Daniel Ammen, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.2, The Atlantic Coast
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

‘ [25] no gun was mounted. After the fourth fire, the X-inch columbiad bounded over the hurter, and became useless. The 24-pounder rifled was choked while ramming down a shell, and lay idle during nearly the whole engagement.’

‘The vigorous attack of the enemy continued unabated, with still no decided damage to any of their ships. At half-past 12 I again went out of the fort with my Assistant-Adjutant-General, Captain Young, for the purpose of mustering together the infantry and reserves, and have them in readiness for any eventuality. Before leaving, however, I turned over the command to Colonel Heyward, with directions to hold out as long as any effective fire could be maintained.’

‘Having mounted our horses, we rejoined the troops near Hospital Number 2. I received information through one of the videttes that a steamer and small boats were sounding near the beach. I detached Captain Berry with three companies of his battalion under the guidance of Captain Ephraim Barnard, volunteer aid, by a road marked R, to watch the enemy, beat them back if they attempted to land, and give notice if he wanted support. I then, with some of my staff, rode to collect together the other troops, who, through ignorance of our inland roads, had lost their way, and had not yet come up.’

General Drayton was misinformed as to a steamer and boats sounding north of Fort Walker. The Seneca was returning from the direction of Scull Creek, as near to the shore as the depth of water would allow, and as usual, men were sounding on each side of the vessel. Some of the enemy stupidly fired at the vessel, and although they were unseen the smoke marked the spot; 20-pounder rifle shells were returned, with loss of life to the enemy, as the reports show.

The reader will perceive the painful perplexity of General