Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[133] made signal to discontinue the action. We had but six Parrott charges, and not a single filled nine-inch shell. We had thirteen killed and eleven wounded.

The rifled one hundred-pound Parrott of the Naugatuck burst, half of the part abaft the trunnions going overboard. She is therefore disabled.

Lieut. Newman, the Executive Officer, was conspicuous for his gallant and effective services. Mr. Washburne, Acting Master, behaved admirably. These two are selected from among the number.

The Aroostook, Port Royal, and Naugatuck took the stations previously assigned them, and did every thing that was possible. The Monitor could not have done better.

The barrier is such that vessels of the enemy, if they have any, cannot possibly pass out; ours cannot pass in.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

sir: I submit the following report of the movements of this vessel during the action of yesterday:

Shortly after weighing anchor from our position near Kingsland Creek a sharp fire of musketry was commenced from both banks on all the ships.

At half-past 7 I discovered an extensive fortification on an elevation of about two hundred feet, with several smaller batteries, all apparently mounting guns of the heaviest calibre; at the foot of the bluff in the river an obstruction formed of sunken steamers and vessels, secured with chains, and the shallow water, piled across the river.

The Galena having anchored at about one thousand yards from the fort, and being warmly engaged, I endeavored to pass ahead of her to take off some of the fire; but found that my guns could not be elevated sufficiently to point at the fort. I then took position on the line with the Galena, and maintained a deliberate fire until the close of the action, when, in company with the other vessels, I dropped down to the anchorage of the morning.

The fire of the enemy was remarkably well directed, but vainly towards this vessel. She was struck three times--one solid eight-inch shot square on the turret, two solid spot on the side armor forward of the pilot-house. Neither caused any damage beyond bending the plates. I am happy to report no casualties.

In conclusion, permit me to say that the action was most gallantly fought against great odds, and with the usual effect against earth-works. So long as our vessels kept up a rapid fire they rarely fired in return, but the moment our fire slackened they remanned their guns. It was impossible to reduce such works, except with the aid of a land force. . . . .

sir: I have the honor to report that in yesterday's attack upon the enemy's battery at Wood Hill, near Richmond,. Virginia, I placed the vessel under my command in the position assigned me by you in the line of attack, and opened fire upon the battery, which I continued until the bursting of our gun.

Whilst getting into position during the bombardment, and while falling back with the squadron, this vessel was under quite a heavy fire of musketry, which was constantly returned by us with shell and canister from our light broadside guns.

I have likewise to report to you that two of my crew are wounded--one by a musket-shot through the arm and the other by a severe contusion. They have been sent on board the Port Royal for surgical treatment.

My officers and crew behaved to my entire satisfaction.

I would respectfully request that you appoint a board of officers to examine into and report upon the cause of the bursting of the Parrott gun.

my dear mother: I have to thank God for a life preserved under circumstances where it even now seems impossible that I could have escaped.