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abeam of the Bombshell, firing the starboard howitzers and forward rifles at her. She immediately hauling down her colors and showing a white flag, orders were at once given to stop firing on her, and the howitzer's crew were sent to assist the crews of the two rifle guns.
Passing ahead, the helm was put to port with the intention of running close along the starboard side of the enemy; but the smaller vessel, not keeping position or following our lead, we were soon compelled to stop the engine, being within their line of fire.
Our vessels at this time were on both sides of the Albemarle, this vessel, the Wyalusing, and Sassacus being the only ones that had then rounded her bows, we being on her quarter, Sassacus abeam, and Wyalusing on starboard bow, all having stopped their engines.
At five minutes past five the Sassacus ran down bows on, striking the Albemarle on starboard quarter.
After remaining in contact some few minutes she disengaged herself, and soon afterwards was seen to be enveloped in steam; at this time the colors of the Albemarle were either shot away or hauled down, and were not hoisted again during the action.
As her fire had ceased, we were under the impression that she had surrendered, until, soon after the Sassacus had got clear, she was observed to resume it; this vessel and others immediately doing the same.
The squadron still remaining out of position, and endangering each other by their fire, our attention was turned to getting them into line.
At twenty minutes past five we made signal to Miami “to pass within hail;” (she was soon after hailed, and ordered to go ahead and try her torpedo.) At half past 5 made general signal to keep in line, and forty-five minutes past five repeated the signal.
At fifty-five minutes past five made signal to Wyalusing “to cease firing,” she being still on ram's starboard bow; the remainder of the vessels (with the exception of the Sassacus, which had hauled off) were taking position on port quarter of the enemy.
At five minutes past six made general signal to keep close order.
At forty-five minutes past six made signal to Wyalusing to cease firing, she at the time coming round to take position.
Soon after hailing her with an order to go ahead of the line and pass close to Albemarle, in reply she reported herself sinking, and at fifty-five minutes past six made signal “sinking;” but still going ahead, finally took her position.
Finding that the line was gradually edging off, we steamed ahead inside, delivering our fire as rapidly as possible when on the quarter and abeam of the enemy, and after having passed ahead attempted to lay our seine in her course for the purpose of fouling her propellers, but, unfortunately, it was torn and lost before getting into the desired position.
We then rounded the vessel to port, working the port battery; when nearly abeam of the enemy we received a six-inch rifle shot, which entered on the port side below wheel-house guards and abaft wheel, passing through water-ways, combings of engine-room hatch, wounding a first class fireman and boy so severely that they died soon afterwards, and bringing up in small arm locker.
This shot is preserved on board, and is marked with the name of John M. Brooke.
At half-past 7, growing quite dark, ceased firing, and at eight made private signal to anchor, coming into line abreast, heading to southward.
I am happy to state that the conduct of our crew, officers and men, was all, and more than could be reasonably expected from the imperfect state of organization, having had but few opportunities for exercise and drill since our hurried departure from New York.
The firing was remarkably good under the circumstances, but the shot seemed to have but little effect upon the enemy.
Our pilot, Mr. Tooker, deserves mention for coolness and attention to his duties during our constant manoeuvrings.
Enclosed are returns of gunner's expenditures, and report of injuries.
The surgeon's report I have already had the honor to submit.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Ammunition used on the Mattabesett: in gunner's Department.
Nineteen thirteen-pound charges, nine-inch.
Four ten-pound charges, nine-inch.
Twenty-seven ten-pound charges, a hundred-pounder Parrott.
Sixty primers.
Nineteen grommet wads.
Four junk wads.
Three breechings.
Two lock strings.
One two-pound charge, twenty-four-pound howitzer.
One one-pound charge, twelve-pounder rifle.
Twenty-seven solid shot, one hundred-pounder Parrott.
Twenty-three solid shot, nine-inch.
One shrapnel, twenty-four-pounder howitzer.
One Dahlgren shell, twelve-pounder howitzer.
One thumb-screw.
Eight muskets and eight sabre bayonets, with scabbards.
Respectfully submitted,
A. N. Mitchell, Lieutenant, and Executive Officer.
Report of damages to the Mattabesett. Carpenter's Department.
Rail of launch stove in, and davit spar carried away; shot through waterways, just abaft port wheel, passed on through combing of engine-room hatch, carrying away the two after stanchions of hand-rail around crank-room, then through starboard combing, and carried away two sections of engine-room bulkheads, and one section of gallery bulkhead; also carried away deck bell-pulls, and second locker of armory on starboard side; forward stanchion of hurricane deck on port side carried away by No. 1 nine-inch broadside.
