TITLE: Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. / Series I - Volume 24: Naval Forces on Western Waters (January 1, 1863 - May 17, 1863) AUTHOR: United States. Naval War Records Office PUBLISHER: Govt. Print. Off., Washington, 1911 Page A Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to preserve the informational content of the deteriorated original. The best available copy of the original has been used to create this digital copy. It was scanned bitonally at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using ITU Group 4 compression. Conversion of this material to digital files was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1995. This volume has been scanned as part of The Making of America Project, a cooperative endeavor undertaken to preserve and enhance access to historical material from the nineteenth century. Page B FROM THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS zI~/ IA. 506 Rev, Stat. prohibits the withdrawal of this book fLr ho/ne use. 973 Title Page Page R001 OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE NAVIES IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Hon. GEORGE V. L. MEYER, Secretary of the N& vy, BY MR. CHARLES W. STEWART, Superintendent Library and Naval War Records. B~ AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JULY 31, 1894. SERIES IVOLUME 24. NAVAL 13ORCE S O~ WESTEThN WATEI~S FROM JANUARY 1 TO MAY 17, 1863. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 1911 Page R002 r (~ Cj Page R003 CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. VOLUME 1. Operations of the cruisers from January 19, 1861, to December 31, 1862. VOLUME 2. Operations of the cruisers from January 1, 1863, to March 31, 1864. VOLUME 3. Operations of the cruisers from April 1, 1864, to December 30, 1865. VOLUME 4. Operations in the Gulf of Mexico from November 15, 1860, to June 7, 1861. Opera- tions on the Atlantic coast from January 1 to May 13, 1861. Operations on the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers from January 5 to December 7, 1861. VOLUME 5. Operations on the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers from December 7, 1861, to July 31, 1865. Operations of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron from April 4 to July 15, 1861. VOLUME 6. Operations of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron from July 16 to October 29, 1861. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 29, 1861, to March 8, 1862. VOLUME 7. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from March 8 to September 4, 1862. VOLUME S. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from September 5, 1862, to May 4, 1863. VOLUME 9. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from May 5, 1863, to May 5, 1864. VOLUME 10. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from May 6 to October 27, 1864. VOLUME 11. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 28, 1864, to February 1, 1865. I Page R004 IV CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. VOLUME 12. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from February 2 to August 3, 1865. Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 29 1861, to May 13, 1862. VOLUME 13. Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from May 14, 1862, to April 7, 1863. VOLUME 14. Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from April 7 to September 30, 1863. VOLUME 15. Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 1, 1863, to Sep tember 30, 1864. VOLUME 16. Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 1, 1864, to August 8, 1865. Operations of the Gulf Blockading Squadron from June 7 to December 15, 1861. VOLUME 17. Operations of the Gulf Blockading Squadron from December 16, 1861, to February 21, 1862. Operations of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron from February 22, 1862, to July 17, 1865. VOLUME 15. Operations of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron from February 21 to July 14, 1862. VOLUME 19. Operations of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron from July 15, 1862, to March 14, 1863. VOLUME 20. Operations of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron from March 15 to December 31, 1863. VOLUME 21. Operations of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron from January 1 to December 31, 1864. VOLUME 22. Operations of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron from January 1, 1865, to January 31, 1866. Operations of the naval forces on Western waters from May 8, 1861, to April 11, 1862. VOLUME 23. Opeyations of the Naval Forces on Western Waters from April 12 to December 31, 1862 Table of Contents Page R005 TABLE OF CONTEXTS. Page. List of illustrations vii Preface IX XII Order of compilation of Series I xiii, xiv List of vessels of naval forces on Western waters xv Calendar xvi Naval forces on Western waters: Principal events Union reports Operations in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, January 1 to April 30, 1863 391 Joint operations connected with the capture of the Post of Arkansas (Fort Hindman), Ark., January 411, 1863 98127 Capture and destruction of steamers Jacob Musselman and Grampus No. 2, January 6 and 11, 1863 134, 135 Joint operations in White River, including captures at St. Charles, Devall s Bluff, and Des Arc, Ark., January 1219, 1863 153160 Detached expedition by U. S. ram Queen of the West, includ- ing passage of Vicksburg batteries; attack upon steamer City of Vicksburg, and capture of supply steamers A. W. Baker, Moro, and Berwick Bay in and near Red River, February 23, 1863 217224 Capture of cotton by U. S. S. Tyler, February 39, 1863 225, 226 Seizure of steamer W. A. Knapp, February 4, 1863 236239 Joint expedition through Yazoo Pass into Coldwater and Tal- lahatchie rivers, including attacks upon Fort Pemberton (Greenwood), February 6April 12, 1863 243293 Loss of the U. S. S. Glide by fire at Cairo, Ill., February 7, 1863. 305310 Accident to U. S. S. Eastport, February 2, 1863 312314 Seizures, including steamer Rowena, by U. S. S. New Era, in suppression of illegal traffic, February 9, 13, 1863 332336 Disabling of U. S. ram Dick Fulton by Confederates, February 10, 1863 Traffic in cotton, etc., under Army authority, and seizure of steamers Rose ilambleton, Evansville, and Curlew, February 11, 12, and 28, 1863 340350 Attacks upon Federal vessels near Greenville, Miss., and corre- spondence regarding proposed retaliatory measures, February 13 to April 7, 1863 359363, 365-367 Second detached expedition to Red Rivei by U. S. ram Queen of the West, supported by U. S. S. Indianola, including pas- sage of Vicksburg batteries by the latter, February 13; cap- ture of Confederate steamer Era No. 5 and of U. S. S. Queen of the West, February 14; also sinking of U. S. S. Indianola by C. S. ram William H. Webb, captured ram Queen of the West, and steamers Dr. Beatty and Grand Era, February 24, 1863 370397 Joint expedition to Steeles Bayou, Miss., March 14-27, 1563. 474496,498 Operations of the Marine Brigade in the Tennessee and Missis sippi Rivers, AprilMay 29, 1863 529531 Opening of the cut-off between Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers by Lieut. Commander T. 0. Selfridge, April 11, 1863. - 548551 Page R006 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. Naval forces on Western watersContinued. Principal eventsContinued. Union reportsContinued. Passage of Vicksburg batteries by the fleet under Acting Rear- Page. Admiral Porter, April 16, 17, 1863 550566 Loss of U. S. tug Lily by collision with U. S. S. Choctaw, April 28, 1863 585,586 Feigned attack upon Haynes Bluff, Miss., April 29 to May 1, 1863 588599 Joint operations against Grand Gulf, Miss., including bombard- ment of the batteries, April 29, and the evacuation, May 3, 1863 600-630 Operations in vicinity of Greenville, Miss., including attacks upon Federal steamers Era and Minnesota and burning of the latter, followed by destruction of property, May 29, 1863.... 637642 Operations in and about Red River, including occupation of Alexandria and attempted destruction of Fort De Russy, La., May 4 to 17, 1863 645652 Destruction of Confederate fort at Warrenton, Miss., May 10, 1863 664 Joint expedition to Linden, Tenn., May 12, 1863 668, 669 Confederate reports Operations in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, January 1 to April 30, 1863 28, 29 Joint operations connected with the capture of the Post of Arkansas (Fort llindman), Ark., January 411, 1863 128130 Capture and destruction of steamers Jacob Musselman and Grampus No. 2, January 6 and 11, 1863 136, 137 Detached expedition by U. S. ram Queen of the West, including passage of Vicksburg batteries; attack upon steamer City of Vicksburg, and capture of supply steamers A. W. Baker, Moro, and Berwick Bay in and near Red River, February 23, 1863. 224, 225 Joint expedition through Yazoo Pass into Coidwater and Talla- hatchie rivers, including attacks upon Fort Pemberton (Greenwood), February 6April 12, 1863 294304 Attacks upon Federal vessels near Greenville, Miss., and corre- spondence regarding proposed retaliatory measures, February 13 to April 7, 1863 363365, 367370 Second detached expedition to Red River by U. S. ram Queen of the West, supported by U. S. S. Indianola, including pas- sage of Vicksburg batteries by the latter, February 13; cap- ture of Confederate steamer Era No. 5 and of U. S. S. Queen of the West, February 14; also sinking of U. 5. 8. Indianola by C. S. ram William H. Webb, captured ram Queen of the West, and steamers Dr. Beatty and Grand Era, February 24, 1863 398412 Joint expedition to Steeles Bayou, Miss., March 1427, 1863.... 496501 Passage of Yicksburg batteries by the fleet under Acting Rear Admiral Porter, April 16, 17, 1963 566568 Feigned attack upon Haynes Bluff, Miss., April 29 to May 1, 1863 599 Joint operations against Grand Gulf, Miss., including bombard ment of the batteries, April 29, and the evacuation, May 3, 1863 630634 Orders, reports, and correspondence 70971 List of Illustrations Page R007 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. United States steamer Black Hawk Frontispiece. United States hospital boat Red Rover 190 Map of Vicksburg and vicinity 221 Map of operations of Yazoo Pass expedition 2711 Map of route of Steeles Bayou expedition 480 Map of cut-off between Arkansas and Mississippi rivers 551 Sketches of Confederate fortifications at ilaynes Bluff, Yazoo River, Miss. - - 591, 597 Topography of canal connecting Walnut Bayou with Mississippi River 596 Plan of attack on Confederate batteries at Grand Gulf, Miss 609 United States steamer Lafayette. 622 Batteries at Grand Gulf, Miss., captured May 3, 1863 628 Sketch of Fort De Russy, Red River, La 648 Diagram of raft at Snyders Mill, Yazoo River, Mjss -- 712 vi Page R008 Page R009 PREFACE. The work of preparing for publication the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, which was begun July 7, 1884, was organized under the superintendency of Professsor J. R. Soley, U. S. Navy, at that time librarian of the Navy Department, afterwards Assistant Secretary of the Navy. In August, 1890, the work of collecting these records and their clas- sification was ably continued by his successor, Lieutenant-Commander F. M. Wise, U. S. Navy, who, having received orders to sea, was relieved by Lieutenant-Commander Richard Rush, U. S. Navy, in May, 1893. The long-delayed publication was finally authorized by act of Con. gress approved July 31, 1894, and begun by Mr. Rush. The first five volumes were published under his efficient administration, and the important duty of organizing the office for the distribution of these volumes was accomplished. In March, 1897, Mr. Rush, having been ordered to sea, was suc- ceeded by Professor Edward K. Rawson, U. S. Navy, as superintend- ent, under whose able administration volumes 614 were published. Professor Rawson was detached and ordered to the U. S. Naval Academy September 20, 1902, and was succeeded by Mr. Charles W. Stewart. No change is contemplated at present in the outline of the plan of publication as approved by the Department. This plan includes only the use of such material as may be certified to be contemporaneous naval records of the war, which is divided into three series, in the following order of arrangement: I. The first series embraces the reports, orders, and correspondence, both Union and Confederate, relating to all naval operations on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and inland waters of the United States during the war of the rebellion, together with the operations of vessels acting singly, either as cruisers or privateers, in different parts of the world. These reports are accompanied by occasional maps and diagrams. In this series the papers are arranged according to squadrons and flotillas, chronologically; and, as far as possible, the Union reports of any events are immediately followed by the Confederate reports. I Page R010 x PREFACE. II. The second series embraces the reports, orders, and correspond- ence relating to 1. The condition of the Union Navy in 1861, before the com- mencement of hostilities, and to its increase during the progress of the war, including the annual and special reports of the Secre- tary of the Navy and chiefs of the various bureaus. 2. The construction and outfit of the Confederate Navy, in- cluding privateers, setting forth also the annual and special reports of the Confederate Secretary of the Navy and chiefs of bureaus. 3. Statistical data of all vessels, Union and Confederate, as far as can be obtained. 4. Returns of naval and military property captured by the navies of both sides during the war. 5. Correspondence relating to naval prisoners. This series is also arranged chronologically in each of the above sections as far as practicable. III. The third series embraces all reports, orders, correspondence, and returns of the Union and Confederate authorities not specially relating to the matter of the first and second series. It is the intention of the Department to introduce throughout the volumes of the different series illustrations of each class or type of vessels referred to, in order to preserve the identity of these ships as they actually appeared during the war. These cuts have been repro- duced either from photographs of the vessels themselves or from the carefully prepared drawings made from official sources. Much difficulty has been found in collecting the records, for, while the official reports of commanders of fleets and of vessels acting singly are on file in the Navy Department, it is found that the correspond- ence between flag-officers and their subordinates is frequently missing. Without this squadron correspondence the historical value of the work would necessarily be impaired, and the Department therefore has spared no pains to secure the letter books and papers of the chief actors on both sides. These papers have for the most part been obtained, and they have been copiously used in the compilation of the work. The reports of the Union commanders are full and fairly complete. It is to be regretted, however, that the Confederate records are not equally complete, due to the great difficulty found in collecting them, and also to the fact that a large part of the archives of the Confederate Navy Department was burned at the close of the war. Frequent careful searches throughout various parts of the country, conducted by a special agent of the Department, have brought to light many duplicates of these papers, found among the personal files of participants. It is hoped that the publication will revive the interest of participants in the events referred to, and lea Page R011 PREFACE. XI them to bring to the notice of the Department the whereabouts of any papers bearing upon naval operations in the civil war of which they may have knowledge. The twenty-third volume of the records (Series I, vol. 23), which has recently been published by the Department, gives the operations of the Naval Forces on Western Waters from April 12 to December 31, 1862. The present volume (Series I, vol. 24) gives the operations of the Naval Forces on Western Waters from January 1 to May 17, 1863. The reports and correspondence are placed chronologically, with a distinct heading for every paper. In the record of events in which both sides took part the Confederate reports (where they could be obtained) immediately follow the Union reports, while the miscella- neous Confederate correspondence is placed at the end of the volume. Reference to the table of contents will show the context of these Con- federate papers. It is believed that the chronological arrangement of the records, in connection with the full and complete index to each volume, will afford ample means of reference to its contents without other subdivision or classification. In reports of special or single events, in which the papers bear specific relation to those events, the chronological order has been somewhat modified, and such documents have been placed together in the compilation. CHARLES W. STEWART, Compiler. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., April, 1911. NoTE.The following is an extract from the law governing the dis- tribution of the sets comprising the publication (act of Congress approved July 31, 1904): * * * Of said number, six thousand eight hundred and forty copies shall be for the use of the House of Representatives, two thou- sand one hundred and twelve copies for the use of the Senate, and one thousand and forty-eight copies for the use of the Navy Department and for distribution by the Secretary of the Navy among officers of the Navy and contributors to the work. The quotas herein author- ized of said publication for the Senate and House of Representatives shall be sent by the Secretary of the Navy to such libraries, organiza- tions, and individuals as may be designated by the Senators, Rep- resentatives, and Delegates of the Fifty-third Congress, it being the purpose of this distribution herein provided for to place these records m public libraries, and with permanent organizations having libraries, so far as such libraries may exist in the several States and Territories. Each Senator shall designate not exceeding twenty-four and each Rep- resentative and Delegate not exceeding nineteen of such addresses, and the volumes shall be sent thereto from time to time, as they are published, until the publication is completed; and all sets that may not be ordered to be distributed ag provided herein shall be sold by the Secretary of the Navy for cost of publication, with ten per centu Page R012 XII PliEFACE. added thereto, and the proceeds of such sale shall be covered into the Treasury. If two or more sets of said volumes are ordered to the same address, the Secretary of the Navy shall inform the Senators~ Representatives, or Delegates who have designated the same, who thereupon may designate other libraries, organizations, or individuals. The Secretary of the Navy shall inform distributees at whose instance the volumes are sent. The following joint resolution regarding the distribution of the work was approved January 30, 1896: Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to send the undis- tributed copies of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, both of the Union and of the Confederate navies, to such libraries, organizations, and individuals as may be designated before the meet- ing of the next Congress by the Representatives in the Fifty-fourth Congress of the districts whose Representatives in the Fifty-third Congress failed to designate the distributees of their quota of said Official Records or any part thereof, as authorized by the act of Con- gress approved July thirty-first, eighteen hundred and ninety-four, and the joint resolution approved March second, eighteen hundred and ninety-five, to the extent and in the manner and form provided in said act. The fcrllowing is an extract from the act of Congress of IVJay 28, 1896, which increased the edition from 10,000 to 11,000 copies: * * * For printing, binding, and wrapping one thousand addi- tional copies of series one, volumes one, two, three, and four, for supplying officers of the Navy who have not received the work, two thousand four hundred dollars Page R013 ORDER OF COMPILATION OF NAVAL WAR RECORDS. SE1I~IES I. 1. Operations of the cruisers, 18611865. Union cruisers. West India (Flying) Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Wilkes, U. S. N., 18621863. West India (Flying) Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lardner, U. S. N., 18631864. Confederate cruisers and privateers. 2. Operations in the Gulf of Mexico, January to June 7, 1861. Surrender of the Pensacola Navy Yard. Cooperation of the Navy in the relief of Fort Pickens. 3. Operations on the Atlantic Coast, January to May 13, 1861. Cooperation of the Navy in the attempts to relieve Fort Sumter. Abandonment and destruction of the Norfolk Navy Yard. Home Squadron, under Flag-Officer Pendergrast, U. S. N. 4. Operations on the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, 18611865. Potomac Flotilla, under Commander Ward, U. S. N., 1861. Potomac Flotilla, under Captain Craven, U. S. N., 1861. Potomac Flotilla, under Lieutenant Wyman, U. S. N., 18611862. Potomac Flotilla, under Commodore Harwood, U. S. N., 1862-1863. Potomac Flotilla, under Commander Parker, U. S. N., 18631865. 5. Atlantic Blockading Squadrons, 18611865. Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Stringham, U. S. N., May 13 to Sept. 23, 1861, West India Squadron, under Flag-Officer Pendergrast, U. S. N., 1861. Naval Defenses of Virginia and North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Barron, C. S. N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Goldsborough, U. S. N., 1861. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Goldsborough, U. S. N., 18611862. Naval Defenses of Virginia and North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officer Buchanan, C. S. N. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officer Tattnall, C. S. N. James River Flotilla, under Commodore Wilkes, U. S. N., 1862. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. N., 1862-1864. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officers Forrest and Mitchell, C. S. N. *Naval Defenses Inland Waters of North Carolina, under Commander Pinkney, C. S. N. *Naval Defenses Cape Fear River, North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. N., 18641865. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officers Mitchell and Semmes, C. S. N. *Naval Defenses Cape Fear River, North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Pinkney, C. S. N. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Radford, U. S. N., 1865. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Du Pont, U. S. N., 18611863. *Naval Defenses of South Carolina and Georgia, under Flag-Officer Tattnall, C. S. N. *Naval Defenses of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, under Flag-Officer Ingraham, C. S. N. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Dahigren, U. S. N., 1863-1865. *Naval Defenses of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, under Flag-Officer Tucker, C. S. N. Naval Defenses of Savannah, Ga., under Flag-Officers Hunter and Tattnall, C. S. N. XIII * The Confederate material under this head is very scant. It is therefore hoped that those who have any Confederate naval documents upon the subject will communicate with the Office of Naval War Records, Navy Department, Washington, D. C Page R014 XIV ORDER OF COMPILATION OF NAVAL WAR RECORDS. 6. Gulf Blockading Squadrons, 18611865. Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Mervine, U. S. N., 1861. Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer McKean, U. S. N., 18611862. *Mississippi River Defenses, under Flag-Officer Rollins, C. S. N. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer McKean, U. S. N., 1862. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lardner, U. S. N., 1862. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Bailey, U. S. N., 1862-1864. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Captain Greene, U. S. N., 1864. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Stribling, U. S. N., 1864-1865. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Farragut, U. S. N., 18621863. Mortar Flotilla, under Commander Porter, U. S. N., 1862. Lower Mississippi River Defenses, under Coimnander J. K. Mitchell, C. S. N., 1862. *Mobile Defenses, under Flag-Officer Randolph, C. S. N. Trans-Mississippi Marine Department, under Major Leon Smith, C. S. A. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Commodore Bell, U. S. N. (ad interim), 1863. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Farragut, U. S. N., 1864. *Mobile Defenses, under Admiral Buchanan, C. S. N. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Commodore Palmer, U. S. N., 18641865. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Thatcher, U. S. N., 1865. *Mobile Defenses, under Flag-Officer Farrand, C. S. N. 7. Operations on the Western Rivers, 18611865. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Commander Rodgers, U. S. N., 1861. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Flag-Officer Foote, U. S. N., 18611862. *Mississippi River Defenses, under Flag-Officer Rollins, C. S. N. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Flag-Officer Davis, U. S. N., 1862. *Mississippi River Defense Fleet, under Captain Montgomery, C. S. A. *Mississippi River Defenses, under Commander R. F. Pinkney, C. S. N. *Mississippi River Defenses, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N. Mississippi Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. N., 1862-1864. Mississippi Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. N., 1864-1865. *Naval Defenses of Red River, Louisiana, under Lieutenant J. H. Carter, C. S. N. * The Confederate material under this head is very scant. It is therefore hoped that those who have any Confederate naval documents upon the subject will cosmnunicate with the Office of Naval War Records, Navy Department, Washington, D. C Special Index Page R015 UNI TED STA TES VESSELS OF WAR SER VING IN THE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRO N, JANUARYJ TO MAY17, 1853. Name. Rate. Tonnage. Class. Guns. Abraham Alfred Robb Argosy Baron De Kaib Benton Black Hawk Brilliant Carondelet Champion No.4 Chillicothe Choctaw Cincinnati Clara Dolsen Conestoga Covington Cricket Curlew I Dahlia Duchess 2 Eastport Emma Duncan Fairplay Fern Florence 4 Forest Rose General Bragg General Lyon General Pillow General Price Glide Great Western Hastings 6 Indianola Ivy Jamcs Thompson Judge Torrence Juliet Kenwood Lafayette Lexington Lily Linden Little Rebel Louisville Marmora Mound City Naumkeag Petrel Pittsburg Prairie Bird 5 Queen City Rattler ~ Red Rover Romeo St. Clair Signal Silver Cloud Silver Lake Sovereign Springfield Thistle Tuscumbia Tyler William H. Bro Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Third Third Third Fourth.... Third Fourth.... Fourth.... Third Third Third Fourth.... Fcurth. Fourth.... Fourth. Fourth.... Third Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Third Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth. ... Fourth.... Fourth.... Third Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Third Fourth.... Fourth.... Third Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Fouith. Fourth.... Fourth.... Fourth.... Third Fourth.... Fourth.... 800 75 219 512 1,000 902 226 512 115 395 1,000 512 1, 200 512 224 156 196 50 66~ 50 6~ 700 1,200 50 633 127 800 293 511 50 66 157 232 1,000 448 50 177 400 326 207 512 250 226 512 171 212 165 786 175 203 190 236 236 800 146 50 565 575 800 Paddle-wheel steamer 0 Stern-wheel steamer 4 Paddle-wheel steamer 8 Ironclad 14 do 16 Side-wheel steamer 8 Stern.wheel steamer 4 Ironclad 14 Paddle-wheel steamer 4 Ironclad 2 Side-wheel steamer 4 Ironclad 14 Side-wheel steamer 1 do 5 Paddle-wheel steamer 8 do 6 do 8 do 0 Ironclad 10 Side-wheel steamer I 4 Screw steamer (tug) 0 Stern-wheel steamer 6 Side-wheel steamer (ram) 3 Paddle-wheel steamer 1 Side-wheel steamer (ram) 2 do 4 Stern-wheel steamer 6 Side-wheel steamer (ordnance) 3 Paddle-wheel steamer 8 Ironclad (side-wheel and screw) 2 Paddle-wheel steamer 0 I Side-wheel steamer I 1 Stern-wheel steamer 6 Paddle-wheel steamer 6 do 12 Ironclad 8 Tug 0 Paddle-wheel steamer 6 Screw steamer (ram) 3 Ironclad (center-wheel) 14 Stern-wheel steamer 8 Ironclad (center-wheel) 14 Paddle-wheel steamer 6 do 8 Ironclad (center-wheel) 14 Paddle-wheel steamer 8 do 9 do 6 Side-wheel steamer 1 Stern-wheel steamer 6 - . . . .do 4 do 6 Paddle-wheel steamer 6 Stern-wheel steamer 6 Paddle-wheel steamer 0 - .. . .do 6 . . .do 0 Ironclad 5 Side-wheel steamer 10 Paddle-wheel steamer 1 1 Known also as Florence. 2 Known officially as U. S. S. Petrel. Known officially as U. S. S. Hastings. 4 Known officially as U. S. S. Curlew. Known also as De Soto. Known also as Emma Duncan. 7 Known officially as U. S. S. Maniton; later U. S. S. Fort Rindman. Known also as Duchess. Known also as Mary Miller. ~ Formerly Florence Miller. x Page R016 OA~2JWI~AE~ 1863. JANThAE~7~ ERII~ Bun. fri. T. W. T. F. Bat. Bun. M. T. W. T. F. Bat. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21. 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 -- ThA~I~~ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24252627282930 31 MA~CII~ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 x Page A001 Page A002 UNITED STATES STEAMER BLACK HAWK Page 1 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. FROM JANUARY 1 TO MAY 17, 18~3. 7110N W RVOL 2410 Page 2 Page 3 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. FROM JANUARY 1 TO MAY 17, 1863. Operations in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers from January 1 to April 30, 1863. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 1, 1863. Your telegram of 1st received. Received telegram from Colonel Lowe that General Dodge, at Pittsburg Landing, nearly out of rations. Supplies ready at Fort Henry for him. General Grant wishes convoy for supplies; other communication cut off; do all you can; much left to your discretion. Dont be caught by falling water either in Cumberland or Tennessee rivers. Better not go to Madison if you can avoid it now. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Smithland,Ky. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 1, 1863. I have information from pilots and from Captain Fitch that it is impossible for our gunboats to ascend the Tennessee at this time drawing as much water as they do. Captain Fitch has orders to ascend Tennessee with part of his force as soon as rise will permit. Similar application has been made for a convoy up the Cumberland. Captain Fitch has been directed to detail a part of his force for that purpose. Have no boat to send from here at present. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Colonel W. W. LOWE, Commanding, Fort Henry, Temn. Page 4 4 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] JANUARY 1, 1863. Gunboats can not get to Nashville just now; probably there may be water in a few days. Might possibly get within 35 miles of there. Will be two gunboats ready to convoy in case you choose to risk the probability of a rise. LEROY FITCH, Lie uten,a nt-Comm~ander. Maj or-General [H. G.] WRIGHT, Cincinnati, Ohio. Brigadier-General [J. T.] BOYLE, Louisville, Ky. [Telegram.] EVANSVILLE, [IND.], January 2, 1863. Cumberland River reported rising at last accounts. Two gun- boats in readiness to convoy supplies to Nashville. Have transports started? If not, when will they? LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant-Convinander. General BOYLE, Louisville, Ky. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, [KY.], January 3, 1863. It is of the utmost importance that supplies be got to Nashville without delay, and I shall send the boats if they can not get nearer than 25 miles. It will do very well, but they should be pushed to Nashville if possible. I rely on you not only for convoy, but for getting the transports as far up as possible. Let me hear from you again in relation to water in the Cumberland. H. G. WRIGHT, Major- General. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, KY., January 4, 1863. St. Clair and Brilliant here with fuel awaiting orders. General Wright asks for convoy up Cumberland. I have telegraphed him I am ready. J. S. HURD, Gunboat St. (lair. Captain PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Cairo, Ill Page 5 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 5 [Telegram.] Hoi~~ SPRINGS, [Miss.], January 4, 186311 p. m. (Received Cairo, 5th.) Some light-draft gunboats now in Tennessee would be of great value. Forrest has got to the east bank, but there are strong signs of his recrossing in the vicinity of Savannah. Can any be sent? U. S. GRANT, Major-General, Corn ar~ding. NAVAL COMMANDER, Cairo. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 6, 1863. Have already ordered all available boats to ascend Tennessee with the rise. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. U. S. GRANT, Major-General, Commanding, Holly Springs, Miss. [Telegram.] EVANSVILLE, IND., January 5, 1863. The fleet of boats, 14 in all, for Nashville, left here at 4 p. m. Gen- eral Boyle sent orders to have Lieutenant Fitch convoy the fleet; he is not here. Have gunboats at Smithland to-morrow to convoy fleet. F. H. EIIRMAN, Acting Quartermaster. COMMANDING OFFICER GUNBOAT FLEET, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 5, 1863. Have given such orders as I deemed necessary for a convoy for your fleet. Two gunboats have been waiting at Smithland since yesterday. Commanding naval officer will make such arrangements as he deems proper on arrival of the fleet at Smithland. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. F. H. EHRMAN, Acting Quartermaster, Evansville, md. [Telegram.] HOLLY SPRINGS, January 6, 1863. There are said to be large numbers of flatboats and other craft for crossing the Tennessee River hid away at the mouth of streams em Page 6 6 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. tying into the Tennessee. You xviii therefore please request the gunboats, which are reported to be up the river, to use every means for their destruction, that the enemy may be prevented from crossing into West Tennessee and Kentucky. They should proceed up the river as far as the water will permit. Answer if you are in communication with the gunboats and their whereabouts. By order of Major-General U. S. Grant: JOHN A. IRAWLINS, As8i8tant Adjutant-General. Colonel W. W. LOWE, Fort Henry, lienn. [Telegram.] CAIRO, [ILL., January 6, 1863] 6 p. m. General GRANT: Two light-draft gunboats have gone up Cumber- land River as convoys for supplies for IRosecran~s. Two have orders to ascend Tennessee River with rise. The fifth is disabled and now undergoing repair. I have no others to send. They are only bullet- proof. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain of Station. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, that the vessels of the squadron be not detained for the defense of Columbus, Ky. JANUARY 6, 1863. SIR: You will please not detain any of the gunboats for the defense of Columbus. I consider that place amply defended, and if they can not protect themselves they must get more troops. I am well posted with regard to the enemys troops and know that Columbus is not, and has not been, in any danger. I have more work for the boats to do than those here can attend to. Give the commanders of vessels written orders to proceed and report to me wherever I may be and instruct them that they are not to allow themselves to be detained by any army officers unless some position is actually attacked. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi~i~sippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy Fleet Captain, Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] JACKSON, [TENN.,1 January 7, 1863. Colonel IRAwLINs: The following dispatch just received from com- manding officer at Bethel [Teun.]: A man just from Florence, Ala., reports that Roddey has raised the steam- boat Dunbar, sunk by our gunboats last winter, and is trying to fix up he Page 7 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 7 engines; also that Kirby Smiths command crossed the river about there last week, going to reinforce Price. He is vouched for as a Union man and one that is reliable. W. W. SANFORD, Colonel, Go manding Post. JER. C. SULLIVAN, Brigadier-General. [Telegram.] HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss., January 7, 1863C p. m~. All supplies not taken from the Country are now brought from Memphis. Think it advisable to complete railroad to Columbus to get rolling stock on this side and possibly to hold it for short time. Am throwing large supply of subsistence into Corinth. With use of two or three light-draft gunboats the Tennessee can be used. Nothing from Sherman since last dispatch. Will be ready to re- inforce him from Memphis, if necessary. Will move heavy artillery from east bank of river. Is Helena, Ark., in my department? Can have troops at Corinth to operate from there soon as supplies can possibly be got there. U. S. GRANT, Major- General. Major-General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. [Telegram.] HOLLY SPRINGS, January 8, 1863. Can I have gunboats at Memphis to convoy reinforcements to Vicksburg? I will want them by the eleventh. U. S. GRANT, Major- General, Commanding. Captain PENNOCK, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 9, 1863. Will send one light-draft gunboat, bullet-proof, one-fourth manned. I can do no more. Cant you place under the command of her captain soldiers enough to work her guns? A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Holly Springs. [Telegram.] HOLLY SPRINGS, January 9, 1863. There is no gunboat in Tennessee River above Fort Henry. There is 10 feet water and rising. U. S. GRANT, Major-General. Captain PENNOCK, U. S. Navy Page 8 8 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 9, 1863. Two light-draft gunboats have gone up Cumberland as convoy for supplies for General Rosecrans. Two have orders to ascend Ten- nessee with rise. The fifth is disabled and now undergoing repair. I have no others to send. They are only bullet-proof. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain an~ Commandant of Station. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Holly Springs, Miss. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 10, 1863. You will proceed without delay up the Tennessee River and cooperate with the army forces there in such manner as may render you most efficient. If Captain Goudy is near you, pass this order to him and he will also proceed up the river. Acknowledge receipt of this telegram and inform me where Goudy is. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Chief of Staff. JOSEPH MOYER, Comma ~ing U. S. Gunboat General Pillow, Padueah, Ky. [Telegram.] CAIRo, January 10, 1863. Apply for coal to the army at once, and proceed up Tennessee River. Inform Captain Goudy that it is my order that he go up Tennessee also. You will not leave Tennessee River till further orders from me or Captain Fitch. Send for Captain Goudy to go up without delay. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Chief of Staff. JoSEPH MOYER, Commanding U. S. Gunboat General Pillow, Paducah, Ky. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, [TENN.1, January 13, 186310 p. m. (Received Washington, l3th3 :15 a. in.) In order that there may be cooperation between here and our gun- boats, please put me in communication with their commander. I have not as yet been able to communicate but once. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY Page 9 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 9 [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 13, 1863. The Western gunboats are under command of Acting Rear-Ad- miral D. D. Porter, who is now at Vicksburg. You had better corn- inunicate with the captain, A. M. Pennock, senior naval officer at Cairo, Ill., who will cooperate under general instructions from department. GIDEON WELLES. Maj or-Generaj W. S. IROsEcRANs, Mnrfree8boro, Tenn. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting correspondence with Major-General Halleck, U. S. Army, regarding cooperation of gunboats in the Cumberland River. No. 2.] OFFIcE Mississi~ri SQUADRON, Cairo, Iii., January 19, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have no later news from the fleet than that contained in the Admirals telegram of yes- terday. I enclose herewith a copy of a telegram received this morning from C. Goddard, assistant adjutant-general and chief of staff, Murfrees- boro, Tenn., together with my answer thereto. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C. [EnclosuresTelegram.] MUEFREESBORO, January 17, 1863. Captain PENNOCK: General Halleck informs the general command- ing this department that you have 15 light gunboats at Cairo. The general commanding wishes them to be put into service imme- diately on the Cumberland River to patrol, etc.; he also desires the names of the boats and officers commanding them, and a full report of the condition of things in your department. While the water is high in the Cumberland, he wishes the ferry transportation of the enemy to be destroyed as far up the river as possible. Most danger may be expected above Donelson, but good lookout should be kept below. General Halleck also informs the general commanding that 15 more gunboats are in course of construction at Cairo; they will be valuable for convoying transports. C. GODDARD, Acting [A88istant] Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff. CAIRO, January 19, 1863. On the 1st of October last the gunboat service was transferred by an act of Congress from the War to the Navy Department and Rear Page 10 10 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Admiral Porter placed in command, who is acting exclusively under the orders of the Navy Department. This department is his, not mine. I am acting under his orders, and am ordered to report only to him and to the Navy Department. For your information I will state that of the fifteen light-draft gunboats mentioned by General Halleck as being at Cairo three only are here; one of these has smallpox on board; one is nearly useless for want of steam power, and the third is under orders from the admiral. Of the additional fifteen spoken of as now buildivig I have no knowledge. I will send your communication to the admiral by first opportunity. Previous to the admirals leaving he sent up the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers all the force he has to spare, and directed their commanders to cooperate with the army. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. C. GODDARD, Acting [A8si8taiit] Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff, Alurfree8boro, Tenn. [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 19, 1863. General IRosecrans desires a naval force to protect the transports in the Cumberland. Can you not send vessels for the purpose? GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Senior Naval Officer, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] MURPREESBORO, January 20, 1863. Telegraphed you last evening. It is very desirable that a couple of good gunboats should go up the Cumberland and destroy means of crossing as high up as Somerset. How soon can it be done? The Tennessee is navigable to Florence. Please let me know as soon as possible, it being desirable in view of movements of troops. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. Captain A. M. PENNOCK. [Telegram.] CAIRo, January 21, 1863. Last I heard of the Rol% was that she was loading a barge with coal on the 10th instant at Mulford mines Page 11 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 11 Received a telegram day before yesterday from commanding officer of Pillow at Fort Henry that he was out of coal. Supply him if you can. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding U. S. Gunboat Fairplay, Padueah, Ky. [Telegram.] FORT HENRY, January 21, 1863. The services of one of the boats is needed in Tennessee River as soon as possible. JASON GOUDY, Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. S. Alfred Robb. Captains HURD and PERKINS, Gunboats St. Clair and Brilliant, [Fort] Donelson, Smithland, or Paducah. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, January 22, 1863. Can you not fill np yonr gunboat fleet? If necessary I will make details from here. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Cairo. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, January 22, 1863. Please do the best you can for me as to gunboats. Why can not common boats be procured and barricaded, and armed and sent up the river? Can not smallpox boat be cleaned and sent? I can furnish a detail of men if necessary. Very important that I have something to clear out the river. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. Captain PENNOCK. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 22, 1863. Have but two boats at my disposal. One has smallpox on board and the other has not sufficient motive power to stem the current. All other boats now here are positively ordered by the admiral to join him below. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Comma ant of Station. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General, Mur/reesboro, Tenn Page 12 12 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 22, 1863. There are now three light-draft gunboats in Cumberland River. The third, Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, went up last night. Please communicate with him. I can not reach him. He will cooperate and give all the aid he can. I have not men enough left to man a light-draft gunboat. A. M. PENNOCK Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Major-General IROSECRANS, Murfree87wro, Tenn. [Telegram.] MUREREESBORO, TENN., January 22, 1863. I need gunboats to be sent up the river to destroy all means of crossing. Captain Pennock says he has none to send. Have tele- graphed him, asking why common boats can not be procured, barri- caded, and armed, and I will detail men to man them. If boats can be had I will send [Gordon] Granger up there. There is 25 feet of water in the river. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General, Commanding. Major-General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 22, 1863. Three light-draft gunboats now in Cumberland River, two in Ten- nessee. The admiral has ordered all others to join him as soon as possible. One light-draft boat left here now for protection of this place might be sent; have not men to man her; we are paralyzed for want of men. Eastport and Lafayette nearly ready, but without crews. A. M. PENNOCK, Captain and Commandant Statioru. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 23, 1863. It is imperative that more gunboats should be sent in the Cumber- land and Tennessee rivers to protect the transports. Send a steamer immediately with this telegram to Admiral Porter. Two hundred men for the squadron will be transferred from the East in three or four days. GIDEON WELLES, Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Secretary of the Navy. Senior Naval Officer, Cairo, Ill Page 13 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 13 [Telegram.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 23, 1863. I have just learned from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy that an express boat has been sent from Cairo to Admiral Porter, with orders to immediately send gunboats to the Cumberland and Tennes- see rivers. In the meantime it is hoped that Captain Pennock may give you assistance from Cairo. Offer him details of soldiers to man his boats. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Maj or-General RosEcRANs, Mur/reesboro, ]ienn. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 24, 1863. The Silver Lake leaves for Cumberland River to-day. Has short crew. The Lexington, with heavy guns, will also leave to-morrow evening. No more boats to send; with these there will be five in that river. Have sent a telegram from Navy Department to Admiral Porter by dispatch boat. Will do all I can to assist you. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Major-General W. S. RosEcRANs, Murfreesb oro. [Telegram.] MURPREEsBORO, January 24, 1863. I am greatly obliged. Will furnish more crews if possible. Please let me know who is senior officer. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General, Commanding. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Ccuro. N. B.This telegram was received after we telegraphed General R. that Silver Lake and Lexington had been sent to his aid. Instructions from the Secretary of the Navy to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding cooperation with General Rosecrans in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 24, 1863. SIR: Your No. 2, dated the 19th instant, enclosing a copy of a tele- gram received by you from C. Goddard, chief of General IRosecrans staff, at Murfreesboro, and your reply, have been received. General Rosecrans telegraphed the Department that he needed the cooperation of the gunboats in the protection of transports on th Page 14 14 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Cumberland, and asked how he could communicate with the com- manding officer of the Western Squadron. The Department replied, on the 13th instant, that the commanding officer of the squadron was in the Arkansas, but that he could communicate with you at Cairo, who would cooperate with him under general instructions from the Department. It was in accordance with this reply, doubtless, that you were addressed, and although the request for cooperation was not in such terms as more thought would have dictated, yet your answer was not such as the Department desired. It is expected that the Mississippi Squadron will cooperate with the army on every occasion in which its cooperation is required and can be extended, and in an emergency such as that now on the Cum- berland and Tennessee rivers that every exertion will be made to meet it. The Department telegraphed you yesterday that it was imperative that gunboats should be sent to the Cumberland and Tennesse rivers to protect the transports and directed that Acting [Rear] Admiral Porter be immediately advised of the fact, also that ~OO more men for the squadron would be transferred from the East. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Commandant N. M. PENNOCK, Senior Officer, etc., Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] LOUIsvILLE, January 24, 1863. The Quartermaster-General at Washington directs [me] to com- municate with you and to request convoy of gunboats to escort supply vessels up the Cumberland. I have a number of boats at Fort Donel- son waiting convoy. Will you please send two gunboats at once to convoy them to Nashville ~ If they could be kept running between Nashville and Fort Donelson it will save much time and a great deal of expense. Please answer. W. JENKINS, Captain and Chief Quartermaster. The NAVAL COMMANDER. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 25, 1863. Sent yesterday one more light-draft gunboat up Cumberland River, lightly manned. To-day Lexington will go up to remain a few days. Have sent Lieutenant-Commander S. IL. Phelps in her to examine condition of river and report to me its requirements. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy Page 15 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 15 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to report progress in purchase of light-draft steamers. JANUARY 25, 1863. SIR: Please report to me, by every mail, what progress is being made in the purchase of light-draft steamers, and when I may expect them. I see by rebel papers that one of our gunboats and a convoy have been destroyed by Bragg. I hope this is not so. If Lieutenant Fitch has gone up with only one vessel he has disobeyed his orders, as I directed him never to let one vessel go alone, and always to have two vessels together. As rebel accounts are not always reliable, I have placed no confidence in the report. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mis8issippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CLARKSVILLE, January 27, 18G3. Wheelers and Forrests forces are between Charlotte and the [liar- peth] Shoals. The gunboat Lexington was up to Shoals to-day. Had three cannon balls strike her. Rebels were shelled out. They are collecting such supplies as the country affords. Fifth Iowa Cav- alry captured a few of their wagons yesterday and carried them to Donelson. S. D. BRUCE, Colonel, Commanding Po8t. General RosEcRANs. [Telegram.] NAsHviLLE, January 27, 18G3. No gunboats arrived yet. The gunboat Lexington made a recon- noissance from Clarksville to the [Harpeth] Shoals this morning. Was struck three times by enemys guns at B , without injury. We succeeded in driving the rebels out. Twenty-six transports and four gunboats are on their way up to-night. Will arrive some time to-morrow. ROBERT B. MITCHELL, Brigadier- Gen#~ral, Commanding. Major GODDARD, A88istant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff. [Telegram.] FORT DONELSON, January 27, 1863. As we have batteries to contend with along the river, if you please let Brilliant and St. Clair have each a 32-pounder of 2Z hundred Page 16 16 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. weight. There is plenty of room to work them on the boats. I for- ward to you from Paducah letters asking for two more 12-pounders and a 30-pounder Parrott rifle for this boat. Have you received them? I am in the greatest need of more boats; have not enough to convoy with safety one fleet of so many transports. The channel of the river is so narrow. Have in this convoy up some thirty boats, all in single file, which makes a long line to be convoyed with only three boats. Have not been able to communicate with the Robb. Will be down to Smithland as soon as can convoy to Nashville and back the present fleet. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant, Commanding. Captain PENNOCK Commandant of Station. [Telegram.] HAMBURG, January 27, 1863. I have convoyed the Raymond and barge loaded with army stores for Corinth to this point. Her freight is discharged. They have planted batteries over me in two places. In one place, Clifton, four guns, well supported; at Savannah, five guns, supported by 2,000 or 3,000 cavalry. If you have any gunboats that you can send to my assistance to cooperate below, I should like them at once. I intend to fight my way out of the river with the transports. Let me know by telegraph. Respectfully, yours, JASON GOUDY, Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. Gunboat Robb. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 27, 1863. Have received telegram to-day from Lieutenant Jason Goudy, commanding Robb, at Hamburg, Teun., that enemy has placed two guns, well supported, at Clifton, and five guns, supported by 2,000 or 3,000 cavalry, at Savannah, and that he desires assistance. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander S. L. PHELPS, Commanding Gunboat Lexington. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding Gunboat Fairplay. (Care Lieutenant Robert K. Riley, commanding gunboat Silver Lake, Smithland, Ky. Page 17 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 17 [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL.~ January 27, 1863. According to your telegram, it would be hazardous to move with- out aid. Have no gunboats to seud from here. Have telegraphed your message to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch at Smithland. Apply to commanding army officer to send land force to cooperate with you. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Lieutenant JASON GOUDY, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. Gunboat Robb, Hamburg, Tenn. [Telegram.] CLARKSvILLE, January 27, 1863. Matters are quiet here. I have information that they design attack- ing me in force. I would like to have two rifled pieces to put in my forttwo siege guns. There are 30 boats here now and 3 gunboats. One went up last night without reporting. Will send fleet forward to-night unless otherwise ordered. General Granger has not yet arrived. Rebels are on south side of river, near Shoals. Reported 5,000 strong, with eight pieces of artillery. Will keep you advised. I keep strong pickets at Shoals, on this side. Rebel cavalry are on south side, in view. S. D. BRUCE, Colonel, Commanding Post. General ROSECRANS. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Nashville, Lenin., January 28, 1863. Fleet passing Shoals at 1 p. in. without interruption. Colonel [Robert] Johnsons cavalry arrived this evening, considerably run down. ROBERT B. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General. Major-General ROSECRANS. [Telegram.] FORT HENRY, January 28, 1863. Gunboats .Robb and Pillow just returned (G oclock p. in.) from Chick~saw, Ala. Will leave immediately after coaling. JASON GOUDY, Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. S. Alfred Robb. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander, Comma ing Division, U. S. S. Fairplay, Nashville. 7110N W RVOL 2410 Page 18 18 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 28, 1863. Your dispatch received. Will send stores by first boat to Paducab or Smithiand. E. W. DUNN. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Gunboat Fairplay, Fort Doneleon. Approved: A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, approving cooperative action in the Cumberland River. JANUARY 28, 1863. SIR: Your communications, telegrams, etc., have been received. I approve of all you have done in regard to the Cumberland River. You have authority to act as I would do if I was there, and I am sure you will always do what is right. I hope, though, that you will take every opportunity to write to these army officials and inform them that you have no information to give them concerning this department, and that General Halleck has no control here; also, that I dispose of the force under my command. According to my own views, their own blundering gets them into difficulty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding llIi88i88ippi Squadron. A M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station at Cairo, Ill. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding vessels for the up-river station. YAzoo RIVER, January 28, 1863. SIR: Retain the Lexington until further orders on the up-river station. Lieutenant-Commander Shirk will be allowed to select certain officers and men from her, whom he has applied for. You will retain also two of the lightdraft gunboats now at Cairo, to be attached to the up-river fleet. This will be ample for both rivers if properly managed. If the army officers would only notify us when they want a convoy, there would be no trouble. The order about sending the Lexington here is hereby revoked. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi8si88ippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant of ~S1tation, Cairo, Ill Page 19 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 19 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to restrict all vessels from ascending Tennessee and Cumberland rivers without convoy. JANUARY 29, 1863. SIR: You will please direct Lieutenant-Commander LeRoy Fitch, and all the commanders up-river, that they will never permit any vessels to go up the Tennessee or Cumberland rivers unless under convoy, and vessels refusing to obey must be forced to do so. While under convoy, they will conform to such rules as the commanding officer may think necessary to enforce. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. PoRThR, Commanding Ah88z88~ppi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, responding to the Depart- ments enquiry regarding the loss of the U. S. gunboat W. H. Sidell. No. 83.] U. S. Mississi~ri SQUADRON, January 29, 1863. SIR: In answer to your communication, asking information about a gunboat burned on the Cumberland River, I have the honor to state that the vessel mentioned did not belong to this squadron. She ~was called the Sidell,* and was, I believe, an old ferryboat, with a field- piece on her. The army undertakes sometimes to get up an impromptu navy, which generally ends by getting them into difficulty. There are five vessels of this squadron in the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, which are detailed for convoy, and under the management of Lieu- tenant-Commander LeRoy Fitch, who has until the late affair, kept the rivers open, and convoyed all vessels safely through. I shall direct that no army vessels be allowed to ascend these rivers without a convoy, and I have detailed the Lexington and two more light-draft gunboats for the upper fleet. This will make 40 guns on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. There are enough there now (20 guns) to take care of these rivers, but the recklessness of the army quartermasters is beyond anything I ever saw, and they employ persons who half the time are disloyal, and who throw these vessels purposely into the hands of the rebels. If the history of the army quartermasters proceedings out here were published, the world would not believe that there could be so much want of intelligence in the country. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 2JIi88i88ippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. * See Army War Records, Series I, Vol. XX, Pt I, pp. 981, 983 Page 20 20 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 30, 1863. Provisions will leave here for you at Smithland to-night. Lex- ington will leave to-morrow to join you. Will write. have no Par- rott gun nor 32-pounder of 27-cwt. Will 33-cwt. do? A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding Gunboat Fairplay. (Care U. S. Army Officer Commanding Post, Smithland, Ky.) [Telegram.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Wa8liington, January 30, 1863. The construction and control of all gunboats for defense of Western rivers and convoys of transports have, by law and the orders of the President, been transferred to the Navy Department. Requisitions for convoys, etc., must be made by you on Admiral Porter. The Sec- retary of War opposed this arrangement; but it was made, and we can not change it. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Maj or-General ROSECRANS, Zlilurfree8boro, Tenn. [Telegram.] MURFREESBORO, January 30, 1863. Please Communicate with Admiral Porter and inform me what gunboats and towboats can be made available for protection of trans- ports and transportation on the Tennessee and Cumberland. It is important I should know as early as possible. In the meantime hints or suggestions from you may be useful. W. S. RosEciiAxs. Major- General. Captain PENNOCK. Cairo. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, January 31, 1863. The Iiobb joined me yesterday at this place. Nothing very serious up Tennessee River. Have sent the Robb and St. Clair to Paducah to bring up our coal barge. The smallpox is in that place. Have another large convoy to take to Nashville, and one to bring down; no danger of either river being blockaded by the rebels. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant, Commanding. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station Page 21 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 21 Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting copy of report of Lieutenant-Commander Phelps, U. S. Navy, regarding conditions in the Cum- berland River. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 31, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of the report of Lieutenant-Commander S. L. Phelps, whom I sent up the Cumber- land River to ascertain its condition and requirements. I also enclose certain telegrams (copies) received from Major-General iRosecrans and others on the subject. I sent you in my last dispatch a copy of a telegram from General IRosecrans, chief of staff, together with my answer. I now send you a copy of a letter to me from the Department, referring to those tele- grams, which I also sent copies of to Washington. I regret that my action was not approved by the Department. The engine of the Silver Lake has been repaired. I think she must be now ready for service, as the broken machinery (sent here for repair) has been forwarded to her on the 28th instant. The Lexington has left to-night for Smithland with orders to report to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, to whom I have suggested the propriety of assuming the command of her until she is detailed for other duty. The telegrams enclosed and the report from Captain Phelps will, I trust, in the emergency (together with the letter from the Depart- ment), be my excuse for not sending her down to you. The Light-Draft Flotilla is now distributed as follows: Fairplay at Smithland. Robb at Smithland. Pillow to come to Cairo for repairs. St. Clair up Cumberland River. Brilliant up Cumberland River. Silver Lake up Cumberland River. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mi8s~ts8ippi Squadron. P. 8.I should have mentioned that I have also sent a copy of Lieutenant-Commander Phelpss report to the honorable Secretary of the Navy. [Enclosure.] OFFICE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 30, 1883. SIR: In obedience to your order, I proceeded up the Cumberland River with the gunboat Lexington as ville, Tenn., and returned to this place last night. Meeting with a transport that had been fired upon by artillery 20 miles above Clarksville, I at once went to that point and, landing, burned a storehouse used by the rebels as a resort and cover. On leaving there to descend to Clarksville, where I had passed a fleet of thirty-one steamers with numerous barges in tow, convoyed by three light-draft gunboats under Lieutenant-Com- mander Fitch, the Lexington was fired upon by the enemy, who ha Page 22 22 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. two Parrott guns, and struck three times, but the rebels were quickly dislodged and dispersed. I then returned to Clarksville and, agreeable to the arrangement already made by Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, left that place at midnight with the whole fleet of boats, and reached Nashville the following night without so much as a musket shot having been fired upon a single vessel of the fleet. Doubtless the lesson of the previous day had effected this result. From the best information to be had, it appears that the rebels have a number of guns with a considerable covering force extending along Harpeth Shoals, a distance of some 8 or 10 miles. This force can readily operate upon both the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Besides these guns the enemy also has several pieces about Savannah on the Tennessee. No steamer should be permitted to run on either river above Forts Henry and Donelson without the convoy of a gunboat. Lieutenant-Commander Fitch has not at present an adequate force to protect Government transports upon the two streams, and I would suggest the propriety of sending him the Lexington. Her heavy guns have great effect with the rebels, and while they will fire upon vessels immediately under the howitzers of the light-draft gunboats, they will not show themselves where the heavier gunboats are. I have no doubt, with the aid of the Lexington, Captain Fitch will be able effectually to protect all the Government vessels in those rivers. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, - S. L. PHELPS, Lieutenant- Commander. Captain A. M. PENINOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Report of Fleet Captain PenRock, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of Lieutenant- Commander Phelps, U. S. Navy, regarding conditions in the Cumberland River. No.. 9.] OFFICE Mississirrr SQUADRON~ Cairo, Ill., January 31, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith the report * of Lieu- tenant-Commander S. L. Phelps, whom I sent up the Cumberland River in the U. S. gunboat Lexington on special duty to examine the condition of that river and report its requirements to me. The Lexington will be sent up the river again to-night, and will be placed under the command of Lieutenant-Commander LeRoy Fitch, temporarily. That vessel had been ordered by Acting Rear- Admiral D. D. Porter to return to the fleet in the Lower Mississippi as soon as she had conveyed the prisoners captured at the Post of Arkansas to this place and had received some necessary repairs here, but deeming that the emergency of the case would excuse my action, and that the telegrams from the Department and General Rosecrans would warrant it, and knowing that much time must elapse before I could communicate with the Acting Rear-Admiral and receive an answer, I sent her, together with the Silver Lake, up the Cumberland. * See preceding report Page 23 NAVAL FOECE~ ON WESTERN WATERS. 23 I shall endeavor in every way in my power to cooperate with the Army, and I trust that I shall be able to carry out the directions of the Department and Acting Rear-Admiral Porter in regard thereto in every respect. I enclose, also, a copy of a telegram just received from Lieutenant- Commander LeRoy Fitch, which will convey some information. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOcK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C. [EnclosureTelegram.] SMITHLAND, Ky., January 31, 1863. The Robb joined me yesterday at this place. Nothing very serious up Tennessee River. Have sent the Robb and St. Clair to Paducah to bring up our coal barge. The smallpox is in that place. Have another large convoy to take to Nashville and one to bring down. No danger of either river being blockaded by the rebels. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commandant of Naval Station. Letter from Major-General Wright, U. S. Army, to rleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding measures of protection for transports in the Cumberland River. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OP THE Onio, Cincinnati, Ohio, January 31, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to call your attention to the importance to the army service of keeping the line of the Cumberland River be- tween its mouth and Nashville constantly open to use of our steam transports, and request that,if within the naval means at your com- mand, you assign to that portion of the river an ironclad gunboat, plated with sufficiently heavy iron to resist field artillery, to assist in the above object. The Cumberland River, during its present high stage, affords the cheapest and most ready means of supply for the army under General Rosecrans, and the importance of securing the safe passage thereon of the many transports engaged in furnishing any supplies will fully justify such a disposition of a gunboat of the character referred to, if you have one to spare. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. G. WRIGHT, Major- General, Commanding. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Commanding Naval Force8, etc., Cairo, Ill Page 24 24 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 1, 1863. Have sent your dispatch to the admiral. The vessels now under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch to cooperate with you are the Lexington, Fairplay, Brilliant, St. Clair, Silver Lake, and I?obb. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Major-C eneral IROSECRANS, llfurfree8boro, /ienn. [Telegram.] CAIRO, February 3, 1863. Lieutenant-Commander Fitch informs me that he has arranged to leave Smithiand or Fort Donelson every Monday to convoy loaded transports and to return with those which have discharged cargo. He telegraphs me nothing serious up Tennessee River, and no danger of either river being blockaded by rebels with force that he has; Lieutenant-Commander Phelps agrees with him in this opinion. Have sent all your-dispatches to the admiral. As soon as I hear from him will communicate with you. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Major-General iROsEcwxNs, Murfree8boro, lienn. [Telegram.] ME1~1rHIs, TENN., February 3, 186~Y. No gunboat at Memphis. We leave this evening under convoy of ram Switzerland. A. M. GRANT, Captain A. M. PENNOCK. [Acting Ma8ter, U. S. Navy.i Letter from Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Wright, U. S. Army, regarding measures of protection for transports in the Cumberland River. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 4, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 31st ultimo, calling my attention to the im- portance of keeping the Cumberland River open from its mouth to Nashville, and requesting that an ironclad gunboat, sufficiently strong to resist field artillery, be stationed in that river for the protection of transports Page 25 ~TAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 25 There are now five light-draft gunboats (besides the U. S. gun~ boat Lexington, stationed there temporarily) under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Le Roy Fitch, U. S. Navy, to whom has been assigned the duty of guarding the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennes- see rivers and keeping them open. He has instructions from me to cooperate with the Army in every way in his power. He informs me that he has made arrangements for gunboats to leave Smithland or Fort Donelson for Nashville, as a convoy for loaded transports every Monday, and to return immediately from Nashville with those whose cargo may be discharged. I regret that I have no heavy ironclad vessel at my disposal. I will, however, forxvard your letter to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter by first opportunity. I have received a communication from Brigadier- General Boyle to yourself, and referred to me by you, requesting that light-draft gunboats be placed under his orders. The naval officer commanding the Light-Draft Flotilla must be responsible for his command. He has received his orders direct from Rear-Admiral Porter and from myself for his guidance; much, however, is left to his well-known discretion. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Major-General Commanding H. G. WRIGHT, U. S. Army, Headquarters Department of Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting information regard- ing attack by gunboats in cooperation with the Army for the relief of Fort Donelson (Dover), Tenn., February 3, 1863. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 9, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a report of Lieutenant-Commander LeRoy Fitch, U. S. Navy, giving his account of his attack on the rebels who had surrounded and were attacking the post at Dover, Tenn. I had been informed that the enemy were attacking that post, but I felt no uneasiness in regard to the result, for I was sure that the o~un- boats were near Fort Donelson, and that Lieutenant-Commander Fitch would hasten with them to the rescue of those who were so gallantly defending it against a very superior force. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. GUNBOAT FAIRPLAY, Off Dover, flienn., February 4, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 3d instant I left Smith- land, Ky., with a fleet of transports and the gunboats Lexington. Fairplay, Si. Clair, Rriliiant, Robb, and Silver Lake, as convoy u Page 26 26 NAVAL 1~0RcES ON WESTERN WATERS. the Cumberland River. When about 24 miles below Dover I met the steamer Wild Cat with a message from Colonel Harding, com- mandant of the post at I)over, informing me that his pickets had been driven in and that he was attacked in force. I immediately left the transports and made signal to the gunboats to follow on up as fast as possible. A short distance below the town I met another steamer, bringing the intelligence that the place was entirely surrounded. Pushing on up with all possible speed, I arrived here about 8 p. m. and found Colonel Hardings force out of ammunition and entirely surrounded by the rebels in overwhelming numbers, but still holding them in check. The enemy, not expecting gunboats, had unwisely posted the main body of his army in line of battle in the graveyard at the west end of the town with his left wing resting in a ravine that led down to the river, giving us a chance to throw a raking fire along his lines. Simultaneously the gunboats opened fire up this ravine into the graveyard and over into the valley beyond, where the enemy had horses hitched and most probably kept his reserve. The rebels were so much taken by surprise that they did not even fire a shot, but immediately commenced retreating. So well directed was our fire on them that they could not even carry off a caisson that they had captured from our forces, but were compelled to abandon it, after two fruitless attempts to destroy it by fire. After having dispersed the main body of the enemy, I stationed the Robb and Silver Lake below the town to throw shell up the ravine and prevent the rebels from returning to carry off the wounded, while the Lexington, Fairplay, St. Clair, and Brilliant went above and shelled the roads leading out to the eastward. Supposing the retreating forces would follow the river for a short distance, I sent the Lexington and St. Clair on up to shell the woods, harass and annoy them as much as possible, while this boat and the Brilliant lay opposite the upper ravine and threw shells up the roads. About 10 p. m. we ceased firing, with the exception of now and then a .random shell up the roads. At 11 p. in., learning from Colonel harding that the enemy had entirely disappeared, we ceased firing and took position to guard the roads approaching the town. Although much of our firing was at random, we have the gratifica- tion of knowing that scarcely a projectile went amiss, and that out of the 140 buried to-day the gunboats can claim their share. Even when the Lexington and St. Clair went above, many of their shells fell right in the midst of the retreating rebels, killing and wounding many. It is reported that the attacking force numbered some 4,500, with eight pieces of artillery, under command of Major-General Wheeler, Brigadier-Generals Forrest and Wharton. It is certainly very gratifying to us to know that this entire force was cut up, routed, and despoiled of its prey by the timely arrival of the gunboats, and that Colonel Harding and his gallant little band were spared to wear the honors they had so fairly won. At first I regretted that I was not here with the gunboats sooner, but, upon reflection, I do not think I could better have arranged th Page 27 NAVAL F0RCE~ ON WESTERN WATERS. 27 time had it been in my power. Had we been here before Wheeler, he would not have made the attack, but most probably would have marched on Fort Henry. Had we arrived during the day, he would have seen our strength and would have retreated with but little loss. Arriving, as we did, after dark, and when he least expected us, and was so sanguine of success, we caught his forces arranged in the most favorable position to receive a raking fire from our guns. The officers and men were very glad to have a shot at these river infesters, and only regret that they did not remain within reach of our guns a little longer. As it is, they claim the honor of dispersing them and saving Fort Donelson. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH. Lieutenant- Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Commandant of Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] MURPREESBORO, February 3, 1863. Wheelers rebel force attacked Fort Donelson this afternoon. Dont know results. Dispatch messenger to notify fleet of it, and send gunboats down to help if you have them. Fleet left Louisville Sunday night with two brigades. Must be nearly there. W. S. ROSECRANS. Colonel S. D. BRUCE, Clarksville. [Telegram.] CLARKSvJLLE, February 4, 1863. Sent 200 cavalry down. Heard nothing as yet. Cannonading was heard until 2 oclock last night. One gunboat was lying there yes- terday. Harding was notified the day before by messenger from here that they were moving in his direction. Will advise you the moment messenger arrives. S. D. BRUCE, Colonel, Commanding Post. Maj or-General RosECRANs. [Telegram.] MURPREESBORO, February 4, 1863. Colonel Lowe telegraphs from Fort Donelson that they have whipped the cavalry under Wheeler, Forrest, and Wharton. For- rest wounded. Rebels in full retreat. Lowes cavalry following. He says they are out of rations and ammunition and are retreatin Page 28 28 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. toward Charlotte and Shelbyville and that a small force could cap- ture the whole. Look out for them, and do your best to catch them. By order of Major-General Rosecrans: C. GODDARD, Assistant Adjutant-General. Brigadier-General JEFFERSON C. DAVIS, Franklin. [Telegram.] FORT DONELSON, February 5, 1863. Expect to leave for Nashville in the morning early. Gunboats all right; did their duty here and have the satisfaction of knowing that we killed a rebel. LEROY FITCH Commanding. Captain A. M. PENNOCK. [Telegram.] CLARKSVILLE, February 5, 1863. Following is just received from Donelson: DONELSON, [February] 4, [1863]. Your messengers of yesterday, and also the one by Mrs. Sherdin of to-day, are all here. The first were delayed yesterday by the enemy, who about 2 p. in., [February 3], attacked this post with eight guns and a force fully 4,000, under Wheeler, Wharton, Forrest, and Woodward. * * * * * * We killed more than 100 of the enemy and have some 100 prisoners here; with the gunboats and the forces from Colonel Lowe, we got about 200 of them. Our loss is 12 killed and about 30 wounded. * * * We had not more than 800 men; and our artillery ammunition giving out, left us nothing but the infantry, with their rifles and bayonets. Gunboats and a large force of infantry from below are here. A. C. HARDING, Colonel, Commanding. Colonel BRUCE. S. D. BRUCE, Colonel, Commanding Post. General W. S. IROSECRANS. Report of Major-General Wheeler, C. S. Army, commanding expedition. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, February , 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to instruc- tions, I ordered General Whartons and a portion of General For- rests brigades to proceed, with a full complement of ammunition, to the most favorable posltlon on the Cumberland River to interrupt the navigation as far as practicable. I overtook the command after it had passed Franklin, and hastened on to the river to ascertain the state of affairs and the most favorable field of action. I here learned that the enemy, being apprised of our presence on the river, had determined not to send any more boats either up or down the river while we remained in position to interrupt their passage. The scarcity of forage made it impossible for me to remain long on the south side of the river, and all the ferryboats above.Dove Page 29 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 29 had been destroyed. I accordingly had but the alternative to remain idle or attack the force at Dover. After maturely considering the matter, we concluded that nothing could be lost by attack upon the garrison at Dover, and, from the information we had from spies, citizens, and other sources, we had good reason to believe the garrison could be easily captured. We accordingly marched rapidly upon the place by two roads, and arrived in position at about 2 p. m. February 3, and commenced the attack, General Forrest assailing on the east side and General Whar- ton on the west and southwest sides. I marched to the ground with General Forrests command, but, after getting him in position, I moved to General Whartons brigade, which was the largest, to hasten him into action. * * * * * * Just as I left General Forrest to assist General Wharton, General Forrest, thinking the enemy were leaving the place, and being anxious to rush in quickly, remounted his men and charged the place on horseback. The fire from the enemy was so strong that he was repulsed and obliged to retire. He then dismounted and ad- vanced on foot. His men took and occupied the houses on the east side of the town, and had a plunging fire of musketry on the enemy. At this moment the enemy commenced running out toward the river, and our men in the houses seeing this, and thinking it to be a move- ment on our held horses, abandoned their favorable position and rushed back to protect them. But for this accident the garrison would have surrendered in a very few minutes. General Forrest then withdrew and discontinued the action. * * * * * * * * * * After carefully surveying the works and the garrison, we finally concluded they were too strongly posted to continue the attack any further that night with success. At this time reinforce- ments had attacked our guards, and a large, force (not less than 5,000 strong) were moving rapidly up the river in transports, guarded by gunboats. At 8 oclock, the enemy having ceased firing an hour before, and we being directly in front of their works, concluded, considering all the circumstances, that it would be better to retire. Accordingly we moved off in an orderly manner, the enemy not firing a gun. After mounting we moved off slowly, and the gunboats commenced a heavy fire, without any effect whatever and without causing a man to in- crease his gait from a slow walk. * * * The following day I learned of the force sent out to intercept our return, and after sending out scouts and finding the force was ad- vancing on our front, while the 5,000 men in my rear were enabled to land at any point and attack, we concluded, considering the state of our ammunition, it was our duty to move south of Duck River to replenish. We accordingly sent a scout by way of Charlotte to de- ceive the enemy, while, with the remainder of the command, I moved over the river at Centreville. * * * * * * * Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant, JOSEPH WHEELER, Major-General and Chief of Cavalry. Colonel GEORGE WILLIAM BRENT, As8ktamt Adjutant-General Page 30 30 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] FORT HENRY, February 8, 1863. Wheelers force took to the right of Charlotte and marched for Columbia; then marched rapidly and left no force between here and Nashville. Six gunboats and fleet have arrived at Donelson from Nashville. Tennessee about 15 feet. W. W. LOWE, Colonel, Commanding. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Department of the Cnmberland. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding convoy of trans- ports in the Cumberland. U. S. GUNBOAT FAIRPLAY, Smithiand, Ky., February 9, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report my return from Nashville, having landed in safety at that place with some 45 steamers. This makes 73 steamers and 16 barges we have convoyed safely through to Nashville since the river has been navigable for our boats. In this I have not counted the first convoy, as there was not water enough to get through. Counting the first convoy, we have taken through to Nashville over 100 steamers, all deeply loaded. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commandant Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, IiI~., February 9, 1863. Our coal is about exhausted have not enough left to run us back to Nashville. Am I authorized to get the two barges I spoke of before? LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant-Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commandant of Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., Februa~~y 9, 1863. You can purchase one barge of coal. Mr. Boggs has made arrange- ments for two barges of coal to be left at Smithland. Have you sent a boat down for howitzers? A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain, Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding U. S. S. Lexington, Smithland, Ky Page 31 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 31 [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, Ky., February 9, 1863. Have sent the St. Clair after the guns, etc. Also sent the Silver Lake to Paducah to leave her smallpox patients. Captain Riley will telegraph you from Paducah if there is no smallpox hospital at that place. If you send him to the hospital near Cairo, please let her return without a moments delay. LEROY FITcH, Lieutenant- Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commandant of Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 9, 1863. The Secretary of War directs that Brigadier-General Ellet be per- mitted to recruit for his Ram Fleet from the convalescents in your department. The men so recruited by him will be discharged from their regiments. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Major-General HoRATio G. WRIGHT, Cincinnati, Ohio. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 10, 1863. St. Clairs boilers leak and fire fronts need repair. Will try to get her off by to-morrow night. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding Gunboat Lexington, Smithland, Ky. [Telegram.] MURFREESBORO, [TENN.], February 10, 1863. Cant we get three gunboats and four transports up the Tennessee in ten days to intercept Van Dorninfantry to come from Corinth or Donelson and Henry and Nashville? Please answer. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Care General [I?. Bj Mitchell, Nashville, Tenn. [Endorsement.] This telegram not received till the 17th Page 32 32 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] MURPREESBORO, Fe & mtary 11, 1863. The general commanding desires you to send a gunboat to mouth of Stones River, to destroy ferriage at that p1 ace. Colonel [William] Truesdail, chief of army police, Nashville, will furnish a man to show where boats are concealed. C. GODDARD, A88i8tant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff. Lieutenant-Commander FITCH, or Senior Officer Commanding Gunboats. Noi~xStones River is about 20 miles above Nashville. The gun- boats frequently visited the place and above, hunting for ferries and flats. Those in Stones River can not be gotten at by gunboats; it is not navigable. If Colonel Truesdail knew the whereabouts of those flats, it was his duty to destroy them. [Telegram.] MURPREESBORO, TENN., February 11, 18634:20 p. m. The enemy will direct all its operations to interrupt our connection. To prevent this it is absolutely necessary to patrol the rivers. Infor- mation in the possession of the commanding general and post com- manders must be promptly acted upon. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary to have the gunboats which cooperate in that work directed to report to and receive instructions from the general commanding, or, in his absence, the commanders along the river districts. The officers commanding gunboats express a willingness to cooperate with the department, but in order to make their aid effective and prompt, such arrangements should be made. W. S. ROSECRANS Major- General, Commanding. His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. [Telegram.] EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, February 12, 1863. Your dispatch about river patrolling received. I have called the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of War, and General-in-Chief together and submitted it to them, who promise to do their very best in the case. I can not take it into my own hand without producing inextricable confusion. A. LINCOLN. Maj or-General ROSECRANS, Murfreesboro, /ienn Page 33 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 33 Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting reports of opera- tions in the Cumberland River. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Iii., February 12, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of the report * of Lieutenant-Commander LeRoy~ Fitch, U. S. Navy, giving an account of the attack of the gunboats under his command on the rebels who had surrounded and were attacking the post at Dover, Tenn. I also enclose a copy of his lettert to me, stating the number of transports convoyed by the boats of the light-draft flotilla since the water has been sufficiently high, and a copy of my communication of the 9th instant, to the honorable Secretary of the Navy, enclosing copies of the above report and letter, knowing that you would desire him to receive the information conveyed therein as soon as possible. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mi88i88ippi Squadron. [Telegram.] WASHINGTON, February 12, 1863. Send orders to the senior naval officers in the Tennessee and Cum- berland rivers, respectively, to put themselves in communication with General Rosecrans and afford every assistance in those rivers. He complains of the want of cooperation on their part. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Commander A. M. PENNOCK. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, Ky., February 12, 1863. Please notify the steamers lying at Dover to have steam up and prepared to start up the river on my arrival there. I start imme- diately. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Colonel HARDING, Commanding the Post at Dover, Cuinberland River. * See p. 25. t See p. 30. 7110N W RVOL 2410 Page 34 34 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN XVATERS. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphi8, Tenn., February 13, 1863. It is of great importance that a gunboat be sent up the Tennessee as far as Florence or Eastport, if possible. Van Dorn is moving on that point, but has been delayed by our cavalry. S. A. HURLBUT. Captain PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Cairo. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, February 13, 1863. Please send two gunboats up Tennessee as far as Florence. Van Dorn, with a cavalry force, will probably try to cross at Eastport or Florence. W. S. ROSECRANS, Captain PENNOCK. 211 a~or-General. [Telegram.] DOVER, February 13, 1863. The gunboats leave here to-night with the fleet of transports for Nashville. We will return here as soon as possible. How much water in the Tennessee? Will notify you by telegraph on our return here. LEROY FITCH, Lieu tenant Cbmmander. Colonel LOWE, Commanding f~rce8 at Fort Henry, Tennes8ee River. [Telegram.] DOVER, [TENN.7f, February 13, 1863. Follow us on up without a moments delay. LEROY FITCH. Captain HURD~ Commanding Gunboat St. Clair, Smitidand, Ky. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL.~ Fe braary 14, 1863. Have just received the following from Major-General Rosecrans at Murfreesboro: Please send txvo gunboats up Tennessee as far as possible to clean out everything as far as Florence. Van Dorn, with cavalry force, will probably try to cross at Eastport or Florence Page 35 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 35 Have asked him to communicate with you, and informed him that you would cooperate to the best of your ability. A. MI. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding U. S. Gunboat Fairplay. (Care IJ. S. Army Officer Commanding, Nashville, Tenn.) [Telegram.] CAIRO, February 14, 1863. All the gunboats for protection of Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, six in number, have left Smithiand for Nashville to convoy transports. Please communicate with Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, who will soon arrive at Nashville, if not there now. He has instruc- tions to cooperate with you to the extent of his ability. A. MI. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain, etc. Major-General ROSECRANS. [Telegram.] MEMPHIS, February 15, 1863. Van Dorn is crossing at Lambs, Bainbridge, Florence, and Seven- Mile Island on flats. It will take him ten days. A gunboat sent up there will cut his column in two. I urge you to do it at once. Please answer. S. A. HURLBUT, Major- General, Commanding. COMMANDING OFFICER Naval Forces, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL.~ February 15, 1863. Just received your telegram. Have sent it to Captain Fitch, with instructions to give all assistance in his power and send two gunboats, if possible. A. MI. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Maj or-General HURLBUT, Memphi8, Tenn. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL.~ February 15, 1863. Just received telegram from Memphis from Major-General Hurl- but: Van Dora is crossing at Lambs, Bainbridge, Florence, and Seven-Mile Island on flats. It will take him ten days. A gunboat sent up there will cut his column in two. I urge you to do it at once. Please answer. HIJRLBUT, Major-Gen,cru.i Page 36 36 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. I wish two gunboats dispatched, if possible, and cooperate with the army to the extent of your ability. Look out for falling water in the Tennessee; the boats must not be caught. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Statwn. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY I9 ITCH, Commanding U. S. Gunboat Fairplay. (Care U. S. Army Officer, Commanding Post, Nashville, Tenn.) [Telegram.] MURFREESBORO, Feb rvary 15, 1863. It is of the utmost importance that you should patrol river with gunboats, as follows: One or two should make a patrol up the river as high as Carthage, [Teun.]. Rebels are building gunboats up that way to use in operating against us; two others should patrol between Donelson and Nashville. XV. S. ROSECRANS. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding Gunboats. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, , [1863]. * * * We ought to have a steady patrol between Donelsoii, Nashville, and between Nashville and head of navigation. Strong efforts will be made to cut the river line between Nashville and Dover Shoals. W. S. ROSECRANS. [Endorsement.] The boats are now patrolling the river between Donelson and Nash- ville in the most effective manner, at the same time giving convoy to transports. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding general matters at Cairo, Ill. OFFICE Mississwri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 16, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith sundry telegrams rela- tive to sending gunboats up the Tennessee River to prevent Van Dorn from crossing and to sever his column. I have instructed Lieu- tenant-Commander Fitch to send two gunboats in that direction if possible and to give all the aid in his power, taking care not to be caught by falling water Page 37 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 37 I last night sent the gunboat Springfield to joint the upper fleet, with orders to her captain to ascend the Cumberland River and re- port to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch for further orders on meeting with him, if there was a gunboat at Smithiand about to ascend the river, which he could accompany; otherwise to await Captain Fitchs arrival at Smithland and report to him then. I had intended to have informed the superintendent of the Coast Survey Office that the Curlew was here awaiting his disposal, as di- rected by you, she being the last stern-wheel boat from Cincinnati. As, however, you direct that the two stern-wheel boats now here be sent down, she has been fitted out with all dispatch and will leave early to-morrow morning. The General Lyon and New National have arrived with mails, prisoners, etc. I have delivered the prisoners to the military authori- ties at this place, taking a receipt for them. The New National brought the news that the Juliet, which left on the 13th instant, was aground about ~0 miles below Island No. 10. I immediately gave orders to have the Prairie Bird prepared for sea with all dispatch and sent her to the assistance of the Juliet. Mrs. Duncan, men- tioned in my communication by the last opportunity, and Paymaster Dunn, who was on his way to the fleet, returned on the New National. They will both, however, take passage on the Curlew. I trust that the Juliet is before now afloat and on her way. The commanding officer of the Prairie Bird, after towing off the Juliet, has orders to proceed down the river and report to you. The Eastport is at Mound City waiting to go on the ways, which she can not do until the 0 sage is launched, which will, I am informed, be in two days. I send by this opportunity a muster roll and descriptive list which has been sent here without signature. I respectfully request that it be returned to the vessel xvhence it came, to be signed. I have received your communications lip to and including the 9th instant. Your directions therein contained shall be carried out with all possible dispatch. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. [Telegram.] MURFREESBORO, February 16, 1863. None of the gunboat commanders have yet reported to me either their arrivals or departures, nor given me any idea of what they pro- posed to do or not to do. My command requires the nse of these or some other boats, and unless something more can be done than I have yet seen, the interest of the country will suffer very greatly. I do not hesitate to say that were it not for the hope of some more effectual cooperation I should at once purchase common transports and try to use them to patrol the river above Nashville at least. Pray do no Page 38 38 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. suppose I venture yet to blame the commanders of the gunboats. I can not say what may be the preventing circumstances. But the necessities are above stated. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. Captain PENNOCK, Cairo. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Mur/reesboro, February 16, 1863. Lieutenant Fitch has gone down the river with the fleet. You can telegraph him at Clarksville or Paducah. W. S. IROSECRANS, Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Major-General. Commanding Station of Cairo. [Telegram.] MURFREESBORO, February 16, 1863. Have received no answer to my dispatch of last night. Will you communicate with me? It is of importance to the service that the gunboats visit Carthage immediately and destroy the boats building up Caney Fork, if possible; also that there should be a steady patrol up and down the river from Nashville for a ~hort time at least. NY. S. ROSECRANS, Lieutenant LEROY FITCH, Major-General. Commanding Gunboats, Nashville. Letter from Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. navy, to Major-General Rose- crans, U. S. Army, regarding arrangements for cooperation. U. S. GUNBOAT FAIRPLAY Nashville, Iienn., Feb~ ary 16, 1863. SIR: Your telegram of yesterday received. You mention two others sent me. I have not received them. I am sorry to say that it will be out of my power to comply in toto to [with] your suggestions in regard to the dispositon of the gun- boats. I can comply in part. I have but five boats at present able to run. With these five I have three rivers to guard, the Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland. I have therefore made the following arrangements, hoping to meet the emer- gencies on this and the Tennessee river. I have withdrawn all the boats from the Ohio and placed them to convoy supplies, etc., to this place. I leave Smithiand with a convoy once a week. On arriving here I detach two boats to go o Page 39 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 39 up and patrol while the convoy back is being arranged to go below. These boats that go above will go to Carthage and beyond. This will keep me in constant communication with all the boats, and enable me to concentrate them all at any one point in case of necessity. At the same time the river will be kept open and clear of ferries and flats all this distance, besides giving me a chance to make a trip every week or so up the Tennessee to keep it open. l~Tere I to have two boats above Nashville and two below I would have but one left, which would be of little service, as none of them are calculated to contend against anything but musketry, yet by hav- ing a number together they can drive oil a very heavy field battery. It would not be safe to start with these three large fleets of trans- ports, numbering sometimes as high as forty-odd steamers, with less than five or six gunboats, as the river is so narrow and the line neces- sarily so long that the enemy could make a dash, capture and set fire to a transport before a gunboat could reach the place, if there were only two or three convoying. By the arrangement I have made, I can give safe convoy to the transports once a week, run txvo boats to and above Carthage, and at the same tiuie visit and keep the Tennessee open. I am very anxious to make a trip up the Tennessee this time down, as it is reported the rebels are throwing up some pretty strong batter- ies at or near Duck River, with an idea to close the river. Besides, they have a steamer that they are fitting up, and it is very important that we destroy her before she does us any damage or makes any demonstration on Fort 1-lenry to aid Forrest. Some steamers passing down the other day without convoy were fired into by guerrillas. I would therefore respectfully recommend that no more steamers under your supervision be permitted to run either up or down without convoy, as they are liable to be captured and burned. As long as these guerrillas can succeed in. capturing a steamer now and then they will hang round the river, but when they find that all are convoyed, they will, through lack of success, abandon the river entirely. As there is a safe convoy down once a week, steamers will not have to wait here over a few hours. -for by the time one fleet is discharged and ready to start back another arrives and the gunboats are ready to return. As I have made these arrangements to meet all emergencies, to the best of my ability, I sincerely trust that they will meet your ap- probation, and that I will be able, with the present limited number of boats at my command, to give general satisfaction amid security. Hoping to hear -from you in regard to this matter on my return, I remain, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant-Comm1ander. Maj or-General ROSECRANS, AIurfree~boro, Tenn. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, February 17, 1863. Your letter received this evening; the arrangements very satis- factory Page 40 40 NAVAII FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Hope you will be able to carry out directions of Captain Pennock for the Tennessee River. