can silence some of the batteries at Vicksburg.
I am happy to inform you that no lives were lost on the transport Henry
Clay, which was burned and sunk passing the batteries. We picked most of
the crew up, and others got away in the yawl.
I enclose reports of the commanders of the different vessels, and also copy of
general order issued in reference to the running of the batteries.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Instructions to commanders of vessels relative to passing the Vicksburg batteries.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hatok, April 10, 1863.
Sib : You will prepare your vessels for passing the batteries at Vicksburg,
taking every precaution possible to protect the hull and machinery against any
accidental shot.
When the vessels do move, it will be at night, and in the following order :
Benton, Lafayette, Price, Louisville, Mound City, Pittsburg, Carondelet, other
vessels that may arrive hereafter, and army transports, passing as fast as they
can. Every vessel will take in tow a coal barge, to be carried on the starboard
side. No lights will be shown on any part of the ship. All ports will be "cov-
ered up until such time as the vessels open fire, which they will do when their
broadsides bear upon the town, or when it can be safely done without interfer-
ing with the pilot or endangering the other vessels. Before starting the hour
of departure will be given, and every vessel will have her fires well ignited, so
that they will show as little smoke as possible.
On approaching the batteries every vessel will exhaust in the wheel, so as to
make but little noise.
If any vessel should receive sijch damage as to cause her to be in a sinking
condition, the best plan will be to land her on the island below the canal. The
484 ARMORED VESSELS.
vessels must not crowd each other, nor fire their bow guns when a,hrea3t of the
.town or batteries. Fifty yards is the closest they should be to each other.
After rounding the point below, and being clear of the shoal water, hug th^
shore enough (or the side opposite Vicksbiirg) to get into the shade of the
trees, and hide the hulls of the vessels. The crew must work the guns withoui
light on the deck, and all the guns must be set for about nine hundred yards,
which will reach light field-pieces and infantry. Fire shell, and sometimes
grape. Don't fire after passing the town and main batteries — the lower batteries
are not worth noticing. When arrived below Warrenton, the flag-ship Benton
will burn a Ooston signaL when each vessel will hoist a red light, that I may
know who is missing.
The sterns of the vessels must be protected securely against raking shot.
The coal barges must be so arranged that they can be easily cut adrift.
No vessel must run directly astern of the other, so that in case of the head=
most vessel stopping, the sterumost one will not run into her.
In case any vessel should ground under the enemy's batteries at Vioksburg
with no prospect of getting off, she must be set fire to thoroughly, and com-
pletely destroyed.
Avoid running on the sunken levees opposite Vicksburg.
Very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Actimg Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Commanders of Benton, Lafayette, Price, Louisiana, Mound City, Pittsburg,
Oaiondelet, and Tuscumbia.
Report from Captain Walkt.
United States Gunboat Lafayette,
Diamond Island Bend, below Vicksburg, April 17, 1863.
Sib : I have most respectfully to report that, in obedience to your orders of
the 10th instant, the gunboat Lafayette, now under my command, passed the
batteries at Vicksburg last night, accompanying you with the following portions
of your fleet, viz: Benton, (flag,) Lafayette, (towing a coal barge and the Gen-
eral Price,) Louisville, Mound City, Pittsburg, Carondelet, and three transports,
namely: Forest Queen, Henry Clay, and Silver Wave, all of which passed
■safely down to this point with but trifling injury, except the transport Henry
-Clay, which caught fire and was burned, and the Forest Queen, which received
,a shot between wind and water, and was obliged to come to below Vicksburg.
The Lafayette received nine efi'ective round and rifle cannon shots through
tier casemates while closely engaged with the rebel batteries. She was struck
first in the port waist with a 100-pounder rifle shot, which passed through
obliquely from forward aft to the starboard casemate. The second, a 32-pounder,
struck upon the same plate at right angles, passing through and breaking upon
the iron work and our stern capstan ov-er the boilers. The third, a 100-pounder
rifle, through the port wheel-house, port pitman, and through the cylinder
timbers and starboard side. Fourth, a 100-pounder ,rifle, through the lower
edge of the iron plating forward of the port wheel-house amidships into the
sponsel, a few feet short of the port cylinder, in a direct line. Fifth, a 32-
pounder, on port side, abaft the wheel-house, through plating. Sixth, a 32-
pounder, on the port bow, through plating, broken. Seventh, a glance shot on
the starboard bow port. Eighth, a glance shot on hog chain, lending in and
through the upper pilot-huuse. Ninth, grape-shot through smoke-pipe ; barge
and mainmast slightly injured by shell. In consequence of the difficulty in
ARMORED VESSELS. 485'
seeing our position while passing in the smoke, fire, and noise, with the coal
barge and Price alongside, she being reported on fire twice, the Lafayette came
near ruimiug into the bank under the batteries at Vicksburg, which enabled,
the enemy to take unerring aim for the short time we were there. We returned^,
the fire at the same time, but the fightinj bolts of our 24- pounder broke adrift,.
The safety of the vessel being paramount to all other advantages that could
be derived from random shot, with the Louisville afoul of us, and the other
gunboats passing us, I discontinued our firing after one or two rounds. The
coal barge was sunk by a shot in her bow. The Price cast off after we passed
the batteries, and we arrived safely at this place without the loss of a man
killed or wounded. "We left the Yazoo river at 9.30 p. m., and amved here at
1.30 a. m., being under fire one hour and twenty minutes.
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. WALKE,
Captain United States Navy.
Acting Eear-Admiral D. D. Porter, U. S. N.,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Report from Acting Lieutenant S. E. Woodworth.
New Carthage, April 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report my safe arrival at this place with the United
States steamer General Price, having passed the batteries at Vicksburg without
the loss of a man, and but throe slightly wounded. The Price is badly cut up
in her upper works, particularly the ward-room and steerage, two 7j-inch rifle
shell having exploded inside, destroying the officers' quarters and setting the
vessel on fire twice. We were struck by thirteen different shot and shell and
many musket balls.
While drifting down river, to enable the Lafayette to fire her guns, the Lou-
isville ran into my quarter and stove one of my boats, at the same time obliged
me to cast off from the Lafayette and make the rest of the trip alone, the coal,
barge between us being stove by a shell bursting in it.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SELIM E. WOODWORTH,
Commanding United States Steamer Price-..
Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding U. S. Mississippi Squadron.
Report from Lieutenant Commander James A. Greer.
United States Steamer Benton,
New Carthage, Louisiana, Ap7-il 17, 1863.
Sir : I respectfully submit the following: This vessel, bearing your flag, got
under way from our anchorage, near the mouth of the Yazoo, yesterday evening
at 9.15, and slowly steamed down towards Vicksburg. At 11.10 the enemy
opened fire upon us with musketry from the upper batteries. At 11.16 the
batteries opened upon us, firing slowly at first, but continuing to fire more rap-
idly as we passed by. At 11.23 we opened upon the batteries and town wich
the forward and port batteries. We passed within forty yards of the town, and
could hear the rattling of falling walls after our fires. At 1 1.52 the enemy
ceased firing upon us. At 1.15 a. m. we passed Warrenton, not a shot being
fixed at us. At 2.10 came to anchor twelve miles above New Carthage
486
ARMORED '. ESSELS.
We expended the following projectiles: Eighteen 9-inch 5'' shells; three
9-inch shrapnell ; sixteen f>" 42-ponnder rifle shell ; two 32-pounder 5" shell;
twenty-three stands 32-pounder grape ; a total of eighty-one shots.
The damages sustained were as follows : One 32-pounder round shot passed
through the corner of the broadside and after casemate, grazed the coamings of
the pitman hole and struck the " cylinder timber," and entered about four inches,
glanced back and into a state-room.
A large rifle shot struck the port casemate about six inches above the upper
after corner of No. S port, passing through the two and a half inch iron, splin-
tering the wood all the way through, and knocking off the planking on the in-
side six feet in length and six feet wide.
Another shot struck the forward side of No. 7 port, shattering the casemate,
and then glanced up and tore .away the hammock nettings about the gangway. .
A 10-ineh solid round shot struck the port casemate about four feet from the
spar deck, and about six inches from the angle of the forward casemate, passing
through the light iron and shattering the casemate from top to bottom, and sis
feet fore and aft.
Another struck a chain cable which was suspended over the casemate, cutting
the chain. All the damages were on the port side.
The casualties were one ofiScer, Acting Ensign E. 0. Brennen, and four men
wounded.
Enclosed I send the assistant surgeon's report. I desire to call your attention
to the good conduct of Mr. Brennen until he fell at his post.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. GREER,
Lieutenant Commander.
David D. Porteh,
Acting Rear-Admiral, CorlVdg Mississippi Squadron.
List of casuallies on the Benton.
UiNiTKD States Gunboat Benton,
Mississij^pi Squadron, April 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the following casualties on board this vessel
while passing the batteries in front of Vicksburg, April 17, 1S63:
Edward C. Brennen, acting ensign, flesh wound in right thigh ; Charles Duss,
seaman, left leg shot away, amputation performed below knee joint ; William
N. Taylor, landsman, wound from musket ball in left groin, severe, but not con-
sidered dangerous ; Charles Hillyer, private, company F, 58th Ohio volunteers,
contused wound from splinter, slight. The above are the only accidents which
incapacitated any of the crew for duty.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
NEWTON L. BATES,
Assistant Surgeon, United States Navy.
Lieut. Com'dr James A. Gbeer, U. S. N.,
Commanding United Slates Gunboat Benton.
Report of Lieutenant Commmider JE, K. Owen
United States Steamer Louisville,
Off New Carthage, Louisiana, April 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the. honor to report the safe arrival of this vessel below the
Vicksburg and Warrenton batteries. We were struck but four times, no shot
doing any damage whatever.
ARMOEEP VESSELS. ' 487
In consequence of being misled by the bright light on the right-hand shore, I
was compelled to make two full turns in the river abreast the light, and could
fire but six shots.
I enclose reports of the gunner and carpenter.
I am, sir, verj respectfully, your most obedient servant,
E. K. OWEN,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Kear-Admiral David D. Porter, U. S. N.,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Report of lAmtenani Oommander James W Shirk.
United States Ship Tuscumbia,
Carthage, Louisiana, April 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to make the following report : In obedience to your
orders I got under way on the evening of the 16th instant, in the United States
steamer Tuscumbia, under my command, and took my position in the line of
vessels which were to pass the batteries of Vicksburg. We were to bring up
the rear.
At 10.3 p. m. the three transports, Silver Wave, Forest Queen and Henry
Clay, having taken their position ahead of us, we started down the river, going
very slow until we reached the head of the " canal," opposite Vicksburg. Here
we overtook the leading vessels. From this place we drifted down the river
until we reached the head of the " point." The enemy opened fire about ten
minutes before this, and caused a large fire to be kindled on the point, thus
bringing the fleet into full relief between the shore batteries and the light, causing
everything to be seen as plainly as in the open day.
Here I saw that two of the transports had their bows up stream, and were
going ahead. Although your written order said that I was to " pass as fast "
as I could, you had verbally informed me that I was to be the " whipper in " to
the fleet. I knew that the passage of the batteries by the transports was essen-
tial to the complete success of your plans. Under these circumstances I deemed
it my duty to remain astern of them, and if I saw any hesitation to pass, or
inclination to go back, on their part, to force them to obey their orders. I
therefore stopped, under the very heavy fire of the enemy, until the transport
Henry Clay was set on fire, and the Forest Queen had turned around.
As we rounded the lower end of the "point," and were drifting, in order to
keep our place in line, we struck the Louisiana bank of the river. We soon got
off without any damage. As we were backing to get our bow down stream, we
got foul of the transport Forest Queen, and the two vessels remained close to-
gether for some five or six minutes. This collision caused the rebels great
rejoicing, as was made evident to us by their loud cheering, apparently right
over our heads. For a few minutes the fire from shore seemed to be concen-
trated upon the Tuscumbia and Forest Queen, but providentially none of the
shots did much damage. We were struck here on our port bow, below the
water-line, starting seven planks and causing the vessel to leak freely. I started
the forward force and syphon pumps, and soon had it under control.
After ' getting clear, we continued drifting down (as I did not want to pass
the Forest Queen, and she was disabled by her steam-pipe being cut) until we
were out of their fire. We passed the transport just below the mouth of the
canal. I then turned around and went back, and took the Forest Queen in tow,
and landed her on the Louisiana shore. She had fourteen inches of water in
her, and her machinery was disabled.
Passing Warrenton I threw into the town an Xl-inch shrapnell, which was
488 AKMORED VESSELS.
quickly replied to by six discharges from not more than four light guns. I then
gave them another shrapnell, and passed on until I reached the fleet, where I
anchored near the United States steamer Benton, your flag-ship.
In addition to the shot under the bow already mentioned, a six-inch shot
struck the iron "chock," or "lug," that supports the rail upon which the star-
board port of the after casemate travels, making an indentation of an inch.
To the officers and men whom I have the honor to command great praise is
due for their spirit and bravery exhibited upon this occasion. Most of them
had never been under fire before, but I have no fault to find with any of them.
When all did their duty so well, it would be invidious to make distinction. I
must, however, bring to your notice the good services rendered me by Acting
Master A. F. Tayon, the executive officer of this ship ; Acting Ensign Thomas
M. Farrell, who commanded the port Xl-inch gun, (the only one engaged ;)
Assistant Paymaster George A. Lyon, United States navy, who acted as my
aid on this occasion, and Pilots Joseph McCamrnant and Isaac N. Ashton.
I am happy to say there were no casualties on board of this ship.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
JAMES W. SHIRK,
Lieutenant Commander.
Rear-Admiral David D, Pouter, U. S. N.,
Com,'dg U. S. Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Benton.
Report from Lieutenant Commander Byron Wilson.
United States Gunboat Mound City,
New Carthage, Mississippi, April 17, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that this vessel got under way about nine
o'clock last evening, and took her position in line for passing and fighting the
Vicksburg batteries.
After passing the upper end of the canal, we merely drifted down the river,
and at 11 p. m. turned the right-hand point just above Vicksburg, which brought
us in full view of the batteries.
We continued drifting down, never turning a wheel, and when nearly abreast
of the heaviest battery in the heart of the city, a huge bonfire was kindled on
the opposite point, making it almost as light as day. At this time I was obliged
to pass the Lafayette, Price, and Louisville, in order to keep from turning round
or becoming unmanageable, as they appeared to be.
While we were in the vicinity of this light we were made a splendid target
for the enemy, who availed himself of the opportunity by sending a 10-inch
shot through both casemates, passing out through the iron on the starboai'd side,
wounding four (4) men. Besides this, we were struck four times while abreast
these batteries, but sustained no injury from them.
As soon as we were able to bring our port broadside guns to bear, we put five
second shot into their batteries, and when nearest the city gave them grape, and
all, I think, with good effect, for we passed so slowly and leisurely that we
could not help getting good aim.
At 12.50 we were struck on the port quarter by a random shot from the
Warrenton batteries, which did no harm. We did not throw away any ammu-
nition on this place, as it was too small an affair. The officers and men behaved
splendidly. I herewith enclose the surgeon's report.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BRYON WILSON,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
ARMORED VESSELS. 489
List of casualties on tite Mound City.
United States Steamer Mound City,
Mississippi River, April 17, 1863.
Sir : The following casualties occurred on board this vessel while passing
the batteries of Vicksburg :
John Kelly, ship's painter, wounded ; James Denty, cockswain first cutter,
wounded; Swain Anderson, seaman, slightly wounded; Adam Isenberger,
private, company B, 58th regiment Ohio volunteers, slightly wounded.
Very respectfully,
THOMAS RIOE,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, United States Navy.
Lieutenant Byron Wilson,
Com'dg United States Steamer Mound City.
Report from Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. R. Hoel.
United States Steamer Pittsburg,
James's Plantation, Mississippi River, April 17, 1863.
Sir : In running past the batteries at Vicksburg and Warrenton last night,
I have the gratification to report no casualties occurred on board this vessel,
neither did she receive any serious damage from the enemy's fire. She was
struck but seven times; five of the shot passing through her upper works, the
other two struck in the logs which I had triced up (by your order) on the port
quarter for the protection of the magazine. One of the shots struck immediately
at the water-line, and had it not been for the logs, would, undoubtedly, have
passed into the magazine. On the passage past the batteries I fired forty-three
rounds of 5" and 10" shells and one stand of grape.
I have the satisfaction to report that both officers and men behaved gallantly,
and that I feel proud to have the honor of commanding them.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. R. HOEL,
Acting Vol. Lieut. Com'dg.
David D. Porter,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Miss. Squadron.
Report from Acting Lieutenant J. McLeod Murphy.
United States Gunboat Oarondelet,
Abreast of Ion Plantation, Mississippi River, April 17, 1863.
Admiral: I have the honor to report the successful passage of this vessel
by the Vicksburg and Warrenton batteries last night, in compliance with your
written instructions of the 10th instant, and to enclose herewith copies of the
statements of the several subordinate officers, from which you will be enabled
to gather, in detail, the slight disasters and casualties of the occasion.
Opposite to the burning house on the right bank we were compelled to make
a turn in the river, and although we were exposed to a heavy, concentrated fire
for nearly an hour, I attribute to this fortunate pirouette the destruction of the
enemy's ranges at us. Abreast of the Warrenton battery we responded to three
490 AEMOEED VESSELS.
sliots. During the engagement the two 8-inch gun and the rifled 42-pounder
of the port battery were the only ones used ; these were in charge of Acting
Ensign Charles H. Amerman, and were well served.
The coal barge which was assigned to our care was towed safely, and is now
moored (o the bank without leak or damage.
I am, admiral, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. McLEOD MUKPHY,
Acting Lieut. U. S. N., Uom'dg.
Acting Kear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Com'dg U. S. Miss. Squadron.
L-at of casualties.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Mississippi River, New Carthage, April 17, 1863.
Sir : The following is aiist of the men wounded in the Mississippi squadron
while passing by the batteries at Vicksburg last night :
On the United States steamer Benton, Assistant Surgeon N. L. Bates: Ed.
0. Brennan, acting engineer, flesh wound in thigh, severe; Charles Doss, sea-
man, left leg shot away, amputation below knee; Wm. N. Taylor, landsman,
wound from musket ball in left groin, severe but not dangerous; Charles
Hillyer, private, Co. F, 58th Ohio volunteers, splinter wound, not severe.
On the United States steamer Caroudelet, Assistant Surgeon D. R. Bannan :
John Dorman, seaman, shell wound in face, slight; John Eallan, seaman, con-
tusion from splinter in groin, not serious; Ray Cutler, seaman, splinter wound
in neck ; Geo. Eisher, seaman, splinter wound in face.
On the United States steamer Mound City, Acting Assistant Surgeon Thomas
Rice : John Kelly, carpenter, splinter wound of leg, severe ; James Deuty,
cockswain, contusion of shoulder, severe; S. Anderson, seaman, splinter wound
in abdomen ; Idam Isenheizer, private, Co. B, o8th Ohio, contusion of face, alight.
The gunboats Lafayette, Pittsburg, General Price, and Louisville had none
of their crews injured.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. 0. BERTOLETTE,
Surgeon U. S. Navy.
Acting Rear-Admiral David R. Porter,
Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Running tJie batteries at Vicksburg.
U. S. Mississippi Squadron, U. S. Steamer Black Hawk,
Yazoo River, April 17, 1863.
Sir : By direction of Admiral Porter, I have to inform you that he left this
river lust night at 10 p. m., in the Benton, accompanied by the Lafayette, Gen-
eral Price, JLouisville, Mound City, Pittsburg, Oarondelet, Tuscumbia, and three
transports, and also that they arrived safely below the batteries at Vicksburg,
with the exception of the transport Henry Clay, destroyed by fire.
The vessels suffered very little on the passage in killed and wounded — ave-
raging, probably, one to each of the former and two to the latter.
The vessels themselves sustained no damage of any account. The firing was
ARMORED VESSELS. 491
very heavy on both sides, but I think perceptibly slackened on the rebels' part
as our fleet got th^ir guns to bear.
Vety respectfully, your obedient servant,
K. R. BREESE,
Lieutenant Commander.
Hep. GroEON Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Operations at Grand Gulf.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Benton,
Off New Carthage, Apiil 24, 1863.
Sir : The rest of the squadron is now at Grand Gulf, -waiting for the army to
make a move. The enemy have heavily fortified Grand Gulf since the passage
down of the Hartford, and are still working night and day to make the place
impregnable, if they have time.
I went close to the upper battery on the 22d, in the Lafayette, and drove the
men out of the works, and the vessels are now so arranged that they command
the upper battery, mounting four heavy guns, and the mouth of Black river,
through which ammunition and supplies are brought down, and by which the
rebels have hitherto obtained supplies from Red river.
General Grant comes over here to-night, and I may know something more of
his plans.
I did not wish to leave here to communicate with Admiral Farragut until I
have landed the army safely on the other side of the river. When that is done,
I shall feel at liberty to go below with all but two vessels, and take charge of
the river from Red river up.
The rebels have fortified Grand Gulf so strongly that I do not deem it pru-
dent to let one or two vessels go by, for I cannot get them up again against the
current. When we do move it must be a combined attack, and one that cannot
fail. The enemy have already 12,000 men at Grand Gulf, and are throwing in
more with all the rapidity they can.
Until our communication is fairly opened with the other side by water the
army can move but slowly ; they have now to depend on us for coal barges to
get them over the bayous and other streams, and all the provisions they have is
what we brought down in the transports, seven of which have run the blockade.
They were mostly damaged in machinery, but the engineers of the squadron
have repaired them so that they can run. I have six weeks', provisions and coal,
and have made arrangements to have supplies sent through by some means.
We will have to build a railroad, which will much facilitate matters. No one
could imagine, unless they saw it, the difficulties of transportation ; still I hope
we will overcome it all, and though, at present, I see no certainty of a success-
ful landing of our army on the Mississippi side, yet nothing will be left undone
by me to facilitate it.
The portion of the squadron now here cannot even return above Vicksburg
until that place is taken. It can, however, be maintained below, with great
labor, and kept in active service on the river, provided that no damage is re-
ceived in the machinery.
I shall endeavor to get our floating machine shop through, when we can repair
almost any injury.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
492 ARMORED VESSELS.
Capture of the batteries at Grand, Gulf, Mississippi.
Mississippi SauADRON, Flag-Ship Benton,
V Below Grand Gulf, April 29, 1863.
Sir : I had the honor of sending you a telegram announcing that we had
fought the hatteries at Grand Gulf for five hours and thirty-five minutes with
partial success.
Grand Gulf has been very strongly fortified since Admiral Farragut went
down, to prevent his coming up again ; and four batteries (some of very heavy
guns) are placed at the distance of a quarter of a mile apart, on high points, and
completely command the river. I ordered the Louisville, Carondelet, Mound
City, and Pittsburg to lead the way and attack the lower batteries, while the
Tuscumbia, Benton, and Lafayette attacked the upper ones — the Lafayette
lying in an eddy and fighting stern down stream. The vessels below silenced
the lower batteries, and then closed up on the upper one, which had been hotly
engaged by the Benton and Tuscumbia, both ships suffering severely in killed
and wounded. The Pittsburg came up just at the moment when a large shell
passed through the Benton's pilot-house, wounding the pilot, Mr. Williams, and
disabling the wheel. This made the vessel unmanageable for a short time, and
she drifted down to the lower batteries, which she opened upon while repairing
damages.
The Pittsburg, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Hoel, for a short time bore the
brunt of the fire, and lost eight killed and sixteen wounded. The Tuscumbia
was cut up a great deal, (and proved herself a poor ship in a hot engagement.)
