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Confederate States of America, > 
 Navy Department, Richmond, September 6, 1862. ) 
 
 Hon. Thomas S. Bocock, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives : 
 
 Sir : In response to the following resolution adopted by the House 
 of Representatives on the 3d instant, " Resolved, That the Secretary 
 of the Navy be requested to send to this House a copy of the official 
 letter of Flag Officer Forrest, touching the gallant exploits of Com- 
 mander Taylor, in command of the little steamer Harmony, in her 
 conflict with the enemy's frigate Savannah, which resulted in a heavy 
 loss of men to said frigate and great injury to the same," I have the 
 honor to transmit herewith a copy of the letter referred to, and by 
 which you will observe that Commander Fairfax was in command of 
 the " Harmony." 
 
 With much respect, your ob"t serv't, 
 
 S. R. MALLORY, 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 

 [Copy.] 
 
 Flag Officer's Office, Dock Yard, ) 
 Gosport, Va., Sept. 2, 1861 S 
 Sir : I directed Commander Fairfax to take charge of the little 
 steam-tug " Harmony," and mount upon her one of the rifled guns of 
 57 cwt. and carry with him all the projectiles (about thirty) then on 
 hand, and proceed along the coast, in shoal water, to " Pig Point," to 
 exercise his best judgment in an approach to the enemy's frigate Sa- 
 vannah, at anchor off Newport News, and take a position out of reach 
 of her guns to try the range of his ; to near her cautiously and do 
 her as much damage as possible. He proceeded, in obedience to these 
 instructions, and the experiment proved a very satisfactory one. I 
 learn to-day that several shells struck the ship, and did great execu- 
 tion ; the one on her larboard quarter particularly. After exhausting 
 his ammunition, he returned with the little steamer, without sustaining 
 any injury, or the occurrence of any accident. He fired the two re- 
 maining shells, on his return, at the shipping off Fortress Monroe, 
 the effect of which could not be seen. Great credit is due Commander 
 Fairfax for this deed of noble daring, and the success which attended 
 the exploit. Permit me, therefore, to commend him to the notice of 
 the Department. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 F. FORREST, 
 
 Flag Officer. Sr. 
 Hon. S. R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
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