[
180]
Doc.
78. attack on the United States fleet at the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi.
sir: I have the honor to make the following report: At forty-five minutes past three A. M., October 12, 1861, while the watch on deck were employed in taking coal on board from the schooner
Joseph H. Toone, a ram was discovered in close proximity to this ship.
By the time the alarm could be given, she had struck the ship abreast of the port fore-channels, tearing the schooner from her fastenings, and forcing a hole through the ship's side.
Passing aft, the ram endeavored to effect a breach in the stern but failed.
Three planks in the ship's side were stove in about two feet below the water line, making a hole about five inches in circumference.
At the first alarm, the crew promptly and coolly repaired to their quarters, and as the rain passed abreast of the ship the entire port battery was discharged at her, with what effect it is impossible to discover, owing to the darkness.
A red light was shown as a signal of danger, and the squadron was under way in a very few minutes, having slipped their cables.
I ordered the
Preble and
Vincennes to proceed down the
Southwest Pass while I covered their retreat, which they did at fifty minutes past four A. M.
At this time three large fire rafts, stretching across the river, were rapidly nearing us, while several large steamers and a bark-rigged propeller were seen astern of them.
The squadron proceeded down the river in the following order: first, the
Preble, second, the
Vincennes, third, the
Richmond, fourth, the
Water Witch, with the prize schooner
Frolic in tow. When abreast of the pilot settlement, the pilot informed me that he did not consider it safe to venture to turn this ship in the river, but that he believed he could pass over the bar. I accordingly attempted to pass over the bar with the squadron, but in the passage the
Vincennes and
Richmond grounded, while the
Preble went over clear.
This occurred about eight o'clock, and the enemy, who were now down the river with the fire steamers, commenced firing at us, while we returned the fire from our port battery and rifled gun on the poop; our shot, however, falling short of the enemy, while their shell burst on all sides of us, and several passed directly over the ship.
At half-past 9,
Commander Handy of the
Vincennes, mistaking my signal to the ships outside the bar to get under way, for a signal to him to abandon his ship, came on board the
Richmond, with all his officers and a large number of the crew, the remainder having gone on board the
Water Witch.
Captain Handy before leaving his ship had placed a lighted slow match at the magazine.
Having waited a reasonable time for an explosion, I directed
Commander Handy to return to his ship, with his crew, to start his water, and, if necessary, at his own request, to throw overboard his small guns, for the purpose of lightening his ship, and to carry out his kedge with a cable to heave off by. At ten A. M. the enemy ceased firing, and withdrew up the river.
During the engagement a shell entered our quarter-port, and one of the boats was stove by another shell.
I have this morning succeeded in getting this ship over the bar. The
McClellan and
South Carolina are using all exertions to get the
Vincennes off. The
Nightingale is hard and fast ashore on the end of the bar. I have succeeded in reducing the leak of this ship so that our small engines keep the ship free.
This is only temporary, and the ship will have to go to some place and have three planks put in. I have received rifle guns, and placed the 32-pounder on the forecastle and the 12-pounder on the poop.
Could I have possibly managed this ship in any other way than keeping her head up and down the river, I would have stopped at
Pilot Town to give battle, but this was found too hazardous, owing to her extreme length.
The attempt was made, but a broadside could not be brought to bear without running the ship ashore.
I then concluded, as advised, to start for the bar, and trust to the chance of finding water enough to cross.
In narrating the affair of the river, I omitted to state that the ram sunk one of our large cutters, and a shot from the enemy stove the gig.
I am pleased to say that the
Vincennes is afloat, and at anchor outside on my starboard quarter.
Assistant-surgeon Robinson, from the
Vincennes, is ordered to temporary duty on board this ship.
Assistant-surgeon Howell, condemned by survey, will return in the
McClellan.
The Master of the
Nightingale will deliver fifty tons of coal to the
McClellan.
This, together with what I will take out, will, I trust, lighten her so that we can haul her off. Very respectfully,
A National account.
A correspondent on board the
United States sloop of war
Richmond gives the following account of the attack:--
Dear mother: When I last wrote we were at the mouth of Pas à l'outre, with nothing to vary the monotony of our situation but an occasional visit by the rebel steamer
Ivy.
