[136]
Rebel official report.
sir: The enemy came up the river at half-past 6 A. M., the Galena ahead, the Monitor and a small iron steamer, a side-wheel and a smaller gunboat following in succession.
When about four hundred yards from our obstructions our batteries opened fire upon the Monitor and Galena.
They did not reply until the Galena had placed herself directly athwart the channel.
After which she and the Monitor opened a brisk fire, the other vessels keeping under way, and at about from a quarter to a mile lower down, and so close under the opposite shore that only four of our guns could bear upon them.
Our fire was mostly directed upon the Galena, only occasionally paying a compliment to the others.
Several of our shots at long range passed through and through them, and they soon dropped out of range.
The small iron-clad and the side-wheel gunboats were badly crippled.
We turned our attention to the Galena, nearly every one of our shots telling upon her iron surface.
At eleven o'clock A. M., one of the Patrick Henry's eight-inch solid shot passed into her bow port; immediately the smoke rushed out of her own ports, showing, evidently, that she was on fire.
We gave her three hearty cheers as she slipped her cables and moved down the river.
Our pickets heard her captain say to one of the other gunboats that she was “in a sinking condition.”
Our sharp-shooters did good service, picking off every man who showed himself.
There is no doubt we struck them a hard blow.
The last that was seen of them they were steaming down the river.
Every officer and man performed their duties with coolness and determination, and it would be doing injustice to many if I should mention or particularize any. Capt. Drury and his company fought their guns with great effect.
casualties.--Seven killed, among them Midshipman Carroll, and eight wounded.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Eben Farrand, C. S.N., Commanding Post.
