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

Sir: I have carefully examined the engines, boilers, and dependencies of this vessel, and, agreeably to your request, have the honor to report that the following is the amount of damage sustained during the late action:

Two of the outer rims in the starboard wheel were fractured, and a portion of the top of the wheel-house blown off; one of the smoke-pipe guys was cut off; one of the bell-wires also gave way during the engagement, but has been repaired.

I am yours, respectfully,

Sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by this vessel in the action of the fifth instant with the rebel ram.

I first sighted the ram at half past 1 o'clock, P. M., coming out of the river in company with two steamers, distant about two miles. In accordance with previous instructions, I retreated slowly down the sound, keeping out of range of her guns until the flag-ship came up, when I fell into line astern of the Miami. About five o'clock I fired several shots from my pivot guns at the ram, striking it once or twice.

At half past 6 I engaged the ram at close quarters, firing shell from my pivot and broadside guns, many of which struck the vessel, effectually preventing the opening of her ports. As I steamed ahead, in passing the ram's bow I paid out a large seine for the purpose of fouling his propeller, but, though encompassing the ram, it did not have the desired effect.

I ceased firing when it became too dark to distinguish the enemy. I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of my officers and crew, many of the latter being for the first time under fire. This vessel was not struck, and I have no casualties to report.

Enclosed is a list of ammunition expended.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

Report of ammunition expended during engagement of May fifth:

Thirty-pounder Parrott shell, sixty, (60.)

Twenty-four-pounder howitzer shell, twenty-one, (21.)

Respectfully submitted,

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the engagement with the rebel iron-clad ram Albemarle, and Bombshell. Yesterday, at one P. M., I got under way, in company with the Commodore Hull, Ceres, and army transport Trumpeter, and proceeded from our picket station, off Edenton Bay, across to the mouth of the Roanoke, for the purpose of putting down torpedoes. When within a short distance of the buoy at the mouth of the river, the rebel ram Albemarle was discovered coming down the river, accompanied by the Cotton Plant and Bombshell, the last two steamers laden with troops. I immediately despatched the Trumpeter to give you the earliest notice of their appearance. The vessels under my command were ordered to steam in line slowly down the sound, at such a distance that the enemy's movements could be watched. We dropped down to Bluff Point, the enemy following us determinedly. As soon as you came up, I steamed ahead, ready to follow your movements, and engage the enemy. At twenty minutes to five I opened fire with solid shot, and continued firing rapidly, with good range. The ram was struck by us at almost our first fire, and I have to report, throughout the action, excellent firing by both divisions of this ship. I saw the Sassacus running into the ram, and immediately headed for them both, with the intention of exploding under the ram the torpedo rigged on my bow; before I could get to her, however, the Sassacus became disabled, and dropped down from her. The ram had changed her course, and I could not work to advantage, on account of the fire of our own vessels. I still kept up a fire when it could be done without exposing the other vessels of our fleet. After we had been firing about an hour, you ordered me to run up to the ram and use the torpedo. I steamed ahead, still keeping up a rapid fire, until we got within the ship's length of her. I used every endeavor to get at her, bows on, but the Miami proving herself so unwieldy, and so very bad to steer, the enemy, (who was probably well aware of our purpose,) succeeded in keeping clear of us, by going ahead and backing and turning. We did not cease our fire, however, all this time. The enemy struck us three or four times while within this chase range; one shot, which passed through the after part of the cabin, came very near disabling our rudder. I dropped down from her, and reported to you the reason why I could not get my torpedo to work. You then ordered me to follow the Wyalusing in order. I did so, keeping up a fire which I believe was more effective than at any previous time, as I am confident one of our shot struck the upper part of her port while open, if it did not pass into her interior. Owing to the danger of getting aground, and the fact of the ship handling so badly, I deemed my fire more effectual at close range to be on one side of her than to attempt to pass clear around her. For more than ten minutes we poured solid shot upon