As the fire of the upper battery slackened, (I presume from want of ammuni-
tion,) I passed up a short distance above the fort to communicate with General
Grant, to see whether he thought proper to send the troops in the transports by
the battery, under what was rather a feeble return to our fire. He concluded to
land the troops, and march them across by a road two miles long, coming out
below the batteries. As there was a prospect of expending a good deal of am-
munition on the upper battery without being able to occupy it if it was silenced,
the vessels moved up stream again by signal without being much fired at, or
receiving any damage, while the enemy had a raking fire on them.
I then sent down Captain Walke, in the Lafayette, to prevent them from
repairing damages, which they were doing with great diligence. He opened on
them, to which they responded a few times, and finally left the fort, when he
fired at intervals of five minutes until dark.
At 6 o'clock p. m. I again got under way (with the transports following us)
and attacked the batteries again, the transports all passing safely down under
cover of our fire. We are now in a position to make a landing when the general
pleases, I should have preferred this latter course in the first instance ; it
would have saved many lives and many hard knocks. The Benton received
forty-seven shots in her hull alone, not counting the damage done above her
rail, but she was just as good for a fight when she got through as when she
commenced.
All the vessels did well, though it was the most difficult portion of the river
in which to manage an iron-clad — strong currents (running six knots) and strong
eddies turning them round and round, making them fair targets, and the Benton's
heavy plates did not stand the heavy shot, which, in many instances, bored her
through.
The Tuscumbia showed great weakness as a fighting ship, though her com-
mander did his best to keep her in a position where she did excellent service.
The current turned her round and round, exposing her at every turn. It was
a hard fight, and a long one, on both sides. The enemy fought hia upper
battery with a desperation I have never yet witnessed ; for though we engaged
ARMORED VESSELS. 493
him at a distance of fifty yards, ive never fairly succeeded in stopping hia fire
but for a short time. It was remarkable we did not disable his guns ; but
though we knoclied the parapets pretty much to pieces, the guns were apparently
uninjured.
The conduct of the officers and men met with my warmest admiration. I
will leave to the commanders of the vessels the pleasure of mentioning those
under them who merited it.
I beg leave to mention favorably my secretary, Mr. Guild, who took the
minutes of the action ; my signal officer. Ensign Hunt ; my aid, Ensign Brown,
who was wounded ; and Surgeon Bertolette, of the Black Hawk, who devoted
himself to the wounded. It will not, I am sure, be an invidious distinction if I
mention the handsome manner in which Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. E.
Hoel handled and fought the Pittsburg. I was much indebted to him for so
promjitly taking the place of the Benton when the loss of our wheel made us
turn down stream.
All the commanders fought their ships gallantly, and, I think, effectively.
The gentleman, mentioned had the advantage of being one of the best pilots on
the river, and knew exactly where to place his ship. I only hope I may always
go into a fight with as good officers to back me.
The following is a list of the vessels engaged, and their commanders : Benton,
Lieutenant Commander James A. Greer; Lafayette, Captain Henry Walke;
Louisville, Lieutenant Commander E. K. Owen; Tuscumbia, Lieutenant Com-
mander James W. Shirk; Jlound City, Lieutenant Commander Byron Wilson;
Garondelet, Acting Lieutenant J. McLeod Murphy ; Pittsburg, Acting Volun-
teer Lieutenant W. R. Hoel. The General Price, Commander Selim E. Wood-
worth, was engaged in can-ying troops and towing transports past ths batteries.
The squadron has been six hours and a half to-day under a hot and well-
directed fire, and is ready to commence at daylight in the morning. I will send
a list of killed and wounded the first opportunity. No naval officers were killed
or se\'erely wounded. In our attack to-night only one man killed. He was on
the Mound City.
I remain, sir, very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Captain Henry Walke.
Mississippi Squadron,
U. S. Gunboat Lafayette, off Grand Gulf, May 1, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report the particulars of the attack made by the
Mississippi squaldron on the morning of the 29th ultimo, in obedience to your
general order of the 27th ultimo, so far as it came imder my observation.
About 7 o'clock a. m. of the 29th ultimo the fleet got under way, in answer
to your signals, and proceeded down to the rebel batteries of Grand Gulf in the
following order: The Pittsburg led the attack with- tliis vessel, which rounded
to above the upper batteries, and opened a brisk fire upon the enemy with her
100-pounder rifle guns until the remainder of the fleet had passed down and
taken their position, viz : Pittsburg, Louisville, Mound City, and Carondelet, at-
tacking the lower batteries, while the Benton, (flag.) Lafayette, and Tuscumbia
engaged the upper batteries. Each vessel rounded to against the enemy's bat-
teries in order, and kept up a heavy firing with their broadside and bow guns as
494
ARMORED VESSELS.
they were brought to bear upon the enemy. The Lafayette, after firing 35
rounds of 100-pounder rifle shell and shot, turned her broadside and l|-''°°^
bow guns upon them, firing with good effect, apparently, until about 10 o'clock
a. m. The admiral hoisted the guard flag (a preconcerted signal) for the Lafay-
ette to change her position from before the upper batteries to (he lower batteries,
where she proceeded, and continued firing her 11-incb bow guns and her 9-inch
100-pounder rifle guns, and 24-pounder howitzer from the starboard broadside,
thus continuing a vigorous and effective firing upon all the batteries, which,
while we passed up with the rest of the fleet, were silenced. AH the fleet
passed above, except the Tuscumbia, landing at Ruth's plantation, in obedience
to your signal. The Lafayette was struck by cannon shot about forty times
during the day, five of which only did any serious damage.
I enclose our carpenter's, gunner's, and engineer's reports. ■ Expended 160
11-inch shell and shrapnell, 28 9-inch, 50 rifle, and 10 24-pounder howitzer.
The officers and crew of the vessel deserve my highest praise for their cool-
ness, courage, active and excellent conduct during the five hours and five
minutes' fighting, none of whom, thank God, were hurt, but Lieutenant William
T. Suttrell, slightly wounded.
At 3 p. m. we observed the enemy repairing their shattered batteries, and, by
your order, the Lafayette ran down, and with a few rounds from her bow guns
silenced the upper battery and dispersed the rebels, after which we turned her
100-pounder rifle guns upon them, firing at five-minute intervals until 8 o'clock
p. m., when we anchored and piped to supper.
At 9 p. m. the fleet, with some transports, were observed coming down the
river slowly, weighed anchor, beat to quarters, and, for a diversion, opened a
brisk fire upon the upper battery with our 100-pounder rifles. While passing
they fired into all the batteries, and the Lafayette followed in the rear, and
came to at this plantation, without any serious casualty except several shot
through our iron and into our casemating.
Most respectfulh', sir, your obedient servant,
H. WALKE,
Captain United States ^avy.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Reports of Lieutenant Commander James A. Greer.
United States Flag-Ship Bentoiv,
Brainshurg, Mississippi, April 30, 1863.
Sir: I respectfully submit the following: At 7.45 yesterday evening this
vessel, bearing your flag, got under way and stood out into the stream. At
8.28 stood down towards Grand Gulf, followed by the gunboats and transports.
As we approached the bluffs, at 8.48, the enemy opened fire upon us, to which
we responded with our bow guns ; we then rounded to and engaged the batteries,
using bow and starboard guns when they would bear. At 9.43, the transports
all having passed, dropped slowly down the river and tied up to the Louisiana
shore, about four miles below Grand Gulf.
We were struck six times; lost a boat that was astern, and had no one injured.
The following ammunition was expended: Fourteen 5-second 9-inch shells ;
five 10-second 9-inch shells ; _ one 5-second 42-pounder rifle shell ; three 10-second
42-pounder rifle shells ; eight 10-second 32-pounder shells — a total of thirty-
one fires.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS A. GREER,
Lieutenant Commanding..
Acting Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 495
United States Flag-Ship Benton,
Brainshurg, April 30, 1863.
Sir : I respectfully submit the following : This vessel, bearing your flag, got
under way yesterday morning at 6.40 and headed up stream. After getting
the fleet in line, we, at 7.30, slowly steamed down towards the batteries at
Grand Gulf. At 7.55 the enemy opened fire on the leading vessel. At 8.13
we opened fire from the forward battery upon the guns on the bluff; rounded
to with head up stream, and kept firing whenever a gun would bear, the enemy
responding. While near the shore the enemy fired upon us with musketry.
At 9 a shell penetrated the thin iron on our starboard quarter, and exploded in
a state-room, setting it on fire ; it was speedily extinguished. At 9.05 a shell
from No. 5 gun carried away the enemy's flagstaff'; it was soon replaced. At
10.10, having gotten into an eddy, were obliged to round out; did so, and fired
with our port and stern guns when they would bear. We, in turning round,
dropped down stream fifteen hundred yards, and ran into the bank to aid us in
turning round. We then steamed up to the batteries on the bluff again, and con-
tinued the engagement. At 12.25 rounded out and stood up stream to com-
municate with General Grant, who was on a tug. While going up used our
stern guns. At 12.50 the enemy ceased firing at us, this vessel having been
under fire four hours and eleven minutes. At 1.57 tied up to the bank at Hard
Times landing ; the other vessels, except the Tuscumbia, following our motions.
The following ammunition was expended : seventy 9-inch 5-second shells ;
forty 9-inch 5-second shrapnell; twenty-nine 9-inch grape; seven 9-inch canister;
forty-five 5-second 48-pounder rifle shells : one 10-second 42-pounder rifle
shell; sixty -nine 5-second 32-pounder canister; thirty 10-second 32-pounder
shells ; five 32-pounder solid shot ; eleven 32-pounder canister ; twenty-three
32-pounder grape ; nine 50-pounder rifle shells ; eight 50-pounder solid shot —
a total of three hundred and forty-seven fires. We -were struck forty-seven
times — once in the hull, twenty-two times on casemates, and twenty-four times
in upper works. The ^-inch iron was penetrated twelve times ; the 2J inch
iron four times, three of which came entirely through the casemate. One shot
went through the IJ-inch iron on after part of pilot-house and lodged inside,
wounding a pilot and shattering the wheel.
The casualties were seven men killed and nineteen persons wounded, four of
whom were officers. Accompanying I enclose surgeon's report.
All the officers and men behaved well, and it would be difficult to particu-
larize, yet I cannot pass without calling your attention to the good conduct of
Acting Ensign J. F. Keed, who shot down the rebel flagstaff, and was wounded
while serving his gun.
Acting Master and Executive Officer Charles A. Wright is deserving of much
credit for the able manner in which he worked the batteries and fought a gun.
Gunner N. B. Willetts served a 9-inch gun with great efficiency.
The pilots, Messrs. B. S. Williams and W. F. Tuley, are deserving of great
credit for the coolness and efficiency they displayed in the working of the
vessel. Mr. Williams was wounded in the early part of the action. Mr. Tuley
then took charge, and with a shattered wheel managed the vessel very hand-
somely.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. A. GEEEE,
^ Lieutenant Commanding
Acting Kear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
49 G AKMOEED VESSELS.
Casualties on the Benian.
United States Gunboat Benton,
Mississippi Squadron, April 30, 1863.
Sir: The casualtieis in the engagement at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, yester-
day are as follows :
Killed. — William H. Kinney, captain of hold ; James Floyd, seamaB ; Michael
Mahony, ordinary seaman ; Henry Bostun, sergeant, Co. F, 58th Ohio volun-
teers ; Jacoh "Wooley, sergeant, Co. F, 58th Ohio volunteers ; Riley Suttles,
private, Co. F, 6Sth Ohio volunteers ; George D. Saas, private, Co. G, 58th
Ohio volunteers.
Wounded. — Jacoh Herring, first lieutenant, Co. G, 58th Ohio volunteers,
wound of left knee, compound fracture of left forearm, amputation of thigh ;
Beverly S. Williams, pilot, wound of left foot, severe ; J. Frank Reed, acting
ensign, scalp wound and contusions; George M. Brown, ensign, flesh wound,
slight ; Henry Harming, Co. F, 68th Ohio volunteers, wound of head, serious ;
Francis G. Holmes, seaman, fracture of fibula and dislocation of ankle joint ;
Charles P. Simpson, captain after guard, flesh wound, slight ; William Wilson,
seaman, contusion, slight; George H. Brown, seaman, scalp wound, slight;
Robert Germain, seaman, scalp wound, slight ; Henry Smith, seaman, flesh
-wound, slight ; Patrick Hurley, seaman, flesh wound, slight ; Archibald Taylor,
corporal, Co. F, 58th Ohio volunteers, contusion, slight ; Geo. W. Sherlock,
corporal, Co. F, 58th Ohio volunteers, contusion, slight ; Solomon Lance, pri-
vate, Co. F, 58th Ohio volunteers, scalp wound ; Michael Engle, private, Co. G,
58th Ohio volunteers, scalp wound; S. J. Rhoades, private, Co. G, 58th Ohio
volunteers, flesh wound, abdomen ; Martin Bellers, private, Co. F, 58th Ohio
volunteers, flesh wound and contusion, severe; John Brown, private, Co. F,
5Sth Ohio volunteers, severe contusion and flesh wound.
Total : killed, seven ; wounded, nineteen,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
NEWTON L. BATES,
Assistant Surgeon United States Navy.
Lieut. Oom'dr Jas. A. Greer,
Com'da, United States Gunboat Benton.
Report of Lieutenant Commander E. K. Owen.
United States Steamer Louisville,
Off' Bayou Pierre, Louisiana, April 30, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by
this vessel in the two actions of yesterday : At 7.15 a. m., in obedience to the
general signal, I got under way and took position in line of battle behind the
Pittsburg, and proceeded down towards the batteries at Grand Gulf. At 8.15
the enemy opened fire from the Point of Rocks battery, which was replied to
by this with bow and port broadside gnns. Rounded to and opened fire on the
second battery, mounting three heavy pieces of ordnance and two field-pieces.
In conjunction with the other attacking vessels, this fort was silenced about "91
o'clock. At 11.30, in obedience to orders, moved up and attacked the Point
of Rocks battery, at distances varying from three hundred to twelve hundred
yards. At 1.15 p. m. followed the motions of the flag-ship in obedience to sig-
nal, and made fast to the bank at 2.30 p. m. The enemy had in their scattered
batteries thirteen pieces of ordnance of different calibre, seven being heavy
ARMORED VESSELS. 497
the other field artillery. At 8.30 p. m. got under way and took position three
hundred yards astern of the Benton. At 9.05 the enemy opened fire from the
Point of Rocks battery, and the lower batteries opened fire with bow and broad-
side guns as they would bear upon the enemy's batteries. At 9.50 p. m. ceased
firing, and followed the flag-ship Benton down the river. At 11 made fast to
the Louisiana bank, at the Disharoon plantation.
I am happy to say no casualties occurred on board this vessel, and to express
my great satisfaction at the conduct of the officers and men. We received but
seven shots, four in the hull and three in the light works of the ship. We fired
four hundred and forty -four shots during the two engagements — four hundred
and eighteen in the first, and twenty-six in the last. I send the report of the
gunner and carpenter.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. K. OWEN.
Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
HepoTt of Lieutenant Commander J. W. Shirk.
United States Ship Tuscumbia,
Mississippi River, below Chand Gulf, April 30, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this
ship in yesterday's action between the squadron under your command and the
rebel batteries at Grand Gulf.
In obedience to your order we got under way at 7 a. m. and followed the
United States gunboat Mound City down the river. At 8.25 we engaged the
upper and heaviest fort, the leading vessels having gone down to attack the
lower batteries. This ship devoted the whole of her time to the upper fort,
from positions above, below, and abreast of it, as the current and eddy made it
necessary for us to take, until, at 25 minutes p. m., the port engine was disabled,
when we endeavored to pass above by using the propellers, but were unable to
stem the current. I therefore was compelled to drop down out of action to find
an anchorage.
During the early part of the fight a rifle shell struck the outer edge of the
port shutter of the midship port, opened it, and entering the turret exploded
inside, killing four men and wounding several others. Another shell struck
both shutters of the same port, jamming them so that they could not be used.
This deprived me of the use of the midship gun for the remainder of the action.
We used the starboard stern gun upon the lower battery, until a shell entered
the after turret and exploded, disabling every man at the gun but one.
The shell that exploded in the forward turret threw sparks of fire into the
shell-room and magazine passages. I most earnestly request that when an
opportunity offers a different arrangement of these passages may be made.
We were struck very often upon the forward turret, but sustained no material
damage, except the losing one plate of the armor overboard and the starting of
several more. The plates were never put on in a proper manner, and wherever
a shot struck the armor the bolts were started. The light wood-work on deck
is completely riddled.
Great praise is due the officers and men of this ship for their gallantry and
spirit displayed throughout the fight. My thanks are due to the executive
officer. Acting Master A. F. Tayon, who ably seconded, me during the battle ;
also to Acting Ensigns Marshall, Parrell, Edson, and Dunlap, who had charge
of the guns. Assistant Paymaster George A. Lyon acted as my aid, taking
H. Ex. Doc 69 32
498 AKMORED VESSELS.
notes, until with my approbation he volunteered to assist the medical officer m
taking care of the wounded.
The engines were ably managed by Acting Chief Engineer J. W. Hartupes
and his assistants. Pilot Joseph McOammant did his duty faithfully at the
wheel until he was wousded and fainted from loss of blood. Pilot Isaac Ashton
performed his duty bravely and well during the whole of the fight. Assistant
Surgeon F. E. Potter was assiduous in his attention to the wounded.
In conclusion, I have to report that the ship will need very extensive repairs
before she will again be able to run.
I am sorry to report a large number of casualties. Among the dead is First
Lieutenant Samuel Bagsley, of the 29th regiment Illinois volunteers, who com-
manded a detachment of his company (company D) at present on duty on board
this ship. He was a brave and gallant soldier.
The ship was struck eighty-one (81) times by shot and shell. Grape and
shrapnell were also used upon us.
I enclose herewith reports from Assistant Surgeon Fred. E. Potter, United
States navy, the medical officer of the ship ; Acting Carpenter John Oronan,
and Acting Gunner Reuben Applegate.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
JAMES W. SHIRK,
Lieutenant Commander.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, U. S. N.,
Com'dg U. S. Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Benton.
Casualties on the Tuscumbia.
United States Steamer Tuscumbia,
April 30, 1863.
Sir : I have to report the following casualties as having occurred on board
this vessel in the action of yesterday :
Killed. — Samuel Bagsley, first lieutenant, company D, 29th regiment Illinois
volunteers ; Henri Loquet, ordinary seaman ; John Manly, officers' cook ; Wm.
H. Wright, landsman ; Francis Adams, ordinary seaman.
Wounded. — James Marshall, acting ensign, contusion of left forearm ; A. H.
Edson, acting ensign, contusion of forearm and elbow ; Joseph McOammant,
pilot, flesh wound left leg ; Ernest Clark, acting master's mate, contusion of
neck and right thigh ; Reinhardt Underberg, seaman, compound commuted
fracture frontal bone with hernia cerebri, wounds of right forearm, wrist, and
left eye ; Michael Dinan, quartermaster, compound commuted fracture of left
parietal bone, with hernia cerebri ; John Campbell, ordinary seaman, compound
commuted fracture of right temporal bone, with hernia cerebri ; Michael Kearns,
seaman, wound of right dorsal region ; Gustavus Hastings, private, company D,
twenty-ninth regiment Illinois volunteers, wound of left thigh ; William Flinn,
landsman, right eye and root of neck ; Thomas Mears, landsman, left side of
abdomen and left forearm ; Edward Brown, private, company D, twenty-ninth
regiment Illinois volunteers, wound of supcrciliam, and left forearm ; Robert
Storey, seaman, wound of right forearm and hand ; Vergerian Simonson, lands-
man, centurim of right thigh ; Robert Walker, ordinary seaman, slight wound
of face and right hand ; John Groves, captain of forecastle, wotind of left hand
and fingers ; Stephen Lockwood, seaman, left wrist ; Henry Housington, lands-
man, wound of chest, slight ; Charles Smith, seaman, contusion of left elbow ;
William Brown, quarter gunner, wound of face and neck ; Rudolph Reinhardt,
jBeaman, left side of abdomen and face ; George Buhlage, seaman, wound of
AEMOEED VESSELS. 499'
scalp ; Michael Shea, coxswain, wound of left eyelid ; Robert McFarland, sea-
man, wound of scalp.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FEED. E. POTTEE,
Assistant Surgeon, U. S. N.
Lieut. Com'di' Jambs W. Shirk, D. S. N.,
United States Steamer Tuscumbia.
Report of Zieutenani Commander Byron Wilson.
United States Gunboat Mound City,
Below Grand Gulf, April 30, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your orders, I got under
way yesterday morning, and took my position in line of battle astern of the
Carondelet, and moved down the river, opening fire on the upper of the Grand
Gulf batteries at 7.50 a. m.,^delivering first the bow and then the starboard
broadside guns.
Steaming on down, I rounded to below the lower batteries and commenced
firing at one thousand yards, using 5" shell and occasionally shrapnell. These
lower batteries were silenced after a heavy shelling of nearly four hours. In
obedience to signal, and following our leader, we moved up to the upper battery,
and steamed around in a circle several times, immediately in front of it, and
passing within three hundred yards, using all of our guns in succession.
We were unable, -however, to hit the guns of the enemy, owing to the skilful
and scientific arrangement of the embrasures. At 12.45, after five hours' hard
fighting, and in obedience, to signal, I steamed up the river out of range. Dur-
ing the action I am happy to say that no one was injured. The light work
was considerably cut up, but no serious damage done to the huU.
In the evening, at 7.40, I got under way and took my position in line of
battle for the purpose of engaging the Grand Gulf batteries while the army
transports passed them. We gained our object, keeping the batteries so well
employed that probably not a transport was even fired at. We used our bow
and starboard broadside guns, firing with the greatest deliberation. The trans-
ports having passed, I dropped down and tied up to the bank. During this
action the vessel was struck several times — a very heavy one, which struck on
the starboard side, killed First Sergeant Fritz Vermold, company A, fifty-eighth
Ohio voliinteers, instantly. The worst injury the hull of this vessel received
was from the Louisville running into the port side, she heading down the river
while I was heading up. In both the above actions the officers and men were
distinguished for their bravery and coolness, the officers of the gun divisions
especially. We expended two hundred and sixty-one projectiles.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BYEON WILSON,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Eear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Report of Acting LieiUenant J. McLeod Murphy.
United States Steamer Carondelet,
Mississippi River, three miles below Grand Gulf, May 2, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by
iJiia vessel in the action of the 29th ultimo.
In obedience to the signal, I took my position in the line of battle astern of
600
AEMOEED VESSELS.
the Louisville, and approached the upper battery at the Point of Eocks, Grand
Gulf, within about fifteen hundred yards distance, at 8 a. m., and opened fire on
it with the three 9-inch guns comprising the bow battery ; then steamed slowly
down, passed all the batteries, discharging our bow and port side guns (one
42-pounder rifle and two 8-inch guns) as occasion offered. I then rounded to
under the bar, steamed up stream, preserving the line of order, and manoeuvred
the vessel so as to bring our guns to bear most efficiently. The bow and star-
board guns were actively engaged. Obeying the signal, I ordered the firing to
cease, and steamed up the river, arriving at Hard Times landing at 2 p. m. The
action continued almost incessantly about five hours.
At about 8 p. m. we again steamed down the river with the squadron, firing
at the batteries as we passed, and rounded to abreast of the lower battery, which
was silenced. The army transports having passed, we steamed down and made
a landing at this point. In the two attacks the vessel was struck five times,
occasioning not very serious damages ; and in the engineer department our loss
was two wheel arms, two circle segments, and two wheel braces cut off.