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH Commanding Fleet. [Telegram.] S1VUITHLAND, February 17, 1863. Your telegram received. I will start up the Tennessee by daylight in the morning with four gunboats. Will stop at Fort Henry if you wish to send transports with in- fantry. Will await an answer from you at Fort Henry. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. M?ajor-General W. S. RoSEcRANs. Noit.Called at Fort Henry for telegram, but found none. Heard that Van Dorn was crossing above and hurried on up with the gun- boats. [Telegram.] MURFREE5BORO, February 18, 1863. Fitch, with four gunboats, starts up the Tennessee to-day. If you have any idea infantry will do any good, you had better send them to Hamburg to meet the boats. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. General DODGE, Corinth, lJfis8. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, February 18, 1863. I leave for up the Tennessee in a few minutes. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding cooperation with the Army in Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. No. 20.1 OFI~ICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 18, 1863. Sm: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 12th instant, relative to more effective cooperation of the gun- boats of the Mississippi Squadron with Major-General Rosecrans Page 41 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WAT ES. 41 My orders, both by letter and telegram, to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch have been, and are, to cooperate with the Army to the utmost extent of his ability. I have received several communications from General iRos crans on the subject, and enclose herewith a copy of the last one (a telegram), from which it appears that he is entirely satisfied. I beg leave most respectfully to assure the Department that I shall continue to avail myself of every means in my power to cooperate with, and afford assistance to, the Army. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Comqnandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C. [Telegram.] MURFREESBORO, February 20, 1863. We have sent two gunboats up the Cumberland, to go beyond Carthage and up Caney [Fork]. We have also a combined cavalry and infantry expedition operating in that direction from here. Mor- gan may be in that direction. W. S. IROSECRANS, Major- General. Brigadier-General BOYLE, Louis rule. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, February 22, 1863. Direct the operations of your two gunboats so as to protect and assist General Crook in his expedition up the Cumberland River. It is desirable that your movements be governed by his plans. W. S. IROSECRANS, Major- General. SENIOR OFFICER OF GUNBOAT, Ccue of General Crook. [Telegram.] MUREREESBORO, February 22, 1863. Proceed up the river and you will meet the two gunboats already there. Will give gunboat instructions through you. Think it would be expedieiit to go to Celina, and, taking ample provisions, operate by way of Livingston, Jamestown, Fentress County, [Teun.], and Monti- cello, [Ky.], to Normans Landing. You will have to watch the river that. it does not get too low, and use your best judgment as to your course. W. S. IROSECRANS, Major- General. Brigadier-General CROOK, Nashville, Tenn Page 42 42 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Letter from Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, to Brigadier-General Dodge, U. S. Army, regarding the movements of Van Dorn. U. S. GUNBOAT FAIRPLAY, February 22, 1863. GENERAL: i[ have just received your letter of the 21st instant. I am sorry to say that Van Dorn has already crossed the river. Most of his force crossed above Big Muscle [Great Mussel] Shoals, where we could not reach him with gunboats. He has about 5,000 cavalry and is now with Wheeler and Forrest at Columbia. There are some gtierrillas on the opposite side of the river from Florence, back from the river about 2 or 3 miles. I have destroyed all flats or ferries as high up as I could get, about 6 miles above Florence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Brigadier-General GRENVILLE M. ~ Gunboats. Corinth, Miss. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL.~ February 23, 186311 p. m. Have heard nothing. Gunboats have gone up Tennessee River. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. STEPHEN A. HURLBUT~ Major- General, Commanding, Memphis, Tenn. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, in view of complaints of lack of cooperation in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. No. 122.1 U. S. Mississir~i SQUADRON, Ya~oo River, February 23,1863. SIR: Captain Pennock sent me an extract from a letter of the Department, mentioning that General Rosecrans complained that tile naval vessels did not cooperate on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. This is very unjust to the Navy, and I feel it my duty to protect the officers under my command from such aspersions. Gen- eral Rosecrans is very exacting, and at times imperious, forgetting what is due to the Navy Department, which is straining every nerve to carry out the wishes of the War Department. Lieutenant-Commander Fitch has convoyed safely to Nashville over 100 steamers laden with army stores, and many barges. No vessels have been lost while under the charge of the Navy, and the four or five sanitary vessels that were lost some time since was owing to non- compliance with my orders on the part of the quartermaster, which order forbid any vessel from entering Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, except under charge of a gunboat. I explained this matter in a former letter to the Department Page 43 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 43 The army at Nashville, some 50,000 men, do nothing to keep open the line of commnnication betwen that city and the month of the river. Clarksville, Donelson, Dover, and Eddyville, on the Cumberland, if properly fortified would break np rebel raids below Nashville, but nothing of the kind has been done. The rebels are allowed to roam about and erect batteries on the river which the gunboats have to silence. The report of Lient. Commander LeiRoy Fitch, forwarded to the Department by Captain Pennock, will show the Department how valuable are the services rendered to the army by onr little fleet on the Cumberland River, for which the officer who would have been com- pelled to surrender Fort Donelson but for the Navy, did not think proper to make an adeqnate acknowledgment. So it is in all matters of this kind, which I dont notice in any way, though I mention it to the Department which feels the same interest that I do in the fame of onr Navy. I am well aware of many movements of the enemy which General iRosecrans does not know of, and endeavor to meet them. When our vessels increase in nnmber, we will line the rivers if necessary. With an army of 29,000 men on this river doing nothing, I have to protect the whole line of river against the guerrillas, and am called on to send a gunboat to convoy 10,000 troops, with abundance of ar- tillery. I dont complain of this. I am ready at a moments notice to convoy them, and glad to keep them nnder the sheltering wing of the Navy. I only mention it to show how unjust these army generals are in their complaints. No person ever exerted himself more than Captain Pennock has since I left Cairo; he is always on the alert to anticipate the require- ments of army men. Notwithstanding discourteous orders received from subordinate officers, he has complied instantly with the reqnests as far as lay in his power, though he could not help feeling that due deference had not been paid to the Department over which you preside. I never complain of these matters to the generals; my aim is to serve the public and not stop to raise points; still I think I can, with pro- priety, mention these things to the head of the Navy, that he may understand that we are exerting ourselves to the utmost. If I was to remain silent it would be assenting to the charge of not cooperating heartily. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding AIi8si~sippi Sqnadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the IVavy, TVashington. [Endorsement.] Approve of the general course pursued by both yourself and P. Appreciate your feelings and value the vigilance, energy, and efforts of the whole naval force, etc Page 44 44 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 24, 1863. Paymaster Boggs informed me that two barges were ordered to be left for you. Buy what coal you need. Telegraph me a summary of your proceedings up Tennessee River. Seud it iu cipher if you deem it proper. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant- Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding U. S. Gunboat Lexington, Smitliland, Ky. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 24, 1863. Detach Acting Ensign [James] Marshall from the Lexington and order him to Cairo to report to me without delay. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding Lexington, Smithiand, Ky. [Telegram.] SMiTIILAND, Ky., February 24, 1863. Your telegrams received. Will send detailed report of proceed- ings up the Tennessee by Acting Ensign Marshall. I caught a rise in the Tennessee and got 6 miles above Florence. Van Dorn crossed most of his forces above, the shoals out of our reach. Chased the Dunbar above Big [Great] Mussel Shoals. She can never get below again. Clifton was burned by our forces from Lexington. Brought down and turned over to provost-marshal at Paducah 55 guerrillas; also brought out some 40 familiesrefugees. Found guerrillas oppo- site Florence. Force gone from Corinth to catch them. LEROY FITCH, Lientenant-Comqnander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. Detailed report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding opera- tions in the Tennessee River from February 18 to 24, 1863. U. S. GUNBOAT FAIRPLAY, Smithl and, Ky., February 24, 1863. SIR: I left Paducah on the 18th instant and proceeded up the Ten- nessee with the gunboats Lexington, Fairplay, St. Clair, Brilliant, and Robb. Just above Fort Henry we met a rise, which enabled the boats to go on up the river without hindrance. It was reported that the rebels had batteries at Clifton, but when we arrived there early in the forenoon of the 20th, I found the town in flames and our forces from Lexington in possession. They had managed to find a ~mall flat somewhere during the previous day, and during the night Cap Page 45 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 45 tam Newell managed to cross a squad of some t50 men unobserved by the enemy. Just before day the town ~was surrounded, and the guer- rillas completely surprised. Most of them were taken before they got out of bed. By request of Captain Adamson I lay by and as- sisted him back across the river. I also took his prisoners, numbering 54, on board the gunboats, as he had little means of getting them to Lexington. After getting on board the prisoners 40 of his men were taken on board the gunboats and landed on Eagle Nest Island, where it was reported the rebels had stores, but we did not find any. It took till after dusk to land his men on the mainland again, when the gunboats proceeded on up the river. As it was reported that bat- teries were planted at Tuscumbia Landing, and the weather being so stormy and bad as to prevent the boats from running at night, I stopped at Chickasaw about 3 in the afternoon of the 21st and lay up that night, the distance being too great for me to make Tuscum- bia Landing before dark or find any suitable place to tie up between the two points. We found no batteries alon~ the river, but saw some guerrilla cavalry on the hills between Chickasaw and Florence. We arrived at Florence before noon, and found some rebel cavalry pickets opposite, but they soon disappeared. I sent the St. Clair, Brilliant, and I?obb on up to the foot of Big [Greati Mussel Shoals, about G miles above, with the hope of catching the Dunbar at the foot of them, but I am sorry to say the rebels suc- ceeded in getting her above three or four days before we got up, they having had the rise that much ahead of us. While this boat and the Lexington lay at Florence, a squad of guerrillas made so bold as to come down on the hills opposite to watch our mnotions, but three shells from tPe Lexington soon dispersed them. At Florence I found one fiat, which I had destroyed. As soon as the boats from above re- turned I started down the river, stopping at places along to pick up refugee families. I brought out a great number of families, with what few traps the guerrillas had left them, besides some 80 or 90 bales of cotton belonging to Union men and liable to fall into the enemy9s hands. On my arrival at Paducah I turned the prisoners over to Colonel Dougherty, as I did not xvant to bother you with the disposal of them. Among the number are 2 captains and 1 adjutant, 4 conscripts, and 48 privates. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL.~ February 24, 1863. If Springfield can possibly be spared, I desire that you send her down here, as we need her services very much. Cant you do without the down-river pilots? We need them here. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain, Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding Lexington, SmithlanJ, Ky Page 46 46 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, Ky., February 25, 1863. The gunboat Springfield has been ordered to report to you at Cairo. LEIROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. Additional report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding operations in the Tennessee River. U. S. GUNBOAT FAIRPLAY, Smit hi and, Ky., February 25, 1863. SIR: I learn that Van Dorn crossed most of his force above the shoals, where we could not possibly have got with our boats had we been there; a few of them crossed on the flat at Florence. He is with Wheeler and Forrest, at Columbia. His force numbers from five to seven thousand cavalry. The Dunbar got above the shoals, drawing only 23 inches of water. She will not be able to get below again. At Cerro Gordo I sent a squa4 of men and brought in some dressed lumber to repair our port wheelhouse, which got somewhat smashed in landing on Eagle Nest Island. I learned from a doctor at Flor- ence, who had two sons at Columbia when Wheeler and Forrest returned from Donelson, that the rebel loss in that attack was 800 or 900 men, 200 killed, one hundred and eighty-odd wounded, and some 400 or 500 missing. Among the prisoners taken at Clifton were two who wished to join the gunboat service. As they are con- scripts, and have never been sworn into the enemys service, I had the oath administered to them at Paducah, and now have them here, one on the Lexington and one on this boat. General Dodge sent a force to catch the guerrillas at Florence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station. [Telegram.] U. S. GUNBOAT FAIRPLAY, Smithiand, February 27, 1863. If the steamer Elf arrives at Paducah, please detain and overhaul her, as she is reported to have contraband goods on board and escaped from Louisville without General Boyles knowledge. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Colonel [H.] DOUGHERTY, Commanding Po8t, Paducah, Ky. Will the operator be so kind as to send a copy of the above to Col- onel Lowe, at Fort Henry? LEROY FITCH Page 47 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 47 [Telegram.] CARTHAGE, TENN., [Februaryl 28, 1863. (Via Gallatin, March 2.) The river has risen so much that it has taken me up to this time to land. I shall keep the boats here until I hear from you. I am much in need of cavalry here. I will not be able to mount my men here. Will Stokes cavalry join me soon? Very respectfully, GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier-General. Colonel C. GODDARD, A8sistant Adjutant-General. [Telegram.] NASHVILLE, March 1, 1863. Fleet arrived this morning2G . transports and 4 gunboats. The gunboats were supposed up the river; only went up 60 miles and re- turned same night and passed down without landing or reporting. Two gunboats go up this morning as far as Carthage. ROBERT B. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General, Commanding Po8t. Major-General ROSECRANS. [Telegram.] CARTHAGE, March 2, 1863. I have information that the rebels intend capturing the fleet on its way down the river. No gunboats have yet been seen. I shall detain them unless otherwise ordered till gunboats arrive. Respectfully, GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier-General. Maj or-General ROSECRANS. [Telegram.] * * * Cant we have some gunboats at our disposal for patrol- ling the river above? W. S. ROSECRANS. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH. [Telegram.] MEMPHIS, TENN., March 2, 1863. It is reported that the enemy threaten Fort Donelson. Send a gun- boat up to ascertain and aid. S. A. HURLBUT. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, U. S Navy, Cairo, Ill Page 48 48 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, Jlarch 2, 1863. Boats twelve days from Louisville, loaded with horses and stores much needed, lie at Donelson waiting convoy. Please see that they get it as soon as possible. W. S. ROSECRANS, illajor- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Smithland, Ky. [Telegram.] CAIRO, March 2, 1863. Your two telegrams of the 1st instant received. Am glad to hear by the last that Captain Fitch has communicated with you. Have sent every gunboat that I have available. Admiral Porter directed me to send all gunboats to him, except those now up Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Will send your dispatch to the admiral. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain, Commanding Statwn. Major-General IROSECRANS. [Telegram.] MUEFREESBORO, March 3, 1863. It is necessary that transports should not be detained at Fort Don- elson for want of convoy. A large number there now and have been waiting several days. It is of the greatest importance to forward without delay. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Sinithiand. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., March 3, 1863. Telegram received. Sorry that I have not a gunboat to send. Admiral Porter has ordered everything sent down to him. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Major-General CURTIS, St. Louis, Mo. [Telegram.] [SMITHLAND, March 3, 1863.] I can not possibly station gunboats permanently above Nashville. I am ordered to keep two always together, besides two make the trip above once a week, Van Dorn will make an attempt to cut off you Page 49 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 49 Supplies by the river, and will either strike at Dover or Palmyra. [Tenn.]. I must keep my forces below to watch him, and see that he does not carry out his designs. He is reported now to be within 20 miles, at Dover. LEROY FITCH. Major-General W. S. IROSECRANS. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, Ky., March 3,1863. Can you not send the transports for Nashville down once a week in fleets? Can not the boats load with the stores and provisions and when all ready take the horses on board and all leave together? As it is the boats come dropping in here one at a time just after the convoy has left, and must necessarily lay over two or three days. This makes it bad for the horses. I have not gunboats enough to convoy each boat separately. I can send but one convoy through a week with safety. I care not how large the fleets are. LEROY FITCH. Brigadier-General BOYLE, Loui8~ille, Ky. [Telegram.] MARCH 3, 1863. Your telegrams received. It is impossible for me to get convoys through safely oftener than once a week. I have not boats enough to do it. Transports must unavoidably lay over at Donelson a day or two unless they are sent more regularly from Louisville. If Gen- eral Boyle will send them in fleets from Louisville once a week there will be no detention here, but boats come dropping in one at a time just after the fleet starts for Nashville. It is impossible to hurry the boats up during the heavy flow of drift. I leave with another fleet as soon as coaled to-morrow even- ing. I know the necessity of hurrying horses through, and do the best I can to accomplish it. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Comn~ander. Major-General W. S. ROSECRANS. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting copy of dispatch regarding convoy of transports. NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 7, 1863. ~: I transmit herewith a copy of the telegraphic dispatch sent you this day on the subject of protecting the transports of Gen- eral Rosecrans army. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Senior Comanctnding Officer, etc., Cairo, Ill. 7110N W BVOL 241O--- Page 50 50 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [EnclosureTelegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 7, 1863. The following is a copy of a telegram, dated yesterday, just re- ceived by General Halleck from General Rosecrans: Something must be done to secure convoys for our boats or this army will be without supplies. We have gained nothing by the high river in subsistence for the last ten days, because our convoys are detained. Only four little gunboats to do the work. If we can not have some more help, we ought at once to have some more gunboats made. You must take measures to convoy and protect the army transports without waiting to communicate with Acting Rear-Admiral Porter. To do this you are authorized to purchase a necessary number of suit- able boats and arm and equip them. If necessary, you can call upon Commodore Hull, at St. Louis, to assist you. The Department wants prompt and energetic steps immediately taken to give the necessary protection to the transports of General Rosecrans. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Senior Commanding Officer, U. S. Navy, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] OFFICE OF U. S. MILITARY TELEGRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT, Cairo, March 8, 18639 p. in. (Received Washington 11: 10 a. m. 9th.) Your telegram of 7th instant just received. I leave immediately for mouth of Cumberland River. NXTill return in forty-eight hours. I desire to examine personally the condition of the fleet and give further instruction, if necessary, to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch. An officer has been dispatched to Cincinnati and other places by Ad- miral Porter to purchase light-draft gunboats. He will require down the river all that he has directed to be purchased. I shall, by your order, purchase others to reinforce the upper fleet, which con- sists of five light-draft gunboats and the Lexington, heavily armed. Suitable boats are hard to find. Prompt and energetic steps will be taken. Please send at once 12 officers suitable to command and coin- petent to instruct their subordinates. We can not obtain them out here. We will require, also, 6 surgeons, paymasters, ensigns, gunners, and practical men-of-wars men for petty officers. Every sailor that has been sent us has been put in active service. Not a man left on board the receiving ship for duty. We must obtain them by some means, or we can not man another boat. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 51 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 51 Letter from Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding gunboat at Memphis. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Yazoo River, Jlarch 9, 1863. GENERAL: In answer to General Huributs request for a gunboat at Memphis, I beg leave to inform you that the Cricket, commanded by a very active officer, is at that place and will remain there. Very respectfully, etc., DAVID D. PORTER. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Commanding Department of the Tenne& see. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, Jlarek 10, 1863. (Received 13th.) Have sent three boats with convoy to Nashville. Captain Hurd has instructions from me to go on up to Carthage this trip, if water enough. He will communicate with you at Nashville before starting above. As soon as repaired, I wish to make another trip up the Tennessee River. Please communicate with me at Smithland, Ky., or with Captain Hurd at Nashville. Will be happy to render you any assistance I can. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant-Commander. Major-General RosECRANs, Jhtrfree8boro, fienn. [Telegram.] COLUMBUS, March 11, 1863. I just received information from Captain Glassford, commanding U. S. gunboat New Era, that the scouts of Colonel [D. H.] Hughes, commanding at New Madrid, had discovered Marmaduke with a strong force in the neighborhood of Bloomfield, apparently threat- ening Cape Girardeau. ASBOTH, Brigadier-General. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] COLUMBUS, March 11, 1863. Fort Henry may be overflowed but not Fort Heiman, and as offi- cially [stated], it is occupied by rebels; General Sullivans troops are all withdrawn to Jackson, thereby leaving it open from Heiman to Paducah or Columbus. It is of the utmost importance to dislodge them quickly. I embark soon as the boats arrive from Cairo. Page 52 52 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. would beg you to order New Era to go up if you have no other gun- boat. Please answer, and I will send your order to Captain Glass- ford by an express boat. ASBOTH, Brigadier-General. Captain PENNOCK, Comm~andartt. [Telegram.] COLUMBUS, March ii, 1863. Colonel Harding telegraphed yesterday from Fort Donelson that Forts Henry and Heiman, Department of the Cumberland, were abandoned by order of General Rosecrans, and Colonel Dougherty telegraphs now from Paducah that Forts Henry and Heiman are occupied to-day by the rebels. Please order immediately a gunboat to dislodge them before they can plant a battery. I will send infantry at once by boat to reoccupy Fort Heiman. Please answer. ASBOTH, Brigadier-General. Commanding, U. S. Navy. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY Comrs, Memphis, ]enn., March 12, 1863. GENERAL: It being officially reported to me that Forts Henry and Heiman were occupied by the rebels, I have ordered an expedition to retake them. Respectfully, S. A. HURLBUT, Major- General. Major-General IROSECRANS, Commanding Department, Mur/reesboro, Tenn. [Telegram.] COLUMBUS, March 12, 186312 m. I just received from Memphis the following telegram: Call on the naval officer at Cairo in my name for aid to retake Forts Henry and Heiman, if possible. Act without respect to departments, those places be- ing cut off from their proper subordination. S. A. HIJRLBIJT, Major-General. Please let me know what you can do. Are the gunboats from Smithland already ascending the Tennessee? ASBOTH, Brigadier-General. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain Page 53 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 53 [Telegram.] PADUCAH, March 12, 1863. No gunboats reported here. H. DOUGHERTY, Colonel, Ccnnmanding. Captain PENNOCK. [Telegram.] SMJTHLAND, Kr., March 12, 1863. Your telegram received. All three boats here. Lexington, Fair- play, Brilliant, and Silver Lake laid up for the present. Lexington Just finished scaling boilers. Brilliant just finished repairs and coal- ing. Fairplay ready to move by morning. Fleet up very small; three gunboats enough to take it through in safety. Have kept the Lexington, Brilliant, and Fairplay to go up Tennessee; will be ready by daylight. Anything new up Tennessee? Banks all under water; see not how the enemy can use it to advantage. LEROY FITcH. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, 211 arch 12, 1863. Gunboats left last night for Nashville, two remaining. H. DOUGHERTY. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK. [Telegram.] CAIRO, March 12, 1863. Necessity compels the Tuscumbia to be sent up the Tennessee to drive the rebels out of Fort Heiman. She will be absent two or three days. Say so to the admiral. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Captain WOODWORTH, U. S. S. General Price, Care of Commanding Officer, Navy Yard, Memphis. [Telegram.] MURPREESBORO, March 14, 1863. Have telegraphed Captain Fitch at Paducah and Smithland when he goes up Tennessee to make a clean sweep of every species of craft that can transport [sic] the river. Please repeat these orders to him Page 54 54 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN XVATERS. It is of vital importance that our convoys be promptly sent up the Cumberland. Will arm three transports to aid till you can arrange for us. W. S. ROSECRANS, Captain PENNOCK. Major-General. Report of Charles A. Dana, special commissioner of the United States War Department. COLUMBUS, Ky., March 20, 18634:30 p. m. There is absolutely no information here respecting affairs down the river. General Rosecrans having abandoned Forts Henry and Hei- man and ordered them to be leveled, and a rebel force having ap- peared at Heiman, Hurlbut, on Asboths reporting the facts, ordered him to reoccupy Heiman, considering it to be the key to both Colum- bus and Paducah. Asboth accordingly proceeded there by water with two regiments of infantry, two cannon, and some cavalry, and found a small body of rebels at Heiman, who escaped with their leader, Major Blanton. The order of General IRosecrans to level the works had not been executed, Henry being partially overflowed. Blanton was collecting horses and raising conscripts, the whole coun- try being open to him, while the possession of Heiman would have made him master of the navigation of the Tennessee. The force men- tioned was left by Asboth in Heiman, and he got back here by land yesterday. The ironclad gunboat Tuscumhia, Captain J. XV. Shirk, cooperated in the movement, and destroyed all the flats and skiffs collected by the rebels to force their operations on both sides of the Tennessee. Hereafter two small gunboats will patrol that river as far up as Savannah. C. A. DANA. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Letter from Brigadier-General Asboth, U. S. Army, to Lieutenant-Commander Shirk, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscumbia, regarding protection of Fort Heiman. HEADQUARTERS DISTEICT OF COLUMBUS, ON BOARD STEAMBOAT BOSTONA No. 2, Oif Pari8 Landing, March 14, 1863. CAPTAIN: Disappointed by not finding, as officially informed, Forts Henry and Heiman occupied by the rebels in force, and being thus deprived of the opportunity to unite in cooperation with your broad giant, the iiu8cumhia, in dislodging and capturing them, I have only to request that those of the gunboats which are intrusted to control the navigation on the Tennessee may ascend to the mouth of I)uck River and destroy all ferryboats and all means of crossing the rebels have collected or prepared. I will at the same time follow the rebels up the bluffs behind Fort Heiman, where your shots forced them away. Fort Heiman I will reoccupy, leaving an adequate combined garri- son to hold it. With the balance of my forces I will return to Co- lumbus by land Page 55 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 55 The eager readiness of the Navy to serve our country whenever opportunity offers makes it hardly necessary to request that the officers in command of the gunboat destined to remain on the Ten- iiessee will give their hearty support to the small garrison I have to leave at Fort Heiman. Thanking you for your efficient cooperation, and expecting soon to hear glorious news from the Tu8cumbia before Vicksburg, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ASBOTH. Commander J W. SHIRK, Commanding Gunboat Tu8cumbia. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., March 15, 1863. Recent instructions have been given to Captain Fitch by Admiral Porter through me. Tile is now up Tennessee River to carry them out. There can be no difficulty about the convoy of transports, pro- vided they all assemble at the time appointed by Captain Fitch and those at Nashville unloaded and ready to return with him on his arrival there. Captain Fitch reports to me that such has not been the case. Convoy can be had and empty vessels brought down once a week, provided there is strict compliance with Captain Fitchs arrangements. If vessels come straggling in day after day and those at Nashville are not ready to leave immediately on arrival of convoy, it will take every gunboat we have in the Western waters to convoy them. Every effort is being made to purchase, arm, and equip more boats to reinforce those now in Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Maj or-General RosECRANs, Mur/reesboro, Tenn. [Telegram.] FORT DONELSON, March 15, 1863. Our cavalry report that there are about 12,000 rebels 28 miles from here. They report our line cut for miles. Country people from miles around are coming to the fort with va- rious reports. One man says they have well-armed infantry and a large wagon train with them. We are all ready again for a fight. TILAYER, Operator. Captain PENNOCK, Commanding. [Endorsement.] I have just received the above, 10 a. m. W. G. FULLER, Superintendent Telegraph Page 56 56 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF COLUMBUS, Steamer Bostona No. 2, off Fort Heiman, Ky., March 17, 1863. (Via Paducah, Ky, 18th.) In obedience to your orders, I reoccupied Fort Heiman on the 14th in the morning. The rebels fired previous to our landing, but the first shell from the gunboats made them run. * * * Garrison in command of Colonel Griggs. * * * * * * * Captain LeRoy Fitch, commanding third division light-draft flotilla, will efficiently cooperate for the future. The gunboats St. Clair and Robb will commence to-morrow to run up and down the Tennessee, controlling all crossings. ASBOTH Brigadier-General. Major-General STEPHEN A. HURLBUT~ Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps, Memphis, Tenn. [Telegram.] SMITHLAND, ii[ arch 17, 1863. General Asboth and myself have been up the Tennessee. Made a clean sweep of all flats, ferries, and scows and returned this morning. Two gunboats will patrol the Tennessee constantly up to head of navigation. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Major-General NV. S. ROSECRANS. Summary report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding opera- tions on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, from December 16, 1862, to March 17, 1863. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Smithiand, Ky., March 17, 1863. SIR: Herewith I have the honor to make summary report of pro- ceedings on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers since the 16th day of December, 1862. On the day above mentioned the gunboats left the upper Ohio for operations in these waters, but not finding water enough in the Cum- berland, an expedition was formed to cooperate with Colonel Lowe up the Tennessee. On the 20th of December the expedition left Fort Henry and pro- ceeded up the river as high as Duck River Sucks, where the troops were disembarked. Leaving two boats to guard the transports, I started on up the river with the remaining two, but having grounded on Duck River Bar, I was obliged to return without getting higher. On the 24th (learning that the place was in danger) I returned to Fort Henry with two boats, leaving two above to guard the transports Page 57 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 57 On the 25th instant I proceeded on down the river to Paducah as that place was reported to be in danger. I left the Brilliant to guard Forts Henry and Hindman [Heiman] till the expedition from above returned. On the 28th the expedition having returned, the gunboats joined me at Paducah. On the 1st of January I left the General Pillow at Paducah and proceeded up the Ohio to the mouth of the Cumberland, with the gunboats Fairplay, St. Clair, Brilliant, and Robb. Arriving at Smithland, I found both flanges of the starboard wheel of the Fair- play broken entirely off, and consequently, by directions from the fleet captain, had to take her up the river for repairs. Also, being out of coal, I sent the boats to Caseyville, to take on a good supply. Finding on my arrival at Caseyville all the mines monopolized, I was compelled to take possession of them in order to get coal for the flotilla. After the St. Clair and Brilliant had finished coaling, they returned to Smithland and started up the Cumberland for Nashville with a fleet of transports. The Robb remained at Caseyville to hold possession of the mines and have a large barge filled for our use. On the 4th instant I arrived at Madison, md., and made arrange- ments for going on the ways. On the 5th went on the ways and com- menced repairs. On the 21st, having completed repairs, returned to Smithland and made preparations for going up the Cumberland. During my absence the Robb had brought down from the mines some 10,000 bushels of coal, and, with the Pillow, was patrolling the Tennessee, the St. Clair and Brilliant being yet up the Cumberland. I started to join them on the 22d, having in convoy a fleet of some 26 transports. On the 28th I reached Nashville with the second fleet of transports and three gunboats. On the 30th returned down the river with a convoy of boats. The gunboat Sileer Lctke joined the fleet and re- ported for duty. On February 3 left Smithland with a fleet of 46 transports and the gunboats Lexington (she having joined us on the 26th), Fairplay, St. Clair, Brilliant, Robb, and Silvei~ Lake. At 8 p. m. arrived at Dover, [Teun.], found the garrison entirely surrounded by the enemy, and out of ammunition. The gunboats shelled and dispersed the rebels. On the 7th arrived at Nashville with the entire fleet. On the 8th went above Nashville with the gunboats Fairplay and Robb, to the mouth of Stones River, to destroy some flats and ferries there. On the 9th returned to Smithland with a fleet of transports. On the 13th left Smithland again with another large fleet of transports, arriving at Nashville on the 15th instant. On the 17th returned to Smithland, coaled and started up the Tennessee River with the gunboats Lexing- ton, Fairplay, St. Clair, Brilliant, and Robb, leaving the Silver Lake and Springfield to convoy to Nashville a small fleet of transports. On the morning of the 20th reached Clifton, [Tenn.]; found our forces in possession and the town in flames. Assisted the land forces back to the west side of the river and took charge of their prisoners, as they had no means of disposing of them. During the afternoon of the same day we took a detachment of dis- mounted cavalry aboard each boat and landed them on Eagle Nest Island for the purpose of searching for rebel stores and rebels, said to be on or near the island Page 58 58 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. On the 22d left Chickasaw, [Ala.], at daylight and proceeded on up to Tuscumbia Landing, where it was reported the rebels had bat- teries. The enemy, seeing our approach, withdrew their guns back to Tuscumbia, where they were captured by the forces that General Dodge had sent from Corinth to cooperate with us along the river. Proceeded on up the river to Florence, and sent the St. Clair, Bril- liant, and Robb on up to the fort of Big [Great] Mussel Shoals, at the head of navigation. On the 24th instant returned to Paducah, having brought out some 35 or 40 refugee families and 80 or 90 bales. of cotton belonging to Squire Cherry, a good Union man, who was fearful of its falling into rebel hands. On the 26th returned to Smithland and commenced coaling. On the 4th of March, having coaled and cleaned boilers, we started up the Cumberland with another convoy. On the 6th instant reached Nashville, made reconnoissance above, and returned. On the 8th returned to Smithland. On the 12th a fleet of transports started for Nashville under convoy of the gunboats St. Clair, Robb, and Springfield. On the 13th the Lexington, Fairplay, and Brilliant made a patrol up the Tennessee; found all quiet in that vicinity. Two boats will patrol the Tennessee constantly, while the re- mainder will remain on the Cumberland to patrol and convoy. I may be wrong in my judgment, but I should think from present appearances that it is the enemys desire to transfer the seat of war into eastern Kentucky and, if possible, regain possession of the Ten- nessee and Cumberland rivers. I will use every exertion in my power to keep pace with all move- ments along or near these rivers, and I doubt not but that I can keep them perfectly free to the head of navigation so long as there is water. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Jh88i88ippi Squadrom. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding the Cumberland River. MARCH 17, 1863. The Cumberland averages in width about 600 feet inside of the trees. During low stages of water boats have great difficulty in getting above Harpeth Shoals, about 160 miles from the mouth and 35 miles below Nashville. Above Nashville the river becomes very narrow in making the turns and frequently boats get very much broken up. In making the trip to Carthage boats frequently are compelled to lower their smokestacks, and then suffer much from having their upper works much broken up by the branches of trees. Everything above Nash- ville seems quiet, and as gunboats can accomplish little or nothing above, the wear and tear does not warrant the keeping of two there. unless in cases of necessity; besides, when the Cumberland co Page 59 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 59 mences to fall the water recedes so fast that there is great danger in being caught. At low water the river is not navigable for boats drawing over 15 inches, that being the average depth on Harpeth Shoals. The river banks are generally very thickly wooded with heavy hills overlooking the banks. Palmyra, between Donelson and Clarksville, and Beatstown [Betsy Towni Landing, at Harpeth Shoals, are the most noted guerrilla haunts. I have burned and destroyed all the stores or houses near the shoals frequented by guerrillas. The Cumberland frequently rises and falls with such rapidity that a difference of from 8 to 12 feet in twenty-four hours is of no uncommon occurrence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieu tenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mis8zs8~ppz Squadron. Tabulated report of Tennessee River from mouth to Florence, Ala. Towns, landings, shoals, etc. Paducah, Ky [Great] Chain ilottocks [Haydocks] Ferry Little Chain. 27 Mile island Birmingham Fourns [Fonds] Landing Aurora Callowaytown Pine Bluff Buffalo Landing Panther Creek, island and har.... Forts Henry and Hiudman [llei- man]. Paris Landing Mouth of [Big] Sandy [River] [Big] sandy Island Leatherwood Shoals Winns [Wynns] Lauding Mohile and Ohio Railroad hridge. New Portland Point Mason Masons [Turkey] Island Green Bottom Bar Reynoldshurg Wills [Wyleys] Point Trotters Landing Thompsons Duck River Sucks.. Rockport Landing and Duck River Bar. Duck River Fowlers Landing Cuha Landing Leadhetters Landing Britts Landing Denson Brodies Perryville and East Perryville... Marvins Bluffs Fishers Land Brownsport, iron foundry Dis- Dis- tance tance from (miles) mouth (miles). 12 3 2 13 5 8 S 1 10 5 5 2 3 7 3 2 7 8 3 1 1 12 15 17 30 35 43 51 52 62 67 77 78 82 85 87 92 93 98 98~ 103~ 119~ 117 123 128 129 134 136 139 146 149 Depth of water (feet). 3 3 3 3.5 3 2.5 Popu- lation. 4,000 50 151 158 166 169 170 171 30 Remarks. very few loyal citizens. Left hank, one log house. Not inhahited. Left hank. Left hank, one house. Do. Left hank, two houses. Do. Do. Right and left hanks. Left hank, one house and mill. Left hank. Very narrow. Right and left hanks, one house. Two or three houses. Right hank, three houses, Union. Left hank (rushing) douhtful. Plenty water; very rocky. very narrow. Right hank, three families; rehels. Right bank, one house near by. Left bank; very crooked and rocky. Left hank; rehel country around. Right bank; all rebels. Right hank; very bad rehels. Right hank; rehels, one house. Left hank. Right hank; one house and store, professes Union. Right bank; one family; rebels, in Confederate Army. Left bank. Left bank; rebels. Right bank; two houses, Union. Left bank. Left bank; iron foundry; Union Page 60 60 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Tabulated report of Tennessee River from mouth to Florence, Ala.Continued. Depth Dis Towns, landings, shoals, etc. tance from of Popu- (miles). mouth water lation. Remarks. (miles). (feet). Cedar Creek, iron furnace 1 172 Left bank. Nichols Landing 5 177 Right bank. Patriot Landing 3 180 Right bank; Union, yet rebel. Decatur, iron furnace 3 183 Left bank. Beech Creek, island 5 188 Carrolivile 2 190 Right bank; four houses, Union. Clifton 1 191 300 Right bank; rebels, town burned Feb., 1863. Eagle Nest Island 5 196 Right bauk; rebels. Swallow Bluff 12 208 Left bank; high, rocky bluff. Point Pleasant 3 211 Left bank; three houses. Saltillo 1 212 Right bank; three houses; Union. Petticoat Riffle 3 215 3.5 Cerro Gordo 3 218 Right bank; deserted. Squire Cravens 1 219 Left bank; Union. Chalk Bluff 7 226 Left bank; deserted. Coffees Landing Ferry 1 227 Left bank; hot secesh. Savannah 6 233 500 Right bank; mixed Union and rebels Cramps Landing 3 236 Left bank; deserted. Pittsburg Landing 5 241 Do. Hamburg Landing 5 246 Do. Big Bend Shoals 3 249 3 Big Bend Landing 5 254 Right bank, deserted. Bokerwins Landing 3 257 Left bank, deserted and destroyed. Yellow Creek 1 258 Left bank, deserted. Eastport, Miss 8 266 Left bank; two famileis. Chickasaw, Ala 1 267 Left bank; eight families, four Union. rest doubtful. Waterloo 1 268 20 Right bank; all rebels. Colbert Shoals 1 Deserted. Georgetown Landing 17 285 Left bank. Newport Ferry 7 292 Do. Cone[Kanej Creek 5 297 Do. Coffee Island [Seven Mile Island]. 5 302 Tuscumbia Lauding 7 309 I i Left bank; all rebels back. Florence, Ala 7 316 1,000 Right bank; rebels. Foot of Big [Great] Mussel 7 323 .5 Read of navigation; only 4 feet at the highest stages of water ever known; very swift and rocky. - The Tennessee averages about 1,420 feet in width. Where shoals are,, she is generally very narrow and Crooked. Duck River Sucks are very dangerous, in consequence of the channel being very crooked and the current setting so strong over the rocks. This, at low water, is one of the most favorable places for locating a battery on the river. The banks are mostly flat and overflow at high water, with high hills back from 1 to 2 miles. There are now few loyal citizens above Fort Henry. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant-Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAvID D. PORTER, Commanding Mi88i8sippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, in view of dissatisfaction expressed by Army officials regarding convoy service. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Mouth of lennes8ee River, March 18, 1863. SIR: I hear that some dissatisfaction with the gunboats has been expressed by army officials along the Cumberland, and that Genera Page 61 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 61 Rosecrans telegraphed to the Department that he had not, or was not, deriving any benefit from the ~iresent high water in the Cumberland. If such reports have been made to the Department, I would respect- fully beg leave to make a few statements, as the blame will doubtless be attributed to the gunboats, and I wish to acquaint you with the facts. Since the river has been navigable, I have sent convoys through regularly once a week, and never has there been a steamer reported to me for convoy that has not been taken through safely. I can not send convoys through oftener than once a week and do justice to the gunboats placed under my care. The reasons are as follows: The river is very narrow, crooked, and swift; it is impossi- ble to put more than two steamers abreast, and where the fleets are as large as they have been heretofore (with only sufficient maneuvering room between each pair) the line is so long that to give perfect safety and keep the boats all within covering distance of our guns requires from four to five gunboats dispersed along the line. By the time we make the round trip, coal, clean boilers, and arrange the next fleet for starting, the week has expired. The transports keep dropping in at Smithland in such an irregular manner, one at a time, from the be- ginning till the end of the week, so that, had I twice the number of gunboats, it would be perfect folly for me to attempt to give boats a convoy as they arrive. Since the gunboats have been on the river over 180 steamers and some thirty-odd barges (all laden with Government freight) have been taken through safely to Nashville. If General Rosecrans has derived no benefit from this, it certainly is not my fault, but must be owing to the inactivity or incapacity of some of the quartermasters. Before the arrival of gunboats in the river it was blockaded by the enemy; it has not been since. Accompanying tliis letter I forward copies of letters and telegrams sent and received, which, I trust, will show whether I have acted with a desire to cooperate or not. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Connnander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding hliissis8ippi Squadron. Report of Major-General Huribut, U. S. Army, regarding location of gunboats in Tennessee River. MEMPHIS, April18, 1863. Since closing my last letter I learned from Oglesby that Captain Fitch, U. S. Navy, with four gunboats, is between Hamburg and Eastport, as advance of Rosecrans expedition. If anything new turns up before the boat leaves, I will send it. Your obedient servant, ~. A. HUELBUT. Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General Page 62 62 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., March 19, 1863. Have just received telegram from one John W. Taylor, quarter- master, Murfreesboro, Tenn., as follows: Captain Parsons, of St. Louis, says that Captain S. L. Phelps can have gun- boats run from Fort Donelson to Nashville ~much oftener if desired. Our sup- plies are very much delayed for the want of more frequent convoys. Can not arrangements be made for a gunboat to run up every two days? By command General Rosecrans. I do not understand. Please explain. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander S. L. PHELPS, Care Commodore J. B. Hull, U. S. Navy, St. Loui8, Mo. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding condition of affairs in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Smithland, March 31, 1863. SIR: The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers are falling very rapidly just now, but it is not probable there will be less than 6 feet for two months to come. Both rivers may go down to 3 or 4 feet for a few days, but it will be a very extraordinary occurrence if there is an average less than 6 feet in either river till the latter part of May. Everything is very quiet just now on the Cumberland. The guer- rillas have not been of much annoyance since I burned the last of their rendezvous near Beatstown [Betsy Town] Landing. As the Cumberland is so quiet, I will spend a great portion of my time on the Tennessee, as that river, though quiet at present, will need very strict watching. The Silver Lake (one of the best light-draft boats I have here just now) is at present up the Tennessee, patrolling with the Robb. I will join them with the Lexington in the morning; the remainder of the boats will remain on this river to carry supplies to General Rose- crans. Four boats can do all the convoying here with the greatest ease unless the transport fleets are much larger than they havu been for the last week. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Co~mmanding Mi88i~s8ippi Squadron. [Telegram.] SMITULAND, March 27, 1863. If all the light-draft gunboats are sent below it will be a difficult matter to get supplies to Nashville, as the river is falling. I will send through two convoys a week. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Maj or-General ROSECRANS Page 63 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 63 Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding operations in the upper Tennessee River. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Paducah, Ky., April 2, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report operations on the upper Tennessee River during the last few days. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Jason Goudy was patrolling the river with the gunboats I?obb and Silver Lake. Enclosed I forward his report * of operations up to the time I joined him at Fort Hindman [Heiman], on the 27th of March. I took from the fort 150 soldiers, under command of Colonel Griggs, and after distributing them on the three boats proceeded on up the river. I made several landings at places along the route reported to be infested by guerrillas, but found none until we reached the neighborhood of Savannah. Being informed that back of Boyds Landing, about 4 miles, was a cotton factory owned by and doing work for the rebels, I had determined to destroy it. I therefore landed at Boyds and sent out an expedition numbering about 200 soldiers and sailors. Colonel Griggs took charge of the force. The executive officer of this steamer, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Dunn, took charge of the sailors. The expedition moved out to the factory with caution, as Colonel [N. N.] Coxs cavalry regiment was stationed but 2 or 3 miles beyond. Arriving at the mill breastworks of cord wood were thrown up across the road, and enquiries made regarding the operations of the factory. From what could be learned, the mill was run on shares with the country people. The material went in an indirect way to the rebel soldiers through their friends at home. The books were all clear and contained nothing to condemn the factory, but knowing that the mill did aid, in an in direct manner, the rebels, it was thought proper not to burn it, but to effectually prevent its doing more work, which was done by removing the running gear, pistons, cylinder heads, brasses, and all like portable portions, and placing it on board this vessel. Two mules and a wagon, which were pressed to haul the machinery down to the boat, were retained as lawful prizes, as it was ascertained they belonged to one of Colonel Coxs rebel cavalry. Two horses were also captured by Mr. Dunn, belonging to the guerrillas. A short distance above this landing, and about 3 miles from the river, was reported a plantation owned by a noted rebel, Smith. The boats were landed and an expedition sent out to the place. This plantation was occupied by a man by the name of Dillihunty, and is known to be a rendezvous for guerrillas. Yet this Dillihunty claims to be loyalhas taken the oathand says he bought the farm of Smith. This may be true, but he had no papers to prove it; has never been molested by the guerrillas, and, in fact, as I have since learned, was at the time raising a guerrilla company. As several men were at the time on his premises, one of which I took prisoner, he having been engaged in the guerrilla service and as our men were fired at by a guerrilla near his place, the indications were such as to render his position very doubtful; I therefore took from the farm 25 bales of * Not found Page 64 64 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. cotton (to be held till he proved his loyalty) and some cavalry horses. After leaving this landing I proceeded on up to Chickasaw, at the foot of Colbert Shoals. There was scant 5 feet on the shoals, so I sent the Robb and Silver Lake above, with orders to make thorough reconnoissance and return the same night, as the river was falling too fast to risk them above longer. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant 0 oudy reports the enemy in force on both sides of the river at Florence. He shelled and drove them out of their camp on the left bank, but was not able to tell their number or to ascertain the caliber of their heavy gun, as the wind was blowing a gale right across the river and he was fearful of getting caught above the shoals by falling water. Before reaching Florence he surprised a picket guard, captured five horses, some carbines, and one prisoner. Tie joined me at Chicka- saw just at dark. Returning down the river I stopped at a farm belonging to a notorious rebel by the name of Hays, who has been very zealous in enforcing the conscript law and feeding the guerrillas. Sent a de- tachment 3 miles back to his house and brought away about 1,000 pounds of bacon and all the corn we could carry; also three mules and a wagon belonging to him. Colonel Griggs took charge of the bacon, as the army at Fort Hindman [Heiman] were short of supplies. The result of the several small expeditions is as follows: Eight guns (cavalry carbines), 25 bales of cotton, 15 horses (three broke loose and escaped at Fort Hindman) [Heiman], 12 mules (one shot through the thigh and left at Hindman) [Heiman], 2 wagons, also 8 prisoners. I would state that all men along the river above Fort Henry must be either disloyal in sentiment or actually engaged in the rebel cause, from what the numerous refugees tell me. None expressing senti- ments the least loyal are permitted to remain at their homes or culti- vate their farms. Since so many of these guerrillas have been found dead on the battlefield, with the oath of allegiance in their pockets, I am forced to believe no man living with these guerrillas, though he had taken the oath forty times. I have given transportation to over i30 refugee families since I have been on these waters, but applications for conveyance out of the river have become so very numerous from young men fleeing from the con- script that I have been induced to give the captains of boats instruc- tions to render all the aid in their power to families, but under no circumstances to bring or pass out able-bodied young men. We are in want of men for the gunboats, and if they love the Union better than rebellion now is the proper time to show it. They must either take sides one way or the other. This has already had the effect of sending some 30 or 40 in General Dodges cavalry and has given the gunboats some 8 or 10 recruits. I deem it high time that some of these loyal refugees were showing some proofs of their loyalty. I hope as soon as there is another slight rise in the Tennessee to be able, with General Dodges cooperation, to capture all the force on the Tuscumbia side at Florence. My plan will be this: To watch the river closely as soon as there is the least indication of a rise, get forces from General Dodge, take the infantry over Colbert Shoals, land them at Tuscumbia Landing, let the cavalry come in on the Tuscumbia road, and while the force Page 65 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 65 are getting in the enemys rear, I will push on up with four or five of the lightest draft boats and engage them in front. I have written to General Dodge to this effect and rely upon his hearty cooperation to complete the programme. With his coopera- tion, I am confident of success. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITcH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mis8is8ippi Squadron. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., March 29, 1863. General Rosecrans desires to send 2,000 men from Nashville by boat up Tennessee River to Florence, and desires gunboat to convoy them. Give them the convoy required without delay. Acknowledge receipt of this. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. COMMANDING NAVAL OFFICER, Smithiand, Ky. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., March 29, 1863. Give convoy required at once, and telegraph to Major-General iRosecrans that I have so directed you to do. Two boats will, I think, be sufficient. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. J. S. HUED, Acting Vol. Lieut., Comdg. St. Clair, Smithiand, Ky. [Telegram.] CAIRO, March 29, 18632 p. in. Those boats all move up the Tennessee River. Have telegraphed to commanding naval officer at Smithland, Ky., with the hope that gunboats are at that place, as follows: W. S. Rosecrans desires to send 2,000 men from Nashville by boats up Ten- nessee River to Florence. Desires gunboats to convoy them. Give them the convoy required without delay. Acknowledge receipt of this. Very cold to-day. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant Station. Brigadier-General JAMES A. GARFIELD. 7110N w RvoL 2410 Page 66 66 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of the commanding officer of the U. S. S. St. Clair regarding attack on fleet under convoy. U. S. S. LEXINGTON, April 16, 1863. SIR: I send enclosed the report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant J. S. Hurd, commanding gunboat St. (lair, relating to an attack on a fleet under his convoy. Although I know Captain Hurd to be brave and efficient, I was compelled to make known to him my displeasure at the result. You will see by his report that instead of having the towboats (the slowest) in the lead, the most valuable cargoes in the most secure place, and the swiftest boats in the rear, as was my custom, and as I had always enforced, to keep the line closed, that his very slowest boats were in the rear, the most valuable boats in the front, and would, of course, receive the first fire. The consequence was that the Fairplay, guarding the rear, was not within supporting distance. Again, after his supply pipe was cut and he had dropped down so that his guns could bear, he should have let go his anchor and en- gaged them till the Fairplay came up. I will guarantee the rebels would not have stood long. Even had he been again compelled to drop down, he could easily have done so with the current, besides he bad plenty of assistance near at hand that could have towed him below. Even if we should suffer severely in one or two instances, it is better for us in the future that it should be so, if we drive the rebels off. Every little advantage the rebels gain over the gunboats gives them encouragement and spurs them on to new exertions; but if in every attack they are driven off, their men become demoralized and will keep clear of the river. There were two small propellers carrying private or sutlers stores burned on the river a short time ago, and as far as the boats were concerned there was no one to blame but themselves; they were ordered to remain at Donelson till the convoy came up, but instead of heeding this order, after the gunboats had passed below with a convoy and before they had returned with the next, they shoved off and went on up the river. The consequence was the captains paid the penalty of disobedience of orders by having their boats burned. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Coinm,ctnder. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commamding Mi88~8sippi Squadron. [Enclosure.] U. S. S. ST. CLAIR, Off Sm,ithland, Ky., April 4,1863. SIR: I have the honor to report, in compliance with Captain Pennocks order (see telegram enclosed), I left Smithland, Ky., with this vessel (accompanied by the Fairplay) at 10: 30 oclock p. m. March 31; arrived at Fort Donelson at 1 oclock p. m. 1st instant; found transports awaiting convoy; proceeded up the river (see list enclosed) ; 9 oclock a. in., 2d instant, arrived at Gowers Island, above which I did not apprehend any danger. I heade Page 67 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 67 downstream to convoy (to Nashville) other transports and tow- boats due from below. My reason for doing thus was there were two barges loaded with coal being towed up the river which were drawing 7~ feet water. There was water enough on the shoals, but the river was falling and it was very important to get them up before the water became too low. Arrived at Fort Donelson at 4 oclock p. in., found transports and towboats awaiting convoy. I headed upstream; proceeded up the river. At 10:30 oclock p. m. arrived at Palmyra, and when off the bluff immediately above town the enemy opened fire from the top of the bluff upon two transports (lashed together) in the ad- vance. They were then above the enemys battery, and so far as I know proceeded up the river uninjured. This vessel was next in line, next the Luminary (transport), next the towboats C. Miller and J. W. Kellogg with two barges, then the Fairplay. As soon as the enemy saw their shots aimed at the advance transports were ineffectual, they turned their attention to this vessel with artillery and small arms. The Luminary (next astern)~ and then off the town, was fired into considerably with small arms. My guns had been run out and prepared for action. I at once returned fire, and the contest was spirited for a short time, when my supply pipe was struck by a 12-pounder shell, which at once let the water out of my boilers and my vessel thereby became unmanageable and I dropped back with the current. I hailed the Luminary (Captain William- son), who came alongside, took my vessel in tow, and towed me down to Fort Donelson. I am unable to estimate the forces of the enemy, but think them in strong force (a deserter says 12,000). They had from 10 to 12 pieces of artillery, 6 to 12 pounders. This vessel was struck six times with artillery, doing some damage, but not serious, other than cutting my supply pipe. I also received many shots from small arms and some of canister. When the firing commenced I was not more than 400 feet from the enemys guns, and they were on the bluff at so great an elevation I could not use my guns to an advantage until I dropped down the river, and the water was then all out of my boilers. The only casu- alties to my officers or men were Acting Master Foutty, who was struck on the right knee by a 6-pounder rifle elongated shot, and one boy slightly scalded. Acting Master George W. Foutty will lose his right leg, and I fear it will prove fatal. He was sick; had not been out of his bed but once during the day. When the firing com- menced he at once got out of bed, went below, and was doing his duty well at the time he received the wound. My officers and men manifested courage and coolness quite commendable. At the request of Mr. Foutty, I called the post surgeon at Fort Donelson on board, and after consultation it was thought best to place him in the hospital at the fort. I found it unsafe to attempt to run down to Smithland with my supply pipe so imperfectly repaired. Applied to Colonel Lowe, com- manding at Fort Donelson, for a towboat to assist me. He readily ordered the J. W. Kellogg to my assistance. At 2: 30 oclock p. m. I got underway, stood down the river, and arrived at Smithland at 9: 30 oclock p. m Page 68 68 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. The Fairplay, Acting Master Groves, commanding, was not near enough to take part in the engagement, having in charge the tow~ boats and barges, but it affords me pleasure to represent the prompt- ness and efficiency of Mr. Groves while convoying during the entire trip. Herewith please find telegram just received from Captain Pennock. All of which is respectfully submitted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. S. HIJRD Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Lieut. Commander LEROY FITCH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Third Division, Mississippi Squadron. [Subenclosure.] No. 1.] CAIRo, Alarch 29, 1863. Give convoy required at once, and telegraph Major-General Rose- crans that I have so ordered you to do. Two boats will, I think, be sufficient. A. M. PENNOCK, Captain, Commandant Station. J. S. HIJRD, Commanding U. S. Gunboat St. Clair, Smithiand, Ky. Answer.] SMITHLAND, Ks., March 29, 1863. I am here with two gunboats ready to convoy troops up the Ten- nessee by order of Captain Pennock. When will troops be here? J. S. HURD. Maj or-General ROSECRANS, Mur/reesboro, Tenn. No. 2.] SMITHLAND, Kr., March 31, 1863. Captain Fitch has not returned from Tennessee River. I have been ready since yours of 29th was received, and telegraphed General Rosecrans accordingly; have been waiting his movements. Shall I send two boats up the Cumberland this evening? It is necessary. I shall still have two here ready to convoy troops. ~. ~. ~ Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy. No. 3.] CAIRO, March 31. Send the two gunboats up Cumberland River, of course. It was my intention to convoy troops from Nashville. You stated in your telegram to-day that Captain Fitch had arrived. A. M. PENNOCK, Commandant of Station. Acting Volunteer Lient. J. S. HIJRD, Commanding St. Clair Page 69 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 69 Answer.] I go hp Cumberland at once with this vessel and the Fairplay. Captain Fitch has not returned from the Tennessee River. J. S. HURD, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Comananding. [Telegram.] MEMPHIS, April 1, 1863. I send you the within dispatch just received from General Dodge. Furnish copy to Captain Pennock, fleet captain, and telegraph to Rosecrans. There is a pretty heavy show of cavalry on the left of our line below Corinth and southeast of La Grange, and about 4,000, with two batteries, south of the Tennessee; headquarters at Florence, [Ala.]. Your obedient servant, S. A. HURLBUT, iliajor- General. Brigadier-General N. B. BUFORD, Cairo. [Enclosure.] CORINTH, April 1, 1863. The enemy are repairing all the bridges from Savannah east and Florence north. They are also building a large number of boats in several of the creeks. They also guard the line of the river from Florence to Duck River, and now have heavy bodies of cavalry massed near Mount Pleasant. Three gunboats have gone up the river. G. M. DODGE, Brigadier-General. Letter from Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, to Brigadier-General Dodge, U. S. Army, inviting cooperation against Florence, Ala. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, April 1, 1863. GENERAL: I have just returned from a trip up toward Florence. I find a great many of the enemys cavalry near Tuscumbia Landing. There was not water enough for this boat to get over Coulters [Col- bert] Shoals, but I sent a couple of light boats above. They ap- proached to within a few hundred yards of Florence and found the enemy in considerable force, with a small battery. As the river was falling so fast they were obliged to return below the Shoals the same day. We captured some 15 or 20 of their horses and guns. If the river remains as high as it is at present, I propose to bring up four or five light-draft gunboats and try their batteries. If they have a heavy gun, we will soon know it after we get there. I expect to return here as soon as we get coaled and more ammunitlon, which will be in a few days. I may bring with me a small force of infantry and a transport or two. If you feel like cooperating, I will provide means for crossing cavalry at Savannah or for carrying infantry u Page 70 70 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. with me. I will be happy to hear from you on my return, and will do all I can to cooperate with or lend you any aid. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Commanding Gunboats, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio rivers. Brigadier-General G. M. DODGE, Commanding U. S. Forces, Corinth, Miss. [Telegram.] CORINTH, April 2, 1863. The gunboats Lexington, Silver Lake, and Robb shelled rebels out of Florence Tuesday. Two batteries, one on each side of the river, replied to them. They destroyed the cotton factories this side of Florence, and report about 2,000 rebels in that vicinity. G. M. DODGE, Captain HENRY BINMORE, Brigadier- General. Assistant Adjutant-General. [Telegram.] NASHVILLE, April 3, 1863. Colonel Boone telegraphs from Clarksville as follows: The fleet gunboat St. Glair and transports Eclipse, Luminary, and Lizzie Mar- tin were fired into at Palmyra. Gunboat and Luminary perhaps taken. The Eclipse arrived here disabled; reports the advance of rebels on this place. We will hold until reinforced. WM. P. BOONE. ROBERT B. MITCHELL, General GARFIELD, Brigadier- General. Chief of Staff. [Telegram.] NASHVILLE, April 3, 1863. I have just received the following dispatch from Clarksville: Scouts report that the gunboat and Luminary escaped capture. The rebels are at Palmyra in force; have there a rifled 6 and smooth 12 pounder, and other caliber not ascertained. We must have the siege guns ordered from this post. Send them at once. WM. P. BooNE. I have ordered the siege guns down. ROBERT B. MITCHELL, General G~~inw, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Chief of AStaff Page 71 71 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] APRIL 3, 1863. The fleet was attacked at Palmyra last night by the rebels, who had six pieces of artillery. Have you any more news in regard to the force in your front? General I)odge reports the rebels building bridges east of Savannah and north of Florence, and building flat- boats all along from Florence to the mouth of Duck River and hold- ing the line of the Tennessee between those points. There seems to be a considerable force at Palmyra. ~. A. GARFIE~, Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff. Major-General GRANGER, Franklin. [Telegram.] CORINTH, April 3, 1863. Will move on Tuscumbia and take it in connection with you. Shall have to move with infantry and artillery. Will have to bridge Little and Big Bear rivers [creeks]; therefore let me know in time, so I can cooperate and be sure of success. It will take three or four days for dispatch to reach me. Had not your forces by river better communicate with Paducah, that we may be sure to start together? Do not believe gunboats succeeded in driving out enemy or silencing batteries at Florence. Heavy gunboats could not pass Coulters [Colbert] Shoals. Will cooperate as you deem best and carry out your plans. Please acknowledge receipt of dispatch. DODGE, Brigadier-General. General GARFIELD, Chief of Staff. [Telegram.] CAIRO, [ILL.], April 6, 1863. (Received Washington, 11:46 p. in.) The Cumberland River, which has of late been infested with rebels, has, as I am informed by telegraph by Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, been cleaned out, and Palmyra, where they fired into the gunboat St. Clair and crippled her, has been destroyed and not a house left. A. M. PENNOCK Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, of the destruction of Palmyra, Tenn., and operations in Cumberland River. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Sniithland, Ky., April 6, 1863. Sn~: I have the honor to report that on the 3d instant, while coal- ing at this p lace preparatory to again ascending the Tennessee, I received a telegram from Acting Volunteer Lieutenant J. S. Hurd Page 72 72 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. commanding gunboat St. Clair, that the fleet under his convoy had been attacked at Palmyra, and that the St. Clair was disabled. I got underway immediately and started up the river with the Lexington, Brilliant, Robb, Silver Lake, and Springfield, having been informed that the enemy was in strong force and had heavy field batteries. Below Donelson I met the St. (Jlair being towed down and followed by her consort, the Fairplay. I turned the Fair- play back to follow me and proceeded on up. Arriving at Palmyra I found the enemy had retreated toward Ilarpeth Shoals. I landed opposite the town and sent a detachment on shore, under command of Acting Master Fitzpatrick of this vessel, with instructions to burn every house in the place and to allow no one under his command to pillage or remove the smallest article. Just after the boat landed several stragglers from the guerrillas broke from their concealment and ran. Our men fired on them, killing one and wounding another. The town was burned; not one house left. I had for some time been suspicious of this place. One or two loyal men did live here, but were driven out by the rebels. The town was one of the worst secession places on the river, and as unarmed transports were fired on from the dwellings, I gave the people the full benefit of your order, which I trust will be a lesson to them in the future. Enclosed I send you a letter from Port Hudson, which may, per- haps, be of some little interest. I left Palmyra the same evening with the transports and gunboats for Harpeth Shoals. At Clarksville I landed and made arrange- ments with the commandant of the post for infantry and cavalry to accompany me, with a hope of being able to get in the rear of and capture the enemys artillery. Pushing on up I landed the soldiers a few miles below Harpeth in the forenoon of the 5th and moved on up with the boats to draw attention, but much to my regret the enemy had intimation of our approach and ha~I again retreated, this time back toward Charlotte. The cavalry followed them 6 miles back, but not being able to come up with them returned, as it was not prudent to venture farther with so small a force. As the river was falling too fast for me to risk this boat over the shoals, I sent the transports on to Nashville under convoy of three light-drafts and returned to this place with a view of carrying out my plans up the Tennessee. It has always been my aim to have the means of communication and times of meeting between the boats on this and the Tennessee River so perfect that at a moments warning I can, in case of neces- sity, concentrate the entire force at any one point. I am happy to state that thus far I have been able to accomplish this, and hope to be in future equally successful. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mie8i& 9ippi Squadron Page 73 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 73 Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, with enclosures. No. 180.] Mississirri SQUADRON, iYazoo River, April 11, 1863. Sni: I have the honor to enclose herewith telegrams in relation to operations on the Tennessee River. I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosures-Telegrams.] CAIRO, ILL., April 3, 1863. General Hnrlbnt telegraphs to General Buford as follows: The enemy are repairing the bridges from Savannah east and to Florence north. They are also building a large number of boats in several of the creeks. They guard the line of the Tennessee River, and have large bodies of cavalry near Mount Pleasant. This information is from General Dodge at Corinth. Telegraphic dispatch from Fort Donelson says St. Clair was at- tacked, put back, and disabled. Have you heard anything of it? A. M. PENNOCK. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Smithland, Ky. SMITHLAND, [Kr.], April 3, 1863. Was in office at the time stated, but the rivers [wires] were down. Could not work. What shall I do with prisoners? Seven captured; cavalry horses and mules, 23 in all; also wagons, cotton, etc. I can keep all here for a month if you say so. Have plenty of forage and a place to put them. LEROY FITCH. Commander PENNOCK, Cairo, Ill. CAIRO, ILL., April 3, 1863. Ship the cotton to me, with information when and how captured and to whom belonging. Turn the prisoners over to the army if you think best. If you have reason for sending them to me, do so. If you have use for the horses, mules, and wagons, keep them. If not, turn them over to the army, taking receipt for them. A. M. PENNOCK. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH Page 74 74 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. SMJTHLAND, [Ky.], April 3, 1863. Rebels coming in on Tennessee River in strong force at Florence. Not water enough for the boats to get over Culvert [Colbert] Shoals just now. Sent a communication to General Dodge at Corinth. First slight rise will pitch into them. Goudy was over, shelled their camp for an hour and five minutes, with execution; drove them out of their camps. They have one 24-pounder and fieldpieces. LEROY FITCH. Commander PENNOCK, Cairo, Ill. SMITULAND, [Kr.], April 3, 1863. I think General Dodge and I can capture most of them on the Tuscumbia side. Will have to send the Silver Lake below in a few days. Her gun platforms have all given away. Casemates recoil in with the guns. Can not send her just now; will have to fight her a little longer if casemates all give way. I need the cotton to protect our boilers; the rest I can send below in her when I can spare her. LEROY FITCH. Commander PENNOCK, Cairo, Ill. SMITHLAND, [Kr.], April 3, 1863. I destroyed over 20 new fiatboats last trip up Tennessee, and in the creeks found some stored in warehouses under corn. Chopped them all up. Robb and Silver Lake were in sight of bridge at Flor- ence. Ha no commenced repairs. No large force on the river be- low Florence. Goudy desires a good boat; he and Hurd are my best officers. Please order Argosy and the Covingtom to go to Fort Donel- son. I will be near there. No danger below that place. Anything further? LEROY FITCH. Commander PENNOCK, Cairo, Ill. CAIRO, ILL., April 3, 1863. Go ahead and whip them out on both rivers. Follow the admirals instructions as far as possible. Communicate freely with the army officers with whom you cooperate. Let me hear from you by every opportunity by telegraph. Leave instructions at Smithland and Paducah, should you deem necessary, for such gunboats as may be sent you. Will reinforce you as fast as I can get the boats ready. Men on new boats will need constant drilling. Argosy has left too late to give instructions to her. Nothing further. A. M. PENNOCK. Lieutenant..Commander LERoY FITcH, Smdthland, Ky Page 75 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 75 CAIRO, ILL., April 3, 1863. The Argosy leaves to-night and the Covington to-morrow night, with orders to report to you at Smithiand. Hurd is to have the Covington. Griswold, the present captain, send back here when you can spare him. I want him to command another boat. Executive officer of the Argosy understands his business. Queen City, sister boat to Covington, Goudy will command. A. M. PENNOCK. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Simitldand, Ky. SMITHLAND, [Kr.], April 3, 1863. Just received telegram from Captain Hurd. Was engaged at Pal- myra. Mr. Foutty badly wounded. Rebels in force there with bat- tery. His machinery slightly disabled. I leave in ten minutes for Palmyra with all the boats. Will whip them out. I have not time now to complete my written report; will send it soon as possible. Please hurry up our other boats. We need them now. Plenty fun in other river, as I understand no troops to be convoyed Tennessee just now. I believe General Rosecrans has concluded not to send any. LEROY FITCH. Commander PENNOCK, Cairo, Ill. SMITHLAND, [Kr.], April 6, 1863. Captain Fitch [and] I found the enemy in force at Palmyra last evening. Foutty is seriously wounded. My machinery is crippled. Come up with the Lexington as soon as possible. J. S. HIJRD. LEROY FITCH. Commander PENNOCK, Cairo, Ill. SMITHLAND, [Kr.], [April] 6,1863. Have returned from Harpeth Shoals; river all clear just now. Enemy left Palmyra for Beatstown [Betsy Town] Landing; got their batteries in position, heard of our approach, and left in haste for Charlotte. Found a few stragglers in Palmyra; killed two or three; burned the town; not a house left; a very bad hole; best to get rid of it and teach the rebels a lesson. Landed at Beatstown [Betsy Town] with infantry and cavalry from Clarksville; pursued the rebels 43 miles back; it was not prudent to follow them farther. Sent the fleet on up to Nashville under convoy of Brilliant, Robb, and Silver Lake. Remained at Beatstown [Betsy Town] Landing with gunboats Lex- ington, Springfield, and one transport till infantry returned, near 10 p. m. Found a letter at Palmyra from Port Hudson. Indianola blown up sure. When will St. Clair be ready for service; also Queen City? L~RoTr FITCH, Lieutenc~n4.Commander. ~1eet Captain A. M. Pzwci~ Page 76 76 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. CAIRO, ILL., April 6, 1863. Congratulate you on your success. St. Clair and Queen City will not be ready for three or four days. Send Goudy down if you can spare him. Engage pilots, for I have not one here that I can send you. Keep the Cumberland clear of the enemy. Go ahead and clear the banks of the Tennessee. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, Commanding Gunboat Lexington, Smithiand, Ky. Letter from Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter,. U. S. Navy, advising that the marine brigade be sent up the Tennessee. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Before Vick8burg, April 4, 1863. ADMIRAL: In view of information just received by way of Corinth of the movements of the enemy in North Mississippi and Middle Tennessee, I would respectfully suggest the propriety of sending the Marine Brigade up the Tennessee River to defend that line. The enemy are massing large forces of cavalry in front of Rose- crans, and collecting all partisan rangers and loose companies of cavalry on the line of the Tallahatchie. The road from Duck River to Savannah, Tenn., is being put in good order. Everything portends an attack upon Rosecrans with a powerful cavalry force to follow up any success, and a raid from North Mississippi and Middle Tennessee at the same time upon my forces and lines of communication in West Tennessee. If this brigade is sent, I would suggest that General Ellet be in- structed to keep his fleet well together, destroy all rafts, flats, skiffs, and everything that can facilitate the crossing of the river. If ~n arrival at the mouth of Duck River it should be found safe to land with his small force, he might to advantage proceed up that stream for some distance and destroy the ferries, etc., that he would probably find. I will instruct General Dodge, commanding at Corinth, to have a watch at Hamburg Landing for the arrival of General Ellet, and from that time the two could cooperate to better advantage than either could act upon instructions given from here. Very respectfully, U. S. GRANT, Admiral D. D. PORTER, 2JIajor-General. Commanding ilIi8si88ippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Brigadier-General Ellet, commanding Marine Brigade, to proceed up the Tennessee River in view of expected attack. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, April 4, 1863. SIR: Circumstances of a serious nature render it necessary that you should change your field of operations without delay to the Ten- nessee River. There will be a wider field for your enterprise there Page 77 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 77 We have received news by way of Corinth of the movements of the enemy in North Mississippi and Middle Tennessee, and I wish the Marine Brigade to proceed up the Tennessee with all dispatch and defend that line. The rebels are moving large forces of cavalry in front of General Rosecrans and collecting all partisan rangers and loose companies of cavalry on the line of the Tallahatchie. The road from Duck River to Savannah, Tenn., is being put in good order. Everything portends an attack on Rosecrans with a powerful cav- alry force to follow up any success and make raids from North Missis- sippi and Middle Tennessee. The object in sending you is to defend the line of the Tennessee River. You will destroy all rafts, fiatboats, skiffs, or canoes, and destroy all the means they may have of transporting an army. Saw. mills should be destroyed and lumber burned up. If on arriving at the mouth of Duck River you should find it safe to land there with your small force, you might with advantage pro- ceed up that stream for some distance and destroy all the ferries. When you arrive at Hamburg Landing you will likely find a mes- senger from General Dodge, who will cooperate with you and also give you valuable information. You will keep your forces well together and not let them act in detached parties. While your small force is massed, it will be very effective; when divided, it might be soon used up. I am pushing a strong force of gunboats up the Tennessee River, and your vessels will be able to lie securely under the protection of their guns. If you have no pilots for the Tennessee River, you may find them at Cairo, or you can, by my authority, obtain one or two from the gunboats on the Tennessee River. Dispatch is the great object just now, to break up the ferries before the enemy begins to cross. I hope to hear, general, that you are doing good service there. I will order the other rams to join you the moment they return, or, if you should meet them oxi your way up, detain them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88is8ippi Squadron. Brigadier-General A. W. ELLET, Commanding Marine Brigade, Mi88i88ippi Squadron. [Telegram.] NASHVILLE, April 6, 1863. The gunboat commanders have issued orders to leave at 3 a. m. to-morrow. I have notified them of the order of General Rosecrans that they should wait for orders, but they seem to pay no attention to it. The river is falling rapidly and large boats may be caught here. ROBERT B. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General. Lieutenant-Colonel C. GODDARD, Assi8tant Adjutant-General Page 78 78 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CLARKSVILLE, April 6, 18631:4.5 a. m. I have just returned from Harpeth Shoals. Found no force there. Enemy about 600 strong. Cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, de- parted before our arrival at his camp, 2 miles from the river, on the Charlotte road. We pursued 3 miles farther, but could not reach them. They went toward Charlotte. Gunboats found no force last evening at Palmyra. They shelled and burned the place. No force now known to be around here~ Will report by mail in full. WM. P. BOONE, Colonel, Commanding Post. Brigadier-General GARFIELD, Chief of Staff. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding paper found proving disloyalty of Doctor Karrable. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Smithland, April 7, 1863. SIR: Some time during the month of December, 1862, while up the Tennessee, I caught a Doctor Marrable spying around the gunboats. I took him prisoner as a spy and sent him to Cairo, with what proofs and papers I could find. From Cairo he was sent to Columbus. where he was released by the military commission; he, I presume, giving proofs of his loyalty. At Palmyra the enclosed paper was found, which I think places Doctor Marrables position beyond a doubt. What makes the case the more aggravated, he has, or did have, free access to all our prin- cipal camps. I wonder not that the rebels know so well our plans when such loyal men have unlimited passes. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squ ron. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, forwarding information regarding operations at Palmyra, Tenn. OFFICE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., April 8, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of sundry tele- grams * to and from Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, from which you will be able to learn all the facts of an attack on the U. S. gunboat St. Clair by the rebels at Palmyra and the subsequent destruction of that town by Captain Fitch. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. * See pp. 73Th Page 79 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 79 Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding orders Issued to the Marine Brigade for duty in the Tennessee River. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Yasoo Ricer, April 9, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have ordered the Marine Brigade, under General Ellet, to proceed to Tennessee River for the purpose of aiding to defend that line, destroy bridges, boats, etc., and put down guerrillas. The brigade is apparently well organized and will, no doubt, do good service. If we ever get into Vicksburg, they will return imme- diately below to act in concert with the squadron. The rams Monarch, Lioness, Horrter, and Fulton will accompany the brigade, making a respectable force, in addition to 12 gunboats that will be shortly on the Tennessee River. This is all we can do for General Rosecrans, and it is all he should require, or would require, if he will advance his troops as far as the Mussel Shoals. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 2ibssissippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding affairs at Cairo station, transmitting copy of orders to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy. OFFICE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., April 12, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that General Ellets Marine Brigade arrived at this place yesterday. I enclose herewith a copy of my orders to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, relative to his being in the Tennessee River and to his cooperation with the brigade. I also enclose copies of a telegram to me from Major-General Rosecrans of 12th instant and my answer thereto. The gunboat Queen City left for the upper fleet yesterday. The other boats here, viz, the Emma Duncan, Silver Cloud, and Key West No. 3, are being pushed forward to completion as rapidly as possible. The New National arrived here from the fleet this morning with dispatches, etc. Your orders contained therein will be carried out with all dispatch. Requisition has been made for the blanks required in your com- munication of 31st ultimo, and they will be forwarded as soon as they can be procured. Your orders in regard to leaves of absence shall be fully complied with. The Curlew arrived here on the 29th ultimo and left the same evening with dispatches. She was unavoidably detained here for a few hours. Some cotton had to be landed from her, and a few neces- sary repairs made. I sent her to the fleet with the least possible delay Page 80 80 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. The Rattler left on the 3d instant for the squadron. All the cotton received here (except that on the New National, received this morning) has been turned over to the United States marshal, in accordance with your instructions. A list of what had been received up to the tst of April was sent by the last opportunity. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Missi88ippi Squadron. [Enclosure.] APRIL 12, 1863. SIR: I transmit herewith a copy of a communication to me from Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter, U. S. Navy, bearing date 4th in- stant, which 1 have just received, and the instructions contained in which you will be pleased to have carried out without delay. You will not, however, make any change in the commanding officer of the Covington until I can communicate with the admiral on the subject, as I think he is unaware that Lieutenant Hurd has already been placed in command of that vessel b~y his order. You will observe that it is the admirals desire that you remain up the Tennessee River, and that all the vessels that can possibly be spared for the purpose be sent up that river also. The Marine Brigade, Brigadier-General Ellet commanding, has been ordered to the Tennessee River. You will be pleased to co- operate with General lEllet to the utmost extent of your ability. The brigade is under the orders of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Coin ndant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander LEROY FITCH, U. S. Navy, Comdg. Gunboat Lexington. [Telegram.] CAIRO, April 12, 1863. General ROSECRANS: Marine Brigade will leave here to-night or to-morrow morning. It is not composed of gunboats, but of river boats, musket proof. Brigade consists of one regiment of infantry, one squadron of cavalry, and one battery of light artillery, four guns, and is intended to act promptly against small bands near river banks and in cooperation with gunboats. General Ellet has special instruction for his guidance from Admiral Porter. Have given General Ellet a copy of your dispatch. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station Page 81 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 81 [Telegram.] CLARKSVILLE, April 15, 1863. I have barricaded the ferryboat Excel8ior with hay and used it as a gunboat. Convoyed fleet above the [Harpeth] Shoals with it; recovered the starboard gun from the wreck of the Sidell; dispersed rebel band at the shoals who were waiting to fire on unprotected boats. Captured several of the men belonging to Woodwards coin- mand. S. D. BRUCE, Colonel, Coinrnanding. Brigadier-General JAMES A. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff. Letter from Major-General Oglesby, U. S. Army, to Major-General Huribut, U. S. Army, transmitting letter from Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, in Tennessee River. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Jacle8on, Tenn, April 18, 1863. SIR: The following dispatch was received this morning from Corinth by messenger: U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, April 16, 1863. I have received your dispatches of the 1st and 3d instant. There will be two or four boats on the river all the time as long as there is water. Our coal depot is below; therefore the boats will have to make trips down for fuel, but will return as soon as coaled, unless urgent necessity compels me to send them off on short temporary trips elsewhere. I would have been back here before this had it not been that my presence was required up the Cumberland. I regret to say that the river is too low now, and has been for some time, for my boats to get over Coulters JiColbert] Shoals, but I am anxiously awaiting a rise. The river is now rising slowly, but whether there will be water enough for a week yet to let us get over or not I can not say. I trust, though, there will. I will be ready to take advantage of it. I have on this river at the present time four of my best boats. This, I trust, will be sufficient, as the remainder of the fleet is required to convoy transports on the Cumberland. Should necessity require it, I could, for a short period, have more boats here. With these four boats I can carry about 2,000 infantry. If the water will rise sufficiently to let us over the shoals, I will guarantee to cut off their reinforce- ments from the Florence side. We can soon drive them off or capture their entire force on the Tuscumbia side. I do not think, from what I can learn, that there is a very heavy force now at Tuscumbia Landing. I am expecting some transports up with troops from Nashville, and left two of the gunboats at Fort Henry to give them convoy. I will let you know as soon as I can get over the shoals, and if the troops do not arrive from General Rosecrans, I would suggest that, if you can send 2,000 infantry on the gunboats and cavalry by land, we make a move without waiting, as the river is not likely to remain long at a sufficient stage. I do not think that there will be over one more rise this season, and by waiting too long we may lose our only chance at Florence with the gunboats. Many thanks for your kindness. Very respectfully, LE Roy FITCH, Lieutenant-Comnvander. Brigadier-General GRENVILLE M. DODGE, Conlrnandrng United States Forces, Corinth, Miss. P. S.I will try to keep you informed of my whereabouts, and will also send you all the information I can gather. I expect to be between Duck River 7110N w RVOL 2410 Page 82 82 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. and Chickasaw for several days yet, unless the river again commences falling rapidly. My instructions from Admiral Porter are: Go down as the river falls, and, of course, I ascend as it rises. Respectfully, yours, IR. J. OGLESBY, Major- General of Volunteers. Lieutenant-Colonel HENRY BINMORE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Aleimphis, Tenn. [Telegram.] JACKSON, April 18, 1863. Scout in at Corinth reports Lieutenant Fitch, commanding Lex- ington, with two boats went up river at daylight yesterday morning; thinks they reached Eastport last evening. Lientenant Fitch has four of his best boats; can carry about 2,000 infantry. Two of his boats waiting at Fort Henry to convoy transports. River rising slowly. At dark last night Seventh Kansas had not reached Che- walla. Dodge took all cavalry from Corinth and Glendale, leaving small detachments at Camp Davies and Chewalla. Part of this has been used as escort to messengers to Dodge. R. J. OGLESBY, Ala jor- General. Major-General HUELBUT. Report of Colonel Streight, U. S. Army, regarding expected movement up the Tennessee River. HEADQUARTERS PROvISIONAL BRIGADE, Savannah, Jenn., April 18, 1863. Yours of the 14th is before me. I will move up the river at day- light to-morrow morning. We have 130,000 rations on board for you; will halt at Hamburg for messenger from you, and if I do not hear from you there I will proceed to Eastport, where I shall endeavor to open communication with you. Ellets Marine Brigade and four gunboats are with us. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. D. STREIGHT, Colonel, Commanding. Brigadier-General GRENvILLE M. DODGE. [Telegram.] EASTPORT LANDING, April 19, 1863. (Via Corinth, 7 p. in.) I am at the mouth of Bear Creek cooperating with General Dodge, who is now 9 miles up the creek, much disappointed at the non- arrival of troops from below. Were expected last Thursday. Tw Page 83 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 83 gunboats have been waiting at Fort Henry over a week to give them convoy. Is the river [Marine] brigade coming to assist us? If so, it had better hurry on up. If it is not coming, please telegraph General Dodge that he may not expect it. Our troops were engaged all day 9 miles beyond Bear Creek. On arriving here found rebel cavalry on the opposite side of the river exchanging shots with a small squad of ours. Shelled; drove them off. Hope troops will now soon arrive. The two boats waiting to give convoy will also be needed soon if the river rises. LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Con-& m~ander. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commandant of Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CORINTH, April 20, 186310:30 p. m. I have no doubt Dodge was joined by Streight and Ellet yester- day. I send mess~nger to Hamburg to-morrow; to Ocono certain. Ii expect message from Dodge to-night or morning by Seventh Kansas. I have 2,000 troops. I can call in outpost, 1,000 more, for defense of Corinth. Will hold, of course. Gunboats cant reach Tuscumbia before to-morrow, if then. R. J. OGLESBY, Major- General. General HURLBUT. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Aleinphi8, Tenn., April 20, 1863. Move up to Corinth as you indicate. Push Fuller forward. Com- municate with Colonel Streight, and let him move up to Dodge at once. Order Ellets Marine Brigade as high as they dare go. Dodge will find rations on the boats. I fear that dispatches sent to Dodge have been captured and the plan become known. The gunboats should be able to reach Tuscumbia. S. A. HUELBUT, Major- General. Major-General RICHARD J. OGLESBY, Jaek8on, Tenn. [Telegram.] CORINTH, Aprd 21, 186312 in. Received dispatch from Dodge this morning, dated the 20th. The Marine Brigade and Colonel Streights forces joined them on the night 19th. It will take Streight two days to get ready. Only half of his forces are mounted; will have to be mounted in the country Page 84 84 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Ellet has no orders to report to Dodge. He is under orders, posted, but will cooperate. Dodge will move Wednesday morning, to strike the enemy at Tuscumbia on Friday. Streight is to move on this night and go on his work, if Dodge will not require his support. Dodge will have to remain there two weeks to cover Streights operations. Gunboats have not been able to get over the shoals yet. Dodge had a spirited fight on the 19th on his front, but reports no loss. Enemy are very shy of him; has plenty of rations at Eastport; gets forage from the country; will destroy what he does not use. He thinks the enemy will strongly reinforce. Will know to-morrow if gunboats can go over the shoals. ZR. J. OGLESBY, Maj or-General HURLBUT. Major- General. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding failure in pro- posed cooperation with the Army on account of low water. U. S. S. LEXINGTON, Eastport, April 23, 1863. SIR: I have been waiting here for some ten or twelve days in hopes of being able to get over Colbert Shoals and thence to Florence, to cooperate with General Dodge, as spoken of in my letter of the 2d instant. I am sorry to say, though, the river continues to fall. I will be compelled, therefore, to move this boat below Bio- Bend Shoals, and perhaps below Duck River Bar. General Ellet w~is com- pelled to move his boats below yesterday. Three of the lighter boats, the Covington, Queen City, and Argosy, will, however, remain with the transports until General Dodge re- turns, unless the river continues to fall below 5 feet on the shoals; they will then be compelled to drop down also. There will doubtless be another good rise in a week or two. I will take good care to improve it. I am happy to report the river comparatively quiet. The batteries at and opposite Florence have been removed. When I arrived here, I found guerrillas firing across the river at some of General Dodges cavalry. I fired a few shells among them; they left and took over the hills; we have not been bothered since. When I left General Dodge he was on Bear Creek, 9 miles out; had driven the enemy 9~ miles beyond, and is doubtless by this time in Tuscumbia. From what I can learn from prisoners and deserters there are not over 3,000 troops in and around Tuscumbia, and they are there as a guard, shipping corn, etc., to General Braggs army, noxv in front of General Rosecrans. There are now 200,000 barrels of corn and immense quantities of bacon in the Tennessee valley to be shipped to the rebels; it is to cross the river above Mussel Shoals. The enemy is not repairing the railroad bridge at Florence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant-Com,,mander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Gonnnanding Mis8issippi Squadron Page 85 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 85 Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of commanding officer of U. S. S. Emma Duncan regarding engagement at Green Bottom Bar, Tennessee River. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Hamburg Landing, April 28, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 24th instant, while cruising down the river ahead of General Ellets fleet, I met the steamer Emma Duncan, Acting Master Griswold commanding, com- ing up to report his vessel for duty. Learning that he had been at- tacked by a field battery at Green Bottom Bar, and had 3 men badly wounded, I proceeded on down the river, giving him orders to follow me, in hopes of catching the rebels at or near the same place. Enclosed I send his report; also the surgeon~s. I passed the bar about dusk in the evening, but the enemy was nowhere to be seen. Being short of coal, I proceeded on down to Fort Henry, where I procured some from one of General Ellets barges and started back up the river the evening of the 25th instant. Arriving at the foot of Green Bottom Bar about midnight, I an- chored till morning. Still seeing nothing of the enemy, I proceeded on up the river to meet and communicate with General Ellet. The Emma Duncan, remaining nearly a mile in my rear, caught a ferry flat coming out of a creek. After I had passed, the guerrillas in the flat jumped out and made their escape in the woods. The flat, however, was destroyed and set adrift. I cruised on up leisurely, keeping a good lookout for the enemy along the right bank, but saw no signs of them till I arrived at Duck River Shoals, when I heard musketry and artillery a short distance (not a mile) ahead. I pushed on over the bar and met General Ellets fleet just at the head of the shoals engaging the rebel battery. I was then in good range and at once opened fire on the enemy. There was not room for his boats to round to or to back out of the channel. He was therefore compelled to push on over the bar before he could effect a landing. I took the battery side and moved on up to cover his boats as much as possible, at the same time raking the bank with our heavy guns. The ram illonarch by this came in range and opened fire also. As soon as I rounded the point the enemy fired a farewell shot at one of the brigade boats, limbered up and were off. Some few sharp- shooters remaining behind fired a few shots at a transport having on board sick and wounded. I followed on up the bank, throwing shell after them till I thought them out of range, and ceased firing. By this time General Ellet had landed and was pursuing them. Several of the enemy were found dead on the bank, and many more were dragged off in the woods. I should suppose that their loss in killed and wounded is about 25 or 30. I believe General Ellet lost 2 killed and 1 wounded on his boats, also some horses killed. About 11 p. m. I left General Ellet at the foot of the bar and pro- ceeded on up the river with his boat and the Emma Duncan to com- municate with the fleet above. I arrived at Eastport in the afternoon of the 27th instant, received a communication from General Dodge at Tuscumbia. Enclosed I send a copy of it. I sent the transports below Big Bend Shoals, and remained at Eastport, landing myself, with the gunboats Emma Duncan an Page 86 86 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Queen City till morning the 28th instant, in hopes of again being able to communicate with General Dodge before moving the trans- ports out of the river. I then returned to Hamburg and, finding no means of communica- tion there, sent the Covington and Emma Duncan back to Chickasaw to wait till the morning of the 29th instant, and then, if no messengers arrived from General Dodge, to report back to me at this place. I will move down from here with the transports to-morrow. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mi88i88ippi Squadron. [Enclosures.] U. S. GUNBOAT EMMA DUNCAN, Fort Heiman, April 24, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to state that while on my way to report to Lieutenant-Commander LeRoy Fitch, senior officer, Tennessee River Squadron, I was attacked at a place called Green Bottom Bar, on the east bank of the river, early this morning (2 oclock), by a strong party of guerrillas with four pieces of light artillery. This place is one of the worst in the river navigation, so the pilots describe it. I have given orders to my executive officer to go to general quarters for the purpose of exercise at 2 oclock a. in., as the crew had never been drilled. Had not been at quarters more than five minutes when the enemy opened fire. One shot (shrapnel) came in forward through the iron sheathing, struck the reinforce band of No. 1 gun, first di- vision, and exploded, mangling the right arm of 2 men and the left of another to such an extent th~it immediate amputation was decided upon by the surgeon, which was successfully performed. When close abreast the enemy, I ordered the pilot to stop the ship, as I wished to engage broadside on, but he reported the channel too nar- row to work the vessel in that position. I accordingly went ahead, using my broadside guns as long as they could be brought to bear. having reached a good position, I brought my stern guns into action, and, I think, though it was very dark, with nothing but the flash of the guns to reveal their position, they did good service, as in a short time the enemy used but one gun and soon ceased firing entirely. My attention was then called to the fact that the enemy were making signalsburning a red and blue lightwhich were answered on the western bank in a bad place (the pilot said). I immediately ordered the pilot to go ahead under full steam, and shelled the woods on both sides in those places that were suspicious, but elicited no response, though lights were seen moving about, and in one place a number of camp fires. On inspection, it was found that the enemy had hulled us seven times. One shell came in aft and burst over the heads of the second division, tearing away the hammock carline and the cabin floor, but did not injure materially a man; others came through the wheelhouse, causing but little damage, however. The cabin and ward- room suffered badly in their light work. As the enemy could riot be found, I proceeded up the river and, pursuant to order, reported to Lieutenant-Commander LeRoy Fitch Page 87 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 87 commanding gunboat Lexington. As he was coming down to this place, I was ordered to follow him. On passing Green Bottom Bar nothing was to be seen of the enemy. My pilots say it was without doubt Forrests light artillery. They were evidently well drilled and their sharpshooters skillful. I also beg leave to state that the conduct of my officers and men was highly honorable to themselves and creditable to the service, as few if any of them had ever been under fire before. I have the honor to remain, most respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM N. GRISWOLD, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. HEADQUARTERS, Tuscumbia, April 24, 1863. I enclose dispatches for Corinth, which please send down and de- liver, retaining cavalry until you return with answers. We took this place to-day, also Florence; had some cannonading there and also a severe fight at Leighton, in which we cleaned them out. I do not think that there is any battery between here and you. I desire you to stay at Eastport as long as possible; it will be a great help to me in returning my command. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. M. DODGE, Brigadier-General. Captain FITCH. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, regarding the disposition of captured cotton. U. S. S. LEXINGTON, Fort Henry, April 25, 1863. SIR: Your dispatches and general orders relating to cotton, etc., received. The cotton I took was in a country infested by guerrillas, and was likely to go into the rebel army. It was entirely out of the reach of any public agent acting without a force to protect him. I sent it to Cairo to the fleet captain, subject to your orders. In future I shall be guided entirely by your orders ~ist received. Most of the horses were captured from the guerrillas, with their saddles on, carbines and canteens slung to them. They I deem lawful prizes, although we were compelled to land to effect it. General lEllet is iiow in the river with his brigade and will doubtless attend to cotton mills, etc., out of my reach and doing work for the rebels. I will give him all the information regarding them that I can. In consequence of the boats being required on this river now con- stantly, I am having the greater portion of our coal brought up to this place and will establish a depot for that purpose here Page 88 88 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. We now have telegraphic communication here, but will have to send to Paducah for mail matter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding 2lIi8s~s8ippi Squadron. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphi8, ]ienn., April 29, 1863. Dodge is at Tuscumbia. Streight was to leave on Saturday. He is short of horses and mules. Have had no message from Dodge since Saturday. Marine Brigade left Hamburg on Friday; had a sharp skirmish at Dutch [Duck] River. Gunboats and transports left to-day. Griersons Sixth Illinois Cavalry have destroyed 20 miles of railroad between Jackson and Meridian. They have not yet returned. S. A. HURLBUT, Maj or-General W. S. ROSECRANS, Major- General. Murfree8boro. [Telegram.] CORINTH, April 29, 18635:30 p. m. Scouts in from Hamburg report that all the gunboats (five) and all transports (nine) left Hamburg at 11 oclock to-day to descend the river, to return no more. r~ he Marine Brigade left last Friday. Had severe fight at mouth of Duck River. Three gunboats that came up with the order for Stanley and gunboats to go out had also encountered light battery and had fight at same place. Dodge took rations of bread and meat; balance of stores were taken back on transports. This leaves river open again. I shall have to com- municate with Dodge through country-50 miles. No other informa- tion to-day. R. J. OGLESBY. Maj or-General HUELBUT. [Telegram.] GALLATIN, April 30, 1863. A gunboat and four transports were coming up the river this morn- ing; the rebels fired into them, and one transport ran on a log and sank. One-third of her cargo can be saved. I shall go to her relief immediately. There were 200 men, with officers, on the fleet, and onl Page 89 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 89 30 armed, and when they arrived here they were out of ammunition. I shall suppiy them. The fleet was going to Carthage. E. A. PAINE, Brigadier-General. Brigadier-General GARFIELD, Chief of Staff. [Telegram.] CINCINNATI, OHIo, April 30, 1863. (Received 1 :18 p. in.) The light-draft gunboats James Thompson, Exchange. and Ken- wood are about ready for service. They are very much needed on the upper Ohio. Kanawha, and Big Sandy. Can you authorize their use in these waters until some three or four others can be fitted up for that purpose, if you think the interests of the public service will authorize the fitting out of boats for these waters? The naval department here states the work can be done at once if it receives the necessary orders, etc. A. E. BUENSIDE, Major- General. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 1, 1863. Your telegram is received. The three gunboats named and other light-draft vessels have been purchased upon the urgent request of General Rosecrans for such vessels in the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. The Department would not like to divert them from this service without his consent. Captain Pennock, senior officer at Cairo, has authority to provide steamers for the Western waters when the exigencies demand it. It is suggested that you communicate with him. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Major-General AMBROSE E. BUENSIDE, Cincinnati. Ohio. [Telegram.] GALLATIN, April 30, 18638:15 p. in. I have just returned from the wreck. The boats were fired upon by soldiers and citizens with muskets and rifles. The gunboat re- turned the fire. The rebels had no artillery. The pilot or some other officer must have been frightened and carelessly ran the boat on a log. It was loaded with bread mostly. I think I can save 100 boxes. I sent one regiment across the river to go down, and sent down m Page 90 90 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. fiatboats to unload the wreck. I expect a fight on this side. The gunboat was out of ammunition. I furnished what was required from the magazine. E. A. PAINE, Brigadier-General. Brigadier-General GARFIELD. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy, announcing arrival at Fort Henry, convoying transports. U. S. S. LEXINGTON. Fort Henry, April 30, 1863. SIR: I left Hamburg yesterday and brought down with me all the transports. I met with no opposition whatever in 2omlng down. At Waverly Landing saw some four or five rebel cavalry. It is reported that Van Dorn is at Waverly with all his force. If so, he is doubtless preparing to attack Fort Donelson or try to blockade this river or the Cumberland. I will watch him closely. From present appearance I think there will be water enough in this river for this boat to run up as high as Hamburg till the latter part of June. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEROY FITCH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Brigadier-General Ellet, commanding Marine Brigade, regarding expedition in Tennessee River and engagement with the enemy at the mouth of Duck River. HEADQUARTERS M. M. BRIGADE, Flagship Autocrat, April 30, 1863. I have the honor to report that, in compliance with instructions received from Admiral Porter, I proceeded with my command up Tennessee River to Eastport, Miss., without interruption from the enemy. Returning in consequence of low water, I made several raids into the country and destroyed a number of important mills and considerable amount of subsist uce supplies belonging to the enemy. At the mouth of Duck River my boats were attacked by 700 cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, commanded by Major Robert M. White, of Sixth Texas Rangers. The fight was spirited for a few moments only. The enemy was driven off and pursued some 12 miles in the interior, with the loss of Major White, mortally wounded and left near the field, 1 lieutenant, and 8 men. They carried off a large number of wounded in wagons and on horses. We buried their dead. Our loss was 2 men killed and 1 wounded Page 91 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 91 The west bank of the Tennessee River was lined wfth refugees, who have been driven from their homes for love to the Old Union. I exhausted my supplies in providing for their necessities. The Tennessee River is too low for my boats to operate in with safety. My order from Admiral Porter does not provide for this emergency. I shall hope to receive instruction from the Department. ALFRED W. ELLET, Brigadier-General, Comdg. Mississippi Marine Brigade. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding general matters connected with the station at Cairo, Ill. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 1, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the U. S. gunboat Linden arrived here on the evening of the 29th ultimo, and I am fitting out her, as well as the Silver Lake and Glide, with all possible dispatch. I have put Lieutenant Woodworth in command of the Glide, which I shall send down this evening with two barges of coal (20,000 bush- els) and by which I forward dispatches and other communications. I have placed on board the Glide all my available men, and am now powerless for want of more. I proceeded in the Silver Lake to Columbus according to my inten- tion expressed in my communication of the 27th ultimo. The gen- eral commanding at Columbus wished to consult me about sending a gunboat to Fort Pillow to convoy some troops, as he was fearful that there would be some interruption by the way. He also informed me that he had given orders for the evacuation of Hickman and New Madrid, which I very much regretted. I fear if those and other prominent points are not strongly garrisoned that we may meet with interruption in sending down supplies. Lieutenant-Commander LeRoy Fitch sent down two prisoners a few days since charged with being rebels. I have handed them over to the provost-marshal, with a copy of the charges against them. Captain Fitch also telegraphed me that he had been obliged to bring down the boats to Padncah, but that the Tennessee River is now rising. He will send up a portion of his fleet xvith the rise. I enclose copies of telegrams received from General Wright, with my answers, as well as a copy of a telegram from Lieutenant-Commander Fitch to myself on the subject. I am glad to be able to inform you that all the sick have been discharged from the hospital at Mound City who can be paid off. We are now waiting for funds to enable us to discharge the remain- der, and are therefore unable to give the hospital [up] yet. As soon as I heard that the Pollard had broken down near Island No. 21, I chartered a steamer (the Storm) as soon as possible, and sent her down to tow the coal barges to their destination Page 92 92 NAVAL FOI~CES ON WESTERN WATERS. The New National is at St. Louis loading with provisions for Memphis, together with stores for the foundry. When she arrives here I shall send down Acting Master Neeld with her. Fleet Surgeon Pinkney arrived here yesterday and will proceed to the fleet as soon as he can regulate matters in his department here. I am informed by Captain Badger that the Mississippi is rising rapidly and that the Choctaw and Lafayette will be sent down here according to your orders, although unfinished. I telegraphed a few days since to Lieutenant-Commander Foster, commanding U. S. gunboat Chillicothe, to leave no measure untried to get that vessel through the locks. He informed me by letter to-day that he has taken the necessary measurements himself, and that the breadth of beam of the Chillicothe is 8 inches greater than the width of the locks, and that it was impossible to get her through. I enclose a communication from Mr. Bickerstaff relative to the engineers of the Linden, and also send you the appointments which have been received here for the engineers whose names were first sent here by Mr. B. I enclose a copy of a letter from a Mr. R. 0. Warenner, relative to certain indebtedness of Acting Master Flanner, of the New Era, together with my answer thereto. The IV. H. Brown has just arrived from below (January 2, 11 a. in.). I find that her boilers are badly burned, and that she will have to be repaired, which will be done as soon as possible. I received a telegram to-day from St. Louis, from Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant James Laning, stating that the Lafayette left that place for Cairo yesterday at 12 m. Depth of water in channel, 12 feet. The gunboat Glide, Acting Lieutenant Woodworth commanding, will leave early to-morrow morning (Saturday, January 3) with coal, and the New Era and tug Ivy will leave also, under Lieutenant Woodworths orders until they reach the squadron. January 2, 10 oclock p. m.The Wilson has just arrived from St. Louis with beef, and will proceed down the river with the Glide and other boats. The master of the Wilson reports that he passed the Lafayette at anchor last night about 40 miles below St. Louis. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOcK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 1, 1863. Captain [George] Brown and yourself have authority to appoint for Duchess, Florence, and Mary Miller. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Master A. S. BOWEN Naval Rendezvous, Cincinnati, Ohio Page 93 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 93 Report of Lieutenant-Commander Owen, U. S. Navy, requesting a cutter for the U. S. S. Louisville. U. S. S. LOUISVILLE, January 1, 1863. SIR: I respectfully request that one of the cutters belonging to Cairo be given to this vessel, as she lost one (beyond repair on board) in a collision with the Cincinnati on the 27th ultimo. I am, sir, very respectfully, E. K. OWEN, Lieutenant- Commander. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from F. B. Pike to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the taking by the Army of the steamer David Jiatum. GAYoso HousE, MEMPHIS, January ~, 1863. SIR: General Tuttle took my boat (David Tatum), saying his authority was above yours, etc. I shall have a boat in six or eight days; shall proceed to the squad- ron at once. Yours, respectfully, E. B. PIKE. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Coin anding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the seizure by guerrillas of the steamer Blue Wing. No. 3.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Jfazoo River, January 3, 186~? [1863]. SIR: I have been informed that a steamer called the Blue Wing was fired into by a party of guerrillas, and that the captain ran into the bank and delivered her up. She had two of our coal barges in tow, one of which was picked up by Lieutenant-Commander Self- ridge, who is guarding the mouth. The other barge and the steamer have not been heard of yet, having disappeared. There is no doubt of complicity on the part of the captain. I believe there were some dispatches on board for me. I dont know whether they were de- stroyed or not. The captain says they were. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 94 94 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-A d?niral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Shirk, U. S. Navy, regarding the duty of keeping the White and Arkansas rivers closed. JANUARY 3, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to the mouth of the Arkansas River and keep the Conestoga there while you repair your steam pipe. When that is finished let the Conestoga proceed to Memphis and make what repairs she may need and return without delay to the mouth of the Arkansas. The light-draft New Era has been ordered to stop at Napoleon. If she has not received the order, detain her. The ram Lancaster will also join you. When the New Era arrives send her up to the mouth of White River now and then. Your duty will be to keep the Arkansas and White rivers closed. I send a mail by you which you will forward by the Conestoga. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comir& anding Mi8sissippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JAs. W. SHIRK, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Lexington. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 3, 1863. Services of Chillicothe much needed. Get her down as soon as you can with safety. What do the pilots report about depth of water? Answer. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant-Commander J. P. FOSTER, Commanding Chillicothe, Jeffersonville, md. Report of Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, regarding affairs at JIem~ phis naval station. U. S. S. GENERAL BRAGG, Memphis, Jienn., January 3,1863. SIR: I respectfully report that I have made as much headway as possible with the repairs of this vessel. I have been much embar- rassed for want of material. I sent my paymaster to Cairo the day after you left, with requisitions for material and money. Captain Pennock refused to approve the requisition for money, and I have been unable to pay the workmen at the end of the month, as you ordered. I have no funds on hand for that purpose. Mr. Rowe, the master machinist, has been making requests to be permitted to move into the commandants house. I desire to know whom you wish to occupy it; the house is now empty, and I have sta- tioned a guard around it Page 95 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 95 I will get this vessel so that she can be moved under steam in a week, but can not complete the repairs until material is received from Cairo. I have proceeded with the inventory of property as rapidly as pos- sible and have gotten through with the machine shops now in use. As some of our vessels have been captured and others fired into I have notified the Treasury agent of the fact and sent him a copy of that part of your order in relation to stopping steamers from trading below Helena. I am sorry I was unable to put contrabands on board the light- draft gunboats as they passed down. I could not get them from the Army as I anticipated. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA BISHOP, Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Ya~oo River. Order of Acting Rear-Admral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Brown, U. S. Navy, to proceed with the U. S. S. Indianola to Louisville, Ky. JANUARY 3, 1863. SIR: You will proceed with the Indianola to Louisville and be ready to pass the falls the first rise in the river. From what I can hear of the water, your vessel should have been at Louisville before this time. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mksissippi Squadron, Lieutenant-Commander GEO. BROWN, U. S. Navy, Cincinnati, Ohio, Instructions from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieu- tenant Prichett, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tyler, while in temporary command at the mouth of the Yazoo River. MOUTH OF YAzoo RIVER, January 4, 1863. SIR: You will remain in command until my return and watch this river. You will observe the utmost vigilance, so that nothing shall get in or out. You will take charge of all the vessels left behind and anchor your vessels so that the Samson, Chcnr& pion, and mortars will be completely covered. The Tyler will run up toward Old River now and then, to see what is going on, looking out for torpedoes. I am going to remove some of the vessels to Millikens Bend. If any suspicious-looking vessel is seen to go up that way, the Tyler will follow her at once. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comdg. Mississippi Squadron. Lient. Comdg. JAMES M. PRICHETT, U. S. Navy, Commanding Tyler Page 96 96 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Shaw, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Juliet, to proceed to Helena for coal. JANUARY 4, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Helena with all dispatch and return again to the mouth of White River with a barge of coal. If you meet any coal coming down, tell the captain of the tow to stop at White River if there is a gunboat there; if not, to stop at the mouth of the Arkan- sas. If you meet any other vessel (except the Rattler),tell the com- mander to return and take a coal barge from Helena, if there is one there. Mention to all vessels of war you meet coming down to stop at White River, and do not mention to anyone in Helena that the fleet is coming up, and put your officers on their guard. If you meet any gunboat this side of Napoleon, tell the commander to anchor until I come along and to be ready to return with me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comdg. Mississippi Squadron. Acting Vol. Lient. EDWARD SHAW, U. S. Navy, Commanding Juliet. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Wilson, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mound City, in case of arrival of mortars. JANUARY 4, 1863. If coal should come down, let it stop here and fill up all the vessels. If the mortars come, anchor them inside of you and under your guns. If fresh provisions and ice come, do the same, and use them. When I am able I will send a light-draft vessel to convoy them to the mouth of the Yazoo. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comdg. Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commanding BYRON WILSON, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Mound City. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Wilson, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mound City, to proceed to Millikens Rend. JANUARY 4, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Millikens Bend and anchor under the point in slack water, if possible, on the right hand side going up, where you will guard such of our vessels as I may leave there and carry out strictly General Order No. 4. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commanding BYRON WILSON, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mound City Page 97 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 97 Report of Lieute nt Bishop, U. S. Navy, commanding at Memphis, regarding the movement of mortars down the river in tow of steamer Stephen Bayard. U. S. S. GENERAL BRAGG, Memphis, Tenn., January 4, 1863. SIR: I have chartered the steamer Stephen Bayard and have started her down the river with four mortar boats in tow. I have chartered her at the same rates the Quartermaster of the Army was paying ($150 per day, the Government furnishing fuel). The vessel had on board 1,500 bushels of coal and 30 cords of wood. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA BISHOP, Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding ilississippi Squadron, Mouth of the Jfazoo. Report of Acting Ensign IVheelock, U. S. Navy, requesting instruc- tions for his guidance as naval member of board of trade at Helena, Ark. HELENA, ARK., January 4, 1863. SIR: I was sent up to Memphis with the steamer Mill Boy and ar- rived here too late to report myself to you. I was appointed one of the board of trade at this port, to represent the Navy, and have ac- cepted the position with the consent of the different commanders of the fleet at this port. My principal duties have been to examine all clearances of vessels arriviflg and departing from this port, to see that they have the clearance from the naval officer at Memphis; also that they do not carry any contraband goods. There seems to be some collision between the naval and military as to who controls the navigation, and should you approve of my remaining here, I should be pleased to have something official to guide me. Awaiting orders, I am, sir, your most obedient servant, E. W. WHEELOCK, Acting Ensign, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of A cting ilaster Smith, U. S. Navy, forwarding c/tart of proposed canal between the Mississippi River and Lake Provi- dence. U. S. GUNBOAT LINDEN, Off Lake Providence, January 4, 1863. Sm: Please find enclosed a chart of the proposed canal to run from the Mississippi River to Lake Providence. The time required for the construction of this canal will be one week fro~m yesterday, when the men first broke ground. I remain, your obedient servant, TUbS. E. SMITH, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D~,PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. ~I110N W BVOL 2410 Page 98 98 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Coin bined operatiom8 connected with the capture of the Po8t of Arkan8a8 (Fort Hindman), Ark., January 411, 1863. General Order No. 29. JANUARY 4, 1863. If the vessels find coal at Napoleon, they will stop and supply themselves; if not, rendezvous at the mouth of White River. Let the transports do the towing, and save all the coal possible. Take -in wood when convenient. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88is8ippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, to report with the U. S. ram Monarch at mouth of Arkansas River. JANUARY 4, 1863. COLONEL: You will join me with the Monarch at the mouth of Arkansas River. Leave the rest of the rams under the charge of Lieutenant-Commander Prichett, of the U. S. S. Tyler, who will give them instructions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mie8is8ippi Squadron. Colonel CHAS. R. ELLET, Commanding Ram Fleet. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, to report at mouth of White River. JANUARY 4, 1863. COLONEL: Join me at the mouth of White River as soon as possible with the best ram you have. Let the arrangements we made yesterday go on, and what rams are left let them report to the commanding naval officer at the Yazoo River.~ If you want towage, hoist a red flag. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Missiesippi Squadron. Colonel ELLET, Commanding Ram Fleet. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Bache, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cincinnati, to proceed to mouth of Arkansas River. JANUARY 4, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to the mouth of the Arkansas River; if I am not there before you, anchor and take in coal if there is any Page 99 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 99 Transports are appropriated to tow up the ironclads. Take the first that offers. A red flag means, I want towage. Save all the coal you can while being towed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAvm D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commander GEO. M. BACHE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Cincinnati. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Smith, U. S. Navy, to assume command of the first division of light-draft vessels. JANUARY 4, 1863. SIR: You will take command of the first division of light-draft vessels, consisting of the Rattler, Marmora, Romeo, Juliet, Glide, Springfield, New Era, Signal, and will see that they conform to the general orders, herewith enclosed. See them furnished with all that is necessary to make them efficient. The Forest Rose will also be in- cluded in your division for the present. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commanding WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, naming vessels belonging to the first division. - JANUARY 6, 1863. The following vessels will compose the first division of light-draft boats, under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, and the commanders will report to him without delay: Rattler, Juliet, New Era, Marmora, Glide, Signal, Romeo, Springfield, Forest Rose. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Major-General McClernand, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting copy of instructions sent to the Army of the Mississippi. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Steamer Tigress, January 6, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have the honor to transmit for your information a copy of the instructions * communicated to the general commanding the two army corps of the Army of the Mississippi. I am, admiral, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. SCHWARTZ, Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Rear-Admiral PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Flotilla. * See Army Records, Series I, Vol. XVII, part 2, p. ~3T Page 100 100 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. General order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy. GENERAL ORDER, No. 30. J JANUARY 7, 1863. In ascending the White and Arkansas rivers the following order will be observed: Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith will go ahead in the Rattler, sounding with two leads, and when he comes to shoal water (less than 9 feet) he will hoist the cornet. If he can [sic] through with that depth of water he will hoist the blue jack. The Romeo, eJuliet, and Forest Rose will follow the Rattler, sounding with two leads, their guns trained forward of the [sic] and the fuzes cut to one second. The 2Jlarnwra will go ahead of this ship, sounding, and the guns similarly prepared. Vessels will not wait for orders to fire when they see the enemys troops or when fired upon. Commanders will look out for torpedoes or floats or wires extend- ing from the bank. Boats will be kept manned to remove them. The Louisville, Baron De Kaib, and Cincinnati will come after this vessel. The Signal will cover the twentieth transport and the Lex- ington will bring up the rear. The Red Rover and Torrence will remain at the mouth of White River and guard it and the coal barges, notifying any light-draft gunboats and all coal or store boats to stop at the mouth of White River until further orders. The cornet over the jack will signify danger near from the enemy. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Com~nanding ffis& issippi Squadron. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General McClern- and, U. S. Army, transmitting charts of the Arkansas River and information obtained from a deserter. JANUARY 7, 1863. GENERAL: I beg leave to send you some charts of the Arkansas River and a list of distances. Also an account of the post, collected from a refugee picked up in a boat on the river in a starving condi- tion. Captain Shirk sent him to Illinois, where he lives. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Alississippi Squadron. Major-General MCCLERNAND, U. S. Army, Commanding U. S. Forces. [Letter of same date and like tenor to Major-General W. T. Sher- man, U. S. Army, commanding U. S. forces.] [Enclosure. I U. S. Mississir~i SQUADRON [NO DATE]. The force at Post of Arkansas consists of eleven regiments, number- ing each about 600 effectives, two companies of cavalry, and two bat- teries; one equipped, the other used in the land defense of the fort. Some of these small pieces are rifled~ There are nine or seven gun Page 101 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 101 mounted on the river side (one 64-pounder), the rest of lower calibers. The road from White River is a good one, running on high land, though on both sides marshy. The fort is intrenched and ditched on all sides, barracks inside, covered with dirt and sod. Barricade above the fort consisting of rows of piles driven in tri- angles and secured with hog chains. The road from White River is good, bears along a prairie 300 yards wide. Road to the post, 20 miles. [Endorsement.] A refugees description of Post of Arkansas. Order of Acting Rear-A4miral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, regarding towing of a coal barge. JANUARY 8, 1863. COLONEL: If we move to-day, you had better lash on to the coal barge now alongside the ironclad and tow her up the White River. You can coal going along. I do not want to detain the Army if I can help it. We will want the coal up there. Very respectfully, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88~88ipp~ Squadron. Colonel GRAS. R. ELLET Commanding Ram Fleet, Mi8sissippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volunteer Lieu- tenant Shaw, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Juliet, to move up the river following the flagship. JANUARY 8, 1863. SIR: You will follow me up the Arkansas through the cut-off, with the coal barge in tow, sounding with the lead as you go along, and be cautious not to get ashore. Have your shrapnel cut to one second and guns pointed at the top of the bank and trained forward. Keep a sharp lookout, and do not be taken unawares. Very respectfully, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mis8i~8ippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieut. EDWARD SHAW, U. S. Navy, Commanding Juliet. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Xajor-General McCler- nand, U. S. Army, giving iuformation brought by the captain of the U. S. S. Conestoga. JANUARY 8, 1863. GENERAL: The Cone8toga went up the Arkansas to-day and came down by the cut-off and White River. The captain reports great abundance of wood on the edge of the banks all the way up Page 102 102 I~AVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. He saw two or three men oniy on horseback, and captured two soldiers in a canal from Van Buren, who had been lately exchanged. They were trying to get oVtt of the country. They knew nothing. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding IJfissi88ippi Squadron. Maj or-General MOCLERNAND, Commanding Army of the Mis8is8ippi. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, Steamer Tigre88, January 8, 1863. ADMIRAL: Will you please inform me when you are ready to move? I will also inform you when the transports will move. By order of Major-General J. A. McClernand: W. STEWART, Colonel and Chief of Staff. Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding Illis8is8ippi River Flotilla. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General McCler- nand, U. S. Army, announcing his readiness to move up the Arkansas River with the transports. U. S. S. BLACK HAWK, January 8,1863. GENERAL: I am ready to move, and when you signalize to me will get underway and go ahead. General Sherman has a signal officer on board, who can communi- cate with mine on board this vessel. Our Arkansas pilot says it is not at all safe to run in the Arkansas at night. Please inform me if you will go farther than the cut-off to- night. We will then be all in sailing order and can start fair at daylight in the morning. I notice that all the transports are not up. I ordered Lieutenant- Commander Selfridge to bring up the rear and report to me when the transports were all in. He has not hove- in sight yet, which assures me that some of the transports are behind. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAvID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding ]JIi8si88ippi Squadron. Major-General MCCLERNAND, U. S. Army, Commanding U. S. Army of the AIi88i88ippi. Letter from Major-General McClernand, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, proposing to follow the latters lead up the Arkansas River. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, Steamer Tigre88, January 8, 1863. ADMIRAL: The signal officer to whom you refer has left. I will first send you word when my command is ready to move and afterward Page 103 103 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. fire a signal gun; upon the doing of which, you leading off, I will follow with the transports, convoyed by your gunboats, according to the arrangement indicated by your General Orders, No. 30. If you think it unsafe for the fleet to run all night, I will stop with you at the cut-off; otherwise I would prefer to run to-night and arrive at the post in the morning. I will follow your example and proceed or stop, as you may deem it best. Your obedient servant, JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major- General, Commanding. Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding AIis8w8ippi Squadron. Letter from ~ajor-General McClernand, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, proposing to start up the river in the morning. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississipri, Steamer Tigre8s, January 8, 1863. ADMIRAL: The signal officer to whom you refer has left. In view of your suggestion of the unsafeness of running at night, and of the necessity of delaying longer for some of my transports, I propose to start in the morning at 8 oclock, and have accordingly so ordered in regard to my command. You leading off in the morning at the hour named, I will follow. I learn this evening from an officer of General Morgan L. Smiths staff that the gunboats might find a favorable landing for the protec- tion of the disembarkation of the laud forces at Notrubs farm, 3 miles below the post. JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major- General, Commanding. Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Co anding AIi8si~~sippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding first division, regarding position of the latters command. JANUARY 9, 1863. SIR: Tie up to the left bank going up, a little ahead of where I will tie up, your vessels all close together and sterns hauled close inshore to make room to pass. [DAVID D. PORTER,] Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Missis8ippi Squadron. Lient. Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Fir8t Divi8ion Light-Draft Ve88el8, Mi88i88ippi Squadron Page 104 104 ~{AVAL FORCE~ON WESTERN WATERS. General Order of Battle. JANUARY 10, 1863. The Loui8ville, Baron De Kaib, and the Cincinnati will take the lead in attacking Post of Arkansas, and will move up at 9:30 a. m. (if weather will permit), in sight of, but not in range of, the fort. The light-draft vessels will follow to make a show. The Black Hawk will move up to use her two rifle guns at long range. When the range is obtained by each vessel they will stick up a mark on the bank, opposite which they will remain while firing. The ele-. vating screw must be fitted with a lanyard to the handle, and secured so that the elevation will not alter while firing. The division of General Sherman will be in a line with our fire, a mile the other side of the Post. It is desirable to drop our shells in or near the fort, that we may not trouble him as he advances. The front casemates and forward part of the pilot houses of the ironclads must be covered with tallow or slush; it will make the shot glance. When the range is obtained, fire as rapidly as can be done with a proper regard for accuracy. Commence with 10-second shell. I will direct when to move up or fall back. If the heavy ammunition should give out, move the rifle guns forward. The Dc Kalb will try her range first; 1,330 yards is the bursting point of a 5-second fuze, 10-second, at about 2,700 yards. [D. D. PORTER,] Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Ah88~88ippj Squadron. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, -U. S. Navy, to Brigadier-General Morgan, U. S. Army, regarding protection of transports. JANUARY 10, 1863. SIR: There is a gunboat below the transports to look out for the rear, but another will be sent to Fletchers. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding AIi88i88ippi Squadron. Brigadier General GEO. W. MORGAN, Commanding, U. S. Army. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, to give protection to transports. JANUARY 10, 1863. SIR: Proceed to Fletchers Landing, about 3 miles below here, and give protection to the transports. Permit no transport to go down the river unless by a written order from an army officer. If Captain Shirk is below, tell him I want him up here. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88is8ippi Squadron. Acting Master GEO. W. BROWN, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Fore8t Rose Page 105 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 105 Report of Lieutenant-Commander Shirk, U. S. Navy, forwarding copy of dispatch referring to the movements of the enemy. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, U. S. S. Lexington, Fletchers Landing, Arkaneas River, January 10, 1863. SIR: I am laying at this place protecting the transports which have on board General Osterhauss division or brigade. As soon as I am relieved by the Forest Rose I will join you. The following is a copy of a dispatch just handed me to forward to General Morgan: HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, January 10, 1863. Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsey desires me to say to you that the rebels are rapidly leaving the fort and moving toward our left, whether with the intention of abandoning it or moving on our left he can not say. WILL A. JORDAN, Aid-de-Gamp. Lieutenant E. D. SAUNDERS, Acting Aasistaut Adjutant-General. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, JAS. W. SHIRK, Lieutenant- Comm,ander. [Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER.] Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Brigadier-General Morgan, U. S. Army, announcing immediate movement. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 11, 1863. GENERAL: I am very glad to hear from you. We will move up in a few moments. The moment we hear your shouts of assault we will cease firing or fire far to the left of you; that is, to the left of your right wing, as we sailors would say. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral. Brigadier-General GEO. W. MORGAN. Report of Colonel Lindsey, U. S. Army, making enquiry regarding opening fire upon the fort. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, January 11, 1863. When the engagement is raging between the gunboats and the fort, will I be allowed to open on the fort with the 20-pounders? Captain Foster thinks he can do good. D. W. LINDSEY, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. P. STRATTON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Lieutenant E. D. SAUNDERS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General Page 106 106 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] MEMPHIS, TENN., January 11, 18633:30 p. m. General MeClernand has fallen back to White River and gone on a wild-goose chase to the Post of Arkansas. I am ready to reinforce, but must await further information before knowing what to do. U. S. GRANT, Major- General, Com4nanding. Major-General H. W. HALLECK, General in Chief. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General McCler- nand, U. S. Army, advising the placing of batteries near the works. JANUARY 11, 1863. GENERAL: I shall be ready with the ironclads in half an hour, but I think it would be advisable to have a couple of batteries of rifled guns planted as close to the works as possible to fire into the em- brasures of the fort and to keep the people away from the barbette gun. Those four 30-pounder Parrotts I sent General Sherman would do good service there. Everything that can be done to shorten the fight and save the lives of our men should be tried, and I think it very important that a battery should be placed near the bank of the river to fire at the embrasures. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General MOCLERNAND, Commanding Army of the Mississippi. P. S.The moment we hear your shouts we will cease firing, that we may not hurt your men. [DAVID D. PORTER], Acting Rear-Admiral. [Telegram.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Post of Arkansas, January 11, 1863. SIR: The gunboats Louisville, DeKalb, Cincinnati, and Lexington attacked the heavy fort at Post of Arkansas last night and silenced the batteries, killing many of the enemy. The gunboats attacked it this morning and dismounted every gun, eleven in all. Colonel Dun- nington, late of the U. S. Navy, commandant of the fort, requested to surrender to the Navy. I received his sword. The army co- operated on the land side. The forts were completely silenced and the guns, 11 in number, were all dismounted in three hours. The action was at close quarters on the part of the three ironclads and the firing splendid. The list of killed and wounded is small. The Louisville lost 12, DeKalb 17, Cinciniafti none, Lexington none Page 107 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 107 ~attle~ 2. The vessels, although much cut up, were ready for action in half an hour after the battle. The light-draft Rattler, Lieutenant- Commander Watson Smith, and other light-drafts, joined in the action when it became general, as did the Black Hawk, Lieutenant- Commander K. R. Breese, with her rifle guns. Particulars will be given hereafter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Missi88ippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Secretary of the Navy. Detailed report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy. No. 44.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that on the 4th of January General McClernand concluded to move up river upon the Post of Arkansas, and requested my cooperation. I detailed three iron- dads, the Louisville, Baron De Kalb, and Cincinnati, with all the light-draft gunboats, all of which had to be towed up the river. On the 9th we ascended the Arkansas River as high as Post of Arkansas, when the army landed within about 4 miles of the fort [iliudman]. The enemy had thrown up heavy earthworks and extensive rifle pits all along the levee. While the army were making a detour to sarround the fort I sent up the ironclads to try the range of their guns, and afterwards sent up the Rattler, Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, to clear out the rifle pits and the men behind an extensive breastwork in front of our troops. The Black Hawk also opened on them with her rifled guns, and after a few fires the enemy left the works and our troops marched in. At 2 oclock General MeClernand told me the troops would be in position to assault the main fort, a very formidable work, and I held all the vessels in readiness to attack when the troops were in position. At 5:30 p. m. General McClernand sent me a message, stating that everything was ready, and the Louisville, Baron De Kalb and Cincinnati advanced to within 400 yards of the fort, which then opened fire from three heavy guns and eight rifled guns and with musketry. The superiority of our fire was soon manifest; the batteries were silenced and we ceased firing, but no assault took place, and it being too dark to do anything all the vessels dropped down and tied up to the bank for the night. The Baron De Kalb, Lieutenant-Commander Walker; Louisville, Lieutenant-Commander Owen; and the Cincinnati, Lieutenant-Com- manding Bache, led the attack, and when hotly engaged I brought up the light-draft vessels, the Lexington and the Black Hawk, to throw in shrapnel and rifle shell. This fire was very destructive, killing nearly all the artillery horses in and about the fort. When the battery was pretty well silenced, I & rdered Lieutenant-Coin Page 108 108 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. mander Smith to pass the fort in the light-draft ironclad Rattler and enfilade it, which he did in a very gallant and handsome manner, but suffered a good deal in his hull in doing so. All his cabin works were knocked to pieces, and a heavy shell raked him from stem to stern in the hull; strange to say, two heavy shell struck his iron plating (i-inch) on the bow and never injured it. He got past the fort, but became entangled amongst the snags placed in the river to impede our progress and had to return. In this evenings attack the vessels of all the commanders were well handled, particularly the ironclads. It was close quarters all the time, and not a gun was fired from our side until the gunboats were within 400 yards of the fort. The condition of the fort attests the accuracy of fire, and the persons inside give the Baron De A7alb, Lieutenant-Commander Walker, the credit of doing the most execu- tion. I was informed again this morning by General MeClernand that the army was waiting for the navy to attack5 when they would as- sault the works. I ordered up the ironclads, with directions for the Lexington to join in when the former became hotly engaged, and for the frailer vessels to haul up in the smoke and do the best they could. The Rattler, Lieutenant-Commander Smith, and the Glide, Lieuten- ant-Commander Woodworth, did good execution with their shrapnel, and, when an opportunity occurred, I made them push through by the fort again, also the ram Monarch, Colonel Charles Ellet, and they proceeded rapidly up the river to cut off the enemys retreat by the only way he had to get off. By this time all the guns in the fort were completely silenced by the Loui8ville, Lieutenant-Commander E. K. Owen; Baron De Kaib, Lieutenant-Commander J. G. Walker; and Cincinnati, Lieutenant Commanding G. M. Bache, and I ordered the Black Hawk up for the purpose of boarding it in front. Being unmanageable, she had to be kept up the narrow stream, and I took in a regiment from the opposite side, to try and take it by assault. As I rounded to to do so, and the gunboats commenced firing rapidly, knocking everything to pieces, the enemy held out a white flag, and I ordered the firing to cease. The army then entered and took pos- session. Colonel Dunnington, the commander of the fort, sent for me and surrendered to me in person. General Churchill, of the rebel army, surrendered to the military commander. Our army had almost sur- rounded the fort, and were preparing to assault, and would no doubt have carried it with ease. They enfiladed it with rifle fieldpieces, which did much damage to the houses and light work, leaving their marks in all directions. I do not know yet what were the operations on the land side; I was too much interested in my own affairs and in placing the vessels as circumstances required. In all this affair there was the greatest zeal on the part of the offi- cers commanding to carry out my orders, and not a mistake of any kind occurred. No fort ever received a worse battering, and the high- est compliment I can pay those engaged is to repeat what the rebels said: You cant expect men to stand up against the fire of those gun- boats Page 109 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 109 A large number of persons were captured in the fort, I dont know how many, and at sundown the army were hurrying in the cavalry and artillery. I herewith enclose the report of the commanding officers and a list of killed and wounded, and will take another occasion to mention to the Department the names of those officers who have distinguished themselves particularly, though it is hard to discriminate, when all did their duty so well. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mis8i88i~pi Squadrcm. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wct6kingtom, D. C. Report of Lieutenant.Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Baron De Kaib, transmitting report of casualties. U. & . GUNBOAT BARON DE KALB, Arkansas Post, January 12, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that in the attack on this place on the evening of the 10th this vessel was struck several times, but with no serious injury to vessel or crew. In the attack on the 11th one of the X-inch guns was struck in the muzzle and both gun and carriage destroyed. One 32-pounder carriage struck and destroyed; one of the iron plates on forward casemate badly broken by shot. The woodwork about two of the ports badly torn by shot and one lower deck beam cut off by a plunging shot through the deck. The other injuries, although considerable, can be repaired on board in a few days. I lost 2 men killed and 15 wounded, 2 probably mortally and several seriously. Before going into action I covered the bow, sides, and pilot house with slush, which I think was of much assist- ance in turning the shot, as the vessel was repeatedly struck by 8 and 9 inch shot at very short range, and the iron was in no case pene- trated. The loss was from shot and shell entering the ports. My officers and men behaved with the greatest gallantry and cool- ness, and the practice with the guns was excellent. I expended forty-two X-inch shells, nine X-inch shrapnel, seventy VIJI-inch shells, and thirty-seven 32-pounder shells. Enclosed I send the surgeons report of killed and wounded. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN G. WALKER, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron Page 110 110 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Enclosure.] ~urgeous report of killed and wounded on board U. ~. gunboat Baron De Kaib. Name. Rate. Injury. Remarks. Killed: John Ryan Landsman. Theodore Bender 3d4lass boy. Severely wounded: Peter Colton Coxswain Penetrating wound throat. Also Probablyprovefatal. wound thigh and wrist. George Smith Seaman Fracture of skull 1)0. Jos. Eader do Compound fracture of leg below knee May lose the leg. John Farren do Compound fracture of skull; exten- Very serious case. sive laceration of scalp. Win. Smith do Penetrating wound thrqugh left Do. shoulder blade. M C. Donohoe do . Severeinjuryoffootand ankle joints Do. by penetration of shell. Slightly wounded: William.Smith do Injury scalp and face (laceration).... Not dangerous Jos. H. Mallory do do Do. Alfred H. Boyle Yeoman Contusion of shoulder and back.... Do. Oscar Jordan Seaman Smailpiece of shellin poplitealspace Do. of thigh. Antoin De Woroa do Contusion of left arm from splint.... Do. George Fales do Penetrating wound of left leg from Do. pieces of shell. William Kelly do Contusion of back Do. Pierre Lene do Splintersin face Do. John Glenn do Contused wound of side Do. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN WISE, Acting Assistant Surgeon. Lieutenant-Commander JOHN G. WALKER. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Shirk, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Lexington. U. S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Off Post of Arkansas, Arkansas River, January 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that there were expended on board this ship during the attack upon this post by the forces under your command on the night of the 10th instant 14 Parrott shells and 2 8-inch shells, and during the final and victorious assault of to-day, 49 8-inch shells and 40 Parrott shells. I am happy to report no casualties. The woodwork of the ship and two of our boats are somewhat damaged. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, JAMES W. SHIRK, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Signal, regarding transportation of the wounded. ARKANSAS PosT, January 11, 1863. SIR: Proceed without delay to the mouth of White River and de- liver the sick on board the hospital ship and bring up without dela Page 111 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 111 from the powder boat there 313 5-second 11-inch shrapnel, 67 10- second 11-inch shrapnel. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88i~~98~pp~ Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant JOHN Scorr, U. S. Navy, Commanding Signal. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Planner, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. New Era, regarding the transportation of the wounded to the hospital ship. ARKANSAS POST, January 11, 1863. SIR: You will go to the Baron De Halb and Cincinnati and take on board the wounded and carry them to the hospital ship at the mouth of the White River. See that you have the accounts and descriptive list of every man. After you have performed this duty proceed to Cairo with such dispatches as I may send with you. When you have delivered your dispatches without delay, return to Island No. 10 and relieve the Carondelet, which vessel will join me at the mouth of White River. Captain Walke, of the Carondelet, will take passage with you to Cairo. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding llli8siisippi Squadron. Acting Master FLANNER, Commanding U. S. S. New Era. Report of Lieutenant Bache, U. S. Navy, comman& ing U. S. S. Cincinnati, regard- ing expenditure of ammunition during the preliminary attack. U. S. GUNBOAT CINCINNATI, Off Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863. SIR: There were expended during the action on the 10th instant in the gunners department the following articles, viz: Forty-eight 9-inch cartridges, 36 5-inch shell, 6 10-inch shell, 6 5-inch shrapnel, 1 8-inch cartridge, 1 5-inch shell, 1 32-pounder cartridge, 1 5-inch 32- pounder shell. Very respectfully, GEO. M. BAdE, Lieutenant, Commanding. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Owen, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Louis- ville, transmitting reports of casualties and expenditure of ammunition. U. S. S. LOUISVILLE, Off Arkansas Post, Ark., Januar.y 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to transmit the report of the killed and wounded on board this vessel, of the damages sustained from the enemys guns, and the amount of ammunition expended during the engagements of yesterday and to-day with the enemys batteries a Page 112 112 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Arkansas Post. The damages sustained in the hull, as shown by the carpenters report, though serious, have not in the least unfitted her for duty. I can only add that every officer and man did his duty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. K.~WEN, Lieutenant-Commander, iT S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. [Enclosures.] ARKANSAS RIVER, Opposite Rebel Batteries, January , 1863. SIR: The following is a report of wounded on board U. S. gunboat Louisville: James Fitzpatrick, seaman, elbow, severely; Charles Lar- kin, seaman, head, severely; John Doyle, seaman, head, severely. WM. D. HOFFMAN, Acting Assistant Surgeon. U. S. S. LOUISVILLE, Arkansas River, January 10, 1863. SIR: The following is the amount of ammunition expended to-day in the attack upon Arkansas Post, viz: Twenty-seven 10-pound charges, 12 5-second shell (9-inch), 6 10-second shell (9-inch), 9 3~- inch shrapnel. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM SHIELD, Acting Gunner. [Lieutenant-Commander E. K. OWEN.] U. S. GUNBOAT LOUISVILLE, Arkansas River, January 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the condition of this vessel as fol- lows, since our late engagement: One large shell hole through bluff of bow on the port side; the shell exploded on gun deck, tearing both gun and spar deck badly. Another shell entered one of the bow ports and exploded, tearing decks badly. One of the port davits was carried away. I have the honor, sir, to remain, your obedient servant, D. H. CURRY, Acting Carpenter. Lieutenant-Commander E. K. OWEN, U. S. Navy, Commanding Gunboat Louisville. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Arkansas River, Ark., January 11, 1863. SIR: The following is a list of the killed and wounded on board U. S. gunboat Louisville: Frederick H. Gilhardy, seaman, wounded in head, mortally; Adam Bradshaw, seaman, wounded in thorax Page 113 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 113 mortally; James Muiherrin, seaman, wounded in thighs, severely; Jim Sullivan, seaman, contusion of thorax and abdomen; Thomas Spencer, seaman, wounded in elbow, slightly; Thomas Jackson, sea- man, wounded in leg, slightly; Albert Mowry, seaman, wounded in knee, slightly; James Blaisdale, seaman, wounded in hand, slightly; George Holmes, seaman, contusion of shoulder, slight; J. T. Blatch- ford, ensign, wound in leg, severe; Walter Williams, seaman, killed. WM. D. HOFFMAN, Acting Assistant Surgeon. [Lieutenant-Commander E. K. OWEN, U. S. Navy.] U. S. S. LOUISVILLE, Arkansas River, January 11, 1863. SIR: The following is the amount of ammunition expended to-day in the attack upon Arkansas Post, viz, 106 10-pound charges, 78 5- second 9-inch shell, 28 10-second 9-inch shell. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM SmELD, Acting Gunner. [Lieutenant-Commander E. K. OWEN.] U. S. GUNBOAT LOUISVILLE, Arkansas River, January 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the condition of this vessel since our engagement to-day as follows, in addition to injuries received yes- terday. Received six shots in engagement to-day as follows: One through starboard side, aft of No. 2 gun, struck gun . deck, glanced up and lodged in escape pipe; one on port side amidships, carrying hammock netting and one stanchion away, exploded on spar deck, demolishing roundhouses; another struck the captains gig, carrying away light iron and officers quarters on spar deck in its course; one through smokestack; and two others struck light work on spar deck. I have the honor, sir, to remain, your obedient servant, D. H. CURRY, Acting Carpenter. Lieutenant-Commander E. K. OWEN, U. S. Navy, Commanding Gunboat Louisville. Congratulatory letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General MoClernand, U. S. Army. JANUARY 11, 1863. GENERAL: I congratulate you that we have disposed of this tough little nut, the capture of which is alike creditable to the Army and Navy. I only wish there was another of the same kind to attack on the morrow; now that we are getting our hand in it would come 7110x W BVOL 2410 Page 114 114 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. easier. I shall be ready to cooperate with you again to-morrow at 8 a. in., by which time I can send off my wounded. Yours, respectfully, DAVID D. PORThR, Acting Rear-Admiral, Coinnianding Mi88is8ippi Squadron. Maj or-General MCCLERNAND, Commanding Army of the 2Jli88issippi. Congratulatory letter from Major-General McClernand, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, January 11, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have the honor to congratulate you upon the efficient and brilliant part taken by you, as commander of the Mississippi Squadron, in the reduction today of the Post of Arkansas. All the prisoners and materials of war captured testify to harmoni- ous and successful cooperation of the land and naval forces, and that each nobly emulated the other in the time of patriotic duty. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN A. MOCLERNAND. Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mi8sissippi Squadron. Report of Major-General McClernand, U. S. Army, referring to the efficient co- operation of the Navy. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, Post of Arkansas, January 11, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the forces under my command attacked the Post of Arkansas to-day at 1 oclock p. in., and at 4:30 oclock, having stormed the enemys works, took a large num- ber of prisouers, variously estimated at from 7,000 to 10,000, together with all his stores, animals, and munitions of war. Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, commanding the Mississippi Squadron, efficiently and brilliantly cooperated in accomplishing this complete success. Your obedient servant, JOHN A. MCCLERNA~D, Zllajor- General, Commanding. Major-General U. S. GRANT Commanding Department of Tennessee. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting report to be forwarded to the Department. JANUARY 11, 1863. DEAR PENNOCK: We used up the Post of Arkansas fort to-day in three hours, dismounting every gun in the fort, eleven in all, and such destruction of men, horses, and guns you never saw. This has bee Page 115 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 115 a naval fight, although the Army attacked with long range, but did not assault. I send a letter to the Secretary; telegraph it, and send the letter. Send me down at once 4 IX-inch guns, 800 shells for 30- pound Parrott, lots of 24-pound shrapnel, 600 IX-inch shell and shrapnel, plenty of fuzes, some primers, good powder, and anything else the ordnance officer can think of to make us efficient. We are very short. We lost about 30 killed and wounded. I have sent Walke up to take the Lafayette. When she is ready, send her down with dis- patch. This was a most beautiful fight. Yours, truly, DAVID D. PORTER. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. Report of Lieutenant Bache, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cincinnati, regard- ing preliminary attack on January 10. U. S. GUNBOAT CINCINNATI, Arkan8a8 Po8t, January 12, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report having sustained no serious dam- age in the attack on the 10th. One shell struck us at the water line, forward, and a second went through the upper works. We were equally fortunate during the attack of yesterday, although struck nine times on the bow, casemate, pilot house, and upper works. This vessel fired the first gun at about 1:30 p. in., and in half or three-quarters of an hour the right casemate gun of the fort (the one assigned us) was silenced, when our fire was directed on the left casemate and barbette guns, and afterwards in shelling the interior of the fort. We engaged the fort at 300 yards. I have to mention Acting Ensign A. F. ONeil, Acting Masters Mate Henry Booby, and Actin~ Gunner John F. Riblett, the officers commanding the bow guns, for coolness and skill in directing their fire. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GRO. M. BACHE, Lieutenant, Coinnianding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding AIis8is8ippt Squadron. Report of Lieutenant Bache, U. S. Navy, regarding expenditure of ammunition during the attack of January 11. U. S. GUNBOAT CINCINNATI, Off Arkan8as Po8t, January 12,1863. SIR: There were expended during the action on the 11th instant in the gunners department the following articles, viz, 95 9-inch car- tridges, 44 5-inch shells, 32 5-inch shrapnel, 13 stand of grape, 6 soli Page 116 116 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. shot, 3 Parrott cartridges, 3 5-inch Parrott shells, 1 8-inch cartridge, 1 5-inch shell, 2 32-pounder cartridges, 2 5-inch 32-pounder shells. Very respectfully, etc., GEO. M. BACHE Lieutenant, Commanding. Supplemental report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the satisfactory protection of a tallow coating on the vessels engaged. No. 45.] U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Arkansas Post, January 12, 1863. SIR: I beg leave to mention a circumstance that I deem of great importance at this moment. I did not mention it in my general re- port from prudential motives. Before I sent the vessels under the fort I ordered the iron plating on the pilot houses and casemates to be covered with a coating of tallow. This rule was followed even on the small light-draft vessels generally called tin-dads. The Rattler was struck fair on her iron covering (only three-fourths of an inch thick) by two IX-inch shells, which flew upward without scratching the iron. The Cincinnati was struck eight times on her pilot house with IX- inch shells, which glanced off like peas against glass. The Baron De Kaib was the only one that had a casemate broken in, and that was done by a continuous hammering of three hours with solid shot from the fort. I am perfectly convinced that a coating of tallow on ironclad gun- boats is a perfect protection against shot if fired at an angle. The experiment is worth being tried. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. lion. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, transmitting list of naval prisoners. No. 47.] U. S. Mississirri SPUADRON, Arkansas River, January 12, 1863. - SIR: I enclose a list of officers belonging to the staff of Colonel Dunnington, late of the Navy and commander of the fort, who de- livered their swords and surrendered to the Navy. I have sent them to Captain Pennock at Cairo, to be provided for, etc. I advise that these officers be exchanged at Richmond; they will then not return to this river. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 117 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 117 [Enclosure.] List of officers belonging to the Confederate ftates Navy, captured at A ricansas Post January 12, 1863. John W. Dunnington, colonel, commanding Third Brigade, and first lieutenant, C. S. N., commanding naval forces. Joseph Preble, acting master, C. S. Navy. Frank Ranger, acting master, C. S. Navy. F. M. Roby, first lieutenant and brigade ordnance officer and mid- shipman, C. S. Navy. N. M. Read, assistant surgeon, C. S. Navy. W. S. Campbell, major and quartermaster Third Brigade, and captains clerk, C. S. Navy. Howell Quigley, second assistant engineer, C. S. Navy. Samuel Sullivan, third assistant engineer, C. S. Navy. Joseph Nutter, masters mate, C. S. Navy. W. A. Lang, captains steward, C. S. Navy. George Elliott, boatswains mate. John McDonald, boatswains mate. W. C. Fisher, master-at-arms. Charles Lettig, quartermaster. John B. Hassert, quartermaster. Michael Kemmett, quartermaster. John Shephard, quartermaster. P. J. Fitzpatrick, pursers steward. James Hussey, surgeons steward. Richard [or Robert] Scott, gunners mate. Charles Loewenberg, ships cook. T. [or P.] J. Jackson, wardroom cook. Charles Crowly, seaman. Charles Williams, seaman. Patrick Kelly, ordinary seanian. Plinny Cox, ordinary seaman. John Lee, ordinary seaman. Henry Peters, landsman. Edward Walsh, firstclass fireman. George Dehman, first-class fireman. John Fuller, coal heaver. Aleck Martin, first-class boy. John Brown, first-class boy. Christopher Kain, second-class boy. Michael Knackley, second-class boy. Samuel H. Buck, captain, assistant adjutant-general. A. M. XXTilliams, captain of engineers. Congratulatory order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy. [No date.] The commander-in-chief takes this occasion to thank the officers and men for the handsome manner in which they disposed of Fort Hindman on the 11th of January. In no instance during the wa Page 118 118 ~tAVAL FOROI~S O~ WES~ERN WA~rER~. has there been a more complete victory and so little doubt as to whonti the credit belongs. Our ironclads and gunboats knocked the fort to pieces, dismounting every gun (eleven in all), while our light- draft vessels and the ram Monarch cut off the retreat of the enemy, throwing them back upon the army, who captured them by hundreds. This is the history of this affair in a few words. I can not with- hold the credit due to my officers and men, even at the risk of hurting the sensibilities of others, and I am sure that our brave soldiers will not desire to take away from us the credit of doing what they would have finally accomplished themselves. I regret the dead who have fallen in the defense of our glorious flag, but they died as heroes should die. We should all be ready to do the same when our country needs the sacrifice. Let us show these rebels that there is no such thing as defeat expected by the Navy. You have proved on this occasion that mud forts and railroad-iron casemates will fall before the well-directed fire of American sailors, and if I place you muzzle to muzzle with the foe, it is to save life and insure a certain victory. Three cheers for the Union. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral. Special report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, commending the conduct of certain commanding officers. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Arkansas Post, January 13, 1863. SIR: The general report of an action embraces all those engaged in it, and although on this occasion the conduct of all the officers met my approbation, I must give a little more credit to some than to others. Lieutenant-Commander John G. Walker is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, with cool, calm judgment in time of action, and one on whom the Government can rely to perform any duty. He managed and fought his vessel most beautifully, and I never had to correct a movement of his during the action. I look upon him as one of the most reliable officers in the service. The rebels admit that they never saw such firing in their lives as came from the X-inch guns of the Baron Dc Kaib, and I know of no instance on record where every gun in a fort was dismounted or destroyed. Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith is well known to the Department, and I believe they appreciate his gallantry as an officer. He performed on this occasion a daring act, passing a strong fort under a heavy fire of cannon and musketry, for the enemy hav- ing no one at the time to contend with in the rear, directed the fire of 6,000 muskets on our vessels. Lieutenant Commanding George M. Bache is a very young officer, but displayed the coolness of a veteran. His vessel was not hurt nor did he lose a man, because he silenced so soon the guns which I directed him to fire on. Lieutenant-Commander Elias K. Owen, of the Louisville, managed his vessel handsomely and did his work as well as the others. He labored under the disadvantage of having two shells burst in his ports, killing and wounding 11 men, which, for a moment only, stopped his fire Page 119 NAVAL ~OT~CE~ ON WESTI~RN WAT~T. 119 Lieutenant-Commander James W. Shirk brought up the Le~ring- ton in good time, and opened his broadside on the fort. One of his first guns destroyed a rifled piece which was boring him pretty ef- fectually. Lieutenant Selim E. Woodworth, in the Glide, passed through with Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, and helped to cut off the retreat of the rebels, 30 or 40 only of whom escaped by a ferry 10 miles up the river. The ferry was destroyed by the two officers above mentioned, and the rebel army all fell into our hands. Lieutenant-Commander K. Randolph Breese, of the Black Hawk, brought his ship sufficiently close into action to do much execution with his rifled 30-pounders, and headed the men in the two attempts we made to board the fort, which was only prevented by the parting of the wheel ropes. I have endeavored to do full justice to all the above-mentioned officers, and have not said a word too much in~ their praise. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding AIi8sissipp~ Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting recommenda- tions of two officers of the U. S. tug Thistle, for special services. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Post of Arkansas, January 13, 1863. SIR: The enclosed reconimendations * are for two officers belong- ing to the tug Thistle, which vessel I used part of the time during the attack on Fort Hindman, Post of Arkansas, to communicate with the different vessels and regulate the movements of the squad- ron. I found it impossible to make signals in the smoke. The Thistle was in the thickest of the fire, and under a heavy fire of musketry on both occasions. During the latter action the Louisville took fire unperceived by those on board. I went alongside and sent Mr. Eltriugham on board with the crew of the tug, who, in a few moments, extinguished the flames. The Cincinnati being reported on fire, I went to her assistance, when the above-mentioned officer went with the crew on board and found it was a false alarm. The two officers mentioned displayed perfect coolness throughout the affair, and de- serve promotion. Allow me also to mention the conduct of Ensign Symmes H. Hunt, the signal officer, who is always ready to volunteer for any service and who showed a laudable zeal on this occasion, leading the firemen and helping to extinguish the flames. But for this timely assistance the fire would have been difficult to arrest. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi ASquadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. *Not found Page 120 120 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding U. S. Ram Fleet. U. S. STEAM RAM MONARCH, Off Arkan~a8 P084, Ark., January 12, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report to you that on the 9th in- stant I ascended the Arkansas River in the Monarch, accompanying, by Admiral Porters order, the naval expedition against Fort Hindman. During the attack upon the fort on the 11th instant the Monarch was held immediately in rear of the ironclads, with instructions to, take the lead if a rebel ram appeared. Just before the surrender of the enemy I received orders to pass the fort and cut off the retreat of the enemy. This was done, and I kept on up the river for 12 miles. The water then became so shallow as to render it impossible to proceed farther. The Monarch got aground four times as it was. I was consequently compelled to re- turn, to my great regret, as I understood from a prisoner we captured on the way that there was a ferry some 6 miles farther up, where the fleeing rebels would be able to cross. I notified the commander of the light-draft gunboats of this fact on my return, but am unaware whether any steps were taken to destroy the ferry. I reported verbally to Admiral Porter the result of the expedition. Though I shave no positive information to that effect, I think the passage of the Monarch must have caused a considerable number of the enemy to fall into the hands of our army. We shelled the woods on our right-hand side as we went up, and at several pointe saw numbers of the rebels retreating from the banks of the river. Very respectfully, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Brigadier-General ALFRED W. ELLET, Commanding Mi8si88ippi Marine Brigade. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General McCler- nand, U. S. Army, advising the removal of piles opposite Fort Hlndman. ARKANSAS PosT, January 12, 1863. GENERAL: I beg leave to suggest that the piles in the sandbar opposite the fort, placed to obstruct the channel at high water, be removed by some of your engineers; they will otherwise injure the transports if the water should rise suddenly. I would do it myself, but have no men used to that kind of work. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi8si8sippi Squadron. Major-General JOHN A. MCCLERNAND, U. S. Army, Commanding the Army of the Missi8sippi Page 121 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 121 Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Mc- Clernand, U. S. Army, regarding the forwarding of wounded and prisoners. ARKANSAS POST, January 12, 1863. GENERAL: I am going to send up a gunboat with some wounded and some naval officers taken prisoners, also with dispatches. As you are going to send off the prisoners, and will notify me when they will go, I will let the gunboat convoy them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding iJh8si8sippi Squadron. Major-General MOCLERNAND, U. S. Army, Commanding the Amny of the 112is8issippi. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Quartermaster Parsons, U. S. Army, regarding the forwarding of prisoners. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, January 12, 1863. SIR: The New Era is going up as convoy to the prisoners. She will go at once to the mouth of the river to take in coaL She will hoist a checkered red and white flag. I want to send up 26 prisoners. To which boat shall I send them? Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88issippi Squadron. Colonel PARSONS, Quarternvl8ter, U. S. Army. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Xc- Clernand, U. S. Army, regarding the convoy of prisoners. ARKANSAS POST, January 13, 186e1. GENERAL: Your two communications of to-day in relation to the convoy of prisoners and the removal of the shell only reached me a half hour since. I have been up the river all day sounding. One of the gunboats is at the mouth of the river waiting for the steamers, and the other will convoy them down and then accompany them wherever you wish to send them. The shells will be sent for early to-morrow morning. I am much obliged to you for the offer of the hospital ship, but we have one of our own where the wounded are well cared for. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Missis8ippi Squadron. Major-General MOCLERNAND, Commanding Army of the Mi88is8ippi, Transport Tigress Page 122 122 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Shirk, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Lexington, regarding convoy of prisoners. ARKANSAS PosT, January 13, 1863. SIR: You will proceed at daylight to the mouth of White River with the prisoners captured at Fort llindman and convoy them to such places as the general commanding may send them to. You will regulate the movements of the boats so that there can be no possibility of their rising on the guard. The New Era, at the mouth of the river, will accompany you. When you have performed this duty you will proceed to New Albany and take command of the [fuscumbm as soon as she is ready to be turned over to the Mississippi Squadron, and you will go on to Erie, Pa., and see if you can not raise men enough to man her. You will not remain there longer than a week. You will send the Lexinciton back to me, in charge of the executive, the moment you deliver the prisoners and start on the duty enjoined you. Report to me how matters are progressing by every opportunity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JAMES W. SHIRK, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Lexington. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Owen, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Louisville, regarding transfer of shell from Fort Hindman to that vessel. ARKANSAS POST, January 13, 1863. SIR: You will apply to the ordnance officer of the Army, who will deliver to you all the 8 and 9 inch shell in the fort, which you will transfer to your vessel without delay. The ordnance officer will be found on the transport General Anderson. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander ELIAS K. OWEN, U. S. Navy. Commanding Louisville, Arkansas River. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, to send a gunboat above Fort Xindman, to follow the last transport down Arkansas River. U. S. S. BLACK HAWK, January 14, 1863. SIR: You will send a light-draft at daylight up half a mile above the fort, which vessel will bring up the rear and follow down the last transport that leaves the fort Page 123 N~AVAL I~OflC~S O~ W~ST~~ WATEf~. i2~ - Have another vessel ready at 8 oclock a. m. to-morrow to carry dispatches up the White River. Let the commander report to me. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Sqaadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, in view of the movement of Major-General MoClernand, U. S. Army, from the Arkansas River. JANUARY 17, 1863. SIR: I have received a communication from General McClernand, that he is proceeding out of the river. If he has disabled the guns, ~ follow with all the vessels, setting fire to anything that may be left behind. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy. Commanding First Division of Light-Drafts. Supplemental report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting chart and sketches of Port Hindman. No. 59.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 17, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a chart and sketches of Fort Hind- man, Post of Arkansas, showing the position and destructive fire of the ironclads Louisville, Baron De Kaib, and Cincinnati. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Extracts from detailed report of Major-General McClernand, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Steamer Tigress, Mississippi River, January 20, 1863. I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the forces of which, in pursuance of the order of Major-General Grant, commanding Department of the Tennessee, I assumed com- mand on the 4th instant, at Millikens Bend, La., resulting in the reduction of Fort Hindman, more generally known as Post [of] Arkansas: These forces, styled by me for convenience and propriety of descrip- tion the Army of the Mississippi, consisted of parts of two corps darm4e, viz., the Thirteenthq my own, and the Fifteenth, Major Page 124 124 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS~ General Shermans. Desiring to give my undivided attention to mat- ters affecting the general command, I immediately assigned Brigadier- General George W. Morgan, a tried and meritorious officer, to the command of the Thirteenth Corps dArm6e, in which he was the senior division commander. * * * * * * * Having, as already mentioned, assumed command of these forces on the 4th instant after they had retired from the neighborhood of Yicksburg, I sailed with them the same day in execution of a pur- pose, the importance of which I had suggested to General Gorman at Helena, December 30, on my way down the river. That purpose was the reduction of Fort Hindman, which had been laboriously and skillfully enlarged and strengthened since the commencement of the rebellion, which formed the key to Little Rock, the capital of the State of Arkansas, and the extensive and valuable country drained by the Arkansas River, and from which hostile detachments were constantly sent forth to obstruct the navigation of the Mississippi River and thereby our communications. A government transport, the Blue Wing, laden with valuable mili- tary stores, only a few days before, fell prey to one of these detach- ments, and ammunition taken from her was used against us in the engagement of which I am giving an account. Without turning my arms in this direction, my forces must have continued comparatively idle at Millikens Bend until you should have altered your plan for the reduction of Vicksburg or recalled them. * * * * * * * Dispatching Colonel Stewart, chief of cavalry, with my escort to explore the ground to the bayou on the right, I hastened back and requested Rear-Admiral Porter, commanding the Mississippi Squad- ron, to advance the gunboats and open fire on the enemys works for the purpose of diverting his attention while the land forces should gain the positions assigned to them. Promptly complying, the ad- miral advanced his boats and opened a terrific cannonade upon the fort, which was continued an hour or more and until after nightfall. * * * * * * * Post [of] Arkansas, a small village, the capital of Arkansas County, is situated on elevated ground, above the reach of floods, and defining for some miles the left bank of the river. It was settled by the French in 1685; is 50 miles above the mouth of the river, 117 miles below Little Rock, and is surrounded by a fruitful country, abounding in cattle, corn, and cotton. Fort Hindman, a square, full-bastioned fort, was erected within this village, upon the bank of the river, at the head of a bend resem- bling a horseshoe. * * * * * * * Having placed in battery, at the request of Admiral Porter, two 20-pounder Parrotts, as already explained, for the purpose of dis- mounting the gun in the lower casemate, which had seriously annoyed the gunboats on the previous evening, and all my forces being ready for action, I sent word to the admiral accordingly, and notified him that as soon as he had opened fire I would advance to the attack of the enemys works, and at 12 m. repeated the same communication Page 125 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 125 At 1 p. m. the gunboats opened fire, immediately followed by the fire of artillery along the right wing of my line, and soon after by the fire of artillery along the left wing. At the expiration of thirty minutes the infantry were to advance to the charge, and when our men were heard shouting the gunboats, in order to avoid inflicting injury upon them, were to cease firing. * * * * * * * Colonel Lindsey, as soon as a gunboat had passed above the fort, hastened with his brigade down the opposite shore and opened an oblique fire from Fosters two 20 and Lieutenant Wilsons two 10 pounder Parrotts into the enemys line of rifle pits, carrying away his battle flag and killing a number of his men. Eager to do still more, he embarked the Third Kentucky on board of one of the gunboats to cross the river to the fort, but before it got over the enemy had surrendered. Thus, at 4:30 oclock, after three and a half hours hard fighting, our forces entered and took possession of all the enemys defenses. * * * * * * * The prisoners of war I forwarded to the commissioner for the exchange of prisoners at St. Louis; and utterly destroying all of the enemys defenses, together with all buildings used by him for military purposes, I reembarked my command and sailed for Milli- kens Bend on the 17th instant, in obedience to Major-General Grants order. * * * * * * * The maps and drawings herewith submitted will illustrate the dis- position of the land forces, the position of the gunboats, the defenses of the enemy, the field of operations, and the surrounding country. JOHN A. MOCLERNAND, Major-General Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN A. IRAwLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Tennessee. Report of Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, commanding Fifteenth Army Corps. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Post of Arkansas, Ark., January 13, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the operations of this corps during the recent events which resulted in the capture of the Arkansas Post with its entire garrison and its mat6riel of war. The fleet of gunboats under Admiral Porter and h ansports carry- ing the two corps composing this army, having rendezvoused in the Mississippi River at the mouth of White River, on the morning of the 9th instant entered White River, gunboats leading, followed by General McClernand in person, my corps, and then General Morgans. Our route was up White River to the cut-off, through it to the Arkansas, and up that river to the Arkansas Post; whole distance estimated at 50 miles Page 126 126 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Late in the evening of the 10th Admiral Porters fleet made a furious attack upon the fort, continuing the cannonading till after it was dark; but although I had pushed one brigade of Stuarts division, commanded by Colonel Giles A. Smith, close up to the enemys line, our forces were not then in position to make an assault. * * * My orders were that as soon as the gunboats opened their fire all our batteries in position should commence firing and continue until I ordered Cease firing, when, after three minutes cessation, the infantry columns of Steele and Stuart were to assault the enemys line of rifle pits and defenses. The gunboats opened about 1 p. in., and our field batteries at once commenced firing, directing their shots at the enemys guns, his line of defenses, and most especially enfilading the road which led directly into the fort, and which road separated General Morgans line of attack from mine. I could not see the gunboats, and had to judge of their progress by the sound of their fire. This was at first slow and steady, but rapidly approached the fort and enveloped it with a complete hailstorm of shot and shell. * * * I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, W. T. SHERMAN, illajor- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel A. SCHWARTZ, Assi8tant Adjutant-General to General 2ilcClernand. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., January 21, 1863. The gunboat Lexington, Lieutenant-Commander Shirk, has just arrived, 11 30 a. in., convoying 4,793 rebel prisoners of war from the Post of Arkansas. A. M. PENNOCK. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, correcting statement made in previous report. No. 76.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 28, 1863. SIR: I mentioned in one of my reports to you that the Army had captured eighteen fieldpieces at Arkansas Post, on the field. Only seventeen guns were captured in allsix besides the guns in the fort, captured by the Navy. I was misinformed. I have the honorto be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 2lIis8i8sippi Squadron. lion. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, IVa8hington, P. C Page 127 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 127 Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, responding t9 Departments statement that the only Information received had been through the War Department. No. 79.] U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, January 28, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your comlun- nication, stating that you had no information of my movements at Arkansas Post except through the War Department. I sent a fast boat oil immediately with a telegram, but the army boat beat her. If you did not receive my communication so soon, you will find it more reliable than the one received at the War Depart- ment, which states that the Navy cooperated, when in fact it forced the fort to surrender, and then cut off the retreat of the rebels, who were driven back on the Army. I find that army officers are not willing to give the Navy credit (even in very small matters) they are entitled to, but you will find that I do not fail in my reports to give my officers and men the credit they justly deserve, even at the risk of hurting the sensibilities of the Army. You will receive the first account of the next battle we have. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding IJIis8issippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C. Congratulatory letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, acknowledging delayed reports. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 28, 1863. SIR: Your several dispatches of the 11th, 12th, and 13th instant, communicating the success attending your command at the Post of Arkansas, the reduction of that place, and the surrender by Colonel Dunnington, the commandant of its garrison, to our naval forces, have been duly received. It is a gratification that the efforts of yourself and the officers and sailors on the Western rivers indicate the same resolute energy and efficiency that characterized the movements of our gunboats one year ago; and the result at Arkansas Post is, I trust, the harbinger of other achievements for the country and the Union by our naval forces. Accept for yourself and convey to your gallant associates the con- gratulations of the Department for your services. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding IJIi& ~is8ippi Squadron, Cairo, Ill Page 128 128 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Brigadier-Qeneral Churchill, C. S. Army, commanding lower Arkansas and White rivers. RICHMOND, VA., May 7, 1863. GENERAL: Not being in communication with Lieutenant-General Holmes, commanding the Trans-Mississippi Department, I herewith forward for your consideration my report of the actions of the 10th and 11th of January last at Arkansas Post. I have the honor to be, general, Very respectfully, your obedient servant~, T. J. CHURCHILL, Brigadier-General, Commanding Lower Arkansas and White Rivers. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va. [Enclosure.] RICHMOND, VA., May 6, 1863. GENERAL: On the morning of the 9th of January I was informed by pickets stationed at the mouth of the cut-off that the enemy, with his gunboats, followed by his fleet of seventy or eighty transports, were passing into the Arkansas River. It now became evident that their object was to attack the Arkansas Post. I immediately made every arrangement to meet him, and ordered out the whole force under my command, numbering about 3,000 effective men, to take position in some lower trenches about i]~ miles below the fort. The Second Brigade, under Colonel Deshler, and the Third, under Colonel Dunnington, occupied the works, while the First Brigade, under Colonel Garland, was held in reserve. Three companies of cavalry, under command of Captains Denson, Nutt, and Richardson, were sent in advance to watch the movements of the enemy. During the night the enemy effected a landing about 2 miles below, on the north side of the river. The following day about 9 oclock the gunboats commenced moving up the river and opened fire upon our position. Having but one bat- tery of fieldpieces, of 6 and 12 pounders, I did not return their fire. It was here that I expected the cooperation of the guns from the fort, but owing to some defect in the powder they were scarcely able to throw a shell below the trenches, much less to the fleet. About 2 oclock p. in., discovering that I was being flanked by a large body of cavalry and artillery, I thought it advisable to fall back under cover of the guns of the fort to an inner line of intrenchments. The enemy advanced cautiously, and as they approached our lines were most signally repulsed. They made no further attempt that evening to charge our works, and I employed the balance of the time till next morning in strengthening my position and completing my intrenchments. Discovering that a body of the enemy had occupied some cabins in our old encampment, I ordered Colonel R. Q. Mills with his regiment to drive them from the position, which he did most successfully, capturing several prisoners. Just before dark Admiral Porter moved up with several of his ironclads to test the metal of our fort. Colonel Dunnington, who commanded the fort, was ready in an instant to receive him. The fire opened, and the fight lasted near two hours, and finally the gunboats were compelled to fall back in a crippled condition Page 129 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 129 Our loss was slight, that of the enemy much heavier. During the night I received a telegraphic dispatch from you, ordering me to hold out till help arrived or until all dead, which order was com- municated to brigade commanders, with instructions to see it carried out in spirit and letter. Next morning I made every disposition of my forces to meet the enemy in the desperate conflict which was soon to follow. Colonel Deshler, with his brigade, with the regiment of Colonel Dawson attached, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hutchi- son, occupied the extreme left; Colonel Garland, with his brigade, with his right resting on the fort, while Colonel Dunnington com- manded the river defenses. It was near 12 oclock before the enemy got fully into position, when he commenced moving upon my lines simultaneously by land and water. Four ironclads opened upon the fort, which responded in gallant style with its three guns. After a continuous fire of three hours they succeeded in silencing every gun we had with the exception of one small 6-pounder Parrott gun, which was on the land side. Two boats passed up and opened a cross-fire upon the fort and our lines; still we maintained the strug- gle. Their attack by land was less successful; on the right they were repulsed twice in attempting to storm our works, and on the left were driven back with great slaughter in no less than eight different charges. To defend this entire line of rifle pits I had but one battery of small fieldpieces, under command of Captain Hart, to whom great credit is due for the successful manner in which they were handled, contending, as he did, with some fifty pieces in his front. The fort had now been silenced about an hour, most of the fieldpieces had been disabled; still the fire raged furiously along the entire line, and that gallant band of Texans and Arkansans, having nothing to rely upon now save their muskets and bayonets, still disdained to yield to the overpowering foe of 50,000 men, who were pressing upon them from almost every direction. Just at this moment, to my great surprise, several white flags were displayed in the Twenty-fourth Regiment Texas Dismounted Cavalry, First Brigade, and before they could be suppressed the enemy took advantage of them, crowded upon my lines, and not being prevented by the brigade commander from crossing, as was his duty, I was forced to the humiliating necessity of surrender- ing the balance of the command. My great hope was to keep them in check until night and then, if reinforcements did not reach me, cut my way out. No stigma should rest upon the troops. It was no fault of theirs; they fought with a desperation and courage yet unsurpassed in this war, and I hope and trust that the traitor will yet be discov- ered, brought to justice, and suffer the full penalty of the law. My thanks are due Colonels Anderson and Gillespie for the prompt meas- ures taken to prevent the raising of the white flag in their regiments. In the Second Brigade, commanded by the gallant Deshler, it was never displayed. I had ordered Colonel E. E. Portlock, commanding at St. Charles, to hasten to my relief with what troops he could spare. Captain Alf. Johnson reached the post on Saturday night and took part in the action on the 11th. Colonel Portlock, at the head of 190 men of his regiment of infantry, made the unprecedented march of 40 miles in twenty-four hours, and succeeded in entering our lines amidst a heavy fire from the enemy on his flanks. He was just on the eve of bring- ing his men into action when the surrender took place. 