The Daily Dispatch: July 23, 1861., [Electronic resource]

The ship Island engagement.

Capt. Edward Higgins, of the C. S. A., Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Twiggs, acting under the orders of the General, took possession of the steamers Oregon and Swaim, the former armed with one 8 inch columbiad and one 12-pound howitzer, the latter with a 32-pounder and one howitzer, both boats manned by the crew of the McRae. The steamers, after protecting their boilers at Bay St. Louis, proceeded towards the cruising ground of the Massachusetts and tenders; on reaching Ship Island, found that the Massachusetts bad left. Capt. Higgins, aware of the importance of the position, took upon himself the responsibility of occupying it, and to that end immediately landed the four guns above mentioned and the crew of the McRae; put them in charge of Lieut. Warley, as commander, who immediately went to work erecting the batteries, and to him, in conjunction with Capt. Thom, of the Marines, Surgeon Lionale, and Midshipmen Comstock and Reid, is due whatever praise may be attached to the repulse of the Massachusetts. On his arrival at New Orleans, Capt. Higgins reported to Gen. Twiggs, and then it was that guns, ammunition, etc., etc., were placed on the Oregon and Grey Cloud, in charge of Major Smith, and with them that gentleman proceeded to Ship Island, where he has since mounted the guns so sent.