No casualties, fortunately, occurred among the officers and crew, who con-
ducted themselves throughout with great coolness, courage, and efficiency.
I enclose the gunner's report of ammunition expended.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. McLEOD MUKPHY,
Acting Lieutenant Commanding.
Admiral D. D. Porter, U. S. N., '
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Re-port of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. R. Hoel.
United States Steamer Pittsburg,
Mississippi River, May 1, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on April 29, in accordance with in-
structions from you, I proceeded with this vessel to engage the enemy's bat-
teries at Grand Gulf at 8.10 a. m. Although struck by the enemy's shot
thirty-five times during the engagement, and severely cut up by them, she is in
no way disabled. While engaging the enemy, four hundred and twenty-nine
rounds were fired, principally from her bow and starboard broadside batteries,
consisting of shot, shell, shrapnell, grape, and canister.
At 1.30 p. m., in obedience to orders, (.by signal from the Louisville,) I with-
drew my vessel from the engagement.
I regi-et to have to report the following casualties : Killed six, wounded
thirteen.
While passing below, and engaging the batteries the same night, I fired
twenty-one rounds. The vessel received but two shots, neither doing serious
damage ; casualties none. The conduct of both officers and crew during both
actions was that of men who had the cause of their country at heart.
I enclose reports of surgeon, gunner, engineer, and earpenter.
I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. E. HOEL,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant ComrtMnding.
Acting Eear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
ARMOKED VESSELS. 501
Casualties on the Pittsburg.
United States Steamer Pittsburg,
April 30, 1863.
Sir : I liave the honor to report the following list of casualties occurring on
board this vessel during the engagement at Grand Grulf, April 29, 1863 :
Killed. — John Carroll, captain forecastle; Richard Gray, landsman; William
Springe'r, Gottlieb Stinger, Absalom E. Leifler, marines ; James Haywood,
contraband.
Woundefi. — James Ovatt, master's mate, slightly; James Kelroe, Austin
Powler, John Scott, seamen, severely ; Alexander Smith, Charles Strand, Rob-
ert Hartly, Frederick Kruse, seamen, slightly ; J. Fartiz, marine, amputated
leg; A. Westenberger, marine, severely; D. Hufford, Addison Deets, marines,
slightly. ,
Respectfully,
F. M. FOLLETT,
Acting Assistant Surgeon.
Acting Volunteer Lieut. William R. Hoei-,
Commanding U. S. Steamer Pittsburg.
Ad'ntionaL report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter. — Description of Grand Gulf and the batteries.
^ Mississippi Sciuadro.n, Flag-Ship Benton,
Grand Gulf, Mississippi, May 3, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that I got under way this morning, with the
Lafayette, Carondelet, Mound City, and Pittsburg, and proceeded up to the forts
at Grand Gulf for the purpose of attacking them, if they had not retreated. The
enemy had left before we got up, blowing up their ammunition, spiking the
large guns, and burying or taking away the lighter ones. The forts consisted of
thirteen guns in all ; the works are of the most extensive kind, and would seem
to defy the efforts of a much heavier fleet than the one which silenced them.
The forts were literally torn to pieces by the accuracy of our fire. Colonel
Wade, the commandant of the batteries, was killed,, also his chief of staff..
Eleven men were killed that we know of, and many wounded — so our inform-
ant says ; he also says no one was permitted to go into the forts after the
action except those belonging there. We had a hard fight with these forts, and
it is with great pleasure I report that the navy holds the door to Vicksburg.
Grand Gulf is the strongest place on the Mississippi ; had the enemy suc-
ceeded in finishing the fortifications, no fleet could have taken them. I have
been all over the works, and found them as follows : One fort on Point of Rocks,,
seventy-five feet high, calculated for six or seven guns, mounting two 7-inch
rifles and one 8-inch, and one Parrott gun on wheels (carried off.) On the left
of this work is a triangular work, calculated to mount one heavy gun ; these
works are connected with another fort by a covered way and double rifle-pits,
extending three-quarters of a mile, constructed with much labor, and showing^
great skill on the part of the constructor. The third fort commands the river in
all directions ; it mounted one splendid Blakely 100-pouuder and one 8-inch ;
two 32-pounders were lying bursted and broken on the ground. The gunboats
had so covered up everything with earth that it was impossible to see at a
glance what was there. With the exception of the guns that were dismounted
or broken, every gun that fell into our hands was in good condition, with a
large quantity of ammunition.
502 ARMORED VESSELS.
This is by far the most extensive built tt ork, with the exception of those at
Vicksburg, I have yet seen ; and am happy to say we hold it. I am dismount-
ing the guns, and getting on board the ammunition ; and, as I leave in an hour
for Red river, Lieutenant Commander Owen will carry out my instructions.
I hear nothing of our army as yet. Was expecting to hear their guns as we
advanced on the forts.
Since making the above examination, two new forts have been found, nearly
finished; they have no guns, but were complete of the kind as regards position,
and had heavy field-pieees in them.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
•^ ^ DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Miss. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
U. S. Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Near Vicksburg, June 5, 1863..
Sir : I have the honor to send you a chart and plan of Grand Gulf, captured
hj the Mississippi squadron May 3, 1863.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Miss. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C,
These batteries mounted one 100-pounder, two 64-pounders, two 7-inch rifle
cannon, one 30-pounder Parrott shifting gun, two 30-pounder Parrotts in bat-
tery, two 20-pounder Parrott near main magazine in covered way, three 10-
pounder Parrotts on the hills. Batteries engaged by the gunboats for five
hours and thirty-five minutes ; the lower battery silenced and covered up in
three hours ; the upper batteries silenced, with the exception of one gun, which
could not train on any vessel, being clogged with earth. The Layfayette laid
opposite this battery, and kept the people from working until dark, when it was
partially repaired. The defences were all eai'thworks.
In addition to the above, four or five small field-pieces were used by the
rebels, and shifted about from place to place.
(Copied from a survey made by T. M. "Farrell, United States navy. May,
1863, by Alexander Strauz, United States coast survey.)
Capture of Forts De Rttssy, Red river, and Alexandyia, Louisiana.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Benton,
Alexandria, Louisiana, May 7, 1863.
Sir: I left Grand Gulf at noon on the 3d instant, and arrived that night at
the mouth of Red river.
After communicating with Admiral Farragut, and being kindlj' supplied by
Commodore Palmer with men and ammunition to supply deficiencies, I pro-
ceeded up Red river on the 4th with the Benton, Lafayette, Pittsburg, Price,
ram Switzerland, and tug Ivy. Meeting two of Admiral Farragut's vessels,
the Arizona and Estrella, coining down, I detained them, and took them back
ARMORED VESSELS. 503
with me. We arrived next evening at Port De Russy, a powerful casemated
work, (three casemates,) and a flanking battery nearly at right angles with it,
calculated to mount seven guns. The enemy had, however, evacuated the
works, taking away all but one gun, a 64-pounder, and only the day before had
managed to get away the Xl-inch and the IX-inch guns captured from the In-
dianola; they had, however, destroyed the carriages and equipments.
The enemy had at this point a heavy raft that- cost- $70,000 to build; it was
landed on either bank of the river, and fastened with chains. The Price, how-
ever, soon opened it by running against the end, and made a passage for the
rest of the steamers.
I laid by the fort that night, and, upon close examination, finding that it
would take too much time to destroy it effectually, pushed on to Alexandria,
where we arrived this morning early.
I sent the Arizona ahead last night to surprise any steamer that might be
at the town, and this morning took formal possession without any resistance ;
indeed, there seemed to be great cordiality shown us all along this river.
In the town there was great rejoicing among the Union men at our arrival,
and no indisposition on the part of any one to meet us in a friendly spirit. I
Lave seized all the rebel property here, but they removed only as late as last
night some of the most valuable. What steamers they had here had been
lightened and taken above Shreveport, (which is 350 miles by river from here,)
and are out of our reach for the present. I send the gunboats to-morrow up
Black river, where there are twenty transports, some of which we may capture.
This evening General Banks came into Alexandria, having made a rapid
march from Opelousas, and reached here one day sooner than I expected him. I
turned over the city to him, and shall return in a few days to Grand Gulf. The
water is too low for us to ascend higher up Red river and return with safety.
As we ascended, the rebels fled before us, abandoning also some works they
were erecting seven miles below Alexandria.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Oom'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Destruction of Fort De Russy and reconnoissance on Black river.
Mrssissippr Squadron, Flag-Ship General Price,
Grand Gulf, Mississippi, May 13, 1863.
Sir: I had the honor to inform you from Alexandria of the capture of that
place and the forts defending the approaches to the city by the naval forces
under my command. Twenty -four hours after we arrived the advance guard
of United States troops came into the city, and General Banks arriving soon
after, I turned the place over to his keeping. The water beginning to fall, I
deemed it prudent to return with the largest vessels to the mouth of Red river.
I dropped down to the forts De Russy in the Benton and undertook to destroy
those works. I only succeeded, however, in effectually destroying the three
heavy casemates commanding the channel, and a small water battery for
two guns, about 600 yards below it. I also destroyed (by bursting ) one
heavy 33-gounder and some gun-carriages left in their hurry by the enemy.
The main fort on a hill some 900 yards from the water I was unable to attend
to. It is quite an extensive work, quite new and incomplete, but built with
much labor and pains ; it wUl take two or three weeks to pull it to pieces. I
had not the powder to spare to blow it up ; the vessels will be ordered to work
on it occasionally, and it will soon be destroyed.
Plan showiso the defskces or the fokt on ked Eiteb, built by Gen. De Russy, kebel armt,
DESTROYED MAY 9, 1863, BY THE FLAG-SHIP BENTON.
Scale et yutill
I illlll
ARMORED VESSELS. 505
In this last-mentioned fort was mounted the Xl-inch gun which I am led to
believe lies iil the middle of the river near the fort, the rebels throwing it over-
board in their panic at the approach of the gunboats.
The raft which closed the entrance I have blown up, sawed in two, and pre-
sented it to the poor of the neighborhood.
I sent Commander Woodworth, in the Price, with the Switzerland, Pittsburg,
and Arizona, up Black river to make a reconnoissance. They found heavy-
batteries at Harrisonburg, and as the rebels refused to surrender, the boats
shelled them, but without much effect. Our force being small, and the forts
on high hills. Commander Woodworth sent back to report to me ; but as I had
no time to attend to the Harrisonburg forts at the moment, I ordered the return
of the expedition. Commander Woodworth destroyed a large amount of rebel
stores, (valued at three hundred thousand dollars,) consisting of salt, sugar, rum,
molasses, tobacco, and bacon.
I left the place blockaded, and returned to Grand Gulf to look after other
portions of the squadron.
I left Captain Walke, in the Lafayette, at Alexandria for the present, also
the Switzerland, Arizona, and Estrella, to co-operate with General Banks in
case he should require the services of the navy.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POETER,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sketch of Fort De Rmsy.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Yazoo River, May 16, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith a sketch of Fort De Eussy, on
Eed river, captured by a portion of this squadron on the 9th of May.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTEE,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Feigned attack on Haines's Bluff.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Benton,
Mouth of Red River, May 12, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith the reports of Lieutenant Com-
mander K. R. Breese and others, in relation to a feigned attack on Haines's
Bluff, to prevent the enemy from sending re-enforcements to Grand Gulf.
The plan succeeded admirably, though the vessels were more exposed than
the occasion called for ; still, as they met no casualties, with the exception of
hits in the hulls, it mattered but little.
I am, &c., very respectfully,
DAVID D. POETEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
^^" AEMOEED VESSELS.
Report of Lieutenant Commander K, R. Brcese.
United States Steamkr Black Hawk,
Yazoo River, May 2, 1863.
SlB : Enclosed I send a copy of a letter from General Grant to General
Sherman.
1 co-operated with him in a feigned attack upon Haines's Bluff, its object
being to prevent heavy re-enforcements sent to repel the land attack at Grand
Gulf. ^ ^
At 1 p. m. of the 29th of April this portion of the squadron, consisting of
the Tyler, Choctaw, De Kalb, Signal, Borneo, Linden, Petrel, and Black Hawk,
with three 13-inch mortars, in tow of tugs, proceeded up the river, followed by
ten large ti-ansports carrying Major General Blair's division to Chickasaw bayou,
all under command of Major General W. T. Sherman, where we remained for
the night. A regiment was sent out near the old battle-ground without any
important discovery. At 9 on the morning of the 30th the whole force, ex-
cept the Petrel, stationed at Old river, proceeded up the river in the above order,
and took position as in the accompanying sketch.
The Choctaw and De Kalb opened fire upon the main works at Droom-
gould's Bluff, and the Tyler and this ship, with 30-pounder rifles, upon the field-
works and batteries. I refer you to enclosed reports of commanders for par-
ticulars.
The De Kalb was handled with the skill always exhibited by Lieutenant
Commander Walker ; and the management and whole conduct of the Choctaw,
Lieutenant Commander Eamsay, was worthy of the best of your tried com-
manders.
From the high stage of the water the Choctaw and De Kalb could not be
brought head on to the batteries without too great exposure, which neither the
force nor circumstances would permit ; and although they were fought nearly at
a broadside, I am happy to state that no casualties occurred, nor did any in the
whole expedition while in action. I soon saw the disadvantageous way the
Choctaw was compelled to fight, and the De Kalb necessarily, from her vulnera-
ble sides, could share little of the exposure of the heavy fire concentrated upon
her; but as the demonstration was considered so important by General Sher-
man, I felt compelled to make it appear as much of a real attack as possible
without too great risk ; accordingly the vessels were allowed to remain under
fire upwards of three hours and a half, when I made the signal to retire.
Lieutenant Commander Ramsay remained upon deck during the whole en-
gagement, and you will judge from his report the heavy fire he was under.
Scarce a moment but a jet of water was thrown up near her, or a shot struck
her. The Tyler was obliged to retire early, from receiving a Whitworth shot
at the water's edge, causing her to leak badly, but was soon ready for action
again. The position of this ship was changed several times, as the enemy
nearly got our range.
At 6 p. m. the troops were landed, and marched up towards Haines's Bluff
on the only roadway — the levee, making quite a display, and a threatening one
also. As the pickets and skirmishers approached the road leading to the bluffs
a very heavy battery was opened, sweeping the narrow causeway, upon which
not more than two men could walk abreast. Videttes, &c., were thrown out,
and at dark the troops were quietly embarked, leaving our pickets, &o. The
next day a regiment was landed on the opposite side, and marched up in the
direction of the bluffs, but before reaching the river were met by an impassable
bayou and the heavy fire of the forts on the bluffs.
It was observed in the morning that new works had been thrown up during
the night, some of the old ones extended, and several new and apparently heavy
ARMORED VESSELS. 507
guns placed in position. At 3 p. m., by previous arrangement, the De Kalb,
Choctaw, Tyler, and this ship, opened upon thene works, and drew the fire from
a 32-pounder rifle gun and a Whitworth gun. They were silenced, having fired
not more than fom- rounds each. Our practice was excellent, and it would be
difficult to determine to which ship belonged the credit of silencing these guns.
Observing heavy ox teams, apparently drawing heavy guns, our fire was
turned toward them, and to the valleys adjacent, in which troops were supposed
to be concealed, with whfit damage is not known. Our firing gradually slack-
ened, until at dark it ceased altogether ; and at 8 p. m., General Sherman having
received orders to take his corps to the other side, the vessels all returned to
their old anchorage, in the mouth of the Yazoo, without accident. The rebel
lieutenant captured by Captain Walker being wounded, I turned over to General
Sherman, who, having a hospital boat with him, could properly attend to his
case.
This prisoner states that a major and three privates of his party were killed ;
that they have eleven heavy guns in their batteries, from 10-inch smooth bore
to the heaviest rifled, and two brigades to guard it, its only approach being that
over the narrow causeway before mentioned, which were entirely commanded
by guns sweeping in all directions ; also that the raft had broken adrift, proof
of which was evident enough as we advanced. He also stated that it was re-
ported that Port Hudson had been' evacuated.
During the ten days' operations this ship fired 227 30-pounder shells. I
regret that I can make nothing of the paper case time fuze furnished us. In
all our experiments and in actual service they could not be relied upon, scarcely
ever bursting.
Ensigns Bridgman and Miller had each charge of a gun, and the accuracy of
their fire elicited much applause, and must have discomfited the enemy much.
We were firing at about 3,000 yards.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
K. E. BREESE,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Rear- Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Report of Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker.
United States Gunboat Baron de Kalb,
Mouth of Yazoo, May 2, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by
this vessel in the feigned attack upon Droomgould's Bluff on April 30 and
May 1:
Upon the first day I moved into position and opened fire at 10.50 a. m., and
continued firing heavily until about 2 p. m., when I retired by signal. As the
attack was but a feint, and being ordered not to risk my vessel, I covered her
with the river bank, avoiding the enemy's fire as much as possible.
At 2 p. m., while dropping out of action, the others having retired, was fired
upon by musketry from some buildings on the east bank of the river at a dis-
tance of about fifty yards. I immediately ran into the bank and landed Acting
Master C. S. Kendrick, with about twenty-five men, who dislodged the enemy
from the buildings and chased them five or six hundred yards into the swamp,
killing one officer and three privates, and taking a second lieutenant, of the third
Louisiana infantry, prisoner. Mr. Kendrick behaved very gallantly, capturing
the prisoner in a hand to hand fight by knocking him down with his pistol.
The prisoner reports the officer killed to have been a major. E. N. House
508
ARMORED VESSELS.
quartermaster, was shot through the right arm by a rifle ball, .but not seriously
injured. At 6 p. m. I again moved up near my former position to cover a move-
ment of troops, and remained until the following day.
The enerny fired sharply until sunset, but fortunately without effect. On
the second day, at 3.10 p. m., got under way and dropped down to the squad-
ron, firing upon the enemy as my guns bore, and continued firing until dark.
The enemy failed to reply after the first half hour, although the whole squad-
ron was within easy range. During the two days I expended two hundred
rounds of ammunition.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. WALKER,
Lieutenant Commander.
Lieut. Oomd'r K. R. Brebse,
Senior Officer present.
Report of Lieutenant Oommander F. M. Ramsay.
United States Steamer Choctaw, *
Yazoo River, May 3, 1863.
SlB: I have the honor to report that on the 20th ultimo, in company with
the squadron, I engaged the enemy's batteries on Droomgould's Bluff from 10 a.
m. to 1.40 p. m., when, in obedience to signal from flag-ship, I dropped down a
short distance and tied to the right bank of the river.
The enemy's shot struck this vessel forty-six times, besides cutting away six
smoke-stack guys. The turret was struck six times, a 10-inch solid shot pene-
trating the crown and a 6-incli pointed shot burying itself. Two ghot struck
below water-line on starboard side forward of turret ; one carried away star-
board forward warping chock ; eleven struck the smoke-stacks ; one the star-
board forward ventilator ; one carried away first cutter's after davit and store
gig ; one struck casemate below pilot-house and glanced ; one penetrated iron
on starboard side, forward of wheel-house curve, and glanced ; five struck curve
forward of starboard wheel ; two penetrating iron and wood ; one penetrating
wood casemate inside of starboard wheel ; four struck starboard wheel-house,
carrying away one outside circle and three arms of starboard wheel ; six struck
port wheel-house, carrying away one outside circle and ten arms of port wheel ;
one struck ward-room skylight; one through storage- room; one cut away pendant
staff, one the ensign staff, and one the forward wheel beam hog chain. A shot
is supposed to have struck under water on starboard side abreast of boilers.
Two men were slightly bruised on the wrist by splinters. In the evening the
enemy's batteries again opened fire. I moved to the left bank of the river and
returned it for a short time. On the 1st instant, at 3 p. m., I opened again on
the batteries an(J. fired slowly until 7 p. m.
During the two days sixty-nine shells and three solid shot were fired from
the 100-pounder Parrott gun, and forty-five shells and five solid shot from the
9-inch gun. The 100 pounder gun was commanded by Acting Ensign W. 0.
Bennet, and the 9-inch by Acting Master's Mate 0. 0. Johnson, under the su-
perintendence of Acting Ensign and Executive Officer W. A. Abbott.
The ofiicers and men under my command deserve great credit for the manner
in which they performed their duty. The greater portion of the crew had been
only eight days on board when the engagement took place, and owing to the
unfinished state of the vessel, bad had only three days' exercise at the guns.
The 10-second fuzes for the Parrott shells did not burn properly, the shells
AEMOEED VESSELS. 509
having them in exploded much too soon, and one of them so close to the muzzle
of the gun that the pieces struck the forecastle deck in three places and set fire
to the vessel.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANK M. RAMSAY,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Lieut. Com'dr K. R. Breese,
Senior Naval Officer, mouth of Yazoo River.
Report of Lieutenant Commander Jas. M. Fritchett.
United States Gunboat Tyler,
Yazoo River, May 2, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by
this vessel in the demonstration upon Droomgould's Bluff, April 30 and May
1 : On the morning of the 30th got under way at 9.16, and took my position
astern of the Baron de Kalb. At 10.15 came within range of the lower bat-
teries, which I opened on with my 30-pounder rifles. At 10.30 made fast' to
the left bank of the river, and kept up the fire on these batteries. At 11 a. m.
was struck between wind and water on starboard side, and was obliged to drop
out of the fire and keel the vessel over to stop the hole. After repairing, the
order was given to retire. At 2.30 p. m. received orders to drop down about
two miles below the transports to prevent the rebels from planting a field bat-
tery. Laid there until 9.30 next morning, when I got under way and stood up
the river, and made fast to the right bank and astern of the Choctaw, and
within range of two small batteries, which the enemy had erected during the
night. At 3 p. m. opened a steady and well-directed fire on these batteries
until 7 p. m. This vessel was struck once in the wheel-house by a large frag-
ment of shell.
At 9.30 p. m. got under way and returned to my anchorage at the mouth of
Yazoo river.
During the two days fired eighty-one Parrott shells and thirty Vlll-inch.
Very respectfully,
JAS. M. PRITOHETT,
Lieutenant Commander.
Lieut. Com'dr K. R. Breese,
Senior Officer present.
Report of Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch of his operations on the Ten-
nessee and Cv/mherland rivers.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Benton,
Mouth of Red River, May 12, 1S63.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith a report from Lieutenant Com-
mander Le Roy Fitch, in relation to operations in the Tennessee and Cumber-
land rivers.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
510 ARMORED VESSELS.
Reports of Lieutenant Commander Fitch.
United States Gunboat Lexington,
Paducah, Kentucky, April 2, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report operations on the upper Tennessee river
during the last few days.
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Jason Gowdy was patrolling the river with the
gunboatsi Robert and Silver Lake.
Enclosed I forward his report of operations up to the time I joined him at
Fort Hindman, on the 27th of March. I took from the fort one hundred and
fifty soldiers under command of Colonel Graig, and after distributing them on the
three boats proceeded on up the river. I made several landings along on the
route, reported to be infested by guerillas, but found none till we reached the
neighborhood of Savannah, being informed that back of Boyd's landing, about
four miles, was a cotton factory owned by, and doing work for, the rebels. I
Lad determined to destroy it. I therefore landed at Boyd's, and sent out an
expedition, numbering about two hundred soldiers and sailors. Colonel Graig
took charge of the force. The executive officer of this steamer. Acting Volun-
teer Lieutenant Dunn, took charge of the sailors. The expedition moved out
to the factory with caution, as Colonel Cox's cavalry regiment was stationed
but two or three miles beyond. Arriving at the mill, breastworks of cord- wood
were thrown across the road, and inquiries made regarding the operations of the
factory.