She is a small
Mississippi tow-boat, with one or two guns on board.
She is very fast, as was proven a few weeks ago, when the steamer
Water Witch attempted to head her off. The Ivy was down the
Southwest Pass, about thirty miles from us; the
Water Witch started up Pas à l'outre; the shore people immediately telegraphed
[
181]
around to the
Ivy, when she quickly got under way, as we could see by the smoke which came pouring up thicker and blacker than was wont to be. After running a little way up the pass she stopped.
We now concluded that the
Water Witch would certainly overhaul her in a short time.
We saw the black smoke pouring out in immense volumes, and from its direction we could see that she was bound up the pass at a rapid speed.
The race now became exciting.
The Ivy soon came up so that we could see her from this ship, and we now saw that she had a schooner in tow, and was making very rapid progress up the pass.
We soon saw that they would be able to make the head of the passes before the
Water Witch could possibly do it. In a few minutes the latter commenced firing, and the
Ivy and the schooner both returned it. After a few shots were exchanged in this way, the
Water Witch, all the time running them up the river, finally gave up the chase, and sent boats ashore to ascertain the suitableness of the ground for the location of a battery, and at the same time a boat visited the shores to cut the telegraph; all of which was successfully accomplished, and it was concluded that we were to proceed up the pass to protect the men while so engaged.
We accordingly ran down to the
Southwest Pass, the
Niagara taking our position.
After getting aground once, we succeeded in getting over the bar, and are now at the head of the passes, the
Vincennes,
Preble, and
Water Witch being at anchor near us. We have been visited occasionally by the
Ivy, otherwise we have had nothing to relieve the monotony of our life until yesterday, when the
Ivy came down closer than usual.
Nobody expected her to fire, but could hardly divine what her object might be unless it was to give us a shot, or else to draw our fire, so that they could get the range of our guns, and know where to take up their positions when they send down the flotilla which has been building at New Orleans for the last few months.
While we were speculating thus upon the object of her present visit, and surveying her closely from all parts of the ship, we suddenly saw a puff of white smoke, and soon after a shot struck the water a few yards ahead of us. They fired another, which came nearer, and a third, which was a shell, and burst close to us, scattering the pieces all around.
It made a very disagreeable sound, particularly the pieces, which cane very near us. After they kept bursting near us, and the pieces flying all around, and some of them going away over us, we fired, and so did the
Vincennes and
Preble, but could not reach her. The Water Witch got up anchor and went after them, when they soon travelled up the river with all convenient haste.
This morning there are two in sight up the river, and it is possible that there are more, and probably with heavier armaments.
This is a fine prospect for us; we are not able to reach them, while they can stand off and deliver their shell on our decks without let or hindrance from us. Certainly not a very enviable position.
We have sent off for more guns, but they may not arrive in time to save us from a humiliating retreat or possible capture.
October 13th.-Our worst fears are now fully realized.
About four o'clock on the morning of the 12th instant the much-heard — of Boomerang Battering Ram, or whatever it may be called, came down upon us, but failed in her object, although the blow was a heavy one; she only succeeded in starting three planks on our port bow, producing a very inconsiderable leak.
As soon as she struck they sent up a rocket, and started up the river.
We slipped our cable, and started the engines so as to bring the ship clear, and gave her two or three broadsides.
She was struck, but being iron cased our shell did no damage that we could observe.
As soon as “The ram” sent up the rocket above mentioned, three very bright lights were suddenly burst upon us, about two or three miles up the river — a more grand and at the same time impressive sight we never witnessed.
The night was very cloudy and dark, otherwise “The ram” would not have been able to come so close upon us before being reported by the look-outs.
We were coaling ship at the time, and everybody on deck was wide awake.
I was on watch at the time, and had just come up from the engine room to see to the coaling, when the steamer was reported under our port bow. “Then there was hurrying to and fro, and gathering in hot haste.”
All this was done in an exceedingly short space of time; but when the fire-ships were lighted, we had a good survey of the river, and saw that we had ample time and space to work in. The
Vincennes and
Preble got under way and went down the pass.
