Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Lieutenant Butt fought his gun with activity, and during the action was gay and smiling.

The marine corps was well represented by Captain Thom, whose tranquil mien gave evidence that the hottest fire was no novelty to him. One of his guns was served effectively and creditably by a detachment of the United Artillery, of Norfolk, under the command of Captain Kevill. The muzzle of their gun was struck by a shell from the enemy, which broke off a piece of the gun, but they continued to fire as if it was uninjured.

Midshipmen Foute, Marmaduke, Littlepage, Craig, and Long redered valuable services. Their conduct would have been creditable to older heads, and gave great promise of future usefulness. Midshipman Marmaduke, though receiving several painful wounds early in the action, manfully fought his gun until the close. He is now at the hospital.

Paymaster Semple volunteered for any service, and was assigned to the command of the powder division, an important and complicated duty, which could not have been better performed.

Surgeon Phillips and Assistant Surgeon Garnett were prompt and attentive in the discharge of their duties ; their kind and considerate care of the wounded, and the skill and ability displayed in the treatment, won for them the esteem and gratitude of all who came under their charge, and justly entitled them to the confidence of officers and crew. I beg leave to call the attention of the department to the case of Doctor Garnett. He stands deservedly high in his profession, is at the head of the list of assistant surgeons, and there being a vacancy, in consequence of the recent death of Surgeon Blacknall, I should be much gratified if Doctor Garnett could be promoted to it.

The engines and machinery, upon which so much depended, performed much better than was expected. This is due to the intelligence, experience, and coolness of Acting Chief-Engineer Ramsey. His efforts were ably seconded by his assistants Tynan, Campbell, Herring, Jack, and White. As Mr. Ramsey is only Acting Chief-Engineer, I respectfully recommend his promotion to the rank of Chief; and would also ask that second Assistant Engineer Campbell may be promoted to First Assistant — he having performed the duties of that grade during the engagement.

The forward officers, boatswain Hasker, gunner Oliver, and carpenter Lindsey, discharged well all the duties required of them. The boat-swain had charge of a gun, and fought it well. The gunner was indefatigable in his efforts; his experience and exertions as a gunner have contributed very materially to the efficiency of the battery.

Acting Master Parrish was assisted in piloting the ship by pilots Wright, Williams, Clark, and Cunningham. They were necessarily much exposed.

It is now due that I should mention my personal staff. To that gallant young officer Flag Lieutenant Minor, I am much indebted for his promptness in the execution of signals; for renewing the flag-staffs when shot away — being thereby greatly exposed; for his watchfulness in keeping the confederate flag up; his alacrity in conveying my orders to the different divisions; and for his general cool and gallant bearing.

My aid, Acting Midshipman Rootes, of the navy, Lieutenant Forrest, of the army, who served as a volunteer aid, and my clerk, Mr. Arthur St. Clair, Jr., are entitled to my thanks for the activity with which my orders were conveyed to the different parts of the ship. During the hottest of the fight, they were always at their posts, giving evidence of their coolness. Having referred to the good conduct of the officers in the flag-ship, immediately under my notice, I come now to a no less pleasing task, when I attempt to mark my approbation of the bearing of those serving in the other vessels of the squadron.

Commodore John R. Tucker, of the Patrick Henry, and Lieutenants Commanding J. N. Barney, of the Jamestown, and W. A. Webb, of the Teazer, deserve great praise for their gallant conduct throughout the engagement. Their judgment in selecting their positions for attacking the enemy was good ; their constant fire was destructive, and contributed much to the success of the day. The “general order,” under which the squadron went into action, required, that in the absence of all signals, each commanding officer was to exercise his own judgment and discretion in doing all the damage he could to the enemy, and to sink before surrendering. From the bearing of those officers, on the eighth, I am fully satisfied that that order would have been carried out.

Commander Tucker speaks highly of all under him, and desires particularly to notice that Lieutenant-Colonel Cadwallader, St. George Noland, commanding the post at Mulberry Island, on hearing of the deficiency in the complement of the Patrick Henry, promptly offered the services of ten of his men as volunteers for the occasion, one of whom, George E. Webb, of the Greenville Guards, Commander Tucker regrets to say, was killed.

Lieutenant Commanding Barney reports “every officer and man on board of the ship performed his whole duty, evincing a courage and fearlessness worthy of the cause for which we are fighting.”

Lieutenant Commanding Webb specially notices the coolness displayed by Acting Master Face and third Assistant-Engineer Quinn, when facing the heavy fire of artillery and musketry from the shore, whilst the Teazer was standing in to cover the boat in which, as previously stated, Lieutenant Minor had gone to burn the Congress. Several of his men were badly wounded.

The Raleigh, early in the action, had her gun-carriage disabled, which compelled her to withdraw. As soon as he had repaired damages as well as he could, Lieutenant Commanding