From what could be learned, the mill was run on shares with the country
people; the material went in an indirect way to the rebel soldiers, through their
friends at home. The books were all clean, and contained nothing to condemn
the factory; but knowing that the mill did aid in an indirect manner the rebels,
it was thought proper not to burn it, but to effectually prevent its doing more
work, which was done by removing the running gear, pistons, cylinder heads,
brasses, and all like portable portions, and placing it on board this vessel. Two
mules and a wagon, which were pressed to haul the machinery down to the boat,
were retained as lawful prizes, as it was ascertained they belonged to Colonel
Cox's rebel cavalry. Two horses also were captured by Mr. Dunn, belonging
to guerillas.
A short distance above this landing, and about three miles from the river, was
reported a plantation owned by a noted rebel — Smith. The boats were landed,
and an expedition sent out to the place. This plantation was occupied by a
man by the name of Dillihunty, and is known to be a rendezvous for guerillas.
Yet this Dillihunty claims to be loyal, has taken the oath, and says he bought
the farm of Smith. This may be true, but he had no papers to prove it, has
never been molested by the guerillas; and in fact, as 1 have since learned,
was at the time raising a guerilla company, as several men were at the time
on his premises, one of which I took prisoner, he having been engaged in the
guerilla service ; and as our men were fired at by a guerilla near his place^
the indications were such as to render his position very doubtful.
I therefore took from the farm twenty-five bales of cotton (to be held till he
proves his loyalty) and some cavalry horses.
After leaving this landing, I proceeded on up to Chickasaw, at the foot of
Oolvert shoals ; there was scant five feet on the shoals, so I sent the Robert and
Silver Lake above with orders to make thorough reconnoissance and return the
same night, as the river was falling too fast to risk them above longer. Acting
Volunteer Lieutenant Gowdy reports the enemy in force on both sides of tha
river at Florence. He shelled and drove them out of their camp on the left
bank, but was not able to tell their number nor to ascertain the calibre of their
heavy guns, as the wind was blowing a gale right across the river, and he
ARMORED VESSELS. 511
was fearful of getting caught above the shoals by falling water. Before reaching
Florence he surprised a picket guard, captured five horses, some carbines, and
one prisoner. He joined me at Chickasaw just at dark.
Returning down the river, I stopped at a farm belonging to a notorious rebel
by the names of Hays, who had been very zealous in enforcing the conscript
law and feeding the guerillas — sent a detachment back three miles, to his Louse,
and brought away about one thousand pounds of bacon, and all the corn we
could carry, also three mules and a wagon belonging to him. Colonel Graig
took charge of the bacon, as the army at Fort Hindman were short of supplies.
The result of the several small expeditions is as follows : eight guns, (cavalry
carbines,) 25 bales of cotton, 15 horses, (three broke loose and escaped at Fort
Hindman,) twelve mules, (one shot through the thigh, and left at Fort Hind-
man, ) and two wagons ; also eight prisoners.
I would state that all men along the river above Fort Henry must be either
disloyal in sentiments or actually engaged in the rebel cause ; from what the
numerous refugees tell me, none expressing sentiments the least loyal are per-
mitted to remain at home and cultivate their farms.
Since so many of these guerillas have been found dead on the battle-field
with the oath of allegiance in their pockets, I am forced to believe no man
living with these guerillas, though he had taken the oath forty times.
I have given transportation to over sixty refugee families since I have been on
these waters ; but applications for conveyance out of the river have become so
very numerous from young men fleeing from the conscript, that I have been
induced to give the captains of boats instructions to render all the aid in their
power to families, but under no circumstances to bring or pass out able-bodied
young men. We are in want of men for the gunboats, and if they love the
Union better than rebellion, now is the proper time to show it; they must take
sides either one way or the other. This has already had the effect of sending
some thirty or forty into General Dodge's cavalry, and has given the gunboats
some eight or ten recruits. I deem it high time that some of these loyal refugees
were showing some proof of their loyalty.
I hope, as soon as there is another slight rise in the Tennessee, to be able,
with General Dodge's cavalry co-operating, to capture all the force on the
Tuscumbia side at Florence.
My plan will be this : to watch the river closely ; as soon as there is the
least indication of a rise, get forces from General Dodge, take the infantry over
Culvert shoals, land them at Tuscumbia landing, let the cavalry come in on the
Tuscumbia road, and while the forces are getticg in the enemy's rear I will
push on up with four or five of the lightest-draught boats, and engage them in
front.
I have written to General Dodge to this effect, and rely upon his hearty co-
operation to complete the programme. With his co-operation I am confident of
success.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LE EOY FITCH,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
United States Gunboat Lexington,
SmitMand, Kentucky, April 6, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report, that on the third instant, while coaling at
this place preparatory to again ascending the Tennessee, I received a telegram
from Acting Volunteer Lieutenant J. S. Hand, commanding gunboat St. Clair,
512 ARMORED VESSELS.
that the fleet under his convoy had been. attacked at Palmyra, and that the St.
Olair was disabled.
I got under way immediately, and started up the river with the Lexington,
BriUiant, Robert, Silver Lake, and Springfield, having been informed that the
enemy were in strong force, and had heavy field batteries.
Below Donelson I met the St. Olair, being towed down and followed by her
consort, the Tairplay. I turned the Fairplay back to follow me and proceeded
on up. AiTiving at Palmyra, I found the enemy had retreated towards Har-
peth shoals. I landed opposite the town and sent a detachment on shore under
command of Acting Master Fitzpatrick, of this vessel, with instructions to burn
every house in the place, and to allow no one under his command to pillage or
remove the smallest article. Just after the boat landed, several stragglers from
the guerillas broke from their concealment and ran ; our men fired on them,
kUling one and wounding another.
The town was burned ; not one house left. I had for some time been sus-
picious of this place ; one or two loyal men did live here, but were driven out
by the rebels.
The town was one of the worst secession places on the river, and as unarmed
transports were fired on from the dwellings, I gave them the full benefit of
your order, which I trust will be a lesson to them in the future. Enclosed I
send a letter from Port Hudson, which may perhaps be of some little interest.
I left the same evening with the transports and gunboats for Harpeth shoals.
At Olarksville I landed and made arrangements with the commandant of the
post for infantry and cavalry to accompany me, with a hope of being able to
get in the rear of and capture the enemy's artillery. Pushing on up, I landed
the soldiers a few miles below Harpeth in the forenoon of the 5th, and moved
on up with the boats to draw attention, but, much to my regret, the enemy had
intimation of our approach, and had again retreated this time back from the
river towards Charlotte. The cavalry followed them six miles back, but not
being able to come up with them, returned, as it was not prudent to venture
further with so small a force.
As the river was falling too fast for me to risk this boat over the shoals, I sent
the transports on to Nashville under convoy of three light-draughts, and returned
to this place with a view of carrying out my plans up the Tennessee.
It has always been my aim to have the means of communication and times of
meeting between the boats on this and the Tennessee river so perfect that at a
moment's warning I can, in case of necessity, concentrate the entire force at
any one point.
1 am happy to state that thus far I have been able to accomplish this, and
hope to be in future equally successful.
Very respectfuUy, your obedient servant,
LE ROY FITCH,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Reai'-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
United States Steamboat Lexington,
Hamburg Landing, April 28, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to report that on the 24th instant, while cruising down
the river ahead of General Ellet's fleet, I met the steamer Emma Duncan,
Acting Master Griswold, commanding, coming up to report his vessel for duty.
Learning that he had been attacked by a field battery at Green Bottom bar,
ARMOEED VESSELS. 513
and had three men badly wounded, I proceeded on down the river, giving him
orders to follow me, in hopes of catching the rebels at or near the same place.
Enclosed I send his report ; also the surgeon's.
I passed the bar about dusk in the evening, but the enemy was nowhere to
be seen. Being short of coal, I proceeded on down to Fort Henry, where I
procured some from one of General Ellet's barges and started back up the river
the evening of the 25th instant.
Arriving at the foot of Green Bottom bar about midnight, I anchored till
morning. Still seeing nothing of the enemy, I proceeded on up the river to
meet and communicate with General Ellet. The' Emma Duncan remaining
nearly a mile in my rear, caught a ferry flat coming out of a creek after I had
passed ; the guerillas in the flat jumped out and made their escape in the woods ;
the flat, however, was destroyed and set adrift. I cruised on up leisurely,
keeping a good lookout for the enemy along the right bank, but saw no sign of
them till I arrived at Duck River shoals, where I heard musketry and artillery
a short distance (not a mile) ahead. I pushed on over the bar and met General
Ellet's fleet just at the head of the shoals, engaging the rebel battery. I was
then in good range, and at once opened fire on the enemy. There was not room
for his boats to round to or to back out of the channel ; he was therefore com-
pelled to push on over the bar before he could effect a landing. I took the
battery side and moved on up to cover his boats as much as possible, at the
same time raking the bank with our heavy guns. The ram Monarch by this
time came in range and opened fire also. As soon as I rounded the point the
enemy fired a farewell shot at one of the brigade boats, limbered up, and were
off; some few sharpshooters remaining behind fired a few shots at a transport
having on board sick and wounded. ,
I followed on up the bank, throwing shell after them till I thought them out
of range, and ceased firing; by this time General Ellet had landed and was
pursuing them.
Several of the enemy were found dead on the bank, and many more were
dragged off in the woods. I should suppose that their loss in killed and
wounded is about twenty-five or thirty.
I believe General Ellet lost two killed and one wounded on his boats ; also
some horses killed.
About 11 p. m. I left General Ellet at the foot of the bar and proceeded on
up the river with this boat and the Emma Duncan to communicate with the fleet
above. I arrived at Eastport on the afternoon of the 27th instant, receiving
a communication from General Dodge at Tuscumbia. Enclosed I send a copy
of it. _ ■ '
I send the transports below Big Bend shoals, and remained at Eastport land-
ing myself with the gunboats Emma Duncan and Queen City till morning, the
28th instant, in hopes of again being able to communicate with General Dodge
before moving the transports out of the river. I then returned to Hamburg,
and finding no means of communication there, sent the Covington and Emma
Duncan back to Chickasaw to wait till the morning of the 29th instant, and
then, if no messengers arrived from General Dodge, to report back to me at
this place.
I will move down from here with the transports to-morrow.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LE EOT FITCH,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Eear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 33
514 AEMORED VESSELS.
Destruction of a water battery at Warrenton by the Mound City, Lieutenant
Commander Byron Wilson.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, Yazoo Biver, May 15, 1863.
Sib : I have the honor to report my return to this place for a few days to
look after provisions, and make some arrangements with regard to the up-
per portion of the squadron.
A few days since the Mound City, Lieutenant Coipmander Byron Wilson,
came up as far as Warrenton to reconnoitre, and see what guns were there
likely to annoy our transports.
The rebels have been engaged for some months in building a strong case-
mated water battery, intending to mount 8 ten-inch guns on it. This work
was built with cotton bales, covered with logs, the logs covered with rail-
road iron, and the whole covered with earth. On approaching the forts
Lieutenant Commander Wilson sent a party on shore to reconnoitre; on
climbing up the casemate to look in, the party discovered that a company
of artillerists had taken refuge there, supposing themselves perfectly secure.
Our men fired their revolvers into the crowd, and warned the vessel that re-
bels were about. Lieutenant Commanding Wilson then commenced shell-
ing the fort, and in a short time it was all in ablaze; after burning strongly
for some time, the whole work was destroyed. Thus ended a fort, fti the
space of an hour, which had taken the rebels five months to build, working
mostly day and night. I proceeded to Warrenton this morning to be cer-
tain that the work was thoroughly destroyed; it required nothing more done
to it — the Mound City had finished it. The rebels set all their houses con-
taining their stores on fire as the gunboats approached, and what they left
I ordered to be destroyed. Warrenton has been a troublesome place, and
merits its fate.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Bear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Destruction of thefortifioaiions at Haines's Bluff.
Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Haines's Bluff, Yazoo Biver, May 20.
On the morning of the 15th I came over to Yazoo river to be ready to co-
operate with General Grant, leaving two of the iron-clads at Red river, one
at Grand Gulf, one at Carthage, three at Warrenton, and two in the Yazoo.
This left me a small force to operate with; still I disposed of them to the best
advantage.
>■ On the 18th, at meridian, firing was heard in the rear of Vicksburg, which
assured me that General Grant was approaching the city. The cannonading
was kept up furiously for some time, when, by the aid of glasses, I discov-
ered a company of our artillery advancing, taking position, and driving the
rebels before them.
I immediately saw that General Sherman's division had come in to the
left of Snyder's Bluff, and that the rebels at that place had been cut off from
joining the forces in the city. I despatched the Be Kalb, Lieutenant Com-
SKETCH OF REBEL FORTIFICATIONS AT HAYNES'S BLUFF.
ARMORED VESSELS. . 515
mander Walker, Choctaw, Lieutenant Commander Earasey, the Linden, Ro-
meo, Petrel, and Forest Kose, all under command of Lieutenant Commander
Breese, up the Yazoo, to open communication in that way with Generals
Grant and Sherman.
This I succeeded in doing, and in three hours received letters from Gen-
erals Grant, Sherman, and Steele, informing me of their vast successes, and
asking me to send up provisions, which was at once done.
In the mean time Lieutenant Commander Walker, in the De Kalb, pushed
on to Haines's Bluff, which the enemy had commenced evacuating the day
before, and a party remained behind in the hope of destroying or taking
away a large amount of ammunition on hand. When they saw the gunboats
they ran out, and left everything in good order, guns, fort, tents, and equi-
page of all kinds, which fell into our hands.
As soon as the capture of Haines's Bluff and fourteen forts was reported
to me, I shoved up the gunboats from below Vicksburg to fire at the hill
batteries, which fire was kept up for two or three hours. At midnight they
moved up to the town and opened on it for about an hour, and continued at
intervals during the night to annoy the garrison. On the 19th I placed six
mortars in position, with orders to fire night and day as rapidly as they
could.
The works at Haines's Bluff are very formidable. There are fourteen of
the heaviest kind of mounted 8-inch and 10-inch, and 7J-inch rifled guns,
with ammunition enough to last a long siege. As the gun-carriages might
again fall into the hands of the enemy, I had them burned, blew up the
magazines, and destroyed the works generally. I also burned the encamp-
ments, which were permanently and remarkably well constructed, looking a&
if the rebels intended to stay for some time.
These works and encampments covered many acres of ground, and the
fortifications and the rifle-pits proper of Haines's Bluff extend about a mile
and a quarter. Such a network of defences I never saw. The rebels were
a year constructing them, and all were rendered useless in an hour.
As soon as I got through with the destruction of the magazines and other
works, I started Lieutenant Commander Walker up the Yazoo river with
suflBcient force to destroy all the enemy's property in that direction, with or-
ders to return with all despatch, and only to proceed as far as Yazoo City,
' where the rebels have a navy yard and storehouses. In the meanwhile-
General Grant has closely invested Vicksburg, and has possession of th&
most commanding points.
In a very short time a general assault will take place, when I hope to an-
nounce that Vicksburg has fallen, after a series of the most brilliant suc-
cesses that ever attended an army.
There has never been a case during the war where the rebels have been
so successfully beaten at all points, and the patience and endurance shown
by our army and navy for so many months is about to be rewarded.
It is a mere question of a few hours, and then, with the exception of Port-
Hudson, which will follow Vicksburg, the Mississippi will be open its entire:
length.
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Bear- Admiral, Gom'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
616
AEMOKED VESSELS.
Attack on the Vicksburg batteries 22cf and ilth of May, 1863.
Mississippi Squadeon,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, May 23, 1863.
Sir: On the evening' of the 21st I received a communication from General
Grant, informing me that he intended to attack the whole of the rebel works at
10 a. m. the next day, and asking me to shell the batteries from 9.30 until
10.30 a. m. to annoy the garrison. I kept six mortars playing rapidly on
the works and town all night; sent the Benton, Mound City, and Carondelet
up to shell the water batteries and other places where troops might be rested
during tlis night.
At T o'clock in the morning the Mound City proceeded across the river,
and made an attack on the hill batteries opposite the canal. At 8 o'clock I
joined her with the Benton, Tuscumbia, and Carondelet ; all these vessels
opened on the hill batteries, and finally silenced them, though the main work
{on the battery containing the heavy rifled gun) was done by the Mound
City, Lieutenant Commanding Bj'ron Wilson. I then pushed the Benton,
Mound City, and Carondelet up to the water batteries, leaving the Tuscum-
bia (which vessel is still cut of repair) to keep the hill batteries from firing
on our vessels after they had passed by. The three gunboats passed up
slowly, owing to the strong current ; the Mound City leading, Benton fol-
lowing, and Carondelet astern.
The water batteries opened furiously, supported by a hill battery on the
starboard beam of the vessels. The vessels advanced to within 440 yards,
(by our marks,) and returned the fire for two hours without cessation, the
enemy's fire being very accurate and incessant. Finding that the hill bat-
teries behind me were silenced, I ordered up the Tuscumbia to within 800
yards of the batteries, but her turret was soon made untenable, not standing
the enemy's shots, and 1 made her drop down.
I had been engaged with the forts an hour longer than General Grant
asked; the vessels had all received severe shots under water, which we could
not stop up while in motion, and not knowing what might have delayed the
movement of the army, I ordered the vessels to drop out of fire, which they
did in a cool, handsome manner.
This was the hottest fire the gunboats have ever been under; but, owing
to the water batteries being more on a level with them than usual, the gun- .
boats threw in their shell so fast that the aim of the enemy was not very
good.
Tlie enemy hit the vessels a number of times, but, fighting bow on, the
shot did but little damage; not a man was killed, and only a few wounded.
I had only ammunition enough for a few moments longer, and set all hands
to work to fill up from our depot below. After dropping back, I found that
the enemy had taken possession again of one of the lower hill batteries, and
was endeavoring to remove his guns, and had mounted a 12-pound field-piece
to fire at General McArthur's troops, which had landed a short time before
at Warrenton. I sent the Mound City and Carondelet to drive him ofi", which
they did in a few moments.
The officers and men of all the vessels behaved with their usual gallantry;
they had none of them been to rest for throe days and nights, most of them
having been engaged in firing on the batteries and town, and I allowed thera
to devote the afternoon to the necessary repose.
I beg leave to enclose a letter from General McArthur, explaining why he
did not (to use his own expression) "take advantage of the results gained
by the gunboats." I have since learned from General Grant that the army
did assault at the right time vigorously; in the noise and smoke we could
not see or hear it ; the gunboats, therefore, were still fighting when' the
assault had proved unsuccessful.
ARMOEED VESSELS. 517
The army had terrible work before them, and are fighting as' well as
soldiers ever fought before, but the works are stronger than any of us
dreamed of
General Grant and his. soldiers are confident, and I am confident, that the
brave and energetic generals in this army will soon overcome all obstacles
and carry the works.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
'Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. 0.
Letter of Brigadier Oeneral J. McArOmr io Acting Rear-Admiral Porter.
Headquarters 6th Divlsion 17th Armt Corps,
Infield, near Vicksburg, Mississiippi, May 23, 1863.
Admiral: I received your communication regarding the silencing of the
two batteries below\ Vicksburg, and, in reply, would say that I witnessed
with intense satisfaction the firing on that day, being the finest I have yet
seen. I would have taken advantage of the results then gained by your
vessels, and had given the necessary orders to do so, when I received per-
emptory orders from Major General McClernand to move my command
around to the right of my position, to support a portion of his troops who
had gained a lodgment in the enemy's works. I arrived, however, too late,
and have now been ordered back to my former position, and to follow up
any advantage your vessels may gain. I have made a request to have some
rifled guns sent me, which I require, and on receipt of which I expect to be
able to enfilade Whistling Dick's position — at any rate I will try.
I am informed to-night that there is a levee running from the spur of the
hill opposite my camp to the river, wliich I intend to have explored to-morrow,
when I expect to communicate more fully with your vessels.
I will watch their action and co-operate.
I am, your obedient servant,
J. McAETHUR,
Brigadier General, Com'dg &th Biv. llih A. Corps.
Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding United States Mississippi Squadron.
Letter of Acting Bear-Admiral Borter, transmitting reports of commanders of
the iron-dads.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Near Vicksburg, May 21, 1863.
Sir: I have tKe honor to forward the reports of the commanders of the
iron-clads engaged in the actions of the 22d of May and the 27th of May.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
518
ARMOKED VESSELS.
R^ort of Lieutenant Gommander James A. Greer, commanding the Benton.
United States Gunboat Benton,
Below Vicksburg, May 24, 1863.
Sir : I respectfully submit the following report of the movements of this
vessel :
On May 19th got under way from Naval landing, and stood up towards
rebel batteries, the Tuscumbia and Oarondelet in company. At 12.30 p. m.
the lower hill batteries opened fire on us, which we returned at long range ;
fired seven shots, the other vessels also firing, and then went to the bank
and tied up on Louisiana side. At 4.30 p. m. the three vessels again got
under way, and when within range opened on the batteries.
This vessel fired fifty-five times. Towards dark dropped down and tied
up to the bank. The rebels fired slowly and deliberately at us, but fortu-
nately none of the vessels were struck. At 11 p. m. this vessel and the
Carondelet stood up above the canal, on the Louisiana shore, and opened on
the town at long range, the enemj' firing but a few shots in return. This
vessel fired forty-three times ; then dropped down out of range.
At 2 a. m., May 20, got under way, and stood up within range of rebel
batteries, and fired forty-one times upon them and the town. At 2.30
dropped down out of range. The Carondelet then passed up to shell the
town. At 9.10 p. m. got under way, accompanied by the Carondelet and
Mound City, and proceeded slowly up towards Vicksburg, crossed over to
the Mississippi shore, and approached the Hospital battery. At 11.28
opened fire, and engaged this battery thirty-three minutes ; then dropped
down, the Mound City and Carondelet coming up in turns. We fired forty-
two times. The enemy responded, but not rapidly. We were struck twice
in the upper works ; no one was injured.
At 12.30, May 21, tied up to Louisiana shore. At 2.45 this vessel got
under way again ; was detained some time by tiller-chain parting ; then
stood up on Louisiana side, and fired eleven times upon batteries at long
range ; then dropped down. The Mound City occupied lower batteries from
8 a. m. till noon ; the Carondelet from 1 till 5.
At 5.28 we stood up and opened fire on rebel batteries ; fired twenty-six
times. The vessels went up in turns during the night and shelled Hospital
battery and town. At 1 a. m.. May 22, this vessel went up and fired
twenty-four times, with but one or two shots in return from the rebels.
At 7.30 a. m. this vessel, with the whole squadron, stood up towards
Vicksburg, fighting and passing the lower batteries. This vessel advanced
well up to the Hospital battery, firing whenever a gun would bear, the
enemy firing upon us very rapidly, and ft'om nearly all his batteries. We
opened fire at 8.23 ; at 10.40 the signal to discontinue action was made.
We then dropped down, and after communicating with you, went into the
Mississippi shore and tied up.
In this short action we fired two hundred and eighty-three times. We
were struck thirteen times, four times at the water-line, once on each bow,
and twice on starboard side.
At first the vessel leaked some, but we ha,ve it now completely under
control. Fortunately no one was hurt.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. GREER,
. Lieutenant Commanding.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
ARMOEED VESSELS. 619
Seport of Lieutenant Commander Byron WiUon, commanding the Mound Gity.
United States Gunboat Mound City,
Below Vickshurg, May 22, 1863.
Sir: I" have the honor to enclose the executive oiScer's report of the
damage sustained by this vessel during the fight to-day ; also the surgeon's
report of the wounded. One hundred and seventy (170) projectiles were ex-
pended.
The officers of the gun divisions deserve great credit for their skilful
handling of the guns under a most galling fire.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BYRON WILSON,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
E^Kirt of Acting Ensign Ooleman of damages to the Mound Oity.
