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

[122]

I have to report no casualties. The officers and men conducted themselves well; and to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. T. Shankland, First Assistant-Engineer John Purdy, who volunteered for this vessel, and the pilot, William H. Wroten, I am indebted for valuable assistance.

I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to inform you that the following is a correct list of ordnance stores expended whilst engaging the rebel batteries and fleet: Fifty-two eleven-inch charges, fifteen pounds each; two eleven-inch charges, twenty-five pounds each; six eleven-inch shell, five seconds each; twelve eleven-inch shell, ten seconds each; fourteen eleven-inch shrapnel, five seconds each; six stands of grape; two stands of canister; fourteen eleven-inch solid shot, or dinary steel; two eleven-inch solid shot, ordinary steel.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this ship in the action of the fifth instant with Fort Morgan and the rebel iron-clad Tennessee.

At five minutes past seven A. M. I opened on the Fort, but owing to the dense smoke from the guns our firing was necessarily very slow.

After passing Fort Morgan, I devoted my attention entirely to the rebel iron-clad, firing my guns slowly and with great precision.

At forty-five minutes past nine I obtained a raking position under his stern, and fired a solid shot, which struck him on the port quarter, carrying away his steering gear.

At fifty-seven minutes past nine, when on the point of firing from the same position, he hauled down his colors and surrendered.

I fired at the Tennessee six times, namely, one shell, two solid, and three cored shot.

I am satisfied that most, if not all, the serious damage she has sustained was caused by the fifteen-inch shot from this vessel.

This ship was struck by the enemy's shot nine times, causing no material damage; but of this I will make a separate report.

No person was injured on board. Officers and men all did their duty; but I especially recommend Acting Ensign John B. Trott, who was stationed at the wheel steering the ship himself, for the admirable manner in which he performed his duty.

Also Acting Master Robert B. Ely, for the manner in which he worked his guns.

Both of these gentlemen, I think, are worthy of being advanced a grade in the service.

One of the fifteen-inch carriages is temporarily disabled by the breaking of some bolts.

I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

sir: Of the six fifteen-inch projectiles fired from this vessel at the rebel iron-clad Tennessee, I claim four as having struck, doing most of the real injuries that she has sustained, namely: First, one shot on port beam, going entirely through the armor, and crushing the wood backing, making a hole completely through the vessel; second, one shot near the first, but higher up and farther forward, making a deep indentation, and then glancing over the ship; third, a shell striking her stern port shutter, disabling it, so that the gun could not be used; fourth, a shot striking her stern, ripping up the deck plating, carrying away her steering gear, and then striking her armor at the angle of the port quarter, crushing it and starting the wood backing through to the inside.

I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to report the following as the expenditures of ammunition in action of to-day with the rebel Fort Morgan and the rebel iron-clad Tennessee: Four fifteen-inch shell; three fuzes--three and a half, seven, and ten sec. Three fifteen-inch solid shot; four fifteen-inch cored shot; four fifteen-inch charges, thirty-five pounds; four fifteen-inch charges, fifty pounds; three fifteen-inch charges, sixty pounds.

Respectfully your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to report the following damages sustained by this ship in action of today with the rebel Fort Morgan and the rebel iron-clad Tennessee:

turret.

One two and a quarter-inch indentation from conical steel-pointed shot, four feet from deck.

One seven-eighth inch indentation from glancing shot, two feet from deck.

One seven-eighth inch indentation just above base ring; outside, three rivet-heads knocked off and seven started.

Base ring separated slightly.

pilot house.

One one and a quarter-inch indentation from conical shot, four feet three inches from base.