Daniel Ammen, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.2, The Atlantic Coast
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

‘ [209] her torpedo.’¹ At 5.30 signal was made to ‘keep in line,’ and fifteen minutes later it was repeated. At 5.55 signal was made to the Wyalusing to ‘cease firing,’ that vessel being still on the starboard bow of the Albemarle. At that time ‘the remainder of the vessels (with the exception of the Sassacus) were taking position on the port quarter of the enemy.’ At 6.05 signal for ‘close order’ was made, and again at 6.45 ‘signal to the Wyalusing to cease firing, she at the time coming round to take position. Soon after, hailing her with an order to go ahead of the line and pass close to the Albemarle, in reply she reported herself sinking, and as 6.55 made signal “sinking,” but still going ahead, finally took position.’²

Finding that the line was gradually edging off, the Mattabesett steamed ahead inside, delivering her fire as rapidly as possible when on the quarter and abeam of the enemy, and after passing ahead attempted to lay a seine in the course of the Albemarle for the purpose of fouling her propeller, but it was torn and lost before getting into the desired position. The Mattabesett was then rounded to port, and the port battery used; when nearly abeam of the Albemarle a Vi-inch rifle-shot from that vessel fatally wounded two men and did considerable damage to the vessel. At 7.30, growing quite dark, signal was made to cease firing, and to anchor, with the exception of the Commodore Hull and the Ceres, those vessels being directed to follow and watch the movements of the enemy.

The commanding officer of the Whitehead states: ‘The rebel steamer Cotton Plant, with a number of launches in tow, having succeeded in making her escape, my attention was directed to the ram, upon which I opened fire with the ’