United States Gunboat Mound Citt,
Below Vickshurg, May 26, 1863.
Sir : I beg leave respectfully to report the damages received by this ves-
sel in the engagement with the Vickshurg batteries, May 22, 1863.
1. A shot struck and lodged in starboard bow, near the stem, and five feet
under water, not doing much damage, the timbers being four or five feet thick.
2. A shot went through the forecastle on port side, into the coal locker,
and lodged in the coal, cutting the deck plank only.
3. A shot on starboard side went through the hammock netting and star-
board chimney at the lower band, tearing the chimney half oflF, then through
the galley and overboard.
4. A shot in front passed through two plates of heavy boiler iron, the iron
of the pilot-house, near deck, and through the deck, cutting away carlin, and
lodged in a mess chest.
5. A shot on starboard side cut through half of the iiog-chain stanchion,
passed through wheel-house, cutting away iron wheel and brace ; then through
steerage, tearing up about eight feet of the plank and breaking carlin and
wood work in wardroom.
6. A shell burst close to No. 6 Dahlgren gun, starboard side, knocking off
a small piece of the muzzle. H
7. A shot on the starboard side struck the iron near the top, cutting half
through and bending one of the plates, knocking out a stanchion and starting
the bolts on the inside.
8. A shot on starboard side struck the muzzle of No. 7 gun, 32-pounder,
cracking the gun about five inches; then glanced, and went through the
hammock netting and four or five clothes bags, and dropped over alongside
pitman.
9. A shot struck iron on starboard side, over shell-room hatch, knocking
off the plate, and driving a piece of it, ab6ut the size of the ball, through the
casemate.
10. A shot on starboard quarter cut away an awning stanchion and passed
through cabin skylight close to the deck, tearing up the plank.
11. A shot struck port chimney twenty feet from the deck.
12. A shot through brace of for.ward stanchion's skylight.
520 AEMOEED VESSELS.
13. A shot on starboard side struck iron plating between guns Nos. 4 and
5, three feet above the water, and glanced off, bending the plates and start-
ing bolts.
14. A shot on the starboard side, at shell-room, two feet under water-line,
glanced without doing any damage. .
15. A shot struck knuckle on port quarter and glanced, knocking a hole
in the casemate.
16. The lower block of one of the boat tackles was shot away and the davit
badly bent.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. T. COLEMAX,
Acting Ensign and Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Commanding Btron Wilson, U. S. N.,
Commanding United States Steamer Mound City.
Report of Acting Assistant Surgeon Thomas Rice of casualties on the Mound City.
United States Steamer Mound City,
Mississippi River, below Vicksburg, May 22, 1863.
Sir: The following casualties occurred on board this vessel to-day during
the engagement with the Vicksburg batteries, viz: Theodore Scheid, lieuten-
ant of infantry, contused wounds of left eye and right side; Christopher Luft,
private, company A, 58th Ohio volunteers, contused wounds of right forearm,
alight; Prank Holly, master-at-arms, contused wound of back, slight; Charles
Gunnerson, fireman, contused wound of left side and punctured wound of
shoulder.
Very respectfully,
THOMAS RICE,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, United States Navy.
Byron Wilson, Esq.,
Commanding United States Steamer Mound City.
Report of Commander S. E. Woodworth, commanding the General Price.
U. S. Steamer General Sterling Price,
Below Vicksburg, May 21, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication,
(at 6 a. m. this day,) dated May 26, in which I am directed, with all the gun-
boats, to engage, a1^ o'clock, the hill batteries.
At the appointed hour got under way and proceeded up to the point desig-
nated, opposite the canal, and immediately engaged the hill batteries. Dis-
covering a number of men occupying the extreme lower hill battery, our
vessels opened on them with shell and shrapnell. After a space of about
half an hour discovered them to be our troops, they hoisting an American
flag. I immediately made signals for the vessels to desist their fire on this
battery.
We continued to engage the other hill batteries until the Cincinnati was
seen to return up river, when, after a period of thirty minutes to make cer-
tain of the withdrawal of the Cincinnati, we retired from action. We were
engaged one hour and fifteen minutes with the hill batteries, but. were not
able to silence them. They replied to our fire, however, but slowly.
The Tuscumbia was not able to go up, owing to her being without a
pound of coal. I left directions for her- to take on coal sufficient to last
. AEMOEED VESSELS. 521
abont three hours, should it arrive, and come up; but it did not reach her
until our return.
Enclosed I forward you the report of Captains Greer, Murphy, and Wil-
son ; also the report of the gunner, as to the amount of ammunition expended
on this vessel.
I am happy to state that no one was injured during the action, although
the enemy's shot fell thick around us.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SELIM E. WOODWORTH,
Commander, Commanding Price.
Acting Rear- Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Eqwrt of I/ieutenarU Commander Greer of engagement of May 27.
United States Steamer Benton,
Below Vicksburg, May 27, 1863.
Sir: I have respectfully to report that this morning this vessel, with the
other vessels of the squadron under your command, stood up, and at 8.20
opened fire on the lower hill battery. We worked in quite close to the Mis-
sissippi shore, and fired very deliberately, and only when we could plainly
see the enemy's guns. The enemy responded as rapidly as his large gun
would allow him to work it, a number of his shot falling quite close to us
fortunately we were not struck. We fired fourteen 9-inch 10-second shell
seven 42-pounder rifle 10-second shell, and three 32-pounder lO-second shell
a total of twenty-four fired. Owing to the action of the current and the
height of the battery above us, I was at times obliged to be silent for several
minutes while working out to get the range.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. GREER,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Commander S. E. Woodtvorth,
Com'dg U. S. Steamer General Price, Senior Officer present.
Report of Lieutenant Commander Byron Wilson of engagement of May 27.
United States Gunboat Motjnd City,
Below Vicksburg, May 27, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that this morning, about 8 o'clock, in obe-
dience to signal, I got under way, and took my station astern of the Benton,
for the purpose of engaging the battery on the hill below Vicksburg.
I did not get a good position for firing, as I had to keep below the Ben-
ton, and the trees hid the guns almost entirely from my sight. No one was
injured on board. Enclosed is a list of the ammunition expended.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BYRON WILSON,
lAeutenant Commanding,
Commander S. Woodworth, U. S. N.,
United States Steamer General Price.
522 ARMORED VESSELS.
Report of Acting Lieutenant J. McLeod Murphy, commanding the Carondelet.
United States Steamer Carondelet,
Off Vicksburg, May 27, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report as follows, in reference to the engagement
of to-day:
In accordance with a signal from the United States steamer Sterling
Price, this vessel engaged the lower batteries at about 8.15 a. m., and
withdrew to the Louisiana shore at about 9.55 a. m. The bow battery and
the battery on the starboard side, respectively in charge of Acting Ensigns
Benjamin and Araerman, were engaged. The range of shot was in the
direction of the bluffs, and as near the locality of the batteries as could be
determined from our position and the random fire of the enemy. The eleva-
tion varied from four to seven degrees. Enclosed is the gunner's report of
expenditure of ammunition.
I am glad to report the good behavior of officers and men, and the absence
of accident or casualties. It becomes my duty, however, to recall the atten-
tion of Admiral Porter to the leaky condition of the ship, and the precarious
state of the boilers.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. McLEOD MURPHY,
Acting Lieutenant Commanding.
Oom'dr Selim E. Woodworth, U. S. N.,
Senior Officer in charge.
Beport relative to the Tuscurnbia.
U. S. Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Young^s Point, Louisiana, May 26, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a communication
from you in relation to the Tuscumbia.
The persons who report that her difficulties originated from overloading
are mistaken. We had not weight enough in her, and I partly remedied
the difficulty by filling her up under the boilers with bomb-shells.
The Tuscumbia looks as if she could stand anything. The material used
in her construction is of the best kind. The only difficulty is in the manner
in which the iron is put on, and the want of sufficient backing of wood un-
der the iron. I have a good deal of confidence in Mr. Brown, the constructor
of this vessel, having found him very zealous, and doing the work for the
government well and cheaply. But whoever he appointed to superintend
this vessel neglected their duty, and injured her efficiency in the most im-
portant point.
The arrangement of the magazine is due to the ordnance officer who had
charge. It would have been much better on deck, exposed, than the way it
is now.
The vessel depends too much on hog chains, the cutting of one of which
brings all the weight on her ends. All her hog chains and most of the
stanchions were cut away. She is capable yet of being made a strong ves-
sel, but with many alterations.
I found fault with Mr. Brown for some of her arrangements, but he ■vras
not permitted to carry out his plans. He had three vessels building at dif-
ferent places, which is a bad plan. A builder cannot do justice to the gov-
AEMOEED VESSELS. 523
ernment in that way, especially as some of his work is let out by contracts,
and he has to depend upon superintendents.
I send you Lieutenant Commander Shirk's report of the Tuscumbia in the
last attack on Vicksburg.
If there are any more vessels building with plate iron, I think it would be
well to have the bolts go all the way through and be riveted with a washer
on the other side. This method will stand, provided the wood backing is
not less than thirty-six inches of oak.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C
United States Steamer Tuscumbia,
Below Vicksburg, May 22, 1863.
Sir: During to-day's action with the enemy's batteries at Vicksbuyg this
ship was struck three times, once upon the hull, doing no damage, once
through the wood work, injuring the upper deck slightly, and once upon
the iron plating of the fighting pilolrhouse. This shot was broken into small
fragments, but the effect upon the pilot-house was to start every bolt, throw
out of place every iron plate, and start every timber in the forward part
of the pilot-house.
I again most respectfully call your attention to the outrageous manner in
which this ship has been put'together. The bolts that held the iron on the
front of the pilot-house were not more than five inches long. They could be
drawn out, after the house was struck, by one's fingers. I enclose two
drawings, one a fore-and-aft midship s'ection of the turret and fighting pilot-
house.
By this you will see that from x to y there is no protection to the wheel
from a shot or shell entering the forward midship port, and also that z, the
hatchway of the magazine passage, is very much exposed. During the en-
gagement at Grand Gulf sparks of fire did enter it.
Uvis the iron armor intended to protect the upper part of the pilot-house,
laid on as in the drawing.
is the look-out hole. There are two of these on the forward part of the
house; the shot above mentioned struck the port one.
The second drawing represents the present appearance of the upper part
of the pilot-house.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
JAMES W. SHIRK,
Lieutenant Commander.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, U. S. N.,
Com'dg U. S. Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk.
Expedition up the Yazoo. — Destruction of rebel steamers.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Near Vicksburg, May 24, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the expedition I sent up Yazoo
river, the day after I took possession of the forts on Synder's BluflF, has
returned, having met with perfect success.
524 AEMOEED VESSELS.
As the steamers approached Yazoo City, the rebel property was fired by
Lieutenant Brown, (of the ram Arkansas;) and what he had begun, our
forces finished. Three powerful rams were burnt: the Mobile, a screw-
vessel, ready for her plating; the Republic, being fitted for a ram with rail-
road-iron plating; and a vessel on the stocks, (a "monster,") three hundred
and ten feet long, and seventy feet beam. This vessel was to have been
covered with 4J-inch iron plating — was to have had six engines, four side-
wheels, and two propellers. She would have given us much trouble.
The rebels had under construction a fine navy yard, containing fine
sawing and planing machines, an extensive machine shop, carpenter and
blacksmith shops, and all the necessary appliances for a large building and
repairing yard. Lieutenant Commander Walker burned all these, with a
large quantity of valuable building lumber; he also burned a large saw-
mill that had been used in constructing the monster ram. The material
destroyed, at a moderate estimate, cost more than two millions of dollars.
We had one man killed and seven wounded, by field-pieces, from the
enemy's batteries, going up the river, but the wounded are doing well. I
enclose you Lieutenant Commander Walker's report in relation to this affair.
He deserves much credit for the handsome manner in which he performed
the duty assigned him. If he could have obtained pilots, he would have
succeeded in getting possession of all the rebel rams, instead of having them
burnt.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Bear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles, ,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. O.
Seport of LUutmant Oommander John 0. Walker,
United States Steamer Baron De Kalb,
Mouth Yazoo River, May 23, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your order, I started
from Snyder's Bluff on the 20th instant with the De Kalb, Choctaw, Forest
Rose, Linden, and Petrel, on an expedition to Yazoo City.
Arriving at Haines's Bluff, I landed a force and spiked an 8-inch gun in
the works there, and burned the carriage. I also burned some forty tents
left standing, and a steam saw-mill. Arriving at Yazoo City at 1 p. m. on
the 21st instant, I was met by a committee of citizens, who informed me
that the place had been evacuated by the military authorities, and asking
protection. Enclosed I send copies of the communications received, and my
reply. The navy yard and vessels had been fired by the enemy, and I sent
a working party to insure the destruction of everything valuable to the rebels.
The vessels burned were the Mobile, a screw steamer ready for her plating,
the Republic, which I understand was being fitted for a ram, and the vessel
on the stocks, a monster, 310 feet long and 10 feet beam.
The navy yard contained five saw and planing mills, an extensive ma-
chine shop, carpenter and blacksmith shops, and all the necessary fixtures
for a large building and repairing yard, which, with a very large quantity
of lumber, was burned. I also burned a large saw-mill a little above the
town. Most of the public stores had been removed; such as I found in town
were taken on board tlie vessels or destroyed. Enclosed I send the lists of
articles removed or destroyed by Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Brown, the
ofSoer detailed for that purpose. In the hospitals I found a nd naroled 115
AEMORED VESSELS. 525
soldiers, a list of whom I enclose. Eeturnin^, I left Yazoo City this morn-
ing, arriving here at 4 p. m.
At Liverpool landing, in a sharp bend of the river, we were attacked by
a force of three field-guns and about 200 riflemen concealed in the bushes,
and for a few minutes the firing was very sharp. The enemy retreated as
soon as the vessels got into position to use their guns with effect. The
Petrel, Linden, and Choctaw were struck by shot, but with uo particular
injury to either.
Sergeant Stockinger, of this vessel, was killed by a rifle shot. The Lin-
den had five wounded, the Petrel two, and the Choctaw one. Most of the
wounds, I am happy to say, are slight.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. WALKER,
Ideutenani Commanding.
Acting Eear- Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Operations of fleet on Tennessee river under Lieutenant Commander S. L. Phelps-
United States Steamer Black Hawk,
Mississippi Squadron, near Vicksburg, May 25, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to forward the following extract from a report made
by Lieutenant Commander Phelps, c'ommanding fleet on Tennessee river,
giving an account of his operations on said river :
" United States Gunboat Champion,
" Tennessee Biver, May 14, 1863.
"Sir: On the 5th instant I left Paducah with the Covington, Queen City,
Argosy, Silver Cloud, and this vessel, and proceeded up this river, destroy-
ing on the way every kind of boat that, could serve the rebels to cross the
river. On the 11th we were at Cerro Gordo, and I then sent the Covington,
Argosy, and Silver Cloud to Eastport, the highest navip:abie point at this
stage of water, and myself dropped down a few miles to communicate, by
previous appointment, with Lieutenant Colonel W. R. M. Breckenridge.
Along the river I heard of detachments of cavalry at various points, whose
occupation chiefly consisted in plundering, in carrying off Union men, and
in taking cons.cripts. At Linden, in Perry county, Tennessee, (here was a
rebel force of this kind posted. I arranged with Colonel Breckenridge to
cross a small force and cover different points with the gunboats, places to
which he could retreat, if need be, while he should attempt to surprise Lin-
den. The boats above rejoined me on the 12th, having found all quiet above,
and at night I dropped down the river to the landing for Decaturville, where
I found the colonel with but fifty-five men of his regiment, all he had with
him. Some from a Michigan regiment that were to join had failed to come
in. ' We at once took the cavalry on board, crossed it over with little nois3,
and the boats took their position at intervals along the river some miles
above and below. Colonel Breckenridge's movements were timed so that
his arrival at Linden (twelve miles from the river) should be just at day-
break and he completely surprised the pUce. The rebel pickets fired upon
him and dispersed. Only some twenty of the 118 rebels at muster the
evening before had time to reach the rendezvous at the court-house before
■ it was surrounded. The little party returned with Lieutenant Colonel Frier-
son one captain, four lieutenants, one surgeon, thirty regular rebel soldiers.
526 ARMORED VESSELS.
ten conscripts, fifty horses, two transportation wagons, arms, &c., &o. With
the court-house were burned a lot of arras arid supplies. Three of the enemy
were killed. Our loss, none ; only one horse killed."
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Bear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. 0.
Loss of the United States steamer Cincinnati. — Engagement with the Vicksburg
batteries.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Near Vicksburg, May 28, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with Generals
Grant and Sherman's urgent request, and being led to believe that the
enemy had moved his guns to the land side, I fitted the Cincinnati for the
occasion by packing her with logs and hay, and sent her down to enfilade
some rifle-pits which barred the progress of our army. I had my doubts
about the strength of the position, and took every precaution I could
think of.
The Cincinnati started from the anchorage at 9 a. m., and, thinking it was
only an attack on rifle-pits, I went down after her in a tug to direct the
operations, if necessary. As I approached her I saw that she was coming
up stream at a great rate under a heavy fire from all the enemy's guns in
that vicinity; they had moved none, and were pouring the shot and shell
into her very rapidly; still I could see nose strike her, and went across the
river to direct the firing of the mortar boats. She disappeared in a bayou,
and I supposed she was taking a short cut through Old river to avoid the
enemy's fire. In an hour after two of her seamen came to the bank, and I
sent a boat for them. I was then informed that she had sunk. I enclose
the captain's report and the telegraphic messages that passed between Gen-
eral Sherman and myself on the occasion. The general had good reason for
supposing the guns had been removed, as it had been done at most of the
other hill batteries. The Cincinnati went down with her colors flying, and
kept them up after she was sunk, the rebels still firing on her. She can be
raised when the water falls a little. Officers and men lost all their effects,
only the public money being saved. As near as we can learn, twenty-fiv«
men were killed and wounded, and about fifteen missing — supposed to be
drowned. The pilot was killed as she rounded to abreast of the batteries.
Lieutenant Commanding Bache steered her out of the action himself.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Bear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Letter of Major Gineral Sherman.
Headquarters 15th Army Corps,
Walnut mils, May 19, 1863.
Dear Admiral : My right is on the Mississippi. We have possession of the
blufl' down a mile or more below the mouth of the bayou. Can't you send
immediately a couple of gunboats down ? They can easily see and distin-
ARMORED VESSELS. 527
guish our men, and can silence a water battery — that is, the extremity of
their flank on the river — and enfilade Jhe left flank of their works.
I think nearly all the guns of their upper batteries are moved inside of
Vicksburg, and are now on the land front.
Tou will have no trouble in distinguishing our flank ; it is about J mile
below a cattle pen on the immediate shore of the Mississippi.
I would get General Grant to make this request, but he is far on the left
flank, and it would take hours to find him.
Truly yours,
W. T. SHERMAN, Major General.
Admiral Porter,
Or Senior Officer at mouth of Yazoo.
R^ort of lAeutenant Commander Oeorge M. Sache.
Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, above Vicksburg, May 27, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order, the Cincinnati got under way this morn-
ing at seven o'clock and steamed slowly down until a little abreast of where
the mortars lay, when we rounded to. The enemy fired several shots from
a gun called " Whistling Dick," but soon gave up.
At half past eight, with a full head of steam, we stood for the position
assigned us.
The enemy fired rapidly and from all their batteries. When abreast of
our position and rounding to a ball entered the magazine, and she com-
menced filling rapidly. Shortly after the starboard tiller was carried away.
Before and after this time the enemy fired with great accuracy, hitting us
almost every time. We were especially annoyed by plunging shots from
the hills, an eight-inch rifle and a ten-inch smooth bore doing us much
damage. The shots went entirely through our protection — hay, wood,
and iron.
Finding that the vessel would sink, I ran her up stream, and as near the
right-hand shore as our damaged steering apparatus would permit. About
ten minutes before she sank we ran close in, got out a plank and put the
wounded ashore. We also got a hawser out to make fast to a tree to hold her
until she sank. Unfortunately, the men ashore at the hawser left it without
making fast, the enemy still firing. The boat commenced drifting out, and
I sang out to the men to swim ashore, thinking we were in deeper water
(as was reported) than we really wer^ I suppose about fifteen were
drowned and about twenty-five killed and wounded, and one probably taken
prisoner, will sum up the whole loss.
^ The boat sank in about three fathoms of water, lies level, and can easily
*e raised. She lies within range of the enemy's batteries.
The vessel went down with her colors nailed to the mast, or rather the
stump of one, all three having been shot away. Our fire, until the maga-
zine was drowned, was good, and I am satisfied did damage.
We only fired at a two-gun water battery.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE M. BAOHE,
Lieutenant Commanding.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
528 ARMORED VESSELS.
Additional despatch from Rear- Admiral Porter.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, near Vicksburg, May 30, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a communication from Lieutenant Com-
manding Bache, containing further particulars concerning the (Jincinnati,
with a list of killed, wounded, and drowned.
Also a letter from General Sherman, who witnessed the affair. From all
accounts, the oflScers and crew of the Cincinnati behaved in the most hand-
some manner.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. D. PORTER,
Acling Sear-Admiral Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. GitiEON Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Additional report of Lieutenant Oommander Bache, with list of casualties on the Cincinnati,
United States Steamer Black Hawk,
May 29, 1868.
Sir : I have to make the following additional report of the affair between
the Cincinnati and the Vicksburg batteries. The only shot which did not
penetrate us struck the bow casemate, which was well greased. Two shots
entered the shell-room — one coming through the fantail and ricocheting up
through the recess of the wheel, below the water-line ; the other passing
through the side, capsizing nearly all the boxes on the port side of the alley.
It was immediately filled with water. A third shot entered the magazine,
flooded it almost instantly, thereby preventing us from returning (any more)
the enemy's fire. I believe she was hnlled twice after this, as she was felt
to lift bodily without other apparent cause. A heavy rifle shot penetrated
through the pilot-house ; the starboard tiller was shot away. All of her
staffs were shot away, rendering it necessary to nail the flag to the stump
of the fore staff. Several plunging shots went through the deck. One IX-
inch, an Vlll-inch, a rifle 30-pounder, a 32-pounder, and a 12-pounder how-
itzer were disabled. Two shots were fired after the vessel sank, one of
them throwing up a shower of mud and water, drowning several men
swimming.
I cannot notice one of my officers without the rest, all behaved so re-
markably well.
I have to recommend for medals the following-named men, viz :
Thomas Hamilton, quartermaster, severely wounded at the wheel, after^
wards returned to lend a hand, and had to be sent below ; Frank Bois*
quartermaster, coolness in making signals, also nailing the flag to the
stump of fore staff when I called for some one to do so ; Thomas Jenkins,
seaman, Martin McHugh, seaman, F. E, Corcoran, landsman, and, from the
Choctaw, Andrew Dow, (boatswain's mate,) were conspicuous for their
bravery and coolness. There were no ordinary cases of performance of
duty, for we were suffering terribly from a severely-accurate fire.
The casualties were as follows, viz : Killed — ^Henry Altonborough, pilot ;
Tobias Cody, carpenter's mate ; James Thompson, landsman, Choctaw.
