Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

sir: I have to inform the Department that while I was at Port Hudson, I received a despatch stating that the rebels were in force on the west bank of the river threatening Plaquemine and Donaldsonville. I started immediately for the first-named place, but on my arrival at Baton Rouge, found a despatch from Lieutenant Commander Weaver, to the effect that the rebels, about one hundred and fifty Texans, had made a raid into Plaquemine, some three hours previous to his arrival, and had burnt two steamers that were lying there. Lieutenant Commander Weaver shelled the place, driving the enemy out of the town, and followed them down the river to Donaldsonville, which place he reached in advance of them; by dark, I was also there and found that the Kineo had also been sent up by Commander Morris. The enemy finding us in such strong force of gunboats gave out that they would not attack Donaldsonville, but would go by railroad to Brashear City. I therefore ordered the Winona, Lieutenant Commanding Weaver, to cruise up and down the river, and he seeing the enemy on two occasions, shelled them.

As I had much to attend to in New-Orleans, I dropped down, placing the gunboats to the best advantage, above and below; Lieutenant Comnmander Walters volunteered to assist the volunteer officer commanding the fort, in the drilling of his men at great guns. I paid them a visit and gave them my advice in case of an attack, which I looked for sooner or later. I left Commander Woolsey in the Princess Royal, in command at Donaldsonville, ordered the Winona to Plaquemin, and stationed the Kineo at a place below where the railroad ran near the river, distance about twenty-three miles from New-Orleans. On the seventeenth instant, the enemy reached the La fourche, crossing and attacking our pickets, who repulsed them, causing them a heavy loss. On the eighteenth they had a second fight and were again repulsed.

On the twenty-sixth, the enemy, under Generals Green and Mouton; attacked and capture Brashear City. Our force there was very small I had only a small steamer, mounting two twelve-pound howitzers, which I purchased as a tug, but I regret to say that her commander is not represented as having been any more vigilant than the rest and backed down the bay. Mr. Ryder says, however, that he could not fire into the enemy without firing into our own people, so he withdrew and retired to New-Orleans, leaving Brashear City in possession of the enemy.

On the twenty-seventh, Commander Woolsey informed me by telegraph, and Brigadier-General Emory personally, that General Green, of Texas, had notified the women and children to leave Donaldsonville, as he intended to make an attack. I immediately ordered the Kineo up to the assistance of the Princess Royal, and Lieutenant Commander Weaver, in the Winona, being on the alert, was also at Donaldsonville in time to take part in the repulsing of the enemy. I inclose herewith Commander Woolsey's report of the affair.

At twenty minutes past one A. M., of the twenty-eighth, the enemy made the attack, and their storming party got into the fort; but the gunboats opened a flanking fire above and below the fort, hurling destruction into the rebel ranks and driving back the supporting party, so that they broke and fled, and the twenty who entered the fort were captured. At ten minutes to five A. M., the rebels (Texans) fell back in great rage, vowing vengeance. I had in the mean time ordered up the Monongahela, Commander Read, and General Emory first, and then General Banks sent forward reinforcements. General Stone is now in command there, and the place is perfectly secure.

The prisoners arrived from Donaldsonville number one hundred and twenty-four--among which are one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, two captains, and five lieutenants. Our forces have buried sixty-nine rebel dead, and are still employed, calculating there are about one hundred. Colonel Phillips is among the number of the rebel dead.

All of which is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant,

sir: The following is a list of the killed and wounded on board the United States steamer Princess Royal, during an action at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, on the morning of the twenty-eighth instant, namely:

Killed — Isaac Foster, landsman, killed instantly by rifle-ball.

Wounded — Charles Preston, seamen, left ankle and right leg, rifle-ball; Alexander Gordon, captain forecastle, wrist.

Total--One killed, two wounded.