The Richmond and
Water Witch remained to reconnoitre and see what could be done.
The fire-ships kept advancing steadily upon us. They appeared to be directed by steamers behind them, so that there was no chance of avoiding them by getting out of the current of the river; and then these ships or rafts were so arranged that by the use of screens we were prevented from seeing what was behind them, or to ascertain what number of armed vessels there may have been.
The wisest course for us seemed to be to go down the pass as the others had done, leaving the
Water Witch at the head to report all that she could see; she, being faster and so much smaller than we, could easily get out of their way, or if one should attack her she could very well defend herself.
She finally came down and reported several gun-boats coming down the pass, some of them quite large.
We kept on down, but to our dismay saw the
Vincennes hard fast upon the bar. The
Preble got safely over.
Soon the
Richmond grounded, and fortunately swung round broadside up stream, so that our whole broadside could be brought to bear upon the advancing enemy.
It is seldom that guns have been worked faster than upon this occasion.
The shots were good, but the enemy kept out of
[
182]
range, and but few struck.
There were seven vessels all told on the side of the rebels, two of them quite large, almost as large as the
Richmond.
They finally drew off and left us to take care of ourselves as best we could.
Fortunately the steamer
McClellan now came up and assisted the
Vincennes, which vessel had been abandoned by her officers and crew, and were all on board of us. They were all sent back, and the commander ordered to throw her guns and all heavy articles overboard.
The
McClellan then came alongside of us, so as to haul us off as soon as the tide would permit, and early this morning we moved off, crossed the bar, and are now anchored outside.
The
Vincennes was hauled off this morning, and is now anchored astern of us. We are in momentary expectations of being run into by “The ram;” the moon is up but the sky is very cloudy, so that such an object as she cannot be distinguished until she is close upon us, and then it is too late to try to move.
Our only hope is the strength of our ship, and I can assure you she was well tested yesterday morning.
This may be my last epistle, for if we are sunk there is but little hope that any of us will be saved; the current is very strong toward the sea, so that our chances in that direction are small.
These are perilous times, and the future very uncertain.
I must mention that on one of the vessels which attacked us was a lieutenant who was in the Mediterranean with us. How soon he has become our mortal enemy, and an enemy to the flag he once swore to defend!
I must now close, and should this be my last, I trust you will have the satisfaction to hear that your son fell at his post doing his duty.
Affectionately, your son,
Joseph.
--
Wilkes' Barre (
Pa.)
Record of the Times, Oct. 30.
Rebel account of the fight.
The New Orleans
Crescent of the 14th of October gives the following account of the attack:
On Friday night, about twelve o'clock, the little fleet left the forts in the following order: The
Manassas leading the way, with orders to go right in among the fleet, and run down the first vessel she could get at, sending up a rocket at the instant she made an attack.
Then came the
Tuscarora, and the tow-boat
Watson with the five barges in tow; these had orders to set fire to the barges the moment they saw the rocket from the
Manassas.
After these were the
Calhoun, Ivy, McRea, and
Jackson, and last was the launch, bringing up the rear.
The tow-boat
Watson was under the command of
Lieutenant Aylette.
The night was intensely dark, and it was almost impossible to see twenty yards ahead.
The
Manassas put on a heavy head of steam and dashed on in the direction where it was thought the enemy were lying.
Suddenly a large ship was discovered only about a length ahead, and before
Lieutenant Warley could have time to fire the signal rocket, into her they went with an awful crash.
An appalling shriek was heard on board of the doomed ship, and the iron steamer was borne off by the current, and found herself in the midst of the enemy's fleet.
The signal rocket was fired, the enemy beat to quarters, and a perfect storm of iron hail was falling upon and around the
Manassas, the machinery of which, it was soon discovered by the commander, had in some manner become deranged.
This was most inopportune and perilous; and the
Richmond, soon observing that something was wrong, began playing upon her with all the power of her guns.
Lieutenant Warley found that only one engine would work, and with that he began working his way out of reach toward shore; but the shot fell thick and fast around and upon the “old turtle,” and her fate seemed hanging on a hair, when the brave little
Tuscarora and the
Watson came up with five barges on fire, and soon cut them adrift on the stream.