Wounded — Daniel Hand, landsman, Choctaw, mortally, (since dead ;) Peter
Dalton, landsman, Choctaw, mortally ; Gilbert J. Coleman, ensign, contusion;
Simeon Shultice, first assistant engineer, slightly ; Henry Boobey, ensign,
ARMORED VESSELS. 529
slightly ; G. H. Stevens, acting carpenter, contusion, severe ; Chai-les Brat-
ton, seaman, Choctaw, fracture of right forearm ; William Woodruff, contra-
band, second-class fireman, fracture of forearm ; Cloves 0. Smith, landsman,
splinter wound in right arm ; Thomas W. Hamilton, quartermaster, con-
tusion ; Solomon Guess, master-at-arms, contusion ; Patrick Rocket, first
cabin boy, scalp wound ; Geo. Washington, contraband, contusion ; William
H. Cohen, paymaster's steward, contusion ; Isaac Foreman, contraband,
captain's steward, contusion; Fred. Young, private, company C, 58th Oliio
volunteers. Missing (drowned) — James Cooper, captain after guard ;
Patrick Burns, captain afterguard; Henry Thornbury, seaman; Cornelius
O'Neal, seaman ; Leopold Snyder, landsman ; James Pettingill, landsman ;
James Wilson, contraband, first cabin boy ; Henry Truman, contraband,
first cabin boy; Albert Williams, contraband, first cabin boy; Richard
Howard, contraband, first cabin boy ; William Redhom, corporal, company
C, 58th Ohio volunteers ; Martin Campbell, private, company C, 58th Ohio
volunteers ; George Just, private, company C, 58th Ohio volunteers. Thomas
Smith, landsman, taken prisoner and paroled.
Respectfully, &c.,
GEORGE M. BAOHE,
Lieutenant, Commanding.
P. S. — June 1, 1863. — John McMorrovf, seaman, drowned.
Letter from Major General Sherman.
Headquarteks Fifteenth Army Corps,
Walnut mils, May 28, 1863.
Dear Admiral : I was on the hill to our extreme right yesterday, ready to
take advantage of any success to be gained by the gunboat attack on the
enemy's left flank. At nine a. m. I saw four gunboats advance from below
and engage the enemy's lower batteries, and soon the Cincinnati came down
from above, steering directly for the upper water batteries.
From our position we could only see the hill which shielded them from the
rear. As the gunboat approached she was fired upon from three points. We
directed 38-pounder Parrotts, some 6-pounder guns, and our musketry opened
on all points within reach, but these batteries were covered by the shape of
ground. As the Cincinnati neared she fired several other bow guns; but as
the current would have carried her below, she rounded to, firing from her
broadside guns, but soon presented her stern. The enemy's shot at first
went wild, but soon got her range and struck her several times, and twice
right under her stern. She ran sTowly up stream, keeping mid-channel, and
wl.en about one and a half mile up, ,steered directly to the shore in the bend.
I saw that her larboard quarter-boat was shot away, and her flagstaff, but
otherwise she appeared uninjured. She ran to the shore and soon sank; her
bow appeared down and her stern up, her upper decks out of water. The
moment I saw her sink 1 sent a company of the 76th Ohio to her relief. I
could see by a glass she was near shore, and her people on the bank.
Waiting a couple of hours to hear more definite news from her, I came to
the centre of my line and despatched one of my aids. Lieutenant Hill, to see
that all possible assistance should be afforded the crew, and received a mes-
sage that a boat had been sent to you, and that, as soon as dark.would make
it safe, you would send a boat down with all the assistance required. I re-
ceived the following official report. Inasmuch as you must know all, I have
no occasion to report more than that the style in which the Cincinnati en-
gaged the batteries elicited universal praise, and I deplore the sad result a.s
much as any one could.
H. Ex. Doc. 69 34
530 AEMOEED VESSELS.
The importance of the object aimed to be accomplished, in my judgment;
fully warranted the attempt. It has proved successful, and will stimulate
us to further efforts to break the line which terminates on the Mississippi in
such formidable batteries.
I am, with ffreat respect, your obedient servant,
W. T. SHERMAN, Maj. Gen.
Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Letter of thanks from Secretary of the Navy to Lieulenanl Oommander Baehe.
Navy Department, June 12, 1863.
Sir : Acting Eear-Admiral Porter has forwarded to the department copies
of your reports of the 21th and 29th ultimo, detailing the circumstances of
the loss of the United States steamer Cincinnati, under your command, in
an attack upon the Vicksburg batteries.
Whilst regretting the loss of a ship that has so often successfully engaged
the enemy, the sad casualties attending it, and the sorrows that have been
brought to the hearts of the families of those who gave up their lives in the
service of their country, it is gratifying to feel that the officers and crew of
the Cincinnati performed their duty nobly and faithfully. All reports yet
received testify to this fact ; and General Sherman, with whom you were
directed especially to co-operate, and who was an eye-witness, says, " the
style in which the Cincinnati engaged the battery elicited universal praise."
Amidst an incessant fire of shot and shell, even when the fate of the ves-
sel had been sealed, and destruction both from the elements and the enemy
was threatened, the officers and men appear to have stood bravely at their
posts, and it is a proud record of the Cincinnati that when her last moments
came " she went down with her colors nailed to the mast."
It is with no ordinary pleasure that I express to you, and to the surviving
officers and crew of the Cincinnati, the department's appreciation of your
brave conduct.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Lieutenant George M. Bache,
Late in command of U. S. Steamer Cincinnati, Miss. Squadron.
Expedition up the Yazoo river, and destruction of rebel transports.
Mississippi Squadron,
Near Vicksburg, June 1, 1863.
Sir : After the return of the expedition under. Lieutenant Commander
Walker up the Yazoo, and the destruction of the rams and navy yard, I de-
spatched the same officer up again, with instructions to capture transports.
The enclosed is his report. Besides those steamers mentioned as burnt, the
rebels burnt the Acadia and Magenta, also two of their best transports.
My object was to break up the transportation on the Yazoo, and, with the
exception of a few steamers beyond Fort Pemberton, the ret)els can trans-
port nothing by water on that river. Steamers to the amount of seven hun-
dred thousand dollars were destroyed by the late expedition ; nine in all.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 531
_ The Star of the West has sunk, completely blockading the Yallabusha
river, and the gunboat Ivy was found sunk near Liverpool landing.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Bear-Admiral, Commanding Mississi^i Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Report of Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker.
United States Steamer Baron DeKalb,
Mouth of Yazoo River, June 1, 1863.
Sir: I have to report that I left this place on the morning of the 24th May
with the DeKalb, Forest Rose, Linden, Signal, and Petrel. I pushed up the
Yazoo as speedily as possible for the purpose of capturing or destroying the
enemy's transports in that river. The Signal knocked down her smoke-
stacks and returned the same night. Leaving the DeKalb with orders to
come on as fast as possible, I pushed on, with the Forest Rose, Linden and
Petrel, to within fifteen miles of Fort Pemberton, when I found the steamers
John Walsh, R. J. Lockland, Golden Age, and Scotland sunk on a bar, com-
pletely blockading it up.
Failing in my efforts to make a passage through the blockade, I fired them,
destroying all but such parts of the hulls as were under water. These steamers
■were fine boats, in good order, and if I had had the means, could have been
raised and saved, I remained at that point'during the night, and next morn-
ing at daylight was attacked by a force of the enemy, but after a sharp fire
of a few minutes they beat a hasty retreat. Our only loss was two men
belonging to the Petrel, wounded.
Returning down the Yazoo, I burned a large saw-mill twenty-five miles
above Yazoo City.
At Yazoo City I landed and brought away a large quantity of bar, round,,
arid flat iron from the navy yard.
Arriving at the mouth of Big Sunflower, I proceeded up that river about
one hundred and eighty miles, until stopped by shoal water. At Indian^
Shoot I sent Volunteer Lieutenant Brown, of the Forest Rose, with boats
tbrough to Rolling Fork. He found a quantity of corn belonging to the
rebels, which he burned. At the mouth of Bayou Quirer, hearing of steamers,
I sent Lieutenant Brown, with the boats of the Forest Rose and Linden, up
after them. After ascending ten miles he burned the Dew Drop and Emma
Bett. The Linden burnt the Argo in a small bayou about seventy-five miles
up Sunflower.
I also found the Cotton Plant sunk in Lake George, with nothipg out of
water but the tops of her smoke-stacks.
At Gawin's landing, on the Sunflower, I found and brought away a cutter
which was lost on the Deer creek expedition. Returning, I arrived here last
evening
I have been much indebted to Lieutenants Brown, of the Forest Rose, and'
Smith, of the Linden, for their zeal and efficiency during the expedition.
I have as prisoners two engineers and a pilot in the service of the rebels,,
and several deserters and refugees.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. WALKER,
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy^
Acting Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
532 ARMOEED VESSELS.
Reports of Acting Rear- Admiral Porter of the siege of Vicksburg, and co-opera-
) Hon of the navy, with the army.
United States Mississippi Squadkon,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, near Vicksburg, June 9, 1863.
Sir: I have nothing particular to communicate with regard to the posi-
tion of affairs here.
The army is still advancing close to the works. General Sherman ia so
close that he cannot get nearer without going in.
When the other generals are up with him, I presume that an assault will
be made. Three batteries have been erected of naval guns, one consisting
of two 8-inch guns, in General Steele's front, under command of Lieutenant
Commander Selfridge.
This battery opened fire day before yesterday, and cleared everything
before it. One battery of two 9-inch guns is being erected in General
McPherson's front, and two 8-inch guns in front of General MoOlernand.
These latter did not require naval assistance, only the guns; and have not
made as much progress, the guns not being yet mounted. They will be in
position very soon.
The mortars keep constantly playing on the city and works, and the gun-
boats throw in their shells whenever they see any work going on at the
batteries, or new batteries being put up.
Not a soul is to be seen moving in the city; the soldiers lying in their
trenches or pits, and the inhabitants being stowed in caves or holes dug out
in the cliffs. If the city is not relieved by a much superior force from the
outside, Vicksburg must fall without anything more being done to it. I
only wonder it has held out so long.
If the city is relieved, and our army have to retire, we will lose every-
thing we have — all of which could be prevented by an addition of thirty
thousand men, which men can be spared from Missouri alone. If we do not
get Vicksburg now, we never will.
The rebel steamer Lady Walton came down from Little Rock, Arkansas,
a few days since, and gave herself up to the commanding bfficer at White
river. I sent her to Cairo to the judge of the district."
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Gom'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, B. G.
United States Mississippi Squadeon,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, near Vicksburg, June 20, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I received a notification from
General Grant, last night at 12 o'clock, that he intended to open a general
bombardment on the city at 4 a. m., and continue it until 10, o'clock.
I sent word to Commander Woodworth, at the lower fleet, to move up
■with all the vessels below and attack at the time specified.
Giving Lieutenant Commander Ramsay charge of a 100-pounderrifle, a
10-inch and a 9-inch gun, fitted on scows, I placed them after midnight close
to the point opposite Vicksburg, protected by the bank.
At the time specified all our shore batteries opened, also the guns on the
scows, and the mortars. A little later the gunboats also opened and kept
AEMORED VESSELS. 533
Tip a heavy fire, advancing all the time, and throwing shells into all the bat-
teries along the hills and near the city.
There was no response whatever; the batteries were all deserted. At 10
o'clock the vessels ceased firing, as did the scows and mortars also. The
only demonstration made by the rebels from the water front was a brisk fire
of heavy guns from the upper batteries on two 12-pounder rifled howitzers
that were planted on the Louisiana side by General Ellet's marine brigade,
which has much annoyed the enemy for two or three days, and prevented
them from getting waiter.
I enclose you the reports of the commanders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, •*
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Gom'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Commander S. E. Woocheortk, commanding the General Frke.
United States Steamer Sterling Price,
Below Vicksburg, June 20, 1863.
Sir: Agreeable to your instructions contained in your order of this morning,
I proceeded with the Mound City to the point designated, but was unable to
open fire on account of the hazy atmosphere which hung over the Vicks-
burg shore, completely hiding it from view.
After 7 o'clock was able to distinguish somewhat the location of the bat-
teries. Opened fire on Whistling Dick battery, which was soon silenced; it
fired twice, but not in our direction.
We also bombarded the other hill batteries as far up as the Hospital bat-
tery, driving every one from them, so much that not a single gun was fired
after the silencing of Whistling Dick.
We also shelled the lower line of works of the enemy, running from the
water tp the crest of the hill, until there was no longer any appearance of
an enemy to fire at.
Our army batteries ceased firing about 10 a. m. We continued to fire at
intervals until 11 a. m. whenever the sign of an enemy would make its ap-
pearance within our range.
About the time we were retiring from action a rifle gun from the other
side of Young's Point commenced firing at a battery occupied by General
Herron's command, from which was flying an American flag. Sent a courier
across the point to notify them of the fact.
Having been engaged for three and a half hours, and General Grant's lines
being perfectly silent, we retired from action, leaving the Benton in her old
position at the head of the towhead, and will send the Mound City back to
Warrenton as soon as I obtain Captain Wilson's report. Enclosed I forward
the reports of Captains Greer and Wilson, containing expenditure of ammu-
nition. * * * * * * * *,*
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SELIM E. WOODWORTH,
Commanding Price.
Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
534 AEMOEED VESSELS.
Report of Lieutenant Commander James A. Greer, commanding the Benton.
United States Steamer Benton,
Below Vicksburg, June 20, 1863.
Sir : I have respectfully to report that, in obedience to your order of this
date, this vessel got under way at 5.40 a. m. and stood up the canal. It
was so thick and hazy that I could not see the batteries or any landmarks.
I threw a few shells into the woods to the northward of Whistling Dick.
At 8.30 it cleared away a little, and I fired at Whistling Dick, and a little
northward of it ; also at some cattle which I saw on the lowlands. Whilst
lying above the canal a rifle gun from over the point fired, its shell bursting
in the neighborhood of the position held by our troops. Seeing a soldier on
horseback on the bank, I ran in and sent him over to the officer command-
ing the rifle to state where the shells were falling. We were not fired on,
although in good range of Whistling Dick for a long time. We fired five
9-inch l5-second shells, and seventeen 10-second 9-inch shells. At 10.55
stood down the river to our old anchorage. I have also to report that last
night I received a letter from Major General Herron asking for some more
ammunition for the 32-pounder which he has belonging to this vessel. I
supplied him with all I could spare.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. GREER,
Lieutenant Commander.
Commander S. E. Woodworth,
Senior Officer, below Vicksburg.
Report of Lietttenani Commander Bym Wilson, commanding the Mound City.
United States Gunboat Mound City,
Below Vicksburg, June 20, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your orders of this date, I got under way at War-
renton at 5 a. m. and proceeded up the river with all despatch to join in the
attack on the hill batteries.
About T a. m. I joined the Benton at the mouth of the canal. We were
obliged to lie there some time, owing to the intense fog which hung over
the hills, and it was not till 1.35 that we were enabled to throw a shell with
any certainty.
I continued to fire as the batteries came in sight, till 10 a. m., when the
signal to cease firing was made.
We continued up the river' about half a mile above the canal, and at 11
o'clock returned down to our anchorage.
Strange to say, during all this time we received no response.
We expended (35) thirty-five 15-second 9-inch shells, (6) five 15-second
80-pounder rifle shells, and (4) four percussion Dahlgren shells.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BYRON WILSON,
Lieutenant Commander.
Commander Selim Woodworth.
Senior Naval Officer present.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 535
Report of Rear-Admiral Porter.
United States Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Mississippi Squadron, near Vicksburg, June 26, 1863.
Sir : I was in hopes, ere this, to have announced the fall of Vicksburg,
but the rebels hold out persistently, and will, no doubt, do so while there is
a thihg left to eat.
. In the mean time they are hoping for relief from General Johnson. A vain
hope; for even if he succeeded in getting the better of General Sherman,
(one of the best soldiers in our army,) his forces would be so cut up that he
could take no advantage of any victory that he might gain. General Sher-
man has only to fall back to our intrenchments at Vicksburg, and he could
defy twice his own force.
The rebels have been making every effort to bring relief to Vicksburg
through Louisiana, but without avail; with the few men we have at Young's
Point, and the gunboats, we keep them in check, and a few days since, (as
I reported to you,) the marine brigade, General Bllet, with General Mower's
brigade, chased them away from this part of the country.
They have lined the river bank, and are annoying the transports a little,
but the gunboats are so vigilant, and give them so little rest, that they
have done no damage worth mentioning.
I have lined the river from Cairo to Vicksburg with a good force; the
upper part under command of Lieutenant Commander Phelps, whom I have
withdrawn, with those of his vessels which draw too much water, from the
Tennessee. He has the Eastport, which he says is much improved in every
way, and is a much superior vessel to what she was. I have had the In-
dianola's leaks stopped, machinery cleaned off, and hope to float her off the
first rise in the river. I am having the Cincinnati's guns removed, and Col-
onel Wood, of the array, is erecting a battery on shore with them. I had
now ten (10) heavy naval guns landed from the gunboa|,s in the rear of
Vicksburg, some of them manned by sailors. They have kept up a heavy
fire for some days, doing great execution.
The enemy very seldom fire now, and never from the land side.
The mortars at this moment are throwingshells into the enemy's main wa-
ter battery, which is quite silent and deserted. Deserters say they have six
days' provisions, and will not yield until that is gone.
General McPherson blew up the main fort yesterday, and took possession
of it ; will mount our two 9-inch guns on it to-night, and some 30-pounder
Parrotts. This fort commands all Vicksburg.
I am sorry to say that the health of the squadron is not good. We have
many sick officers and men; the duty has been incessant, and most laborious
working in a very hot sun.
Still the officers and men never murmur, and stand at their posts until they
can stand no longer.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Surrender of Vicksburg.
United States Mississippi SQUADRciN,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.
Sib : I have the honor to inform you that Vicksburg has surrendered at
last to the United States forces, after a desperate but vain resistance. That
536 ARMOEED VESSELS.
she has not done eo sooner has not been for the want of ability on the part
of our military commanders, but from the magnitude of the defences, which
were intended to repulse any force the government could possibly send there.
What bearing this will have on the rebellion remains yet to be seen; but
the magnitude of the success must go far towards crushing out this revolu-
tion, and establishing once more the commerce of the States bordering on
this river. ,
History has seldom had an opportunity of recording so desperate a defence
on one side, with so much courage, ability, perseverance, and endurance on
the other; and if ever an army was entitled to the gratitude of a nation, it
is the army of the Tennessee and its gallant leaders.
The navy has necessarily performed a less conspicuous part in the capture
of Vicksburg than the army; still it has been employed in a manner highly
creditable to all concerned.
The gunboats have been constantly employed below Vicksburg in shelling
the works, and with success, co-operating heartily with the left wing of the
army. ;
The mortar boats have been at work for forty-two days, without inter-
mission, throwing shells into all parts of the city, even reaching the works
in the rear of Vicksburg and in front of our troops, a distance of three miles.
Three heavy guns, placed on scows — a 9-inch, 10-inch, and a 100-pound rifle — -
were placed in position a mile from the town, and commanded all the import-
ant water batteries. They have kept up .an accurate and incessant fire for
fourteen days, doing all the damage that could be done by guns under such
circumstances. Five 8-inch, two 9-inch, two 42-pounder rifles, and four
32pounder shell guns have been landed, at the request of the different gen-
erals commanding corps, from the gunboats, and mounted in the rear of
Vicksburg, and whenever I could spare the officers and men from our small
complement, they were sent to manage the guns- — with what ability I leave
to the general commanding the forces to say.
In the mean time I stationed the smaller class of gunboats to keep the
banks of the Mississippi clear of guerillas, who were assembling in force,
and with a large number of cannon, to block up the river and cut off the
transports bringing down supplies, re-enforcements, and ammunition for the
army. Though the rebels, on several occasions, built batteries, and with a
large force attempted to sink or capture the transports, they never succeeded,
but were defeated by the gunboats with severe loss on all occasioyis.
Without a watchful care over the Mississippi the operations of the army
would have been much interfered with; and I can say honestly that officers
never did their duty better than those who have patrolled the river from Cairo
to Vicksburg. " One steamer only was badly disabled since our operations'
commenced, and six or seven men killed and wounded. While the army
have had a troublesome enemy in front and behind them, the gunboats, ma-
rine brigade under General Bllet, and a small force of troops under Generals
Dennis and Mower, have kept at bay a large force of rebels, over 12,000
strong, accompanied by a large quantity of artillery. Though offered battle
several times and engaged, they invariably fled, and satisfied themselves by
assaulting half-disciplined and unarmed blacks.
The capture of Vicksburg leaves us a large army and naval force free to
act all along the river, and I hope soon to add to my department the vessels
which have been temporarily lost to the service, viz : the ludianola and Cin-
cinnati.
The effect of this blow will be felt far up the tributaries of the Mississippi;
the timid and doubtful will take heart, and the wicked will, I hope, cease to
trouble us for fear of the punishment which will sooner or later overtake them.
There has been a large expenditure of ammunition during the siege. The
AEMOEED TESSELS. 537
mortars have fired T.OOO mortar-shells, and the gunboats 4,500; 4,500 have
been fired from the naval guns on shore, and we have supplied over 6,000
to the different army corps.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Weli.es,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G.
Detailed report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, off Vicksburg, July 13, 1863.
Sir: I have made reports to the department of the difierent actions that
have occurred on this river since the investment of Vicksburg; and it now
remains for me to give credit to the different ofiScers who have participated
in the events transpiring here.
When I took command of this squadron this river was virtually closed
against our steamers from Helena to Vicksburg. It was only necessary to
impress the ofiicers and men with the impoi-tance of opening communication
with New Orleans, and every one, with few exceptions, have embarked in
the enterprise with a zeal that is highly creditable to them, and with a
determination that the river should be opened if their aid could effect it.
With such oflScers and the able general who commanded the army I have
not feared for the result, though it has been postponed longer than 1 thought
it would be.
First and foremost allow me to speak of Captain Pennock, fleet-captain,
and commandant of station at Cairo. To him I am much indebted for the
promptness with which he has kept the squadron supplied with all that was
required or could be procured. His duty has been no sinecure, and he has
performed it with an ability that could not have been surpassed by any
officer of the navy. He has materially assisted me in the management of
the Tennessee and Cumberland squadrons, keeping me promptly informed
of all the movements of the enemy, and enabling me to make the proper
dispositions to check him, exercising a most discreet judgment in moving
the vessels to meet the rebels when there was no time to hear from me.
The war on the banks of the Tennessee and Cumberland has been carried
on most actively. There has been incessant skirmishing between the guer-
illas and gunboats, in which the rebels have been defeated in every instance.
So constant are these attacks that we cease to think of them as of any im-
portance, though there has been much gallantry displayed on many occasions.
Lieutenant Commanders Phelps and Pitch have each had command of these
rivers, and have shown themselves to be most able officers. I feel no appre-
hension at any time with regard to the movements in that quarter. Had it
not been for the activity and energy displayed by Lieutenant Commander
Fitch, Captain Pennock, and Lieutenant Commander Phelps, General Rose-
x;rans would have been left without provisions.
To Captain Walke, Commander Woodworth, Lieutenant Commanders
Breese, Greer, Shirk, Owen, Vv'ilson, Walker, Bache, Murphy, Selfridge,
Pritchett, Ramsey, and Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Hoel, I feel much in-
debted for their active and energetic attention to all my orders, and their
ready co-operation with the army corps commanders at all times, which
enabled them to carry out their plans successfully.
The Benton, Lieutenant Commander Greer, Mound City, Lieutenant Com'
538 ARMORED VESSELS.
mander Byron Wilson, Tuscumbia, Lieutenant Commander Shirk, Oaron-
delet, Acting Lieutenant Murphy, and the Sterling Price, Commander
Woodworth, have been almost constantly under fire of the batteries at
Vicksburg since the forty-five days' siege commenced.
The attack of the 22d of May, by the Benton, Mound City, Carondelet,
and Tuscumbia, on all the water batteries, in which three were silenced and
four guns injured or dismounted, was one of the best contested engagements
of the kind during the war.