7110x W BVOL 2410 Page 130 130 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. In no battle of the war has the disparity of forces been so unequal. The enemys force was fully 50,000, when ours did not exceed 3,000, and yet for two days did we signally repulse and hold in check that immense body of the enemy. My loss will not exceed 60 killed and 75 or 80 wounded. The loss of the enemy was from 1,500 to 2,000 killed and wounded. * * * * * * * II herewith enclose for your consideration the reports of Colonels Garland and Deshler; that of Colonel Dunnington I have as yet been unable to obtain. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. J. CHURCHILL, I3rig.-Gen., Commanding Lower Arkansts and White Rivers. Lieutenant-General T. H. HOLMES, Little Rock. [Endorsement.] HEADQUARTERS ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT, Little Rock, June 8, 1863. It is impossible to imagine better conduct on the part of officers and men, and it is a matter of rejoicing to me that my hasty order was rendered nugatory before the brave Churchill was reduced to the ultima ratiocutting his way through such immense odds. It never occurred to me when the order was issued that such an overpowering command would be devoted to an end so trivial. Respectfully forwarded to the adjutant and inspector-general. TH. H. HOLMES, Lieutenant- General. Letter from Acting Rear-A dmirad Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Sherman, U. S. Army, regarding the possibility of getting coal through to the U. S. ram Queen of the West. JANUARY 5, 1863. GENERAL: Is it possible to get coal over to the ram Queen of the West, either through the canal or by teams? She will require 5,000 bushels. That was a good lick at the rebels; I have another in store for them soon. Please inform me if you can help me to get the coal over and keep up the armament. We will starve them at Port Hudson as sure as a gun. Respectfully, yours, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General W~I. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Fifteenth Army Corpsk, U. S. Army Page 131 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 131 Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the commissioning of three new ironclads. No. 6.] U. S. Mississi~~i SQUADRON, January 5, 1863. SIR: Three more light-draft, ironclad gunboats, the Mary Miller, Duchess, and Florence, will go in commission next week. I beg leave to offer the following names for them: Mary Miller, Prairie Bird; Duchess, Petrel; and Florence, Curlew; otherwise the rebels will know what they are. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Endorsement.] Yes; if none of the names are in use. Notify Bureau of Con- struction. Instructions from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy,, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, in view of the reported presence of Confederate rams ~n the Jfasoo River. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 5, 1863. SIR: I must have the Lafayette eveii if she has not got her iron on. Three rams superior to the Arkansas are coming out of the Yazoo. Put every man and officer in her you can get. Let her stop at Island No. 10, and let Captain Walke take command of her. Let him take 2~5 men out of the Carondelet, including the men he took from the l3enton, and let him proceed to the mouth of the Yazoo without one moments delay and take command of the fleet there until I return. Let the mechanics and iron go down in the Lafayette. Tell Mr. Lan- ing to shove the Choctaw and get her down without delay. Let Lieutenant McLeod Murphy take passage in the ram Lafayette and relieve Captain Walke on board the Carondelet, and remain for the present at Island No. 10. Please send Captain Walke a copy of this letter. The moment the Fastport is off the ways, see that she has her guns and provisions in, and send her down to the mouth of the White River, wWere I am. I want the light-drafts very much; send them along with short crews; if they can man two guns, I will be satisfied. Let the East- port come with short crew also, and send the men down as fast as they come on. If any 100-pounder rifles come to Cairo, put two of them in the bow ports of the Eastport; if not, pin the IX-inch in. The squadron is all burning wood; there is no coal. If Mr. Boggs has no good reasons for not sending supplies, he is incurring a heavy responsibility. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain, Comm ndant of Station,, Cairo, Ill Page 132 132 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Letter from~ Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to the Super- intendent of Coast Survey, regarding the work of his assistants. U. S. Mississir~~ SQUADRON, January 5, 1863. SIR: I have had no opportunity to inform you how your assistants were getting along. Mr. Halter got sick, and I allowed him to return home; Mr. Strausz and Mr. Fendall have rendered themselves ex- tremely useful to me in compiling maps for the use of the Army and Navy and making surveys of the field of operations before Yicksburg. Ii sent Mr. Strausz down in a vessel near the front of the city to make plans and take sketches of the batteries, which he did to my satisfac- tion, giving us inforinatiou that we have not possessed before, and showing the impracticability of attacking Vicksburg by water alone. We might otherwise have run our heads against a stone wall. Dur- ing the ascent of the Yazoo River, and while engaged in taking up torpedoes, our passage was contested at every step by two or three thousand riflemen in pits and behind levees, so protected that our guns could not hurt them. The vessels were much cut up, the rifle balls going through and through the light upper works. Mr. Strausz accompanied the expedition, and while under the fire produced a good chart of the river and back country, with which we have made our advances. I could not have got along very well without these maps. Both Strausz and Fendall are very assiduous in making maps for future use. They are now making one of the State of Arkansas, where we intend striking a blow before returning to Vicksburg, the water being still too low to operate there with any hope of success. It is all swamp now, except in front. When the water rises our vessels can get near to dry land, where they can cover the troops. I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER. A. D. BACHE, Superintendent Coast Survey. Rules for cutting fuzes in shrapnel. [JANUARY 6, 1863.1 Each mark on the sight represents a second on the fuze. If you want to fire 1-second fuze, fasten the sight at the first mark, and point at the object. One-second fuze will burst at 500 yards with good powder; 2-second fuze will burst at 930 yards; 3-second fuze will burst at 1,330 yards; 4-second fuze will burst at 1,600 yards; 5-second fuze will burst at 1,900 yards. In every case the mark on the sight must correspond to the second of the fuze, and to have good bursting effect the line of sight must bear upon the object. For near practice, 1~--second fuze is about right, providing the vessel is about 500 yards from the bank; the balls in the shell are projected 50 yards farther. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comma ing Mississippi Squadron Page 133 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 133 Report of Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, regarding the forwarding of four mortar boats, towed by steamer Stephen Bayard. U. S. S. GENERAL BRAGG, Off Memphis, Tenn., January 6,1863. SIR: In acquiescence with your order received per U. S. S. Rattlet~, I send down to the fleet in tow of the Stephen Bayard four mortar boats, leaving six at this point, two of which only are in condition to send. The Wilson, having five barges in tow, is unable to take them, and there being no towboat here, I regret being unable to send them at present. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA BISHOP, Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Badger, U. S. Navy, regarding the approach to completion of the U. S. S. Tuscumbia. NEW ALBANY, IND.~ January 6, 1863. SIR: The Tuscumbia is rapidly advancing toward completion. Even in her present condition, with her gnus in position and ammu- nition on board, she is a most formidable vessel, and the temptation to the enemy to get possession of, or to destroy her, must be very great. Considering that this vicinity swarms with secessionists, and that the guard of convalescent soldiers is not so reliable as could be wished, I am of the opinion that a proper precaution requires that she should be furnished with a crew of at least 2 officers and 30 men. The engineer with two firemen is all that would be required for the present in the engine department. A pilot can always be had. The officers and crew should be supplied with small arms and ammunition. The galley is on board with facilities for cooking. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 0. C. BADGER, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy. Commodore J. B. HULL~ U. S. Navy, St. Louis, Mo. P. S. I should be glad to be relieved, to attend to ordnance duties at Cincinnati. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Captain Drink- water, regarding towing of coal barges to Cairo. JANUARY 6, 1863. SIR: When the coal barge is empty, take it in tow and proceed to Cairo and report yourself. Pick up another empty barge on the way if you meet one, and tow it up. Very respectfully, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Captain DRINKWATER, Steamer Ottawa Page 134 134 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Brigadier- General Gorman, U. S. Ar?ny, referring to expedition8 in White and Arkansa8 1~ver8. JANUARY 6, 1863. SIR: I have had no opportunity to answer your letter relating to supplying you with gunboats, but you have heard ere this that an expedition is at the mouth of White River ready to go up the Arkansas. I hope you will make your ascent of White River at the same time. I will supply you with force enough to keep off any armed vessel, but can not promise enough to reduce a fort. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Brigadier-General W. A. GORMAN. Capture and destruction by Confederate forces of steamers Jacob Mus8elman, January 6, and Grampus No. 2, January 11, 1863. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting reports. No. 63. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 18, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a communication from Lieutenant Commanding Joshua Bishop in relation to investigations made about the burning of the steamers Jacob Musselman and Grampus, above Memphis. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. GUNBOAT CONESTOGA, Memphis, January 13, 1863. SIR: A party of guerrillas from the Arkansas shore crossed the river on Sunday evening and surprised the towboat Grampus No. 2, lying on the Tennessee shore about a mile above the city. They made prisoners of all aboard and succeeded in getting the steamer over the river, when they set fire to her. The steamer was seen to leave the bank and go up the river by the lookouts on the Conestoga, but as steamers are constantly passing up and down during the night, there was nothing suspicious in the movement. I directed Lieutenant Commanding Bishop to proceed in the gun- boat Linden, with a force of three companies of troops sent by the military authorities, to the place where the steamer was burned and destroy the houses in the neighborhood. I enclose his report Page 135 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 135 The repairs upon our boilers are more extensive than I supposed, and the machinist tells me he can complete them before Saturday evening. I am using all the dispatch I can. I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. 0. SELFRIDGE, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER. Commanding Mississippi Squadron. [Subenclosure.] U. S. S. GENERAL BRAGG, Memphis, January 13, 1863. SIR: I respectfully report that I went on board the light-draft gunboat Linden on the afternoon of the 12th to visit the places where the steamers Jacob Musselman and Grampus were burned. The Lin- den had on board the part of the Eighty-ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, under command of lajor Cubberly. Proceeded up the river, passing by way of Mound City (where the steamer Grampus was burned), anchored near Bradleys Landing (where the Jacob Musselman was burned). About 10 p. m. a steamer passed down, and when a short distance below us a signal light was shown on the bank. The steamer then blew her whistle and made a landing. Perceiving that she was landing, hailed her with the steam whistle, which she did not notice; got underway and chased the ves- sel, which had left the bank, sounded the whistle and fired a gun. After chasing the vessel some distance brought her to and boarded her, the steamer Chip pewa Valley. Finding nothing wrong, per- mitted her to proceed on down the river; steamed back to Bradleys Landing and anchored. At 7 a. m. got underway and landed at Bradleys Landing to communicate. Ascertained that there was quite a force of guerrillas in the neighborhood, who intended destroy- ing steamers; that their rendezvous was at Monud City, Marion, and Ilopefield; that a man named Cheek was instrumental in burning the steamers. At 9 a. m. left Bradleys Landing and proceeded to Mound City, firing shells at intervals into the woods, as it was supposed there were guerrillas thereabouts. At 10 landed at Mound City and disembarked the troops. The infantry made prisoners of several citizens, who had been harbor- ing guerrillas; set fire to and burned several unoccupied houses be- longing to Mr. Cheek and others, as there was evidence that they had been lately occupied. The pickets exchanged shots with some mounted men. A number of shotguns, rifles, revolvers, etc., was captured. The infantry proceeded by land to Hopefield, searching houses for arms. At 2 p. m. landed at Hopefield and embarked the troops; steamed down to Fort Pickering and disembarked the troops. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA BISHOP, Lieutenant, Commanding. Lieutenant- Commander THos. 0. SELFRIDGE, Commanding U. S. S. Conestoga, Senior Officer off Memphis Page 136 136 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Captain MeGehee, C. S. Army. CAMP OF UNATTACHED COMPANY, ARKANSAS CAVALRY, Marion, Ark., March 12, 1863. COLONEL: In obedience to orders received from the maj or-general commanding the Trans-Mississippi district to proceed to the county of Crittenden, Ark., for the purpose of scouting and burning cotton in that country and annoying the enemy on the Mississippi River, I have the honor to report that I marched from Austin, Ark., and pro- ceeded to the Mississippi River, burning all cotton as I went which was liable to fall into the hands of the enemy. On the 6th day of January I captured the steamboat Jacob Mussel- ~inan opposite Memphis, lying at the Arkansas shore; ran her to Bradleys Landing, 15 miles above that point, where I captured an- other boat (flatboat) loaded with stock. After taking what was val- uable on the steamer Jacob Musselman and the stock off of the fiat- boat, I burned them both. On the 11th day of January 1 captured the steamboat Gra~npus No. 2, just off the wharf at Memphis; ran her to Mound City, 5 miles above Memphis, and burned her. There were with the Grampus five coal boats, which were turned loose in the river when she was cap- tured and floated down and sunk. On the 17th of February 1 captured the steam tug Hercules, oppo- site Memphis, and seven coal boats which were with her, and burned them on the spot, being unable to run them off, owing to the terrific fire from the gunboats xvhich were lying at the Memphis wharf. On the 16th of February I captured a flatboat 30 miles below Memphis laden with medicine, etc. She had on board the following articles, to wit, 600 ounces of quinine, 200 ounces of morphine, 6 pounds of opium, 5 pounds of ipecac, 5 navy repeaters, 450 rounds of navy cartridges, 3,000 percussion caps, and 6 pairs of gantlets. I am, colonel, your obedient servant, J. H. MCGEHEE, Colonel R. C. NEM~ToN, Captain, Commanding Company. Assistant Adjutant-General. Newspaper clippings enclosed in statement of 3. E. Cheek, of Mound City, dated Memphis, March 19, 1863. The Gramnpus No. 2 arrived here a day or two ago with 3,500 bushels of coal in tow. She lay a little above the mouth of Wolf River at the Island Little Chicken, within 50 yards of the Tennessee shore. At about 12 oclock last night, all hands being in bed but the watch, some men suddenly sprang on board from the bank. The watch was seized and a pistol put to his head, and one by one the various parties on deck were made to leave their berths; a guard with a revolver in hand was set over each one of them, and any shouting or signaling to boats that lay not very far off was prevented. The engineers were compelled to get up steam and the pilot to take the boat with 3,500 bushels of coal, but leaving the barges behind, to the regular ferry landing at Mound City, 5 miles above our landing. Here the commander of the boat, Captain Thomas Chester, was robbed of nearly a thousand dollars, greenbacks, which he had upon his per- son, and a very valuable gold watch. They stripped the boat of it Page 137 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 137 furniture, bedding, lanterns, crockeryware, and dishes, and all the things lying about that they wanted. These were hauled away by the aid of a wagon and six horses to where the men said they had a camp some distance back. When the work of plunder was completed the Grampu8 was set on fire and cut loose. She floated to the foot of the island that is opposite Mound City, where she and her coal are burning at the moment we are writing. The party making the capture consisted of 1~ men; they said they had 15 or 20 more within a short distance. They said they were the people who took the lJIus8elmam and burned her on Friday last, and that they should have more yet; and they told the Grampus people to tell General liurlbut when they got back to have his bed big enough, for he would find one of them sleeping xvith him some night. Tie also stated that they had four guns coming, and when they ar- rived they should have possession of the river at that point. They stated that some of them had been all over Memphis during the clay, and they had been near the Grampus and found out how she lay. The following names were among those heard or known by parties taken fi~om the Grampus: Colonel Williamson, Jim McGehee, Lieu- tenant Barton, M. iR. Cheek, jr., and Green. Some of these names will be remembered as having been written on passes given to persons on the hf usselmar& when she was taken. The persons taken from the Grampus were not unkindly used. They were told that if they chose they might go into an empty house above the landing, build a fire there, and remain until morning. This was no doubt the house Captain Cheek, of the ferryboat, used to keep as a tavern. The Grampas people were paroled; they walked down the shore and were brought across to this side, where they are de- tained on one of the gunboats for examination. Among the spoils taken from the Gram pus the captors seemed to be more pleased to receive her bell, which was a valuable one. It was understood that all the captors were residents of tbe neighboring portion of Arkansas. Colonel Williamson and Captain McGehee had a sort of uniform on. This bold act of making off with a boat just above the city land- ing, within sight of the city and within gunshot of the gunboats, is one that will awaken at least surprise, and, we presume, can not pass without chastisement. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-Gen- eral iJIcClernand, U. S. Army, requesting transportation for the remains of Lieutenant-Commander Gwin, U. S. Navy. JANUARY 7, 1863. GENERAL: Will you do me the favor to allow the first steamer that goes up to transport to Cairo and deliver to Captain Pennock the body of the late Captain Gwin, and to give passage to the persons in charge of it? I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General McCLERNAND, U. S. Army, Commanding U. S. Forces Page 138 138 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Sel/ridge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cones- toga, to guard the mouth of White River. OFF WHITE RIVER, January 7, 1863. SIR: You will lie in the mouth of White River, leaving room for vessels to pass, and you will guard that point until I return here. If a light-draft gunboat comes down here, let her take your place and join me up the Arkansas with ihe Conestoga. Have all gun- boats coming down, coal barges, store vessels, etc., stopped at this point. Take charge of storeship, hospital, and powder boat. Respectfully, yours, etc. DAVID D. PORTER, A cting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THos. 0. SEEFRIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Conestoga. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, regarding the prev- alence of smallpox on the U. S. ram Switzerland, and consequent orders issued. STEAM RAM MONARCH, Off Mouth of White River, January 7, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have the honor to in-form you that on returning to Yazoo River, immediately after receiving your instructions to oin you at this point, Major John W. Lawrence reported to me that the sick on the Switzerland numbered 32, of which 23 were cases of smallpox. As the coal of the Switzerland was nearly exhausted, and as the rapid spread of the contagion threatened to deprive her in a few days of her entire force, I agreed with Lieutenant Prichett in thinking it best that she should proceed at once to Cairo and dis- charge her cargo of patients into the pest house located there. I have accordingly instructed Major Lawrence to take his boat up as quickly as he can. He is entirely out of coal, and will have to make the remaining part of his journey on fence rails if he can not obtain a supply of fuel here. I instructed the Lancaster, whom I met returning from an un- successful attempt to reach General MeClernand, to report to Lieu- tenant Prichett. The three rams now in the Yazoo are probably entirely out of coal by this time. Very respectfully, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Master Rrown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, regarding the rescue of transport steamer Universe, January 6. U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST ROSE, Mouth of White River, January 8, 1863. SIR: In obedience to your orders I submit the following report: On the morning of the 6th instant, when about 5 miles below Green Page 139 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 139 yule, I discovered a transport aground on the east side of the river. I ran in as near as I could with safety to my own vessel, anchored, and sent a boat on board and found it to be the steamer Universe. I remained by her and ran a line to her, and succeeded after several hours work in towing her off. About 11 a. m. I noticed two men on horseback ride down abreast of the boat and stop behind a tree for a short time and then gallop off, one up and the other down the levee. During the afternoon I saw several horsemen come from each way and turn off of the levee at a plantation near where we lay; some I could see were dressed in military clothes. About 4: 30 p. in., just as I had got the steamer afloat, I saw a number of men on horseback make their appearance on the levee, acting very suspiciously. I recognized the two that I had seen stop by the tree amongst the num- ber. I ordered the guns stood by, and went below and sighted one of them and fired a 3-inch shell. It struck between two horses and ex- ploded, killing both horses and men; one fell instantly; the other turned partly around and the man fell first and then the horse. The remainder of the gang rode off at a rapid pace. Nothing more of im- portance occurred until yesterday, in Cypress Bend; I stopped to wood. The wood lay back some 500 yards from the shore. I placed some pickets outside to prevent a surprise.. At 1 p. m. an ox team was reported to me passing along the road with a load of furniture. Finding that the wagon would answer to carry wood, I ordered it to be unloaded of the furniture and go to hauling wood to the boat. The contrabands with the teams reported 50 guerrillas in the vicinity. Soon after three mule teams (of four mules each) were reported to me coming along the road. I ordered them in and set them all to hauling wood. About 2: 30 p. m. some 6 or 8 armed men made their appearance and fired upon our pickets, but without doing any harm. The fire was returned and so kept up slowly all the afternoon, the rebels increasing in numbers to about 15 or 18, and getting more bold. At times the fire was quite brisk, but each party kept well covered by trees and the levee. Having all the wood I could take care of, I allowed the teams to return, and after firing one charge of shrapnel amongst the rebels I proceeded up the river. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Fleet Captain Pennoek, U. S. Navy, giving general infor mation regarding vessels of the squadron. U. S. Mississw~i SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 7, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the Chillicothe arrived here this morning. I am now getting her provisions and coal on board and shall send her off to-night. I am informed that the Indianola has arrived at Louisville, but is unable to get over the falls. I am, however, in hopes that she will reach here soon, as the river is now rlslng Page 140 140 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. The St. Clair and Brilliant are at Smithiand ready to convoy 14 transports laden with supplies for General Rosecrans, to Nashville, via the Cumberland River; all other communications had to be cut off. I enclose a copy of a telegram from the assistant quartermaster in charge of the supplies, on which my information is based, and my answer thereto. The Silver Lake having a case of smallpox on board, I was obliged to have her anchored in the stream about a mile above the naval depot. If I had the men, the four gunboats I have here now (the Silver Lake, Linden,, Springfield, and Cricket) could be sent down in a very short time. I can not muster a guns crew for either of them. The New National arrived on Sunday last from St. Louis, with three months provisions for the squadron on board, together with iron, etc., for the foundry at Memphis. I have delivered Acting Master Neelds orders to him, and he will proceed to Memphis in her. She will go down under convoy of the Chillicothe. The mortar floats here are very low in the waterso much so as to be nearly, if not quite, useless. Their magazines are full of water and can not be kept clear. One of General Ellets rams will leave here early to-morrow morn- ing and will take a tow of two barges of coal down to the squadron. Fifteen boats have arrived from New York. They are well fitted out, but have no rowlocks, which I think should be made before they are sent down, and I have given orders to that effect. Acting Chief Engineer Faulkner arrived from Memphis to-day. I enclose herewith his report of his investigations in regard to the navy yard at Memphis. The IV. H. Brown and Dc Soto are now repairing, but I hope that they will soon be ready for service. The Lafayette arrived Sunday last from St. Louis. I am having the work necessary to finish her done with all dispatch. I have received your communications and orders up to the 27th ultimo, inclusive. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mz8sis8ippi Squadron. [Telegram.] FORT MONROE, January 7. (Received 8:30 p. in.) General Dix is telegraphing the President and using the Examiner of 6th. It speaks of our troops embarking on the 2d instant to land again in the Yazoo, but nearer Yicksburg. This probably means that Sherman came below the bayou to approach Vicksburg by the Wal- nut Hill road. I believe we are successful at Vicksburg. The Exam- iner is very gloomy about the rebel defeat at Murfreesboro. The rebels under Bragg could not attack Shermans rear if he destroye Page 141 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 141 the railroad bridge over the Big Black River back of Vicksburg, which I suppose was the object of his first landing up the Yazoo. See General Dixs dispatch to the President. S. P. LEE. Hon. G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary Navy. Letter of congratulation from Brigadier-General Filet, U. S. Army,, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, on the reported fall of Vicks burg. ST. Louis, Mo., January 7, 1863. DEAR SIR: Permit me to congratulate you upon your reported suc- cess at Vicksburg, in cooperation with General Sherman. I can never cease to regret the necessity that has prevented me from participat- ing with you in your glorious achievement. Vicksburg has fallen, the papers say, and I not there to see; it is most mortifying. I find that the duty assigned to me was far greater than I at first supposed, as your experience has no doubt taught you. Recruiting is extremely hard and very slow, but with all the difficulties I am steadily gainiig a command, and will succeed in time, but I am haunted with the idea that you will do all the work before I can get ready to move. I am glad to be able to say that I am receiving men quite fast now as compared with the first few weeks, and hope yet to be able to strike a blow to aid in the suppression of this rebellion with the Mississippi Marine Brigade. Permit me to offer my sympathy for the loss of your most gallant officer, Captain Gwin. Our country can but illy spare such men in this her hour of need, but he died as he would have wished, fighting bravely, and his cherished country has lost a noble defender. I shall not be able to leave here for weeks to come. My men must be well drilled before I can take them on the boats, and it takes time and labor both to effect this. I shall lose no time. It was a great mistake that my command was not assigned me from troops already in the field. I could now be at work. With kindest regards, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALFRED W. ELLET, Brigadier-General. Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER. Order of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to Acting Lieutenant Sanford, U. S. Navy, regarding duties to be performed at Cincin- nati. U. S. NAVAL STATION, Cairo, Ill., January 8, 1863. SIR: In addition to other duties assigned you for performance at Cincinnati, Ohio, in my order of to-day, you will examine into the condition of the rendezvous and receiving ship at that place, and you will detail all officers for vessels now bought and which may b Page 142 142 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. bought. Acting Master Bowen has, I believe, authority from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter to make temporary appointments, which you are also authorized to make if you find it necessary. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Lieutenant Commanding J. P. SANFORD, U. S. Navy, Ordnance Officer, ifississippi Squadron, Cairo. Order of Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, to the commanding officer of the steamer Stephen Bayard regarding towing of coal barges. U. S. GUNBOAT CARONDELET, Helena, Ark., January 8, 1863. SIR: You will please to have the mortar boats you have in tow from Memphis moored, and take in tow two coal barges and proceed down the river with the convoy from this place to-day to our fleet and deliver the same to Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, COMMANDING OFFICER, Captain, U. S. Navy. Steamer Stephen Bayard. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Selfridge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cones- toga, to proceed to Alemphie, convoying transports. JANUARY 8, 1863. SIR: You will proceed with a convoy of transports to Memphis, where you will make your repairs with all dispatch, and return to this point. Notify all vessels belonging to the squadron, towboats with coal barges or provisions to stop at this point. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 2llississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THOS. 0. SELERIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Conestoga. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Prichett, U. S. Navy, regarding the distribution of coal, etc. OFF WHITE RIVER, January 8, 1863. SIR: You will divide what coal I send down amongst the steamers so that they can reach this place or 40 miles up the river or some place where the rams Samson and Champion can lay in wood. Keep mov- ing up the river as coal comes down. Let the Champion bring u Page 143 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 143 the mortars and divide the coal barges amongst the rams. When they get wood they can do very well. Any chance you get to move up, do so. I am much disappointed at coal not coming down, and I do not think it right that you should lie down there in your present helpless condition. If you can get 60 miles up the Mississippi you will be all right, but run still higher as you have the means. Bring the Mound City along also. Give the Benton a tow. I have good reasons for thinking the Yazoo is not the place for so small a force. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander J. M. PRICHETT, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Tyler. Instructions from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Act- ing Volunteer Lieutenant Richardson, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Judge Torrence, for duty at mouth of White River. JANUARY 8, 1863. SIR: Until further orders from me you will remain anchored near the mouth of White River, where you will take charge of all boats, scows, coal barges, etc., that come down. You will notify all vessels coming down with stores, coal, etc., that they are to remain here until I am heard from. You will carry out strictly General Order No. 4. Notify all our vessels that I am up the Arkansas, where light-draft gunboats will find me. Cover the hospital boat with your gun; that is, lie astern of her. Give protection to army transports which may wish to lie under the lee of this island. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lient. J. F. IRICIIARDSON, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Judge Torrence. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Richardson, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Judge Torrence, regarding coal barges. MISSISSIPPI RIVER, July 8, 1863. SIR: If any coal barges are left behind, have them brought along- side and secured to your vessel. Respectfully, yours, DAVID D. PORTER, Captain RICHARDSON, Acting Rear-Admiral. Judge Torrence Page 144 144 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, regarding information received of the movement of a Confederate force under General Hindman, C. S. Army. U. S. S. CARONDELET, Helena, Ark., January 8, 1863. SIR: A correspondent of the New York Herald has just sent me word by our paymaster that he is reliably informed that the rebel General Hiudman has left Little Rock, Ark., with 25,000 men, and is now on his way down the river. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding lJfi& sissippi Squadron. P. 5.The Lafayette is at Cairo, and, if you please, I would like to be on board of her when she receives her outfits. The ammunition will be sent down in an army transport under convoy of our light- draft gunboats, instead of the Stephen Bayard, as before stated. Very respectfully, yours, etc., H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, commanding at Memphis, regarding coal for the ram Switzerland. U. S. Mississwri SQUADRON, January 8, 1863. SIR: Permit the ram Switzerland to take in coal enough at Mem- phis to take her to Cairo. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commanding JOSHUA BISHOP, Commanding Officer at Memphis, lienn. Report of Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, of arrival at Helena, Ark., and finding a tow of barges and mortar boats at that place. U. S. S. CARONDELET, Helena, Ark., January 8, 1863. SIR: I arrived at this place last night, having been overtaken by the Marmora between here and White River and the .Juliet a few miles below here, both of which gave me a tow. I found the steamers New Era, Glide, V. F. Wilson, and Stephen Bayard, with a tow of four coal barges, four mortar boats, and an ice barge, with pro- visions, etc. As I am quite sure you do not wish to have the mortar boats just now, I have ordered them to be moored here in charge of Mr. Whee- lock, the officer having charge of those at this place, until further orders from you. As I can not coal at Memphis, 4 shall be obliged to take the Wilson to tow me to No. 10 to get there within a reason~ able time Page 145 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 145 General Gorman requested me to have some ammunition sent down to General Sherman, and I have ordered it on board the steamer Stephen Bayard, in charge of an army officer. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Order of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Sanford, U. S. Navy, to proceed to duty at Cincinnati. U. S. Mississi~ri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 8, 1863. SIR: As you inform me that your services as ordnance officer, Mississippi Squadron, can be better dispensed with at this time than any other, you will proceed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and take up the work left unfinished by Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, he having been ordered to the fleet. I enclose herewith all papers and memoranda in regard to the matter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Comimandant of Station. Lieutenant J. P. SANFORD, U. S. Navy, Ordnance Officer, Cairo, Ill. Letter from Ilifajor-General Huribut, U. S. Army, to Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, announcing the shipment of ammunition to Helena, Ark. HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT OF MEMPHIS, January 8, 1863. CAPTAIN: The major-general commanding district directs me to say that he shipped by steamboat Lancaster last night 2,000,000 small ammunition to Helena, with orders to General Gorman to for- ward by gunboat. Has the Indianola arrived at Memphis? I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. THURSTON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Captain BISHOP, U. S. S. Bragg. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Getty, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Marmora, for the delivery of coal to gunboats at mout1~ of Jfa~oo River. JANUARY 8, 1863. SIR: You will proceed with the Marmora and Juliet, with two coal barges (or whatever you bring down), to the mouth of the Yazoo and 7110N W RVOL 24tO-1 Page 146 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 146 deliver the coal there to the gunboats, when you will return immedi- ately and convoy the storeship and powder boat as high up the Mis- sissippi River as this place or Napoleon. Deliver the enclosed letter to the commanding officer. Get up as high as you can, at all events, and let the steamers take in coal, as I can send it down. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant ROBT. GETTY, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. iliarinora. P. S.Jf you go down with plenty coal, drop a barge with the vessels at Millikens Bend. Do not take down more than thirteen or fourteen thousand bushels. If there is more than that, leave it here. Report of Fleet Captain Pennoclv, U. S. Navy, regarding general matters at Cairo, Ill. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 9, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the Linden will leave to-night as a convoy for the Home, a steamer chartered to take a tow of five coal barges to the squadron, and will bi~ the bearer of these dispatches and a mail for the fleet. I have directed that one barge be left at Memphis. I have been able to procure only a quarter of a crew for the Linden, which takes every available man. One of Colonel Ellets rams left yesterday with two coal barges in tow for the squ~ dron. I enclose copies of telegrams received to-day from Major-General Grant, together with my answers thereto. I have ordered the Lin- den, Acting Master Thomas E. Smith commanding, to report to Lieu- tenant Commanding Joshua Bishop, U. S. gunboat General Bragg, as convoy for such troops as the army officer in command may wish to send down the river. I omitted to mention in my last communication that Albigence N. Derby, acting second assistant engineer, referred to by Lieutenant Wilson, commanding U. S. gunboat Mound City, as being unfit to perform his duties as such, was not recommended by Mr. Faulkner, but was ordered to report to you for duty by the honorable Secretary of the Navy. I have ordered Acting Lieutenant Sanford to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take up the work left unfinished by Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith on his being ordered to the fleet. I enclose copies of my orders to him. The extensive repairs on the IV. H. Brown and General Lyon are still going on as fast as our limited means will allow. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron Page 147 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 147 Letter from Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, regretting his inability to send the mortar boats down the river. U. S. NAVAL STATION, Cairo, Ill., January 9, 1863. SIR: Your communication of the 7th instant has been received. Your requisitions have been approved and sent to the naval store- keeper to be furnished. I have no boat that I can send down to assist the Conestoga. Ad- miral Porter will make such arrangements as he may deem necessary. The W. H. Brown and General Lyon are both repairing at present, and I regret much that I can not help you in sending mortar boats down. I am unable to charter a towboat for that purpose. Five coal barges will leave here to-day under convoy of the Linden. I have directed that one barge be left at Memphis. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant Commanding JOSHUA BISHOP, U. S. Navy, U. S. Gunboat General Bragg, lilem1phis, Iienn. Report of Acting Master Neeld, U. S. Navy, regarding arrival at Memphis~ with stores for the squadron. MEMPHIS, January 9, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report to you that I have arrived here on the U. S. S. New National with stores for the squadron and have reported to the commanding naval oflicer, and will proceed immedi- ately to have the stores transferred to the public warehouse, agreeably to his orders. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. R. NEELD, Acting Master, U. S. Navy. Acting IRear-AdmiraP D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Richardson, U. S. Navy, re- garding the arrival of coal and supplies off White River and his disposition of them. U. S. S. JUDGE TORRENCE, Off White River, January 9, 1863. SIR: I beg leave to report to you that there arrived here this evening the gunboats Glide, New Era, Juliet, and Marmora, the latter having in tow two coal barges; also the steamer Bayard with two coal barges, and the steamer Lavinia Logan with an ice barge, containing fresh meat on ice; the Marmora having also in the coal barges a quan- tity of vegetables, which I had transferred to the Red Rover, they being exposed to the rain Page 148 148 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. In obedience to your orders I send the gunboats Glide and New Era to report to you. I have assumed the responsibility of sending the Bagard with the two coal barges down to the lower fleet, under convoy of the Marn& ora and Juliet. Hoping the above will meet your approval, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. F. RICHARDSON, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. [Telegram.] MEMPHIS, TENN., Janimry 10, 1863. In sending reinforcements to you gunboats will be required to con- voy them. They can not be obtained at Cairo. Please request Ad- miral Porter, if practicable, to detach boats from his fleet for that purpose. U. S. GRANT, Major- General. Maj or-General JOHN A. MCCLERNAND, Commanding Viclesburg Expedition. Letter from B. S. Compton to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, desiring permission to trade in cotton. STEAMER EVANSVILLE, Helena, Ark., Saturday, January 10, 1863. DEAR SIR: We being desirous of trade in cotton, and having a large amount already purchased near and above Arkansas River, I desire your permission to go and get the same. I am the party intro- duced to you by General Tuttle, of Cairo, to which letter I respect- fully refer you, we having the permission of General Gorman so to do [at] as early an hour as circumstances will admit of. Hoping you will favor the enterprise, I am, sir, your obedient servant, B. S. COMPTON, Colonel. Admiral PORTER. N. B.Hope you will give full instructions, so that no error may be committed. [Endorsement.] U. S. S. CONESTOGA, January 31, 1863. This letter was given to me at the time the Conestoga was on her way to Memphis, and had been mislaid. THos. 0. SELFRIDGE~ Lieutenant- Commander Page 149 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 149 Letter from the collector of customs at St. Louis to Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, desiring permission for the steamer JIary Forsyth to trade between Memphis and Cairo. CUSTOM-HOUSE, St. Louis, January 10, 1863. DEAR SIR: I have given Captain N. S. Green, of the steamer Mary Forsyth, the privilege of supplying families between Cairo and Mem- phis with a limited quantity of provisions, to be delivered under the instructions of the aid to revenue on said boat, who will report to this office the quantities and kind of merchandise delivered at each point, with the names of parties to whom such deliveries are made. This privilege is granted with the understanding that it meets your approbation, otherwise no supplies will be delivered. Very respectfully, R. ~ hbOwARD, Collector. Captaiu BIsHOP, U. S. Navy. Letter from Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear- Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the opening of the canal opposite Vicksburg. MEMPHIS, TENN., January 10, 1863. I send Colonel Bissell, of the Engineer Regiment of the West, to report to you for the purpose of surveying the ground and deter- mining the practicability of reopening the canal across the tongue of land opposite Vicksburg. Any suggestions from you I would be most happy to receive. I have not had one word officially from the expeditiou which left Helena on the 22d December since that time, and am consequently very much at a loss to know how to proceed. I am, however, preparing to reinforce General McClernand, and can do it to the extent of 20,000 men, certainly, and possibly more. By the same boat that takes this, I am writing to General McCler- nand and expect to get such reply as will enable me to act more understandingly. U. S. GRANT, Major-General. Rear- Amiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Fleet. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, to proceed to Cairo and assume command of the U. S. S. Lafayette, and referring to capture of Arkansas Post. JANUARY 11, 1863. SIR: Proceed to Cairo in the New Era and take command of the Lafayette. Get her ready, with all dispatch, for service, and report to rue wherever I may be. When the New Era returns she will relieve the Carondelet, and the executive officer will turn over the orders I gave you to the captain of the New Era, when the Carondelet will join me wherever I may be Page 150 150 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. We whipped out the fort at Post of Arkansas in a very short time to-day. There were eleven guns, and we dismounted every one of them and tore the fort to pieces. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting sear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Captain HENRY WALKE, U. S. NAVY, Commanding U. S. S. Carondelet. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lila jor Slack, U. S. Marine Corps, regarding the efficiency of that organ- ization. JANUARY 11, 1863. M~ DEAR SIR: Your communication of December 10 has been re- ceived, and in answer I beg leave to say that I would consider it a great calamity if the Marine Corps should be abolished and turned over to the Army. In its organization it should be naval altogether. A ship without marines is no ship of war at all. The past efficiency of our Marine Corps fills one of the brightest pages in the history of our country, and the man who proposes such a measure can not know much about the service, or is demented. When they take away the marines from the Navy they had better lay up all large vessels. I wish anyone could see the difference be- tween the marines out here and the people they call soldiers; they would not talk of abolishing the corps. I can only say, God forbid that it should come to pass. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major W. B. SLACK, Marine Corps, Washington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, acknowledging Departments order regarding subsisting of marines on shipboard. No. 41.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Arkartsas River, January 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your order of December 30, in relation to subsisting marines on shipboard, and making enquiry why the order has not been attended to. The order alluded to has never been received by me, and as the marines were sent out for the protection of public property, I placed them on shore, hav- ing at the time no other place to put them. For two nights they had to sleep in the open air. The Department may not be aware that there were no facilities for keeping the marines on shipboard, th Page 151 151 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Clara Dolsen at that time having no accommodations for the few men she had on board. I will direct the order to be carried out. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting information regarding suspension of work on the U. S. S. Ozark, until estimates of cost were made. No. 46.] U. S. MISsISsIPPI SQUADRON, Arkansas River, January 12, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose to the Department a communica- tion from First Assistant Engineer James W. Whittaker, in relation to the submarine battery for the Ozark. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C. [Enclosure.] ST. LouIs, Mo., January 2, 1863. SIR: In obedience to Commodore Hulls orders of the 18th ultimo (directed by the Navy Department), all work on the submarine bat- tery for the Ozark was suspended until an estimate of its cost was made. Since then I have made detail drawings of all its parts, and with the assistance of Chief Engineer Shock, U. S. Navy, have made a careful estimate of the cost, reporting to the commodore the total expense of construction, transportation, alterations to the ship, and erection of the apparatus on the Ozark (Government furnishing the 9-inch gun) to be about $5,000. This sum is greater than I antici- pated, and is accounted for by the fact that labor and materials in St. Louis appear to be about 20 per cent higher than in the Eastern States, and the tools used inferior. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES W. WHITTAKER, First Assistant Engineer, U. S. Navy. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major~ General McClei and, U. S. Army, referring to the depth of water in the Arkansas River. U. S. MIssIssIPPI SQUADRON, U. S. S. Black Hawk, January 12, 1863. GENERAL: Yours of this date has been received. I am not posted on the depth of water in the Arkansas. The rani Monarch draws Page 152 152 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. feet. She went up and grounded 8 miles above here. I will obtain information. Pilot says 44- feet to Little Rock. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 2Jftss~ss~ppi Squadron. Major-General JOHN A. MCCLERNAND, Commanding U. S. Forces. Report of Commodore Hull, U. S. Navy, regarding the turning over to the Missi8sippi Squadron of the U. S. S. Indianola. ST. LoUS,[Mo.], January 12, 1863. SIR: At the request of the commanding officer at Cairo, I hereby inform you that I have turned over the gunboat Indianola to the commander of the Mississippi Squadron. Very respectfully, J. B. HULL~ Commodore, Superintending. Lieutenant-Comm~tnder GEORGE BROWN, U. S. Gunboat Indianola, Jeffersonville. Letter from Commodore Hull, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennocle, U. S. Navy, transferring the U. S. S. Indianola to the lJlisszsszpps Squadron. ST. LOUIS, Mo., January 12, 1863. SIR: The gunboat Indianola, having been reported completed by the contractor, I am directed by the Bureau of Construction to turn her over to your command. The trial of seventy-two hours has been made and reported satis- factory, but her speed was not tried for want of opportunity. The trial terminated on the 19th ultimo. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. HULL, COMMANDING OFFICER, Commodore, Superintending. U. S. Naval Station, Cairo. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, regarding the mortar boats. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 12, 1863. SIR: Obey the original order I sent you in regard to the mortar boats, and send them down to the mouth of White River or wherever I may be. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JOSHUA BISHOP, Commanding U. S. S. General Bragg, Memphis, fenn Page 153 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 153 [Thiegram.] CAIRO, January 12, 1863. Send all naval recruits at Cincinnati to Cairo by next train. An- swer how many and when sent. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant Commanding J. P. SANFORD, Ordnance Officer, Mississippi Squadron. Combined operations in White River, including captures at St. Charles, Devalls Bluff, and Des Arc, Ark., January 1219, 1863. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Baron De Kaib, to move up the river in cooperation with Brigadier-General Gorman, U. S. Army. ARKANSAS PosT, January 12, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to White River near the cut-off, where you will wait the arrival of General Gorman with his troops. You will, when he arrives, proceed in advance of him up the White River, cleaning out St. Charles. The Cincinnati will accompany you. I heed not tell you that close quarters will the soonest finish the work. Make the commander of the Chillicothe grease well his casemates. Cooperate with the army all you can, but, on making your attack, do it in your own way. See that the defenses are demolished by our guns to let the troops go in easy. Report the result to me without delay. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JOHN G. WALKER, U. S. S. Baron Dc Kaib. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Bache, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cincinnati, to report for duty to Lieutenant- Commander Walker, U. S. Navy. JANUARY 12, 1863. SIR: Report to Lieutenant-Commander Walker for duty and be ready to accompany him. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commanding G. M. BACHE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Cincinnati Page 154 154 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Ensign Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Romeo, to report for duty to Lieutenant- Commander Walker, U. S. Navy. JANUARY 13, 1863. SIR: Proceed to the mouth of White River and take on board from the Judge Forrence 30 boxes of ammunition. Fill up with coal and proceed up White River until you overtake Lieutenant-Commander Walker in the Baron De Kaib and report yourself to him. Your duty there will be to go ahead, sounding with your leads, and see that the ironclads do not get aground. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding IJIi8eiseippi Squadron. Acting Master [Ensign] R. B. SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Romeo. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the evacuation of St. Charles and the escape of the steamer Blue Wing. No. 55.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Arkaneas River, January 16, 1863. SIR: On the morning of the 12th instant, after the taking of Fort Hindman, I sent the gunboats Baron De Kaib and Cincinnati, under the command of Lieutenant-Commander John G. Walker, to St. Charles, on the White River, to capture the fort and guns there, General Gorman moving up at the same time with transports and troops. They reached St. Charles on the 14th, and found the rebels had evacuated, leaving their defenses unfinished. The enemy suc- ceeded in carrying off two 8-inch guns in the Blue Wing, an army transport the guerrillas captured a short time since. I have sent two light-draft steamers to Lieutenant-Commander Walker, with instructions to pursue the Blue Wing as long as he can hear of her, and get the guns if it [is] possible. This escape would not have taken place had an attack been made on both places at the same time, which should have been done; about such matters, how- ever, I have no control at present, but hope to have hereafter. I presume we will now move down the Mississippi to carry out what I conceive to have been the plans for which this army was organized, viz, the capture of Vicksburg. It is rather a waste of time, stopping here after the defenses are destroyed. We can not go any higher (until April) up this river, nor can anything of any draft get down. The Pontchctrtrain, a rebel ram, is up at Little Rock, but preparations have been made to destroy her. I presume by this time she has shared the fate of other rebel rams. She draws 11 feet, and can not possibly get down; besides she has no guns, her battery having been destroyed at Fort Hiudman. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Afieciecippi Squadron. lIon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C Page 155 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 155 Report of Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition, regarding evacuation of St. Charles and proposed search for steamer Blue Wing. U. S. GUNBOAT BARON DE KALB, St. Charle8, Ark., January 14, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your order of the 12th, I left Arkansas Post on that day with the Cincinnati and this vessel and met General Gorman with his command the next morning at Prairie Landing, on White River. Having a transport to tow each of the gunboats, I reached this point at 11 a. m. to-day, and found it evacuated. From information received here, it appears that the small body of troops stationed here left on the evening of the 12th on board the Blue Wing, taking two 8-inch guns and a field battery with them, and went up the river. They left one casemate unfinished, and an extensive range of rifle pits. General Gorman has asked that one of the vessels shall go up the river with a part of his force and the other remains at this place. I have ordered the Cincinnati to remain here, and shall go up the river myself this afternoon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN G. WALKER, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mie8i88ippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Baron De Kalb, to push on in search of steamer Blue Wing. JANUARY 16, 1863. SIR: Your communication is received. I am sorry St. Charles did not resist. I sent you the light-draft Romeo and now send you the Signal. If General Gorman will send a detachment with you, push on and get the Blue Wing, if possible, or have her destroyed. You will find a number of bayous on the river where other steamers may be stowed away there. Get information from the negroes on the plantations as to where the Blue Wing has gone. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding IIIi88i88ippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JOHN G. WALKER, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Baron De Kalb. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 23, 18636:55 p. m. Have just (5: 30 p. in.) received a telegram from Memphis, Tenn., from Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter, on board U. S. S. Black Hawk, mouth of White River, January 20, as follows: We have taken St. Charles, Devalls Bluff, anti Des Arc, and the light-drafts are over 300 miles above the mouth of White River. The Do Katb, Lieutenant Page 156 156 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Commander Walker, captured at Devalls Bluff 2 8-inch guns, with carriages, ammunition, etc., 200 Enfleld rifles, and 3 platform cars, and at Des Arc we captured 39 prisoners and a quantity of arms and ammunition. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Detailed report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, including seizure of Confederate property at Devalls Bluff. No. 65.] U. S. Mississi~ri SQUADRON, January 30, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the naval expedition up the White River, under the command of Lieutenant-Commander John G. Walker, was successful in accomplishing the duty on which it was sent. Lieutenant-Commander Walker pushed on to Devalls Bluff in the Baron 19e Kaib and reached there just as the two 8-inch guns xvere being placed on the cars for Little Rock. He landed his men and took possession of all rebel property; the rebels fled. The capture of these guns makes it very difficult for the rebels to defend the approaches to Little Rock, and the State of Arkansas is com- pletely in our power. When all the light-draft gunboats join me I will see that the river is kept under surveillance. It was the in- tention of General Gorman to march right on to Little Rock via the railroad which leads to that place, which would have made a pretty ending of the expeditions into Arkansas, but General MeClernand withdrew a brigade from General Gormans forces, which rendered it impossible for him to proceed, although there was no chance of the brigade being required for a month to come. I sent Lieutenant-Commander Walker three swift, light-draft ves- sels as soon as I could, and with these and the Baron De Kaib he is pursuing the Blue Wing and any other steamers that are there. The Cincinnati remains at St. Charles to guard the river there- abouts. The Baron I)e Kaib has already ascended the White River over 350 miles. I enclose a copy of Lieutenant-Commander Walkers report. I beg leave to state that all the property that was on the Blue Wing when she fell into the enemys hands is in our possession, excepting the mails. It only remains to take her or have them destroy her. I enclose a list of prisoners captured and paroled. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City, D. C. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, regarding captures made at Devalls Bluff and escape of the steamer Blue Wing. U. S. GUNBOAT BARON DE KALB, Devalls Bluff, White River, January 16, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place. Leaving the transports at Arkapola, 4 miles below, I cleared for action and steamed up, arriving at about 3 p. m. Meeting with n Page 157 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 157 resistance, I made fast to the bank and, landing a party, took posses- sion of all the public property. I found 2 fine 8-inch guns and carriages, about 200 stand of arms, with accouterments, and 3 platform cars. The guns were upon skids and were being parbuckled upon the cars when the rebels took the alarm and fled. The supper for the soldiers was cooking when I arrived, and they left blankets and traps of all kinds behind. I took 7 prisoners, and from them and the negroes learn that the troops engaged in loading the cars ran about fifteen minutes before I arrived, and at the same time the steamer Blue Wing went up the river. The guns and carriages are in good order and many of the small arms are new Enfield rifles. Upon the arrival of General Gormans troops I drew off my men and turned everything over to the army. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN G. WALKER, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy. Acting iRear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition, regarding captures made at Des Arc, transmitting list of paroled prisoners. U. S. GUNBOAT BARON DE KALB, Devalls J3lu/J, January 18, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that I left this place yesterday by request of General Gorman, with the Forest Rose and Romeo, having a transport with troops in company, and proceeded to Des Arc, 34 miles above. At that place I found 39 rebel soldiers in the hospital, whom I paroled. I also found and brought away 171 rounds of fixed ammunition, 72 cartridges, and 47 shot for 12-pounder field gun. I took possession of the post-office and sent the mail to General Gorman. Remaining at Des Arc until this morning, I returned to this place. Enclosed I send a list of paroled prisoners. The troops reached Des Arc about an hour after me, and searched the town for arms and public property. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN G. WALKER, Lieutenant- Commander, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, regarding operations at Des Arc. U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST ROSE, White River, January ~O, 1863. SIR: In obedience to your order I left the Arkansas River on the 15th and proceeded up White River with the bearer of dispatche Page 158 158 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. to General Gorman. I came up with the fleet at Devalls Bluff on the morning of the 17th, and reported to Lieutenant-Commander Walker, who ordered me to be ready to proceed to Des Arc. At 11: 30 he came on board and started up the river, the Romeo and one transport following. We arrived at Des Arc about 3 p. m. We landed and proceeded to the post-office and took possession of the mail. We found no troops except 39 in and about the hospital, which I paroled by Lieutenant-Commander Walkers orders and sent him a descriptive list of them. At about 4 oclock the troops landed and searched the place for arms. They found a small quantity. The Romeo took on board a quantity of 12-pounder ammunition, which was found in a store. I took on board at Des Arc, James Warren and family, who wanted to get to Illinois, and brought them to Devalls Bluff, and sent them over to General Gorman. We left Des Arc at daylight Sunday morning. At 3 p. m. the bearer of dispatches returned on board, when we got underway and have made the best of our way down the river. I stopped at Crocketts Bluff and took on board about 4,000 feet of lumber, the only lot I have seen on the river. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition, to withdraw from the White River. MOUTH OF WHITE RIVER, January 19, 1863. SIR: The army is moving down river to Vicksburg to commence operations against that place. You will collect all the vessels with you together and follow me down as soon as the transports leave White River, which I presume will be the case soon. It is not possible for me to leave gunboats up White River to carry on any operations there now. My instructions from the Navy De- partment will prevent my doing so, and, indeed, I think it would be a waste of time and money. I hope you will see yourself that the defenses at St. Charles are destroyed effectually, and examine or enquire whether they did not bury somewhere those two 68-pounders instead of taking them off. Let me hear from you by return of th~ messenger. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lient. Commander JOHN G. WALKER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Baron Dc iCaib, White River Page 159 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 159 Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, regarding the withdrawal from White River. No. 71.] U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, January 36, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a report from Lieutenant-Com- mander John G. Walker in relation to the winding up of the White River expedition, which was as successful as could be desired, with the exception of the recapture of the Blue Wing. The troops will not move without a gunboat, and Lieutenant-Commander Walker had to return with them, much to his and my disappointment. Every gun of any importance has now been captured or destroyed in Arkan- sas13 fort guns taken by the navy in the defenses or in transit and 18 fieldpieces by the army, which cut the guns off at Fort Hind- man; in all, 31 guns, and a large amount of stores and ammunition. All our vessels were much broken in ascending and descending the narrow rivers (Arkansas and White), but all hands are at work re- pairing damages and are now ready to go at anything, when all the army arrive here and pronounce themselves ready for action. Lieutenant-Commander Walker performed the duty I sent him on much to my satisfaction, and deserves all the credit for the capture of guns, other rebel property, and prisoners. The army is still landing. I can not see, though, what can possibly be done by the entire army landing on the neck of land opposite Vicksburg. They have no siege guns, except four with which I sup- plied them, and a sudden rise of water, over flowing the levee, will drown them all out and destroy much Government property. The naval vessels, hoxvever, are busily employed doing all they can to cover the troops, convoy them up and down the river, and guard those points from which guerrillas fire on the boats. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Missi8sippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, WaNdngton, I?. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. GUNBOAT BARON DE KALB, Mis8i88ippi River, January 22, 1863. SIR: On the 18th I received your letter directing me, if General Gorman would furnish a detachment of troops, to push up White River and endeavor to capture or destroy the Blue Wing and other steamers. General Gorman gave me the troops, and I was about starting, when orders from Generals Curtis and Grant obliged him to withdraw his troops from the river and prevented the expedition. I there- fore followed the transports down the river. Before leaving Devalls Bluff, the depot building and cars were set on fire by the troops. The wood of which the depot was built was green cypress and covered with snow. Seeing that but little damage was likely to be done by the fire, I sent an officer and boats crews, who cut away the upright timbers, and bending a line to the building, pulled it down and burned it. At the same time the chief engineer, with a party o Page 160 160 NAVAL FO CES ON WESTERN WATERS. men with sledges, broke the car wheels and journals to pieces, utterly ruining them. The ears were also burned. On my way down I remained at Clarendon until the cavalry force there started for Helena. At St. Charles I assisted an o acer of C eneral Hoveys staff to blo v up the magazin& , using the powder I captured at Des Arc. The iron gun slid s I threw upon the burning timber of the casemates. I believe everything of use to the enemy at St. Cha~rles that could be destroyed Tas destroyed by the army or ourselves. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN G. WALKER, Lienlenant-Commander, U. S. Nay Acting iRear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding ssissippi Sq~t ad on. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieute ant-Commander Woodworth, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Glide, to proceed up White River to learn the cause of detention of vessels. JANUARY 19, 1863. SIR: Proceed up White River and ascertain, if you can, what de- tains our vessels, and why the Fore8t Ro e did not return to me with dispatches when I sent her up there. If you meet Lieutenant-Com- mander Valker, deliver the accompanying dispatches, and ascertain if the party are short of coal. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, DAVID D. Pon ~R, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding ississippi Squadron. Lieut. Commander SELDI E. VOODwOmiTH, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Glide. Letter from Actin Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to /Iajor-General Corman, U. S. Army, recallL g the vessels cooperating in the White Ri er expedition. MOUTH OF WHITE IRIvE , January 19, 1863. GENERAL: The army is moving down the river, nd my instructions from the Navy Department require that I should follow x rith all my force. I can not very well do that until my vessels come down White River. I am sorry not to be able to leave them there longer, but the main expedition must be attended to. I have directed two wooden gunboats to guard the mouths of White and Arkansas rivers, and shall send others there as I may be able to ~ et them from above. I think Napoleon should be strongly fortified and garrisoned, with a chain cross the river. There are plenty of chain cables at Columbus; arranged in a certain way no steamers could pass in and out. Hoping, general, that you may have had good success, I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 211 ississ ~ Squadron. General GORMAN, Commanding White River L xped ~tion Page 161 NAVAL FORCES ON XVESTERN WATERS. 161 [Telegram.] CAIRO, Janua?y 13, 1863. Send all naval recrnits to Cairo by first train. Answer how many and by what train. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Master JAS. D. SINCLAIR, Naval Rendezvou8, Chicago, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, January 13, 1863. Yes; send them all at once. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Lieutenant J. P. SANFORD, Care Acting Master A. S. Bowen, U. S. N. Rendezvous, Cincinnati, Ohio. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Phelps, U. S. iVavy, commanding pro tern, at naval station, Cairo, Ill. OFFICE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 13, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you the gunboat Cricket will be sent down to you to-night with a crew of 25 men, with orders to report to you for duty at mouth of White River, or wherever she may meet with you. I have received your communication up to and including the 6th instant. The requisitions enclosed therein have been forwarded to their proper departments and will be sent down with all dispatch. The Lafayette will be sent down as soon as her magazines are fit to receive her ammunition, which I hope will be in two days or less. The Eastport will be off the ways to-morrow night or next day morning, with the work to be done on her very nearly completed. I shall send her down as soon as I possibly can, I hope by the end of the week. I am expecting a few men from Cincinnati and Chicago, and shall put them on the Eastport and Lafayette. It is probable that they will be here to-night or to-morrow noon, as I have telegraphed to the recruiting officers at both those places to send all their recruits here without delay. I enclose herewith communications from the Department and others. I have sent a copy of the communication from the Chief of the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting, dated January 6, 1863, rela- tive to certain deficiencies in certain weekly returns, to the command- 7110N w RVOL 2410 1 Page 162 162 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. ing officer of the U. S. receiving ship Clara Dol8en, with directions to make such investigations as may be necessary. The acceptance of the resignation of Acting Master Seth Stough- ton by the Department has been received and forwarded to him. I have not yet been able to find H. N. Pinard, referred to in your letter of the 22d ultimo, but am on his track and think that I shall. find him before long. There are no gunboats now at Columbus. The one which was detained there (the New Era) has doubtless reported to you, she hav- ing been sent down with the Glide on the 23d ultimo. Lieutenant McLeod Murphy has not reported at Cairo yet, nor do I know how to reach him by telegraph. I send down herewith as many of the blank appointments and recommendations as I have been able to get printed since I received your order to that effect. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. L. PHELPS, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Commanding pro tern. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding AIi~8is8ippi Squadron. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Richctrd8on, U. S. Navy, re- garding ammunition for U. S. S. Judge Torrence. U. S. S. JUDGE TORRENCE, Mouth of White River, January 13, 1863. SIR: I have to inform you that the gunboat Romeo has just arrived here for ammunition. I could not fill her requisition, having nothing on board but mortar ammunition and 162 9-inch shrapnel, 5-second. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ~T. F. RICHARDSON, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Missis8ippi Squadron, Po8t of Arkan8a8. Report of Captain iValke, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cones- toga, of arrival at Island No. 10, a~d injury to that vessel en route. U. S. S. CARONDELET, Island [No.] 10, January 13, 1863. SIR: I respectfully report the arrival of the Carondelet at this place. I communicated with the commanding officer at New Madrid, with whom I will cooperate. Coal being scarce, I stopped but a few minutes at Memphis. As we made slow progress, and the last four nights being clear, moon- light most of the time, I continued on the way without stopping Page 163 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 163 but did not escape accident entirely. About midnight of the 11th instant the trnnk of a tree came on board of us and swept away and stove in all our awning stanchions and hammock nettings on the port side as far aft as the boat davits; stove in the bows of the first cutter (a prize), broke down the hog chain, with both its stanchions, mainmast, midship stanchions, ridgepole amidships, and skylights. I have saved most of the material to repair, except the mast and heavy stanchions. I will send to Cairo for them and to straighten our hog chains as soon as possible. I will keep a good guard over Island [No.] 10 and New Madrid in the meantime, and report to you frequently. I would respectfully state that I have observed that the light-draft gunboats do not generally communicate with the other gunboats of your fleet when passing up or down the river, unless so ordered. I herewith enclose the yeomans quarterly returns. I have observed by late papers that the mail aboard the Blue Wing was destroyed by the mail agent. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. General instructions from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Penn ock, U. S. Navy, u,ith reference to dispatches captui ed by the steamer Blue lYing, and the victory at Post of Arkansas. ARKANSAS POST, ARK., January 14, 1863. DEAR PENNOCK: Do you remember the dispatches you sent by the Blue IVing? We recaptured the bag, but no dispatches; also re- captured the ammunition. The captain of the Blue Wing was a great rascal; delivered all the dispatches to the rebels and is now north playing the spy. Have him arrested if possible. I can bring proof of his rascality. We will avoid all casualties of that kind in future, and you will send me no communications excepting by a vessel of war. All stores to have a convoy. Direct the marine officer to return without delay to Cairo our sergeant he carried off with him, and I wish you to send him to me by the first opportunity with 10 marines. Breese wants to know if you have that chronometer and will send it down. One of the last steamers bought is to be fitted for coast-survey officers. When she is nearly ready, write to Professor A. D. l3ache, Superintendent of Coast Survey, and inform him that Mr. Gerdes can come on and take up his abode in her when he will join me. I am afraid [Acting Master James] Sinclair is doing but little at Michigan. Do you keep supplied with funds and keep paying for the steamers as they are bought? As fast as Brown finishes a steamer, let him b Page 164 164 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. paid for her at the rate of $8,500, with the extra charge for fitting some with braces to the boilers, which account of braces, etc., Mr. Bickerstaff will certify to. I hope Mr. Sanford can find time to run on now and then and look into the matter. Send down a lot of lumber, such as I brought with me. I want a large supply of 24-pound howitzer ammunition, XI-inch and 10-inch. The Dc Kaib had one of her 10-inch guns smashed by a solid 10- inch shot, and the carriage knocked to pieces. I want another as soon as possible. I made Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith in the Rattler run past the fort under a heavy fire. She was knocked into a cocked hat, but got by. Her iron plating forward, turned two IX-inch shell. I had the iron of all the boats well covered with grease, and the shell glanced off like peas against glass. We have cause to be proud of this fight. It is the strongest earthwork the rebels have ever built, and they thought it impossible for us to whip them, but when the boats got within 100 yards of them it was a one-sided affair. Our MeClernand tries to make it appear that th~ army did its share; but they never attempted an assault until we had dis- mounted every gun, and then the rebels repulsed them. We ended the affair by going alongside the fort in the Black Hawk and firing shrapnel and rifle shell from our two howitzers placed on the upper deck of all, which overlooked the fort completely. Theres a rambling letter for you, but do not forget to attend to my requests. By the way, Woodworth wants the Price. Fit her with a nice cabin and a defense on deck and good accommodations for officers and crew and arm her with two IX-inch guns, one forward and one aft, with ports on the bow and quarter to shift to. I think I have given your carpenters enough to do this winter. I have sent Walke up to take the Lafayette, when she is ready. Yours, very truly, DAVID D. PORTER. Captain A. M. PENNOCK. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Richardson, U. S. Navy, regarding the coaling of vessels at the mouth of White River. JANUARY 14, 1863. SIR: Let all the vessels at the mouth of White River fill up with all the coal they can carry, also those that may come up from below, and wait there for me. Direct the 211 arinora to report here to me. All other vessels to remain there until I come down. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lient. J. F. IRICIIARDSON, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Judge liorrence Page 165 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 165 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Sig 1, regarding position of that vessel. ARKANSAS RIVER, January 14, 1863. SIR: When only a few vessels are left above, drop down, on the side of the river where I am lying. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant JOHN SCOTT, U. S. Navy. Commanding Signal, Arkansa~s River. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to 2lfajor- General McClernand, U. S. Army, regarding gunboats for the con- voy of transports. JANUARY 14, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date. There is a gunboat above the fort, and a force will be kept there until the last vessel leaves the post. I will send one of the boats of the light-draft fleet to General Gorman whenever your dispatches may be ready. There are two gunboats at Memphis, one of which is ready to con- voy the troops down here when General Grant is ready to send them. I was obliged to give up taking all the shells on board, as I only xVanted the loaded ones, which were spoiled by the rain. I am coaling a gunboat, which will be ready to carry you dispatches in an hour, but think it prudent not to start until daylight. I sent General Gorman two ironclads and a light-draft gunboat, and hope to hear to-morrow morning at 10 oclock that St. Charles and the materials of war there have been captured. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General JOHN A. MCCLERNAND, Commanding the A y of the Mississippi. Report of Major-General Grant, U. S. A y, regarding time required for the fleet to be ready for further cooperation. MEMPHIS, TENN., January 14, 186313: 30 a. m. I learn by special messenger sent to the fleet in Arkansas that it will be fifteen days before they can act efficiently again. I had hoped to get oft early next week, but will have to defer until all things are ready. I will go down to the fleet in a day or two, and, by consulta- tion with McClernand, Sherman, and Porter, will have a better under- standing of matters than I now have. McClernand is now, I believe Page 166 166 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. moving on Devalls Bluff. Orders have been sent him to assemble his forces on the Mississippi, convenient to cooperate with any force that may be coming up the river. U. S. GRANT, Major- General. Major-General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Report of Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, regarding horses and mules. U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST ROSE, Fletchers Landing, January 14, 1863. SIR: Your order of this morning is received. I can get all but the horses, and I think I can get one of them. There is a large quantity of mules of the first class here. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Colonel Ellet, commanding U. S. Ram Fleet, to Briga- dier- General Ellet regarding affairs of his command. MISSISSIPPI RIVER RAM FLEET, Steam Ram illonarch, off Arkansas Post, January 14, 1863. DEAR UNCLE: The Homer has at last come. The first thing I have found out is that she brings me two Parrott guns without carriages. Please tell me whose idea this was. I hope to be able to mount them on our heavy 12-pounder carriages, but even this will render two guns unserviceable. Please send me more Parrott guns and extra carriages by the earliest opportunity. I need also very much some 24-pounder howitzers to mount on the stern of my best boats. If you could, by extra exertion, procure me also a good style of small arm for my sharpshooters, it would add greatly to their efficiencythe Enfield or Colts revolving rifle, for instance. White brought me letters from you. I am sorry that my letters from the mouth of Yazoo River were so badly written, but I only had eight or nine minutes to write them in; you should not call it carelessness. You are right in regard to my having been in great want of coal; we have been compelled to borrow of the Navy; Porter has conse- quently seized, in return, on my coal and is supplying his boats with it. This is not my fault; I burned rails, went on long expeditions after cord wood, and finally cut the green timber on the bank before I used the navy coal. When, however, the alternative was presented to me either to lie at anchor useless, and perhaps to have coal forced on me by Porter, I thought it best to take it peaceably. But it appears to me that our quartermasters have been very remiss in their duty t Page 167 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 167 permit this complication to arise. It is going to tend still more to draw us into the Navy. You complain of my not having written to you; I have done my best; you may never get the reports, but I have fortunately preserved copies, which will prove to you how unjust you have been in calling me negligent. I have permitted no opportunity to pass by unimproved, and the disappointment which I feel at your not receiving them is quite equal to yours. They contained matter of value to my reputation, which I wished transmitted at once to the War Department. It is a great pity they have been lost. The reason you have not heard from Lawrence is that I have re- tained his reports. I wished to make out a quarterly report of the general condition of the fleet, and they were essential to that purpose. I will,however, send them at once if you desire it. Your anxiety to get the brigade filled up and at work I sympathize with to an intense degree. As you say, honor and profit are beckoning you on. My own advice would be for you to come at once with every man you can raise, leaving only officers enough to carry on the recruit- ing. Now is the time for the brigade to act; 400 men could be used with great effect down here. I enclose you two communications I have just received from Admi- ral Porter. Both are very complimentary to the IRam Fleet and one to me. I hope it is sincere. It would be well for you to send it to the Secretary of War, to show him that I have not failed to keep my promise to do my best. If you get my three reports concerning the conduct of the Queen of the West, the expedition of the Lioness, and the passage of the fort at this point please lose no time in sending them on. It seems to me important that it should all reach Washington at once. I hope your health is good; Captain White tells me you look care- worn. I do not wonder at it, for I feel so myself. Good-bye. Love to all my friends when you meet them. Write to me as soon as you can, and rely upon my trying my best to carry out your wishes. Your devoted nephew, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET. P. S.I expect to leave here in two days, probably for Vicksburg. Report of Fleet Paymaster Dunn, U. S. Navy, requesting instructions regarding terms of enlistment. FLEET PAYMASTERS OFFIcE, Cairo, January 14, 1863. SIR: The men who shipped at Chicago during the latter part of 1861 are all, or nearly all, claiming their discharge on the grounds of expiration of term of enlistment. Quite a number of them have called upon me and all make the same statement, viz, that they shipped for one year or the war; ~ that at the time of their enlisting no one thought the war would last but a few mouths, but to make matters certain, one year was made a part of the contract, and as one year was the longest period contemplated, they now claim their discharge Page 168 168 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. One of these men claiming a fulfillment of contract on their part is James H. Cuddy, enlisted at Chicago, October 21, 1861. I send with this for your examination the shipping articles con- taining his name. You will see that upon this roll there is no men- tion of term of enlistment and no signature by any recruiting officer. Strange as it may seem, this roll presents a fair specimen of the way recruiting records were kept at most of the recruiting stations for the flotilla in the West. Will you be kind enough to return me the roll after your examina- tion of it, and give me some instructions to cover such cases as Cuddys? I have no doubt, myself, but the one year was the long- est period contemplated by the men who shipped for one year or the war, but the loose manner of wording the agreement leaves the men liable to be held for the war. The case of Cuddy and those on the same roll, having no term mentioned, may be liable to a different construction. Please let me hear from you soon. Respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. DUNN, Fleet Payma8ter. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Missi8s~ppi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding the order for purcka8e of ve88e1 Wren. ARKANSAS POST, January 14, 1863. SIR: I sent an order to Mr. Brown to purchase the Wren. Will you see that it is done, if she can be purchased at a fair price? I want a small side-wheel, light-draft steamer fitted up for myself. The Black Hawk is too large for the small rivers. Please send a large amount of ordnance stores. I have sent you several lists and a good many requisitions. Tell Mr. Sanford to give the new vessels coming down as much ammunition as they can carry, and do not detaii~ the new mortar boats for want of trunnion sights if they have arrived. I can fit them here oi do without them. Send all the new mortar fuzes made at the Washington yard. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding lJIiCSi88ippi Squadron. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Letter from1 the Chief of Bureau of Navigation to Acting Rear- Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the addition of 8ignals to the code. BUREAU OF NAVIGATION, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Wa8hington, January 14, 1863. SIR: It has often been observed during the war, especially by offi- cers employed in signal duty, that many signals might be added wit Page 169 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 169 advantage to the present code and many words to the telegraphic dictionary, of which last it is now determined to print a new edition for general use. You are requested to call upon the signal officers of your squadron for suggestions and information in these particulars. and to com- municate their replies to this bureau. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ~. 11. DAVIs, Chief of the Bureau. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Cairo. Report of Acting Ensign IVheelock, U. S. Navy, regarding the break- ing loose of four na~al barges and four mortar boats from Helena Ark. HELENA, ARK., January 15, 1863. SIR: I beg leave to report to you that four navy barges broke loose from here last night; also four mortar boats on the 11th instant, three of which we have recovered. One is still afloat which you will please look after, and report the same to Acting Rear-Admirid D. D. Porter. Respectfully, yours, etc., E. W. WHEELOCK, Acting Ensign, U. S. Navy. THOS. E. SMITH, Acting Master, U. S. Navy. Report of Acting Gunner She an, U. S. Navy, regarding condition of U. S. ordnance steamer Great Western. U. S. ORDNANCE STEAMER GREAT WESTERN, White River, January 16, 1863. SIR: During the last passage of this vessel from Yazoo River to White River I had to keep two men going nearly all the time from one magazine to the other, also the shell rooms, with swabs and buckets to wipe up the water that came through the deck under the boilers and doctor in many places. I do recommend that something should be done in order to preserve the ammunition from dampness. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. SHERMAN, Acting Gunner, U. S. Navy. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Flotilla Page 170 170 NAVAL FORCES O~ WESTER1~ WATERS. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General MeClernand, U. S. Army, regarding the readiness of gun- boat for convoy servsce. JANUARY 15, 1863. GENERAL: The gunboat to convoy your troops up the river has been ready since daylight. I do not know whether you will send up to-day, but the captain will report to you when you want to send the party off. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Maj or-General MCCLERNAND, Commanding Army of the Mississippi. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, to proceed as bearer of dispatches to Major-General Gorman, U. S. Ar my. JANUARY 15, 1863. SIR: Proceed up White River and carry a bearer of dispatches to General Gorman. When the bearer of dispatches receives his answer from General Gorman return here without delay. Be careful in going up and look out for sharpshooters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Master GEO. W. BROWN, U. S. Navy, Commanding Forest Rose, Arkansas River. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Gorman, U. S. Army, referring to gunboats sent for co- operation. JANUARY 15, 1863. GENERAL: I hope you will excuse me for not answering your let- t~rs promptly; as long as I sent the gunboats I suppose you will not complain. I have so much on my hands with the affairs of the squadron and the wants of the army here that I can not always find time to write a line. I hope you have been successful. I sent you two of my best ironclads. Respectfully, yours, DAVID D. POR~R, Acting Rear-Admiral. Major-General W. A. GORMAN, U. S. Army, Commanding U. S. Forces Page 171 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 171 Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Richardson, U. S. Navy, announcing the arrival of certain vessels off White River. U. S. S. JUDGE TORRENCE, Off White River, January 16, 1863. SIR: I have to report to you the arrival here this morning [of] the gunboats Marmora and Juliet, storeship Sovereign, and ordnance boat the Great Western. In obedience to your orders I send the Marm~ora and Juliet to report to you. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. F. RICHARDSON, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Re port of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Laning, U. S. Navy, regard- ing a flag presented to the U. S. S. Lafayette by the ladies of St. Louis, Mo. U. S. GUNBOAT LAFAYETTE, Cairo, January 16, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to present herewith a handsome silk flag, the gift of several loyal ladies of St. Louis to this vessel. In receiving it I pledged myself to defend it; circumstances preventing my going with the vessel, I respectfully place it in your hands, feeling well assured that the gift of the fair donors will be duly appreciated and that under its bright folds you, sir, and the officers and men of your command will add fresh honors to the Mississippi Squadron. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. LANING, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, U. S. Navy. COMMANDING OFFICER, U. S. Gunboat Lafayette. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, stating the cause of delay in forwarding of monthly returns of contrabands. No. 56.] U. S. MIssIsswiI SQUADRON, Arkansas Post, January 16, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of January 5 in relation to making monthly returns of contra- bands. These returns are made to the Bureau of Equipment as fast as they come in, and the general order issued by me to the fleet directs every commander to make them monthly. There is, however, such a call upon me for gunboats by generals of the Army to convoy troops and stores that I do not communicate regularly with all the gunboats, and as the reports have to go through me, that I may forward and retain a list of them, som Page 172 172 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. irregularity will occur. Sometimes they are sent by mail, and at times I do not get them for a month afterwards. A number of con- trabands are claiming our protection continually, among them many women. I can not rej ect them under the law. They belong to per- sons in arms against the United States. In a short time the contra- band reports will go on regularly. The returns of the following vessels have gone on this month: Mound City, Louisville, Carondelet, Forest Rose, Pittsburg, Tyler, Judge Torrence, Red Rover. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the disposition of the vessels of his command. No. 57.] U. S. MIsSIsSIPPI SQUADRON, Arkansas River, January 16, 1863. SIR: The following is the disposition of the squadron at the pres- ent time: The Black Hawk, Louisville, Chillicothe, Rattler, Glide, and Lin- den are off Fort Hiudman, Arkansas River. The Baron DeKalb, Cincinnati, Signal, Romeo, and Forest Rose are up White River, at St. Charles, which place they have taken possession of. The Marmora and Juliet have just returned from the mouth of the Yazoo, where they were sent to convoy coal. The Carondelet is at Island No. 10, where the New Era has gone to relieve her. The Judge Torrence and Great Western, powder vessels, and the Sovereign, store vessel, and the Red Rover, hospital ship, are at the mouth of this river. Th~ Benton, Mound City, Pittsburg, Tyler, and the blacksmith ves- sel, Sampson, are at the mouth of the Yazoo. The Lexington is employed convoying 5,000 prisoners, lately taken here, to St. Louis. The General Bragg and Conestoga are at Memphis undergoing re- pairs. The steamers Fairpla~p, General Pillow, Brilliant, St. Clair, and Robb are up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, carrying army stores, and now and then running down to the Ohio. The Little Rebel, Clara Dolsen, and New National are at Cairo ready for servlce. The Eastport is at Cairo undergoing repairs; also the General Lyon and Brown, transports. The Indianola is above the falls at Louisville, and can not get dowii for want of water; she is all ready for service with a short crew. The Lafayette is fitting out at Cairo, and I have ordered her down here if she can obtain but ten men Page 173 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 173 The Choctaw is fitting at St. Louis, and will be ready in a month. The rams Monarch and Homer are with me at this place. The smallpox broke out on board the ram Switzerland, and I sent her to Cairo with 30 cases on board. The rams Queen of the West and Lioness are at the mouth of the Yazoo. This, sir, is the present disposition, which will all be changed in a day or two. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Prichett, U. S. Navy, regarding the movements of vessels. JANUARY 17, 1863. SIR: You will not proceed any higher up the river than your pres- ent position. Direct all the vessels with you to remain where they are, and fill up with coal if there is any, and to drop down again with the trans- ports to the position the army may take below. Let the empty barges be brought up by the tugboat. The Champion can tow down the mortars. Let the squadron join me as I come along. We are about to resume offensive operations against Vicksburg. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commanding J. M. PRICHETT, U. S. Navy, Commanding Tyler. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Comm der Sd/ridge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cones- toga, regarding his station at the mouth of the Arkansas and White rivers. JANUARY 17, 1863. SIR: As soon as your repairs are completed, your station will be the mouth of Arkansas and White rivers. The General Bragg will join you there when she is ready. You will cruise up and down between these two places under low steam and be vigilant in suppressing guerrilla warfare. Take coal from the barges as they come down and then send them down to me. If the coal and store vessels come with- out convoy, convoy them down to me. The order relating to burning houses only applies to places where houses are used to fire on the vessels of the Mississippi Squadron Page 174 174 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. and the burning must be done at the time the firing takes place; not any length of time afterwards. Get your supplies of provisions at Memphis from the stores there. The General Bragg will do the same; other naval vessels wanting provisions will also supply themselves there. There is a ram, Pontchartrain, up the Arkansas. She draws 10 feet and can only come down on a high rise. Look out for her. She has no guns of any consequence. The Bragg can run her down by striking her amidships. She will likely be destroyed. Very respectfully, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THos. 0. SELFRIDGE, Commanding Conestoga, Memphis. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to the super- intendent of the U. S. Coast Surcey, referring to the capture of Arkansas Post and proposed movement against Vicksbnrg. JANUARY 17, 1863. DEAR SIR: A good photographer with complete apparatus will be of great service to us, as it will enable us to detect guns and the size of them by powerful magnifying glasses where we can not see them now. Can you send me one? It is indispensable in military oper- ations. We have just gone through a fair, stand-up fight (muzzle to muzzle) with Fort Hindman, on the Arkansas River. Ironclads on the water, with sailors in them, and irouclads on shore with land- lubbers; after three hours of hammer and tongs the landlubbers were whipped out of their boots. T he ironclads on shore (as you will see by the sketches) were knocked into pi. It was a naval fight altogether. The only time the soldiers attempted to storm they were repulsed. It was the best fort the rebels ever built, but we dis- mounted or broke every gun in it, 11 in all. We now start for Vicksburg again, hoping we will have good weather to operate with, which we did not have on the first occasion; and the army having stood up to their knees in a bog for five days, had to embark. We thought it wrong to lose time, so we pitched into Arkansas. I am sorry I could not present the nation with Vicks- burg on New Years. Had the soldiers shown true grit, we would have gone in on the 30th of December; but they are greenhorns, and it will take a large ledger to book all they do not know. We will present you Vicksburg next New Year; it is only eleven months off. Yours, very truly, DAVID D. PORTER. A. D. BACHE, Esq., Superintendent of Coast Surcey, Washington, D. C Page 175 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 175 Letter fron& Major-General ileClornand, U. S. Ai my, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, desiring convoy for transports. NAPOLEON, January 17, 1863. ADMIRAL: The fleet is ordered to leave this point at 12 oclock m. to-morrow and proceed directly to Millikens Bend. Will you please advise me what disposition you think proper to make of your squadron in convoy of the transports? Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN A. MOCLERNAND, Illajor-General, Commanding. Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding, etc. P. S.January 18, 186311 a. m.Not having been able to ascer- tain the position of your boat till this morning, the above was not sent to you. The order for leaving is suspended until I know your pleasure relative to furnishing a convoy, for which we are waiting. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Na cy, to Major- General MeClernand, U. S. Army, regarding convoy of trans- ports. JANUARY 18, 1863. GENERAL: I am waiting to gather up my gunboats up White River. There is quite a number of ironclads below you that have been directed to convoy the transports down and lie by them at Millikens Bend. I send another order to the commanding officer in case he may not meet the first order, and a general order to all vessels you may meet on the way down. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General MCCLERNAND, Commanding Army of Mississippi. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Owen, U. S. Navy, comimanding U. S. S. Louisville, to proceed to llillikens Bend for protection of transports. JANUARY 18, 1863. SIR: As soon as you have coaled, proceed down the river as far as Millikens Bend and protect the transports at that place. You will inform any gunboats that you meet coming up that they must turn back to Millikens Bend, where they will anchor as before, out of the current, under the point, the empty coal barges to come up, the one with coal to go down. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander E. K. OWEN, U. S. Navy. Commanding Louisville Page 176 176 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting 11 aster Hazlett, U. S. Navy, to repair to Cairo, to await Departments instructions. JANUARY 18, 1863. SIR: You will report yourself to Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, at the mouth of White River, and deliver the enclosed order to him, turning over all orders, signal books, and papers relating to the vessel. When you have performed this duty, proceed to Cairo and await the answer of the Secretary of the Navy to your resigna- tion. Report for duty there to Captain Pennock, commandant of station. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-A dmiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. HIRAM K. HAZLETT, U. S. Navy, Acting Masterr, Mississippi Squadron. [Telegram. I CAIRO, January 18, 1863. Return to Cairo by first opportunity. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Statson. Lieutenant Commanding J. P. SANFORD, Care Acting Master A. S. Bowen, U. S. Naval Rendezvous, Cincinnati, Ohio. Order o/ Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Smit , U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Linden, to proceed on special duty to Cairo, Ill. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Mouth of White River, January 18, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Cairo with the mails and such contra- bands as I may send in your vessel and deliver them all to Captain Pennock, after which you will take on board such stores, ammunl- tion, etc., as you can carry, and join me at the Yazoo River, convoying down any stores or coal that may be sent down. If the New Era has started with ammunition, stop alongside of her on your way down and get it out. Deliver the way mail on your way up and down. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Master THOS. E. SMITH, U. S. Navy, U. S. S. Linden Page 177 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 177 Order of Acting Rear-A dmiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Prichett, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tyler, regarding convoy of transports. JANUARY 18, 1863. SIR: As the fleet of transports go down the river, get underway with all the vessels that were at the Yazoo and convoy the transports to Millikens Bend, where you will cover them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Sqnadron. Lieutenant-Commander JAs. M. PRICHETT, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Tyler. General Order. JANUARY 18, 1863. All the gunboats on their way up will return down river and give convoy to the transports as far as Millikens Bend, where they will cover them. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. General Bragg, regarding the charter of the steamer Stephen Bay- ard and the forwarding of mortars. U. S. S. GENERAL BRAGG, Memphis, Tenn., January 18, 1863. SIR: In obedience to your orders of December 29, I chartered the steamer Stephen Bayard and ordered her to take four mortar boats in tow, proceed down the river, and report to you; since then there has not been any of our towboats at this point. I have not been able to charter one, the army having taken possession of every boat coming to this place for military purposes. The mortars I sent by Stephen Bayard were stopped at Helena. Colonel [Charles A.] Reynolds, chief quartermaster at this place, permitted me to take the towboat Jenny Lind, he having had her in charge for some time. I send two mortars by the Jenny Lind, and Captain Selfridge in- forms me he will take two more when he has completed his repairs. rrhis ~yill leave only two at this point, both being full of water, and the carriage of one of the mortars being without eccentric axle or wheels, Mr. Simonds, acting master in charge, stating that they were removed at Island No. 10 for repairs and never replaced. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA BISHOP, Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER Commanding Mississippi Squadron. 7110N W RVOL 241O1 Page 178 178 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Phelps, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Eastport, regarding that vessel. JANUARY 18, 1863. SIR: I shall be glad to see you down in the East port. I hope you have made her so strong that she will not bend double any more. Do not get too many IX-inch guns on her. I think four IX-inch, two 100-pounder rifles, and the 50-pounder will be as much as she will stand or require. Do the best you can about men. We are using contrabands to haul on the side tackles. We leave for Vicksburg to-morrow. If the coal is ready when you come, convoy it down. Yours, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander S. L. PHELPS, U. S. Navy, Commanding Eastport, Cairo, Ill. Report of Lieutenant Phelps, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. East- port, regarding cause of delay in the preparation of that vessel and U. S. S. Lafayette. Private.] U. S. GUNBOAT EASTPORT, Cairo, January 18, 1863. DEAR SIR: We have had a severe snowstorm, such as I have not witnessed in this part of the country, and which has set us back in all kinds of work. Laborers will not work and three days have been almost entirely lost. Both the Lafayette and Eastport will be delayed considerably by this great change of weather. The Eastport is floating 8 inches lighter by the stern than before, and will easily bear two 9-inches aft. I am happy to inform you that Captain Pennock is better, but very far from being really well. I congratulate you upon the success in the Arkansas. Respectfully, your obedient servant, S. L. PHELPS. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Jlississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting I7olun- teer Lieutenant Getty, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Marmora, to proceed down the Mississippi River. MOUTH OF WHITE RIVER, January 18, 1863. SIR: Proceed down the river, saving your coal all you can, and deliver the enclosed dispatch. You will remain with the fleet belo Page 179 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 179 and follow their motions until you have an opportunity to report again to Lieutenant-Commander Smith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant ROBT. GETTY, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Marmora. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding temporary provision for contra- bands. MOUTH OF WHrr1~ RIVER, January 18, 1863. SIR: I send by the Linden a number of contrabands who claimed the protection of the flag; among them some women. They were demanded by their owners, and I refused to give them up. Provide for them the best you can until you get instructions from the Department in relation to the women. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] MEMPHIS, TENN., January 17, 18634:30 p. m. I start immediately to the fleet. My design is to get such informa- tion from them as I find impossible to get here. I will return here in a few days, and in the meantime reinforcements will be forwarded with all dispatch. U. S. GRANT, Major- General. Major-General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding opera- tions against Vicksburg and in the Yazoo River. No. 62.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON White River, January18, 1863. SIR: The army will move to-morrow on Vicksburg, with reinforce- ments furnished by General Grant, who, I believe, will accompany the expedition as commander-in-chief. Had the combinations been carried out in our last expedition, General Grant advancing by Grenada, General Banks up river, and General Sherman down the river, the whole matter would have assumed a different aspect; but General Sherman was the only one on the ground. The army of General Grant had been cut off from its supplies; General Banks never came up the river; and General Sherman, having attempted t Page 180 180 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. take the enemy by surprise, lost about 700 wounded, 300 killed, and about 400 prisoners. All this was owing to Colonel DeCourcy (who has since resigned) not following General Blair, who had no difficulty in getting into the works of the enemy. Had our troops been able to hold these works for three minutes Vicksburg would have been ours, but that chance was lost and will not offer again. The enemy crowded in 20,000 men from Grenada and 10,000 from Jack- son, and outnumbered us two to one. The rain forced General Sher- man to embark, and we did so without the enemy being aware of it until everything was on board; not a thing of consequence was left behind. When the enemy did discover it they sent down three regi- ments with fieldpieces to attack the line of transports, which was covered at every point by the gunboats and light-drafts. The Lex- ingtoi~, Marmora, Queen of the West, and Monarch opened on the enemy with shrapnel and cut them up very severely, causing them to fly in all directions, and not losing a man on our side. This is a short history of this affair. The operations to come will be of a different character; it will be a tedious siege, the first step, in my opinion, toward a successful attack on Vicksburg, which has been made very strong by land and water. I have always thought the late attempt was premature, but sometimes these dashes succeed, and certain it is that but for the want of nerve in the leader of a brigade the army would have succeeded. The operations of the navy in the Yazoo are worthy to be ranked amongst the brightest events of the war. Tbe officers in charge of getting up the torpedoes and clearing 8 miles of the river distinguished themselves by their patient endur- ance and cool courage under a galling fire of musketry from well- protected and unseen riflemen, and the crews of the boats exhibited a courage and coolness seldom equaled. The navy will scarcely ever get credit for these events; they are not brilliant enough to satisfy our impatient people at the North, who know little of the difficulties attending an expedition like the one mentioned or how much officers and men are expesing themselves, while they wonder why we do not demolish mountains of granite. The Department may rest assured that the navy here is never idle. The army depends on us to take entire charge of them on the water, and it employs every vessel I have. I have none too many. The light-draft vessels have only half crews. I am making up deficien- cies with contrabands as fast as I can. We expect to disembark the troops opposite Vicksburg in four or five days. In the meantime, I want to gather up the fleet, which are operating at different points with the army. My opinion is that Vicksburg is the main point. When that falls all subordinate posts will fall with it. Arkansas is, or will be, quiet for the present, and all smaller expeditions should be attached to the large one at Vicks- burg. This will enable me to employ the gunboats to better advan- tage, which I can not do now. The commander of every post requires a gunboat, but I do not encourage them always in their expectations, for it makes them very careless about defending themselves. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Nacy Page 181 NAVAL FOECES ON WESTERN WATERS. 181 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, to prepare all vessels for a move- ment down the river. MOUTH OF WHITE RIVER, January 18, 1863. SIR: As soon as the Linden has her coal on board you will send her up to me at this point. Send me also another vessel. I am going to send the Louisville to Cairo. Instruct all the vessels to send their mails to you, and you will forward them on the Linden. Prepare all the storeships and vessels of all kinds to move down the iuver at a moments notice. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding Light-Draft Vessels, Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, regarding convoy of transports. MOUTH OF WHITE RIVER, January 18, 1863. SIR: Send down the light-drafts that may be at the mouth of White River and go down yourself and regulate those below, to con- voy the transports, dividing them out equally. Let the vessels move off the moment they get in their coal and overtake the transports. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding First Division Light-Draft Vessels, Mississippi Squadron. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Rear-A dmiral Por- ter, U. S. iVavy, regarding proposed canals. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 19, 1863. SIR: The President is exceedingly anxious that a canal from which practical and useful results would follow should be cut through the peninsula opposite Vicksburg. If a canal were cut at a higher point up the river than the first one. as you some time since suggested, so as to catch the current before it has made the curve, and also avoid the bluffs below the city, it would probably be a success. The Department desires that this plan may be tried whenever you may deem it expedient and can have the coop- eration of the army. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding ;llississippi Squadron, Cairo, Ill Page 182 182 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Bishop, U. S. Navy, regarding detention of mortar boats. U. S. Mississir~i SQUADRON, January 20, 1863. SIR: You will please find out who stopped our mortars at Helena, and, hereafter, when anything is sent down in charge of a towboat make an agreement with the master that he is only to be paid on the delivery of the articles. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JOSHUA BISHOP, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. General Bragg. Instructions from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieu- tenant-Commander Bache, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cin- cinnati, regarding guard duty at mouth of White River. JANUARY 20, 1863. SIR: You will remain at the mouth of White River until the Con- estoga comes down from Memphis, when you will proceed to Millikens Bend or the mouth of Yazoo River, and report to me there. You will see that the empty coal barges are taken proper care of until a towboat can tow them to Cairo. The steamer Signal will be left under your command, and will remain at the mouth of White River until further orders from me. When coal barges arrive retain the smallest one here and fill up from it, taking care that it will be secured when you have done coaling, and that it will be pumped out at regular intervals. The Signal will lie in the mouth of White River to keep watch so that you may not be surprised by the enemys rams or boats with troops that might board you. Keep your bow guns loaded with solid shot; the others with shell and shrapnel. Keep a good watch all the time, according to the general orders, and do not be taken by sur- prise, as the Harriet Lane was. If an enemy appear in the river, the lookout vessel will fire a gun or guns and retreat under your protec- tion. When you come down, give convoy to any steamers towing coal. Run carefully, and see that no accident happens to the coal, which is very scarce just now. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander GEO. M. BACHE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Cincinnati Page 183 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 183 Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding Confederate prisoners. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 20, 1863. SIR: Hereafter you will not release on parole any prisoners who are officers in the rebel service, captured by the vessels under your command, but retain them for the Government to dispose of. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, to proceed to Helena or Memphis with dispatches for Cairo. JANUARY 20, 1863. SIR: You will proceed without delay with dispatches to Helena, which dispatches you will send to Cairo by the mail. If there is no chance of sending by the mail at Helena proceed to Memphis and send the letters from there. As you go along look out for a mortar and two coal barges that are about 20 miles above this or at Island 66 or 56, I do not know which. Secure them so that they can not be destroyed, and when you return bring all you can with you. The commanding officer at Memphis will give you all needful assistance for repairs. Fill up full with coal at Memphis and return to me without delay. Give convoy to any of our vessels coming down from Memphis. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant GEO. XV. BROWN, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose. General order of Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, forbidding - trading at points south of Memphis. GENERAL ORDERS, ~ HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, No. 7. J Memphis, Tenn., January 20, 1863. I. All trading, trafficking, or the landing of boats at points south of Memphis other than at military posts, or points guarded by the Navy, is positively prohibited. II. All officers of boats violating this order will be arrested and placed in close confinment. The boats and cargoes, unless the prop- erty of the Government, will be turned over to the quartermasters department for the benefit of the Government Page 184 184 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. III. All officers of the Army passing up and down the river are directed to report all violations of this order, together with the names of the boats, place, and date, to the first military post on their route, and to the commanding officer at the end of their route. IV. The Navy is respectfully requested to cooperate in the enforce- ment of this order. LI3y order of Major-General U. S. Grant: JOHN A. RAWLINS, A8si8tant Adjutant-General. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Seifridge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cones- toga, to relieve the U. S. S. Cincinnati at the mouth of White River. MOUTH OF WHITE iRIvER, January 20, 1863. SIR: I am anxious that you should get here with the Bragg and Conestoga as soon as possible and relieve the Cincinnati. - Fill up with coal and tow down to this place a barge of coal from Memphis. We are entirely out. When you come here take every precaution against surprise. Take charge of all empty coal barges and secure them close into the island abreast of where you laid when here. The Pontchartrain is not destroyed yet. Look out for her. Lieutenant-Commander Bache will show you his orders, which you will carry out. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Illississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander T. 0. SELr1UDGE. P. S.Take a look into White River now and then. A good place for one of the vessels to lie is at the cut-off, moving her position at night, showing no light, and striking no bells night or day. It would be desirable to take the Blue Wing, if possible, and prevent all coni- munication by water between the Arkansas and White rivers. D. D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Flees, to guard the cut-off between Arkansas and White rivers. JANUARY 20, 1863. COLONEL: Our gunboats are 300 miles up White River, the De ]ialb, Cincinnati, Glide, Romeo, and Signal. I wish you to enter White River and take position at the cut-off, where we laid the other day, and be ready to take the ram in the rear, if she should dare to come down, or to catch any steamer that may attempt to come from the Arkansas to White rivers. I will leave some dispatches with yo Page 185 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 185 for the vessels when they come down. And when they are all out. or when the Conestoga comes, join me at Yazoo River. Yours, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding ~ Squadron. Colonel CHAs. RIVERS ELLET, Commanding Ram Fleet. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding light-draft vessels in White River, to proceed with his command to Jlillikens Bend or mouth of the Yazoo. JANUARY 20, 1863. Sin: I want you to join me at Millikens Bend or the mouth of the Yazoo as soon as possible with all the light-draft vessels excepting the Signal, which vessel will remain with the Cincinnati at the mouth of White River until the latter is relieved by the Conestoga. The commander of the Signal will report to the commander of the Cones- toga when she arrives here, and remain with him until further orders. I have left 1,200 bushels of coal for you, perhaps more. If coal arrives here before you leave, take in all you can, and then convoy the remainder down to me, not losing sight of the convoy, and running only by day if the nights are not perfectly clear. When the coal gets down it is to go into the mouth of the Yazoo out of the current. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JOHN G. WALKER, Commanding Baron Dc Kalb, iVhite River. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Woodworth, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Glide, to coal at mouth of White River and proceed to mouth of Yazoo. JANUARY 20, 1863. SIR: When you get down to the mouth of White River, if more coal comes there, fill up and join me at the mouth of Yazoo River. If there is no vessel outside at the mouth of White River when you arrive, take charge of the empty coal barges and see that the one with the coal is kept for the De Kalb and Cincinnati. It is desirable that none of it be used. It is for those two vessels. The small boats can get down on fence rails and wood piles. I have sent to Memphis for coal, which will be down in a few days. The Forest Rose has gone up for it. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander SELIM E. WOODwORTH, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Glide Page 186 186 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to P. P. Heap, private secretary, to proceed to Washington, D. C., as bearer of dispatches. JANUARY 20, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Washington City, D. C., as bearer of dis- patches, which you will deliver to the honorable Secretary of the Navy, and give him such details of our movements here as he may de- sire to know, and which, owing to my being much occupied, I am unable to write at the present moment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. D. P. HEAP, Private Secretary to Commander of Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Glass ford, U. S. Navy, announcing his return from special service. CAIRO, ILL., January 21, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the special duty performed upon which I was ordered by Rear-Admiral Farragut and the honorable the Secretary of the Navy, and that I am now ready to receive your commands. Respectfully, H. A. GLASSFORD. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, U. S. Navy. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Western Flotilla. Captain PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain, Cairo, Ill. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Baldwin, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Sovereign, to proceed to Millileens Bend on arrival of the U. S. S. Conestoga. MOUTH OF WHITE RIVER, January 21, 1863. SIR: You will remain here and take charge of the empty and full coal barges, and under no circumstances will you permit any vessel not belonging to the Navy to use the coal. It is absolutely required for the two ironclads up the river. You will have the barges exam- ined daily, to see that they are secure and do not leak. You will say to the naval commanders that this coal is for the two ironclads. When they are coaled the smaller vessels will fill up. When Captain Selfridge comes down he will take charge of everything, and you will come down to Millikens Bend under convoy of the first gunboat that comes down after Captain Selfridges arrival. Show this order t Page 187 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 187 anyone who asks for coal, and explain to naval commanders how I wish the matter regulated. Very respectfully, etc. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88i88tppi Squadron. Acting Master THOMAS BALDWIN, U. S. Navy, Commanding Sovereign. General order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding captured property. GENERAL ORDER, U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, No. 32. J Flag Ship Black Hawk, January 21, 1863. All arms, munitions of war, mails, and prizes of any kind, cap- tured by the vessels under my command are to be retained by com- manders of expeditions until further orders from me. In case the Army should require for its use anything captured by the Navy the commanders will take full receipts (stating value of the property), having it appraised by proper persons. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Captain Walke, U. S. Nary, commanding U. S. S. Lafay- ette, proposing a transfer to that vessel of a part of the officers and crew of the U. S. S. Carondelet. U. S. S. LAFAYETTE, Cairo, Ill., January 22, 1863. SIR: I arrived here pursuant to your orders of the 11th instant, and finding that the Lafayette is not finished, and without officers or crew sufficient to manage her or fight her guns, I would respectfully sug- gest, under the circumstances, that the Carondelet may be sent to Cairo for repairs and to receive her new guns; and, if agreeable to your arrangements, to transfer to the Lafayette a portion of her offi- cers and crew to supply the deficiency of the Lafayette. Her guns are now being mounted, and I will get her off as soon as possible with the mechanics on board. I find that there is not room between the ports and boiler casemates sufficient to work the forward 9-inch guns, on the starboard side particularly. But as they are placed by your instructions, they will remain there, unless you should think proper to replace one of them with a smaller gun, or have it placed in the starboard broadside port aft. I have no officers of any experience on board of a man-of-war, and I would like to have two out of the Carondelet, and one of her pilots, whom I will replace with another. My cook, steward, boy, coxswain, and clerk I have brought with me to this vessel, to which I hope you will have no objections. I will use all diligence in organizing a crew for as many guns with the men I can get. All the fighting bolts, gun gear, iron plating, an Page 188 188 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. the stores are not yet on hoard, but the mechanics will continue on board to finish the vessel on her way down the river, as you have di- rected, as soon as the materials are brought down from St. Louis. I was informed that one of the mortar boats which was left in charge of Acting Master Wheelock at Helena broke adrift, went down the river, and lodged at the foot of [Island] No. 68, on the Mississippi, or eastern, shore of the river. The captain of the New Era informed the commandant at Helena and Lieutenant-Commander Selfridge of the fact, who said (as I am told) that they would send for the mortar boat and have her taken care of. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding U. S. IJIis& ts8ippi Squadron. Letter from E. B. Pike, esq., to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, requesting a convoy to en ble him to secure a quantity of cot- ton on the St. Francis River. MEMPHIS, TENN., January ~3, 1863. SIR: I would respectfully state that if I can obtain a convo , I can get a large amount of cotton on the St. Francis River, anX would respectfully request that, if compatible with existing orders, I may be furnished with such protection. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, E. B. PIKE. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Naval Squadron. Night orders for the IYazoo River. JANUARY 23, 1863. The ironclads in the Yazoo will keep a bright lookout in front or up river and show no lights. They will open fire with solid shot on any steamer they may see coming down supposed to be an enemy, and we have some above. The bow guns of the vessels must be kept bearing up the river. The guns must be worked as long as an enemy is forward of the beam, and every port guarded against boarding, hatches fastened down, sides kept well greased, and as little light as possible shown about the deck. If the enemy should get past the ironclads (which I deem impossible), the rams will run into them with all their force; those ironclads that are able will grapple them fast, and when well secured, let go their anchor and do all they can to capture and destroy. A bright lookout is the main object, and do not let an enemy get too near. Strict watch to be kept during the night and in fogs. No lights to be shown, no bells to be struck, and no alls well. Each night one of the ironclads or other vessels will keep a rowboat out 400 yards ahead with muffled oars Page 189 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 189 In case of the approach of a vessel down the river, firing of mus- kets will be the signal if close to, or the boat, if she has time, will return and report. The Benton will send out a guard boat to-night, if too dark to see any distance. D. D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding cooperation with the army in front of Vicksburg. No. 68.1 U. S. Mississwri SQUADRON, Mouth of Yazoo River, January 24, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place. The army are landing on the neck of land opposite Vicksburg. What they expect to do I dont know, but presume it is a temporary arrangement. I am covering their landing and guarding the Yazoo River. The front of Vicksburg is heavily fortified, and unless we can get troops in the rear of the city I see no chance of taking it at present, though we cut off all their supplies from Texas and Louisiana. A few days since I withdrew the gunboats from the mouth of the Yazoo, as they were entirely out of coal, and it was not proper to let them remain under the circumstances. The moment I could get coal I sent them down again, and they arrived just in time to block up 11 steamers in the Yazoo that had gone up for provisions and stores under the impression that we had left altogether. These vessels have been employed carrying supplies and arms from Vicksburg to Port Hudson. This will render the reduction of that place an easier task than it otherwise would have been, as there are no steamers on the river except two that will be kept at Vicksburg. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. lion. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Povter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, to send vessels to relieve the U. S. S. Tyler and ram Hornet. JANUARY 24, 1863. SIR: Send the Marmora down to relieve the Tyler, or, if she is not ready, send some other vessel, and at 4 oclock send a vessel to relieve the ram Homer. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Comm ding First Division Light-Drafts Page 190 190 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Nary, to Acting Master Wells, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. hospital ship Red Rover, regarding the showing of lights contrary to general orders. MOUTH OF YAzoo RIVER, January 34, 1863. SIR: Your attention is called to General Order No. 4, in relation to showing lights. At 11 oclock at night your ship was showing lights in every officers room and in every office, and your ship a fair target for anyone to shoot at. No lights will be allowed in the texas after 8 oclock at night, and not then if the officers do not screen them. I look to you to see that no lights are shown in your vessel except those that are absolutely necessary Have no lights moving about decks, and hang, also, canvas around and in front of your boilers, if you have it. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Master W. R. WELLS, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. Hospital Ship Red Rover. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Simonds. U. S. Navy, to assume temporary charge of the navy yard at Memphis, Tenn. JANUARY 24, 1863. SIR: You will assume charge of the navy yard at Memphis, Teun., and all the mechanics of the yard, subject to the order of any naval officer who may be there. All the material, stores, machinery, etc., will be for the present under your charge, and you will make me weekly reports of what is going on. Mr. Rowe is no longer employed, and he will turn over to you the orders he has received from me. Every precaution must be taken against surprise by the enemy. The public property must be strictly guarded and none of the public buildings now in the yard be allowed to be used by persons not be- longing to the Navy, excepting the blacksmith shop, now in use by the army. You will take up your quarters in the commandants house until relieved by a person who may be sent to take command. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Master GusTAvUs B. Sn~IoNDs. U. S. Navy, Memphis, Jienn. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding various matters. MOUTH OF YAzoo RIVER, January 24, 1863. SIR: I send the Glide up for supplies for the squadron. Lieutenant Woodworth will remain in Cairo to superintend the fitting and equipment of the Price, which vessel he will command when she is ready Page 190A UNITED STATES HOSPITAL STEAMER RED ROVER Page 190B Page 191 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 191 A number of requisitions have been sent up at different times. Please have them filled and sent down. If the articles have not been procured by the navy agent, Mr. Boggs, send him to St. Louis to obtain them and let him remain there until all the reqnisitions are filled. We are much in want of the articles reqnired for this ship, which Mr. Watson failed to supply. If they are to be obtained in Cairo, have them bought. Send me all the hammocks and bags that are ready, and forward me more as fast as they are finished. The Benton wants a hundred men. If a draft comes, send down 50 for her. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding lIIi88issippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Detailed report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding affair8 at Cairo, Ill. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January ~4, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commu- nications up to and including the 18th instant. The instructions therein conveyed shall be carried out with the utmost dispatch. I enclose for your consideration a letter from Lieutenant J. P. Sanford, relative to the purchase of boats. The prisoners captured at the Post of Arkansas have been received, and by direction of the honorable Secretary of the Navy have been delivered to the military authorities at this place. I have the receipt of Major Merrill, provost-marshal, for them. I enclose herewith such information in regard to H. N. Pinard as I have been able to gather, called for by your letter of the 22d ultimo. The gunboat Lexington with her convoy of prisoners arrived here on the 21st~ instant, which fact I telegraphed to the honorable Secre- tary of the Navy. I have sent Lieutenant-Commander Gwins body to his father and his effects to his wife, in accordance with his request, and have also forwarded the paper containing his last requests to his wife under cover of a letter to his father-in-law, Hiram Hutchinson, esq., New York City. I have delivered a copy of your instructions in regard to sending a first-class assistant engineer to the Memphis navy yard to Chief Engineer William D. Faulkner, and have directed him to carry them out with the utmost dispatch. I enclose copies of sundry telegrams from the honorable Secretary of the Navy and Major-General Rosecrans for your consideration. I have sent the gunboat Silver La/ce up the Cumberland River (Lieutenant R. K. Riley commanding), with orders to give all the aid in his power in convoying transports and clearing the banks of rebels. I have received information that there is no other communication open with General Roseer~ns by which supplies can be forwarded t Page 192 192 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. him and that batteries of heavy artillery are mounted on the banks of that river. In view of the exigencies of the case, I trust that I shall not exceed my orders by sending the Lexington up the Cumberland River for a few days until the banks can be cleared of the heavy field artillery represented as being there. I may add that the Silver Lake has but 28 men on board, and also has a case of smallpox, but in spite of these difficulties I have sent her, together with the Lexington, in order, if possible, to carry out the requests of the Secretary of the Navy and General Rosecrans. I have taken the above measures in consideration of the length of time which must necessarily elapse before I could receive instructions from you on the subject. I would respectfully enquire if I shall send down to you Lieuten- ant-Commander Greer, who is ordered by the Department to report to you by the first of next month. I am happy to be able to inform you that I have sent you no dis- patches by the Blue Wing. The sergeant and 10 privates of marines will be sent down by this vessel or the next. We have telegraphed to Washington to have a X-inch gun sent out here immediately, as there are none here. Your telegram from the mouth of White River, under date of the 20th instant, detailing your operations in that river, has been received and forwarded to the Department. The Indianola arrived yesterday morning, and will be sent down without delay. The Ea8tport is now taking in her guns, having completed all her repairs. We have had very severe weather, with snow, which has retarded the work of getting them down the levee very much. Cap- tain Phelps is driving ahead with his usual energy and dispatch. Captain Walke has arrived here from Island No. 10 and has as- sumed command of the Lafayette, which boat ~will be sent off as soon as she can possibly be got ready. The De Soto (General Lyon) is now taking on board ordnance stores for the use of the squadron, and will, as soon as ready, be sent down under convoy. The iVew National is now at St. Louis loading with stores, and will be sent down as soon as she arrives. The acceptance of the resignation of Acting Masters Mate Charles C. Shirk has been received from the Department and handed to him. I have sent to St. Louis for the blank forms for lists of contra- bands and shall distribute them in accordance with your orders as soon as they are received. It will not, I fear, be possible to send the lists of officers requested in your letters by this opportunity, but they will be sent, as directed by you, as soon as they can be made out. I send herewith communications from the Department and others. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. POITER, U. S. Navy, Commanclimg JIi~issippi Squadron Page 193 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 193 P. S.The Lafayette was much more behindhand with her ord- nance equipment than was anticipated, which is the cause of her delayf I should have said that the Lexington will leave to-morrow evening for the Cumberland River, instead of with the Silver Lake, as mentioned above. Report of Captain lT7alke, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. La fay- ette, calling the attention of the Department to the merItorious conduct of certain ~inen of his command. U. S. S. LAFAYETTE, Cairo, Iii., January 24, 1863. SIR: Agreeable to your request, I herewith subjoin a list of names of some of the petty officers and seamen who have most faithfully, valiantly, and efficiently served their country on board the Caron- delet while she was under my command in the various battles and perils she has encountered during this rebellion. I think that they merit the distinguished notice of the Govern- ment, as provided by section 7 of the act of Congress, to further promote the efficiency of the Navy: Michael Reilly, Matthew Arthur, James Whalen, George Midlam, John G. Morrison, John Ford, Charles Wilson, Thomas White. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Lieutenant-Commander S. L. PHELPS, Commanding U. S. S. Eastport. P. S.The above-mentioned men were with me at the capture of Fort Henry, February 6, 1862; Fort Donelson, February 13 and 14; Island No. 10, March 17; running the blockade, April 4; capture of rebel batteries opposite Point Pleasant, April 6, and below New Madrid, April 7; naval engagement above Fort Pillow, May 10; bat- tle at Memphis, June 6; and the action with the rebel ram Arkansas, July 15. Very respectfully, etc., H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Order of Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, to Pilot Deming, requesting his services on board the U. S. S. Lafayette. U. S. S. LAFAYETTE, Cairo, Ill., January 24, 1863. SIR: I am in great need of your services on the Lafayette, having RO pilots, and do not know where I can get them. You will report to me on board of this vessel without delay. I will send a pilot to the Carondelet as soon as I can. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Nav~y. Pilot JOHN DEMING, U. S. S. Carondelet, off Island No. 10. 7110N w RVOL 2410 1 Page 194 194 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Commodore Hull, U. S. Navy, to Chief Engineer Shock, U. S. Navy~ to proceed to Cincinnati and inspect the turret of the U. S. S. Ozark. ST. Louis, Mo., January 24, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Cincinnati for the purpose of inspecting the work of the turret in course of construction at that place for the gunboat Ozark, after which you will return to St. Louis. Very respectfully, ~. B. HULL, Commodore, Superintending. Chief Engineer WM. H. SHOCK, St. Louis. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Hon. James W. Crimes, requesting restoration to the line of certain officers serving as volunteers, and referring to operations in Arkansas and against Vicks burg. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, January 24, 1863. M~ DEAR SIR: I once told you I had a favor to ask of you for some friends. It is not one that will give you any trouble, beyond chang- ing your mind, if you have already made it up. There are five officers in the Navy who have served throughout this war in subordinate capacities who are entitled to their former positions in the Navy, viz, Volunteer Lieutenants J. S. Barnes, Charles H. Baldwin, J. P. Sanford, P. G. Watmough, and Selim K. Woodworth. These officers left the Navy when there was no possible chance of promotion. They engaged in a lucrative business and gave it all up the moment the country wanted their services. Woodworth, Sanford, and Baldwin have been under my command; the others I have known personally. These officers have no superiors in the Navy, and have performed gallant actions enough to satisfy anyone that they ask only what is just. Without entering into the details of what they have done, I merely beg the favor of you to try and get them placed in their former positions. They are subjected to many mortifications where they now are. Some officers object to their being restored, but it is an ungenerous feeling, and I am sorry to see it existing in our Navy. There is promotion enough for all. We are before Vicksburg once more, after having made a good raid into Arkansas. We captured every important fort and heavy gun the rebels had in that swampy State. Arkansas has now nothing but some fieldpieces. The rivers are consequently open to trade and the people quite glad to see us. At Fort Hiudman your nephew Walker distinguished himself highly. I refer you for particulars to my reports to the Department, wherein he is particularly mentioned. This Fort Hindman affair has been the fairest stand-up fight during the war. It was a naval fight altogether as regards the fort. The army did not assault, although I believe they tried it once and were repulsed. The colonel commanding the fort surrendered his sword to me Page 195 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 195 We are now opposite Vicksburg, with the whole army landed on the neck of land in front of the city. What they are going to do there they only know. I suppose they will swim over when they are ready, and when they get in position call upon the gunboats to go in and pick them out. \Ticksburg is very strongly fortified in front and the forts are out of the reach of my guns. They are on the hilltops, and we can not even elevate that high. My plan is to work up the Yazoo and get in there and for an army to come down the Yazoo, cut off supplies, and attack their rear. The rebels have but little to eat now and poor clothing. Certain it is that we will never take Yicksburg in front by looking at them across the river. It is a pity that gallant fellow, Sherman, was not left in command. He did nobly until the rain drowned his army out of the swamp, and although he met with a reverse it was a small one and not at all felt by the troops. I do not think this army good for an assault. They are too green. They have to be coaxed up to a rifle pit as IRarey coaxes his wild horses up to a drum. I do not think they would make a good business at assaulting Vicksburg in front, across the river, if they could not be brought to the assault of Fort Hindman by land. I hear that the rebels are getting very tired of the war and would, all of them, be glad if peace would come, but they express a deter- mination to fight it out. The greatest mistake we ever made was acknowledging them as belligerents; otherwise we could hang and shoot every rascal we cap- tured. They are treated so well now that they like to be taken. Well, sir, I have bored you with a long letter. Hoping that we may see our way through our difficulties here, I remain, very truly and respectfully, yours, DAVID D. PORTER. Hon. JAMES [W.] GRIMES, U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C. General order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding pay. GENERAL ORDER JANUARY 24, 1863. No. 33. Commanders of vessels will see that the men receive half their months pay, if they want it, when money is on hand. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Brennand, U. S. Navy7, com- manding U. S. S. Carondelet, explaining the cause of delay in arrival at Yazoo River. U. S. GUNBOAT CARONDELET, Island [No.] lien, Mississippi River, January 25, 1863. SIR: The gunboat New Era arrived last evening from Cairo to relieve the Carondelet. I should have started immediately to join yo Page 196 196 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. but for this reason: Our hog-chain stanchions had not arrived from Cairo. They have just arrived by the gunboat Linden. As soon as I can get them put up and the boat coaled I will report to you with- out delay. We have but one pilot; Captain Walke has detached one for the Lafayette. All is correct at Island [No.] Ten. I am informed a company of guerrilla cavalry are in the vicinity of Tiptonville; they have not molested any of our boats, to my knowledge. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWARD E. BRENNAND, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. Mississippi Squadron, Mouth of Yazoo River. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Woodworth, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Glide, regarding transportation of prisoners, contrabands, and refugees to Cairo. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Mouth of Ywroo River, January 25, 1863. SIR: You will receive on board the Glide such prisoners, refugees, and contrabands as may be sent you from the Benton and other ves- sels here. The prisoners and contrabands are to be delivered to Captain Pen- nock at Cairo. The refugees, if any, will take passage with you to Cairo. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander SELIM E. WOODWOETH, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Glide, Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Parsons, U. S. Army, regarding the convoy of transports. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Mouth of Ya~oo River, January 25, 1863. COLONEL: If your transports will stop at the mouth of the Yazoo River, a gunboat will be ready to convoy them. As she is not as fast as your transports, the largest and fastest of your boats had better take h~r alongside. It will not (with steam up on both) impede her progress. The boats will have to keep together. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron~ Colonel PARSONS, Assistant Quartermaster Page 197 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 197 Order of Acting Rear-A dmircd Porter, U. S. Navy, to Captain White, acting quarterma8ter, to proceed up the river for stores, towing the disabled Sovereign to Memphis. JANUARY 25, 1863. SIR: You will proceed up the river to Cairo, or such other place where it may be necessary to procure stores, and you will please de- liver the mail to Captain Pennock at Cairo. You will find the Sovereign disabled at White River. If possible, tow her up to Mem- phis. She has only one wheel. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Missi8sippi Squadron. Captain WHITE, Acting Quartermaster, Ram Homer. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to detail Acting Lieutenant Murphy, U. S. Navy, to command the U. S. S. Carondelet. JANUARY 25, 1863. SIR: If Acting Lieutenant McLeod Murphy should arrive at Cairo, detail him for the command of the Carondelet. I hear that vessel met with an accident going up. I presume she has gone to Cairo for repairs. I hope you will get rid of her as soon as possible. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General McClernand, U. S. Army, regarding measures for repres- sion of guerrillas at Greenville, Miss. JANUARY 25, 1863. SIR: Your letter of this evening has been received. I am going to station a gunboat at the point above Greenville, which will effectually stop the guerrillas. A convoy will go up with the steamers to-morrow. The planters along there complain that the guerrillas fire from there with the object of getting their houses burned, and ask our protection. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General MCCLERNAND, Commanding U. S. Forces Page 198 198 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Prichett, U. S. Navy, to proceed to Greenville, Miss., for the sup- pression of guerrillas. JANUARY 26, 1863. SIR: You will proceed with all dispatch to Greenville, on the Mis- sissippi River, and that town and 2 miles above will be your station. The guerrillas are at work along there, and you will do all you can to drive them away. When you see any number of white people col- lecting at the point, a mile and a half or two miles above the town, fire on them with shrapnel, observing the rules I have pointed out to you. Be careful never to tie up to the bank, nor let your people go on shore. When you see a transport going by, get underway and protect her until she is below the town, the same going up, covering them until past danger. Show no lights at night, and anchor out of musket shot. If you or any other vessels are fired on from the town, try and set fire to it with your shells, not wasting ammunition in doing so. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant Commander J. M. PRICHETT, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. Gun boat, if azoo River. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Prichett, U. S. Navy, to cut the levee at Greenville, Miss. JANUARY 26, 1863. SIR: When you arrive at Greenville, or the place where the vessels are fired upon, haul your vessel close to the bank where the men can work securely under your guns, and cut the levee, so that the whole country may be overflowed. If that succeeds, go to the other side of the point and do the same. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JAS. M. PRICHETT, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Tyler. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Signal, to proceed to Greenville, IlIisg. MOUTH OF YAzoo, January 26, 1863. SIR: Proceed to Greenville and remain there until you are relieved, convoying transports by there. When relieved, report again to the commanding officer at White River. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant JOHN SCOTT, U. S. S. Signal Page 199 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 199 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Dominy, U. S. Navy, to assume co and of U. S. S. Signal. MOUTH OF YAzoo, January 26, 1863. SIR: You will proceed in the steamer Brown and take command of the U. S. S. Signal, relieving Acting Volunteer Lieutenant John Scott of that vessel. You will report to the commanding naval officer at the mouth of White River, which is your station. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi8si8sippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant CYRENIUS DOMINY, U. S. Navy, U. S. S. Tyler. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding the proportion of light-draft ves8els for the upper rivers. MOUTH OF YAzoo RIVER, January 26, 1863. SIR: As fast as the light-draft steamers are finished, take one out of every three vessels for the defense of the upper rlvers. This does not take into account the vessels now at Cairo, which I am anxiously looking for. When I can afford to do so, I intend to detail the Lexington for up-river work. Very respectfully, your obedient. servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding affairs at Cairo, Ill., transmitting report regarding causes of delay in the completion of U. S. steamers Choctaw and Lafayette. OFFICE OF MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 26, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- munications up to and including the 19th instant. Your secretary arrived here a little after midnight, night before last, and left yesterday (Sunday) in the noon train for Washington. The General Price has never had but one gun on board, a 32- pounder aft. There is no room for a gun forward. We will, how- ever, mount as heavy a gun aft as we can work, and if possible a 24-pounder howitzer forward, if it meets with your views. Your galley and pipe have been procured and will be sent down by the Indianola, which will leave in the course of to-day. Paymasters Boggs and Watson are now absent at Cincinnati on business connected with the purchasing and inspection of supplies for the squadron Page 200 200 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. The steamboat Ike Liammiti takes down a tow of 45,000 bushels of coal, with orders to leave it at the mouth of the Yazoo River from Mr. Boggs, chief clerk, in accordance with your orders. Paymaster Watson informs me that stores in sufficient quantity to supply all the articles not hitherto furnished on requisitions have been sent down on the Sovereign, and can be required for from that vessel. I received a telegram last night from Lieutenant Riley, command- ing U. S. gunboat Silver Lake, at Smithland, that the doctor engine of that vessel became disabled up the Cumberland River, and that the gunboat had returned to Smithland. I shall have the ma- chinery repaired and sent up with the least possible delay. The Bureau of Ordnance telegraphs that it has no X-inch gun available to send here. I enclose for your information a letter * from Mr. [James] Laning, relative to the Choctaw and Lafayette. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Aiiss~ssippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, for the se~ure of steamer Rocket for injuries to the U. S. S. Sovereign. JANUARY 26, 1863. SIR: You will seize the steamer Rocket whenever she comes to Cairo and hold her until the owners pay a fine of $1,000 damage done to the Sovereign at White River. This was an intentional thing; the Sovereign was tied up to the bushes with barges all around her, out of the way of everything, and the Rocket turned toward her, ran into her with a full head of steam, and cut through her guard, bringing the wheel down into the water; after which the party on board set up a shout and went off in another direction. I will make them pay for it if it is a hundred years hence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Alississippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy. Fleet Captain and Comma ant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, in view of violation of revenue laws by steamer Home. U. S. Mississi~ri SQUADRON, January 26, 1863. SIR: The steamer Home has been guilty of violating the revenue laws. You will take such steps in the matter as the law requires. The engineers are witnesses against the captain. The captain also complains of mutiny amongst the engineers. Amongst them they lost a coal barge, the price of which Mr. Boggs will deduct from * Not necessary to publish Page 201 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS~ 201 the towage if it is proved that the Home had no licensed pilots. The 6 barrels of whisky, 18 barrels of salt, and other things were bought for trading purposes, and the property of the Government was en- dangered by the act. I hope you will see that the whole party receives a lesson. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding lJIi8sissippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, LU. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Sel/ridge, U. S. Navy, command- ing U. S. S. Cone8toga, making inquiry regarding con8truction of retaliatory Qrders. U. S. S. CONESTOGA, Off White River, January 26, 1863. SIR: In your instructions dated January 17 I am informed that only houses are to be burned where vessels of the Mississippi Squad- ron are fired upon. I respectfully ask the information if I am to understand that when transports are fired upon I am not to retaliate by burning the planta- tion in the near vicinity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THos. 0. SELFRIDGE, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding 2Vfississippi Squadron. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, announcing the clos- ing of the rendezvous at Chicago, and referring to mortar boats. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., January 26, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have to-day given orders that the rendezvous at Chicago be closed, in accordance with directions from you to do so when the number of men shipped was not sufficient to justify the expenditure. I am informed the chances of procuring men at Chicago are very few. The gunboat Little Rebel is now undergoing repairs. Her place in guarding the magazine and mortar boats has been supplied by the Springfield, a light-draft, stern-wheel boat, whose engines are of such small capacity that she can not stem the current. As soon as the mortar boats are received from St. Louis they will be sent down without delay. The ones here are perfectly water- logged and useless. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNocI, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron Page 202 202 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Alajor- General IlleClerrtand, U. S. Army, regarding the 8ecurnng of pro- Vi8iOfl& at Greenville, Mi88. JANUARY 27, 1863. GENERAL: I have two gunboats at Greenville and am going to send up another as soon as she can get in coal. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Commander Prichett, will show the officer in command of the troops the best place to obtain the beef, viz, at the foot of Island No. 92. The people there are well disposed to supply us with all we want, and I hope the officer in command will not allow his men to pillage or commit improprieties. Mr. Duncan, the proprietor, is a Union man, and has supplied us with provisions willingly, only taking a receipt. There are, however, cattle much nearer. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88issippi Squadron. Major-General JOHN A. MOCLERNAND, Commanding the Army of the Mi8si8sippi. Report of Acting En8ign Wheelock, U. S. Navy, regarding his service as member of board of trade at Helena, Ark. HELENA~ ARK., January 27, 1863. SIR: I have sent you three communications, and as yet have not received any reply to them. Since I was left here in charge of the mortar boats I have not received an order from anyone, and have done what I considered best under the circumstances. As I informed you, four of the mortar boats broke loose on or about the 10th instant, three of which I have recovered, and the other one I am informed was caught by one of the Mosquito Fleet boats and is now anchored at Island 68. I have been acting as a member of the board of trade at this place, representing the Navy, and have been very busy overhauling steamers, examining their clearances, etc. The four mortar boats sent from Memphis were detained by order of Commander Walke, of the Carondelet, which leaves seven mortar boats and seven men at this place. Through the kindness of Brigadier- General Gorman, whom I consult on all occasions, I am allowed to draw rations for the men at the army commissary. I have free access to the post-office at this place, and forward all letters that may arrive here for the fleet. The enclosed dispatches to you came in the army mail yesterday. Awaiting orders from you, I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. WHEELOCK, Acting Ensign, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear~Admiral D. D. PORTER Page 203 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 203 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding light-draft vessels, for a reconnossance in Ya~oo River. JANUARY 27, 1863. SIR: You will proceed up the Yazoo River with the Rattler and the rams Queen of the West and Lancaster, and make a reconnois- sance as far as you can go without sighting the fort or getting under fire. The object is to ascertain if the enemy are using a diving bell to work on the Cairo. Take every possible precaution against torpedoes, examining the banks closely, as you go along, for strings or wires, and look out for small buoys. Ascertain and report the height of the water, and if it overflows the banks and inundates the country on the starboard hand going up. If the water is high enough, and a good chance offers, at an open space, cut the levee. In doing so, keep your vessels close to the bank, that they may cover the men completely. Make a note of everything you see and report to me fully on your return, which you will try to accomplish before night. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lient. Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding First Division Light-Draft Vessel& , Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, regarding a reconnoissance in the Yazoo River. U. S. S. RATTLER, Yazoo River, January ~7, 1863. SIR: I have returned from the reconnoissance upon which I was sent to-day with this vessel and the rams Queen of the West and Lancaster. There were mounted pickets of the enemy at the mouth of the Yazoo at its connection with the old bed of the Mississippi. They fell back rapidly up the river bank, apparently communicating with a regiment stationed on the lower side of Chickasaw Bayou, near the river. By the time the vessels were abreast of Chickasaw Bayou their troops were beyond the range of our guns and traveling in the direction of Vicksburg. Continued on up, passing the place where the Cairo was destroyed without being able to detect the least evidence of any attempt hav- ing been made to recover from the wreck, no part of which was visible. As we approached Benson Blakes house, other troops left that neighborhood in the direction of Drumgoulds Bluff. We were not able to distinguish their number. Saw no fresh earth or other evidence of the enemy having occu- pied the river bank. The banks were not overflowed nor the country on the starboard hand going up, inundated; the water was not high enough to cause damage if the levee had been cut, which, in places where it could be best seen, was 10 o~ 12 feet above the river Page 204 ~2O4 NAVAL 3~0RCES ON W~STE~U~ WA~CER~. Did not see any smoke of steamers in the river above. Expended on the service, in stirring bushes and starting pickets, seven 24-pounder howitzer shrapnel and one 30-pounder Parrott shell. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Commander, Commanding First Division Light Draft Stea ers. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from special agent of the Treasury Department to Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, requesting cooperation in the arrest of steamers Arizona and W. W. Crawford. MEMPHIS, January 27, 1863. M~ DEAR SIR: I am directed by Admiral Porter, when in want of the naval authority to assist me in my official wants as a special agent of the Treasury Department, to call on the commanders of navy vessels. I am therefore very desirous to arrest and have brought to this port the steamers Arizona and W. W. Crawford, now trading be- tween Memphis and Helena. Your very earliest attention will oblige Yours, respectfully, etc., TH. H. YEATMAN, Special Agent, Treasury Department. Capt. J. BISHOP, U. S. S. General Bragg. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General MeClerivind, U. S. Army, in response to request for tugs to force water into the ca 1. JANUARY 28, 1863. GENERAL: Our tugs would not answer the purpose you propose, but one or two of three stern-wheel transports would throw a large volume of current into the canal, or a powerful side-wheel steamer would answer the purpose. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Maj. Gen. J. A. MOCLERNAND, Commanding Army of the Mississippi. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, suggesting changes in the canal opposite Viclesburg. No. 77.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 28, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a communl- cation in relation to the canal across the neck of land opposite Vicks- burg. In reply I beg leave, most respectfully, to enclose a copy of a letter I wrote General Sherman Page 205 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 205 The present canal is simply ridiculous, and will never succeed until other steps are taken. It is improperly located, in the first place, and is not properly cut, in the second. General Grant, who is a very sensible person about some matters, and is willing to admit that sailors know something where water is concerned, sent Colonel Bissell, of the Army, to report to me and consult about the canal. I pointed out to him where it should begin and the course it should take. The beginning should be half a mile above the present mouth, and it should come out 2 miles below the lower opening. This would make the canal 3 miles long, and leave the mouth entirely clear of any batteries the enemy might raise. Colonel Bissell was much pleased with my suggestion. I gave him a fast boat, with orders to go to St. Louis, obtain powder and tools, and return here without delay. With the troops now here the canal should be opened by Colonel Bissells plan in twelve days. He says he can do it in twenty-four hours, which is very doubtful. Whether it will be done or not is hard to say. I received a request from the General (McClernand) to-day to send him a tug to turn her wheel at the mouth of the canal and force the water in. At present it is a very feeble stream, and a dozen tugs would not help it. General Grant is here now, and I hope for a better state of things. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Adirdral, Coniir& an~ding Mi8& t~sippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8ldngton, P. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 27, 1863. GENERAL: One of my captains has been carefully examining the mouth of the canal, and very properly observes that there is a point jutting out above it that causes an eddy, and of course prevents the strong current from pouring into the ditch. This point could be blown away in a very short time with powder, and if the canal is to be widened, it will be done then. I am not sure that it will ever succeed where it is; at least, I have always predicted that it would not, and a man likes to have his judgment turn out right. It cer- tainly will not succeed unless it gets assistance. If it will not go fast enough there, I propose cutting another canal higher up, and when it is ready I would suggest cutting through the neck by Milli- kens Bend, which is a very short distance. This will raise the water down here 2 feet at least, and it will go through with a rush. If this rain lasts much longer we will not need a canal. I think the whole point will disappear, troops and all, in which case the gunboats will have the field to themselves. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comm~anding AIi& si8sippi Squadron. Maj. Gen. WM. T. SHERMAN, U. S. Arrn~i Page 206 206 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Seifridge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cones- toga, at mout1i~ of lVhite River. JANUARY 28, 1863. SIR: You will always keep one Vessel at or near Napoleon, and try and keep that battery from firing on our vessels. There is no object in going up the Arkansas or White rivers further than I have indicated. Your application for the command of an ironclad will be attended to. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lient. Commander THOS. 0. SELFRIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding Conestoga. Report of Lieutenant B ache, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cin- cinnati, recommending certain officers for promotion. U. S. GUNBOAT CINCINNATI, Ya~oo River, Miss., January ~8, 1863. SIR: I have the pleasure to recommend for promotion to the grade of acting master Ensign A. F. 0Neil, and to the grade of acting ensign Acting Masters Mate Henry Booby, both for coolness and bravery in action and general efficiency as officers. I should like their appointments, should you decide on promoting them, to date from the 11th instant, the day of our successful attack on the Post of Arkansas. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. M. BACIJE Lieutenant, Co anding. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Ad iral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Seifridge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Conestoga, regarding retaliatory measures. JANUARY 28, 1863. SIR: Your letter of January 26th is received. The houses and plantations along the river are only to be destroyed when naval vessels, or vessels in company with the gunboats, are fired upon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THos. 0. SELFRIDGE, U. S. Navy, Co anding Conestoga Page 207 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 207 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Phelps, U. S. Navy, to assume command of the second division of ironcl ads. [YAzoo RIvER,] January 29, 1863. SIR: On your arrival at this place you will take command of the second division of ironclads, composed of the following vessels: Eastport, Benton, Tuscumbia, Indianola, Mound City, and Tyler. Captain Walke will command the first division, composed of the Lafayette, Louisville, Baron Dc Kaib, Cincinnati, Carondelet, Chilli- cothe, Lexington, and Conestoga. This will divide the duties and give me more leisure. You may, if you desire it, take the Choctaw when she is finished, although I think the Eastport, with her new battery, one of the most desirable ships in the squadron. I desire the commander of each division to have a ram, also a manageable vessel, that he may be moving about, regulating the position of his division. Let me know your wishes on this subject and I will accommodate you. The Choctaw will not be ready for a month yet, and I think you will like the Eastport the best. I want you here as soon as possible. Do not wait for paint; I will have you greased as soon as yon arrive. If you are short of men, I can make up your deficiencies for a fight from the crew of this ship and the light drafts. You will take 50 of the new men coming down from the East and bring down 50 for the Benton. Captain Walke will take 50, and the rest will be for the Tuscumbia. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander S. L. PHELPS, U. S. Navy, Commanding Second Division Ironclads, Cairo, Ill. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, to proceed to Helena with a bearer of dispatches from General Grant, U. S. Army. JANUARY 29, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Helena with a bearer of dispatches from General Grant and report yourself to the commanding officer there for such duty as he may employ you on. You will report to me on every opportunity and carry out all the general orders with regard to proper precautions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID ID. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant GEO. W. BROWN, U. S. Navy, Commanding Forest Rose Page 208 208 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of the /reas- ury transmitting copy of dispatch from Acting Rear-Admiral Por- ter, U. S. Navy, advising the restriction of trade in the Mississippi River. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 29, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a dispatch (No. 60) from Acting iRear-Admiral D. D. Porter, commanding the Mississippi Squadron, and fully concur in what he says respecting traffic in the insurrectionary region. By a class of unprincipled and unscrupulous speculators, the blockade and the war are perverted and used for mercenary purposes. Trade itself is to them a monopoly in consequence of hostilities. There should be a remedy for all this, not only on the coast, but also on the Mississippi. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, lion. S. P. CHASE, Secretary of Navy. Secretary of the Treasury. [Enclosure.] No. 60.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 17, 1863. SIR: It is an erroneous opinion to suppose that the people of the section we have just left are suffering for want of provisions and clothing. They are supplied with everything in abundance, except- ing, perhaps, some luxuries which they can well do without. These supplies they receive from vessels allowed to trade by the general orders of the Treasury Department, which the Treasury agents and boards of trade, appointed by them, construe very liberally. The temptations to amass fortunes induce traders and boards of trade to resort to all kinds of deceptions, and they care very little how long this war lasts, provided they can make money by it. I would recommend that no trading be allowed outside or below the points occupied by our troops (at present Helena is the last place below), and that such restrictions be placed on vessels that they can not trade in anything but the necessaries of life. At one time I stopped all trade below Helena, and allowed no inter- mediate places to be stopped at, unless for wood. The result was a quiet river, and the boats passed up and down unmolested. Since I came down, the river has not been so quiet, and one steamer was lately burned 10 miles above Memphis, the captain having stopped to sell liquor; he allowed himself to be taken by five men, and ex- pects to be paid by the Government for his boat. These mishaps may look like a want of vigilance on the part of the Navy, but we can not control events unless invested with authority to regulate the point where trade must cease and also regulate the stopping at dis- affected places. I beg that you will instruct me on this point. The trade alluded to is only for the benefit of the rebels and will tend to lengthen this war. Starvation only will bring these people to their senses. As long as they dont feel the war and can sell their cotton for 45 cents a pound they will never want the war to cease. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Com~nanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of th~ Navy, Wa~4ington, D. C Page 209 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 209 Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, acknowledging Departments order regarding Confederate prisoners. No. 80.] U. S. MISSISsIPPI SQUADRON, January 29, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation in relation to paroling rebel officers. The last we captured I sent to Captain Pennock, with orders to take your instructions in regard to them. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, referring to dispatches captured on the transport Blue Wing. No. 78.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, January 29,1863. SIR: In answer to your letter of January 15, I beg leave to inform you that the Blue Wing was an army transport, towing army coal. She had no dispatches for me. The communications you allude to have been received. Captain Pennock has instructions to send no letters to me except in a vessel of war. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Brigadier- General Ellet, U. S. Army, thanking him for his congratulations on the reported fall of Vicks burg. JANUARY 29, 1863. DEAR GENERAL: I thank you for your congratulations, but they were rather premature. Vicksburg, as you will see, is not yet taken, and the army got rather the worst of it, though it did not amount to much after all. These rascally newspaper reporters tell such lies that it is impossible to get a true account of affairs down here. Sherman managed his men most beautifully, but for want of nerve in one of his generals or colonels we lost our chance of getting into Vicksburg. I wish you were here. If you only had 300 men and a few horses we could break up guerilla warfare on the river. The army seems to think that 30,000 of them can not move without a gunboat, when detachments should land every time a musket is fired. 7110x W lIVOL 24101 Page 210 210 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. We had a good time at Arkansas River, but cleaned it out com- pletely. The fighting at the Post was done by the navy and the army bagged all the rebels. Hoping soon to see you, I remain, general, yours, very truly, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-A dmiral. Brigadier-General A. W. ELLET. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to E. B. Pike, esq., declining permission to enter St. Francis River for cotton. JANUARY 29, 1863. SIR: Yours of the 23d instant is received. You will not, under any circumstances, be allowed to ascend the St. Francis River at present. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding illississippi Squadron. E. B. PIKE, Esq., Memphis, Tenn. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Ensign Wheelock, U. S. Navy, to withdraw from the Board of Trade, and furnish information regarding the vessel Alhambra. JANUARY 30, 1863. SIR: I received two letters from you, notifying me that you were a member of a board of trade. It appears from reports received that you are meddling in matters over which you have no control. You will withdraw any connection with a board of trade and attend to your legitimate duties. You will also explain why the Alhambra was released and what part you took in the matter, and by what authority you acted. Your duties do not seem to be so well performed that you can afford to act as a member of a board of trade. Respectfully, yours, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. E. W. WIJEELOCK, Helena, Ark. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Curtis, U. S. Army, stating that the action of Acting Ensign Wheelock was unauthorised. JANUARY 30, 1863. SIR: I am informed by Mr. E. W. Wheelock, of the Navy, that he is acting as a member of a board of trade at Helena, which is per- fectly unauthorized by me, and I am also informed that he permitted a vessel, the Alhambra, to be released without proper authority Page 211 NAVAL FORGES ON WESTERN WATERS. 211 If YOU will be kind enough to have me furnished with the evidence in the matter, Mr. Wheelock, if guilty, will be dismissed the service. his business is to attend to his mortars. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88i88ippz Squadron. Major-General S. IR. CURTIs, Hdqr8. Dept. of the Mksi88ippi, St. LouiB, Mo. General Order. JANUARY 30, 1863. The vessels at the mouth of the Yazoo will perform guard duty also, and permit no boat to pass them without they know the par- ties in it, or to go up and down night or day. They will permit no steamers not belonging to the squadron to pass the guard vessel, and when they go above the flagship they are to be stopped. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88i~ssippi Squadron. The Benton, Loui8ville, Pittsburg, and Mound City are guard boats upstream in the order in which their names are written, and the vessel on guard will hoist the guard flag. No boat, night or day, will be permitted to pass up or down with- out being called alongside and examined, and authority for passing being required. A boat that does not answer the first hail at night will be fired into with ball, and any boat belonging to the enemy attempting to come into or pass our lines for the purpose of spying or for our destruc- tion will be brought to, and all persons in said boat will be shot on the spot. Persons deserting to us from the enemy will easily be known; they will go to the first ship to surrender themselves. Each vessel also will keep six lookouts on the upper deck with loaded muskets, and the officer of the deck will keep his watch where he can see all around. It is not creditable to the watchfulness of the Benton that two of her men should take a boat and leave the ship, and a full investiga- tion of the matter will take place. The guard ship will have a guard boat out in fogs, or after dark, and the guard officer will be sent to the flagship for orders at sunset. One of the vessels below will do guard duty also, and will be desig- nated daily by me. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88is8ippi Squadron. Letter from Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear- Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, requesting cooperation of gunboats in army expedition to cut canal at Lake Providence, La. YoUNGs POINT, LA., January 30, 1863. By enquiry I learn that Lake Providence, which connects with IRed River through Tensas Bayou, Washita [Onachita] and Black rivers, is a wide and navigable way through Page 212 212 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. As some advantage may be gained by opening this, I have ordered a brigade of troops to be detailed for the purpose, and to be embarked as soon as possible. I would respectfully request that one of your light-draft gunboats accompany this expedition, if it can be spared. U. S. GRANT. Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Western Flotilla. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Smith, U. S. Navy, com nding U. S. S. Linden, to accompany expedition to Lake Providence, La. JANUARY 30, 1863. SIR: You will accompany an expedition of the army to Lake Providence, where they are going to cut a canal. Before you attempt to enter or go anywhere have a boat ahead to sound. Report to General Grant that you are ready to accompany the expedition. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Master SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Linden. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding names of certain vessels. JANUARY 31, 1863. SIR: The Mary Miller will hereafter be called the Prairie Bird, the Duchess the Petrel, and the Florence the Curlew, and you will have them so registered on the books. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Fleet Captain A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Prichett, U. S. Navy, for the arrest of parties con- cerned in the destruction of U. S. S. Sallie Wood. FEBRUARY 1, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Point Chicot and arrest the following persons, whom you will send to Cairo, to be delivered to the provost- marshal, to be proceeded against for being accessory to the robbing and burning of the Sallie Wood: Richard Sessions, Daniel Sessions, Porter of Island [No.] 82, Esquire Seabrook, for burning the boat Page 213 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 213 Long, at Columbia; Diamond, at Point Chicot; Esquire Payne, Frank Cable, Judge Craig. These men must be delivered into the hands of Captain Pennock, who will obtain all needful testimony against them and deliver them over to the marshal. Richard Sessions will be forced to deliver up a man he has incarcerated or hid by the name of Hill. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieut. Commander JAS. M. PRICHETT, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Tyler. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the arrest of parties concerned in the destruction of U. S. S. Sallie Wood. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Yar~oo River, February 1, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have arrested all the parties who were concerned in the robbing and burning of the steamer Sallie Wood, at Island No. 82, in August last. The evidence is strong against these men. The witnesses are on board the Juliet, who wit- nessed the whole affair, and the property is in the hands of the persons arrested. I have ordered them sent to Cairo, to the provost-marshal. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant Shaw, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Juliet, regarding transportation of witnesses in the case of the U. S. S. Sallie Wood. YAzoo RIVER, February 1, 1863. SIR: Proceed to Cairo without loss of time and deliver over to Cap- tain Pennock the contrabands you have on board. He will take such steps for their comfort and employment as he may deem necessary. Explain to him everything in relation to the persons you may take up, and tell him who are the witnesses for the prosecution. Said wit- nesses to give security for appearance when wanted. The arrested persons are to be delivered over to the provost-marshal to undergo trial, and all the evidence you can collect will be delivered to Captain Pennock, who will forward it to the Secretary df the Navy. When you have reported and got rid of your passengers, coal and fill up with provisions without delay and join me here without allow- ing any orders or requests from anyone to detain you on the way. If Captain Pennock has ready some carpenters for me bring them down Page 214 214 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. but do not wait for them. I expect you to be here on the 8th of February. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant EDW. SHAW, U. S. Navy, U. S. S. Juliet. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the seizure of cotton. No. 87.] U. S. Mississi~ri SQUADRON, Jfasoo River, February 1, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that, hearing that there was a lot of cotton at Point Chicot, on the Mississippi, belonging to the so- called Confederate Government, and that the agents were moving it back into the country or about to burn it, I sent up the ram Monarch, Colonel Ellet, and the Juliet, Acting Lieutenant Shaw, and seized 250 bales, which I now have and am using to protect the boilers of those vessels that are vulnerable. There are now altogether 300 bales in the squadron, which I recommend should be sold when no longer needed and the proceeds placed in the Treasury. All cotton on the river belongs to the rebel Government, and on that they depended to carry on the war. I recommend that it be all seized and sold for the benefit of the Government. There is authority enough on record to justify me in taking cotton under certain circumstances, but not enough to take it in all cases. Eight thousand bales will pay the expenses of the squadron per year, and I think there will be no difficulty in obtain- ing that amount when Colonel Ellet gets his brigade ready and we can penetrate some 6 or 8 miles into the interior, where it is all stowed away. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Howell, commanding U. S. ram Lancaster, to proceed to duty at Greenville, Miss. FEBRUARY 1, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Greenville, where you will report to Captain Prichett, of the Tyler, whom you will relieve for the pres- ent, obtaining from him a co governed. py of his orders, by which you will be Be particular that your men have no communication with the shore other than is expressed in Captain Prichetts orders. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant P. F. HOWELL, Commanding Ran-b Lancaster Page 215 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 215 Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding arrival of Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, to command U. S. S. Lafayette. OFFICE MISsIssIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 1, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report to you that Captain Walke arrived here about a week ago and has assumed the Command of the Lafay- ette. I have delivered to him a copy of your letter of instructions to me in regard to that vessel for his guidance. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Selfridge, U. S. Navy, regarding affairs at White River. U. S. S. CONESTOGA, Off IVhite River, February 1, 1863. SIR: I regret to report the death by typhus fever of two of the Conestogas crew, Felix Donis and J. D. Callahan, firemen. The disease is prevailing. The Bragg has not yet made her appearance. I shall keep the Signal on picket duty at the cut-off for the present. I send down by the Wilson the mortar boat that was anchored at the foot of Island No. 68. There are two vacancies for ensigns on board and I cheerfully recommend Masters Mate Divine for promotion. There is an extra engineer aboard, Second Assistant Michael Nor- ton, ordered to report to me from Cairo. The steamer Evansville arrived yesterday from Helena for the purpose of trade and to purchase cotton. I have ordered her back to Helena. I believe it is not your wish that trade should at present be permitted. All quiet in this vicinity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. THos. 0. SELFRIDGE, Lieutenant-Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Ntvy, regarding general matters. OFFICE MIssIssIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 1, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report to you that I received a telegram from Mr. Jos. Brown on the 27th ultimo, stating that the owners o Page 216 216 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. the Wren refuse to sell her. I enclose herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. Brown on the subject. The General Lyon has been loaded with ordnance supplies and will leave to-day or to-morrow for the fleet under convoy. The New National has been loaded with iron, etc., for the Sam8on and stores for the fleet, and will go down under the same convoy as the General Lyon. The Ea8tport will act as convoy and will convey these dispatches and a mail for the fleet. Two mortar boats, with their mortars, equipments, and ammuni- tion, will be sent down in tow of the General Lyon; also twelve cutters, for the use of the squadron, will be sent. The 200 men sent out here from New York City for the squadron arrived here on the morning of the 29th ultimo. I have transferred 75 to the Lafayette, 75 to the Eaetport, and send 47 down in the latter vessel for the ii? enton. This takes all the men that I have at my disposal. The Duchess has just (10 a. in.) arrived from Cincinnati. The Florence and Mary Miller have not yet come down I would respectfully suggest the propriety of sending the General Lyon and New National back as soon as you can spare them, as I am desirous of sending them to St. Louis for more supplies, and matters will be much facilitated by sending them. Four surgeons from the East (acting assistants) have reported here. One has been ordered to the Lafayette, two will go down to report to you on this opportunity, and one I have retained here sub- ject to your approval, to be attached to the f/iuscumbia. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear- Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding charges made against the former relative to operations against Vicksburg. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Camp near J7icks& urg, February 1, 1863. DEAR SIR: The Northern press, stiniiulated by parties here, have sown broadcast over our country the most malicious charges and insin- uations against me personally, in consequence of my failure to reduce Vicksburg. I have some friends that will, I know, be sadly troubled by these reports. You observed the embarkation of my troops, their movement to the point of attack, and their reembarkation. You know whether I took all possible means to, gain information and whether I acted with promptness or otherwise. For the satisfaction of my brother, John Sherman, in the Senate, I would solicit a few lines from you on the matter generally, whether, to your knowledge, I brought nay forces in good condition and wel Page 217 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 217 supplied to Youngs Point; whether I delayed unnecessarily; whether the point of debarkation was not the best and only one offered me, and whether I did not meet all difficulties promptly as they arose; whether I did not propose to you the attack on the Post of Arkansas as the best possible use we could make of time while awaiting the arrival of Grant and Banks, and, generally, whether I acted the part of an intelligent officer or that of an insane fool. With the utmost confidence in your judgment, I will ever remain, your friend and servant, W. T. SHERMAN, Major- General. Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississipp?~ Squadron. Detached expedition of the U. S. ram Queen of the West, including passage of Vicksburg batterws; attack upon steamer City of Vicks- burg; and capture of supply steamers A. W. Baker, Moro, and Berwick Bay, in and near Red River, February 23, 1863. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding preparation of the ram. YAzoo RIVER, February 1, 1863. GENERAL: I may be ready to-night to send down the ram to destroy the steamer Vicksburg, in which case our ram will be distinguished (after performing the duty) by three vertical lights. She will come to, if she gets past, at or near our batteries, when she will have her lights down. If you could ascertain if the Vicksburg is there at sun- set you would much oblige me. I am packing the ram with cotton bales, so that she can not be injured. If she does not go to-night, she certainly will to-morrow night. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Commanding U. S. Forces in the Field. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting orders issued to Colonel Ellet, and report of the latter. No. 88.] YAzoo RIvER, February 2, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 1st February I gave the following order to Colonel Charles R. Ellet, of the Ram Fleet. This order was carried out, excepting the destruction of the vessel; and we are now enabled to prevent supplies reaching the enemy at Vicksburg and Port Hudson by the Mississippi River. The Queen of the West passed the batteries in broad daylight, instead of in the dark, as I intended, and received twelve shot and shell, but as I had ordered her covered with two thicknesses of cotton bales, no damage was done to the hull, though she was exposed to the lire of all th Page 218 218 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. batteries for fifty minutes; some of the heaviest shot struck her. My orders were handsomely and gallantly carried out, and if the Vicks- burg was not sunk, it was because of her wide guards and great strength. I have ordered the Queen of the West to proceed down as low as Red River to capture and destroy all the rebel property she may meet with. The first favorable opportunity I will reinforce her, and if we can not take Vicksburg, the enemy will have to evacuate its other points on the river for want of supplies and transportation. I send Colonel Charles R. Ellets report. I can not speak too highly of this gallant and daring officer. The only trouble I have is to hold him in and keep him out of danger. He will undertake anything I wish him to without asking questions, and these are the kind of men I like to command. The enemy fired over fifty heavy guns and many fieldpieces. The caliber of shot that struck the Queen of the West was 100-pounder rifle, 64-pounder solid and shell, 50-pounder shell, 30-pounder shell, and 32-pounder smoothbore. The Vieksburg is in a sinking condition, and has her steam pumps going all the time. I have the honor to remain, v~y respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding illississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Enclosures. I YAzoo RIVER, February 1, 1863. SIR: You will proceed with the ram Queen of the We8t to Vicks- burg and destroy the steamer Vicksburg, lying off that place; after which you will proceed down the river as far as our batteries below the canal and report to me. In going down, you will go along under low speed, having steerage way enough, and keeping close to the right-hand shore going down. Before you start it would be better to have a large bed of coals in, so that you will not have to put in fresh coal; the smoke might betray you. After you have destroyed the steamer, go down stream, and, when clear of the city, show three vertical lights, that our batteries may not fire on you. If you get disabled, drift down until abreast of our batteries, and the small army steamer will go to your assistance. Have every light in your ship put out before you leave for Vicksburg, except the three lights to be shown to our batteries, which must be kept covered up. See that no lights show from the stern as you pass the town, enabling them to rake you, and adopt every means of concealment. The best place to strike the steamer is 20 feet forward of her wheel. After disabling her there so that she will sink, fire through her boilers and in among her machinery as she goes down. It will not be part of your duty to save the lives of those on board; they must look out for themselves, and may think themselves lucky if they do not meet the same fate meted out to the Harriet Lane. Think of the fate of that vessel while performing your duty, and shout Harriet Lane~~ into the ears of the rebels. If you can fire turpentine balls from your bow fieldpieces into the light upper works, it will make a fine finish to the sinking part Page 219 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 219 Further orders for duty to be performed below will be given after you report. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORThR, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding illississippt Squadron. Colonel CHARLES R. ELLET, Ram Queen of the West. LT. S. Ram QUEEN OF THE WEST, Below Vieksburg, February 2, 1862. ADMIRAL: In compliance with your instructions I started ou the Queen of the West at half-past 4 oclock this morning, to pass the batteries at Vicksburg and sink the rebel steamer lying before that city. I discovered immediately on starting that the change of the wheel from its former position to the narrow space behind the Queens bulwarks did not permit the boat to be handled with sufficient accu- racy. An hour or more was spent in rearranging the apparatus, and when we finally rounded the point the sun had risen and any advantage which would have resulted from the darkness was lost to us. The rebels opened a heavy fire upon us as we neared the city, but we were only struck three times before reaching the steamer. She was lying in nearly the same position that the Arkansas occupied when General Ellet ran the Queen into her on a former occasion. The same causes which prevented the destruction of the Arkam9as then saved the City of Vieksburg this morning. Her position was such that if we had run obliquely into her as we came down the bow of the Queen would inevitably have glanced. We were compelled to partially round to in order to strike. The consequence was that at the very moment of collision the current, very strong and rapid at this point, caught the stern of my boat, and, acting on her bow as a pivot, swung her around so rapidly that nearly all her momentum was lost. I had anticipated this result, and therefore caused the starboard gun to be shotted with three of the incendiary projectiles recommended in your orders. As we swung round, Sergeant J. H. Campbell, detailed for the purpose, fired this gun. A 64-pound shell crashed through the barri- cade just before he reached the spot, but he did not hesitate. The discharge took place at exactly the right moment, and set the rebel steamer in flames, which they subsequently succeeded in extinguish- ing. At this moment one of the enemys shells set the cotton near the starboard wheel on fire, while the discharge of our own gun ignited that portion which was on the bow. The flames spread rapidly and the dense smoke rolling into the engine room suffocated the engineers. I saw that if I attempted to run into the City of Vieksburg again that my boat would certainly be burned. I ordered her to be headed downstream, and turned every man to extinguishing the flames. After much exertion we finally put the fire out by cutting the burning bales loose. The enemy, of course, were not idle we were struck twelve times, but though the cabin was knocked to pleces, n Page 220 220 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. material injury to the boat or to any of those on her was inflicted. About two regiments of rebel sharpshooters in rifle pits kept up a continual fire, but did no damage. The Queen was struck twice in the hull, but above the water line. One of our guns was dismounted and ruined. I can only speak in the highest terms of the conduct of every man on board. All behaved with cool, determined courage. I remain, very respectfully, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding Mississippi Squadron. U. S. Mississi~~i SQUADRON, February 2, 1863. The following is a list of the officers on board the Ram Queen of the West while running the batteries at Vicksburg to-day: Colonel Charles Rivers Ellet, Captain E. W. Sutherland, First Lieutenant J. E. Tuttle, Master Sims Edison, Master J. C. Duncan, Engineer Reuben Townsend. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, transmitting copy of report sent to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter. U. S. STEAM RAM QUEEN o~ THE WEST, Below Vieksburg, February 2, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit you a copy of a report* I have just made to Admiral Porter, concerning the passage of the Vicksburg batteries by the Queen of the West, and the attempted destruction of the rebel steamer lying before the city. You will perceive that I met with the same impediments, and was frustrated by the same causes, which prevented you from sinking the Arkansas. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Brigadier-General A. W. ErnT, Commanding Mississippi Marine Brigade. [Telegram.] YAzoo RIVER, February 2, 1863. (Received from Cairo, Ill., 10.45 p. in., 8th.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that on the 1st instant I ordered Colonel Charles R. Ellet, in the ram Queen of the West, Cap- tain Sutherland, commander, to run the batteries at Vicksburg and destroy the steamer City of Vicksburg, lying before that city. She ran the batteries under a heavy fire of fifty guns and struck the steamer, leaving her on fire and in a sinking condition. The fire was put out, * ~ee p. 219 Page 221 VIC~8BtY1~G AND ~trOflfl~ 221 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 150 ft. high 154 ft. high. 4 0 i~ g~ 1 2 3 Forts... .....~ - Rallroc*ds.-... Levees .,tgIuI5IgrIfur~wfigff Roads. 207 ft. high Page 222 222 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. and the steam pumps still keep the steamer afloat. The Queen of the We8t is off down the river, with orders to capture and destroy all vessels she meets with. This cuts off all the enemys means of supplies of Port Hudson and Vicksburg by the way of Red River, and cuts off all communications up the Big Black. I will reinforce the Queen of the West as soon as an opportunity offers. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Com~inanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding damages Inflicted upon the steamer City of Vicksburg. No. 98] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, February 8, 1863. SIR: I am happy to inform you that the steamer I7icksburg was so badly injured by the ram Queen of the West that she has to be kept afloat With large coal barges fastened to her side. Her machinery has been taken out, and she will likely be destroyed. This is the fifth steamer we have deprived the rebels of. The Vicksburg was the largest and strongest steamer on this river, and I think they were preparing to use her against o tir transports, being very fleet. Her wheel and guards were all smashed in,and a large hole knocked in her side, so deserters report. Last night I started a coal barge with 20,000 bushels of coal in, from the anchorage up river, to run the batteries at Vicksburg. It had 10 miles to go to reach the Queen of the West, and arrived safely within ten minutes of the time calculated, not having been seen by the sentinels. This gives the ram nearly coal enough to last a month, in which time she can commit great havoc, if no accident happens to her. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Co ir& anding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C, Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding captures made by the ram. Captain Pennock will please telegraph and send this letter by mail. No. 90] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Mouth of the Yazoo, February 5, 1863. Sin: After the ram Queen, of the West had reported progress before Vicks- burg, I ordered her down the river to sink and destroy all vessels she met with. Colonel Ellet returned this morning, passing the fort at Warrenton in broad day- light, and was hit several times. He destroyed below three large steamers loaded with pork, sugar, molasses, and army supplies. He captured five cap- tains and two lieutenants. A number of rebel officers made their escape by jumping overboard. Colonel Ellet came within two hours of catching General Dick Taylor with a transport load of troops. The Queeu of the West went 10 miles up Red River Page 223 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 223 where there are many fine steamers that are supplying Port Hudson; they will likely not attempt to go out while the ram is about. She is now out of coal and had to return on that account. I am going to supply her, either by drifting a barge around at night, or by sending across the land. Colonel Ellet learns from the prisoners that General Banks is 7 miles from Port Hudson. They had a severe engagement a few days ago. The rebels withdrew, and went back to the fort, and our troops went back to their camp a drawn battle I presume. The ram took all the vessels by surprise; the people did not dream of anything of the kind. If we can not take, just now, the 6 miles of river in front of Vicksburg we can take anything that steams upon that portion of the Mississippi between Vicks- burg and Port Hudson. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Actiag Rear-Admiral. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washin~gtom, D. 0. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of capture of steamers A. W. Baker, Moro, and Berwick Bay. No. 93.] U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, February 6, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith Colonel Ellets report of his proceedings down the river. I hope to be able to get him off again as soon as I can get coal around to him. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding lIIi8si88ippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. STEAM RAM QUEEN OF THE WEST, Below Vick8burg, February 5, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have the honor to report to you that I left the landing below the Cut-off, about 1 oclock p. m. on the 2d instant, and pro- ceeded down the river. At Warrenton, a few miles below, the enemy had two batteries of four pieces each, of which four are 20-pounder rifled guns. They opened upon us as we passed, but only struck us twice, doing no injury. On reaching the Big Black River I attempted to ascend it, but found it impossible from the narrowness of the stream. Passing it, we reached Natchez just at midnight. I landed at Vidalia, on the opposite shore, threw out some pickets, and went into the village in the hope of picking up some rebel officers. There can be no tele- graphic line between Vicksburg and this point, for not a word of our coming had reached the place, and the people scarcely knew who we were. One rebel, Colonel York, was halted, but made so rapid a re- treat that he escaped the shots fired after him. Leaving this point, I kept on down the river. We passed Ellis Cliffs at 3 oclock a. m. There are no fortifications at that or at any other point between Warrenton and Port Hudson. We had got about 15 miles below the mouth of Red River when we met a side-wheel steamer coming up. Her pilot blew the whistle for the Queen to tak Page 224 224 NAVAL FORGES ON WESTERN WATERS. the starboard side, supposing her to be a Southern boat. Receiving no answer, and not liking the Queens looks as she bore straight down upon him, he ran his boat ashore. As we neared her, numerous rebel officers sprang into the water and made their escape. She proved to be the A. IV. Baker; had just discharged her cargo at Port Hudson, and was returning for another. We captured on her 5 captains, 2 lieutenants, and a number of civilians, among them 7 or 8 ladies. I had just placed a guard on the boat, when another steamer was seen coming down the river. A shot across her bows, brought her to; she proved to be the lJIora, laden with 110,000 pounds of pork, nearly 500 hogs, and a large quantity of salt, destined for the rebel army at Port Hudson. I placed Captain Asgill Conner in command of the captured boats, and as the Queens supply of coal was very limited, I thought it best to return. A short distance above our landing, I destroyed 25,000 pounds of meal, awaiting transportation to Port Hudson. On reaching Red River I stopped at a plantation to put ashore the ladies, who did not wish to go any farther. I also released the civilians. While doing so another steamboat, the Berwiek Bay, came out of Red River and was immediately seized. She was laden with supplies for the rebel forces at Port Hudson, consisting of 200 barrels of molasses, 10 hogsheads of sugar, and 30,000 pounds of flour; she had also on board 40 bales of cotton. I ascended Red River 15 miles in the hope of getting some more boats, but found nothing. Night came on as we again started on our return. I found at once that the progress of the three prizes was so slow that our short supply of coal would not permit us to wait for them. I accordingly ordered them to be set on fire; we had not time to transfer their cargoes. We met with no interruption on our return until we reached War- renton. Before arriving at this point I landed and sent my prisoners around by land, under a strong guard, to avoid exposing them to the enemys fire. On passing Warrenton we found another battery had been erected there, and the three combined opened a very heavy fire upon us; they struck us several times, but did no damage worth mentioning. Very respectfully, your obedient servant~, CHARLES RIvERs ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Rain Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Comimnanding Illississippi Squadron. Report of Major-General Gardner, C. S. Army, transmitting report regarding capture of steamers. HEADQUARTERS, Port Hudson, February 6, 18C3. MAJOR: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a letter from General Sibley. I do not know the boats named, except the Baker, which I started from here on the morning of the 2d instant to go up Red River, and she ought to have passed into Red River before the night of the 2d. Why she did not I do not know. This boat cam Page 225 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 225 down Red River on a private speculation with salt and bacon, and, being a slow boat, I did not wish to retain her in my employ, but ordered her immediately up Red River. II have the Beatty here now and have kept her since the gunboat passed. I sent a courier to Gen- eral Sibley, and also one to Red River on the receipt of your telegram that the gunboat had passed, but it appears to me that the informa- tion could not have reached Red River. My object was to warn boats going down, not having knowledge of any boats in danger going up, except the Realty, which I kept at this place. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANKLIN GARDNER, Major- General. Major J. R. WADDY, A8sistant A d jutant- General, Jack8on, 11h88. [Enclosure.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT EAST OF ATCHAFALAYA, Ro8edale, February 4, 1863. GENERAL: I have just received a dispatch from one of my officers near the mouth of Red River, who reports that the gunboat which passed Vicksburg has appeared there; had captured three of our boatsthe Moro, the Baker, and the Berwick Ray. The gunboat is the Queen of the TVest. She is an ironclad, but is arranged on Magruders plan, with cotton bales. Prisoners released from her state her armament is composed of twelve 12-pounders. She placed prize crews on the boats captured, and has proceeded up the Red River. I have ordered a company of cavalry and one section of artillery to that point to attempt the recapture of the boats, which, at last ac- counts, were lying near the river banks and but slimly guarded. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, H. H. SIBLEY, Rrigadier-General. Major-General FRANK GARDNER, Commanding at Port Hud8on. Capture of cotton by the U. S. S. Tyler, February 39, 1863. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy. No. 100.] U. S. MIssIssIPPI SQUADRON, February 9, 1863. SIR: I send up by the New National 11~ bales of cotton, captured by the Tyler, Commander Prichett, from rebel parties. I directed Captain Pennock to hold it until you direct the disposal of it. Three hundred more bales are in my possession, captured from rebel parties, but I am using it at present for protecting the boilers of the different boats. When no longer needed, I will forward it to Cairo. The ram Queen of the We8t has 250 bales on her sides, and has captured 40 more since she went the other side. As it is likely that a great deal of cotton will fall into our hahds, I would recommend that an agent of the Navy Department be ap- 7110x w RVOL 241O--------1 Page 226 226 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. pointed out here to protect the interests of the Navy. If the Depart- ment will permit me, I will appoint a suitable person. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Corn nding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Nary, Washington. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Prichett, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tyler. U. S. GUNBOAT TYLER, Ya~oo River, Fcbruary 9, 18G3. SIR: I have to report that on the 3d instant I discovered secreted in the house of J. L. Jones 23 bales of cotton, which I seized and took on board this vessel. Mr. Jones was formerly in the Confed- erate Army and an overseer of Judge Griffiths. On the 4th instant I found secreted in the woods 20 bales belong- ing to R. A. Long, who was an accessory to the burning of the steamer Sallie Wood. On the 5th, 6th, and 8th I discovered secreted in the woods and outhouses of Mr. Warfield, Gregory, Dr. Duncan, William Cannon, and Michael Henderson the respective quantities of 4 bales and 1 sack, 16 bales and 1 sack, 6 bales, 42 bales, and 2 bales, all of which I have taken on board of this vessel as a prize to the United States Government, the owners being secessionists. Total amount on board, 113 bales and 2 sacks. Enclosed is a list of the officers and crew of this vessel. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES M. PRICHETT, Lieutenant- Commander. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, iYazoo River. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding the disposition of captured cotton. FEBRUARY 9, 1863. SIR: I send by the New National 113 bales of cotton, seized by the Tyler, as confiscated property. You will please receive it until such time as the Secretary of the Navy orders it sold. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Corn nding Mississippi Squadron. Commander A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Com~mandant of Station, Cairo Page 227 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 227 Lettei~ from Aching Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to JIajor-Gen- eral Sherman, U. S. Army, commending /ii8 conduct in the as8ault on Vicksburg. Yi~zoo RIVER, February 3, 1863. GENERAL: I have received your letter of February 1. I have read with much indignation aud surprise the malicious attacks of the Northern press. The same indignation is felt by all uuder my corn- mand. We understaud perfectly the motives by which newspaper reporters are actuated in these matters, viz, your order to prevent auy improper and unauthorized ageuts of the press following the army and furnishing the enemy with accounts of our anticipated movements. I recognize in your order the wisdom of a military leader. I take the liberty of enclosing some reports I made to the honorable Secretary of the Navy. If I have made any mistake therein, in relation to the assault at Vicksburg, it was owing to information I received from several quarters, and from my desire that you should have full credit for your untiring efforts to take Vicksburg. From the day I became acquainted with you, at Memphis, until our embarkation at Yazoo River for Arkansas Post I have to remark that I never saw anything more promptly or better conducted, and I do not believe that any expedition, of such magnitude, was ever con- ducted with more order or system. It was the remark of myself and all those about me, and we predicted the best results at Vicksburg from seeing things commence so auspiciously. The landing at Johnsons Place and the taking position under the hills of Vicksburg are all matters you will find mentioned in my reports, and as it was all written previous to any attacks on you by the press and merely in accordance with my duties, no one can sup- pose me influenced by what has since taken place. As to the Arkansas Post affair, it originated with yourself entirely and you proposed it to me on the night you embarked the troops, and before it was known that you had been relieved, and that General MeClernand had arrived. Whatever disposition was made of the troops after landing, your plans at least were carried out, as far as the state of the woods and country would admit, and the position you took so promptly under adverse circumstances and without any knoxvledge of the country, wonld have enabled you to cut off five times the nnmber of the enemy, had they been there. In conclusion, general, permit me to say that I feel as indignant as you can be at the attacks made on you. They would hardly be worth notice except for the satisfaction of your friends. As I[ am sure you have no political aspirations, you can well afford to pass without notice what is said by the press, which is not, in all cases, the most loyal. You possess, in an eminent degree, the confidence and love of your soldiers, who will follow you anywhere, and in saying that, I pay you the highest compliment that can be paid to a general. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps Page 228 228 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Acting Master Rroivn, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, regarding operations of that vessel en route to Yazoo Pass. U. S. GUNBOAT I9OREST ROSE, Mouth of Yazoo Pass, February 3, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that in obedience to your orders I left the Yazoo on the evening of the 29th and proceeded up the river. At 9.30 a. in., on the following morning, I saw a flatboat start out from Lake Providence to cross the river, but on my approach they put back and landed. After searching the negroes and the boat for letters, I destroyed the flat. While doing this two women came down to the boat and claimed to be Union, and said they would like to get North. I took them on board, together with four children, and landed them at Helena. They informed me that there were some rebel pickets in the negro quarters at the lower end of the town, and that there were some two or three hundred 1 mile out of the town on a Mr. Wilsons plantation. I dropped down to abreast of the quar- ters, when their cav~ilry started out upon the gallop. I fired shrapnel after them, which exploded just short, one of its balls struck one of them in the back killing him instantly. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson shot another with a rifle, so only one escaped. I then landed and burned the buildings that had given them shelter. I have destroyed three flatboats and ten skiffs and canoes. I arrived and reported to General Gorman on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday at 10 a. m. the general came on board, and, in company with three transports, we ran over to the mouth of Yazoo Pass and commenced cutting the levee, which will be finished to-day; but it will be some four or five days before we shall be able to enter, as there is 9 feet fall to the water. It is thought there will be but little trouble in getting to Coidwater. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID I). PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of the Navy, regardzng the restriction of t ade. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, February 3,1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, enclosing dispatch No. ~30, from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, of the Mississippi Squadron, relative to supplies being fur- nished to rebels in the Mississippi Valley, and concur fully in the views expressed by you. Unless the rules and regulations of this Department are misinter- preted in a manner and to an extent hardly possible by its subordi- nate officers in that section, Admiral Porter must rest under a misap- prehension in supposing that such supplies are furnished by ves- sels allowed to trade by the general orders of the Treasury Depart- inent, etc Page 229 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 229 Trade is only authorized by it with newly occupied places or sec- tions when, in the Opinion of the special agents exercising concurrent jurisdiction, it can safely be permitted. At present no trade is sanc- tioned by me below Helena, and only with that point since the 1st of January last, in accordance with instructions, copy of which is here- with enclosed. I have transmitted a copy of your letter and enclosure to Mr. Spe- cial Agent Mellen, with instructions to report whether the practices referred to result from a misunderstanding or violation of its rules and regulations by officers of this Department, and also to confer with Admiral Porter for the purpose of devising a plan by which the inter- ests of the Government in this particular may be better I)rotected. With great respect, ~. ~. CIjA~, Secretary of the Treasury. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [jEnclosure.] Rcgula tiorts. The only places on the Mississippi between Memphis and Cairo to which merchandise can be permitted to go for sale are Columbus, Hickman, and New Madrid. Permits to all other places can only be granted for strictly family supplies, upon the personal application of the party who is to use them, and upon his affidavit that they are for his own use and shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of to other parties, and that he is loyal to the Government of the United States, and will in all things so deport himself. It is agreed that trade with Helena, Ark., shall be opened from the 1st day of January, 1863, subject to the following conditions, viz: First. Permits may be granted to ship merchandise to that place only upon the recommendation of the board of trade, to be appointed at once, there, by the special agent of the Treasury Department at Memphis. Persons residing on or near the river, between Memphis and Helena, may have permits for strictly family supplies for their own use, b~it all applications for such permits must be made in person by the party who is to use them, to the surveyor at Memphis or board of trade at Helena, and the permits granted must be subject to compliance with any military orders pertaining to the place of destination. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Howell, commanding U. S. ram Lancaster, to proceed to duty near Napoleon, Ark. FEBRUARY 3, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Napoleon and take your station 1~ miles below the town, and will give convoy and protection to all vessels that pass up or down. You will fire on any body of men or horsemen who show them- selves anywhere about the vicinity of your station on the Arkansas shore Page 230 230 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. You will not leave your station until relieved or ordered to do so, and you will report to Captain Selfridge, the naval commanding officer, the first time he comes to Napoleon. Send him word that you are there by the first opportunity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 211 ississippi Squadron. Lieutenant P. F. HOWELL~ Commanding Ram Lancaster. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of War, trans- mitt~ng complaint from Mr. Jame8 1?. Fads, constructor of iron- dads, regarding impressment of transports. NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 3, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a letter re- ceived by this Department from Mr. J. B. Eads, of St. Louis, rela- tive to the difficulties experienced by him in receiving iron, caused by the impressment by the Government of the steam transports on the Ohio River. Mr. Eads is a contractor with this Department for the construc- tion of four ironclad gunboats, and has relied upon these transports for the delivery of the iron plating from the rolling mill. rihe work on his boats has been seriously delayed by not receiving the iron plating as fast as required, owing to the want of transports, and as the Department is anxious to have these gunboats finished at the earliest possible date, I would earnestly request that the petition of Mr. Lads, to have the packet Bostona exempted from impress- ment;~~ also that the superintendent of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad be instructed to avoid delay in delivering his iron at St. Louis, be granted. Very respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of the Navy. Secretary of War. [Enclosure.] WASHINGTON, January 31, 1863. SIR: I beg to inform you that I have repeatedly suffered serious disappointments in receiving my supplies of iron for building the gunboats contracted for, caused by the impressment of transports on the Ohio River engaged to transport said iron to me. The Government officers on that river have taken nearly every steamboat on it for the purposes of the service, and I have now to rely almost solely upon the packet Bostoma, plying between Ports- mouth and Cincinnati, for the delivery of the iron at Cincinnati from the rolling mill, and pray that some order be given which will pre- vent her from being taken also; and that a further order be issued instructing the superintendent of the Ohio and Mississippi Rail- road to avoid delay in delivering the iron to me at St. Louis, as Page 231 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 231 am, by the monopolizing of the river steamers by the Government, compelled to depend almost entirely upon this line of transportation from Cincinnati. With great respect, I remain, your obedient servant, JAMES B. EAD5. Captain G. V. Fox, U. S. Navy, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Captain Sutherland, commanding U. S. ram Monarch, to proceed to duty off Greenville, Miss. YAzoo iRlvEii, February 3, 1863. SIR: You will proceed up the river as far as Greenville and relieve Lieutenant-Commander Prichett at that place. You will protect all vessels going up or coming down, and do all the harm you can to guerrilla parties. Lieutenant-Commander Prichett will turn over to you all his orders, which you will also turn over to the person who relieves you. You need not relieve Lieutenant-Commander Prichett until you have attended to your own affairs in that quarter. Be prudent in visting the shore, and take every precaution against sur- prise. If any of our own troops visit the plantations and commit any outrages on the inhabitants or property, you will order them to em- bark; and if they do not do so, you will fire upon them until they obey my orders. iRespectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Captain F. W. SUTHERLAND, U. S. Ram Monarch. Report of Commodore Hull, U. S. Navy, transmitting list of iron gunboats under construction at St. Louis and Pittsburg. ST. Louis, Mo., February 3, 1863. SIR: In reply to your letter of the 26th ultimo, in relation to the progress of the iron gunboats, their names, and the batteries they are calculated to carry, I herewith enclose a list containing their names, present condition, and the time required to finish them, as estimated by the constructor, Mr. Hartt. The progress of their construction has been very much retarded by causes connected with the disturbed state of things beyond the con- trol of the contractor. A large number of workmen have been con- stantly employed, and the contractor at this place has used his best efforts to hasten the work. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. J. B. HULL, Commodore, Superintending. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Cairo Page 232 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Enclosure.] List of iron gunboats building at St. Louis and Pittsburg. Where Time Name of vessel and armament, building. Present condition, required to finish. Days. 1. Osage, one turret, 2 XI-inch guns... St Louis Launched; nearly complete 60 2. Neosho, one turret, 2 XI-inch guns do Ready to launch 75 3. Winnebago, two turrets, 4 XI-inch do In frame and planked and much 130 guns inside work done. 4. Milwaukee, two turrets, 4 XI-inch do In frame and partly planked; bulk- 140 guns heads mostly done 5. Chickasaw, two turrets, 4 XI-inch do Partly in frame and planked 150 guns. 6. Kickapoo, two turrets, 4 XI-inch do Not yet laid down; considerable 190 guns iron ready. 7 Marietta, one turret, 2 XI-inch guns Pittsburg Partly in frame and planked 140 8 Sandusky, one turret, 2 XI-inch do do 140 guns. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Noel, U. S. Navy, command- ing U. S. S. Pittsburg, giving list of men transferred from the Army. U. S. S. PITTSBURG, February 3, 1863. List of men transferred from the army by General Grant, now on this vessel, their time having expired on the following dates: Name. David Morgan Henry Hempdt John Kenney Daul. Breene John Scanlin Bart Stoker George Lamber Charles Bidell Fredk. Hariman Thomas Burke David ii. Hakes Levi F. Harson John Carr Joseph Blythe Branch of service. Stuarts Cavalry do do do do .... .do Thirty-third Illinois Volunteers do Fourth Illinois Cavalry Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers Date. February 2, 1863. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. February 5, 1863. Do. January 29, 1863. February 4, 1863. SIR: The above men belonging to this vessel Claim their discharge from the accompanying dates. They are upon the books of this vessel for the war, but they all deny ever having signed articles except for one years serviced The original shipping articles as near as I can learn, are not to be found. The accompanying circular explains the condition upon which tIm men entered the gunboat service. Ten of the men were transferred from General Shermans command (see original order accompanying this communication), the other four were transferred from General Grants command. I would respect- fully recommend that the above men be discharged from the service. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. R. HOEL~ Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. S. Pittsburg. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron~. 23 Page 233 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 233 [EnclosureCircular.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Cairo, Ill., January 20, 1862. Commanders of regiments will report to these headquarters without delay the names of rivers and seafaring men of their respective COWL- mands who are willing to be transferred from the military to the gunboat service. Seeing the importance of fitting out our gunboats as speedily as possible, it is hoped there will be no delay or objections lalsed by company or regimental commanders in responding to this call. Men thus volunteering will be discharged at the end of one year, or at the end of the war, should it terminate sooner. By order: U. S. GRANT, Brigadier- General, Commanding. The above is a true copy of a circular published in the St. Louis Democrat of January 22, 1862. WM. IL HOEL., Acting T7olunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. AS. Pittsburg. Report of Lieutenant Howell, commanding U. S. ram Lancaster, making request regarding the disposition of a prisoner. STEAM RAM LANCASTER, Yazoo River, February 3, 1863. SIR: Captain Sutherland, of the U. S. ram Queen of the TVest, took a prisoner at Skipworths [Skipwithl Landing while the di- vision of the fleet, under Lieutenant-Commander Prichett, was lying there. His name is Thomas J. Frisby. On the evening of February 1, Captain Sutherland sent said prisoner to my boat, as the Queen was about to run the blockade. I have no accommodations for him, my boat being already crowded to its full capacity; and, besides, he is quite sick and I have no physician on board. I respectfully request that you will make some other disposition of him or authorize me to do so. Very respectfully, P. F. HOWELL, Lieutenant, Commanding Rain Lancaster. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi kSquadron. Letter from Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear- Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, expressing indignation at the state- ments of the press. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Vicksburg, February 4, 1863. DEAR SIR: I thank you most heartily for your kind and considerate letter, February 3, received this day, and am more obliged than yo Page 234 234 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. can under5tand, as it covers many points I had neglected to guard against. Before Vicksburg my mind was more intent on the enemy intrenched behind those hills than on the spies and intriguers in my own camp and at home.,~ The spirit of anarchy seems deep at work at the North, more alarm- ing than the batteries that shell at us from the opposite shore. I am going to have the correspondent of the New York Herald tried by a court-martial as a spy, not that I want the fellow shot, but because I want to establish the principle that such people can not attend our armies in violation of orders and defy ns, publishing their garbled statements and defaming officers who are doing their best. You of the Navy can control all who sail under your flag, whilst we are almost compelled to carry along in our midst a class of men who on Government transports usurp the best staterooms and accommo- dations of the boats, pick up the drop conversations of officers, and report their limited and tainted observations as the history of events -they neither see nor comprehend. This should not be, and mnst not be. We ~an not prosper in military operations if we submit to it, and as some one must begin the attack I must assume the ungracious task. I shall always account myself fortunate to be near the officers of the Old Navy, and would be most happy if I could think it possible the Navy and the Army of our conntry could ever again enjoy the high tone of honor and honesty that characterized them in the days of our youth. With sentiments of profound respect for you and the officers of your fleet, I am, truly, yours, W. T. SHERMAN, Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Major-General of Volunteers. Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding distinguishing lights for the U. S. ram Queen of the West. U. S. Mississi~~i SQUADRON, February 4, 1863. GENERAL: In case the Queen of the West should come np the river from below Vicksburg at night she will carry three vertical lights. I mention this so that she will not be fired npon by our batteries. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, DAvID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Commanding Department of Tennessee, etc. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Lan gthorne, U. S. Naey, for the protection of the steamer Soy- ereign, at Memphis. FEBRUARY 4, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Memphis withont delay and lie close to the Sovereiqn while she is undergoing repairs. No doubt, attempt Page 235 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 235 will be made to burn her. - See that your guns cover h~r completely, and also see that every precaution is taken at night against a sur- prise on the Sovereign of any kind. Tell the commander I say to have his planks hauled in at sunset, and guns trained on the bank. When she is ready convoy her down here and do not lose sight of her. Very respectfully, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Ahsszss~ppi Squadron. Acting Master A. IL LANCTHORNE, U. S. Navy, Commanding Cricket. Letter from Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Laning, f. S. Navy, to Captain 1l~alke, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Lafayette, re- garding work on that vessel. ST. Louis, February 4, 1863. SIR: Captain Pennock refers me to you in all matters relating to construction on the Lafayette with regard to altering the ports. I can only say that they were made under orders of Captain 0. C. Badger (the ordnance officer in charge at the time) 32 inches~ wide, and I think the expense of altering and the labor required should be fur- nished by the Navy. If, however, you differ with me, or think that the work can be expedited so as to get the vessel ready for service sooner thereby, you will please direct Mr. Cutting to make such alter- ations as you (leem necessary. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. LANING, Acting [Volunteer] Lieutenant, f. S. Navy, Superintenden t Construction. Captain H. WALKE, U. S. Navy, Commanding Gunboat Lafayette. Lett~r from the Secretary of IVar to the Secretary of the Navy, acknowledging receipt of complaint of James B. Fads. WAR DEPARTMENT, February 4, 1863. SIR: The Secretary of War directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday, transmitting a copy of a letter received by your Department from Mr. J. B. Eads, of St. Louis, a contractor for the construction of ironclad gunboats, relative to the difficulties experienced by him in receiving iron, by the impressment by the Government of the steam transports on the Ohio River, and requesting that his petition to have the packet Bostona, plying between Portsmouth and Cincinnati, exempted from impressment, and also that the superintendent of the Ohio and Mississippi Rail- road be instructed to avoid delay in delivering his iron at St. Louis, may he granted. In reply, the Secretary instructs me to ~ay that this Department has no control of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. If Mr. Ead Page 236 236 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. will state what quantity of iron he desires to transport from Ports- mouth to Cincinnati and the times at which he wants to send the same, orders will be given to the military authorities to afford such facilities as they are able to render. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. II. WATSON, A88i8tant Secretary of War. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Seizure at Island No. 10, by the U. S. S. New Era, of the steamboat JJ7 A. Knapp, February 4, 1863. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting papers. No. 112.] U. S. Mississippi SQUADRON, February 15, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith papers in relation to the seizure of the steamer W. A. Knapp by U. S. S. New Era, for having on board contraband goods and munitions of war. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 5, 1863. Gunboat New Era has captured steamboat TV. A. Knapp, with valuable cargo. The captain, crew, and others, calling themselves passengers, have been made prisoners. Come to Cairo in order to take measures in regard to the prize and prisoners immediately, if possible. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. D. L. PHILLIPS, U. S. Marshal, Springfield, Ill. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of executive officer of the U. S. S. New Era. OFFICE Mississir~i SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 6, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith copies of two reports made to me by Acting Ensign Hanford, U. S. S. New Era, relative to the capture of the steamboat TV. A. Knapp, at Island No. 10, by that vessel, and the seizure of her cargo and detention of all on board Page 237 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 237 for being engaged in contraband trade. The Knapp and prisoners are now at Cairo (I having turned the latter over to the military authorities for safe-keeping), and I have telegraphed to the U. S. marshal at Springfield, Ill., to come to Cairo for the purpose of taking proper measures in regard to them. I have placed Acting Master Tayon on board of the prize as prize master. A man by the name of Montgomery came here yesterday with an order from the Secretary of the Treasury for the release of the steamer New National. I referred him to you, and I believe that he has gone down to the fleet. It is my impression that I wrote you on the subject in my private letter of the 1st instant. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding 2lIi88is8ippi Squadron. [Enclosures.] U. S. GUNBOAT NEW ERA, I8land No. 10, February 4, 1863. SIR: I hereby transmit to you a statement in regard to the capture of the steamer W. A. Knapp. At 10:30 this a. m. I saw a small steamer coming down the river, which I concluded to bring to and overhaul, which I did immediately. I went on board and asked to see her papers, which were shown me, and noticing that they had been tampered with, I determined to over- haul everything on board and to give her a thorough examination. Seeing a great number of men on board for so small a boat, I asked the revenue aid if there were any passengers on board. He told me there were none. I next went below, and noticing a large box with the marks obliterated from it, I concluded to open it, and sent for the carpenters mate to open it, when the revenue aid told me it was all right and that it was no use to open it. I told him I would see for myself. When I opened the box I found it to contain contraband goodscalicoes, flannels, and butternut cloth. I also opened several other boxes and found them to contain all goods contraband of war and not entered on the manifest. I then ordered the revenue aid, pas- sengers, and crew on board the gunboat and manned the steamer with my own crexv and officers. I next went into the cabin and found three trunks, which I burst open, the revenue aid continually remon- strating with me on the course I was pursuing, as he repeatedly told me the goods were all under his charge and he knew them to be all right, and found them to contain revolvers, quinine, and morphine. As soon as possible after the capture I took the captain of her (Cap- tain Day) on board and proceeded on my way to Cairo. At the foot of Island No. 8 the piston rod of the doctor broke, and I hailed the towboat Jim Wat8on to take me in tow to Cairo. Being short of coal, I gave her 100 bushels from the prize and signed her bill of towage, subject to your approval, as I was not acquainted with the rates of towing on this river. The passengers, together with the cre Page 238 238 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. of the W. A. Knapp, are held as prisoners on board the New Era, awaiting your orders. My prize crew consists of an ~ngine~r, pilot, two masters mates, and seven men. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. HANFORD, Executive Officer New Era. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commmandant of Station. CAIRO, ILL., February 6, 1863. SIR: In accordance with your order, I transmit to you a report of the conversation that passed between me and the Government aid of the prize steamer TV. A. Knapp. My first question to him was, Have you any passengers on board? He distinctly told me, No; there were no passengers. But I found out afterwards that there were quite a number. The reason of my asking that question was that I saw a greater number of men on board than were necessary to man so small a steamer. I next went on the forecastle, where a large box (the marks just taken off) attracted my attention. I sent for our carpenter to bring a cold chisel and hammer, as I wished him to open a box. The revenue aid heald me, and stepped up to me and told me [that] that box was going to Memphis and was all right, and that everything on board was under his charge and that the box was entered upon the ma nifest for Memphis. I went for the manifest and found out that it was not on it, and told him I would examine the box and satisfy myself, which I did, and found it to contain goods contraband of war and for which there was no permit to have them landed at Memphis. I next opened two more boxes with the marks obliterated and found them to contain shoes and stove fixtures, cavalry boots, etc. I next went to the cabin and found three trunks that I opened, the Government aid remonstrating with me about opening them and stating to me that they were all right and were under his charge. I opened them and found them to contain arms and medicine. I ordered all on board the New Era, with the Government aid, to be held as prisoners, subject to your order. I have been on board the W. A. K pp during and since her cap- ture. I seized all her books and papers, together with the steamer and cargo, and have delivered them all over to Captain Woodworth, according to your order. From what I have seen in the actions of the whole number of men on board, revenue aid not excepted, I believe that they are all impli- cated in the matter, with the exceptlon of the firemen. I visited the guard house this morning, according to your order, and found all the passengers and crew there, with the exception of Day, master, who is held as a prisoner on board U. S. gunboat Glide. There is one man who calls himself John Allen, and from the description I have had of the man, his right name is J. C. Freeman, and has been arrested several times for being in the same business, and Captain Day, of the prize, has stated to me that this John Allen was under a fictitious name, but that h~ was not acquainted with his right name Page 239 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 239 I have now given you a complete statement of my proceeding in regard to her capture, and it is my opinion that all are guilty and none innocent. Hoping that all my proceedings in regard to her capture will meet your approval, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W~~. C. HANFORD, Executive Officer, New Era. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain an.d Commandant of Station. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 5, 1863. (Received 3.10 a. in., 6th.) I have received the following dispatch for transmission to the De~ partment: MEMPHIS, TENN., FcbrRary 5, 1863a. in. Major-General Hamilton informs me that he has reliable information from Mobile that a very extensive expedition is about to be made to captnre the ~toreships at that place, the men engaged in it to have one-half the prizes. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain. GiDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. Report of Lieutenant Howell, commanding ram Lancaster, regarding the impaired condition of that vessel. U. S. RAM LANCASTER, Mouth White River, February 5, 1863. DEAR Sni: I have to report to you that my boat is in a disabled con- dition and totally unfit for service. Her boilers are completely worn out and leaking at all points. My engineers have tendered their resig- nations on account of their dangerous condition, and were they not compelled would not stay by them an hour longer. I may, with great care, be able to take her to Cairo for repairs, but nothing more. Very respectfully, P. F. HOWELL, Lieutenant, Coin manding Steam Ram Lancaster. Captain Tnos. 0. SELERIDGE, Commanding U. S. Gunboat Conestoga. [Telegram.] FORT DONELSON, February 5, 1863. Expect to leave for Nashville in the morning early. Gunboats all right. Did their duty here, and have the satisfaction of knowing that we killed a rebel. LE Ro~ FITCH, Commandin~g. Captain A. M. PENNOCK Page 240 ~4O NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] CAIiIo, ILL., February 5, 1863. Admiral Porter writes me that there is an urgent necessity for the new mortar boats. Will you please inform me What progress is being made with them, and send them down here as soon as finished? A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Statwn. Commodore J. B. HULL, St. Louis, 110. [Telegram.] ST. Louis, February 5, 1863. The mortar boats are finished and waiting for transportation down. River obstructed by ice. J. B. HULL, Commodore. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captairt, Cairo. Letter from Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear- Admiral Poi ter, U. S. Navy, regarding imeaeur~s for sup plying coal to the vassels. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY Conrs, Camp before Vielesburg, February 6, 1863. DEAR SIR: I did not get to my quarters till near midnight last night, when I foulid your note of yesterday about the coal. Major Ham- mond had told me that he had answered that the roads were awful, and to haul the coal in wagons is a simple impossibility. You saw them in fair weather and can judge of them in foul. o drainage, rain above, and water underneath and all around, and a sticky, slimy clay, all militate against roads. The canal is full of water and threatens our camps; still I think barges could work through the canal. In thi way coal could reach here at great labor. Again, a barge could be carried by night and turned loose and let her pick it up. This latter plan was suggested by the officer of the ram Queen of the West when I was on board of her yesterday after- noon. Colonel Ellet seems to be full of energy and resources. If he will devise a practical method of getting coal to his boats and needs assistance which I can give, tell him to call on me. Since Captain Breese passed through the canal in his skiff several logs and obstructions have been removed and the current has cut more width and depth. Captain Prime, to facilitate the opening of a new mouth, has tempor rily closed the old one; still water finds its way in and runs through with a strong current, and so threatens the over- flow of the ground south of the railroad that I have ordered the removal of the camps to this side of the railroad, but will keep strong guards at the foot of the canal and at the Biggs place Page 241 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 241 Dont you want two 30-pounder Parrott guns on that side, and th. ferryboat now all loaded with cotton and covered with iron? I am, etc., W. T. SHERMAN. Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Pilot Duffy, of the U. S. S. General Bragg, regarding the advantages of that vessel as a dispatch boat. U. S. S. GENERAL BRA~, Off Mouth of Arkansas River, February 6, 18~3. SIR: I have the honnr of stating to you the qualities of this vessel, having been detailed to her by Flag-Officer C. H. Davis, on the 0th of June, 1862, and having become thoroughly conversant with her running, and being under the impression that you are not aware of her peculiar fitness for a dispatch boat. She is the fastest vessel in your squadron, making 10~ miles by the bank, upstream, in the present stage of the river, and from 17 to 18 down the river. She is also one of the cheapest boats in regard to fuel in the squadron, consuming only 260 bushels of coal in twenty-four hours when run- ning. As a fighting boat not much can be said for her in her present condition, her guns being of too small caliber for effective service, but by giving her a 100-pounder Parrott gun forward and a 10-inch smoothbore shell gun aft her batteries would be made much more effective, and the heavy weight forward and aft would have a tend- ency to straighten her up and counteract her extra draft amidship, caused at present by the weight of her machinery and the bulkhead of compressed cotton used for the protection of her boilers. Believing that your knowledge of the above facts will be for the benefit of your squadron, I in, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. L. DUFFY, Pilot, U. S. S. General Bragg. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Selfridge, U. S. Navy, regarding affairs in Arkansas. U. S. S. CoNEs~rooA, Off IVhite River, February 6, 1863. SIR: I was compelled to write you in great haste last evening, thinking it important that you should know that the army are mak- ing use of the navy coal at Helena. From the information gathered by Lieutenant Dominy, of the Signal, I should judge the rebels have no heavy guns in the river up to Little Rock. A passenger told him that after the capture of the Tt1N W RVOL 24101 Page 242 242 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. post the gunboats were daily expected, but the idea was now gen- erally given up. The ram Pontchartrain has not had steam up for some time. Some men are still at work upon her. She requires a good deal of pump- ing to keep her free. She has as yet no guns. She has no officers of consequence. One of her engineers was on duty on the flag-of- truce boat. She is represented as being casemated with 20 inches of wood and railroad iron to abaft her wheels. Hiudman is represented with 16,000 troops at Little Rock, Mc- Cullough with 6,000 at Pine Bluff fortifying, Marmaduke with 3,000 cavalry at Dardenelle. These numbers are greatly overesti- mated as effective troops, as Little Rock is represented as full of sick soldiers. I think a sudden movement upon Little Rock very feasible,and, barring accidents, we could capture or destroy the ram, and destroy the public property to a vast extent. I should like very much to command an expedition for this purpose. My present force, not including the Bragg, with the addition of the Tyler and a side-wheel ram, would enable us to move with celerity, and sufficient, if we can effect a surprise, to accomplish the main object. My plan would be to run all batteries and make no more stoppages than possible until we reached the Ponteharirain or Little Rock. If you think favorably of my plan, and are willing that I should try it, a pilot acquainted with the river would have to be obtained from the lower fleet. I regret to report another death from typhus fever, Will Akers (seaman). We have a large sick list, but I hope no more dangerous cases. The ram Lanca8ter reported verbally for duty yesterday. Her com- manding officer represented her to be in a totally unfit condition; a copy of his report I enclose. I sent my chief engineer aboard to exam- ine, who, corroborating the statement, I allowed her to go on to Cairo. I have four men enlisted for one year whose times have expired; shall I discharge them and send them to Cairo to be paid off? Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THos. 0. SELYRJDGE, Lieutenant- Comqr& ander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding Mississip Squadron. Unofficial letter from the Assistant Secretary of the Nacy to Acting Rear-Admiral Porte% U. S. Navy, regarding matters pertaining to the Ahsssssspp~ Squadron. NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 6, 1863. DEAR SIR: I have your letter. You did well at Arkansas Post, and we shall get you a vote of thanks for it. All the New Orleans names being thrown out. If you open the Father of Waters you will at once be made an admiral; besides, we will try for a ribboned star. Your victory is well timed. The disgraceful affair at Galveston has shaken the public confidence in our prestige. Five gunboats were sunk and dispersed by two river steamboats armed with one gu Page 243 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 243 (which burst at the third fire) and filled oniy with soldiers, the attack of the enemy being known the day before. It is too cowardly to place on paper. Poor Wainwright did well. Renshawbah! he is dead. The others ran, though one of the enemys river boats was sunk and the other jammed under the Ha jet Lanes guard. Bell was sent down immediately with a large squadron and bombarded it from the ocean; nobody hurt. The Harriet Lane, our best boat, will soon be off privateering. We have exciting news from Charleston, which, though it looks like a hoax, is yet very possible, and impossi- ble to have guarded against and stood faithfully by the blockade. Charleston will get enough of it very soon, and the whole nest of traitors there be roasted put. Frank Blair writes very complimentary of your operations, and says they are very jealous of the Navy. I trust your people will not show any of it. Do your work up clean, as at Arkansas, and the public will never be in doubt who did it. The flaming army correspondence misleads nobody. Keep cool, be very modest under great success, as a contrast to the soldiers. Let them all see that the public service is your guide. Strengthen the Mississippi at Jeff. Daviss place, and be very sure we shall take care of you and your best interests. You have rather left iRosecrans in the lurch, and there is the devil to pay about his communications. We have telegraphed Pennock a dozen times about it, and the War Department has made several appeals to us. I see they have just taken five trans- ports on the Cumberland River. His communications are of vital importance. * * * * We wrote you about cutting the canal farther back. My impression is that it would be cheaper and better to set the whole army to work upon the new spot and turn the river clear of the hills and let Vicks- burg go. I doubt whether the army can take it, and I do not see how you can do anything more than bombard it, which I would not do except for an object. The moment the canal is opened, away you go to Port Hudson. Banks will never take that, so it must come from you and Grant to really open the river. I dislike to see you all set down for a long siege at Vicksburg. The country can not stand it at home or abroad. The President is of my opinion, that you better cut through farther back and do it at once. Very truly, yours, G. V. Fox. Acting Rear-Admiral DAvID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Cairo, Ill. Combined expedition through Yazoo Pass into the Coidwater and liallahatchee i ivers, including attacks upon Fort Pemberton (Greenwood), February 6 to April 12, 1863. Detailed report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding ex- pedition, to March 18, 1863. IJ. S. Mississw~i SQUADRON, Flagship Black Hawk, November 2, 1863. Sin: In accordance with your request, I have the honor to offer the following report of the expedition down the Yazoo Pass, Goldwate Page 244 244 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATEIt~. and Tallahatchie rivers, for the time that I commanded the vessels of the squadron engaged in it, being from February 6, 1863, to March 18, 1863. I insert your order in relation to the time of leaving, organization, and force of the expedition: U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, February 6, 1863. SIR: You will proceed with the Rattler and Romeo to Delta, near Helena, where you will find the Forest Rose engaged in trying to enter the Yazoo Pass. You xviii order the kiyaat, now at White River, to accompany you; and if the Cricket comes down while you are at Delta, detain her also, or the Liaden. Lieutenant-Commander Foster will also be ordered to accompany you. You will obtain coal enough from Helena to enable you to carry on operations for some time. Your vessels had better all go to Helena and coal and start from there with as much coal in tow (say two barges) as will answer. Do not enter the Yazoo Cut until the current is quite slack; and some small transport will have to go ahead, and the soldiers xvill cut away the trees and branches, so as not to endanger the smokestacks of the steamers. Proceed carefully, and only in the daytime; 600 or 800 soldiers xviii be de- tached to accompany you, and you will take 100 on board of each light-draft. See that the army send a very small steamer, with stores from Helena. Get all the pilots you can who are acquainted with the different branches of the rivers. You may find them at Helena. You xviii keep perfect order amonb the troops while on board your vessels or under your orders. Subject them to strict military rules, and see that every order you gix-e is promptly obeyed. When you get to the Tallahatchie, proceed with all dispatch to a scend it as far as the railroad crossing, and completely destroy the railroad bridge at that point, after which you will, if possible, cut the telegraph wires and proceed down the river to the mouth of the Yalobusha. You will fill up with coal and leave the coal barges at that place in charge of a light-draft vessel and dash on to Grenada; destroy completely the railroad bridge, and retire at once doxvn the river without any further damage, excepting to destroy means of transl)ortation (which you xvill do in all cases) and you will destroy all small boats. When you get to the Yalobusha, you will proceed with all your force down the Yazoo River and endeavor to get into Sunflower River, where, it is said, all the large steamers are stowed away. These you will not have time to capture; therefore you will destroy them, keeping an account, as near as you can, of the value of the property that falls into your hands. Obtain all the information you can in relation to ironclads, and destroy them if you can while they are on the stocks. If this duty is performed as I expect it to be, we will strike a terrible blow at the enemy, who do not anticipate an attack from such a quarter. But you must guard against surprise, and if overxvhelmed run your vessels on the bank and set fire to them. Be careful of your coal, and lay in wood where you can find it. By going along only in the daytime, under low steam, you can cruise some time. But after doing the damage I have mentioned in my orders, ascend the river again to the Yazoo Cut-off, and report to me by a dispatch boat. You will likely find Honey Island fortified. If it has guns on it, and you can take them, destroy them effectually and blow up the fort. Do not risk anything by encumbering yourself with prisoners, except officers, whom you must not parole. Do not engage batteries with the light vessels. The Chillicothe will do the fighting. Let me hear from you as soon as possible, and give me full accounts of what you do. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Aetimg Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding First Division Light-Draft Vessels, Mississippi Squadron Page 245 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 245 [Extract.] U. S. MississirPi SQUADRON, February 16, 1863. SIR: * * * I have already written to you not to go up the Tallahatchie, and if there is any danger of the Yalobusha being obstructed with trees, dont go there. The great object is to get to Yazoo City, and below, and up the Sun- flower, to destroy the boats. * * * * * * * Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding First Division Light-Drafts, U. S. S. Rattler. On reaching Helena, Ark., February 13, learned that the clearing of the Yazoo Pass for the unobstructed passage of the gunboats and transports of the expedition was a work of far greater magnitude than had been anticipated, and that, instead of a few days being suffi- cient to clear its course, weeks would be required with an additional force of thousands of troops to the hundreds who had commenced the task. As from this delay the expedition would no longer bear the charac- ter of a surprise upon the enemy, as I believe had been intended at its conception, the interval was employed in obtaining additional ordnance and other stores, and the steamer Yai on De Kaib and light-draft steamer iJ/armora were added to the force. On February 20, believing the Pass to be almost free from obstruc- tions and ready for our entrance, I entered Moon Lake in the U. S. 8. Rattler, accompanied by the Chillicothe, Lieutenant-Commander James P. Foster; Baron De Kaib, Lieutenant-Commander John G. Walker; Marmora, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Robert Getty; Forest Rose, Acting Master George XV. Brown; Romeo, Acting lEn- sign Robert B. Smith; Signal, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant C. Dom- my; and S. Bayard, towboat, with three coal barges; in all, 27,000 bushels, to be taken through in charge of the gunboats and that vessel. Anchoring at a convenient position for entering the Pass, awaited the report of the commanding officer of the force engaged in clear- ing the pass and the arrival of the troop steamers that were to accom- pany us. On February 26, the vessels engaged in the work of clearing the pass having reached Moon Lake, the expedition, consisting of the gunboats mentioned, with 100 soldiers on each light draft and 13 transports, said to bear 4,500 troops, entered Yazoo Pass, the Chillicothe having the advance, followed by the De Kalb, the light- draft gunboats being distributed for the convenient transportation of the coal and the protection of the troop vessels. The width of the stream admitted only of the passage of the vessels in one line, and it was soon evident that the speed would be much less than had been hoped for. It was necessarily less than the current of the stream, backing and checking with lines being the only means of rounding tbe numerous turns and to avoid collision with trees and shore. February 28, reached Goldwater River. This stream admitting of more rapid progress, the leading gunboats were hastened, gaining distance upon those yet in the pass Page 246 246 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. While waiting for the transports, emptied one of the coal barges, it being desirable to free the expedition of those encumbrances. At this time the light-draft gunboat Petrel, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant George P. Lord, with a 13-inch mortar and ammunition for 75 rounds, and the rams Lioness and Fulton, reported for duty in the expedition. Neither of the rams being in condition for service, the means at hand for improving them were at once employed. The vessels had suffered in the narrow stream just left, some being without smokestacks and with damaged wheels, the woodwork of the light-draft being much torn, but nothing had occurred to impair their efficiency. Such repairs as were necessary were made at night. At this time detailed the Petrel and rain Lioness to act in conjunc7 tion with an army force in collecting cotton for defense. An abundant supply was thus obtained without delay, and reliable defenses arranged for riflemen upon the upper decks. At about 10 miles below the j unction of the Coldwater and Talla- hatchie rivers burning cotton gave evidence of the recent presence of the enemy. Sending the Chillicothe and De Kaib ahead, a large steamboat named the Parallel, loaded with cotton, was fired by the rebels to avoid its capture; vessel and cargo were completely destroyed. The navigation of the Tallahatchie was much more free than that of the other two streams. When within 20 miles of a neck of land, fourth of a mile across and 7 by the course of the river, were informed by negroes that the site had been selected by the rebels as a point of defense; that guns had been mounted, an obstructing raft built and placed in the river, and the place strongly garrisoned. On the next morning, March 11, advanced on board the Chillicotiw, accompanied by Brigadier-General L. F. Ross, commanding the troops of the expedition, to learn something of the enemys position and strength. A turn in the stream brought us within view, at about 900 yards distance. The enemy immediately opened fire, with apparently five guns, striking the Chillicothe repeatedly and seriously damaging the for- ward face of the casemate, starting the iron plates and bolts, and driving back the 9-inch white-pine backing. Returned the fire from the Chillicothes battery of two 11-inch guns, and, on concluding our observations, withdrew the Ciiiilicothe to arrange an attack. Soon after, however, the rebels appeared to be shipping cattle and goods from the battery. Advanced the Chillicothe and De I{alb and commenced shelling the enemy, the ram Lioness being in readiness for immediate use. They had been engaged but a few minutes, when, going on the Chillicothe, found that the forward face of her casemate had been nearly destroyed by the enemys fire of solid conical shot. Much damage had also resulted from the explosion of one of the Chillicothes 11-inch shells, caused by being struck by a shell from the enemy at the moment of loading, both exploding; pieces of each were found. The enemys shell had entered the port, though it wa Page 247 247 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. at the time opened only enongh to allow the handle of the rammer, about to be used, to pass out in the operation of loading. The explosion had killed and wonnded 14 of the gnns crew, and thrown the port covers ont, one overboard, the other npon the for- ward deck. They each weighed 1,800 ponnds. The 11-inch gnn, although strnck on the muzzle, proved to be unmj ured. Other shots strnck, killing 1 man and reducing the casemate almost to a wreck. The Chillicothe and De Kaib were strengthening themselves with cotton when advanced, and I now withdrew them for the purpose of completing that work. As there was but room for the Chillicothe and the De Kaib to lie abreast in engaging the rebel battery, and the light-draft gnnboats being prohibited from engaging batteries, I landed a 30-pounder Parrott gnn from the Rattler and subseqnently one of the same kind from the Forest Rose. These guns the army dragged at night to a position abont ~00 yards from the enemy in the woods, on the right bank, and protected them with a serviceable breastwork of earth and cotton. The guns were manned and provided from the gunboats. March 12 was occnpied in protecting the bows of the Chillieotlie and De Kaib with cotton, and repairing as far as practicable the Chillicothe in front, substituting the side port covers for those lost or irreparably injured. The vacancies occasioned in the Chillicothes crew were supplied from the light-drafts, and at 11 a. m. of March 13, recommenced the attack with the Chillicothe and Dc Kaib, the mortar in charge of Acting Master W. E. H. Fentress, and the two 30-pounder Parrott guns on shore. The vessels engaged at about 800 yards distance. It being necessary to secure them against falling below, if disabled, boats manned and equipped with the necessary lines attended them from the light drafts. In the commencement of this fight the enemy fired with rapidity and accuracy, delivering their shot with damaging effect upon the Chillieotlie. The De Kaib was also severely handled, one shot penetrating the forward casemate, another entering between two ports as she swung a little, cutting a dozen beams, killing 1 man, and mortally wounding an officer and another of the crew; also cutting the wheel ropes. The enemys best guns were silent for a time before the Chillicothe and De Kaib were withdrawn, the former to fill shells. When about to advance, received information from General Ross of the approach of reinforcements for his command, and a proposal to await their arrival before assaulting the place. The condition of the Chillicothe induced me to agree to this, and the two days following were employed in repairing and strengthen- ing that vessel and the De Kaib. On the night of March 15 landed an 8-inch broadside gun from the De Kaib, the troops placing it with the others, the light-drafts manning it. On March iG the Chilijeothe and De Kaib, having had their powers of endurance increased by placing well-pressed bales of cotton befor Page 248 248 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. their casemates, and the shattered casemate of the Chillicothe being as strong as our limited means could make it, a plan of attack was agreed upon with General Ross, the intention being to attack the fort at a less distance, and if successful in silencing the enemy to advance three of the light-drafts with all the troops they could carry, provided that before landing to storm the fort the general could in the meantime ascertain the character of the landing where his iuen must disembark. Conscious of the dependence of the expedition for success upon the Chillicothe and De Kaib, means were again provided for withdrawing them in the event of their becoming disabled, our experience of the effect of the enemys fire rendering such a result quite possible. At 11: 30 opened fire with the 8-inch and two 30-pounder Parrott guns on shore as the ChiUjeothe and De Kaib advanced to a closer position than before. In less than fifteen minutes the ChiUjeothe was rendered quite ineffectual by the port slide cover of the port front port being struck with a 68-pound shot, breaking through, though not passing through, and causing such elevations and depressions in the plates as to render it impossible to slide back the port covers for the purpose of running out the gun. At the same time the iron covering and surrounding the other port was similarly disarranged, preventing the working of that gun also. So situated and with limited means for remedying the difficulties, the only alternative was to withdraw for repairs. Meanwhile no additional information had been reported concern- ing the place where it had been designed to land the troops. The Chillicothe8 powers of endurance were evidently unequal to the task of sustaining the fire of the guns used by the enemy. The work of giving additional strength as well as repairing was commenced with the best mechanics that the army and gunboats could furnish. It now seemed advisable to retain the ammunition remaining in the Chillicothe and De Kaib for defense until a fresh supply could be obtained for aggressive operations. The light-draft steamer 211 armota was therefore dispatched to you with requisitions for ordnance stores and provisions, also relieving the vessels of sick and wounded. At the same time my health, which was seriously affected at the time of being ordered to command the gunboats of the expedition, failed entirely, obliging me to permit the medical officer to exercise his judgment in regard to the best measures for securing my re- covery. The report of a board of assistant surgeons informed you of the necessity of my immediate return to a Northern climate. Consequently I left the command to the next senior officer, Lieu- tenant-Commander James P. Foster. At the time I had no fear for the final success of the expedition. It seemed necessary only to await the arrival of the additional stores of ammunition and provisions, already sent for, and such addi- tions to the force ordered to engage batteries as you would think proper to send Page 249 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 249 The passage to the Mississippi was still clear, and patrolled by a light-draft gunboat. In closing this report I desire to commend the zeal and energy of those engaged in the expedition. In their engagements the Chillicothe and De If aib, under their re- spective commanding officers, were handled with a coolness and skill which I am sure would have elicited your admiration. The details from the light-draft gunboats for manning the guns in battery on shore, and attending the movements of the vessels en- gaged, performed their duties satisfactorily. Very respectfully, yours, etc., WATSON SMITh, Lieutenant- Commander, U. S. Mississippi Squadron. Near-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commandinq IJi/ii~siss ~p/)i Squadron. Report of Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, regarding the opening of the levee. U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST NOSE, Mouth of Yazoo Pass, February 4. 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that the levee is cut, and the water is gushing through at a terrible rate. We got the water started about 7 o ~clock last night. After cutting two ditches through and ready for the water, we placed a can of powder (50 pounds) under the dam, which I touched off by means of three mortar iuzes joined together. It blew up immense quantities of earth, opening a passage for the water, and loosened the bottom so that the water washed it. out very fast. We then sunk three more shafts, one in the entrance of the other ditch, the other two on each side of the mound between the two ditches, and set them off simultaneously, completely shatter- ing the mound and opening a passage through the ditch. The water ran through very fast, taking old logs, trees, and everything in its way, so that by 11 oclock there was a channel 50 yards wide. This morning we have a channel 70 or 75 yards wide. It is thought that it will be at least four or five days before we can enter. I will report the progress every opportunity. There is a large number of my crew whose time is out, and they are very anxious for their discharge. Very respectfully, your obedient. servant. GRO. W. J3ROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Near-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, suggesting a programme of operations. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Re/ore Vicksburg, February 6, 1863. ADMIRAL: I would respectfully advise the following programme to be followed as near as practicable by the expedition through Yazoo Pass Page 250 250 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. They necessarily go through the pass into Coidwater River, thence down that stream into the Tallahatchie, which, with its junction with the Yalobusha, forms the Yazoo, which it is the great object of the enterprise to enter. At the town of Marion, on the Yazoo River, the enemy were said at one time to have had a battery. But it has since been removed, and unless a mistrust of our present design has induced the enemy to reoccupy that point no guns will be found there. It would be well to approach it carefully. Below Marion the river divides, forming a very large island, the right-hand branch descending, being known as the Big Sunflower, or at least connecting with it, and the left-hand branch retains the name of Yazoo. On this is Yazoo City, where, in all probability, steamers will be found; and if any gunboats are being constructed it is likely at this place. According to the information I receive most of the transports are up the Sunflower River. I would therefore advise that both of these streams, and in fact all navigable bayous, be well reconnoitered before the expedition returns. The Yalobusha is a navigable stream to Grenada. At this place the railroad branches, one going to Memphis, the other to Columbus, Ky. These roads cross the river on different bridges. The enemy are now repairing both these roads, and on the upper one, the one leading through the middle of west Tennessee, have made consider- able progress. I am liable at all times to be compelled to divert from the Mississippi River expedition a large portion of my forces, on acecount of the existence of these roads. If their bridges can be destroyed, it would be a heavy blow to the enemy and of much service to us. I have directed (300 men, armed with rifles, to go up on transports to Delta, leaving here to-morrow, to act as marines to the expedition. Have also ordered the regiment spoken of this morning to report at steamer Magnolia at 10 a. m. to-morrow to join your service. Respectfully, etc., U. S. GRANT, Ma jor- General, etc. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding AhSSZS8ippi River Squadron. P. S.T have directed the troops sent with the Yazoo expedition to take fifteen days rations with them. U.S.G. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Chullicothe. FEBRUARY 6, 1863. SIR: Proceed to Helena and coal and report to Lieutenant-Corn - mander Watson Smith at Delta old Yazoo Pass. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Jlzs8i88ip/n Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander J. P. FOSTER, U. S. NAVY, Commanding U. S. S. Chillicothe Page 251 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 251 Report of Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, of entrance into the pass being accomplished. U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST ROSE, Moon Lake, Saturday evening, February 7, 18G3. SIR: This morning at 11: 30 we entered the pass. We experienced but little difficulty in passing through into Moon Lake, a distance of about 1 mile; and from there to the mouth of the Old Pass, a distance of about 4 miles, there is a good, wide channel with 4 fathoms and upward. I went on shore and brought three men on board who had just landed from a skiff. They had come up the pass from the Cold- water. They say that the rebels are felling trees across the pass below. can not enter the pass with this boat until the trees are trimmed and some of the overhanging trees cut down. I took my cutter and. with an armed ciew, went down the pass about 1 mile, but the strength of the current would not permit our going any farther. We met no serious obstruction, and the prisoners say that it is 4 miles to where the rebels hare been at work. There was a party of 10 or 12 cavalry here yesterday. Finding that we could do nothing without a small steamer, we returned and met General Gorman, with the Carl, a small side-wheel steamer, who came in and entered the pass a little way, but it was so late that he had to return. He has gone to Helena for 100 men with axes, etc., and will return early in the morning, when we shall renew our attempt. Sunday, February 8.This morning I got underway and ran up nearly to the head of the lake, but discovered nothing. At 1 p. m. (the Carl not arriving as expected) I manned my cutter and started down the pass. We went about 6 or 7 miles. We met with no very serious difficulty on the way. There are some trees that will have to be cut before this boat will be able to enter. The rebels have saved us tbe trouble of cutting a number by cutting them themselves. Out of about 30 or 40 that we saw that they had cut, only two will require anything done to them. We could have gone farther, but (lid not, on account of the strong current that we had to return against. We met two men, whom we found, on questioning, belonged to Porters com- pany of Mississippi Cavalry (known as the Feather-bed Rangers ). I paroled and allowed them to remain at home. They say the com- pany is broken up. We returned to our boat and are now on our way to 1-lelena. Colonel Wilson will leave to-morrow for Vicksburg, and we shall return to the pass. General Washburn is now in charge of a force that will attempt to clear the pass. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Conunanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lielltenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, expressing a wish for the services of the U. S. S. Linden. U. S. S. RATTLER, Islands 101 and 102, February 8, 18634 a. m. SIR: I have just stopped the Linden on her way to you for coal. Although your written instructions are to take her with me, yo Page 252 252 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. afterwards spoke as though you wished her to remain with the army if still wanted there, so I let her pass. She has not sufficient coal, either, to tow upstream. I would like very much to have the Linden with me on this duty. The commanding officer of her will give the news concerning the operations at Lake Providence. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH Lieutenant-Commander, [Commanding] Light-Drafts. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, assigned to command expe dition, of arrival at Helena, Ark. U. S. S. RATTLER, Helena, Ark., February 13, 1863. SIR: I arrived at this place last night and have the Forest Rose, Signal, Romeo, and Chillicothe. I have detained the towboat S. Bayard and three small barges of coal, about 33,000 bushels, there not being much navy coal here; the Ba yard I may take in the pass with me. The general spoke of 30,000 or 40,000 bushels of coal being here in army, for the use of this expedition, but I believe you would prefer being independent. I went with General Gorman to-day through the new channel. This was a work of nature, the army cutting simply through the levee. The difference of level at first was 10 or 12 feet, and the fall and rush soon widened the opening. The current now is moderate, and the inside water falls with the Mississippi. The new channel soon empties into the lake, a broad sheet of water, and from this a few miles (2 or 3) the Yazoo Pass commences. A heavy army force is clearing this, which in places, at turns, may not admit of our vessels getting through. Our force takes the trees from the stream while the rebels on the other end cut them from both sides to fall across. The army is expected to be through with this pass in one week. We have one light-draft in the lake. I expect to be all ready before the army have finished the part they have undertaken; we have only to find a steamer and pilots. I will give you the information which I have gathered concerning our affairs here, stating that it is mostly from General Gorman. The enemy is in respectable numbers in advance of our working force and at the mouth of Coldwater. They were fully apprised of the expedition before, or as soon as, the work was commenced. I was told yesterday by an officer that he heard of it in Memphis. They are in force at Grenada, Panola, and along the line of rail- road, and are already disputing our advance through the Yazoo Pass. The country is thickly populated. General Gorman says his estimate for the force necessary for this work was 30,000 men. I only give you some of his views, being re- quested in part to do so. I shall go on with my part as far as possible without being influ- enced by them, having confidence in the authority that sent me here Page 253 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 253 Mr. Morton, pilot, says that the water which forms Honey Island on the western side is not navigable, and has never been traversed by a vessel. You will remember that it was by this that you told me to pass and yet avoid Yazoo City. 1 have inquired into Browns guerrilla shooting. He says he knows that one was killed, because he fired the canister or shrapnel at hun, saw him fall, went on shore, saw the hole in his back and out in front, and that the man made no resistance when deprived of his sword and belt. The other was shot, he says, by the lieutenant-colonel (passenger) with an Enfield at 1,000 yards. Brown was reported to me to-day as having been badly burned and blown up in an experi- ment. To my surprise he came on board, hands bound up and face gree sed. Had tried, for throwing in vessels, a box containing powder, a bottle of coal oil and one of spirits of turpentine stuffed around with cotton close, and a 15-second fuse. He tossed it on the water and received the explosion in hands and face in three seconds, or prema- turely. He now has an order, if not satisfied, to carry on his experi- ments at a distance from the vessels. February 14, a. m.I regret that the illness contracted in the Yazoo a week before I left still remains. I thought yesterday that I would soon be right and well, but to-day it has all returned and I feel of very small worth. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Commander, First Division Light-Drafts. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, near Vicksburg. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Baron De Kaib, to join the expe- dition. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. SIR: You will proceed to Delta, below Helena, and report to Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith for duty with your vessel, to go through the Yazoo Pass into the Tallahatchie. If Lieutenant-Commander Smith has gone through, follow hiiu and go on right down to Yazoo City, or wherever he may be. If you find a light-draft guarding the coal barges, take her place and let her go and report your arrival, if it is up river that the vessels have gone. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JOHN G. WALKER, Commanding U. S. S. Baron De Kaib Page 254 254 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Instructions from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. SIR: I send you a refugee from the Yazoo. He gives information that no fortifications are at Yazoo City. You can then push on down the Yazoo to Grenada, up the Yalo- busha, destroy the bridge there, push on then down the Yazoo, capture Yazoo City, allow them twenty minutes to surrender and deliver up all stores and munitions of war, which you will see destroyed. I~ass Yazoo with the light-drafts, push on up Sunflower, destroy all the boats there that you can not bring away, and return to Yazoo City. Hold that as long as you can and send up a dispatch boat to report to me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding ilfississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, U. S. Navy, Commanding First Division Light-Draft Vessels, Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, regarding various matters, including measures for obstructing the Tallahatchie and Yalobusha rivers. U. S. S. RATTLER, Helena, Ark., February 14, 1863. SIR: The Forest Rose captured the stern-wheel boat Chip pewa Valley at Island No. 63, engaged in the cotton trade and without per- mits or papers of any kind, having 118 bales. I believe the seizure to be in accordance with your General Order No. 2, and shall allow Acting Master George NV. Brown to send the vessel and cargo to Cairo, in charge of an acting masters mate, to leave to-morrow. She will take some men whose terms of service are reported to have expired. Jerry Waters, pilot of the Forest Rose, will take the prize to Cairo. I send him because he is represented by Mr. Brown as unskilled in the management of steamboats, being a flat-boat pilot. The Signal having four pilots, I have ordered John Montague from that vessel to the Forest Rose. I have transferred thirty navy rations to Acting Ensign Wheelock for his three men in charge of mortars here. James Whittaker, first assistant engineer, and A. J. Batchelder, third assistant engineer, of this vessel, each struck a negro named John Van Buren, a contraband, to-day. Mr. Whitaker is confined to his room for the offense the other is still on duty. I hope others will be ordered to take their places. Do not you think a ram would be serviceable on this expedition? Perhaps the Lioness, which I am told is at Memphis, almost ready for service co go to the Yazoo. , uld be spared for this, and overtake us as we If she is sent, she should approach with her distinguishing three balls. The Little Tallahatchie (which is the one to the upper railroad crossing) and the Yalobusha to Grenada, Mr. Morton says, can be obstructed by felling trees across them. The Tallahatchie proper, o Page 255 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 255 below Goldwater, can not be obstructed in that way. The Yazoo is somewhat like it is below. I estimate the distance to be steamed from this entrance over the route of your orders, and back to coal at the mouth of the Yalobusha to be about 1,500 miles. February 15.The Signal being short of provisions, and having just heard that the Romeo is deficient in ordnance, I will send the Signal to the Yazoo for a supply of each. The Yazoo Pass will not be cleared in six or seven days yet, with 2,000 or 3,000 men at work, and by that time the vessel can be here again. Thirty-five boxes of shrapnel, 15 of canister, 10 of shell, and 600 cannon primers is what I would like to have for the Romeo. The Cricket may come in a little short, too, but with this additional supply of provisions and ammunition, I will have sufficient. Mr. Morton is still the only Yazoo pilot I have, excepting that one of mine has some knowledge of these waters. The only others known are in Ohio. I can go on with what I have. The river here fell a foot last night. General Prentiss has relieved General Gorman, or assumed a part of his duties. A few small rebel steamers have been seen on Goldwater. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Commander, First Division Light-Draft Steamers. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding illississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Getty, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Narmora, to join the expedition. Confidential.] FEBRUARY 15, 1863. SIR: Proceed to Delta, the old Yazoo Pass, and report to Lieu- tenant Commander Watson Smith as part of his expedition. All steamers that you meet between White River and Helena, coming down to trade, you will turn back up the river and convoy them up as far as Delta; inform them that no trade is allowed below Helena. If you meet any vessel taking in cotton below White River, seize vessel, cotton, and all, and leave her at White River under charge of captain of the Conestoga or other naval commander. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant ROBT. GETTY, Commanding Iliarmora. Report of Brigadier-General Gorman, U. S. Army, regarding the work of opening the pass. HEADQUARTERS AT HELENA, February 15, 1863. GENERAL: I have been steadily engaged for more than ten days cutting through the drift in the Yazoo Pass. Two thousand men are there now. The enemy have a force of cavalry a short distance ahea Page 256 256 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. of us, and an occasional skirmish takes place. I learn that the enemy sent a little boat up the Tallahatchie and Goldwater, with two guns on her bow, to look after us, but soon returned. Secrecy is out of the question, as it is as fully known at Grenada what we are doing as it is here. Grenada is only about 84 miles from here, and only 54 from Goldwater. The obstacles become more and more formidable, but not, perhaps, insurmountable, and I am yet fearing that boats as large as the gun- boats are will not be able to pass through, and it will take ten days morc to get out the drift from the cut-off, and then it is uncertain what further obstructions the fleet will find in the Goldwater. The scouts I send report unfavorably to taking boats through of any size, or as large as gunboats. I am, general, very truly, your friend, W. A. GORMAN. Major-General JOHN A. MCCLERNAND Thirteenth Army Corps. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition, making reference to army operations in clearing the pass, and other matters, including capture of steamer Lottie. U. S. S. RATTLER, Helena, Ark., February 18, 1863. SIR: The Juliet has just touched for coal. Nothing has occurred that has come to my knowledge to hasten or retard the operations of the army in clearing Yazoo Pass of its obstructions since my last date, the 15th instant. Not knowing the orders of the Cricket, and believ- ing that she was only waitino~ to convoy the Sovereign to you, and the tenor of your orders seeming to express that I might attach her if I could, I sent word to Langt~horue to join me here. Fortunately, instead of coming, he sent me a copy of your orders, and stating that the Sovereign was watched for an opportunity to destroy her, even as she was at Memphis. I at once sent the Forest Rose to him, with orders for the Cricket to remain with the Sovereign. The Forest Rose is now just above Helena on her return. By the Juliet I learn that the Cricket remains at Memphis. The Chillicothe and this vessel have been obliged to engage their whole force of men in saving the coal from one of the navy barges, carelessly allowed to snag or ground by the river falling. This is our second day with it, and I expect to have it secure by night. I have two smll barges of coal ready for our expedition, and will have for a third the one which we are now filling from the injured barge, in all about 27,000 bushels. Large barges could not be managed in Yazoo Pass. These are of 12,000, 10,000, and 5,000 bushels capacity; will have to drop them ahead of the steamers. The Forest Rose h~ s returned. She was fired into opposite Buck Island, on the Arkansas side. She landed and destroyed the prop- erty near, consisting of dwelling, storehouses, and negro houses. She took away 21 negroes and delivered them to the army at Memphis. Took also 2 horses, 2 mules, 500 pounds bacon, 154 blankets, 40 shovels, 10 barrows, 1 barrel molasses, and 4 sacks of corn. He also has 5 prisoners, which I send with his statement by the Juliet., Q Page 257 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 257 his way up, too, he captured a small steamboat called the Lottie, and sent her to Cairo with his other prize, the Chippewa Valley. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Connratnder, First Division Light-Drafts. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, referring to reported pres- ence of Confederate vessels in Coidwater River. U. S. S. RATTLER, Helena, Ark., February 18, 1863. SIR: The Ma ora has arrived and your letters, two of them of the 14th instant, have been received. One orders that George W. Brown, acting master, in command of the Forest Ii~ose, be kept under close arrest, the other that he be sent down to you. I send him down in the Juliet. I enclose his account of the capture of three men. I hope a com- mander will be sent for the Forest Rose, as sickness has made us deficient of officers already. The copy of your letter to Lieutenant- Commander Selfridge and memorandum No. 7 from the Ordnance Bureau have also been received. Lieutenant-Commander Walker has reported with the De Kalb. On his strong recommendation of his executive officer, John V. John- ston, acting volunteer lieutenant, I have put Mr. Johnston in tem- porary command of the Forest Rose. A person, an army officer I believe, reported to Foster that he had seen a rebel ram (I. N. Brown in command) and other vessels in Coldwater. General Gorman says it is so, too; General Prentiss does not credit it, and I merely mention it as rumor. I am not at all annoyed by it. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Commander, First Division Light-Draft Steamers. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition referring to the work of the army in clearing the pass, and progress of the naval force. U. S. S. RATTLER, Helena, Ark., February 19, 1863. SIR: Yours of the 16th instant by the Signal has been received. Nothing else directing me not to go up the Tallahatchie had reached me, though there was an allusion to it, I believe, in Lieutenant-Coin- mander Walkers orders. I am confident that Yazoo City and Sun- flower should be our first care. Standing trees are not the only obstructions in the Yazoo Pass. The rebels have felled the heaviest to fall across the stream, and the 7110x w nVOL 241O--1 Page 258 258 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. labor of clearing these out is the tedious work that the army is per- forming. The pass has perhaps not been used since 1853, when the levee was made. It is about wide enough to admit of vessels of the length of this to pass around its turns. Barges in tow can not be taken alongside; we will drop ours before us. In conversation with Generals Prentiss and Gorman yesterday, General Prentiss expressed fears that their transports would not get through. They have increased their force. In view of the possibility of the channel being blocked by any army transport, I shall take care to have all of our force with the 100 soldiers on each light-draft, our coal and tow boats all ahead of the army force. We will then be able to go on. I will get through as soon as a vessel can pass. The coal that I stopped was necessary for the expedition. The barges were strong, and had the advantage of being small. The S. Bayard is a suitable boat for the work of taking them through. There is about enough coal here for us. The barge that we were relieving sank last night with 2,000 bushels, but I have it dry again and hope to save it all. Besides this, we have a frail barge with 6,000 or 7,000 bushels, from which our vessels take their current supply. I have sent the Signal to Memphis for paymasters stores for that vessel, the De Kaib, and some for this. Our part of the expedition will go to the pass entrance in the lake to-morrow. The water has fallen there 6 feet. It seems to be a fact that the rebels have a ram and some small steamers on Gold- water. I think we will all be through to Goldwater by the 23d instant. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Comnm~amder, First Division Light-Draft Steamers. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, announcing readiness to enter the pass, and referring to engagement of the troops. U. S. S. RATTLER, In the Lake, February 21, 18G3. DEAR SIR: Our party, consisting of the Chillicot he, Baron De Kaib, Marmora, Romeo, Forest Rose, S. Bayard (side-wheel towboat), and three barges of coal, containing 12,000, 10,000, and 5,000 bushels, are all snug at the entrance of Yazoo Pass, ready to go through the moment the stream is clear and the working boats get out of the way. A small army transport is to go through with us, with the excess of men over the 500, which the light-drafts will carry. The rest of the troops in the expedition will follow. General Ross, I believe, commands them. My intention is to coal full from the small barge at Goldwater. It is leaky and I may leave it there. The other two will go on with us, the Bayard one, the transport or ourselves the other. I expect the Signal from Mem- phis to-night. I am to receive the troops to-morrow Page 259 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 259 Our troops had a small fight at the mouth of Yazoo Pass and Coidwater. Killed 6, wounded 3, and captured 15 of the enemy on the 19th instant. I shall push on for Yazoo City and Sunflower. Yours, etc., WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding ilfis8issippi Squadron. Only one of our vessels had a want this morning. He had all that he wished excepting a little red and white paint to mark clothes. Order of Major-General Prentiss, U. S. Army, to Brigadier-General Ross, U. S. Army, assigning transports for his command, in which to enter the pass. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EAST ARKANSAS, February 21, 1863. You will, on Monday next, the 23d instant, proceed with your com- mand on board of steamers Sn-& all, Lawyer, Lebanon No. 2, Citizen, Lebanon, Chee8emnan, Mariner, Saint Loui8, Volunteer, Lavinia Lo- gan, John Bell, and Key IVest No. 2, with fifteen days rations and 160 rounds of cartridges. Having placed your command on board, you will proceed at once to Yazoo Pass and join fleet or gunboats now at Moon Lake, at which point a fleet of gunboats under Columod ore Sniith awaits your arrival. You will proceed through Yazoo Pass for the purpose of complying with instructions contained in follow- ing communications received from General Grant, of which I send copy attached. As you may meet with obstructions, it becomes neces- sary that your command be supplied with a large quantity of axes and spades. You will take all such belonging to your command, and if in your judgment, more is wanted, apply to Quartermaster [Reuben B.] Hatch for such. You will take but few tents, as the general commanding Department of the Tennessee is desirous that this expedition move as soon as possible. You will, when you arrive at Moon Lake with your comlnand, ren- der all aid in your power to remove any obstruction that may tend to prevent passage of steamers through said Yazoo Pass. B. M. PRENTISS. Brigadier-General Ross, Commanding Thirteenth DivUon, Thirteenth Army Corp8. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, announcing movement of the advance into the pass. U. S. S. RATmER, Entrance to Yazoo Pass, February 24, 1863. SIR: As the steamers of the army working party came out of the pass this afternoon our advance entered, and at daylight the whole force will pass through, consisting besides our party of 2 ironclads, 5 light- drafts, 1 towboat, an army transport, and our coal, of 13 arm Page 260 260 NAVAL FORCES. ON WESTERN WATERS. transports with troops. I do not see any coal here for the nse of the army vessels. I called the generals attention to it the other day. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding JIis& issippt Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition, regarding general matters. U. S. S. IRATmER, Yazoo Pass, February 26, 1863. Sin: If we get through this with our casemates up and wheels serviceable, it will be as much as can reasonably be expected. There is about room for one of your tugs handled skillfully. Our speed is necessarily less than the current, as backing is our only and constant resort against dangers and to pass the numerous turns. This gives every vagrant log a chance to foul our wheels, and as many do foul them, delays are frequent. Our damages so far, though not serious, are felt. Fvening.Yours of the 20th, announcing your having sent the ram Fulton to me, has been received. Have heard that she is at the end of the line. I will take her in hand as soon as she can pass to the front, and if cotton can not be had for the protection of her boilers, will timber her heavily and effectually in Coldwater. One of her boilers is reported as defective, but she moves with the others. I can provision the Chillicothe from the light-drafts. You have probably heard that it was not a light-draft that burned at Memphis. But this class of vessels can not be too careful with their boiler fires. In some instances the deck below is imperfectly protected, and the side-protecting bunkers are too close to the boilers in others. General Ross said he had coal for ten days, and that he should depend upon wood. Our barges are all right yet. February 27, 1 p. m.Are about 1 mile or 2 from Goldwater. The ironclads, particularly the De Kaib, go through this with more ease and facility than any of the others. The work of keeping the pass clear should be continued; it will choke in a few days if neglected. If any of our vessels should enter the Goldwater after we have gone south, would it not be well for them to look into the Talla- hatchie for any vessels the rebels may have concealed there to foul our wake? We can not well spare time to look there before going down. We have stopped for the night. General Washburn is here, going up. This must be my opportunity for sending this. We are still 2 miles from the mouth after the afternoons work. All promises well. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITh, Lieutenant- Commander. Admiral DAvID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron Page 261 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 261 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Greer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Carondelet, regarding firing of signal guns up the Yazoo. U. S. Mississi~ri SQUADRON, Near Vick8burg, February 27, 1863. SIR: Have a good lookout and listen for the sound of guns up the Yazoo River. Captain Smith has got through the worst of the pass, and when he arrives above Haynes Bluff will fire, at midnight, nine guns, one minute apart, then, after an interval of five minutes, will fire three guns, ten seconds apart. Let me know at once if you hear them. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding IJii8siSsippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JAMES A. GREER, Commanding Carondelet, Yahoo River. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, of arrival at Coldwater, Miss. U. S. S. RATTLER, Coidwater, March 2, 1863. SIR: Our part of the expedition reached this on the 28th. Since then have been waiting for the closing up and getting through the Yazoo Pass of the transports. Our two rams, Fulton and Lioness, and the Petrel having entered last, are now pressing forward. We have fared pretty well; a few pipes down, but nothing serious. I pulled back to the last vessels this morning; found matters sat- isfactory. I can not do much for the rams, excepting to pack cotton forward. Your letters of February 22, 23, 24, a proclamation, and rates of vessels and regulations from Treasury Department have been re - ceived. In regard to firing the signal guns near Haynes Bluff at midnight exactly, I mention that our time may not be correct. I have endeavored to keep it so, however. I rather like to see that mortar. I shall return the Key West to Helena this afternoon, the rams and Petrel enabling me to relieve her of her troops, the number in excess of what the light-drafts (100 each) were able to take. She also will take back the small barge, which, by crowding bunk- ers, I have emptied. The Key West is in bad condition. I am glad to spare her. We now have, besides our fighting party, only the S. Ba yard (towboat) and two barges, containing about 21,000 bushels. We will gather wood and rails when stopped and practicable. Acting Masters Mate Joseph Brown, of the Chillicothe, is repre- sented by his commander and surgeon as quite ill. I shall, if pos- sible, send him to Cairo or the hospital vessel. I am told that a steamboat will continue to ply to and fro in the Yazoo Pass to keep it clear. It would be bad if the boat by which I am to notify you of our presence in front of Yazoo City should meet her in the pass; neithe Page 262 202 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. could turn but in very few places. The officer that I send will have orders to forward my dispatch to you by a cutter to Helena rather than delay; perhaps a vessel may be sent by you to meet the one I send and allow mine to return. I write in great haste. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant- Commander, First Division Light-Draft Steamers. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding Mississippi Squadron. I have learned that the Yazoo Pass steamboat is quite small, and not likely to stop a vessel going the opposite way. This stream is a little wider and much easier to navigate than the pass. May make 40 or 50 miles per day unless detained by the desire to find cotton. The army started with rations for fifteen days; they have sent for six days more, but I am afraid that they will consume valuable time by endeavoring to extend their supplies by foraging. Foraging parties, properly commanded and instructed, will go in advance while in these upper waters. I shall urge the necessity of advancing as rapidly as possible; there shall always be room for the transports to close up. Yours, etc., W. S. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, of the advance from Cold- water into the Tallahatchie River. U. S. S. RATTLER, Coidwater, March 3, 1863. SIR: We are advancing but slowly. This stream is not so much wider or clearer than the pass as to make much difference in either speed or the amount of damage inflicted on these vessels. Our hull has suffered as much to-day as on any day yet. We can only advance with the current; faster than that brings us foul. Our speed is not more than i~ miles per hour, if that. Wheels and stacks have escaped through care, but with over 200 feet above water, and less than 3 in it, without steerageway, light winds play with us, bringing the sides and trees in rough contact. I imagine that the character of this navigation is different from what was expected. We will get through in fighting condition, but so much delayed that all the advantages of a surprise to the rebels will have been lost. Evening.The steamer Bayard broke her sternpost to-day, and that has caused delay. In the pass had a hole punched in her below water; she half filled, but was recovered. The crooked course of the stream and the thickly wooded shore prevent our having more than an occasional glimpse of other vessels. Each has its position and distance assigned, but the knowledge of the whereabouts of those next can generally only be ascertained by means of a boat. The ironclads have the least trouble from trees or overhanging branches and are scarcely affected by the wind. A case of smallpox was reported by the Petrel to-day, and was immediately transferred to a returning transport for passage to Helena and the hospital Page 263 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 26~ The shore occasionally makes down to the clear water, but much of the route is through a clearing amidst trees standing in water. I dont think we have seen a plantation in the last 8 miles; all is swamps March 4.The Petrel comes in with her wheel much damaged and without the means of repairing. I can repair it, but my supply wa~ for but one vessel. March 5.The river is clearer, and we make better speed. If we reach the Tallahatchie this evening, which our advance may do, our total distance from Delta will be but 50 miles, not 6 miles per day. I am having an account of the navy rations in the expedition taken. No vessel has more than a months supply at this date, and the Chilli- cothe but seven days, the Lione8s thirteen, and the Fulton seven. The last reports one boiler badly burned. My first knowledge of the Petrel, Lione8s, and Fulton being attached to the expedition was received after entering the pass. They joined after reaching Cold- water, too late for me to prepare them for the expedition, which could only have been done by sending them to Memphis. We are better off than the army, however, and have a fair supply of coal. An organized party of army and navy collects beef for rations and cotton for defense. The people report rebels and batteries below, etc. Gathered some cotton to-day; much that we find is so badly baled as to be dangerous. I hope to make better speed from this time through. Tallahatchie River, 12 mile8 from Coidwater, March 6, evening. Stopped for the night, and waiting for the others to close up. Our intelligence, received from various sources at different places from different people, is that Yazoo City is being fortified, 3,000 negroes doing the labor, and that a large army is there for its defense, provided with heavy guns. The same is said of Greenwood, but I do not place the same credit in the reports concerning Greenwood. A receipt in the possession of a man near us on the shore for cotton for a rebel steamer shows a naval organization among them. It reads this way: By command of Isaac N. Brown, I take (specifying quantity, quality, etc.) cotton for the steamer Saint Marys, to protect her from the enemys shot. F. E. SHEPPERD, Lieutenant, C. S. Navy. As he has a few bales left he will have another receipt to-morrow from a grade above that in the United States. The river is high and the current strong. W. SMITH, Respectfully, yours, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAvID D. PORTER, Commanding Missi& sippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, commanding expedition, giving general items of information. U. S. S. RATTLER, Tallahatchie River, March 7, 1863. SIR: I am obliged to leave the Petrel about 12 miles from Cold- water, in the Tallahatchie. Her wheel is about destroyed by acci- dents and bad management. We will coal to-night, and go on t Page 264 264 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Greenwood with the gunboats and transports, leaving the Al armora at the junction of the Yalobusha and Tallahatchie to guard the coal (two barges), and the steamer Ba yard and an army transport with troops. The Romeo follows with the mortar. The little provision that the army has is spoiling. They have five days on hand, and have sent for only six days in addition. I can maintain my party (those now drawing rations) for one month. If all entitled drew rations, would have rations for twenty-two days. We have these disadvantages, that we must fight downstream, and that all are stern-wheelers but one, and the rams can not reach a vessel with wide guards in a tender place without bringing up against their own works in front of the boilers. I have cut away their bitts and made the most of those vessels. The Lioness has 8~ bales of cotton for defense, two deep before the boilers; the Fulton can not carry any on the sides forward. The army have, I believe, sent for more provisions, but they will be scant when those are received. This delay has spoiled our chances. There will be more of it, as they must forage for provisions and fuel, and every transport, I am told, has an empty hold. I anticipate a rough time. Have made the best preparations that our means and time would ad- mit, and go to work trustingly. Two cases (contrabands) of smallpox were reported by the Forest Rose to-day. I will have them sent to Helena, and thence to Cairo, if possible. Several of the light-drafts are cottoned forward and on the sides abreast the boilers; a good defense of bales, too, on cabin decks forward and around the bows inboard of hammock nettings, the trees having nearly brushed the nettings away. The light-drafts with hurricane cut roofs have had all the after parts of decks swept away. Respectfully, yours, W. SMITH, Lieutenant-Commander, Commanding Gunboats, Jfa~oo Expedition. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding Mis8issippi Squadron.. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. I~avy, announcing arrival of the expedition in the Tallahatchie River. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Ya~oo River, if arch 12, 1863. SIR: I received a communication to-day from Lieutenant-Com- mander Watson Smith, informing me that on the 7th instant the whole expedition had arrived safely in the Tallahatchie, which gives us control of the heart of Mississippi. This achievement has not been performed without some damage to the vessels and much labor. The vessels had to work their way through a narrow creek for over a hundred miles, while two vessels can not pass each other. They had to remove trees that had grown up thick and intervened, and sometimes they would not advance a mile per day. Vessels had their pipes knocked down, wheels carried away, and cabins swept off; but they all got through in fighting condition except the Petrel, which lost her wheel entirely. But for our newspapers, this would hav Page 265 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 265 been a surprise; but the rebels heard of it in time to be able to delay the progress of the vessels by felling trees across the stream. Tb e rebels are very much alarmed at this move and are working with all their energy to meet it. Fifty thousand men, it is said, have been pushed forward to fortify the river bank, and every steamer is being defended with cotton bales. Our steamers are doing likewise. Still the rebels are not aware of our force of gunboats; and if we are not delayed by the troops (which move very slowly), we will clean out the river before they can do a thing. This was to have been a naval affair altogether, only I borrowed 800 men from General Grant to fill up our crews. At the last mo- ment (and without my knowing it) 6,000 soldiers were ordered to join the expedition. Six days were lost waiting for them, though they worked like heroes in clearing away the obstructions after they joined. Indeed, I do not know how the expedition could have got through without them. My object was to get in with the gunboats, surprise the rebels, and capture or destroy all the vessels. Great numbers escaped into this river on the capture of New Orleans. Everything now depends on the speed with which our forces act. I have ordered them to burn, sink, and destroy, and waste no time in giving the towns time for the people to evacuate, but to shell them if they do not surrender in half an hour. I believe that I have done all that could be done to carry out this important operation. I could not go with the expedition myself, for I must be where I can direct all the other operations in the river. If we succeed, it drives the rebels out of Mississippi. If we do not, it will be because the people I have sent can fight no longer, and have been overpowered by a force that we have had no intima- tion existed. I sent you a telegram informing you that the Indianola had been blown up by the rebels for fear she would fall into our hands. We heard a report here that the E8sex had been captured by the rebels when she was aground or up a creek, but the report lacks confirma- tion and does not come from the right quarter. General Grant is sendino 30,000 men to reinforce our expedition, and I may send another ironclad or two. This leaves but 8,000 men here, which will not be enough to do anything if an opportunity offers. There is much distress in Vicksburg; they have no meat and are living solely on corn meal. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAvID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding M~88i~s8ipp~ Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, referring to the approach to Confederate battery, near Greenwood. U. S. S. RATTLER, Tallakatchie River, March 10, 1863. SIR: I will not give you a detail of our annoyances and casualties experienced in navigating these streams, but will deal with the pre Page 266 266 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATE1~. ent and future. Our position for the night is about 20 miles from a half-mile-wide neck of land which is a dozen miles above Greenwood by water. On this neck our information is that there are several thousand rebel troops with a battery of three guns, one a rifle, parapet of cotton and sand, and ditch around, enough they say to whip 7,000 Yankees. That is a matter which it is intended to decide before noon of to-morrow. They have a most convenient route for leaving if they wish, being only 3 miles from Greenwood, while we will be 10 or 12. A raft of gum logs is in readiness to be swung into p lace and the steamer Star of the West is just below the raft, rea or sin king, to more effectually obstruct the passage. We will first see the fort at 400 yards distance. A rebel party has been up the river yesterday and to-day burning cotton. Came near catching a steamer yesterday, and Forrest and cavalry had just left a place as we arrived. The steamer threw overboard corn in quantities and escaped by being able to make the turns easily. This afternoon came upon a steamer that, on inquiry, learned damaged herself last evening. She was loaded with cotton and in flames, almost consumed; sank as we passed her. General Ross has expressed his intenti?n of staying at Greenwood after we take it until provisions reach him. The troops are on half rations. This interferes very much with our arrangements, chang- ing entirely the character of the expedition and making it necessary for me also to call upon you for provisions and coal. We can not even afford to keep low fires for the indefinite time which will elapse before they (the troops) are supplied; meanwhile our supplies will be exhausted. From carefully prepared returns our gunboats and rams have, for those entitled to draw Navy rations, sufficient for nineteen days from yesterday. The number entitled to draw (and almost all draw from the vessels in some way) is 855. This 855 is the number of rations required for one day, supposing all to draw. With these figures you will know what to send. Our coal has not been relieved much by wood, running all days and not being near fences at night. There is no cut firewood. My returns, as far as they have come, show 11,500 bushels now in the bunkers of the 11 vessels; and I should have 14,000 bushels in barges, all about sufficient to start down the Yazoo for Sunflower and Haynes Bluff and enough to return to Yalobusha with, for I should think [it] unwise to go down without means of returning at hand. Three vessels have joined us since starting, and the rams are heavy burners. My allowance does not include delays, but is for prompt movements. Twenty-five thousand bushels in addition to what we have would make matters pleasant. This in two strong barges, rigged as we fixed ours with two or three oars on each end, might come as safely as ours have to last accounts. Strict attention is given to using coal economically, and the returns look gratifying. While waiting at Greenwood, if we must wait, may look up Yalobusha Page 267 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 267 Our speed has been far below my expectations, and without the ad- vantage of small consumption of fuel, for low steam in these cur- rents and turns will not control the vessels. I shall probably have to send a light-draft with dispatches now as far as Helena. The general fears that his small steamer has been stopped by guerrillas, being several days overdue. Would drift tim- ber accumulate to any great extent, say 2 miles above the Haynes Bluff raft? The Petrel is in line again. I had some wheel timber sawed, which proves very useful. The S. Bayard is a worn-out vessel, and I believe would be pleased through her owners to be left down here. Seeing her fresh from Cairo, with a valuable charge of coal, I supposed her reliable. She tows well, but is old; she half sunk in the pass and broke a rudder, but is doing fairly now. William Anderson, seaman, and John Walker, ordinary seaman, deserted from this vessel March 8, taking a revolver, it is presumed, with them, one being missing. A de- scriptive list to the dispatch boat, and an order from the general for her commander to examine and compare distressed applicants for passage out, was the only step to be taken. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Connr& ander. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Afissi& ~ippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Chili- cothe, regarding destruction of bridge and sawmill, and captures made by the crew of that vessel. U. S. S. CHILLICOTHE, March 10, 1863. SIR: To-day the Chillicotiws crew destroyed a large bridge and sawmill and captured a flat-bottomed boat loaded with household furniture and articles contraband of war; among the latter, 2 barrels of molasses, one-half bag of coffee, 1 barrel of sugar, and 3 shotguns. The former articles I turned into the paymasters department, the guns into the ships armory. I also took for the cabin a lot of crockery ware, of which I have taken a strict and accurate inventory. The acting assistant surgeon and carpenter also took for their respective departments a few articles, and have furnished me an inventory of the same. The crew, after putting the household furniture, etc., ashore, destroyed the flatboat. JAS. P. FosTHi, Very respectfully, Lieutenant-Commander. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, Commanding Yazoo Pass Expedition~ Tailahatchie River. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, requesting a small vessel to carry provisions and ammunition. U. S. Mississi~~i SQUADRON, March 12, 1863. GENERAL: Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith informs me that he has but a months supply of provisions. I am anxious to suppl Page 268 268 NAVAL ~ORC~ ON WFSTERN \VATE~S. him, but have no vessel. Can you furnish me with a small steamer that will go without fail through the pass and join the vessels and troops you have sent up? He will also want ammunition, which I will send him by same conveyance. Very respectfully, your obedient servant~ DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding MiSsi88ippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT Commanding A y of the Mis8i8sippi. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, regarding the Ilrst engage- ment with Fort Pemberton (Greenwood). U. S. S. RATTLER liallahatchie River, Evening illarch 11, [1863]. SIR: Stood on this morning to within a mile of the battery, and went ahead with General Ross in the Chillicothe to observe. A turn brought us within view of the enemys works. Almost imme- diately they opened fire from five guns. One shell struck the Chilli- cothe on the starboard side of the starboard forward port, damaging the plate and breaking and starting several bolts. Another struck on the port side ahead, 6 inches above water~ also a conical rifle shot, ma king as great an indentation as possible without breaking through. Another glanced from the deck. Captain Foster, in reply, threw three shells from his 11-inch guns. With this knowledge of their strength and position we then turned the point until concealed by the trees, and arranged to advance as soon as the army should report ready, which would not be until morning. In the afternoon the rebels appeared to be shipping cattle and goods from the battery, which we believed to be indications that they were preparing to leave. Advanced the Chillicothe, the De Kaib following, the Lioness in readiness, and was about to bring up the Rattler, but on going on board the Chillicotlie found her already much injured by the shot of the enemy, one of which struck between the slide covers of the port for- ward port, which was at the time sufficiently ajar to allow the rammer handle to pass out. The men were in the act of sending the shell down, when this shell, striking the Chillicothes shell, both exploded fragments of each being foundkilling 2 men and wounding 11 others, 3 of them perhaps mortally. The 11-inch was struck on the muzzle, damaging but not disabling it. The slide covers of this port were blown out, one going overboard. Other shot struck, killing 1 man. The Chillicothe and De Kalb were strengthening themselves with cotton when advanced, and I now withdrew them for the purpose of completing that defense. The short distance, and the stream being narrow, prevents the easy use of two vessels upon the fort. I have therefore landed the 30-pounder Parrott gun from the broadside of this vessel, and, with the assistance of the troops, expect to have it in position to annoy the rebels best gun at about 600 yards by morning, and well protected by cotton and earth. Of the seven shells fired by the Chillicotite, two appeared t Page 269 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 269 burst well and two to strike a steamboat lying just beyond the fort below Greenwood. There is a steamer sunk there by the rebels, not quite in position desired by them. A rebel called over this after- noon that they had a vessel ready for the Chillicothe. She will be guarded, and if boarded, will, if possible, be swept by our own vessels, her crew going below. This is different from engaging with head upstream. The Chillicothe works well, but the De Kaib and other stern wheels are very awkward. The base of a rifle shell measuring 6~ inches shows the size of one of their guns. Another seems like a 68; another, a 4k-inch rifle. Mr. Morton, the pilot, was badly blown by the explosion of the shells on board the CIuillicot he. He is not seriously injured, and will soon be on duty. I shall use all the means we have of silencing this batterythe mortar, with the others, when it arrives. The Chillicothes turret is not well backed; neither she nor the De Kcdb can stand the rifle shot. I have not ascertained sufficient about the raft to speak of it with certainty. My letter of yesterday acquaints you with our situation as regards provisions and fuel. Those of us that are but partly manned feel the want of men. The soldiers serve the guns well, but the others are needed. It is with difficulty that the small boats can be manned. The small army steamer has arrived, not having been interfered with by guerrillas. Midnight.The rebels are busy at something; do not think they are leaving. The Yalobusha is probably fortified at each bluff, as they feared for Grenada. I am obliged to keep steam now at night, which is exhausting to the coal. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. [Enclosure.] List of the killed and wounded. U. S. Mississnui SQUADRON, U. 3. Gunboat Chillicothe, March 11, 1863. Name. Class. injury. 3. F. Morton Pilot Wounded. Thomas Greenslade Quarter gunner Killed. Jerry Norlon Marine Do. John G. singleton 00 DO. John Henderson do Do. Renry B. Levague Boatswains mate Wounded. Newton Porter Marine Do. James H. Young do Do. James G. Holladay do Do. Patrick Conner do Do. Rohert Brown I do Do. J. A. Briton do Do. C.C.HulY do Do. Stephen N. Cornell Seaman Do. W. C. FOSTER, Acting Assistant 3urgeon Page 270 270 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. List of wounded on board the U. S. gunboat Ghillicothe, in the action before Fort Pemberton (Greenwood) on March 13, 1863. Name. Class. Injury. Francis ONeil Landsman Wounded badly in the arm. Leopold Trost Marine Wounded in the face. Roney Hupple Seaman Contusion of the hand. John Mitchell do Violent concussion of the brain. D. Miller Ifarine Wounded in the hand. Harrison Gill Landsman ..~ Wound of the hand. W. C. FOSTER, Acting Assistant Surgeon, Chillicot he. List of killed and wounded on board the U. S. gunboat Chillicothe during action at Fort Pemberton (Greenwood), March 16, 1863. Name. Class. Injury. John Young Seaman Wound in right side. Christopher Talbot First cabin boy... Drowned by falling overboard as we were going into action. WM. C. FOSTER, Jr., Acting Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Navy. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. I~avy, transmitting report of the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Chullicothe, regarding the first attack upon Fort Pemberton (Greenwood), March 11. U. S. S. RATTLER, liallahatchie River, March 17, 1863. SIR: The accompanying report of Lieutenant-Commander Foster came after my other letters were sent. I am in hopes that it will reach you, as it gives something of the character of the Chillicot hes defenses upon which so much reliance has been placed for reducing the apparently small obstructions that detain us here. There are also some specimens of spikes for holding armor in place in soft pine, sent with the 2llarmora. Properly backed, the iron would have stood much more. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant- Commander. Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mi~~issippi Squadron. [Enclosure.] U. S. GUNBOAT CIJILLICOTHE, /iailahatchie River, Miss., March 12, 1863. SIR: On yesterday, the 11th instant, the Chillicothe, with Lieuten- ant-Conimander Watson Smith, commanding the gunboats, Yazo Page 271 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. MAP OF OPERATIONS OF TEE YAZOO PASS EXPEDITION, UNDER COMMAND OF LIRUT. COMMANDER WATSON SMITH, U. S. NAVY. 1863. 0 1 2 3 4 5 271 Ii, Page 272 272 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. expedition, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, topographical engineer, and General Ross, of the volunteer army, and commanding the troops of the Yazoo expedition, on board, proceeded to reconnoiter Fort Green- wood on the Tallahatchie River, and distant from the Yazoo River by water about 3 miles. After she had been underway about thirty minutes, and at fifteen minutes past 10 a. in., the enemy opened on her at about 800 yards distant with five pieces of artillery. One gun was en barbette, 6-inch caliber, throwing conical steel-pointed shell; the other four guns throwing shot and shell supposed to be from 12 to 30 pounders, rifles. The enemy during the reconnoissance fired at the Chillicothe twenty-five or thirty times, striking her twice. Their first shot that struck the (hiUjeothe was in her port bow, and about 18 inches above the waters edge; this shot did not penetrate through the armor, but almost buried itself in the iron plating. Their second shot struck the Chillicothe8 starboard side of the turret, and about 4 feet from her forward starboard port, and about 6 feet above the deck, indenting and fracturing both plates of the turret and smash- ing in the framing or backing abaft of where the shot struck. The Chillicothe fired three five-second shell, but with what effect it is unknown, as the smoke obstructed our view. The reconnoissance being completed, the ChiUjeothe backed up the river to within long range of Fort Greenwood. Casualties: 1 man, contusion of the shoul- der, caused by the flying off of a turret-bolt nut. We were under fire about twenty minutes. At ten minutes past 4 p. m. the ChiUjeothe got underway to attack the fort, and at fifteen minutes past 4 p. m. the fort opened on the Chillicothe with all her guns. In seven minutes she was compelled to back up the river and out of range, in consequence of having one guns crew (No. 2 or port gun) rendered perfectly useless, 3 men being killed outright, 1 mortally wounded, and 10 others seriously wounded, while the other 5 of the guns crew had their eyes filled with powder. This occurred in this way: One of the enemys largest shell penetrated the port slide (3 inches thick) and struck the tulip of the ChiUjeothes port gun, and, exploding, ignited her shell just after it was in the muzzle of her port gun, and it not being home exploded at or about the muzzle, carrying away the two forward port slides, weighing 3,200 pounds, and a portion of the turrets backing, and tearing the bolts out of a large space of the armor, besides set- ting the cotton on fire that had been placed forward of the turret after the reconnoissance of the morning. One of the port plates was carried overboard. The Ch~Uieothe fired four five-second shell; two of them, it was said by those on shore, did great damage. The enemy fired at the ChiUjeothe about twenty times and struck her four times, one time as above related, one on the bow deck, one carrying the jackstaff away, and the fourth time aft; this fourth shot passed over the port quarter and aft of the turret, and between the wheelhouses. The damages to the ChiUjeothe have now been repaired, after thirty hours hard labor, and is now ready for action. My guns crew behaved well. The casualties the accompanying report of the surgeon will show. It is to be regretted that from the ease with which the enemys shell, in weight not to exceed 68 pounds, penetrates the aXIVIQI Qf th Page 273 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 273 Chillicothe that she is almost a failure and will remain so until altera- tions are made in the backing of the turret. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. P. FOSTER, Lieutenant- Commander. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITH, Commanding Gunboats Jfazoo Ervp edition, Tallahatchie River, IJ/iiss. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of Lieut& nant-Commander Walker, U. S. Navy, regarding reopening of the attack upon Fort Pemberton (Greenwood), March 13. U. S. S. RATTLER, Tallahatehie River, Evening, March 13, 186~3. SIR: My letter of the 11th instant reports to that date. Yesterday was occupied in protecting the two heavy vessels with cotton and repairing the Chillicot hes damages. Erected another 30-pounder Parrott in the woods, detailed men from the Petrel and Signal to make a guns crew for the Chillicothe, and giving them two hours drill commenced again at 11 a. in., the Chillicothe, De Kaib, mortar, and two Parrott guns with navy officers and men being engaged; distance of vessels about 900 or 1,000 yards. It was necessary to secure the De Kalb against turning or falling below if disabled; secured her, therefore, so that if necessary she could be drawn out of view against the current. rlhe rebels fired with great accuracy, especially from one gun or t~vo, the shots of which struck with telling effect. As the result of the days work, I may mention that the Chillicothe has been struck about thirty-four times, generally full and fairly on the casemate, which has not stood it well. I saw three hit in one place, under the edge of the hurricane deck, port side forward. These have bent down the grating so as to confine the steering wheel and broken the beam. Some shots have been turned well, probably 20-pounders, but the 6~-inch conical do mischief. Her wheelhouses and wheels suffered somewhat. One of the port covers was struck three times, saving the men, but it at last bounced out. I expected Fosters report before this, and I can not wait for it and his requisition for ammunition, as the dispatch boat is to leave soon. He had but 2 wounded, and may require time to-morrow to secure iron. Our means of doing this are not efficient. The De Kalb, Lieutenant-Commander Walker. was struck six times, one going through the forward casemate iron and stopping in the timber. Another entered between two ports on her swinging a little, cutting away over a dozen beams; killed 1 man, mortally wounded 1, 1 officer mortally wounded, probably, and 3 others wounded; wheel ropes cut. The guns on shore (ours) were not injured, though fired upon. The enemys best gun was silent for a time before we ceased, and our intention was to take a closer position after the Chillicothe had prepared some shells, which her captain said he could not well do in action. When about to advance, however, General Ross informed me that dispatches notified him of the approach of reinforcements 7110N W RVOL 24101 Page 274 274 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. for him, and proposed an attack by us and assault by the army on the arrival of reinforcements, to Which I agreed rather than have time elapse Wherein the rebels might repair after our attack and his assault. It will not be easy to approach them, there is so much water. There was no room for light-drafts to-day, but I shall hope for something from them, this one perhaps, if we get as close as we prob- ably will. Many of our shells were effective, but the dense smoke holding between the trees prevents our noting results at the right time. I enclose Captain Walkers requisition for ammunition, also a report. The ChiUjeothe will also require a supply, plenty of five- second fuzes for each. Have only 26 mortar shells left (had but 75). I did not think they were going so fast. It works well. There are many sick officers and men, besides wounded, who will require a better climate than this for recovery. Of coal and pro- visions, my previous letters speak. A supply of ammunition for 30-pounder Parrott guns will also be needed, say an assortment of 200 shots, shell and solid; would prefer the majority of fuzes to be five-second. In placing the Chilhicothe and De Kaib, I have recognized the importance of our interest in those vessels, the army and fleet of transports, and it is only because the enemys fire slackened very much to-day that I think of approaching to an easier distance. We will feel our way, and the De Kaib be kept ready for hauling out; fighting downstream is awkward. Walker complains bitterly of the closing up of the vents of the 9-inch guns, never having more than one clear. He was obliged to devise means of blowing them out while receiving the enemys fire. The vents fill up at the bottom. I enclose Lieutenant-Commander Fosters report of casualties, and of engagement of the 11th, and Lieutenant-Commander Walkers requisition for ammunition. Those two vessels do not resist shot well. With much opposition the Chihhicothes turret would be demolished. The De Kaib is pretty strong directly in front. If this expedition meets with this kind of opposition, other and better vessels will be required. The ChiUi- cothes thin white pine backing will not stand. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant- Commander. Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mis& ~& sippi Squadron. [Enclosure.] U. S. S. BARON DE KALB, Mouth of Jfazoo, April 13, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the opera- tions of this vessel before Fort Pemberton, Tallahatchie River: We arrived before the fort on the 11th of March, and after exam- ining the work prepared for action, but, owing to the temporary dis- abling of the Chihhicothe by a shot from the enemy, were ordered t Page 275 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 275 withdraw. On the 13th went into action at 10:45 a. m. in company with the Chillicothe and mortar boat, engaging the fort at about 800 yards. The engagement was severe until about 2 p. in., when the CIijilicothe was forced to retire for the want of ammunition. This vessel remained in her position until dark, firing upon the enemy at intervals of fifteen minutes, the enemy having ceased firing. After dark, by order of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, she was backed up to her old position. The enemy fired but few shots after 2 p. m. On the 15th landed an 8-inch gun with a supply of ammunition and placed it in battery on shore with a crew to work it. At 12:30 p. m. on the 16th we again moved into action, but the Cli illicotlie, being disabled in a few min- utes after getting under fire, withdrew by order. On the 19th took on board the 8-inch gun from the shore battery. In the engagement of the 13th the loss on board this vessel was: Name. class. Injury. John ONeil Quartermaster Killed. Robert Murphy Ordinary seaman Do. F. E. Davis Mastersmate Mortally wounded since dead. G. W. Male Seaman Lost a leg. John McGowan do slightly wounded. Frank McGnire do Do. This vessel was considerably cut up, losing the gun-deck beams, having the wheelhouse and steerage badly knocked to pieces, and various other damages to the wooden parts of the vessel, but nothing to render her unserviceable. I am, sir, very respectfully, JOHN G. WALKER, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Aihs8iesippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Chillicothe, regarding attack of March 13. U. S. GUNBOAT CHILLICOTHE ]iallaJiatchie River, Mi8C., March 14, 18G3. SIR: In pursuance to your orders, the Chillicot he, on the morning of the 13th instant., advanced down the Tallahatchie River to attack the rebel Fort Greenwood [Pemberton], and at 11: 25 a. m. opened her starboard gun upon those of the enemy at a distance of about 800 yards. Almost at the same instant the port gun opened on the fort also; the rebel guns had been firing at the ChiUjeothe some three min- utes before the latter returned the fire. The Chillicothe, after getting the position assigned as nearly as possible, was tied up by her stern and a breast line on the starboard side forward to keep her in position. In this position the Chillicothe remained one hour and thirty-eight minutes, keeping up a constant fire on the fort, using most of the time five-second shell and shrapnel, and until all the ordnance of this length of fuze in the magazine was shot aWay, amounting in all t Page 276 276 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. fifty-four shot. The enemys fire was almost exclusively directed at the Chillicothe. When the ammunition of the Chillicothe, as above reported, was exhausted, and after being on fire three times during the action, and at the time on fire, and after being struck thirty-eight times, ten shot striking her in a space of 10 feet on the port side of her turret forward, seven through her wheelhouses, the remaining shots striking her in and about her bow, on starboard side of her turret forward, and on her port quarter and hurricane deck, and with her forward port slide carried away, and with her side port slide gone, and with the cotton bales that had been put up as an additional protection thrown out of place and on fire, and upon your orders, the Chillicothe withdrew from the action to repair damages and to fill the remaining empty shell on board. The Chillicothe is now in condition to engage the enemy; she is, however, badly battered and shattered, and does not withstand the enemys shot and shell near as well as expected. The accompanying surgeons report will show her casualties. The port guns crew, although never drilled until the morning of the action, and who were never under fire before, behaved remarkably well. The officers and the other guns crew and the marines acted their part bravely, without exception. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. P. FosmE Lieutenant- Commander. Lieutenant-Commander WATSON SMITh, Commanding Gunboats, Jiazoo Expedition, fallahatehie River, Miss. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Chili- cothe, rcgarding attack of March 16. U. S. GUNBOAT CHILLICOTHE, Tallahatehie River, Miss., March 16, 1863. SIR: In obedience to your orders, the Chillicothe to-day, at 12:43 oclock p. in., took position before Fort Greenwood, about 200 yards in advance of her positions on the 11th and 13th instant, and was kept in this position by a stern line made fast to a tree on the right bank of the river the short time she remained in action. She was engaged fifteen minutes, during which time she fired seven five- second fuze shells. After the discharge of the seventh shell, all of her forward ports being closed, she was struck by four shots from the enemys guns, two striking simultaneously on her forward ports, one on her starboard slide ports forward, and the other on her port slide port forward, and so forcible and heavy were the projectiles of the enemy that all the forward slide ports of both forward ports were either penetrated or so smashed in, or the armor bolts so driven out, that it was impossible to open them (every effort being made by the guns crew) and run out the guns. Thinking it possible that the star- board gun could still be worked, the command was given by me to maintain the action with it alone, when it was reported to me that it was impossible to get the starboard gun out, the forward starboard ports being held fast in their closed position by the armor bolts hay Page 277 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 277 ing been started out so much as to prevent the ports from sliding almost to the same extent as those of the forward slide ports. I per- sonally ascertained these facts, and finding it perfectly impossible to fight the Chillicothe through her forward ports, and it not being possible to fight her except bow on, and in accordance with your orders that if anything serious occurred to withdraw from action, I ordered the Chillicothe out of range to repair damages. I would remark in passing that many of the armor bolts are very weak and imperfect spikes, with large heads (of which I send you a sample), and it is astonishing that the weight of the armor has not heretofore forced them out. The Chillicothe was struck to-day eight times, four doing the damages as above described and rendering her guns useless, the other four striking her upper and lower decks. The projectiles that struck the forward part of the turret were two 68 solid shot (I have had them weighed) and two 6~-inch conical shell (weighing about 64 pounds). The backing to the turret is shattered all to pieces, and the iron plating on the turret is penetrated, knocked loose, stove in, and almost unfit for service. The enclosed surgeons report will show casualties. The Chillicothes total loss on the 11th, 13th, and to-day is 22 killed, wounded, and drowned. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. P. FOSTER, Lieutenant- Commander. Lieutenant- Commander WATSON SMITH, Commanding Gunboats, Yazoo Expedition, Tallahatehie River, Miss. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, regarding the reopening of the attack upon Fort Pemberton, March 16. U. S. S. RATTLER, Tallahatchie River, Evening, March 16, 1863. SIR: Having a number of wounded and sick in the force, whose condition will be improved by a change and greater comforts, I have trusted that giving them quick dispatch in a light-draft to the hospital steamer will meet your approbation. It combines, too, the advantage of showing force through the passages in the rear and will relieve me of the necessity of sending for that especial purpose. The three medical officers in the six light-drafts divide the duty between them. The two smallpox patients of the Forest Rose were not taken out by the army dispatch, and now their condition does not favor their removal, they being convalescent and, in the opinion of the surgeon, less liable to spread disease where they are than if removed elsewhere. Our plan of to-day was to attack this battery, or Fort Pemberton, as it is termed by the rebels, and if successful in silencing it, to ad- vance the light-drafts full of troops to occupy. With this view landed an 8-inch gun from the De Kaib, yesterday, adding it to the battery of two 30-pounder Parrotts already on shore Page 278 278 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Our experience of the enemys guns effect upon our best vessels made me careful to secure them against dropping with the current if disabled, and with boats and lines to hold them, advanced at 11.30 a. m. closer than before, the guns on shore opening. Again the Chillicothe was rendered ineffectual by the striking of a port portslide with a solid 68-pound shot, breaking through, though not passing through, and the springing out of plates and depression of others so as to confine the covers of the starboard forward port. There was no alternative but for her to retire and repair, both ports being effectually closed. The side slides will give place to cotton bales and be used in front, smiths from other vessels and from amongst the troops giving aid. As it is all cold iron work, it will require a day. The guns on shore are serviceable, but constrained for want of a better supply of ammunition. I can not give the strength of this battery, but have picked up at least six different kinds of projectiles, only two of which could have come from the same gun. Returned them two of their 68 solid shot to-day with interest. Our firing is very good, but for good effect must strike the guns themselves, of which we seldom see more than the muzzles. Another reason for sending one of the force to you is to insure the transmission of the intelligence I wish to convey, that you may know just what provisions and coal we have, and our need for supplies of ammunition for the ChiUicothe and De Kaib, 30-pounder Parrotts of the Forest Rose and this vessel, and, say, 200 13-inch mortar shells with 2,400 pounds mortar powder and primers; more would be desirable, but we could not stow it. I sent in a former letterCap- tain Walkers ordnance requisition; the Chillicothes is for a full supply of shells and shrapnel, powder, and primers. She still has her original small quantity of solid shot. We have rations for thirteen days and about 21,000 bushels of coal in bunkers and barges. The Lioness, being kept ready for immediate use, burns heavily; the Chillicothe and De Kaib almost as ready, probably are within 100 bushels per day, and the others from no coal (using rails) to 50 or 60. Foraging adds but little to our supplies. Sent the Forest Rose a run back as far as possible and to return by night. Yesterday she brought us a days rations of beef. are in want of ensigns and mates. The De Kaib is very defi- cient, one officer having been arrested for drunkenness on duty, in action; another wounded, it is feared mortally; another sick. I have not been able to ascertain exactly how many we need, there has been so much going on, and communication not being convenient, but 5 ensigns and 8 mates could be used in filling vacancies; scarcely a vessel whose officers are not more or less afflicted with one complaint or another incident to the situation. Captain Foster has just handed in his requisition for ordnance. It is much less than he requires, but more than he can stow properly. He will write to you concerning his turret and its weakness. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant-Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAvID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron Page 279 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 279 Report of Brigadier-General Ross, U. S. Army, regarding operations before Fort Pemberton (Greenwood). IN FRONT OF GREENWOOD, Miss., iI[ arch 13, 1863. GENERAL: My fleet of transports is now lying in the Tallahatchie, about 5 miles from Greenwood on a direct line and about 12 by the Tallahatchie and Yazoo rivers. We arrived here on the morning of the 11th inst., and have been prevented from advancing any farther by a strong fortification, extending from the Tallahatchie to the Yazoo River, across a neck of land some 2~ miles below. On the morning of the 11th I went on board of the gunboat Chilli- cothe, in company with Commander Smith and Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, for the purpose of making a reconnoissance, in which we exchanged several shots, two 64-pounder shot of the enemy striking the ChiUjeothe, but doing her no damage. I sent Colonel Slack, of the Forty-seventh, and Colonel Bringhurst, of the Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, out on a reconnoissance by land. We soon met the outposts of the enemy, when a brisk skirmish followed, in which 2 of our men were wounded. The loss of the enemy not known. We drove them back into their fortifications, which you will observe by enclosed plats, are very difficult of access, being entirely surrounded by water. In the afternoon the Chillicothe again made an advance on the works of the enemy, and after remaining in action about thirty minutes received a shot in one of her or oles, which killed 4 and wounded 12 of the crew. On the 12th we were engaged in repairing the damage to the ChiUi- cothe and making preparations for the erection of land battery. This morning we had in position on land two 30-pounder Parrott guns and one 12-pounder howitzer, with which we opened on the enemy at 11 a. m. At 11.20 the gunboats Chillicothe and De Kaib and the mortar boat also opened fire. All were hotly engaged until about 1 p. in., when the Chillicothe withdrew for the purpose of filling shell and cutting fuzes. Up to that time she had been struck about twenty times without inflicting any serious damage. Firing was continued by the others until sundown with but little effect. There has been an immense amount of fighting done during the day, and but 3 or 4 slightly wounded on our side. We have no means of knowing the extent of the enemys damage. If no greater than our own, I may truly say nobody is hurt by to-days operations. We go at them again in the morning, and shall continue fighting at them until we get possession. When the work is completed will for- ward detailed report. I enclose for information plat of fortifications and surrounding country by Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. F. Ross, Brigadier-General, Connmanding Divis~ion. Major-General B. M. PRENTISS, Commanding District of Eastern Arkansas Page 280 280 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, U. S. Army, regarding operations before Fort Pemberton (Greenwood). DR. CURTISS PLANTATION, Near Greenwood, 211i88., if arch 13, 18639 p. m. GENERAL: The land and naval forces constituting the Yazoo expedi- tion, after many provoking delays, arrived at this point on the morn- ing of the 11th, and after a reconnoissance of the fort and a slight engagement between the Chillicothe and one of its heavy guns the troops were landed. The Chillicothe on the afternoon of the 11th, from a position near the one indicated on the enclosed sketch,* opened her batteries upon the enemy, but in a very short time received a rifle shot in her left port, killing and wounding 14 of her crew. On the night of the 11th a cotton-bale battery was erected at the point marked, about 700 yards from the large gun, with a view to dis- mounting it if possible. Having no siege guns, a naval 30-pounder battery was placed in it. On the 12th, the naval forces not being ready to attack, nothing was done, but on that night (last) another 30-pounder was added to the battery, and this morning at 10 it and the Chillicothe, Baron De Kaib, and the mortar boat began the attack, but to-night we are not able to perceive any advantage gained. Last night the enemy erected heavy traverses against our Parrott battery, so that it could do him no serious damage to-day. The rebel position is a strong one by virtue of the difficulties of ap- proach, though it is defended by only two guns of any weight, one a powerful rifle, 6.4-inch bore. General Tilghman is in command. General Loring was there, but recently relieved. How many troops he has we can not ascertain. The Chillicothe has not stood the work well; that, too, at 1,100 yards. What may be the result at close range must depend entirely upon chance. I understand Commander Smith intends to go close up to-morrow, though I dont think he or his commanders are very sanguine. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILsoN. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Commanding Department of the Tenne88ee. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of medical survey, and asking to be relieved from duty. U. S. S. RATTLER, liallahatchie River, March 17, 1863. DEAR SIR: My health has failed under the influences of this climate until I am compelled to report myself as no longer fit for duty. I have struggled against this result, and hoped, with the skill of our physician, to avoid it. The opposition which we have met here has delayed my speaking of it, but it would not be right to keep it from you any longer. I ask for * Not found Page 281 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 281 a change, confident that remaining here will but confirm the disease and seriously affect its future treatment. This has been my condition since in January, and has been long since pronounced by the surgeon as chronic, his efforts for weeks having been to keep me up for this work. I have thus far attended personally to all movements, expenditures, and general condition, duties which entail late and early hours. I do not think I can continue to do so. It is with disappointment and regret that it should have come to this, that I enclose the surgeons report and await your attention to it. Much that is unpleasant about this necessity would be relieved if I could see you. A turn down the Mississippi would have little effect after what I have gone through, and if I am to leave this, I could do so after that with a pleasanter remembrance of it. This steamer needs repairs in hull and boilers, besides tightening, and stanchioning all guards and decks, and although she can go on without this being done now, it could be wisely attended to now. Yours, etc., WATSON S~IITH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Near Vicksburg. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the inefficiency of the U. S. S. Chullicothe. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Flagship Black Hawk, March 26, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a report * from Lieutenant-Com- mander Foster, of the Chillicothe, and one ~ from Lieutenant-Com- mander Smith. The Yazoo Pass expedition does not seem to be doing much beyond exchanging shots with the batteries. The Chillicothe, from all accounts, has proved herself unfit to engage a battery, the bolts confining the iron to the ship having been found very destruc- tive to those on board. The Chillicothe has suffered a good deal in killed and wounded, as will appear by the report of her commander. I consider Mr. I-Jartt to blame for not attending to the details of these vessels, which I find very defective. I have less hesitation in saying this much from the knowledge of the past that Mr. Hartt has not attended properly to anything out here; that the vessels he fitted were fitted in a very indifferent manner, and required extensive alterations; that some mortar boats he built came to me in a leaky condition, and he did not conform to my instructions in any par- ticular except in the model. As a private individual, I would not employ him on anything, and I sincerely believe he is not doing the Government full justice. Lieutenant-Commander Smith, who commanded the Yazoo Pass expedition, was taken sick soon after entering the Tallahatchie and after operations were commenced and was sent back in, I fear, a dying condition. I depended a good deal on his energy in carrying * See p. 270. t See p. 273 Page 282 282 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. out my orders for the success of the expedition. Unless the fort is taken before this General Grant has ordered the troops to return. They have only retarded our movements so far, there being no chance of landing them at the place where the rebels have blockaded the river. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of Lieu- tenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, since assuming command of expedition, March 18, 1863. MIssIssIPPI SQUADRON, Yazoo River, April 13, 186~3. SIR: I have the honor to enclose you a report of the Yazoo Pass expedition from Lieutenant-Commander Foster, who took command after Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith was obliged to give up from extreme illness. The Department will observe that the Chillicothe has proved her- self entirely unfit for a fighting vessel as she now is; her backing of pine wood, 12 inches thick, being found inadequate to stand shot. The Baron De Kalb, supposed to be an inferior vessel, received no damage of any consequence. The Department can form their opinion of the importance of the expedition from the report of Lieutenant-Commander Foster. Fort Pemberton was fairly whipped and silenced by the Dc Kalb and Chillicothe; no attempt was made by the troops to assault or take possession. At one time the enemy had not a charge of powder in the fort, and the shells of our vessels were passing through seven bales of cotton, which must have made the place untenable. There were difficulties in the way of an assault, but whether they were sufficient to stop the troops when the fort was silenced I am unable to say. I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. S. CHILLICOTHE, April 13, 186(3. SIR: On the 18th [of] March, in consequence of the ill health of Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, I fell into the command of the Yazoo Pass expedition, and have to make the following report: The orders which were turned over to me by Lieutenant-Com- mander Smith were positive, and urged the necessity of pushing on; urging him by no means to delay, as the success of the expedition depended entirely upon the rapidity of the movement Page 283 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 283 Had these instructions been carried out I have no doubt that the expedition would have been successful, and that we would have reached Yazoo City in half the time that we were in making Fort Pemberton; and as there was no opposition at that time of sufficient force to check us, we would have had complete control of the river with all their steamers at our mercy. Success here, and the controlling power of the Goldwater, Talla- hatchie, Yalobusha, and Yazoo rivers, would, in my opinion, have opened a sure road to Vicksburg, as it is by these rivers that they receive most of their supplies. The first attack made on Fort Pemberton was on the 11th March, on a reconnoissance about 11 a. in., when five or six shots were ex- changed, doing little or no damage. On the afternoon of the same day the Chillicothe again went down and opened fire on the fort. During the action the ChiUjeothe had 4 men killed and 15 wounded. After having a whole guns crew disabled the ChiUjeothe withdrew. The Chilhicothe is a perfect failure as a fighting vessel, and will have to be repaired before going into action again. On the 13th the ChiUjeothe and Baron De Kaib got underway at 11.30 a. in., and commenced the attack on Fort Pemberton at 780 yards. The ChiUicothe remained in action one hour and thirty-eight min- utes. During this action she received 44 shots, and after expending nearly all her ammunition of 5-second and 10-second shells, retired by order of the commanding officer. On the retiring of the Chihhicothe the fort ceased firing, although the De Kaib remained and kept firing slowly during the remainder of the day. Deserters and prisoners captured reported that their guns were silenced, and that the fort was taken, had our forces advanced, as the y were entirely without ammunition. On the 18th we retired, believing the fort too strong for the forces there engaged and being short of ammunition. The day after leaving Fort Pemberton, the Chihhicothe, De Kaib, light-drafts, etc., arrived before the fort again, and, at the sugges- tion of General Quinby, the Chihhicothe took her old position before the fort, firing three shots for the purpose of drawing the enemys fire. Failing in this, she withdrew. We, along with those on shore, were under the impression that the enemy blew up a torpedo just forward the Chihhicotheg bow. We remained twelve days awaiting for the army to do something, and when General Quinby was ordered to withdraw his forces we brought up the rear. We captured 5 prisoners, three of whom I paroled at Helena; the remaining 2 I shall send to you. On our return to the fort we remained twelve days, and during the whole of that time nothing was done by General Quinby toward the reduction of the fort. On meeting General Quinby I told hini that it was impossible to take the fort without heavy siege guns; he said that he had a number of heavy 24-pounders, and would procure others without delay, and expressed his entire confidence as to the capture of Fort Pemberton. I then, at his earnest and written request (a copy of which I have sent you), returned with him, and remained until the army wa Page 284 284 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. ordered to withdraw. The cotton captured and destroyed is about 4,000 to 5,000 bales. The Yazoo Pass, Coidwater, and Tallahatchie, at the present, are in good condition, and no difficulty is experienced in their navigation. The enemy burned two large steamers, the 35th Parallel (supposed to have on board 2,500 bales of cotton) and the Magnolia, cargo reported to be cotton. In addition to these they sunk the Star of the We8t near the fort. The enemy lost, by their own acknowledgment, 12 men in killed and wounded. The gunboats, had they pushed on even after the delay at Helena, would have reached Fort Pemberton before a spade was put in the ground for its erection. In conclusion, let me again say had the expedition been carried out as it was originally planned. and had not the army detained us by the slowness of their movements, the expedition would have been a complete success. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES P. FOSTEr, Lieutenant-Co ander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAvID D. PORTER Corn anding Mi8sis8ippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, advising a retreat from Fort Pemberton (Greenwood). Mississi~ri SQUADRON, liallahatclde River, Mi8s., March 18, 1863. Sum: After consultation with Generals Ross, Fisk, Solyman [J. C. Sullivan ?], and Captain Walker, of the Baron De Kalh, and others, it has been deemed advisable to retreat to Helena, Ark., as the strength of Fort Greenwood is such that it is impossible, with the naval forces alone, to conquer it, and it being impossible for the army forces to combine in the attack in consequence of water, etc., and as we are in imminent danger of being outflanked and cut off by rebel forces com- ing down to the mouth of the Coldwater. The Chillicothe and the Baron De Ialb are both short of ammuni- tion and provisions. The Chillicothe is badly damaged from the fire of the enemy. Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, has this day been con- demned by a medical survey and recommended to be sent North im- mediately, as his health is such that longer delay would endanger his life. I will write you in detail at the very first opportunity. I await your orders at Helena, Ark. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES P. FOSTER, Lieutenant- Co ander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Com9rbanding Mi88i88ippi Squadron, Yahoo River, Mi& ~ Page 285 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 285 Report of Acting Assistant Surgeon Wilson, U. S. Navy, of the U. S. S. Rattler, regarding casualties on that vessel. U. S. S. RATTLER, Tallahatchie River, March 19, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the following killed and wounded aboard this vessel: ATilledJeremiah Harrington, seaman; ball passing through ex- ternal carotid artery. Wonnded.Acting Ensign George S. West; ball entered left side between ninth and tenth ribs, passing around anterior to the bowels, lodging below right nipple; patient will recover. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. WILsoN, Acting As8i8tant Surgeon Steamer Rattler. WALTER E. H. FENTRESS, Acting Ma8ter Commanding U. S. S. Rattler. Letter from Brigadier-General Quinby, U. S. Army, to Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, urging a return to his former position above Fort Pember- ton (Greenwood). STEAMER PRIMA DONNA, March 21, 1863. SIR: In view of the depressing effect which a virtual abandonment of the Yazoo expedition would have upon our Army and Navy, and our country, I most earnestly request you to return with your fleet, notwithstanding its disabled condition, to your former position above Fort Greenwood. I ask this in the hope that by land operations we may accomplish the reduction of the fort, and in the belief that the mere moral effect of the presence of the gunboats will go far to insure our success. I am, very respectfully, etc., I. F. QUINBY. Lient. Commander J. P. FOSTER, U. S. Navy Commanding Gunboat Fleet, Ya~oo Ewpedition. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, after withdrawal from com- mand of expedition on account of illness. U. S. S. RATTLER, Helena, Ark., March 22, 1863. DEAR SIR: After my last to you of the 16th instant, I was obliged to devolve the duty of conducting our naval force in the Tallahatchie upon the next naval officer, Lieutenant-Commander J. P. Foster. A medical board assembled by his order for my survey, reported the necessity of my immediately returning to a more congenial climate. Since then I have been in bed or on my back undergoing the misery of this long-continued disease. I suppose Captain Foster has made the necessary reports to you concerning this change. Acting Master W. IE. H. Fentress will give the details of our pas- sage to the Mississippi, which has not been without incident. Page 286 286 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. recommend Mr. Fentress to your notice for the command of this vessel. Acting Ensign John Bath would do well as an executive officer. In the engagements below, the Chillicothe and De Kaib, under their respective commanding officers, and which were the only ves- sels that could be taken into action, were handled with a coolness and skill which I believe would have elicited your admiration. The land battery did good service; the guns were brought from vessels, and could not otherwise have been brought to bear upon the enemy. I very much regret this interruption in our service together. My address will be Trenton, N. J., where I hope to hear from you. Yours, etc., WATSON SMITH, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mis8i8sippi Squadron. Report of Acting Master Fentress, U. S. Navy, regarding the passage from the Tallahatchie River to Helena, Ark. U. S. S. RATmER, Helena, March 22, 1863. Slit: I have the honor to report the arrival of the Rattler at this place from the Tallahatchie River. On the 17th instant I was ordered to take command of this vessel and proceed to Helena, when, after coaling, I was to follow the orders of Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith. On my passage up the Tallahatchie I was several times attacked by the guerrillas, but was never surprised by them. On the 19th instant, at 5 p. in., we were fired upon suddenly by a large party. We were, however, at quarters and returned the fire almost simul- taneously, killing 2 of the enemy. I regret to say that Acting Ensign George S. West is very badly wounded, a ball entering his left side and passing to the opposite side. Jerh. Harrington, seaman, was shot dead instantly by a shot through the throat. I have lost 3 of my crew by sickness; Mr. D. Welch, acting masters mate, died on the 18th instant, and 2 seamen on the 20th instant. With the exception of the loss of the starboard smoke pipe I have no accidents to report, and but for my small crew could be ready for any service immediately. I have cut my port pipe in the middle, and now have two very nice smoke pipes. On my arrival at Cairo I am ordered to report to Captain A. M. Pennock. Hoping that my conduct has met with your approval, I have the honor, sir, to be your most obedient servant, WALTER E. H. FENTEESS, Acting JIa~ster, Commanding U. S. S. Rattler. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, CQm1mandin$1 MiS& t8sippi Squadron Page 287 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 287 Report of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Chillicothe, regarding arrival of reinforcements under Brigadier-General Quinby, U. S. Army. U. S. GUNBOAT CrnLLICOTHE, Tallahatchie River, Miss., March 22, 1863. SIR: When I last wrote you a retrograde movement was unani- mously agreed upon, it being hazardous to remain longer. This movement was postponed, but on the morning of the 19th instant was reagreed upon, and we started for Helena in the perfect belief that there was no hope of reducing Fort Greenwood (or Pemberton) without a strong reinforcement of heavy ironclads. Since our departure (to-day) we have met on the Tallahatchie River General Quinby and his command en route for Fort Green- wood. General Quinby states to me that other large land forces are on their way also to join in the attack on Fort Greenwood [Pembertoni, and that his forces and armament will be such that, with the gunboats of the Mississippi squadron, comprising the Yazoo Pass expedition, failure is impossible in his opinion I send you a copy of his letter of requests,~and while I feel the responsibility with- out consulting youit being impossibleI still fear and hope that in complying with General Quinby s request that I shall, meet your hearty approval, notwithstanding the disabled condition of the Chillicothe and the shortness of ammunition and provisions. The latter General Quinby promises to furnish for the present. It is proper for me to say that General Ross, with whom the gunboats have heretofore been cooperating, and who during the whole ex- pedition has been indefatigable in his exertions to render it successful, had it been possible with the forces before engaged, remains quiet, but thinks we can take the fort if reinforced by gunboats. From my knowledge of General Ross I have to say that I believe him to be as sincere as I know him to be magnanimous and brave. Colonel Wilson joins in the renewal of the Yazoo Pass expedition, and from his known engineering abilities and his well-established patriotism, I can but accord to his opinion great weight. I hope that the expedition will redound to our cause, and yet I fer- vently hope to dispatch to you that the gunboats of the Yazoo Pass expedition, in conjunction with the army, have added other laurels to our flag. After we pass Fort Greenwood [Pemberton],if not before, I think it will be absolutely necessary to our perfect success to have at least two more heavy ironclads. Two months provisions are required now for what gunboats are here of all classes. I regret to say that I have just heard pretty reliably that the Rattler, en route for Helena and in command of Acting Master Fentress, late executive officer of the Rattler, was attacked in the Tallahatchie River, and during the action lost 10 men killed and several wounded. I also regret to say that Lieutenant-Commander Smith was said to be dying. The wounded of the Chillicothe in the actions of the 11th, 13th, and 16th, that have been retained here are doing well. I, however, sent the worst cases to the fleet surgeon, except the wounded soldiers doing duty as marines. These latter I sent to the army hospital boat Page 288 288 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. I will remain ofF Fort Greenwood [Pemberton] ten days, and await your answer to former dispatches. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS P. FoSTER, Lieu tenant- Comrnctmder. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Corn nding Mis8i~8ippt Squadron. Letter from Brigadier-General Fisk, U. S. Army, to Brigadier-General Ross, U. S. Army, regarding the readiness of steamers Citizen and Lebanon for transport duty as ordered. LEBANON No. ~, ]iaUahatehie River, Mis8., March 25, 1863. GENERAL: In obedience to orders from General Quinby, com- municated to me through your headquarters, the steamers Citizen and Lebanon have been placed in readiness to get underway for Helena to-morrow morning at daylight, and the detail of guards for each steamer ordered on board. Will you allow me, general, to suggest that it is hardly prudent to separate this amount of transportation from my brigade at present. I have just returned to my quarters from an interview with Acting Commodore Foster and Captain Walke, senior officers of the naval department of this expedition. I am assured by both of them that unless they receive orders from Admiral Porter, directing them to remain here and wait reinforcements of additional ironclads and am- munition, they will weigh anchor for the Mississippi River, via Moon Lake, on the 1st proximo, and quite probably before that date, and they have no expectation of receiving orders to remain. In the event of their departure, I suppose the army will follow. The transports leaving here to-morrow morning can not make the round trip before the 6th of April under the most favorable circumstances, and some of them will, without any doubt, put themselves in condition not to return. My command now crowd the transports assigned me, and the sickness in my brigade is fearfully increasing. It would simply be murdering my men to crowd them, as it would be necessary to do should we be ordered away before the return of the boats, and then is it probable that other transports will be sent into this expe- dition empty to take the place of these which are expected to return with other troops? It seems to me that every foot of transporta- tion now here should be retained until our situation is better known or at least until our naval officers receive orders, or decide to remain here without orders. Nearly 200 new-made [graves] at Helena contain the bodies of men of my command who were murdered outright by crowding them into dirty, rotten transports, as closely as slaves in the middle passage. It was a crime against humanity and heaven, the pack- ing of our soldiers on the White River expedition. You will, there- fore, excuse me, general, if I earnestly protest against any probable repetition of such an outrage upon the gallant men who confidently believe that I will do all that I can to insure their comfort and safety without prejudice to the good cause for which they will ~hee~ fully fight Page 289 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 289 The company from the Twenty-ninth Iowa, on the Luella, lost all their arms and clothing by the sinking of that staunch vessel, and one of my best officers, Lieutenant [Lucius B.] Nash, will doubtless die from injuries received thereby. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CLINTON B. FISK. Brigadier-General Ross, Commanding Division. [Endorsements.] HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH DIVISION, Greenwood, Miss., March 25, 1863. Respectfully forwarded, with the request that it may receive the careful consideration of the general commanding. There is much force and pertinence in the suggestions. It could scarcely fail to result disastrously should we be left without gunboats and trans- ports, as seems not improbable. L. F. Ross, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS YAzoo EXPEDITION, Tallahatchie River, Miss., March 25, 1863. The within protest is respectfully referred to the maj or-general commanding the Department of the Tennessee. I am informed that Brigadier-General Fisk was opposed to this expedition from the beginning, and it is not probable, to say the least, that he discouraged the determination of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, in the inter- view to which he refers, to withdraw his gunboat fleet on or before the 1st proximo. I. F. QUINBY. Report of Brigadier-General Quinby, U. S. Army, regarding the difficulties of his position on the expected withdrawal of the naval forces. HEADQUARTERS YAzoo EXPEDITION, Tallahatchie River, March 25, 186311 p. m. GENERAL: This expedition reached the position formerly held by the command under Brigadier-General Ross, about 2 miles above Fort Pemberton, on the afternoon of the 23d instant. At 3 p. in., the same day, I induced Lieutenant-Commander Foster to move down with the Chillicothe and Dc Kaib to draw the fire of the fort. Only three shots were fired from the Chillicothe and none from the Dc Kaib. The guns of the fort made no response. General Ross and myself, during the firing, were on the right bank of the river, 700 yards from the works, and could distinctly see the guns, but the gunners kept under cover, evidently reserving their fire for a nearer approach of the gunboats. It was raining hard at the time, and continued to do so until noon yesterday, when it cleared up. I deemed it best not to have the troops disembark until to-day. In the 7110x W EVOL 2410 1 Page 290 290 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. meantime I have thoroughly examined both banks of the river to the fort on the west and several miles below it on the east bank. At the p resent stage of the water it is impracticable to reach the fort by an or the Yazoo River below it on the west bank, but from the position I hold on the east bank we can easily get to the Tallahatchie below the fort and also to the Yalobusha. Both banks of the Talla- hatchie, about 3 miles below the fort, are several feet above the water. and by means of a pontoon bridge a force could be thrown in the rear of the fort and beyond the reach of its guns. By crossing the Yalobusha just above its mouth and following down the Yazoo until we get below the fort we could cut off the supplies of the garrison, and compel it to come out to fight or sur- render. Either of these places will require a pontoon bridge 250 feet long. Lieutenant Foster, commanding gunboat fleet, declares positively that unless he receives orders to the contrary he will start for the Mississippi River, via Moon Lake, with his whole fleet on or before the 1st proximo. Should he act on this determination, the land forces would be left here in a very precarious position, with nearly 200 miles of unguarded water communications between them and the Mississippi. I shall do my best to induce him to leave behind the five light-draft gunboats now in the Tallahatchie, but I scarcely hope to change his determination. Six of our transports are under orders to leave for Helena at daylight to-morrow morning to bring the rest of my divi- sion, but since I have learned of the decision of Lieutenant Foster I do not know that it would be prudent to send them up. It is one of the great evils of our service that the land and naval forces are left in a great measure independent of each other. The best concerted plans are liable to fail from this cause. In the hope that you will soon be here, I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. F. QUINBY, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Major-General J. B. MCPHERSON, Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps. Letter from Major-General McPherson, U. S. Army, to Brigadier-General Quinby, U. S. Army, regarding orders for withdrawal of army forces from Yazoo Pass. LAKE PROVIDENCE, LA., Jiarch 31, 1863. GENERAL: Your dispatch was received yesterday and a copy of it forwarded to Maj or-General Grant. Since your dispatch was written Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson has been down to see the general and returned to the Yazoo, I presume, with orders for you. As I did not see Colonel Wilson, I do not know what the orders were. Below is an extract from a letter received from General Grant this morning, from which I infer the Yazoo expedition is given up: Have Quinbys two divisions come down yet? They should be got down as soon as possible. General John E. Smiths division came down yesterday, and has been assigned to General Shermans army corps. You will, therefore, general, bring your two divisions to this place as soon as possible Page 291 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 291 With regard to everything you have done in connection with the expedition, it meets with my full approbation. I only regret that circumstances beyond your control have prevented the expedition from being as successful as we hoped. Very respectfully, your obedient servant JAS. B. MCPHERSON. Brigadier-General I. F. QUINBY, Commanding il~cesoo Expedstwm. Order of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, to the commanding officer of U. S. S. Petrel (Duchess) for withdrawal from Yazoo Pass. U. S. GUNBOAT CHILLICOTHE, Ya~oo Pass, Miss., April 10, 1863. SIR: As soon as you have sufficient coal on board you will proceed without delay to the mouth of Yazoo River and report to Rear- Admiral D. D. Porter. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. P. FOSTER, Lieutenant- Commander, Commanding Gunboats Yasoo Expedition. COMMANDING OFFICER U. S. S. PETREL. Order of Lieutenant-Commander Foster, U. S. Navy, to the commanding officer of U. S. ram Dick Fulton, for withdrawal from Yazoo Pass. U. S. GUNBOAT CHILLICOTHE, Yazoo Pass, Miss., April 10, 1863. SIR: As soon as you have sufficient coal on board you will proceed with mortar in tow without delay to mouth of Yazoo River and report to Admiral D. D. Porter. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. P. FOSmR, Lieutenant-Commander, Coin nding Gunboats Yasoo Expedition. COMMANDING OFFICER RAM FULTON. [Telegram.] YAzoo RIVER, April 12, 1863. The Yazoo Pass expedition has returned safely to this place. D. D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. lion. GIDEON WELLES. Report of Brigadier-General Ross, U. S. Army, suggesting causes of failure of the expedition. HELENA, ARK., April 18, 1863. COLONEL: In compliance with the request of the major-general com- manding the department, I have the honor to submit the followin Page 292 292 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. suggestions in regard to the causes of the failure of the Yazoo expedi- tion to accomplish the object originally contemplated: The foices under my command consisted of nine regiments of infan- try and one light field battery. We embarked upon thirteen trans- ports at Helena, Ark., February 24, and moved into the pass in the rear of the fleet of gunboats. Our transports, though perhaps the best that could be procured, were very poor and frequently delayed us by breakage and derangement of machinery. The gunboats had three barges loaded with coal, which they towed or floated with them. These were very difficult to manage, the chan- nel was so extremely narrow and tortuous, often impeding our move- ments very greatly. It was impossible, from the character of the stream, to move except by daylight. With the utmost expedition that could be usccl, it was not until the evening of March 1 that the light- draft gunboats and transports entered the Coldwater. By this time a number of our transports were more or less crippled, and it seemed to me quite evident that it was of the utmost importance that a part of the expedition should advance more rapidly than the coal barges and the partially disabled transports could be moved. We were entering the enemys country through a route with which he was familiar, and he was advised daily by a line of couriers con- necting with his telegraph lines of our progress. The point at which we were aimingthe confluence of the Yalobusha and Tallahatchie riversif gained, opened to us the Yazoo Valley, the richest in the Southwest, containing immense supplies of all descriptions. The enemy was, by means of the Yazoo River, in easy communica- tion with this point and could speedily concentrate any desired force to oppose our progress. Reports began to reach us of the enemys determination to make a stand at Greenwood, but if even a single gunboat could reach the point before the rebels had erected fortifica- tions and mounted heavy guns they could very easily be prevented from effecting a lodgment. The wide strips of overflowed country on each side between the river and the hills rendered the movement of boats comparatively safe, as there were very few points above Greenwood that could be reached by infantry and artillery, and if the enemy came in force he must come by the river. The ironclads, not being subject to the impediments that constantly retarded the light-drafts and transports, moved down the stream with great facility, and, if allowed to proceed without waiting for the rest of the fleet, could have reached Greenwood probably in two days after leaving the pass. Besides the delay necessarily attending this movement, there were many that I deemed quite unnecessary. Instead of moving in the morning at dawn, as could and should have been done, it was frequently delayed until 7 or 7:30 oclock. On several occasions the gunboat immediately in my advance stopped and lay to an hour for dinner, and when in motion it seemed that they moved very slowly, as I had no difficulty in keeping up with my transports. In consulting with Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, I urged the necessity of greater rapidity of movement, ad- vised leaving the coal barges in the rear, with sufficient guard to pro- tect them, and, with the ironclads and such light transports and light gunboats as could keep up with them, to push forward with th Page 293 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 293 utmost expedition and gain the mouth of the Tallahatchie and hold it until the rest of the fleet could join them. I was ably seconded by Lieutenant- Colonel Wilson. Lieutenant-Commanders Foster and Walker, commanding the ironclads, also concurred in these views and were very desirous to be permitted to push forward. They entered the Coldwater on the morning of Febrtiary 27, and had they moved directly on would have reached the point now known as Fort Pemberton before a single gun was mounted, thus giving us control of the Yalobusha and the Yazoo as far as Yazoo City; but the plan was rejected, and it was not until the 11th of March that we reached the mouth of the Tallahatchie. By this time the rebels had concentrated there about 6,000 men and had formidable works completed. Possibly we still might have succeeded had not the Chillicothe, through fault of construction, proved unable to sustain the fire of the enemys heavy guns. Infan- try being precluded by the situation of the fort and extent of the overflow from effecting anything by direct attack, we were compelled to rely on the gunboats to silence the enemys battery. Had this been done, our infantry forces could have soon cleared the river of ob- structions and a single gunboat, once past the fort, would have secured us not only the position, but the entire garrison; but, failing in this, nothing could be effected. I have deemed it unnecessary to encumber this communication with details. Having made full reports, with plats accompanying, from time to time during the progress of the expedition, it is but just to say that, while I am satisfied Lieutenant-Commander Smith might, by more energy and rapidity of movement, have made the expedition successful, the error was one of judgment only; that he was, al- though in very feeble health, after arriving in front of the fort, inde- fatigable in his labors, and exhibited during the engagement the utmost coolness and gallantry. I have not alluded to the period during which Brigadier-General Quinby commanded the expedition, for, in my opinion, its fate was decided, and a withdrawal inevitable, as soon as it appeared that the gunboat could not silence the enemys work. The officers and soldiers of my command performed the many arduous duties required of them with a vigilance and alacrity deserv- ing of the highest praise, and although we were scouting and re- connoitering constantly, and made repeated captures of rebel soldiers singly and in squads, I did not have a man captured by them during the entire expedition. Upon a full retrospect, with my present knowledge of the facts, I can discover nothing that the infantry force could have done, with the means at hand, more than they did to insure success. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant. L. F. Ross, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN A. IRAWLINS, A88i8tant Adjutant-General Page 294 294 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] RICHMOND, January 29, 1863. (Received 30th.) Has anything or can anything be done to obstruct the navigation from Yazoo Pass down? JEFFERSON DAVIS. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. [Telegram.] YAzoo CITY, February 9, 1863. (Via Vaughans Station.) The enemy have cut the Yazoo Pass levee; contemplate, perhaps, assailing us down the Yazoo. If we had two heavy guns from Mobile to send by way of Grenada and Yalobusha River to its mouth, we might there control the navi- gation, as the gunboats could attack only two abreast. Overflow would prevent enemys attack on flank. Our pass obstructions will only delay the enemy. ISAAC N. BROWN, C. S. Volunteers [Navy]. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. [Telegram.] JACKSON, February 9, 1683. There is no probability of getting heavy guns from Mobile. Nor do I think the movement probable. If they should attempt it, we must depend on light artillery and rifles. J. C. PEMBERTON. Captain I. N. BROWN, Ya~oo City. [Telegram.] JACKSON, MISS., February 12, 1863. General [T. C.] Tupper has received the following dispatch, and iorwards it to this office: Three Federal gunboats and two transports made their appearance in Moon Lake Sunday morning (8th instant), landed some infantry and cavalry. One gunboat started down the Yazoo Pass. The blockade is thought to be in- effectual. The Mississippi River is not rising. W. C. MAxwELL, Captain, Commnianding. J. IR. WADDY, Assistant Adjutant-General. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, Vicksbur~j, Miss Page 295 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 295 [Telegram.] YAZOG CITY, February 17, 1863. By dispatch from Lieutenant [F. E.] Shepperd, C. S. Navy, of the 14th, from Tallahatchie, the enemy had driven off our parties from the pass, and were coming through. I am trying to get boats ready to meet them. We shall need another regiment and a battery here, besides men to man these boats. Colonel Waul and command go on up to-day. A courier goes through with letters to Vicksburg. ISAAC N. BROWN, Commander. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON. Letter from Commander Brown, C. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-General Pemberton, C. S. Army, regarding the operations of the enemy at the pass, and prepara- tions for repelling them. YAzoo CITY, February 17, 1863. GENERAL: I have to-day received from Lieutenant Shepperd, C. S. Navy, who has been for some time engaged in obstructing the Yazoo Pass, a dispatch, dated Tallahatchie River, February 14, via Grenada, February W, of which the following is a copy: The enemy have driven us off from the works on the pass, and are coming through. Hasty obstructions with fortifications may save Yazoo City. I have done my best; worked under their noses, till their pickets came in 100 yards of me. I am fitting out the Mary Keene and Star of the We8t, and shall need men to man them; unfortunately I have no boat just now to send for these men without interfering with the fitting out of the Keene. General [Colonel T. N. I Waul has advised you of his intended move- inents. I regret that we have so little time to make preparations; so little, in fact, that I can not be answerable for what may happen; in other words, I can give no assurance that we shall be able to stop the enemy, as we can not tell with what amount or description of force he is coming through. We will do all we can. I am, respectfully, ISAAC N. BROWN, Commander C. S. Navy. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, Vick8 burg. [Telegram.] JACKSON, February 17, 1863. Have 200 men, good and true, who will volunteer to man gunboats at Yazoo City, sent forward immediately, with proper complement of officers, to report to Captain I. N. Brown. Has the field battery or- dered, gone forward yet? Send all the troops and ordnance ordered up Yazoo with all dispatch. ~ ~. P~~TON. Major-General STEVENSON, Vick8 burg Page 296 296 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] VJCKSBURG, February 18, 1863. Captain Brpwn reports that the enemy were coming through Yazoo Pass on the 14th. Our working party, under Lieutenant Shepperd, C. S. Navy, has been driven off. C. L. STEVENSON. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON. Report of Major-General Loring, C. S. Army, regarding measures for repulsing the enemy in the Tallahatchie and Yazoo rivers. CAMP PEMBERTON, Yazoo River, February 21, 1863. GENERAL: Upon my arrival here to-day I find that Major [M.] Meriwether had, in accordance with my instructions, acted promptly in his selection of a place where we may [be] enabled to construct suitable works for the defense of this river. * * * The river here will also be obstructed with rafts, if it can be done before the enemy approach. This is highly probable, as there is not the least apparent prospect of their speedy descent, and no present indication of a further rise in the river. If, however, the obstruction by rafts can not be completed in time, I shall use the C. S. S. Star of the West, as stated in my last dispatch, and if necessary sink her athwart the channel. I would remove the two pieces sent to you to Yazoo City, but do not think it best to do so unless others could be sent there. That - position, naturally strong, should be kept in condition of defense in the event we should be compelled to abandon the works up the river. I have given orders that those boats now being used for transporta- tion of supplies on the Tallahatchie and Yalobusha rivers for Grenada, and on the Yazoo for Vicksburg, shall not be interfered with, and to this end the rafts which I have spoken of will not be placed in position to obstruct the steamers until the enemys approach renders it absolutely necessary to do so. Those boats not in use for this purpose are now being encircled with cotton bales, under the direction of Captain [I. N.] Brown, xvho will command them, and assist our works by boarding the enemy if he should attempt a descent of the river.* * * Will go up the Tallahatchie to-morrow in the direction of the Coldwater, with the view of finding some other suitable points for the erection of works or obstruction of the steamers, proceeding up the Coldwater toward the Yazoo Pass. My progress up the latter, how- ever, will depend entirely upon the information I may be enabled to obtain respecting the strength of the enemy. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. LORING. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Commanding, etc Page 297 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 297 Report of Scout Voorheis, C. S. Army, regarding the entrance of the enemy into the Coidwater River. MOUTH OF YAzoo PASS, February 22, 1863. DEAR SIR: To-day the Federals were working on the last blockade in Yazoo Pass, and finished clearing it out in the afternoon. About 4 oclock they entered Coldwater. One gunboat and three transports are at the month of the pass. They have a force of abont 3,000 infantry and cavalry (300 cavalry) camped within 3 miles above the month of the pass. The obstructions placed in Coldwater below the pass have been washed off by the high water. Very respectfully, VOORHEIS. Captain THOMAS HENDERSON. P. S.The water is very high, and I was compelled to go to the pass in a skiff. [Telegram.] GRENADA, February 23, 1863. The Federals have succeeded in getting through the pass into Cold- water liver. One of their gunboat s passed into Coldwater and then went back np the pass to-day. SAM. HENDERSON, Captain of Scouts. General PEMBERTON. [Telegram.] JACKSON Miss, February 23, 1863. The enemy reported throngh the pass with gunboats and three transports; reported 3,000 strongevidently too large. The loca- tion of the batteries unfortunately on wrong side of river. Let me know with what artillery and what troops yon occupy that point; also, how many cotton boats can operate with Tilghmans brigade and those on the river. I suppose you have sufficient force. J. C. PEMBERTON Maj or-General LORING Ya~oo City via Vaughns Station. [Telegram.] CAMP PEMBERTON, March 2, 1863. The bearer of flag of truce to enemy at [Yazool Pass on the 26th, reports: Saw six stern-wheel and one side-wheel gunboats near where pass empties into Coidwater. No gunboat had yet been in Cold- water, and tug had passed into Coldwater and returned; intention to bring gunboats through evident. About 7,000 troops on pass. Large number transports in Moon Lake. Enemys gunboats have 24-pounder in bow, with iron plating to protect. W. W. LORING. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON Page 298 ~98 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] SHUFORDSVILLE, Miss., March 2, 1863. (Via Grenada, Miss., 9th.) The Federals left General Alcorns farm this morning down the pass with 13 transports and 5 gunboats. The transports are small. I do not think they will average more than 400 or 500 men each. ED. E. PORTER Captain, Commanding Partisan Rangers. Major-General LORLNG, Fort Pemberton. Forward to General Pemberton. [Telegram.] CHATTANOOGA, March 2, 1863. The newspapers say that the enemy is at work in the Yazoo Pass. Can he make any serious attempt by that route? Is not Coldwater obstructed? J. E. JOHNSTON. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Jackson, Miss. [Telegram.] JACKSON, March 4, 1863. Enemy has cut his way through obstructions in Yazoo Pass. Cold- water is also obstructed. Gunboat has been a few miles into Cold- water. Our defenses command mouth of Tallahatchie and Yalo- busha. I do not think he can effect anything very serious. J. C. PEMBERTON. General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Chattanooga. [Telegram.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, March 9, 1863. The Navy Department has received a dispatch that the enemy had passed their boats into the headwaters of the Yazoo. What are the facts and where are the boats? J. A. SEDDON. General PEMBERTON, Jackson, Miss Page 299 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 299 [Telegram.] CAMP PEMBERTON, Tuesday, March 10, 1863. The enemy in great force are very near our works. It is raining hard, making the weather unfavorable to us. I have but two boats ready. ISAAC N. BROWN, Commander, C. S. NaLy. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Vicksburg, Miss. Letter from Commander Brown, C. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-General Pemberton, C. S. Army, regarding expected attack of the enemy upon Fort Pemberton. CAMP PEMBERTON, Tall ahatchie River, March 10, 1863. (Received 12th.) GENERAL: I have to send the little steamer Saint Marys to Yazoo City, and probably to Snyders Mill, and General Loring does not send dispatches from the fact, I believe, of the steamer Sharps hav- ing been ordered down, and which may in fact get ahead of the Saint Marys. The enemy in great force are near our works and will attack per- haps early to-morrow. It has been raining hard for two days here, which made it very unfavorable -for us. I think from what I can learn that twenty-five or more transports and six or more gunboats will be within 5 miles of us to-night. I have but two boatsthe Keane and Magenta. I went up the river two days ago on the Parallel (steamer) to get cotton to finish the Magenta. When up 70 miles, I found myself near the enemy, and shifted to the Saint Marys, to remain and make observations, send- ing the steamer Parallel ahead. The latter, from the extreme nar- rowness of the stream, ran into the woods and disabled herself, so that, to save falling into the hands of the enemy, I ordered her burned, which was done as the enemy came in sight. I have never been well pleased with our position here, but hope that we may not have to regret taking it up, rather than concentrat- ing our whole force at Yazoo City. I beg pardon for trespassing so far on General Lorings department as to speak to you of military matters about which I presume he gives you much more full information than I could do. I have done my utmost against most incomprehensible difficulties to fit out the cotton-clad fleet. The cotton was not on the banks of the river, and the state of the country from overflow prevented hauling it. Besides, I could not get the proper boats from the Tallahatchie for reasons already made known in my late letter to you. I am, very respectfully, ISAAC N. BROWN, Commander, C. S. Navy. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON Page 300 300 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS, Fort Pembe~ ton, Jiarch 11, 1863. A perfectly reliable spy, who succeeded in escaping and returning to-day, gives the following information: Two ironclads (one of them a ram) and seven other ~unboats, includinb one mortar boat, and twenty-seven transports filled with men (of the number could not form correct idea), comprise what he saw of this fleet, commanded by Generals Walker and Slack and Commodore Hull. Their avowed intention is to pass Yazoo City, with the view to operate in the rear of Vicksburg. Seemed to be fully apprised of our strength in Yazoo City. W. W. LORING. LLOYD TILGHMAN. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS, Fort Pemberton, March 11, 18637.15 p. in. From all the information we can gather, the enemys strength is five gunboats and about 5,000 men, indicating the advance of a large force. W. W. LORING. General J. C. PEMBERTON. [Tele,,ram.] JACKSON, March 11, 1863. 1-lave already started two VII T-inch naval guns and a 32-pounder banded rifle to Big Black, to go down by Charm; they belong to the Navy. You can send the two 32-pounder rifles mentioned on my last visit to Vicksburg. J. C. PEMBERTON. Major-General STEVENSON, Vielc8 burg. [Telegram.] JACKSoN, March 12, 1863. [J. C.] Moores brigade ordered to Yazoo City. All the heavy guns that can be spared sent forward, also the ammunition. The steamer May, presumed to be cotton-clad, should not be sent down; and with her and the Magenta any flank movement can be prevented. J. C. PEMBERTON. Captain T. N. BROWN, Greenwood, Mis8., via Grenada Page 301 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 301 [Telegram.] VICKSBURG, March 12, 1863. Shall the Yazoo be obstructed above or below Yazoo City? If by a raft, shall it be placed at once, shutting off communication? C. L. STEVENSON. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. [Telegram.] JACKSON, March 13, 1863. General Stevenson reports last night most of transports and ap- parently many troops have gone up river, but can not ascertain how far. Close observation opposite entrance shows dredging boats have only advanced one-fifth length of canal. Country overflowed to that distance. No progress yesterday. If canal is successful at all, must be very slow process. General Loring reports, 1~ oclock last night, no attack on Fort Pemberton on Tallahatchie yesterday. On 11th one ironclad attacked in the morning and one in afternoon. Both repulsed. One boat damaged; part of her inner works, with piece of shell sticking in it, floated against raft opposite fort. Nothing important from Port Hudson yesterday. ~. C. PEMBERTON. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President. [Telegram.] FORT PEMBERTON, March 73, 18637.50 p. in. Just as I sent off my last dispatch to you enemy opened upon us again with one gunboats guns and land battery and XJJI-inch mortar. Kept it up with great spirit until after sunset. Ammunition for heavy guns arrived just now. W. W. LORING. LLOYD TJLGHMAN. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS, Fort Pe~ir& berton, March 14, 18638 p. in. Enemy remained quiet until 3 p. in., when they opened from their land batteries, which was briskly returned by us. Lasted but few minutes. Evidently to try strength of guns. W. W. LORING, Major- General, Cominandinq. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON Page 302 302 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS, Fort Pemberton, Ma ch 16, 18639 p. in. The enemy, with one ironclad covered with cotton and sides pro- tected by cotton on raft, opened upon us at 12.30 oclock to-day. The ironclad retired in about forty-five minutes. The land battery kept up the fire until sunset. No loss on our side. We are unable to prevent land batteries from increasing, because we are fearful of not receiving more ammunition in time. Have ordered another raft constructed on Yazoo, opposite here, and works thrown up on other side river. If I can have one week will effect it. W. W. LORING, Major- General, Corn~imanding. Lieutenant-General J. C. PENIBERTON. [Telegram.] FORT PEMBERTON, March 20, 18635 p. in. I started a fully clad cotton boat down to-night, keeping one here in case of accident. Enemy in full run, as fast as steam can carry him, and my men after him. This place capable of very strong defense; should be made perfect, and I have given orders to have it so. The engineer officer ordered by you has not yet reported, as the enemy is steaming away from here as fast as he can. I will, if you wish it, go to the Sunflower and stop him. W. W. LORING, Major-General, Conrnnanding. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. [Telegram.] JACKSON, March 20, 1863. If the Mobile is not being used, she had better be sent down to defend the Yazoo from Deer Creek and Sunflower. J. C. PEMBERTON. Major-General LORiNG, Through General George, Grenada. [Telegram.] JACKSON, March 20, 1863. The Star of the WeBt has been sunk as obstruction at Fort Fern- berton. I know nothing of the Mobile by name. J. C. PEMBERTON. Major-General STEVENSON Page 303 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 303 [Telegram.] JACKSON, March 21, 1863. The enemy have abandoned operations against Fort Pemberton and have retreated np the Tallahatchie. J. C. PEMBERTON. General JOSEPH F. JOHNSTON, Tallahoma, Tenn. [Telegram.] JACKSON, March 21, 1863. Where is the gunboat Mobile? Why cant she be sent down No necessity for gunboats now at Fort Pemberton. J. C. PEMBERTON. Maj or-General bORING, Through General George, Grenada. [Telegram.] FORT PEMBERTON, Ilarch 23, 18634.30 p. m. The enemy in force with their gnnboats have again made their 8ppearance, opening fire at 2.15 and immediately ceasing fire. NV. NV. LORINo, Major- General, Commanding. General J. C. PEMBERTON. [Tele~ram.] JACKSON, March 23, 18639 p. m. General boring reports enemy returning with reinforcements of men and gunboats to attack Fort Pemberton. It is necessary that the heavy guns should go up, unless you have positive information that the enemys gunboats are making their way down Deer Creek or Sunflower. If a boat is ready, let the two Parrott guns go at once The columbiad can follow. Have boats and your entire command ready to move on summons from General Loring. J. C. PEMBERTON. Brigadier-General MOORE, Ya~oo City. [Telegram.] FORT PEMBERTON, April 2, 1863. (Received April 3 10 a. in.) The enemy are sending their boats to the [Yazoo] Pass for rein- forcements. They are receiving heavy guns. Can any heavy guns be sent here? NV. NV. bORING, Major- General, Commanding. General J. C. PEMBERTON Page 304 304 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] JACKSON, April 7, 18G3. Letter of 31st just received. Will direct Generals Loring and Stevenson to turn over cotton boats to your command. They should operate below Yazoo City. J. C. PEMBERTON. Captain I. N. BROWN, C. S. Navy. Yazoo City. [Telegram.] JACKSON, April 9, 18G3. Move down river, say to the mouth of Sunflower, with your cotton- clad boats, to operate as circumstances may require. J. C. PEMBERTON. Captain I. N. BROWN, Yazoo City. [Telegram.] GRENADA, April P2, 18G3. Lieutenant U. S.] Carman reports, 10th instant, 6 p. in.: Yazoo Pass expedition abandoned. Thirty-eight boats, with last of troops, passed through Moon Lake and into Mississippi River. Rosss division gone to Helena. Quinbys said to be going to Green- ville into quarters. No boats passed up since last report. SAM HENDERSON, Captain, etc. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Jackson. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. N~~y,to Acting Lieu- tenant Sanford, U. S. Navy, regarding the fitting of the U. S. S. Lafayette. FEBRUARY 6, 1863. SIR: In answer to your letter of January 25, I beg leave to say: It was intended for the Lafayette to carry two XI-inch guns forward, two 100-pounder rifles aft, and two TX-inch guns on broadside. rrhe others I will transfer (when I get that ship) to one of the ironclads. Fit her according to the above. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Lieutenant J. P. SANFORD, U. S. N~ vy, Ordnance Officer, Cairo, Ill Page 305 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 305 Loss of the U. S. S. Glide by fire at Cairo, Ill., February 7, 1863. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 7, 1863. The light-draft gunboat Glide was totally consumed by fire this morning at half past 5 oclock. Expect to recover guns and machinery. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Report of Acting Ensign Dahigren, U. S. Navy, late commanding U. S. S. Glide. NAVAL DEPOT, CAIRO, February 7, 1863. SIR: It is with deep mortification that I am obliged to report to you the loss of the late U. S. S. Glide, by fire, about 5 a. m. this morning. Every exertion was made to extinguish the fire by officers and men of both ship and station, but the intense cold, high wind, and light, dry material of the ship set at defiance every exertion. Nothing was saved except that which we all stood in. It is a difficult matter to ascertain the origin of the conflagration as yet. Too much credit can not be given to Captains Penuock and Wood- worth, and Mr. iR. A. Turner (executive officer of ship), and the officer commanding the tug Dahlia for their efforts and skill in extri- cating the burning ship from the midst of the other vessels. The wreck is ashore on the Kentucky shore, and her guus, plating, and machinery may be saved. Tam, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. 