James D. Porter, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.1, Tennessee
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

Fort Heiman and Paris landing were objective points which now had Forrest's attention. On October 29th, with Chalmers' division, he reached Paris landing, where Buford's division and Lyon's brigade were already on the ground. As usual, his force was magnified by the frightened enemy, and every post commander anticipated an attack. Gen. S. Meredith, commanding Federal forces at Paducah, under date of November 1st, said, ‘All reports concur that he is to attack me soon.’ Meredith called for 1,500 more men to insure the safety of Columbus, and 2,000 more for Paducah. Later, on the same day, he reported: ‘The gunboat Undine captured and sunk at Paris landing. Lyon in command at that point with 4,000 men and seven pieces of artillery. Forrest at Heiman with 8,000 men, five 12-pounders and eighteen siege guns.’ He reported also the capture of the transport Venus, with troops and supplies. His fears multiplied Forrest's forces by four, and easily converted field into siege guns

General Forrest reported that on the 29th the steamer Mazeppa with two barges in tow made her appearance. Morton's battery and two Parrott guns opened on the boats and they were disabled and abandoned. A large lot of needed stores was captured and distributed to the Confederates. The next day the steamer Anna succeeded in passing the battery, but was so disabled that she sank before reaching the mouth of the river. The Venus was followed by the Cheeseman, both convoyed by the gunboat Undine. The entire fleet was disabled and captured. Lieutenant-Colonel Kelley, with two companies of his regiment, was thrown across the river, and soon returned with the abandoned boats.

Forrest ordered Captain Morton to take command of the Undine. The latter replied, ‘General, I can handle your guns on land, but I am not familiar with naval fighting. I have, however, temporarily attached to my artillery, Capt. Frank P. Gracy of Tennessee, a most efficient artillerist and an experienced steamboatman.’ Captain Gracy