Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 10.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[266] injured and drifted ashore. General Chalmers arriving about this time, with Rucker's brigade and a section of Rice's battery, Lieutenant W. H. Briggs commanding, the General took charge of the Chessman, and in company with him and staff and a few other officers we boarded her, and found that dinner had just been served. Without special invitations, and regardless of Chesterfieldian ceremony, we seated ourselves and partook of the first “square meal” for many a day. On inspection it was found that the Chessman, so far as her machinery and availability for service was concerned, was a hopeless wreck. She had, however, a small freight of commissary stores, including sugar, coffee, tea, candies and furniture. The former articles were readily appropriated by the troops and greatly enjoyed. The furniture was for the most part second-hand, but very fine, and was said to have been confiscated from the rebels at Nashville. The furniture was distributed among the citizens of the neighborhood. It is strange to note that with such complete destruction of the boat, riddled from end and top to bottom, that only two or three persons on board were wounded, and they but slightly. The boat was burned by order of the Commanding General. Meanwhile, Orderly Sergeant Reid reported that a practicable road for artillery could be had to the bend of the river, where the Undine and Venus were sheltered. Colonel Rucker, a gallant and dashing officer, had also made a personal reconnoissance, verifying Sergeant Reid's report. In obedience to orders, I then directed Crozier's section to accompany Colonel Rucker, supported by Colonel D. C. Kelley's and Colonel T. H. Logwood's Tennessee cavalry regiments, and make a speedy attack. Briggs's section of James's Rifles (which had been captured at Eastport from the enemy by Colonel D. C. Kelley, attended by Captain Walton) and Rice's battery were placed at the mouth of the Sandy, Zarring holding his old position at Paris Landing. Colonel Kelley, our “fighting preacher,” hastily dismounting his men, took position under cover of the bushes below the gunboat, and opening a rapid fire upon the Venus and at the port-holes of the Undine, attracted the attention of the enemy, while Crozier moved his guns by hand into a favorable position, from which a vigorous fire was promptly opened, and kept up with such effect that the enemy was unable to use his heavy guns--eight twenty-four pound howitzers — and was driven to the opposite bank.

The Venus, meantime, had surrendered to Colonel Kelley, who boarded her with two companies, and, raising steam, moved upon the Undine, when he found officers and men, not killed or wounded, had