13. DAIILGREN, Acting Ensign. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting reports. No. 113.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, February 15, 1863. SIR: I enclose herewith reports of Captain A. M. Pennock and Acting Lieutenant Selim L. Woodworth, in relation to the burning of the Glide, and also enclose general orders, showing that I omitted no precaution against fire previous to my leaving Cairo. I have ordered an investigation of the matter. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C. 7110N w nVOL 2410 2 Page 306 306 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Enclosures.] OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report to you that at about 5 : 30 oclock this morning the gunboat Glide was reported to me to be on fire. On my arrival at the place where she was moored (between the in- spection boat and the General Price, at the stern of the wharf boat), I found that she was on fire in the fore hold. Every exertion was made by her commander, officers, and crew, and those attached to the Lfa8tport and to this station, to extinguish the fire, but finding that their efforts were of no avail, and that the fire was gaining, and fearing that it would be communicated to the Abraham and General Price, I directed that a bowline be veered away until her bow was clear of the stern of the Price, and when it was cast off a tug canted her and towed her out into the strength of the current. After burn- ing some time she grounded about 2 miles below, on the Kentucky shore. I think that her guns and machinery will be saved. It is re- ported that two contrabands were lost. The cause of the fire is not known, but I shall have the whole matter thoroughly investigated, the result of which will be reported to you. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Coiroruandant of Station. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding 21iis8~s8ippi Squadron. P. S.Captain Woodworths report will be forwarded to you as soon as possible. The officers and crew have lost everything they possessed. CAIRO, February 7, 1863. SIR: I have to report to you the loss of the U. S. S. Glide, late under my command, by fire. Although having assumed charge of the General Price, I still re- tained my quarters on board the Glide, she lying alongside. Mr. Dahigren had taken charge of her outfits and equipments as executive officer in command. About 5:15 this morning I was aroused by the ringing of the fire bell on the naval depot wharf boat, but not seeing any light or smoke when I looked out, supposed the alarm to proceed from fire in town. I dressed myself with all haste, and, proceeding to the forward part of the boat to call the officers and crew, discovered smoke proceed- ing from fire scuttle and forward hatches, they having been forced open by Mr. Dahlgren, who was already engaged with the officers and crew of the Glide in drawing and passing water and making every exertion to extinguish the fire. I at once started with some contrabands to drown the magazines, but they were not fitted with bilge cocks, and could only introduce water into them through the hatches with buckets. Captain Pennock was on hand with a strong force of officers and laborers, and made every exertion, with such facilities as were at hand, to extinguish the fire, but the extreme cold weather, leaving everything fr~en, but little was effected by the use of buckets Page 307 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 307 The Glide was moored astern of and to the wharf boat, outside of the boat A braham, with the General Price outside of her. Having made every preparation to drop the Glide Clear of the pier by running lines, etc., a tug was procured and made fast to the quarter of the steamer. Renewed exertions were now made to extinguish the fire by cutting through the deck with axes, but the light and inflam- mable material about the boilers was soon in a living flame. Upon consultation with Captain Pennock, it was deemed impossible to save the Glide, and at this time the flames were endangering the inspection boat and General Price, and leaving the wharf boat also in danger. Captain Pennock ordered cast off, and drop out of the pier, but not until the whole forward part of the vessel was in flames. The tug having her in charge succeeded in reaching the middle of the river, out of reach of the naval station, where she was cast off. She drifted ashore at Fort Holt, and burned to the waters edge. The magazines did not explode, but the fixed ammunition seemed to be fired slowly, as shell and shrapnel continued to burst in the air from time to time, for an hour after she grounded. To the efficient aid rendered by Captain Pennock, Captain Sanford, and Captain Phelps, and the officers and men under their command, may be attributed the safety of all the public property at the wharf boat. Acting Ensign Wright and the engineer of the tug Dahlia are deserving of much credit in holding on to the Glide until she was so far removed as not to endanger the lives or property at Cairo by the explosion of her magazines. They did not leave her until her fasts were burned off and the small arms were being discharged in every direction. The wreck of the Glide is now lying in 5 feet water, on the Ken- tucky shore. Her guns, engines, and boilers can be readily recovered; also all the iron plates from her sides. The officers and crew of the Glide have lost all but their clothes in which they dressed. The crew h~ s been transferred to the ill ary Miller, which vessel will be dispatched as soon as ready. The late inclement and cold weather has interfered very much with work on the General Price, but the favorable change in the weather to-day will enable the carpenters to do something. I think it will require yet twenty days before the Price will be ready for se~. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SELIM E. WOODWORTH, Acting Lieidenant, U. S. Navy, Late Comimanding U. S. S. Glide. Rear-Admiral PORTER. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting copy of letter for. warded to the Secretary of the Navy. OFFICE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 12, 1862. Sni: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a letter from me to the honorable Secretary of the Navy rehttive to the burning of the Glide and the continual liability of the wharf boat and stor Page 308 308 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. ships at this station to be consumed by fire, which I trust will meet with your approval. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mi8sis8ippi Squadron. [Enclosure.] No. 15.] OFFICE Mississir~i SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 9, 1863. SIR: Tt was with regret that I had to report to you by telegram the total destruction by fire of the U. S. gunboat Glide. She was made fast to the stern of the U. S. Navy wharf boat9 between the Abraham (provision boat) and the General Price, and as her engine was undergoing repairs there was no steam up. I kept her there until there was no hope of extinguishing the fire, when, to save the naval wharf boat (in which a large quantity of fixed ammuni- tion was from necessity stored) and the two vessels above named, all hands were ordered out of her, she was cast off and towed into the mid- dle of the stream. She drifted down about 2 miles below us, where she grounded. As her magazine had been drowned by her command- ing oflicer by throwing water upon the boxes of ammunition in it, it did not explode. I doubt not that we shall be able to recover her boilers, engine, and guns. The cause of the fire is not positively known. Lieutenant Com- manding Woodworth is under the impression that the contraband firemen built a fire in the ash pan and that it burned throtigh the deck, igniting combustible matter below. Lieutenant Commanding Wood- worth, his officers and men,, and the officers and men of the Eastport and this station, were untiring in their efforts to save the Glide. The wharf boat, with all its valuable stores; the Abraham, in which are stored all the provisions for the squadron; and the gunboats along- side the wharf boat for repairs are constantly in danger from fire from steamers which are continually arriving day and night above and below us. Last night a steamer, not more than 100 yards above us, caught fire, and had it not been extinguished it would have drifted down upon us, in which case it is more than probable that all the Government stores and property at this station would have been consumed. I may add that the naval wharf boat is now moored in the safest place that can be found for the purpose in Cairo. The ordnance officer informs me that he has several carloads of ordnance stores now on the railroad track in the cars, which he can not unload, not having a suitable place to store them. We can not store our ammunition on shore on account of the dampness and for fear of its being flooded by a rise of the river, and we are compelled to store the greater part of it in covered scows moored to the bank. It is impossible to hire a storehouse on shore. We are cramped in every way for want of room to do the necessary work for the fleet. I feel it my duty to inform the Department of these facts, as I con- sider the public property to be in constant peril Page 309 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 309 I have written to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter on this subject, who will doubtless communicate with the Department. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Comdnandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of a board of officers appointed to examine into the circumstances of the loss. U. S. FLAGSHIP BLACK HAWK, March 14, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a copy of an investigation in the case of the Glide, lately burned at Cairo. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding JIi88issippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wa8hington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. NAVAL STATION~ Cairo, Ill., February 28, 1863. SIR: In conformity with your order of the 26th instant, we have examined into the circumstances attending the burning of the U. S. gunboat Glide, and have to report as follows. The absence of the officer of the deck and quartermaster on duty at the time of the accident has rendered our examination to some extent incomplete. The Glide had a crew of 8 white men and 30 negro contrabands. Of the 8 white men, 2 were on guard on the forecastle outside the casemate and 1 acting as quartermaster on the upper deck. The officer of the deck was a young rind inexperienced masters mate; the time of burning, about 5 oclock a. in.; the vessel at the naval wharf boat. There was no fire in the furnace, as the machinery was being repaired. No evidence of a positive character is given as to the cause of the burning, but it appears very probable that it occurred from a fire made by the negroes upon the ash pan to warm themselves, the night being a cold one. Accidents from this cause are of fre- quent occurrence. The executive officer had gone around the vessel at 2 oclock a. in., and states that all was right at that hour. The offi~er of the midwatch states that at 4 oclock a. m. he examined the light, etc., below in accordance with a general order of the captain to do so every hour, and that then he thinks there was no fire on the ash pan; is not entirely positive, as for a day or two previous he had seen fires there for the purpose of thawing out the boilers, connecting pipes, etc., and that in consequence its presence at that hour might have escaped his notice. It appears that the masters mate on watch dis- covered smoke some time before any alarm was given, but seems not to have known how to act or, indeed, to have realized the cause or probable danger. The smoke at length passing up between the chi Page 310 ~31O NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. neys and jackets reached the spar deck, when the quartermaster took alarm and sprang to the bell. rfhe lookouts on the forecastle being outside with the ports closed were not reached by the smoke. It was stated, but not reliably, that the officer of the watch on discovering smoke went below, found the negroes with a fire in the ash pan, and had water brought and thrown upoft it, believing that to be the source of the smoke in the vessel. The executive officer on hearing the alarm hurried below and found smoke issuing from the forehatch. An ax was used to force it open, when flames burst forth, coming from the hold under the ash pan. The crew at once used buckets of water to extinguish the fire, these buckets being the only resource when without steam. As soon as the alarm was sounded, the commandant of the station, with a force of workmen, came to the assistance of the vessel, as did also the crew of the Easiport, but all efforts werc unavailing. The fire when discovered had spread so far in the hold of the vessel as to render it impossible to save her, although every effort was made. When all hopes of saving her had been lost, the vessel was towed into the stream toward the opposite shore, when she grounded near Fort Holt. The cause of the fire is undoubtedly traceable to the character of her crew, all but eight being contra- bands, sensitive to the cold and reckless of the consequences of build- ing a fire anywhere. There was a hope of escaping discovery, and they were able to kindle it by using a passage lamp hanging near. It is probable, had the officer of the watch been a person of more experience, the fire would have been discovered in time to extinguish it. Finally, we do not find any want of vigilance or the usual pre- caution against fire, the only reliable men being the eight seamen, and they could not keep the other guard and at the same time watch the lights and the negroes below. T. PATTISON, Lieutenant- Commander. S. L. PHELPS, Lieutenant- Commander. WM. D. FAULKNER, A cting Chief Engineer. Captain A. MI. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandan t of Statwn, Cairo. Instructions from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Simonds, U. S. Navy, commandant of navy yard, Memphis, Tenn. FEBRUARY 7, 1863. SIR: You will send me semimonthly returns of all the work done at the yard at Memphis. When vessels come to the yard you will have the necessary work done to them and dispatch them without delay. You will allow noth- ing of a private nature to be made in the yard. Make requisitions on Captain Pennock at Cairo for what is required to repair steamers. When officers are ordered to the yard, afford them accommodations in the commandants house or other convenient buildings in the yard or belonging to it Page 311 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 311 You will have the hospital cleaned out and put in order for our sick. Have all the cotton seed cleared out, and lock up the buildings. Permit no one to use the machinery, and permit no shops to be used except those now occupied by the army. Take an inventory of everything in the yard. See what arrange- ment you can make to be supplied with timber for repairs. It is not desirable to keep anything more on hand than is necessary for imme- diate use, for fear of a raid of the rebels. You will approve all the requisitions made for stores or material, and report to me the general character of the officers and their atten- tion to duty. Mr. Apperly will have charge of the workshops and the manage- ment and employment of mechanics, confining himself to the number I have allowed. I have detailed a paymaster, who will go on duty soon at the yard, and he must try and make his arrangements to pay off the men monthly. You will let me know how many contra- bands and teams you may want, which you can obtain from the army, and employ. Make requisitions on the army for hay, and send me monthly re- turns of its expenditure. The contrabands will draw rations, which you can obtain from and receipt for to the army quartermaster. Let me know when the provisions in store are getting short. It is desirable to fill up the Sovereign and get her down here as soon as her guard is fixed. The other repairs will be made here. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Master G. B. SIMONDS, U. S. Navy, Commandant of Navy Yard, Memphis, Iienn. Report of Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, regarding repairs to that vessel made at Memphis. U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST ROSE, Helena, February , 1863. SIR: On the 4th instant, after having got the levee cut, and know- ing that we could not do anything for a few days at that. I received permission from the commanding officer to go to Memphis to repair my rudder and get some xvheel buckets, of which I was in need and could not get here. I left here at noon and arrived on the evening of the 5th at Memphis. One of my pilots being sick, I could not run all night. I had to get nearly a new rudder made and one pair of braces, which we finished last night at 11 oclock, and started at once for this place, where we arrived this morning at 6 oclock and are now wait- ing for the general to go over and try the pass. There seems to be a great deal of trouble in the yard at Memphis, but as I was there only one day I can not give you the particulars. Mr. Rowe com- plained that he had been arrested and confined on board the Soeereign because he would not give up his books and papers without bein Page 312 312 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. shown written authority for doing so. His wife was not allowed to see him, and his child at the time lying very sick he requested me to forward a document to you, which I have done. I am informed that the transport Glasgow, in coaling from a barge belonging to the Navy, took the coal all out of the middle of the barge, which caused her to break in two and sink. The watchman says he protested against their doing so, but they paid no attention to him. I have a number of sick on board, but General Gorman has given me a surgeon to remain on board while here. There are some fifteen of my crew whose time is out. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi A3quadron. Report of Fleet Captain Penn ock, U. S. Nary, transmitting reports regarding an accident to the U. S. S. Eastport. OFFICE Missrsswri SQUADRON, Cairo, Iii., February 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith tbe report of Lieutenant- Commander S. L. Phelps, U. S Navy commanding U. S. gunboat Eastport, relative to an accident met with by that vessel on her way to \Ticksburg to join the squadron. She arrived here day before yes- terday noon. Knowing your great desire to have her with you and the urgent necessity for her services, I telegraphed immediately to the honorable Secretary of the Navy, a copy of which telegram I herewith enclose. She has, I fear, sustained serious damaoe and the shock to her bottom must have been very severe to have broken the heavy timbers placed there for strengthening it. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, IT.. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. [Enclosures.] U. S. GUNBOAT IEASTPORT, Cairo, February 5, 1863. SIR: I have to report that I left this place with this vessel on the 2d instant to join your force at Vicksburg, having in convoy the General Lyon and New National. In the evening, struck upon a bar, breaking the timbers used in strengthening the bottom under the boilers to such an extent that it was dangerous to proceed farther. I accord- ingly brought to the bank, 150 miles below Cairo, and deeming it safe to do so, sent the two vessels in company to Memphis, with orders for Captain Bishop, commanding General Bragg, if possible. to convoy the boats to Vicksburg. I remained at the bank till morniug, whe Page 313 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 318 the towboat Collier came up the river with empty barges in tow. I at once passed the shot, shell, and other heavy articles into the barges, and it being possible at any moment that the bottom of this vessel might give way, and thus sinking suddenly, carrying all down with her, I made fast to the Colliers tow and returned to this point, where i[ have just arrived. The timbers broken are ten in number, in a space of 32 feet long by 18 feet wide, and are 14 inches thick, 18 feet long, with a spring of (3 inches. There are two stirrups at each end, with screws and nuts, by means of which the bottom had been forced to its proper position. It was believed by the ship builders and me- chanics at work upon her that the bottom was at least as strong in that part as anywhere else, and that no strain would or could break the timbers. Three were found to be broken after striking the ground, and the others were so much sprung as to break one by one in a short time after the accident. Notwithstanding the high stage of water, I do not attach much if any blame to the pilot. Besides the fact that touching upon bars is a constantly recurring event in river navigation, the engineer found it impossible to keep up any proper head of steam, not over 80 to 90 J)ounds pressure, while we should have had 140 to 150 pounds, and the wind was high, which, with the swift eddies rendered close steer- ing difficult. This inability to keep up steam was due to three causes, the chief one, probably, being the poor character of our firemen. The 1)oilers have but two fines, and consequently have not sufficient fire surface for the large cylinders in use, and the fire fronts are entirely too open. Men can not endure the heat thus created in the confined fire room while firing up, and the fires themselves at such times are efVected by the too-open draft. I am of the opinion that it is essential the fronts of the boilers, if uot the boilers themselves, should be replaced by others, and that the bottom under the boilers should be entirely reconstructed. I would also sug~ est the propriety of planking the entire bottom over the present planking. If proper boilers can be had ready-made, the vessel can be got ready for service in four weeks time, otherwise in five to six weeks. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. L. PHELPS, Lieutenant- Coironar~der. Acting IRear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. U. S. GUNBOAT EA5TPORT, Cairo, February 5,1863. DEAR SIR: I have hardly the heart to write to you or to propose to do anything with this vessel. I have never altogether regained my spirits since that terrible prostration in October, although I am stronger and more tieshy now than usual, and this new misfortune overwhehus me. It seems to me as if bad luck had come, condensed into three or four months time. Bad weather and a scarcity of labor- ers detained us in getting the vessel ready at least two weeks. When we came to launch her even they made a bad job of it; let her stern go dowu first, so that she twisted the forward cradles to pieces, and Page 314 314 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Hamilton reports, broke 120 of the trucks on which they ran. A common river boat would have been broken in the middle. The plan 1 adopted for the strengthening [of] the bottom was not fully car- ried out, and to that fact I now trace my misfortunes. In addition to the heavy timbers sprung across the bottom, I intended to have a thwartship hog chain between each pair of the timbers, as traced in the enclosed plan. Hamilton, with all the mechanics of every class, insisted that the timbers would hold, so that the bottom must be stove in before they could break, and when in place they certainly looked as if nothing could break them, and as time could be saved I was overpersuaded to omit the thwartship chains. I am now satisfied that a new bottom must be put in under the boilers and the whole bottom planked additionally, and it would be well to fill the angle at the sides forward of wheels as I have done already aft, and by which her draft was reduced from 8 feet 4 inches to 7 feet 6 inches. The boilers are the old ones, are weak, and have but two flues, and, the engineers say, can not possibly make steam fast enough with the small fire surface. The cylinders are very large. This vessel, I am satisfied, can make a good speed, as great as the Lexington, with good boilers, etc. Were there a vessel near ready I should ask to have her temporarily while this is being altered, but there is none that will be ready before this one, and probably I can do better service in forcing ahead her work than in any other way. My pride is some- what touched with respect to the bottom of this vessel, and with your permission it shall be made to hold, even to jumping bars, as I used to do with the Conestoga. I congratulate you heartily upon the triumph you have already bad. I am, yours, truly, S. L. PHELPS. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 6, 1863. The Fastport arrived yesterday much injnred, having struck upon a bar on the way to Vicksburg. The repairs to hull, with new boilers proposed by survey, will cost $20,000 to $25,000. Can be completed in five weeks. The services of the vessel are of the utmost importance, and dispatch in fitting her out is necessary. Shall I proceed with the work? Have written to Admiral Porter about it, but can not hear from him in less than eight days from date. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] CAIRO, February 7, 1863. Please ascertain if Eastport is to be repaired as proposed by Captain Pennock in telegram yesterday and telegraph to him. S. L. PHELPS. Commodore DAvIS, Bureau of Navigation, Washington, P. C Page 315 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 315 [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 7, 1863. Proceed with the proposed work on the Lastport, and have her completed without delay. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Commander A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, forwarding dispatches. OFFICE MIssIssIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 7, 18638:30 p. m. SIR: Since writing my communication to you, relative to the Eastport, I have received from the honorable Secretary of the Navy ~n answer to mine to him, a copy of which I enclose herewith. I send these dispatches by the U. S. gunboat Duchess, which vessel will convoy the TV. H. Brown and the Ba yard, each with three barges of coal to the fleet. The Florence has just arrived from Cincinnati. I have the honor to be, very respectively, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. I send you a lot of lumber by the Bayard. Mr. Watson has been directed to fill all the requisitions for the fleet. A large number of anchors (those required by you) have been ordered before your last letter in regard to them was received, and are expected here in a day or two. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding general matters. OFFICE MIssIssIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 7, 1863. SIR: I enclose herewith sundry telegrams received since my last communication for your information. I telegraphed to Commodore Hull relative to the mortar boats, knowing your earnest desire to have them with the squadron. As soon as they arrive here I shall equip them without delay and send them down. I have had the blanks for the Returns of Contrabands printed, and have forwarded to every vessel in the squadron a years supply. I also send a bundle of the blanks to you, and have retained about as many at this office. I have handed the forms for blanks, which you sent me under date of 26th ultimo, to Mr. Boggs with instruction to carry out your directions Page 316 316 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. I have made out a requisition for a printing press and equipments and sent it to Mr. Watson, with directions to furnish it at the earliest opportunity. Neither the Home nor the Rocket has been here since your orders in regard to them were received, but will be seized as directed as soon as they arrive. The Mary Miller has arrived, and am driving her ahead, to send her down as soon as possible. I am on the lookout for side-wheel boats, and if they can be obtained without having to pay an ex- orbitant price for them, I will send Lieutenant Sanford to purchase them. We have now several carloads of ordnance stores here which can not be unloaded for want of room to stow them. A large quantity of fixed ammunition is already on this boat from necessity. I con- sider that the Government property stored at. this station is much exposed to the danger of fire. I have taken every possible precaution for its protection, but I would respectfully recommend that if a safer and more suitable place can be obtained for the purpose, the Depart- ment be moved to it. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOcK, Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant- Commander Phelps, U. S. Navy, transmitting order from the Department for data regarding prices. Unofficial.] U. S. GUNBOAT EASTPORT, Cairo, February 7, 1863. SIR: I enclose a copy of an order of the Navy Department in rela- tion to prizes. I have expected to join you or I should have sent the copy sooner. I have all the data in readiness for the report except the names of those entitled to share. These lists must necessarily be furnished by the captains of the vessels, and I respectfully request that you will issue an order to that effect. I have lists of those entitled to share who served on board the Conestoga, the General Bragg, and the Benton on the 18th August, 1862. I have lists of the last named for the captures at Island No. 10 and Memphis (April 7 and June 6, 1862), but I fear they are not very reliable. The lists required are, therefore, for the Benton (April 7 and June 6, 1862), Mound City, Louisville, Cairo, De Kalb, Pittsburg, Cincin- nati, Carondelet, Tyler, and Lexzngton whenever they were present ~t captures. Everything has again to come out of this vessel, and she must go on the ways. I suppose the blow she received, 2,000 tons, moving 10 miles an hour, and brought up all standing, would have started the bottom of almost anything. I cant divest myself of the prejudice belonging to our calling so as to shake off the idea of ill luck being the attendant of this vessel. If you permit the work to be done that is necessary, I do not yet doubt that she will be, saving the luck, th Page 317 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 317 best vessel of the fleet. The river is a little choked with ice, but I hope to get to St. Louis, where I think four weeks will be time enough for the work. The battery is only being removed to the wharf boat, from which it can be taken on board in a short time. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. L. PHELPS, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. P. S.Mr. Chase has issued an order for the release of the New National, notwithstanding that she was condemned by the admiralty court. The United States marshal says that it is not legal, and hopes you will refuse to give her up, when the return will be made accord- ingly, and the issue will come up directly in Cabinet meeting between Mr. Chase and Mr. Welles. Your refusal to comply with the direc- tion of Mr. Chase should be in writing, the marshal says. While he is very desirous that the issue should be made, he could not give satisfactory reasons why a judge of the United States court should permit such interference in the decrees of his court, but he is very positive that Mr. Chase can not sustain his position. Evidently the court and all hands are bound to throw the odium of stopping Mr. Chases proceedings upon you or some other naval officer. They are i)rovoked, indignant, and very politic. As one of the captors of the New National, and the decree having been issued legally condemning her as a prize, unless you order otherwise, even if you feel constrained to admit Mr. Chases release, I shall be forced to seize her as an interested party and contest Mr. Chases authority in court. S. L. PHELPS. [Dnclosure.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 6, 1862. SIR: You are hereby directed to ascertain what war vessels, mer- chant vessels, cargoes, merchandise, munitions of war, or other sup- plies of the rebels have been captured by the naval forces upon the Western rivers since the commencement of the present rebellion; the circumstances attending the captures; the disposition made of such captures; if sold, by whom; the appraised value, where appraisal has been made; the names of the officers and men entitled to share in the captures, and such further information as you may deem advisable, and make a full report of the same to this Department. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Lieutenant-Commander S. L. PHELPS, U. S. Navy. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of War, with a view to check extraordinary demands for supplies by the Army. NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter addressed to me by Rear-Admiral Foote, Chief of the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting, and to invite your attention to the subject referred to Page 318 318 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. This Department instructed its officers not to permit the operations of the Army to be delayed or embarrassed when we could furnish supplies, but it was not anticipated that this prudential order would lead to a dependence upon us for coal supplies for the transports. We shall be under the necessity of checking such erroneous issues lest the naval service be crippled thereby. No estimates nor provi- sions have been made for such extraordinary demands. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Hon. B. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Report of Fleet Captain Pennocle, U. S. Navy, regarding guns fur- nished to Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, U. S. Navy. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., Fe~r~tary 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have furnished to I4eutenant-Commander Le Roy Fitch, at his request, one 32-pounder, of 33-hundredweight, for the Fairplay, and two 12-pounders for the other vessels, and shall send him two 24-pounder howitzers as soon as possible, as he informs me that his batteries need strengthening. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Paymaster IJo ggs, U. S. Navy, regarding coal and other stores. OFFICE OF PURCHASING PAYMASTER, WESTERN FLOTILLA STATION Cairo, Ill., February 7, 1863. SIR: I send to-day to the mouth of the Yazoo River, in tow of steamers Brown and Bayard, six barges, containing about ~0,000 bushels of coal. At the depot at this place there are over 400,000 bushels and 300,000 bushels on the way down, somewhere between this and Louisville. It should be here in a day or two. In addition, I have engaged 300,000 bushels to be delivered this month. Since the 1st of October I have sent down the river to various ports 512,000 bushels, 393,000 of which have gone forward since you left. This amount is exclusive of the 60,000 going to-day. I have four boats engaged in towing coal and hope to keep you abundantly supplied. In regard to provisions on hand here and at Memphis, I have no data on which to make a report, not keeping books of receipts and expenditure Page 319 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 319 The stores ordered to Memphis have been sent there. The inspec- tion boat is well fitted and I have recently pnrchased at Cincinnati two months supply, which is now on the way. On Monday I shall leave for St. Louis or Cincinnati to fill some large requisitions just sent in for stores of every kind. Every requisition sent to me has been filled immediately, except in some cases where articles had to be procured from the East. I have labored hard to keep the squadron supplied as far as it depended upon me, and I shall not relax my exertions. Mr. Brown has been paid in full for the first boats altered by him and for coal furnished. No bill has been sent in for the last boats. I have not heard of any more boats having been purchased. The Treasury is still dilatory in supplying funds, and I have had to write to friends in Washington to urge more promptness in remit- ting drafts. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. BRENTON BoGGs, Paytnaster. Acting Thar-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Order of the Chief of Bureau of Navigation to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding changes in signals. BUREAU OF NAVIGATION, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washjngton, February 7, 1863. SIR: The signal book of the Harriet Lane probably fell into the hands of the enemy when that vessel was captured. In consequence of this event iRear-Admiral Farragut changed the signals by increasing their value by 1thus, 0 is now 1, 1 is now 2, 2 is now 3, etc., and 9 is nothing. This change is adopted by the Bureau and will hereafter be made in the squadron under your command. The use of signal number 7 will be suspended for the present. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. H. DAVIS, Chief of thc B areau. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Cairo. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, giving informa- tion regarding Viclcsburg and other points on the Mississippi River. No. 96.] U. S. MISSIsSIPPI SQUADRON, February 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to forward you a chart of the approaches and defenses of Vicksburg as far as we can detect them. The num- ber of guns has not yet been ascertained, though we know of over 50 of heavy caliber. This chart has been mwle by Messrs. Straus Page 320 320 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. and Fendall, of the Coast Survey, and is the best and most accurate one constructed. The rebels at Vicksburg were very amiable in permitting the two above-mentioned gentlemen to prosecute their labors unmolested, having fired at them particularly only once, while they fired on the army surgeons constantly. On one occasion an officer from the rebel side came over in a boat, and, without landing, inquired what our party were about with that table (meaning the plane table). He was told to come on shore and see, which he declined doing. Still the rebels did not molest us, though only 750 yards from us. This en- abled the party to get the heights of hills, prominent buildings, shape of forts, and, in fact, evervth ing but the guns, which are so com- pletely covered that it is impossible to make them out. On the morning when the ram Queen of the IVest went by the bat- teries I had officers stationed all along to note the places where guns were fired from, and they were quite surprised to find them firing from spots where there were no indications whatever of any guns before. The shots came from banks, gulleys, from railroad depots, from clumps of bushes and from hilltops 200 feet high. A better system of defense was never devised. Vicksburg was by nature the strongest place on the river, but art has made. it impregnable against floating batteries not that the number of guns is formidable, but the rebels have placed them out of our reach, and can shift them from place to place iii case we should happen to annoy them (the most we can do) in their earth- works. In a report I made the Department while attached to the Mortar Flotilla, I remarked that the Navy could silence the water batteries xvhenever it pleased, but that the taking of Vicksburg was an army affair altogether, and it would have to be taken by troops. At that time it mounted 20 guns all told, scattered along as they are now, and 10,000 men could have marched right into it without opposition. When Admiral Farraguts fleet first went there Yicksbur~ had mounted 5 guns, and 3,000 men might have taken it with ease. Even as late as six months back no extra defenses were put on at Vicks- burg, or on the Yazoo, and our gunboats went 60 miles up that river (which they should never have left) without molestation. The long- talked-of expedition for the capture of Vicksburg and the various plans that were expressed by our treacherous press gave the rebels warning, and before I came into these waters Vicksburg was inac- cessible in front and unapproachable by the Yazoo on account of the strength and position of their batteries. The people in Vicksburg are the only ones who have as yet hit upon the method of defending themselves against our gunboats, viz, not erecting water batteries, and placing the guns some distance back from the water, where they can throw a plunging shot, which none of our ironclads could stand. I mention these facts to show the Department that there is no possible hope of any success against Vicksburg by a gunboat attack or without an investment in the rear of the city by a large army. We can, perhaps, destroy the city amid public buildings, but that would bring ns no nearer the desired point (the opening of the Mississippi) than we are now, and would likely put out the little spark of Union feeling still existing in Vicksburg Page 321 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 321 The attack of the army having failed at the enemys weakest point for want of nerve in the leader of a brigade, the next thing to be done is to attack them at some unsuspected point. The canal is a failure and not even practicable as yet for taking through a coal barge, and the army (in daily danger of having it burst its frail embankments) have wisely retreated to higher ground, leaving the enemy still in wonder at their eccentric movements. In the meantime General Grant and myself have been studying maps and consulting about What is the best course to pursne. I sent down the ram as a diversion, to cut off the enemys supplies here and at Port Hudson. The result has met my most sanguine expectations. Over $200,000 worth of property was captured and destroyed, amongst it many supplies for the rebel army at Port Hudson. At present we command the Missis- sippi, and the first step toward the evacuation of the stronghold has becn adopted. After that General Grant proposed to cut a canal into Lake Providence. This lake communicates with the Tensas River, a deep stream, and the Tensas runs into the Washita [Otiachita], which empties into the Red River near the mouth of the latter. The canal is not yet finished, and what the result will be no one can foresee. Some think that the great rush of the Mississippi will clear away everything before it and the Tensas River become a fine navigable stream for the largest steamers. It is now capable of passing medium- sized steamers. At all events, it will give us the command of Red River and cut off all supplies from that quarter; the result no one can calculate. While General Grant was cutting his canal at Lake Providence I proposed cutting away the levee at a place called Delta, near Helena, into old Yazoo Pass, and General Grant sending a detachment of diggers I sent the Forest Rose up to enter the channel when it should cut out, This used to be the main way to Yazoo City and the rivers Tallahatchie and Yalobusha, before the Southern Railroad was built, and it was closed up to reclaim some millions of acres of land that laid useless. It leads into the Tallahatchie River, and through it we command the heart of Mississippi and all the resources of the enemy around Yicksburg. The levee was cut, and the water rushed in with such force, sweeping everything before it, that it at once cut a channel 80 yards wide, and at last accounts the water was sweeping everything before it. It will take some days for the water to reach its level, having a fall of 9 feet, and in the meantime I have fitted out a force of five light- drafts and the ironclad Chillicothe to go through and take the en~my by surprise. The commander of the expedition, Lieutenant-Coin- niander Watson Smith, has instructions to destroy all the means of transportation the enemy has, destroy all gunboats and rams, and break up the bridges over the Tallahatchie and Yalobusha. If this expedition is successful in getting through, General Grant will follow with his army and Vicksburg attacked in the rear in a manner not likely dreamed of. The troops at Vicksburg will be obliged to evacuate, as they have heretofore done other strongholds. That accomplished, Port Hudson must fall, and if I have the gunboats I could keep the river open. By looking over the map of Mississippi you will perceive the im- portance of this move, if successful. If it is not, it will overflow a large tract of country from which the rebels draw their supplies. 7110N w BVOL 2410 2 Page 322 322 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. I am trying to get coal to Colonel Ellet, that he may continue his attacks on the enemy below, and in the Red River, before they can wake up from their astonishment at his first appearance. I have been much disappointed at not having received before this time some more of the new ironclads. I expected on the 1st of Janu- ary the Lafayette, /iu8eumbia, Choctaw, and Eastport. The Eastport started and broke down again. The Lafayette has been at Cairo some time, delayed, for what reason I dont know. The liuscumbia drags along slowly, though promised three weeks ago, and the Choctaw will not be finished for some time to come. The other iron- dads building at St. Louis I hear nothing of, and dont count on them this war. The Indianola and ChiUjeothe have not been tried under fire, and some doubts are entertained of their capacity to bear battery. The details of these vessels are not creditable to the superintendents of the work, and many things have been slighted which a naval con- structor should not have overlooked. Though the vessels are better than I expected, they show a great want of attention on the part of those overlooking the work. With the exception of their batteries (XI-inch guns), they are not so serviceable as the old Pook vessels. There is no vessel that I have yet seen to compare to the Rentore, and I would recommend to the Government, if they intend to build any more vessels for this river, that they be constructed on the Renton plan, with more power, and such improvements as experience here may recommend. The Pook vessels do fairly when there is a little current, but they are fast wearing out. Those that were engaged in the last action are much shaken, and leak from stem to stern. I doubt if they will withstand another long fight. The I3enton is as good as the day she was built, and except her being somewhat unman- ageable is a fine specimen of an ironclad. I have endeavored to give you, sir, a fair account of the situation here, that you may not expect too much from the present fleet. What it is possible to do will be done. My main object is to meet with no defeats, and I shall undertake nothing where there is no chance of success. A defeat of the Navy on this river would be considered a calamity, but the world will not blame us for waiting until we are perfectly prepared. So many of my mens time is out and the vessels being less than half manned, I applied to General Grant for a regiment of soldiers, which he has promised me, to be detailed for detached service. This will make us comfortable again. I hope it meets with the approval of the Department. It will take about a couple of weeks to break them in. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 323 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 323 Report of Acting Master Brown, U. S. Nacy, commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose, regarding the capture of two men belonging to Mis- sissippi cavalry. U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST ROSE, Moon Lake, February 8, 1863. SIR: I this day captured and paroled in the Yazoo Pass, Jasper Walton and G. B. Purrington, privates in Captain Porters company, Mississippi cavalry (known as the Feather-Bed Rangers). Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting Master, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Semimonthly report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the stations of the vessels of his command. U. S. Mississi~~i SQUADRON, February 8, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to make the following semimonthly report of the present position of the squadron: The Black Hawk, Benton, Louisville, Baron Dc Kalb, Mound City, Pittsburg, Carondelet, and Indianola in the Yazoo River. The Jndge liorrence and Great Western, powder boats, at the mouth of Yazoo. Cincinnati and Marmora, guard vessels, off the channel leading to Vicksburg. Red Rover, hospital ship, at the mouth of the Yazoo. Blacksmith vessel Sampson and ram Switzerland in the Yazoo. The General Lyon and New National, dispatch boats, discharging stores in the Yazoo. The Rattler, Chillicothe, Signal, Romeo, and Forest Rose, under command of Lieutenant-Commander Watson Smith, endeavoring to get through the Yazoo Pass, near Helena, into the rivers Tallahatchie and Yalobusha. The Linden is detailed to assist the army in cutting the canal into Lake Providence and Tensas River. The ram General Bragg is at the mouth of Arkansas River; the Conestoga at the mouth of White River, blockading and cruising up and down these rivers. The ram Lancaster is stationed at or near Napoleon, below Arkan- sas River. The ram Monarch is stationed at a place called Greenville, to keep down the guerrillas in that neighborhood. The Tyler is cruising up and down the river between the Arkansas and Columbia, all of which places, although now quiet, have proved troublesome to our transports. The Cricket is at Memphis guarding the navy yard and ready to convoy down the storeship Sovereign, which vessel is undergoing repairs at that place. The Juliet has just gone to Cairo to take up 200 contrabands who sought protection Page 324 324 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. The Lexington, Springfield, Silver Lake, Robb, Fairplay, St. Clair, Brilliant, and General Pillow are up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, guarding army transports. The Little Rebel is doing guard- boat duty at Cairo. The New Era is guarding Island No. 10 and New Madrid. The Fastport has broken down again and returned to Cairo for repairs or to be laid up. The Lafayette is fitting out at Cairo, and is expected here daily. The towboat Price is also fitting out at Cairo. The Curlew, Prairie Bird, and Petrel are at Cairo waiting for crews. The towboat B own is bringing down coal. The ram Queen of the West is cruising between Port Hudson and \Ticksburg; also a small rebel steamer, the De Soto, captured by the army and turned over to the navy; she has been covered with iron and cotton bales. The rams Lioness and Homer are bringing down provisions and stores. The Glide is in Cairo undergoing repairs. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding men transferred for naval servi ce. FEBRUARY 8, 1863. GENERAL: There were 250 men sent over yesterday; we will only want 350 more altogether. Can you so arrange it that we can only have that number, with but 3 officers? We have now 5 officers more with these men than we want, or can accommodate, which is the trouble. The major and adjutant brought their horses, which I am afraid they will have to part with if they stay with us. Hoping you will be able to make arrangements that will suit the occasion, I remain, respectfully, yours, DAVID D. PORTER, A eting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Headquarters A y of the Mississippi. Generol order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regard- ing men when transferred from the army for duty on naval vessels. GENERAL ORDER, 1 U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, No. 34. J Flagship Black Hawk, February 8, 1863. The general commanding the army has furnished me with soldiers to fill vacancies. Great discretion will be required in the manage Page 325 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 825 ment of these men, xvho have hitherto led an irregular life and had but few examples of well-disciplined people before their eyes. The officers and men come nnder strict naval rules as long as they are on shipboard. The guns and accouterments will be taken from the men the mo- ment they repair on board of a vessel, and all small arms handed over to the gunner. The men will be immediately stationed at the great guns and drilled for one hour once a day; at other times the commanders will tend to getting them cleaned up, having their hair cut, beards trimmed, etc. They will perform all the duties of marines on shipbo~u d, and be excused from the duty of coaling and cleaning ship. N\Teekly reports will be made to me of their progress. Their own officers will drill them at small arms; the naval officers at great guns. The officers are enjoined to be strict with these men; treat them kindly, but let them feel that they must conform to naval laws. The rules and regulations will be read every Sunday for a month. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comlnah ing Mississippi Sqnad~ron. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding soldiers who mutinied on board the U. S. S. Renton. FEBRUARY 8, 1863. GENERAL: Company C mutinied this morning and refused duty. I put them all in irons and sent them to you, as I could not order a legal court on them. The example was salutary; the rest acquiesced immediately. I would recommend that the noncommissioned officers be broken, and. that the others be set to digging ditches. I am sorry to have commenced so roughly, but a bad beginning makes a good ending.~, I would not hesitate to keep the men I have sent you did I not think that they will feel the punishment of being dismissed the fleet when they see their comrades again and hear how comfortable they are. They are pretty drunk now and insensible to reason, and I thought the shortest way was to put them ont of sight. Some one gave them a half barrel of whisky amongst their rations, with which they tilled their canteens and regaled the crew of the Benton, who are somewhat in a like condition, but more tractable. I am, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Commanding Army of the Mississippi Page 326 326 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Se//ridge, U. S. Navy, regarding the blockade of White River. FEBRUARY 8, 1863. SIR: Your letter of February 6 has been received. At a proper time I will make arrangements with regard to Little Rock. You will conform to the instructions sent you in relation to guarding the mouths of Arkansas and White rivers. I was aware of the condition of the Lancaster when she left here, and sent her principally to be used to guard the coal barges at White River, if she could not steam. In appointing you to conduct the blockade of White River, I do not wish that you should make any change in any vessel of the squad- ron without my orders. I will attend to their wants when reported to me. If every officer were to make such changes as might seem proper to him I should have a difficult task to regulate the squadron. I hear there is no vessel at Napoleon. If we have any instructions you will see that one is required there. It is my intention to make the mouth of White River a coal depot, the barges to make port where the Sovereign laid under the island. One vessel must always be kept there to guard them, and none but our vessels allowed to take coal out of them under any circumstances. Orders have been sent to General Shermaii in relation to using our coal at Helena. Other vessels will be sent you soon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THOMAS 0. SELERIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding Conestoga, Mouth of iVhite River. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Se//ridge, U. S. Navy, on receiving complaint that boats were fired on from below Napoleon, Ark. FEBRUARY 8, 1863. SIR: Constant complaints reach me of boats being fired on from below Napoleon. I expressly ordered that one vessel should be stationed there at all times, and one at White River, to take care of the coal barges. I am informed that the Bragg was up the Arkansas. Will you please inform me xvhat orders you gave Lieutenant Bishop and for what purpose he went into the Arkansas River? 1 refer you to my orders of January 17, 20, and 28, 1863, and also to the orders to Lieutenant Bache, of January 20, passed to you, when he left for this place. It is unpleasant to be told by passers down that they have been fired on, when I know that nothing of the kind could happen if my orders were carried out. The mouth of White River will hereafter be our coal depot, and every care must be taken to prevent the army from using it. A vesse Page 327 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 327 must be near it at all times. For that purpose I sent up the Switzer- land. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Ahss~ssippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THos. 0. SELFEIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Conestoga, Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. iVavy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding fire from the hea vy ironclads. FEBRUARY 8, 1863. SIR: Please instruct the commanding officer of the heavy ironclads to fire only in the daytime while coming down the river. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. Navy, Fleet Captain and Commandant Na cal Station, Cairo, Ill. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Ensign iVheelock, U. S. Navy, forbidding complication with re venue affairs. FEBRUARY 8, 1863. SIR: Your communication in answer to my inquiries about the Alham bra has been received. Your explanation put matters in a different light from what was reported to me. I received your communication informing me that you were acting as one of a board of trade, but yon omitted to mention that Captain Gwin approved of the appointment. I do not wish any of the officers of the squadron to attend to any- thing but their legitimate duties, nor do I wish them to mix them- selves up in any way with revenue affairs; it always brings trouble. Find out and let me know how it was that our coal was taken by the army at Helena. By whose authority and what vessel took it. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER. Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Ensign E. W. WHEELOCK, U. S. Navy, In Charge of Mortars, Helena, Ark. Report of Lieutenant Bishop, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. General Bragg, regarding injuries sustained by that vessel in collision with steamer Emma. U. S. S. GENERAL BRAGG, Thland 75, February 9, 1863. SIR: I respectfully report that last evening about 10 oclock I heard a steamer blowing her whistle repeatedly as if in distress. Go Page 328 328 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. underway and went down the river to a short distance below Bolivar, where I found the Emma aground near the Arkansas shore. When approaching within hailing distance, she backed off the bar and into us, striking the after-cargo port, smashing it and tearing, through about 6 feet of top sides. I think I can make the necessary repairs here. The Emma was very slightly damaged, having some of her stern nosing torn off and some two or three fenders broken. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA BISHOP, Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Lieutenant, Commanding. Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volun- teer Lieu tenant Hod, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pittsburg, regarding station. FEBRUARY 9, 1863. SIR: Get underway and relieve the Cincinnati at the station below, The Ili/armora will anchor in the eddy just above you and pick up all boats with persons in them attempting to pass down the river. Inform Lieutenant l3ache that I want his vessel here. Respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant WiVI. R. HOEL, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Pittsburg, Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, to send certain vessels down without regard to requests from army officers. FEBRUARY 9, 1863. SIR: You will please send down without delay the Curlew, Petrel, and Prairie Bird. I have not a light-draft vessel here; these boats must come here no matter what the conditions of things are up river. I consider the force there now sufficient to convoy any amount of stores. You will direct all commanders who leave Cairo to proceed to their destination without paying any attention to the requests of army officers for gunboats. The great difficulty I have to contend with is to get officers to divest themselves of the idea that they are under army orders, and I can only stop it by arresting some one. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Commander A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo Page 329 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 329 Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to commanders o/~ naval vessels for the seizure of cotton in transpo ts between Viclcsburg and Helena. FEBRUARY 9, 1863. The Commander of any naval vessel will seize any cotton that is in any transport between Vicksburg and Helena. They xvill also take any cotton they see on the bank between these two points and make a return of it to me, stating all the particulars connected with it. The commanding officer at White River will examine any boat he may suspect of having cotton on board, and, if there is no proper uiilitary permit, he will take out what lie finds and hold it until fur- ther instructions froni me. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Reai -Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, requesting a copy of the confiscation act. No. 99.1 U. S. MIssIssIPPI SQUADRON, February 9, 1863. SIR: I would be much obliged if you will send me a copy of the confiscation act, that I may act in accordance therewith. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Nacy, Washington. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Po ter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennocle, U. S. Navy, forbidding the passage of civilians on the transports. FEBRUARY 9, 1863. SIR: You will please not give any one not connected with the Army or Navy a passage on any of our transports. Reporters of newspapers and artists are particularly objected to. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, A cting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Commander A. MI. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Com~nandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. Order of Fleet Captain Pennock, 1. S. Navy, to Acting Master Rowen, N. S. Navy, regarding the shipping of recruits. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 9, 1863. SIR: I have received your communication of the 6th instant. You will continue to ship men as fast as possible, but you will not ship them for any particular vessel, such arrangements being unauthorized Page 330 330 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. If Dr. Leaman is sufficiently recovered to do the duty, you will request him to examine recruits; otherwise you will engage a surgeon for that purpose. Very respectfully, your obedieflt servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Master A. S. BOWEN, U. S. Navy, U. S. Naval Rendezvous, Cincinnati Ohio. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Nary, regarding the arrival of steamer White Cloud, and transmitting papers relating to the sezzure of the steamer Chip pewa Valley, February 9, 1863. No. 24.] OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 24, 1863. Sw: I have the honor to inform you that since my communication No. 22 was written the steamer White Cloud has arrived at this station and has been delivered to the United States marshal for the southern district of Illinois, together with everything on board. In addition to the rebel mail and contraband articles already found on board, the marshal informs me that he found a box of rebel uni- form buttons on breaking out her hold. The steamboat Chip pewa Valley was seized as a prize by the U. S. gunboat Forest Rose below Helena, Ark., for being engaged in contraband trade and giving aid and comfort to the enemy. I transmit herewith a copy of a letter to me from Acting Master Brown, commanding Forest Rose, and a copy of the letter to him from the Helena Board of Trade, showing the reasons in part for her seizure. I have delivered her also to the United States marshal for said district, with everything on board. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, iVashington, P. C. [Enclosures.] U. S. GUNBOAT FOREST ROSE, Helena, Ark., February 13, 1863. SIR: On the 9th instant I came across the steamer Chip pewa ITal- ley, of St. Louis, Captain Yore, at Island No. 63, lying tied up to the bank, taking on board cotton. I ran alongside and ordered the cap- tain on board with his papers. Instead of the captain coming, a Mr. Mark, the charterer of the boat, came on board nd told me the boat had no clearance or permit to go below Helena, and all the papers he could show was a permit from the collector of customs at Cin- cinnati to purchase cotton in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee, and restricting him to all the coastwise regulations. I sent on board and found several half barrels of whisky Page 331 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 331 some brandy, wine, and champagne. Having no permits or clearance, I sent an officer on bo rd and ordered him to proceed to Helena and await my arrival. She had on board a paroled soldier from the Eighty-third Indiana Regiment, who stated that he had got on board at Grants Landing, and that at that place she had landed 1 barrel salt, 1 barrel flour, 2 bolts calico, and at another place she had landed 2 jngs of whisky. She having no permits or clearance of any kind I considered her a lawful prize, and have placed an officer in charge, and ordered him to report to you at Cairo. Enclosed is a letter furnished me by the board of trade on my arrival at this place, showing that she had warning not to go below Helena. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, A etimq Master, (~omjna n ding. Fleet Captain . M. PENNOCK, Na~al Depot, Cairo, Ni. [Subenclosure.] PORT OF HELENA~ ARK., February 11, 1863. SIR: The steamer Chippewa Valley, now nnder arrest by your anthority, was not only acting in violation of the orders of the naval and military authorities in landing below Helena to take in cotton without the protection of a gunboat and without a clearance from the board of trade at this port, but she was acting in violation of an express prohibition from the board of trade, served by myself in writing upon the captain and clerk of the boat at this port previous to her leaving here on said trip, which notice was as follows: OFFicE BOARD OF TRADE, Helena, Ark., February 3, 1863. To the Captain and Clerk of the Steamer Chippewa Valley: By the rules of the Treasury Department, only boats in the Government service can go below Helena without a clearance, and all boats are forbidden to trade or deliver goods without a regular permit. Until the special a~ent of the Treasury Department at Memphis obtains an authority from the head of the Department at Washington and confers it upon us, we are required to give you this notice not to go below Helena to trade or procure cotton, under penalty of seizure of boat and cargo on your return. Very respectfully, your obedient servants, J. G. FORMAN, W. B. PIERCE, helena Board of Trade. P. SWe expect in a few days that authority will come from the Treasury Department to grant you the privilege which you require. J. G. F. The captain of the Chip pewa Valley informs me that Mr. J. Mark, the purchaser of the 112 bales of cotton, or more, which you found on board of her, was informed by him of this notice from the board ~f trade, and he (Mr. Mark) learned the fact at this office, with Mr. Ullman, that no clearance could be granted until the necessary authority arrived here, accompanied by our advice to wait; whic Page 332 332 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. advice Mr. Uliman very wisely followed, while Mr. Mark went know- ingly forward in his transaction. With great respect, your obedient servant, J. G. FORMAN, Member Helena Board of Trade. Captain I3RowN, U. S. Navy, Commanding the Forest Rose. Seizures, including the steamer Rowena, made by the U. S. S. New Era, in the suppression of illegal traffic, Feb~ aa y 9, 13, 1863. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting reports of the com manding and executive officers. ORFIcE Mississir~i SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., Feb niary 16, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith two copies of communi- cations to me from Acting Master F. W. Flanner, commanding U. S. oiinboat New Era, dated February 9 and 14, respectively; a copy of a communication from Acting Ensign Hanford, the executive officer of the New Era, dated February 13, 18(33; and a copy of a telegram from myself to the honorable Secretary of the Navy, dated February 15, all of which relate to the capture of a considerable amount of prop- erty as being contraband of war. These papers, with the exception of the telegram, are perhaps sufficiently explicit. The United States marshal for the southern district of Illinois came here on the 13th instant, and I have handed over all the property brought here to him, for which I have taken his receipt. I have made no report of the captured property to the Secre- tary of the Navy, believing that the facts in regard thereto should be first made known to you. In regard to the telegram, the money mentioned therein was seized last night by Acting Ensign Hanford, on board the steamer Ford. I have detained it (having previously sealed it in the presence of the owner) until I shall receive the determination of the honorable Secre- tary of the Navy. There appears to be some doubt as to the extent of an officers power to make seizures. By the fifth clause of your General Order No. 2 all vessels are ordered to be detained which are found landing at any point below Cairo except at places specified in collectors permits, etc. By the regulations relative to trade in the Mississippi Valley of the Treasury Department, no permits shall be granted (except to cer- tain specified points) to any point unless for strictly family supplies. This was the case of the Rowena. She had on board a large quantity of articles, much more than would seem to come under the head of family supplies, and a permit to land them from the collector at St. Louis. Under General Order No. 2 she would not be subject to seizure, but still appears to be violating the revenue laws. I would respectfully refer the matter to you for your determination. I have dispatched Captain Woodworth to St. Louis with the rebel mail captured on the White Cloud, with instructions to make known the contents to Major-General Curtis, commanding at that place. Page 333 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 333 also directed him to bring the mail back to this station on his return, as I did not have sufficient time to open all the letters. I enclose a copy of one* to the rebel General Price, which I thought was im- portant to be made known to the proper authorities. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Convimandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Comir& andinq IliiSS%88ippi Squadron. P. S.The marshal thinks that the seizure of the Rowena is legal. T have made out all the papers necessary to the district attorney, to enable him to take proper steps in regard to the property already turned over to the marshal by me. [Endosures.] U. S. GUNBOAT NEW ERA, Off Island No. 10, Feb ary 9, 18c3. SIR: I herewith most respectfully submit to your consideration some important facts in relation to the loose manner in which mat- ters are carried on at this place, more particularly to the frequent crossing and recrossing of citizens to and from the Missouri shore to the Tennessee shore. I have thus far endeavored to do my duty in helping on our cause, and have to some extent stopped it, but so long as the present com- mander of the island is permitted to allow it, it will be so to a great extent unless further and more stringent orders are issued. In the first place he has been here so long ever since the island was taken by our forcesand has become so intimately acquainted with the enemy (I call them), and suffers the whole bend (and no one knows to what extent) to come and go at their pleasure, and that this has been a perfect ferry for the whole ~Southern Army to get their information I have not the least doubt. I have undoubted information and evidence, corroborated by their actions, that this is all wrong, and should be put a stop to at once.. If necessary, I can produce the evidence of a dozen good men of these facts, who have been here for the last few daysofficers in the Armyand one of whom sent a report of it to his senior officer, Colonel Hill, at Cairo, who no doubt has forwarded them to his commander at Columbus, Ky. One instance, in which a sergeant of a company under the coin- mander of a post brought three men, one of whom, he stated, was undoubtedly [in] a rebel officers uniform while here (although he had taken the oath), and he thought should be retained and sent up the river. The commander of the island gave him a pass to return, and he did so. As far as concurring with me, he does not, and rather endeavors to annoy me by passing persons to the Tennessee shore more frequently, under one pretense or another. I have taken control of the skiffs, of which there are four, and shall retain them and only allow such as I deem proper to pass. Of the presence of rebels in the bend and at Tiptonville every day there is no doubt, according to the information I receive from day to day. * See p. 418 Page 334 334 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Last night I brought to the steamer Tycoon and boarded her, and while looking through her found two trunks belonging to a lady, named Mrs. Johnson, formerly a Miss Ward of Louisville, Ky.; and on examining one of them, I did not like the ~Looks of the bottom, so I had the paper on the bottom of the trunk cut with a knife and found it had a false bottom; forced it open and found a very nice piece of gray uniform cloth and everything to match it, gold lace, etc. I then instituted a thorough search, but could find nothing more. After conferring with Captain Wilson, of the U. S. gunboat Duchess, we concluded to take possession of the goods and allow her to proceed, he, Captain Wilson, saying he would have her taken care of at Memphis. I am endeavoring to carry out your orders per Mr. Hanford to the letter. I am sorry to have to write of the state of my ships crew; so many on the sick list. On account of the steam escaping from boilers, I was compelled to take down the bunks on the sides, by their being so damp. If I could possibly have a barrel or two of lime and a few more hammocks, it would conduce to the comfort and health of the crexv; also a small 6-pound howitzer for my quarter-deck. I should like very much to know more particularly to what extent I should go in searching boats, and what is necessary to condemn them and send them to Cairo. I have found in several instances passengers with goods or merchandise in trunks and valises, not on any manifest, with permits from above Cairo, where I think they should report, as the law requires. One or two with large amounts of gold, to all of which I have drawn the attention of the Govern- inent aid, who was on board. That any amount of contraband arti- cles go down on almost every boat, I am satisfied of, and this is an excellent point to catch them, more particularly through boats from above Cairo. I am, your most obedient servant, F. W. ELAN NEED Acting First If aster, Coimmanding U. S. Gunboat New Era. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. U. S. GUNBOAT NEW LEA, Off Island No. 10, February 14, 1863. SIR: I send yon, per Mr. Hanford, a rebel mail found secreted on board steamer White Cloud, bound for Memphis and Helena; also a lot of revolvers found upon a passenger without a permit, and other merchandise for Hales Point, and a lot of drugs, etc., for Tiptonville, among which you will find a number of articles contra- band of war, belonging to a man whom Mr. Hanford has already delivered up river to you. He will explain everything to you. All of which is respectfully submitted. I am, sir, your obedient servant, F. XV. FLANNER, Acting Master, Comn& anding New Era. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Comn& andant of Station Page 335 INAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 335 U. S. GUNBOAT NEW ERA, February 13, 1863. SIR: I hereby transmit to you a statement in regard to the capture of the steamer Rowena, bound from St. Louis to Memphis, hav- ing contraband goods on board. As she was proceeding down the river I brought her alongside and commenced to overhaul her. I first opened two large trunks and found them to contain dry goods, saddles, etc. Although accompanied with a permit, being contraband of war, I seized the steamer. I found these goods were to be landed at Hales Point, a place not occupied by United States forces and infested with rebels. I next found 21 packages of merchandise on board, xvhich contained goods contraband of war, in the shape of medicines, etc. These were to be landed at Tiptonville and at a point not occupied by United States forces. It is my intention to keep within bounds of the law, and I sincerely hope my movements in regard to these matters will always meet your speedy approval. I also brought to this place one prisoner having in ins possession 200 ounces quinine, captured on board. I have consulted with Captain Woodward, and he says I have acted perfectly right in seizing the Rowena. WM. ~. HANFORD, Very respectfully, Executive Officer. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. [Endorsement.] Mr. Hanford doubtless refers to Acting Lieutenant Woodworth, whom he calls Captain Woodward. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., February 15, 1863. Acting Ensign Hanford, of gunboat New Era, being about to take passage on a steamboat alongside of wharf for his vessel below, received information that a package of Southern funds [was] locked up in safe of steamboat. It was in possession of S. C. Rogers. of firm of W. E. Childs & Co., brokers, Nashville, Teun., and amounted to $47,064, $11,000 of which was in Confederate notes, and balance in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee notes. Mr. Hanford seized it as contraband of war. The owner says he inteiids to exchange it at Memphis. I respectfully refer the whole matter to you. Is it a legal seizure? A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant. lion. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. Additional report of executive officer of the U. S. S New Era. CAIRO, ILL., February 18, 1863. SIR: I hereby transmit to you a statement in regard to the capture of the packet steamer Rowena, bound from St. Louis to Memphis Page 336 336 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. On the 13th, as she was down to Island No. 10, I received orders from Captain F. W. Flanner to overhaul her, which I did, and found on board of her one box of quinine and several other boxes of drugs, I believe seven altogether. She was to land these drugs at Tipton- ville, a place where she was not allowed to land, and besides she had no permit for said box of quinine. By orders of Captain Flanner I put the gunner in charge of her, together with the second assistant engineer, the pilot, and paymaster, to take her to Memphis and deliver her Government stores and army paymasters, together with $4,000,000 of money belonging to the army paymasters. On her arrival at Memphis, and on her way down, the officers in charge found 18 cases on board marked dry goods, and permitted as such, but on examination they proved to be rebel uniform pants, 2,900 pairs of which they at once seized. On her arrival at Memphis, as near as I can under- stand, there was an order from St. Louis to seize the boat and these cases of goods, but on account of previous capture by the gunboat New E a the officer in charge would not deliver her up. It is not on account of gain that the boat was held on to by the officers of the gun- boat New Era, but it is the pride that we take in making the capture of these boats and seizing contraband goods. The manifest of the boat, together with her permits, were very foolishly given up to the commanding officer of the U. S. gunboat Cricket then lying at Mem- phis. I have possession of the safe, money, and papers belonging to the boat, and shall hold them in charge, subject to your order. By orders of Captain Flanner I brought the vessel to this port, and she now awaits your orders. I have the acting captains clerk and mate on board, prisoners at large. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. HANFORD, Executive Officer. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant Station of Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., March 4, 1863. I have taken the Rowena iuito the service of the United States, and she can not be given up to you. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. J. A. SCUDDER, St. Louis, lila. Report of First Assistant Engineer Whittaker, U. S. Navy, trans- mitting Orde) to suspend work on submarine firing apparatus. ST. Louis, Mo., February 10, 1863. SIR: I would respectfully enclose a copy of an order this day received from Commodore Hull, in relation to the submarine battery for the Ozark Page 337 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 337 I would respectfully report that a large portion of the work is already completed and ready for the ship. The outer section of the conductor pipe which joins the side of the ship has not been finished. Therefore this will admit of its being made to fit any vessel that may be designated, without additional expense or alteration in the parts already complete. I shall finish the work (omitting the outer section mentioned) unless otherwise ordered, and hope soon to receive orders to apply it to one of the ironclad vessels building here, in which a fairer trial of the experiment could be had than in the Ozark. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES W. WHITTAKER, First Assistant Engineer, U. S. Navy. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Co anding Mississippi Squadron. [Enclosure.] ST. Louis, Mo., February 10, 1863. SIR: The Bureau of Construction having ordered the apparatus ifor testing your method of submarine firing not to be put on board the Ozark, you will suspend all work on it so far as it relates to that vessel. Very respectfully, J. B. HULL, Commodore, Superintending. First Assistant Engineer J. W. WHITTAKER, St. Louis. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy, regarding the disabling of the U. S. ram Dick Fulton. U. S. S. RATTLER, Head of Choctaw Island [Island 78?], February 10, 1862 [1863?]. SIR: Firing and steam whistling caused me to turn downstream two hours ago. I found the ram Dick Fulton disabled by guerrillasi killed, 1 wounded, and engines disabled. The V. F. IVilson, on her way up, had met the ram and has now taken the Fulton and barges to the bank. Having been detained myself by fogs and thick nights, I shall turn the Wilson from her destination and give her charge of the ram and coal barges. She will leave the ram with the Monarch at Greenville, as the barges are as much as she should have to tow; that is, if the Monarch is still there. I was in time to give the guerrillas four or five shots. They were mounted, and made for the back country. The place was Cypress Bend, just above this, on the Arkansas side. Ram was struck 15 times. 711~~ w BVOL 24102 Page 338 338 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. I believe the New National is coming. I will order her to take the disabled vessel to Greenville instead of the Wilson. I hope this arrangement will meet your views. I write in haste. The rebel force seemed large. They had two or three guns that sounded like rifles. Respectfully, yours, WATSON SMITh, Lieutenant- Comm,ander. Admiral D. D. PORTER. Later.The New National has arrived and will leave at daylight with the disabled vessel for Greenville. If the Monarch is not there she will continue on to the Yazoo. It was almost night when I reached this place, and as I would soon have been obliged to anchor, determined to remain here, protect this party to-night, and take in coal, a saving of time at Helena. Yours, etc., WATSON SMITH. I think the rams pipes can be repaired below. The shot holes look as if made by 12-pounder smoothbores. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Sel~dge, U. S. Navy, regarding his action in refusing licenses for the shipment of cotton. U. S. S. CONESTOGA, 0/f White River, February 10, 1863. SIR: Since I ordered the return of the trading steamer Evansville to helena the~e has been a Mr. Lacy, of Memphis, here with a license from Mr. Yeatman and an old permit from yourself, dated Cairo, December 2, 1862. His object was to purchase and ship from this point a large amount of cotton. In the absence of specific instructions, and believing that it is not your wish that speculators, many of whom have but the cloak of loyalty, and none of whom would shoulder a musket for their country, should reap the enormous profits of a trade opened by those who have exposed themselves to dangers and hardships, I have steadily refused any permission to ship cotton from this part of the river. I have given all these individuals to understand that I shall recog- nize no licenses or papers of any kind unless accompanied with your written permit. I shall be pleased to know if my course in this matter is approved of. The rebels, I learned to-day, have stationed a force of about three regiments on the Arkansas, about 2 miles above the Cut-off. Their camp is some distance back from the river bank. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THos. 0. SELFRIDGI~, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Admiral D. D. PORTER, Conmuanding Mississippi Squadron Page 339 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 339 Permit of Brigadier-General Gorman, U. S. Army, for the steamer Evansville. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT EAST ARKANSAS, Helena, February 10, 1863. The steamer Evansville has permission to proceed to the fleet at Vicksburg, and has permission to land at intermediate points under the protection of the navy as a gunboat only. W. A. GORMAN, Brigadier- General, (Jomiruanding. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Selfridge, U. S. Nary, regai ding a/fairs off IVhite Ricer. U. S. S. CONESTOGA, Off White River, February 10, 1863. Sin: The boilers of the Conestoga being entirely unprotected froni shot, I have built up around them an excellent barricade of a single tier of cotton bales. To do this I have taken cotton from the neigh- boring plantations to the amount of 30 bales. I find I have three or four more than I require. Shall I forward it to Cairo? Iii obedience to General Order 32, I have to state before the receipt of that order cotton to the amount of 3,442 pounds, and a large bell, weight 830 pounds, were forwarded to Cairo as a prize of the Cones- toga. I am unaxvare what disposition has been made of it. There is a sawmill on the Arkansas between the Cut-oft and the Mississippi with some 8,000 feet of lumber and a very good sta- tionary engine. Its owner, a Northern man, I have given permission with his family to go North. I should move the lumber and engine to this point were I not uncer- tain that it would be satisfactory to you. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THos. 0. SELERInGE, Lie atenant- Commander. Acting hear-Admiral D. D. PORTER. Coru& manding Mississippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieatenant- Commander Prichett, U. S. Navy, regain ding supplies for the sick and wounded. FEBRUARY 10, 1863. Sin: Proceed up the river and procure for the use of the squadron 40 head of cattle, plenty of forage for them, 100 bushels of corn, some corn meal, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and eggs, or whatever may conduce to the comfort of the sick and wounded Page 340 340 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Take the Champion with you to bring down the cattle. See that they have plenty of water while on board. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding AIi8sis8ippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander JAs. M. PRICHEIT, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Tyler. [Te1e~ram.] ST. Louis, Mo., Febraaiy 10, 1863. We require a truck carriage for the 100-pounder on the Choctaw insteid of the pivot carriage that has been sent here. The turret of this vessel is arranged with a turntable on the center; the gun recoils on the table when it is revolved to the port it is desir- able to fire from. 0. C. BADG ~R, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy. Captain JOHN A. DAHLGREN, Chief Bureau Ordnance, Na cy Department, TVashington. Traf/ic in cotton, etc., under army authority in which the U. S. S. Forest Rose was repo ted to have cooperated, and seizure of stewners Rose Hambleton and Evansville, February 11, 12, and Curlew, February 28, 1863. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Smith, U. S. Navy. U. S. S. RATTLER, Feb~ aary 11, 1863. Sm: At sunset this evening I stopped at Carsons landing to in- quire the business of a merchant steamer apparently interested in a number of bales of cotton on shore. She proved to be the light-draft stern-wheel steamer Rose Hamble- ton, in the stream collecting cotton with a lighter under permission from II. Hough, superintendent Western Department, to collect in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana, in the lines of the United States Army, and a permit from General Gorman to load and land under protection of gunboats only. As she was not landing cargo, I was not authorized to arrest her, your General Order No. 2 being the only one I have on the subject; but it does not seem to me that she was operating within the lines of our army, and she was certainly far from the protection of any gunboats until I came up. The proceeding seemed a very loose one, and one by which the enemy might get possession of a good, light boat. I also learned that the Forest Rose was connected with the enter- prise, having convoyed the Rose Hambleton down to a point below this, afterwards returning up river. February 12.This morning found the Forest Rose, under the orders of General Gorman, with the stern-wheel steamer Evansville at Islands Nos. 67 and 68 after cotton Page 341 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 341 Ordered the Forest Hose to follow and report to me at Helena, and to offer the Evansville convoy to that place. I have just met the Brown, Captain French, with coal. He says the vessel npon which the Cricket is waiting at Memphis may not be ready for a m6nth, so I snppose I wont see the Cricket. Hope to have the Linden. Being mnch in need of a few hospital cots, and the Brown having some, I have taken and receipted for five of them, trnsting that yon will approve my doing so. Respectfnlly, yonrs, Lient. Commander, First Division Light-Draft Steamers. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Seifridge, U. S. Navy, regarding seizure of steamers Rose Hambleton and Evansville. U. S. S. CONESTOGA, Off White River, February 13, 1863. SIR: I seized yesterday at Carsons Landing the steamers Rose Hambleton and Evansville. The latter is owned by Compton, the person I gave permission to visit yon some days ago. The Rose Hambleton was employed to tow the mortar boat at Island 68, and is found in the cotton bnsiness. I forward the only papers fonnd on board, and shall keep them here until I hear from you. That I may fully carry ont yonr wishes in this matter, without annoying you by referring these violations constantly, I respectfully request such instructions as may cover the whole matter of trading and buying produce along these river banks. The Rose Hambleton is full of cotton. The Evansville has about 53 bales aboard. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Tnos. 0. SELERIDGE, Lieutenant- Commander. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadi on. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, transmitting copy of letter sent to Brigadier-General Gorman, U. S. Army. FEBRUARY 14, 1863. GENERAL: I enclose you a letter I wrote to General Gorman. I find that one of my officers whom I sent on the Yazoo expedition was assisting a relation of General Gorman (I am told his son) to buy cotton (on a permit from him) which of right belongs to the Gov- ernment Page 342 342 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. I placed the officer under arrest, and shall have him tried by court- martial. Can not we stop this cotton mania? I have given all the naval vessels in the river strict orders toprmit no trade in the rebel territory, but to seize all rebel cotton or the Government. I am, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Commanding Army of the Mississippi. Letter from Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding orders for seizure of the vessels. BEFORE VICKSBURG, February 15, 1863. Representations coming in to me, as they have, reflecting on General Gormans administration of affairs at Helena, I sent an officer there last week to supersede him in the command; also a new quartermaster and provost-marshal. The steamers referred to in your note were reported to me, and directions immediately sent to Memphis to have them seized. Trade has not been opened below Helena by military authority, not even to purchase and ship cotton. I have thought of doing so as low down as Napoleon, but have been waiting to see if the Government would not take all the cotton and sell it in the loyal States. If it is regarded of prime necessity that the greatest amount should be secured, th enap- point Government agents to purchase for the Government, giving the citizens to understand that all the cotton they bring in would be paid for at a fixed price, say 20 cents per pound. No military commander has a right to direct or order a naval vessel on any duty, much less to give aid in private speculation. U. S. GRANT. Rear-Admiral DAvID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting copy of letter sent to Brigadier-General Gorman, U. S. Army. U. S. FLAGSHIP BLACK HAwK, Ya.~oo River, Miss, February 15, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a communication I sent to Brigadier-General Gorman, at Helena, showing the I)epartment the position I have taken in this matter. Every means possible is taken to avoid the law, and the temptation to amass fortunes is so great that some military commanders even lose sight entirely of the high position they hold. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. lIon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, iVaskinglon, P. C Page 343 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 343 [Enclosure.] FEBRUARY 15, 1863. GENERAL: Two vessels have lately come down to White River with permits from you to purchase cotton and for the purpose of trading, and an order calling on the gunboats to aid such vessels while so trading. The regulations of the Treasury Department, Article I, provide that no goods, wares, or merchandise, whatever may be the ostensible destination thereof, shall be transported to any place under the con- trol of insurgents without a permit of a duly authorized officer of the Treasury. Art. IV: All applicants for permits to transport or trade under these permits shall state the character and value of the merchandise to be transported, the consignor and destination thereof, and the num- ber and description of packages, etc. Art. VI: No permits shall be granted to ship goods, wares, or mer- chandise to States or parts of States heretofore declared to be in a state of insurrection, and occupied by the military forces of the United States, except to persons residing or having business therein, and whose loyalty is undoubted, etc., and no permit shall be granted to ship merchandise from any such State or parts of State in violation of any order restricting shipments therefrom, made for military pur- poses, etc. Art. XI: No vessel, boat, or other vehicle used for transportation from the Eastern cities, or elsewhere in the loyal States, shall carry goods, stores, or merchandise into any place, section, or State re- stricted as aforesaid without the permit of the duly authorized officer of the customs, etc. And no vessel, boat, or vehicle used for trans- portation shall put off any goods, etc., at any place other than there named in the permit, etc. Art. XV: All vessels, boats, or vehicles used for transportation violating any of the above regulations, and a]l goods, wares, or mer- chandise shipped or transported in violation thereof, will be forfeited to the United States. XIX: United States vessels clearing from domestic ports to any of the ports opened by the Presidents proclamation will apply to the custom-house officers of the proper ports in the usual manner, etc. My orders from the Navy Department are as follows (printed in- structions in Treasury circular) Commanders of naval vessels will render such aid as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of such regulations, and enforcing observance thereof, to the extent directed by the Secretary of the Treasury, as far as can be possi- bly done without dan~er to the operations or safety of their respective com- mands. In cases of the violation of the conditions of any clearance or permit granted under said Treasury regulations and in cases of unlawful traffic the guilty parties will be arrested and the facts promptly reported. Under these orders, restrictions, and conditions I have directed all naval commanders to seize vessels and merchandise where said orders, restrictions, and conditions are not complied with, and they are furthermore directed not to recognize any permits, coming from any source whatever but that required by the regulations of the Treasury Department, nor in any State or section not proclaimed open to trade by the general commanding-in-chief of the section or district where the Army may be operating Page 344 344 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. One of the steamers that was trading with your permit, under the charge of a person named Gorman, should have been seized for violation of law, and I have ordered the arrest of Acting Master George W. Brown, the naval officer (volunteer) who commanded the Forest Rose, and was scnt most particularly on the Yazoo expedition. I have directed the commanders of all naval vessels to search for contraband of war in all steamers coming down the river; to seize all cotton on vessels this side of Helena; and not to leave their sta- tions or obey any orders without directions from me for so doing. I have found it necessary to pursue this course in consequence of improper and unauthorized interference with the vessels of my squadron, which I am always ready to send anywhere on public service, on proper representations or application from any military commander. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Recu -Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Brigadier-General W. A. GORMAN, Helena, rirk. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Seifridge, U. S. Navy, for the detention of the steamers Rose Ilambleton and Evansville. FEBRUARY 15, 1863. SIR: Detain the Evansville and Rose LJambleton as prizes, take an inventory of their cotton a merchandise. , nd take it out of them; also all other Do not permit them to leave without further orders from me, and so treat all vessels with military permits, unless said permits are from General Grant. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THOS. 0. SELFRIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Conestoga. P. S.-By looking over your letter again, I see that one of the vessels is full of cotton. Leave the cotton on board, but guard it well; make the boats tie up under the island, with fires out and an officer on board. D. D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral. Explanatory report of Acting Master Brown, U. S. Navy, ]ate commanding U. S. S. Forest Rose. U. S. GUNBOAT JULIET, Jia~oo Rirer, February 20, 1863. SIR: In obedience to your order, I will endeavor to explain any appareut disobedience of your orders by me. First, respecting the order to tow time mortar down from Island 08 on my late trip fro Page 345 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 345 Memphis. The first order reads: ~ Secure them so that they can not be destroyed, and when you return bring all you can with you. Fill up with coal at Memphis and return to me without delay. Give convoy to any of our vessels coming down from Memphis. The order which you wrote and gave me afterwards says: The coal barges are at Australia Landing. If they have coal in them, fill up out of theni as you go up, and also do the same coming down. See the mortar well secured on the island side. This being the last received, I considered it the one to go by, which I carried out, as I understood it, by towing the mortar under the point of Island ~7 and anchored her with the anchor belonging to the Forest Rose, she having none belonging to her. The order to convoy any of our ves- sels coming down from Memphis I thought I was obeying by con- voying the Magnolia, as she was coming directly here. I did not wait for her at any place; she waited for me at Memphis and at Helena, where I filled up with coal. I showed my orders to Captain Selfridge at Memphis. He told me that he should likely be at Helena when I came down, and if he wanted me to take a coal barge down he would give me my orders there. By that he, like myself, did not understand that I was to tow the mortar. As regards the last orders, I under- stood them to place me under the orders of General Gorman, as lie was the commanding officer at Helena. I showed him my orders from you. He told me that he had also received a letter from you, stating that you would send him a gunboat to remain there for such duty as be might require, and that he needed one to carry out General Grants late order, and supposed that this was the one. I told him I under- stood that I was sent to work at the pass. This was on Sunday, the 1st. On Saturday morning, the 7th, we left Helena to enter the pass. General Gorman promised us a small side-wheel steamer to go in ahead of us. We started in company, General Gorman in the Carl. He said he would go to Friars Point, for he had some spies there that had reported a steamboat in the lake, and he wanted to find out about it. Also he was going to send the Henderson down after some wood, and said that he would be back with the Carl by the time we could examine the cut and be ready to go in. After examining the pass as far as we could, I resolved to try it. but was told by Mr. Morton and my pilot that they thought it im- practicable to go in with the Rose. At about 11 :30 a. in., seeing nothing of the Carl, we started and went into the lake, and found the entrance of the Yazoo Pass, but could not enter it with the Forest Rose. After waiting some time for the Carl, I manned my cutter, proceeded down the pass some 2 miles, and returned; got underway and steamed out into the river, and then saw the Carl just leaving Friars Point. We met her and returned, but it was too late to do anything that night. The general said he would return to Helena. and send a few hundred men down in the Carl, and have them there by 9 oclock the next morning. We waited until 1 p. m. for the Carl and the men. Two boats with troops came (the Evansville and Matty Cook), but saw nothing of the Carl, which was the only boat that could go into the pass until some obstructions were cleared. At 1: 30 p. m. I manned and armed my cutter and proceeded down the pass, as I stated in my report to you. On our return, about 5 oclock. we found that General Gorman had just arrived. I was ordered to return to Helena that night and bring down some troops. In th Page 346 346 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. morning we took down 250 and landed them, and went to towing out some trees that were in the head of the pass. In the afternoon, at the request of General Washburn, commanding the forces at the pass, I started down the river to procure some contrabands to work in the pass. At Island 63 I fell in with the steamer Chippewa Valley, as previ- ously reported to you. I also met the Ro8e Hambletom with an order -from Mr. Wheelock to look after mortar boat No. 7 and tow her to White River and to report to the commanding officer there. She had also a permit from General Gorman to land and trade under the pro- tection of a gunboat. I told him he could land when I landed, but that I should not wait for him. I went a little below Carsons Land- ing, and theii returned up the river, giving the captain of the Rose Hambleton an order to return (enclosed is a copy). I arrived at Helena, turned the contrabands over to General Gorman (5 in all), and filled up with coal, and reported that I was ready to go into the pass. He informed me that he had received a letter from you, and that you had written him that you had sent him a gunboat to be em- ployed upon such duty as he might see fit to employ her on, and that I was not to go into the pass, but remain on the river to assist him in carrying out General Grants order. He then told me that he wanted me to go down as far as White River and give the Evansville what assistance I could, and also to pick up all the able-bodied contrabands I could find along the riverto spend two or three days at it. I left that evening and ran as far as Island 68, where I found the Evans- ville. We came to and waited until daylight. About 7 oclock I started to go down the river to Laconia Landing, when the Rattler, