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the bay. He was cool and brave throughout, never losing his self-possession.
This man was captured early in the war in a fine fishing-smack which he owned, and though he protested that he had no interest in the war, and only asked for the privilege of fishing for the fleet, yet his services were too valuable to the captors as a pilot not to be secured.
He was appointed a first-class pilot, and has served us with zeal and fidelity, and has lost his vessel, which went to pieces on Ship Island.
I commend him to the Department.
It gives me pleasure to refer to several officers who volunteered to take any situation where they might be useful, some of whom were on their way North, either by orders of the Department, or condemned by medical survey.
The reports of the different commanders will show how they conducted themselves.
I have already mentioned Lieutenant Commander Perkins of the Chickasaw, and Lieutenant Yates of the Augusta.
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant William Hamilton, late commanding officer of the Augusta Dinsmore, had been invalided by medical survey, but he eagerly offered his services on board the iron-clad Chickasaw, having had much experience in our Monitors.
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant P. Giraud, another experienced officer in iron-clads, asked to go in on one of these vessels, but as they were all well supplied with officers, I permitted him to go in on the Ossipee, under Commander Le Roy.
After the action he was given temporary charge of the ram Tennessee.
Before closing this report, there is one other officer of my squadron of whom I feel bound to speak, Captain T. A. Jenkins, of the Richmond, who was formerly my Chief of Staff, not because of his having held that position, but because he never forgets to do his duty to the Government, and takes now the same interest in the fleet as when he stood in that relation to me. He is also the commanding officer of the Second division of my squadron, and, as such, has shown ability and the most untiring zeal.
He carries out the spirit of one of Lord Colling-wood's best sayings: “Not to be afraid of doing too much; those who are, seldom do as much as they ought.”
When in Pensacola, he spent days on the bar, placing the buoys in the best positions, was always looking after the interests of the service, and keeping the vessels from being detained one moment longer in port than was necessary.
The gallant Craven told me only the night before the action in which he lost his life: “I regret, Admiral, that I have detained you; but had it not been for Captain Jenkins, God knows when I should have been here.
When your order came I had not received an ounce of coal.”
I feel that I should not be doing my duty did I not call the attention of the Department to an officer who has performed all his various duties with so much zeal and fidelity.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. G. Farragut, Commanding W. G. B. Squadron.
I inclose herewith my General Orders, Nos. 10 and 12, (marked twenty-two and twenty-three,) issued before the action, and General Orders Nos. 12 and 13, (marked twenty-four and twenty-five,) issued after the engagement.
Letter from rear-admiral Farragut to Brigadier-General R. L. Page.
sir: Admiral Buchanan is severely wounded, having lost his leg. There are in addition four or five others of the crew of the Tennessee who require more comfortable quarters than we can give them in the fleet.
Will the commanding officer at Fort Morgan permit a vessel to take them to our hospital at Pensacola, with or without our own wounded?
The understanding being that the flag of truce vessel takes nothing whatever but the wounded, and brings nothing back that she did not take out, and my honor is given for the above time.
Very respectfully,
D. G. Farragut, Rear-Admiral Commanding W. G. B. Squadron.
Letter from Brigadier-General R. L. Page to rear-admiral D. G. Farragut.
headquarters Third brigade, D. G., Fort Morgan, Ala., August 5, 1864.
sir: Your communication of this date is received.
I am much obliged for the information regarding Admiral Buchanan.
Your request relative to the wounded of the Tennessee, and also those of your own command, being taken to Pensacola, will be permitted under a flag of truce, and to return on the conditions you propose.
I would be glad if Admiral Buchanan, having lost a leg, be permitted, under parole, to go to Mobile, where he can receive earlier and more prompt attention.
If the latter request is granted, please inform me, and I will have a boat from town to take him up.
Very respectfully, R. L. Page, Brigadier-General Commanding. Rear-Admiral David G. Farragut, Commanding W. G. Squadron, Mobile Bay.
Letter from rear-admiral Farragut to Brigadier-General R. L. Page.
sir: In reply to your note of this date, I would say that it is altogether out of the question that I should permit Admiral Buchanan to be sent to Mobile, but I will send him to Pensacola, where he will receive the same comforts as our own wounded, which I apprehend are as good as they could be at Mobile.
It was simply as an act of humanity that I made the proposition I did to-day.
I would be glad to bury my dead on shore, but if there is any objection to it, they can have a sailor's grave in the deep, honored by the heartfelt sighs of their shipmates.
Very respectfully,