On the next attack of the same gunboats, when General Grant opened all
his batteries for six hours, the river batteries were all deserted, and the
gunboats moved up and down without having a shot fired at them, showing
the moral effect the first attack had.
The attack of the Cincinnati, Lieutenant Commander Bache, on the water
battery, will long be ranked among the most gallant events of the war; and,
though Lieutenant Bache had the misfortune to have his vessel sunk under
him, he well deserves the handsome commendations bestowed upon him by
the department.
To Lieutenant Commander Ramsey, of the Choctaw, was assigned the
management of three heavy guns placed on scows and anchored in a position
to command the town and water batteries. Every gun the enemy could
bring to bear on these boats was fired incessantly at them, but without one
moment's cessation of fire on the part of our seamen, thcugh the enemy's
shot and shell fell like hail among them. This battery completely enfiladed
the batteries and rifle-pits in front of General Sherman, and made them
untenable.
The mortar boats were under charge of Gunner Eugene Mack, who for
thirty days stood at his post, the fire continuing night and day. He per-
formed his duty well, and merits approval. The labor was extremely hard,
and every man at the mortars was laid up with sickness, owing to excessive
labor. After Mr. Mack was taken ill. Ensign Miller took charge and con-
ducted the firing with marked ability. We know that nothing conduced
more to the end of the siege than the mortar firing, which demoralized the
rebels, killed and wounded a number of persons, killed the cattle, destroyed
property of all kinds, and set the city on fire. On the last two days we were
enabled to reach the outer works of the enemy by firing heavy charges of
twenty-six pounds of powder; the distance was three miles, and the falling
of shells was very annoying to the rebels; to use the words of a rebel officer,
" our shells intruded everywhere."
Lieutenant Commander Breese has been very efficient in relieving me of a
vast amount of duty, superintending personally all the requirements made
on the navy, and facilitating the operations of the army in every way that
laid in his power. In every instance where it was at all possible to bring
the Black Hawk into action against the enemy's batteries, he has not hesi-
tated to do so, though she is not fortified exactly for such a purpose. His
long-range guns have done most excellent service at different times.
I beg leave to mention the different commanders of the light-draughts,
who have carried out my orders promptly, aided in keeping guerillas from
the river, convoyed transports safely, and kept their vessels in good con-
dition for service, viz: Acting Volunteer Lieutenant George W. Brown,
commanding Forest Rose; Acting Volunteer Lieutenant C. Dominey, com-
manding Signal; Acting Volunteer Lieutenant J. S. Hurd, commanding
Covington; Ensign Wm. C. Handford, commanding Robb; Acting Master J.
0. Banner, commanding New Era; Acting Volunteer Lieutenant J. V. John-
stone, commanding Romeo; Acting Volunteer Lieutenant John Pierce,
commanding Petrel; Acting Master W. B. Fentress, commanding Rattler;
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant T. E. Smith, commanding Linden; Acting
ARMOE^D VESSELS. 539
Volunteer Lieutenant E. C. Brcnnand, commanding Prairie Bird; Acting
Volunteer Lieutenant J. Gandy, commanding Queen City. There are others
who deserve commendation, but these seem to me the most prominent.
The action of the 4th of July, at Helena, wherein the Tyler participated
so largely, has already been reported to the department. There is no doubt
left on the minds of any but that the Tyler saved Helena, for, though Gen-
ei'al Prentiss fought with a skill and daring not excelled in this war, his
little force of thirty-five hundred men were fast being overpowered by the
enemy with eighteen thousand men, when the Tyler took a position and
changed the fortunes of the day.
I must not omit to mention Acting Volunteer Lieutenants Hamilton and
Eichardson, of the powder vessels Great Western and Judge Toirence.
They were unremitting in their attention to their duties during the siege,
supplying without delay every requisition made on them by army and navy,
and volunteering for any service.
When the army called on the navy for siege guns, I detailed what officers
and men I could spare to man and work the batteries. Lieutenant Com-
mander Selfridge had command of the naval battery on the right wing,
General Sherman's corps. This battery was worked with marked ability,
and elicited the warmest praises from the commanding general. One thou-
sand shells were fired into the enemy's works from Lieutenant Commander
Selfridge's guns. His services being required up the river, I relieved him
a few days before the surrender, and Lieutenant Commander Walker sup-
plied his place and conducted the firing with the same ability.
Acting Master Charles B. Dahlgren was ordered to report to General
McPherson for duty, and was assigned the management of two nine-inch
guns, which were admirably served.
Acting Master Eeed, of the Benton, had charge of the batteries at Fort
Benton — so named by General Herron, in honor of the occasion. General
Herron generouslj' acknowledged the services of those I sent him, which
communication I enclose with this report.
I have endeavored to do justice to all who were immediately engaged in
the struggle for the mastery of the Mississippi. To the army do we owe
immediate thanks for the capture of Vicksburg ; but the army was much
facilitated by the navy, which was ready at all times to co-operate. This
has been no small undertaking. The late investment and capture of Vicks-
burg will be characterized as one of the greatest military achievements ever
known. The conception of the idea originated solely with General Grant,
who adopted a course in which great labor was performed, great battles
were fought, and great risks Were run. A single mistake would have in-
volved us in difficulty; but so well were all the plans matured, so well were
all the movements timed, and so rapid were the evolutions performed, that
not a mistake has occurred from the passage of the fleet by Vicksburg,
and the passage of the army across the river, up to the present time. So
confident was I of the ability of General Grant to carry out his plans when
he explained them to me, that I never hesitated to change my position from
above to below Vicksburg. The work was hard, the fighting severe, but
the blows struck were constant.
In forty-five days after our army was landed, a rebel army of 60,000 men
had been captured, killed, and wounded, or scattered to their homes, perfectly
demoralized, while our loss has been only about 5,000 killed, wounded, and
prisoners, and the temporary loss of one gunboat.
The fortifications and defences of the city exceed anything that has been
built in modern times, and are doubly unassailable from their immense height
above the bed of the river.
The fall of Vicksburg insured the fall of Port Hudson and the opening of
540 AEMOEED VESSELS.
the Mississippi river, which, I am happy to say> can be traversed from its source
to its mouth without apparent impediment, the first time during the war.
I take this opportunity to give to Mr. Fendal and Mr. Strausz, assistants in
the Coast Survey, the full credit they deserve for their indefatigable industry.
Since they have been attached to the squadron they have been connected with
almost every expedition that has been undertaken; they have kept both army
and navy supplied with charts, when they could not otherwise he obtained;
they were found ready at all times to go anywhere or do anything requiied of
them, whether it was on a gunboat expedition or in the trenches before Vicks-
burg, engineering, when the general commanding called for volunteers from the
navy. They have added to our collection of maps many geographical corrections
which are valuable, and they have proved to me that no squadron can operate
efi'ectively without a good corps of surveyors.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Letter Jrom Major General Herron to Admiral Porter.
HEADCiUARTEBS LeFT DIVISION INVESTING FoRCES,
Viclcshurg, July .5, 1863.
Admiral : While congratulating you on the success of the army and navy
in reducing the Sebastopol of rebeldom, I must at the same time thank you for
the aid my division has had from yourself and your ships.
The guns received from the Benton, under charge of Acting Master Reed, a
gallant and efficient officer, have formed the most effective battery I had, and I
am glad to say that the officer in charge has well sustained the reputation of
your squadron. For the efforts yon have made to co-operate with me in my
position on the left I am under many obligations.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. HERRON,
Major General.
Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Letter from Major General Herron to Lieutenant Commander Greer.
HEADaUARTEBS LefT DIVISION INVESTING FoRCES,
Vicksburg, July 5, 1863.
Captain : Having had from your ship, since the first of our siege operations
on the left of the investing line, four of your heavy guns, under charge of Act-
ing Master J. Frank Reed, I must, before their return to the ship, express to
you my thanks for the good service they have rendered, and the admirable and
officer-like manner in which they were handled by Acting Master Reed. His
battery (which I have named, after your ship, battery Benton) has been our
main support in advancing, and I leain has been a terror to the rebels in our
immediate front.
The management and conduct of Acting Master Reed and his subordinates,
William Moore and W. P. Brownell, cannot be too highly spoken of, and I can
!
AEMOEED VESSELS. 541
assure you they have nobly sustained the reputation of your ship and the Mis-
sissippi squadron.
Acting Master Reed is well worthy of promotion.
Congratulating you, captain, on the combined successes of the army and navy
in reducing this Sebastopol of the rebels, I remain, very truly, yours,
F. X HEERON,
Major General.
Captain J. H. Greer,
Commanding Benton.
Heport of JUeutenarU Commander Sdfridge, commanding naval battery.
United States Steamer Conestoga,
Mississippi River, July 8, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to present the following report of the naval battery,
consisting of two 8-inch columbiads, whilst under my comtaand.
Acting under your orders of June 1st, I reported to General Sherman, who
located the battery nearly on the extreme right, not far from the river. After
many delays I succeeded in getting one gun in position the night of June 4th.
Tire was opened from it the next morning, and the next night the other was got
in position. Opposed to us was an 8-inch columbiad, six hundred yards distant,
and a 32-pounder, one thousand yards distant.
The columbiad was disabled by our fire the second day, and no further use
made of it; the 32-pounder was also effectually silenced. There was nothing
left at which to direct our fire but rifle-pits. Upon these I kept a slow and
steady fire at different intervals during the day. Operating upon earthworks, it
was impossible to know the damage inflicted. Deserters report, however, that
our fire was so accurate as to cause the battery to be greatly feared, and that it
had done them much harm. On June 25, agreeably to your orders, I turned
my command over to Captain Walker.
It gives me pleasure to bear testimony to the good conduct of my officers
and men. The labor imposed upon them was very arduous — working their
guns under a hot sun, and frequently employed half the night repairing the
damage inflicted during the day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS 0. SELFRIDGE,
Lieutenant Qommander.
Acting Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Letter from Major General Sherman to Admiral Porter. ,
Headquarters Expeditionary Army,
Black River, July 4, 1863.
Dear Admiral: No event in my life could have given me more personal
pride or pleasure than to have met you to-day on the wharf at Vicksburg — a
Fourth of July so eloquent in events as to need no words or stimulants to ele-
vate its importance.
I can appreciate the intense satisfaction you must feel at lying before the very
monster which has defied us with such deep and malignant hate, and seeing
your once disunited fleet again a unit, and, better still, the chain that made an
542 AEMOEED VESSELS,
enclosed sea of a link in the great river broken forever. In so magnificent a
result I stop not to -count who did it. It is done, and the day of our nation's
birth is consecrated and baptised anew in a victory won by the united navy and
army of our country. " God grant that the harmony and mutual respect that
exist between our respective commanders, and shared by all the true men of
the joint service, may continue forever, and serve to elevate our national charac-
ter, threatened with shipwreck. Thus I muse as I sit in my solitary camp out
in the wood, far from the point for which we have jointly striven so long and so
well, and, though personal curiosity would tempt me to go and see the frowning
batteries and sunken pits that have defied us so long, and sent to their silent
graves so many of early comrades in the enterprise, I feel that other tasks lie
before me, and time must not be lost. Without casting anchor, and despite the
heat, and the dust, and the drought, I must again into the bowels of the land,
to make the conquest of Vicksburg fulfil all the conditions it should in the pro-
gress of this war. Whether success attend my efforts or not, I know that
Admiral Porter will ever accord to me the exhibition of a pure and unselfish
zeal in the service of our country.
It does seem to me that Port Hudson, without facilities for supplies or inte-
rior communication, must soon follow the fate of Vicksburg and leave the river
fi-ee, and to you the task of preventing any more Vicksburgs or Port Hudsons
on the bank of the great inland sea.
Though further apart, the navy and army will still act in concert, and I as-
sure you I shall never reach the banks of the river or see a gunboat but I will
think of Admiral Porter, Captain Breese, and the many elegant and accom-
plished gentlemen it has been my good fortune to meet on armed or unarmed
decks of the Mississippi squadron. Congratulating you and the officers and
men of your command at the great result in which you have borne so conspic-
uous a part,
I remain, as ever, your friend and servant,
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major General.
Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Fleet.
Congratulatory letter to Rear-Admiral Porter on the surrender of Vicksburg.
Navy Department, July 13, 1863.
Sir : Your despatch of the 4th instant, announcing the surrender of Vicks-
burg on the anniversary of the great historic day in our national annals, has
been received. The fall of that place insures a severance of the rebel territory,
and must give to the country the speedy uninterrupted navigation of the rivers
which water and furnish the ocean outlet to the great central valley of the
Union. For the past year the key to the Mississippi has been Vicksburg, and
so -satisfied of this was the rebel chief who pioneered the rebellion and first gave
the ordec to open the fires of civil strife, that he staked his cause upon its reten-
tion. By the herculean efforts of the army under the admirable leadership of
General Grant, and the persistent and powerful co-operation of the navy, com-
manded by yourself, this great result under the providence of Almighty God
has been achieved. A slave empire, divided by this river into equal parts, with
liberty in possession of its banks, and freedom upon its waters, cannot exist.
The work of rescuing and setting free this noble artery, whose unrestricted vital
current is essential to our nationality, commenced with such ability by the
veteran Farragut and the lamented Foote, and continued by Davis, is near its
consummation. You have only to proceed onward and meet that veteran chief
AEMORED VESSELS. 643
whose first act was to dasli through the gates by which the rebels assumed to
bar the entrance to the Mississippi, whose free communication to and above New
Orleans he has ever since proudly maintained.
When the squadrons of the upper and lower Mississippi shall combine, and
the noble river be again free to a united people, the nation will feel its integrity
restored and the names of the heroic champions who signalized themselves in
this invaluable service will be cherished and honored. Present and future mil-
lions on the shores of those magnificent rivers which patriotism and valor shall
have emancipated, will remember with unceasing gratitude the naval heroes who
80 well performed their part in these eventful times.
To yourself, your officers, and the brave and gallant sailors, who have been
80 fertile in resources, so persistent and enduring through many months of trial
and hardship, and so daring under all circumstances, I tender, in the name of the
President, the thanks and congratulations of the whole country on the fall of
Vicksburg.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Vickshurg, Miss.
Engagement at Millihen's Bend.
Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, near Vickshurg, June 9, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that on the 7th instant, owing to a report
that the rebels (in force about 4,000) were threatening Milliken's Bend, where
a quantity of army stores were kept, (guarded by the two black regiments and
part of the 29th Iowa,) I despatched the gunboats Choctaw and Lexington to
that place to protect them.
Our troops had thrown up some extra intrenchments near the levee, and pre-
pared to receive the rebels, with some doubts as to the issue. The enemy made
his attack before daylight, and many of our men had not arrived at that point.
The blacks, however, met the onset manfully, and a company of the Iowa
regiment stood at their posts until they were slaughtered to a man, killing an
equal number of rebels. The fight was desperate, arid our men, overpowered,
had to retreat behind the bank, near the water's edge, followed closely by the
rebels. Then the gunboats opened on the rebels with shell, grape and canister,
and they fled in wild confusion, not knowing the gunboats were there, or ex-
pecting such a reception.
They retreated rapidly to the woods and soon disappeared. Eighty dead
rebels were left on the ground, and our trenches were packed with the dead
bodies of the blacks, who stood at their posts like men. When last heard from
the enemy was bound in the direction of Lake Providence. I despatched gun-
boats to meet him.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'ds Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon. Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
544 AEMOKED VESSELS.
Report of Lieutenant Commander F. M. Ramsay^ commanding tjie Choctaw.
United States Mfssissippi SaoADRON,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, near Vickshurg, June 11, 1863.
Sir : I beg leave to enclose you the report of Lieutenant Oommander Frank
M. Ramsay, commanding United States steamer Choctaw, in relation to the
part taken by the gunboats in the action at Milliken's Bend on the 7th instant.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POETEE,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
United States Steamer Choctaw,
Near Vicksburg, June 10, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order, I proceeded to Milliken's Bend on the 6th
instant. At 3.15 a. m. on the 7th an army officer hailed the vessel and stated
that our pickets had been attacked by the enemy. At 3.35, seeing sharp firing
close into the camp of our troops, I opened fire with the 100-pounder rifle and
9-inch gun. Our troops, with the exception of the 23d Iowa, broke immediately
and got under the bank of the river.
It was impossible for me to see the enemy on account of the high bank, and
I could learn their position only by hailing our troops. About 8.30 the enemy
commenced to retreat. At 9 the Lexington came up and threw a few shells
into the woods.
Had not a gunboat been present the enemy would have captured everything.
I fired forty-six percussion shells, (captured from the enemy at Haines's Bluff,)
seventeen shrapnell, and five 5" shells from the 100-pounder rifle, and thirty-
four 5" shells from the 9-inch gun.
The percussion shells captured at Haines's Bluff are superior to all the shells
that have been furnished this vessel for the 100-pounder.
They are eleven and a quarter inches in length and weigh sixty pounds.
Not one of them turned over, and only one or two failed to explode. EvA-y one
of our 5" shells commenced turning over as soon as it left the gun. The shells
from the 9-inch gun exploded at the proper time. I sent boats and brought on
board twenty wounded officers and men, who received every care and attention
from Acting Assistant Surgeon E. P. Eobbins. Two of the officers died. The
others were transferred to army transports to be carried to hospitals.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FEANK M. EAMSAT,
Lieutenant Commander.
Acting Eear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Movements nfthe gunboat fleet on the Tennessee river.
United States Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, June 14, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to forward a report of Captain S. L. Phelps, reporting
the late movements of the gunboat fleet on the Tennessee river.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POETEE,
Acting Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
AEMOEED VESSELS. 561
be removed, and this duty was performed under the most difficult circumstances ;
every gun and carriage was saved undamaged ; also everything else of value.
Officers and men vied with each other in endeavoring to save the guns and
stores ; the work had all to be performed in fifteen to twenty feet of water, and
the officers set the example in diving down to make fast the gun-carriages ; all
the small-arms were saved in the same way ; also the paymaster's books and
government funds.
We are somewhat compensated for the loss of the De Kalb by the handsome
results of this expedition. Tive of the largest and best boats that ever run on
this river were destroyed by the rebels to prevent their falling into our hands ;
they were burnt entirely up, and one smaller one was captured. The rebels
sustained a great loss in these boats ; any one of them could have been con-
verted into a powerful ram or gunboat, and the loss of them breaks up their
chances of transporting troops.
Besides the destruction above mentioned, the combined forces captured five
(5) heavy guns, and a lighter one, and all the ammunition and stores of the
enemy. The rebels cannot affi)rd to lose all this material of war ; it frees the
Yazoo river of rebel troops.
As the people of Yazoo City did not take the trouble to warn us of the exist-
ence of torpedoes after the enemy fled, which they had an opportunity of doing,
three thousand bales of cotton were seized by General Herron, to pay for the
gunboat that was lost through their treachery. The loss to the enemy in this
expedition has been all the guns left on Yazoo river, eight hundred thousand
dollars' worth of steamers, five hundred and fifty thousa^id dollars' worth of
cotton, and as much more in other stores necessary for the maintenance of an army.
The officers and men composing the naval part of this expedition have lost no
reputation on account of the sinking of the De Kalb, but have exhibited a per-
severance and attention to duty worthy of the highest praise ; their labors in
recovering their guns and stores will not be surpassed by any one on any other
occasion.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. POETER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Miss. Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Expedition to recover the Baron de Kalb.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Cairo, August 23, 1863.
Sir : In the last expedition I sent up the Yazoo to recover the Baron de
Kalb, it was ascertained that she was too much damaged to save her hull, two
torpedoes having exploded under her, tearing her bgw and stern all to pieces.
Her guns and stores were saved, (with the exception of her provisions,) and
part of her machinery taken off. She, water was falling so rapidly that the
gunboats were obliged to return precipitately from the river, to escape being
kept up there the rest of the season.
The iron and all other portions of the hull were removed, to prevent it being
of use to the enemy, in case he should return to those parts, which is not likely.
I find that our visits to the Yazoo river cost the rebels more than I at first sup-
posed.
Captain Walker received information to be relied on, that, besides the five
large steamers destroyed at or near the city of Yazoo, Isaac N. Brown, late
lieutenant in the United States navy, in a panic, and for fear they would fall
H. Ex. Doc, 69 36
562 ARMORED VESSELS.
into our hands, set fire to and sunk fourteen others, among them nine large ones,
the machinery of which was intended to be sent to Selma, for the gunboats
building at that place. This makes fourteen steamers lost to the enemy on the
last vigit, and eight on the second. Confirmatory of this, I enclose an extract
from a rebel paper.
There are no more steamers on the Yazoo ; the large fleet that sought refuge
there, as the safest place in rebeldom, have all been destroyed.
I hear to-day that Lieutenant Commander Bache has captured two rebel
steamers in White river, loaded with stores — all the steamers that were up
there. I have received no official report of the transaction as yet.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Rear-Admiral.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Engagement at Providence.
United States GCnboat Mound City,
Lake Providence, August 9, 1863.
Sir : The last of General Read's brigade left this place on the 7th instant.
Yesterday morning Ihe notorious John McNail, captain C. S. A., and com-
manding some seventy men, made a raid into Providence for the purpose of
stealing mules and negroes, a large number of the latter having congregated
the];e during its occupation by the army. As soon as he made his appearance
on the levee I opened on him with the port battery, when he fled to the woods
in gi'eat confusion, leaving seven dead on the fields back of Providence, and
I doubt not many more wounded. I do not think that he will again trouble
the banks near here.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BYRON WILSON,
Lieutenant Commander.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Raising of the Cincinnati.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Cairo, August 16, 1863.
Sir : I had the pleasure* of seeing the Cincinnati afloat before I left Vicks-
burg. We raised her with the means we had at hand without any expense. I
gave Acting Volunteer Lieutenant James P. Richardson charge of the duty.
He worked night and day for a week, and was rewarded for his labor by his
success. He fairly dug her out of the mud, for she was full inside from her
keel to her upper deck. She was much cut up, the shot going through and
through her, but we will soon have her ready tor service again. May I ven-
ture to ask that the department will notice Volunteer Lieutenant Richardson's
zeal ] Every article in the Cincinnati was saved.
I am visiting the different stations on the river as far as this place, and shall
ARMORED VESSELS. 563
return as soon as possible below, where arrangements are being made to drive
the rebels away from Louisiana
I am, sir, very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTER,
„ ^ Rear- Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Sqnadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Morgan's raid into Indiana — services of the gunboats under Lieutenant Com-
mander Le Buy Fitch.
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
Cairo, August 18, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith report of Lieutenant Commander
Le Roy Fitch in regard to the late Morgan raid in Indiana.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of lAeuienant Commander Le Roy Fitch,
United States Steamer Moose,
Buffington Island, July 19, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to state that, since my last reports regarding Morgan,
I have followed on up the river, keeping on his right. In some instances I was
cdfeipelled to get out warps to get over the falls, shoals, and swift water, but I
Lad determined to cut him off at all hazards.
This morning I had the good fortune to intercept him just above this islandj
making for the river and attempting to ford. I at once engaged him, drove
him from the banks, and captured two pieces of his artillery, a portion of his
baggage train, horses, small-arms, &c. During this time General Judah was
pressing on his rear.
He did not engage us over an hour, when his forces broke in the utmost con-
fusion, throwing away their arms and clothing and taking to the hills ; a portion,
however, moved up along the bank in hasty retreat, but I followed them so
closely that they soon broke and disappeared up the- ravines and over the hills.
