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[123]

Outside, one rivet-head knocked off and two started.

Inside, one rivet-head knocked off and two started.

armor.

Struck by glancing shot on starboard quarter, a few feet forward of propeller and ten inches below the deck.

Separated armor-plates slightly for five feet.

A shot passed through both quarters of our boat, and through the gunwale of the other.

One ventilator-stay was shot away.

Ventilator dented by a fragment of shell.

A shot passed through boiler-iron around rim of turret.

The carriage of port fifteen-inch gun was disabled by the recoil, carrying away six bolt-heads, securing composition plates.

Respectfully your obedient servant,

C. M. Schoonmaker, Lieutenant and Executive Officer. Commander J. W. A. Nicholson, Commanding Manhattan.

U. S. S. Manhattan, August 5, 1864.
sir: I respectfully submit the following report of the working of the machinery of this vessel during the action to-day.

Though having been tested severely during the chase of the rebel ram Tennessee, every thing worked well, and is now ready for service at any moment.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

Charles L. Carty, Acting Chief-Engineer. Commander J. W. A. Nicholson, Commanding U. S. S. Manhattan.


Report of Lieutenant Commander C. H. Wells.

U. S. Steamer Galena, Mobile Bay, Ala., Aug. 6, 1864.
sir: I herewith report to you the part which this steamer took in passing Forts Morgan and Gaines yesterday.

Before leaving the anchorage off Mobile Bar, the Galena was lashed to the port side of the Oneida, according to your diagram of line of battle furnished, and occupied the rear of the line. Fort Morgan began firing at five minutes past seven A. M., when the Oneida replied and was followed by this vessel at twenty-five minutes past seven with the one-hundred pounder rifle on the forecastle, which took effect in the Fort. When abreast and within four hundred yards of it, Captain Mullany of the Oneida was wounded badly in the arm and leg, and the steering apparatus of his vessel was shot away, which was shortly afterward followed by the explosion of one of her boilers, caused by a heavy shot striking it; and this rendered it necessary for the Galena to tow the Oneida by Forts Morgan and Gaines under a severe raking fire from the former, which was accomplished by fifteen minutes past nine.

Both vessels were repeatedly struck, but the Oneida, from having been on the starboard side of this steamer, suffered severely, losing a number of men killed, and having a number wounded. Her Captain, J. R. M. Mullany, under the most trying circumstances, displayed the utmost courage and gallantry whilst passing through a terrific fire, and only left the deck when he had been severely wounded. His executive officer, Lieutenant Huntington, cheerfully carried out my orders after the disability of Captain Mullany, and distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery.

I take pleasure in bringing to your notice the Executive Officer of this vessel, A. V. Lieutenant C. W. Wilson, who faithfully carried out my orders in passing Fort Morgan, as well as in the exhibition of coolness and bravery. Acting Master D. C. Kells, Acting Ensigns Pease and Miner, and Acting Master's Mates Tuttle and Delano, I would also recommend to your favorable notice for their good conduct under the fire of the enemy.

Mr. Buehler, First Assistant Engineer and Acting Chief, managed the Engineer's department in a highly creditable manner, in which he was sustained by the Assistant-Engineers Greenleaf, Scot, Burns, and Weecker.

Acting Assistant-Paymaster Kitchen and Lesley G. Morrow, Captain's Clerk, remained on deck during the action, and contributed their parts to my entire satisfaction. Acting Assistant-Surgeon George P. Wright not only attended to our three cases of wounded, (one mortally,) but gave his professional services to the Oneida, to several of their wounded who came on board of this steamer.

The crew manifested the utmost courage throughout the affair, which will always reflect creditably upon you and the Navy of the United States.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. H. Wells, Lieutenant Commander, U. S. N. Rear-Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding W. G. B. Squadron, U. S. Flag-Ship Hartford.

U. S. steamer Galena, Mobile Bay, Aug. 6, 1864.
sir: I herewith inclose the following list of damages this steamer sustained in passing Forts Morgan and Gaines, between the hours of seven and ten on the morning of the fifth.

One ten inch shot in starboard bow.

One ten-inch shot in starboard waist abaft plank sheer.

One ten-inch shot through smoke-stack above bridge.

One shot through gig.

One shot through cutter.

Mizzen-stay cut away.

One shot cutting away boat-davit.

One shot striking one-hundred pounder rifle.

Two stands grape cut away. Port boarding nettings cut by raking fire, cut up rails of top-gallant forecastle, cutting rammers and spongers of bow-pivot; mizzen rigging cut away by a stand of grape; chain and running rigging badly cut up.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. H. Wells, Lieutenant Commanding U. S. N. Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding W. G. B. Squadron.


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