Commodore Hollins did not know what had been the result of the firing, neither did the rest of the
commanding officers.
It was too dark to make observations, and he did not wish to risk signals.
So daylight was waited for impatiently.
It came at last, and presented the following picture: The enemy, some miles down, heeling it for the open sea by way of the
Southwest Pass, with one of their ships sunk on the middle ground.
The
Manassas close in shore, among the willows, concealed as well as possible; the
Watson and the
Tuscarora aground on the bank not far off. The
Tuscarora was soon pulled off by the rest, and the fleet commenced a pursuit of the retreating enemy.
They soon came within range, and a heavy cannonade began.
The sunken ship seemed to be in a very bad fix, as she was nearly on her beam ends.
The Richmond drew up on the outside and protected her with her full broadside.
The other vessels of the enemy soon got aground, but near by, and in a great measure protected by the
Richmond's guns.
Our fleet pitched shot and shell into them with vengeance, and our informant tells us that he saw at least two shots hit the
Richmond which were fired from the
Tuscarora, and two or three from the
Ivy. The shots from the
Yankees were all badly aimed, and not one touched any of our vessels, though over five hundred passed all around them.
After continuing the cannonade until about eight o'clock,
Commodore Hollins concluded that the sport did not pay for the powder, and feeling that he had won glory enough for one day, and that the enemy were in a fix that it would take them some time to get out of, he ordered his fleet back to town.
The
Manassas struck the vessel which she ran into near the bow, and cut into her upwards of twenty feet, if we may judge from the fact that splinters, copper, and nails were found in the cracks of the iron on her sides to at least that
[
183]
distance.
She drew off from the collision without trouble, though she undoubtedly twisted her prow badly when swayed to one side by the current, for it is found broken and bent to one side.
The balls which struck her bounded off without effecting any damage, except in one case, when a ball hit on the bluff of the bow and made an ugly, though not serious, dent in the iron.
It is said that the balls from the
Richmond's broadside fell upon her like hail upon a house-top, for a while, but to-day nothing of this can be seen excepting the dent above mentioned.
The accident which happened to her machinery disabled her propeller, and she was, consequently, almost unmanageable, yet it was not of a nature to require more than a day or two to repair.
She went into dock yesterday afternoon at
Algiers.
If that accident had not occurred, she undoubtedly would have sunk the whole of the enemy's fleet.
Abstract of the log of U. S. Ship-of-war Preble.
October 12, eight to twelve, midnight: Saw a large fire inland, bearing W. by N. Twelve to four A. M.: At three thirty saw a very suspicions object drifting down the river.
Beat to quarters.
Our movements detected.
“It” went toward the
Richmond, under her port bow, emitting huge volumes of black smoke.
Afterward the object moved up the river and stopped abeam of this ship.
About twenty-five fathoms distance to them we opened our port battery and fired into it. “She” then moved apparently uninjured up the river.
Then we saw three very large fire-rafts drifting down upon us, towed by two steamers, one of which began to fire upon us; slipped our chain and stood for
S. W. Pass.
The Richmond, at the time of our slipping, was on her way down the river, leaving us in the scrape alone.
Came up with the
Richmond; then the senior officer ordered us to go down the pass.
The fire-rafts soon grounded and seemed burned up. The
Vincennes accompanied us, and
Richmond and
Water Witch astern of us. At six fifteen,
Richmond signalized us to cross the bar. The
Vincennes inside the bar, ashore, and
Richmond also, and the rebel steamers upon them engaged in battle.
We could not go back to assist them.
because of head wind.
At eleven thirty received from the
Water Witch seventy men and six officers belonging to the
Vincennes, which we then learned had been abandoned, and had a fuze set to her magazine, which, when within one inch to the powder, went out, or else the ship would have been blown up into atoms.
Our crew and some of our officers seemed to be very anxious to be in the battle, especially our commander; but as
Captain Pope ordered him off, of course he was obliged to keep away.
None of our men injured, but the
Richmond was damaged.
It was nothing but “
Pope's run,” in my opinion, and nothing else.
