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was sent for, and the gunboat was inspected and found to be in excellent condition, except that two guns were dismounted, which was easily remedied.
A complement of ordnance for a stubborn fight was provided and Captain Gracy was placed in command, with the gunboat for his flagship.
A gallant crew selected from the famous battery manned the boat, and she moved majestically out, with Forrest's escort flag nailed to the masthead, with orders to proceed to Johnsonville, where Captain Gracy expected the co-operation of the land batteries.
Some miles below Johnsonville, however, four gunboats from above moved down on his craft, and after a spirited engagement Captain Gracy finally retired down stream, when, to his surprise, seven hostile gunboats appeared from below.
Instantly they poured forth a terrible storm of bursting shells, filling the air, the water, and Gracy's boat.
His gallant crew replied with volley after volley of deadly missiles, Captain Gracy the while standing on deck giving orders as coolly as though they were at target practice.
Several of his guns were dismounted, his boat perforated and shattered, and a few of his men wounded.
He saw that in a few minutes it meant capture or a sunken boat, hence he had mattresses ripped open and piled in the magazine; a parting salute was fired at the enemy, and the crew was ordered to jump overboard and make for the shore.
The last man to leave the boat, Captain Gracy applied the torch to the magazine, and making his way to the deck sprang into the water.
Hardly had he reached shore before there was a terrific explosion, and his gunboat went up in smoke and flame, the hulk sinking to the bottom of the river. (R. F. Hoke, in Nashville Banner.)
On the 1st of November the forces under Forrest moved up the river, arriving on the 3d at Johnsonville.
This was a depot of supplies for the Federal armies in the field, and according to Federal accounts the garrison consisted of 1,200 men, with two Parrott guns in position.
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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