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[111]

Acting Master's Mate R. P. Herrick deserves especial mention, for until seriously wounded he performed his duties with great coolness and spirit. Acting Ensign W. H. Heginbotham also deserves special mention for his coolness and bravery. He performed his duties in the most exemplary manner until he received his death-wound.

The few man I had on deck passing powder acted with great coolness, and at no time were there any signs of shrinking or fear. Nelson, (Ship's Cook) John Wallington, (landsman,) and Mellage, (Paymaster's Steward,) deserve special mention.

Seven of the forward part of the division were wounded and three of them killed; most of the wounds were mortal.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Wm. Starr Dana, In Charge of Powder Division. Lieutenant Commander L. A. Kimberly, U. S. Flag-Ship Hartford.

In addition to the above, I would call attention to the conduct of Sailmaker F. C. Herbert, whose conduct and cool courage is spoken of as most remarkable.

P. Drayton, Captain.

U. S. flag-ship Hartford, Mobile Bay, Aug. 6, 1864.
sir: The conduct of the officers and men belonging to the Engineer's Department was characterized by coolness and energy during the engagement of yesterday. Their duties were performed as if nothing extraordinary was going on.

Acting Third Assistant-Engineer William G. McEwan deserves special mention for the prompt and efficient manner in which he attended to getting the wounded below, near his station at the berth-deck hose, and he continued to do so until near the close of the action, when he lost his right arm.

The following men deserve to be noticed:

Thomas Walkley, (First C. F.,) for his coolness and attention to duties, although frequently covered with splinters.

James R. Garrison (C. H.) had his great toe shot off, but dressed his wound himself and then returned to his station, where he remained until badly wounded in the chest.

Thomas O'Connell was sick and hardly able to work, but went to his station and remained until his right hand was shot away.

William Caffrey (Second C. F.) and Joseph Fallen (Second C. F.) were inclined to skulk, and required to be compelled to assist the wounded.

The loss in the Engineer's Department was three men killed and three men wounded.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

Thos. Williamson, Chief-Engineer U. S. N. Lieutenant Commander L. A. Kimberly, Executive Officer U. S. Flag-Ship Hartford.

U. S. flag-ship Hartford, Mobile Bay, Aug. 8, 1864.
sir: I respectfully beg leave to report the damage received by this ship in the hull, spars, etc., during the action, August fifth, 1864, with the rebel Fort Morgan, the water-batteries, rebel ram Tennessee, and rebel fleet, namely:

No. 1. Solid shot cut through starboard headrail, starboard bow-chock, and crushed sidetackle block of port rifle-gun on forecastle.

No. 2. Shell came over starboard-bow, struck axle-tree, fore-transom, and truck of port rifle on forecastle, and started bow-chock, head-rail, and water-rail.

No. 3. Shell cut through starboard lower boom, hammock-rail and netting, cut main topmast-stay half, then struck after-part of foremast two feet above the partner's scoring, scarring starboard side of mast and piercing galley-funnel, where it exploded.

No. 4. Shell struck the forward part of No. 2 gun-port, cutting away top timber, bulwarks, and port-sill, struck starboard sheet cable-bitt, crushing the iron plating and collar, then exploded, scarring the deck between Nos. 1, 2, and 3 guns.

No. 5. Shell struck outer planking six inches above the water-line between No. 2 and 3 guns, cut through timbers, ceiling, and water-way on berth-deck, struck foremast, scored in the depth of five inches, eighteen inches below the spardeck partners, carrying away after-part of port-sheet cable-bitts, part of spar-deck beam and knee on port side, and after diagonal knee and fastening started.

No. 6. Shell struck starboard chain-armor two feet below the gunwale, between Nos. 5 and 6 guns, cut through outer plank and timber and lodged in deck-knee.

No. 7. Solid shot struck chain-armor, cut through armor, pierced outer plank and timber, and lodged in spar-deck beam.

No. 8. Solid shot struck starboard chain-armor four inches above the water-line, under No. 6 gun, cut through armor, pierced outer planking, and lodged in timber.

No. 9. Struck chain-armor on the water-line between Nos. 8 and 9 guns, cut through armor, and pierced the outer plank.

No. 10. Two hundred pound rifle-shell struck aft of the armor, two feet above the water-line, under No. 9 gun, pierced outer plank, crushing four timbers and two streaks of ceiling, breaking down the fore and aft bulkhead of the starboard steerage, cutting in two the between-deck stanchion under ward-room hatch-beam, passed into the chief-engineer's room on the port side of ward-room, and dropped on a lounge without exploding.

No. 11. Solid shot struck gunwale-streak, between Nos. 8 and 9 guns, pierced through gunwale, top timber, and bulwarks, struck capstan, crushing the pawls, casting, and gear, splitting engine-room, hatch-combing, and capstan-bed.

No. 12. Struck the spare spars in the mainchains, breaking in two the main and mizzen top-gallant and mizzen royal-yards, crushed through the main-rail and hammock-netting, passed over to the port side, and went through bulwarks, top timbers, outer planks, and sentryboard abaft the port-gangway.


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