Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[134]

The original of this report is accompanied by sectional views of the Tennessee, and a sketch showing the effect of shot on the outside.

We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants,

sir: I have the honor to forward herewith the reports of Captain Drayton of the Hartford, Captain Jenkins of the Richmond, and Captain Marchand of the Lackawanna, (marked Nos. 1, 2, and 3,) calling the attention of the Department to such of the petty officers and crew of their respective ships as particularly distinguished themselves in the action of the fifth instant, entitling them to special notice.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: I beg leave to call your attention to the conduct of the following petty officers and others of this vessel, during the action of the fifth instant, which I think entitles them to the medal of honor.

1. Thomas Fitzpatrick (Coxswain) was captain of No. 1 gun. His gun was almost disabled by the bursting of a shell, which destroyed much of the material, and killed seven men, besides wounding several others, and among them himself. Notwithstanding this, he had the killed and wounded quietly removed, replaced the breeching, side-tackle and truck, etc., which had been cut to pieces, got a crew, and in a little while was firing the gun again as usual. I recommend that in addition to the medal he be made a Master's Mate.

2. Charles Melville (ordinary seaman.) This man, a loader at the same gun, was severely wounded by a piece of the shell. He was taken below, but would not remain there, and although scarcely able to stand, performed his duty until the end of the action.

3. William E Stanley (shellman at No. 8 gun) was severely wounded, but refused to go below, and continued to perform his duties until at length he became so weak from loss of blood, as to be unable to stand.

4. William Pelham, (landsman.) When the crew of the gun to which he belonged was entirely broken up, owing to the number of its killed and wounded, he assisted to remove the latter below, and then immediately returned, and without any direction to do so, took his place at the adjoining gun, where a vacancy existed, and continued to perform his duties there most faithfully for the remainder of the action.

5. John McFarlan (Captain of Forecastle) was at the wheel, which has been his station in all of the previous fights of this ship. As on every other occasion, he displayed the utmost coolness and intelligence throughout the action. When the Lackawanna ran into us, and for a moment there was every appearance of the men at the wheel being crushed, he never left his station, nor ceased for an instant to attend strictly to his duties. This evidence of coolness and self-possession, together with his good conduct in the other battles of the Hartford, I hope will entitle him to the medal.

6. James R. Garrison (coal-heaver) had one of his great toes shot off; but, without leaving his station at the shell-whip, bound up the wound, and remained at work until again severely wounded.

7. Thomas O'Connell, (coal-heaver.) Although on the sick-list and quite unwell, he went to his station at the shell-whip, where he remained until his right hand was shot away.

8. Wilson Brown (landsman) was stationed at the shell-whip on the berth-deck. A man was killed on the ladder above him, and thrown with such violence against Brown as to knock him into the hold, where he lay for a short time senseless, but, on recovering, he immediately returned to his station, though besides himself only one of the original six belonging there had escaped.

9. John Lamson (landsman) was one of the six men stationed at the shell-whip on the berthdeck; a shell killed or wounded the whole number. Lamson was wounded in the leg, and thrown with great violence against the side of the ship, but as soon as he recovered himself, although begged to go below, he refused, and went back to the shell-whip, where he remained during the action.

10. George Meelage (Paymaster's Steward.) Although quite badly hurt by splinters, refused to leave his station, and performed very efficient service until the end of the action.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: In my report of the fifth instant, I expressed my great admiration of, and thanks for, the cool and courageous conduct of every officer and of every man serving on board of this ship, in the terrible conflict with the rebel batteries at Fort Morgan, the iron-clad Tennessee, and gunboats Selma, Morgan, and Gaines, on the morning of that day.

I consider it, however, but an act of plain and