Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Immediately after my departure from Welaka I beat to quarters, as I expected to be fired upon by infantry at Horse or Cannon's Landing. Upon rounding the point next above, I opened fire upon the landing and road above, leading to it, as soon as my guns could be brought to bear. Also giving the orders to slow down and lower the torpedo-catchers, which were immediately executed.

I could discover nothing suspicious until directly abreast the landing, distant about one hundred yards, when two pieces of artillery, concealed by the shrubbery and undergrowth, almost simultaneously opened fire upon me. I instantly gave orders to hook on, but unfortunately the second shot of the enemy cut my wheel-chains, and at the same time the pilot abandoned the wheel and jumped over the bow. The vessel almost immediately went ashore upon a mud bank. Before she struck, one of the enemy's shot struck the main steam-pipe, knocking a hole in it, causing a great loss of steam. Her being ashore, and the injury to the wheel-chains, were reported to me at nearly the same moment. I left the hurricane deck, and took charge of the forward gun, sending Mr. Spencer aft on the quarter deck to ship the tiller and hook the relieving tackles, at the same time stopping and backing the engine.

The engineer, Mr. Johnson, now reported the loss of steam, and at nearly the same moment Mr. Spencer reported the quarter deck swept by the enemy's sharpshooters and grape, and the after gun abandoned, and Mr. Davis killed.

I now placed the forward gun in charge of Quartermaster James Smith, and repaired to the quarter deck. I saw immediately the utter impossibility of saving the vessel unless the enemy could be dislodged. I now returned to the forward gun, of which I took charge, at the same time ordering Mr. Spencer to try and rally the infantry, which was now jumping overboard on all sides and swimming ashore. By our united exertions we finally stopped them. The engineer in charge, Mr. Johnson, at this time informed me the engine was useless, as one of the frame timbers had been shot away and locked the wheel. The officer in charge of the infantry having been wounded, the second in command and myself seeing all hopes of escape cut off, and the riflemen on the port bank of the river shooting the men down at the forward gun, I called a council of my remaining officers, in which it was decided to surrender. I was spared the mortification of hauling down the flag, it having been shot away in the early part of the action. It now became any humiliating duty to hoist a white flag to prevent the further useless expenditure of human life. A boat from the enemy immediately boarded me, demanding the surrender of the vessel. I refused to surrender to the officer in the boat, but having my own boat, went on shore and asked to see the commanding officer. I was immediately presented to Captain Dickerson, Confederate States army, from whom I demanded, in case of an unconditional surrender, personal safety to the officers and colored men on board; which was immediately guaranteed; whereupon I surrendered myself, officers, and crew as prisoners of war, and my vessel a prize to the (so-called) Confederate States of America.

The loss in killed, wounded, and missing is as follows, viz.:

Acting Master's Mate John Davis, while nobly performing his duty, killed; privates, five (5) wounded, sixteen killed and missing.

I take great pleasure in recommending to your favorable notice the conduct of Acting Third Assistant Engineer Henry J. Johnson, who coolly performed his duty until the engine became disabled, when he rendered me the most valuable assistance on deck; also that of Acting Master's Mate W. B. Spencer.

I have the pleasure to inform you that immediately after the removal of the wounded the enemy set her on fire, burning her to the water's edge, without removing an article of value.

She also formed the funeral pyre for those who fell while nobly defending her and the flag from dishonor. The remains of Mr. Davis were decently interred, covered by the flag he loved so well, and which he died bravely defending.

I have the honor to remain,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

On the evening of my capture I was taken to Camp Call, the headquarters of my captor, Captain Dickerson, by whom I was very kindly treated, together with my officers and crew.

On the morning of the twenty-fourth, at eleven A. M., he gave to the officers a wagon, and to the wounded a. wagon, to transport them to Gainsville. The privates were compelled to march, but the officer in command made frequent halts, in order that the men might not become too fatigued. We reached Gainsville on the morning of the twenty-sixth, and remained until that of the twenth-seventh, when we were placed in passenger cars and conveyed to Lake City, at which place we arrived at twelve P. M. We remained here until the following morning, when we took passage in a box-car for Madison, (all the negroes and Captain Daniels remaining behind,.) which place we reached at about nine A. M. Transportation was procured for our baggage, and we commenced a wearisome march for Quitman, which place we reached on the evening of the ensuing day.

On the following morning we were placed in box-cars and taken to Savannah, which place we reached at five P. M., and were marched to Oglethorpe barracks, where we remained all night; this being the first time since our capture a roof