In this column moving up along the bank were several buggies and carriages,
which were abandoned to us. One of the carriages, in which Morgan was said
to be riding, was upset by one of our shells and both horses disabled. The
road along the bank was literally strewn with his plunder, such as cloth, boots,
shoes, small-arms, and the like, but I had not time to land and take possession
of these things, as I wished to keep on up the river with the remnant of his
scattered band, knowing that General Judah would look out for those left in
the rear. About fifteen miles above this point I again fell in with another por-
tion of his forces fording. The current was so very swift and the channel so
narrow that it was some time before I could get within range of them. As
soon as possible I opened fire on them, killing two and causing many of the
horses to leave their riders in the water. Some had already got across, but
many put back and again took up the river.
564 ARMORED VESSELS.
It was reported afterwards that some twenty-five or thirty were drowned. I
left standing on both banks some fifteen or twenty horses without riders, but
had not time to stop for them. Pushing on up the river, I again saw another
squad of some twenty-five or thirty crossing, but could not, in consequence of
very shoal and swift water, get within range of them till they had crossed.
Having reached as high as it was safe for me to venture at this stage of
water, and the river still falling, I dropped down below Buffington island, where
I will remain till morning, and then proceed below Leertast Falls.
Although I could get but two vessels (the Moose and Alleghany Belle) in the
engagement to-day, owing to the numerous shoals and shape of the river, yet I
can testify to the energetic, prompt, and efficient part the officers and crews of
the steamers Keindeor, Naumkey, Victory, and Springfield took in the chase.
The officers and crew of this vessel and the Alleghany Belle acted in the
most commendable manner, and although many of them had never before been
under fire, they did their duty well.
I know not the number of killed, wounded, and prisoners, but am told the
enemy suffered several)', and that nearly the entire force was captured.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LE KOY FITCH, Lieut. Com'dr.
Acting Rear- Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Complimentnry letters from Generals Burnside and Cox.
Mississippi SauADRON, Flag-Ship Black Hawk,
August 10, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith copies of telegrams received from
Generals Burnside and Cos, in relation to the operations of the gunboats under
command of Lieutenant Commander Le Eoy Fitch.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Cincinnati, July 31, 1863.
Sir : It affords me great pleasure to bear testimony to the efficient services
performed by the gunboats of the Upper Ohio squadron, under the command of
Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch, in the pursuit of the rebels under John
H. Morgan. Too much praise cannot be awarded the naval department at this
place for the promptness and energy manifested in this movement. I would
also gladly bear testimony to the faultless and efficient services of Acting Mas-
ter A. H. Bowen, whose hearty and energetic co-operation in this pursuit, and,
in fact, every movement of his connected with the navy since 1 first assumed
command of this department, has been attended with most beneficial results.
The brilliant success which has attended the joint operations of the army and
navy in this movement, gives abundant evidence of the good feeling between
these two efficient arms of the service, and promises much for the future success
of all such operations.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. E. BURNSIDE, Major General.
Rear-Admiral Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Fleet.
ARMOEED VESSELS. 565
Cincinnati, Ohio, My 31, 1863.
Sir : I take pleasure in stating officially the high appreciation I have of the
services of the gunboats of the Upper Ohio squadron, commanded by Lieutenant
Le Roy Fitch, during the late operations against the force of the rebel General
Morgan. The activity and energy with which the squadron was used to pre-
vent the enemy recrossing the Ohio, and to assist in his capture, were worthy
of the highest praise. I also am glad to have tiie opportunity of acknowledging
the valuable services rendered by Acting Master A. H. Bowen, in charge of the
naval rendezvous here, whose zeal in every work which could make the navy
efficient in its co-operation with our troops has been most beneficial to the
united services. The mutual good understanding thus shown promises much
for the success of all future joint operations.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. D. COX, Brigadier General.
Rear- Admiral Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Congratulatory Utter to Lieutenant Commander Le Roy Fitch.
Navy Department, July 27, 1863.
Sir: Since your attachment to the Mississippi squadron, it has been gratify-
ing to the department to observe the commendable zeal, as shown by reports to
it, displayed by you in the execution of the duties with which you were intrusted.
In affording convoy on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, in punishing
and dispersing the guerilla bands which infested the banks of those streams, and
in your timely and important assistance to the garrison of Fort Donelson, when
attacked on the 3d of February last, by the rebels under General Wheeler and
others, you have acted with promptness and reflected credit on the naval service.
Your recent pursuit of the flying guerilla Morgan — following him upwards of
five hundred miles, intercepting him and frustrating him in his attempt to recross
the Ohio, capturing his train, a portion of his guns, and routing his band, all of
which materially crippled his strength, and led to his final capture, gives addi-
tional evidence of your zeal and ability, and reflects additional credit on the
service and yourself.
The department takes pleasure in expressing its appreciation of your merito-
rious services, and thanks you and those under your command for your many
blows to the rebellion and active measures for the perpetuation of the Union.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy..
Lieut. Com'dr Le Roy Fitch, U. S. N.,
Com'dg U. S. Steamer Moose, Mississippi Squadron.
Expedition up White river, under Lieutenant Commander G. M. BacJie.
Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawh, Cairo, August 24, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose a report of Lieutenant Bache in relation to
the White river expedition. The report is interesting, showing the condition of-
affairs in that region of country, where the rebels must have been much surprised
566 ARMORED VESSELS.
to see our gunboats. Lieutenant Baclie also sends notice that Lieutenant Dun-
nington (captured in command of Arkansas Post) is fitting out, at Little Eock,
the Pontchartrain, the last ram the rebels have in these waters. I shall be glad
to see her this side of the shoals that have prevented us from reaching her here-
tofore.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
^ DAVID D. POBTER,
Rear-Admiral, Com'dg Mississippi Squadron.
Hon. Gideon "Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of Lieutenant Commander G. M. Bache.
United States Steamer Lexington,
Clarendon, August 16, ]863.
Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival at this point yesterday, after an
entirely successful expedition of three days with this boat, the Cricket, and
Marmora.
At Des Arc, our first stopping place, we burnt a large warehouse filled with
confederate corn, meal, &c., destroyed the telegraph for nearly half a mile, and
obtained some information that we wanted from the citizens, three of whom I
seized and brought down to General Davidson.
The second morning, having arrived off the mouth of Little Red river, a
narrow and tortuous tributary of the White, 1 sent the Cricket up after the
steamers Tom Gregg [Suggs] and Kaskaakia, (which I had reason to believe
were hid iip there,) while with the Marmora and this vessel proceeded on to
Augusta, thirty miles further, and seventy-five miles from Jacksonport.
Here my information as to the rebel army was confirmed, and one object of
the expedition accomplished. The grand southern army was concentrating at
Brownsville, intending to make then' line of defence on Bayou mountains.
Price was there, and Kirby Smith in Little Rock ; Marmaduke had recrossed
the White some days before, and was then crossing Little Red. Having
received this information, I pushed down stream again, and leaving the Marmora
ofF the mouth, went up the Little Red with the Lexington. When about twenty-
five miles up, and nearly as high as we could go, we met the Cricket with her
two prizes, which she had captured at Scurcy, fifteen miles further on. She
also destroyed there Marmaduke's pontoon bridge, leaving a portion of his
brigade on the other side of the stream. When a few miles above us the Cricket
had been fired into by a portion of Marmaduke's men, when several soldiers
(of whom we carried up about one hundred and fifty) and Mr. Moreliead, of the
Cricket, were wounded. After meeting her, about dusk, we were all again
attacked by sharpshooters, without any damage, however. Captain Langthorne
I cannot thank too much for his zeal, efficiency, and judgment, not only on this
occasion, but ever since under my command.
With the prizes were captured the enclosed list of prisoners, fourteen bales of
cotton, three horses, and a few arms.
The Tom Gregg is a fine little side-wheel boat, and I think would make an
excellent light-draught gunboat for these rivers.
The Kaskaskia, also a side-wheel, though a somewhat older boat, has still a
good hull. For the present, having officered and manned them, and put a how-
itzer on each, I shall retain them to co-operate with the army, who are much in
need of transports all along the banks of the rivers White and Little Red
as far as we went. Two hundred and fifty miles on the one, and forty on the
other, we found the isolated farmers glad to see us, and many Union demon-
AEMOEED VESSELS. 567
strations were made. I am satisfied the people here would be glad to see us in
possession.
The capture of the two boats, the only means of transportation the rebels
had on this river, is a severe blow to them ; and, at this time, the boats can be
made of great service to us.
Going up the river we were not at all molested; but coming down, were fired
on with small arms from almost every available spot, though by no' very large
number of men.
The river is still high, though falling at the rate of twenty-four inches in
forty-eight hours.
I shall send the Lexington down to-morrow. The Marmora, Cricket, and
Romeo are all leaking severely, and otherwise out of repair.
The advance division of General Steele's command arrived yesterday. I have
no doubt our army will be able to drive the enemy fron their line of defence on
Bayou mountains into Texas.
Enclosed I hand the report of Captain Langthorne, of the Cricket.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE M. BAOHE,
Lieutenant, Comd'g White River Expedition.
Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Report of Acting Vo untetr Lieutenant A. R Langlhome.
United States Steamer CErcKET,
August 15, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order, I proceeded up Little Red river at 9 o'clock
a. m. About ten miles up I hailed some men on the bank, inc[uiring of them if'
the steamers Suggs and Kaskaskia were up the river. They said one of them
had passed a short time before. I continued on up, saw some rebel pickets at
"West Point, and made further inquiries about the steamboats, which satisfied
me they were up the river. We arrived at Scurcy's landing at 2 o'clock p. m.,
and the two steamers, the Thomas Suggs and Kaskaskia. I landed the infantry,
and put officers on board the steamers ; had them fired up ready to start. The
rebels had a fine pontoon bridge built across the river, which I effectually
destroyed. We Ihen left for down river. At 3 o'clock took on fourteen bales
of cotton on our way. As we arrived near West Point we were fired upon by
the rebel sharpshooters ; the engagement lasted about an hour, wounding nine
of our men, one mortally, (since died.) Mr. Morehead was piloting the Kas-
kaskia ; he stood at the wheel nobly until disabled ; he received two shots, and
fell. Mr. Lightner was pilot of the Suggs. During the engagement he stood
at his post without flinching. Mr. Olaycomb, pilot of the Cricket, also showed
great bravery and coolness. Surgeon Bodman, although sick, attended to the
wounded with much credit. Every officer and man deserves great praise for
the manner in which they discharged their duties.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. R. LANGTHORNE,
Acting Vol. Lieut. U. S. Navy, Com'dg U. S. S. Cricket.
George W. Bachb,
Lieutenant, Commanding White River Squadron.
J» ARMORED VESSELS.
Affairs on Red river. — Capture of rebel paymasters and currency.
Mississippi SauADRON,
Flag-BMp General Lyons, off Cairo, September 15, 1863.
SlK : 1 have just returned from the mouth of Red river, where I went to see
bat conld be done to co-operate with General Banks. As I knew beforehand,
e river was quite dry in places, and a dry bar formed across the head of Old
rer. All I could do was to plant three guns on scows — a 100-pounder rifle,
X-inch, and a IX-inch — close to the bar to command the entrance to the
tchafalaya. This will prevent steamers passing to and fro. If the mihtary
icers would confer with me a little more freely, I could give' them hydro-
aphic information which they cannot get elsewhere, and enable them to time
eir expeditions so that they may have naval co-operation.
The vessels at the mJkth of Red river were unable to enter and co-operate
til the army at the attack on Harrisonburg. The rebels blew up the works
our troops advanced, and set fire to the casemates ; they also destroyed all
eir ammunition, which ends the stronghold on the Washita. I am sorry to
y that the guns were not brought away, except two field-pieces, or destroyed.
The river below seems quiet. There has been but one attempt made to
struct commerce or transportation. A body of guerillas, five hundred strong,
the 30th August, attacked the gunboat Champion from behind the levee,
lile she was convoying a body oftroops below. The troops passed on safely,
d the Champion stopped and fought the rebels until she made them retire,
iing some of their men, report says fifty-seven. They have not been heard
since, excepting that they were falling back on Alexandria, General Herron
ving given chase to them with his division. The only way to keep gnei'illas
wn is to chase them up with troops. Gunboats can only drive them away
nporarily.
As I came up I overtook a part of the marine brigade, under Oqjonel Ourry.
e reported to me that he had just captured at Bolivar three rebel paymasters
th two million two hundred thousand dollars in confederate money to pay
' the soldiers at Little Eock. He also captured the escort, consisting of
irty-five men.
This will not improve the dissatisfaction now existing in Price's army ; and
B next news we hear will be that General Steele has possession of Little
)ck. The gunboats pick up deserters every day, who say that the rebels
n't intend to fight in Arkansas ; and that with proper steps Arkansas will be
the Union again in forty days.
Lieutenant Bache captured a Colonel Matock, who was on a conscription
pedition, and it gave universal satisfaction to all the people.
*********
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Rear- Admiral.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Expedition to Red river. — Destruction of rebel steamers.
Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, Cairo, October 17, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on the 7th of October Acting Volunteer
eutenant James B. Couthouy, having received information that a: rebel steamer
AEMOEED VESSELS. 569
was tied up to the bank on Red river, fitted out an expedition under charge of
Acting Chief Engineer Thomas Doughty, with twenty men, and Mr.Hobbs,who
crossed over from the Mississippi to Red river, and after great labor in getting
through the entanglements of the bushes and other undergrowth, Mr. Doughty's
party got a sight of the steamer lying at the bank.
He managed to get up to her and capture her. A few moments afterwards
he was enabled to capture another one, and found himself in possession of two
steamers and nine prisoners, one of the prisoners an aid to the rebel General
Taylor. The rebel officer had been sent up expressly for the last steamer, the
Fulton, (a very fine boat,) to ferry some troops across the Atchafalaya, and the
other was one of the few boats the rebels could get provisions by from the sea-
board-.
Mr._ Doughty, finding he could not get the steamers over the bar and out of
Red river, set fire to them, and burnt them up.
This is a great loss to the rebels at this moment, as it cuts off then- means of
operating across that part of Atchafalaya where they lately came over to attack
Morganzia. This capture will deter others from coming down Red river. The
affair was well managed, and the officers and men composing the expedition
deserve great credit for the share they took in it.
I enclose Acting Chief Engineer Doughty's report.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER, Rear-Admiral.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Report of Acting Chief Engineer Thymas Doughiy.
United States Steamer Osage,
Of Mrs. Jontee's, October 7, 1863.
Sir : In obedience to your order, I, with* a party of twenty men, with the
assistance of Mr. Hobbs, started for Red river this morning. Arriving at Red
river, I could see no signs of a steamboat. I divided the party, sending eight
men down the river to look into the bend below, and with twelve started up the
river. When we had tra,velled about half a mile I saw the chimneys of a
steamer. The woods were found so dense that we could not penetrate them,
and the only alternative was to advance in sight. The steamer was on the
opposite side of the river, and I feared those on board might see us in time to
escape before we were near enough to use our rifles. No one saw us, and we
chose a spit opposite her, where we could see any one who attempted to escape.
I hailed her ; two men were seen to run forward and disappear. I directed
three files on the right to fire. The fire brought the men out, and at my com-
mand they brought to my side of the river two skifi's which belonged to the
boat. I was about to embark a party to burn her, when I heard a steamboat
descending the river. I ordered the men out of sight, behind a large log and
some bushes, and in two minutes I saw a steamer round the point above. I
waited until she was within 400 yards, and showed myself, and ordered her to
stop. She did so, and I found myself in possession of nine prisoners and two
steamboats. I knew I could not get them out of the river, and I ordered the
destruction of the. first one captured, named the Argus, and embarked on board
the second, the Robert Fulton, and steamed down to the landing wherd I first
struck the river, where I ordered her to be set on fire, and in a few minutes she
was one mass of flame. She was the better vessel of the two, and was valued
by her owner at $75,000. Neither of them had any cargo on board. 1 captured
all the officers of the boats, and one first lieutenant in the confederate army, and
three negroes.
670 ARMORED VESSELS.
Names of officers of the Argus. — Captain George Fraser, Chief Engineer
James Goodwin.
•Names of the officers of the Robert Fulton. — Captain J. F. Saunders, Chief
Engineer A. S. Auld, Mate William Kelly, Pilot William C. Smith, First As-
sistant Engineer G. W. Chapman, Carpenter J. Chataigner.
Naine of army officer. — First Lieutenant J. M. Avery.
Arms taken. — 1 Enfield rifle, 2 double-barrelled shot-guns, 2 revolvers.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
THOMAS DOUGHTY,
Acting Chief Engineer.
Acting Volunteer Lieut. J. P. Couthouv, U. S. N.,
Commanding United States Steamer Osage.
Jontee's, or Gentry's, is about three miles below Union Point.
J. P. OOUTHOUY, Commanding.
Attack upon General Dana at Morganzia. — Co-operation of the navy.
Mississippi Squadron,
Flag-Ship Black Hawk, Cairo, October 18, 1863.
Sir : I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a i-eport from Lieutenant
Commander James P. Foster, commanding second district of this squadron, in
relation to operations in his district.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER.
Hon. GiDBO.M Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Beport of Lieutenant Commander James P. Fosle'.
United States Stkamee Lafayette,
Morganzia, September 30, 1863.
Sir : Yesterday the advanced guard of General Dana was attacked by Gen-
eral Green some five or six miles from Morganzia, and we lost about four hun-
dred and fifty (450) men in prisoners, killed, and wounded.
I immediately went up to Morganzia with the Kenwood, to co-operate with
General Dana, and the arrival of the gunboats was hailed by their forces with
perfect delight.
On the following day I moved up the Lafayette, and have no doubt by this
means the enemy were deterred from attacking General Dana in his position at
Morganzia, as they had about four brigades to do it with, while our forces did
not amount to more than fifteen hundred. I shall return to-morrow with the
Lafayette to Bayou Sara, leaving the Signal and Neosha at Morganzia.
We have captured here and in Morganzia about eight or ten prisoners, one
major, one captain, and one lieutenant, which I have turned over ta the general
commanding at Morganzia. Everything below Bayou Sai-a is quiet. Scott, the
guerilla, is still outside of Bayou Sara, doing pretty much as he pleases, but
gives the Lafayette a wide berth. It is his men that I have been capturing.
I am, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, *
JAMES P. FOSTER,
Lieutenant Commander, Com'dg Second District.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
ARMORED VESSELS. 671
MISCELLANEOUS REPOiiTS.
Rear- Admiral Goldshorougli' s opinion of iron-dads.
Washington City, February 26, 1864.
Sir : In obedience to your instructions, I beg to submit the following remarks
on the subject of iron-clads :
The problem is yet, so to speak, but inchoate. In truth, the still continued
and startling developments in ordnance arIR : I telegraphed you last night in relation to the retention in this port of
the iron-clad steamer Eoanoke. In reply, you say that your orders in relation
to her future disposition cannot b revoked. I regret to learn this, for since
then I have examined the navy yard. There is, save the Eoanoke, no vessel
that will be fit for service under some ten days. I again repeat that this great
emporium, from which both army and navy receive their supplies as well as
ARMORED VESSELS. 605
pay, ought not to be left witliout means of defence. The volunteers and militia
of this city are being sent to Pennsylvania to aid in the defence of that State.
"We shall be at the mercy of any privateer that may think proper to assail this
city. The temptation is indeed great, for the want of men to man the guns in
the forts of the harbor.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major General.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Naiiy, Washington.
P. S. — I was accompanied in my visit to the navy yard by ex-Governor
Morgan, now United States senator.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major Gefieral.
Leak in the Sangamon.
New York, December 13, 1863.
Sir : Having been furnished with the enclosed copy of a repoi-t made by
Local Inspector Thomas with reference to the Sangamon, I have respectfully to
protest against his proposed application of turn-buckles for securing the plank-
shear. It would be very objectionable to make an attachment between the bilge
of the vessel arid the wood work, under all circumstances. In the present instance
no necessity exists for such an expedient. Bolts passed through the plank-shear
and screwed up by means of nuts under lugs attached to the frames, as shown at C
on the enclosed drawing, will effectually remedy the difficulty with the Sanga-
mon's plank-shear.
Assuming that you may see fit to order my suggestions to be carried out, I
have famished Mr. Betts with plans, and instructed him to proceed to Philadel-
phia to communicate my views to Inspector Thomas.
I cannot omit, on this occasion, to impress the department with the necessity
of ordering the commanders of the Monitor class not to load their vessels so deep
as to bring the top angle iron of the hull under the water-line. The wood work
above this angle iron, varying from 7 to 9 inches in the several classes, can never
be made so tight as to keep the water out under the constant pressure caused by
overloading. The alternating pressure resulting from the action in a sea-way,
on the other hand, is of no moment. The ballast at the bow originally put into
the Sangamon has been removed, in consequence of which the stern is so deep
with full complement of coal in, as to bring the top angle irdn of the hull under
water.
The enclosed drawing shows the manner of holding down the plank-shear of
the large ships and the Tecumseh class, by means of bolts bassing through plank-
shear and top angle iron of the hull. This expedient will effectually prevent the
difficulty now complained of in the Sangamon.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. ERICSSON.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
606 ARMOKED VESSELS.
Philadelphia, December 12, 1863.
Sir : Agreeably to your order, I have, in concert with Mr. Betts, examined
into the cause of the leak in the United, States iron-clad steamer Sangamon, and
find that amidships or abreast the coal-bunkers the gunwale of the vessel and
the plank-shear have separated, thus allowing the water to flow into the vessel.
Mr. Betts and myself have decided, as the best plan for remedying this, to put
1^-inch bolts, running from the top of the deck plating through the plank-shear
and provided turn-buckles, for the purpose of drawing the separated parts to ;
the lower ends of the bolts to be festened to a gusset-piece riveted to the frames
at the bilge with a piece of angle iron, the same size as the frame angle iron on
the opposite side of the gusset-pieces; after the bolts are in place and screwed up
the seams between the gunwale and plank-shear may be calked with oakum.
It will be necessary to remove the coal from the bunkers.
I am, respectfully,
W. K. THOMAS,
Local Inspector of Iron-clad Steamers.
0. K. Stubbing, U. S. N.
CommancLant Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa.
[IndorBed.]
I fixUy concur with the within report.
OHAELES T. BETTS,
Superintendent Ship Puritan.
ARMORED VESSELS. 607
Washington, D. 0., May I, 1861.
My Dear Sir : I sincerely regret that the failure of the late attempt to pro-
vision Fort Sumter should be the source of any annoyance to you. The prac-
ticability of your plan was not, in fact, brought to test. By reason of a gale,
well known in advance to be possible and not improbable, the tugs, an essential
part of the plan, never reached the ground, while by an accident, for which you
were in no wise responsible, and possibly I to some extent was, you were de-
prived of a war vessel with her men, which you deemed of great importance to
the enterprise.
I most cheerfully and truly declare that the failure of the undertaking has
not lowered you a particle, while the qualities you developed in the effort have
greatly heightened you in my estimation. For a daring and dangerous enter-
prise of a similar character you would, to-day, be the man, of all my acquaint-
ances, whom I would select. You and I both anticipated that the cause of the
country would be advaflced by making the attempt to provision Fort Sumter
even if it should fail, and it is no small consolation now to feel that our antici-
pation is justified by the result.
Very truly your friend,
A. LINCOLN.
Captain G. V. Fox.
Navy Department,
December 7, 1863.
Sir : My letter to you under date of the 4th ultimo was accompanied with
the copy of a letter addressed to the department by the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy, containing, amongst other papers, copies of orders under which he
acted in reference to a proposition he made to provision Fort Sumter.
The enclosed copy of a letter of the President of the United States forms an
important connexion with those papers, and is therefore furnished to you.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy
Kear-Admiral S. F. DoPont,
Wilmington, Delaware.
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