Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[31] He instantly fired and sent his shot completely over the enemy. I then opened from my bow guns, and the action became brisk on both sides for about twenty minutes, the enemy firing by broadsides. At the end of this time the enemy hauled off, and stood down the river, rounding to occasionally and giving us broadsides. This running fight continued until he reached the shelter of the batteries on the Iron Banks above Columbus. We continued the action, and drove him behind his batteries in a crippled condition. We could distinctly see our shells explode on his decks. The action lasted over an hour, and terminated, as I think, in a complete defeat of the enemy's boats, superior in size and number of guns to the Essex and St. Louis.

On the twelfth, Gen. McClernand requested me to make a reconnaissance toward the Iron Banks. I did so, and offered the enemy battle by firing a round shot at their battery, but they did not respond, nor did I see any thing of their boats. I have since been informed, through the General, that the boats of the enemy were completely disabled, and the panic became so great at the Iron Banks that the gunners deserted their guns. The fire of the St. Louis was precise, and the shot told well. The officers and men of this vessel behaved with firmness, Mr. Riley, the first Master, carrying out all my orders strictly, while the officers of the gun divisions, Messrs. Loving and Ferry, paid particular attention to the pointing of their respective guns. Mr. Britton, my Aid, paid all attention to my orders, and conveyed them correctly and with alacrity; in fact, all the officers and men on board behaved like veterans.

Your obedient servant,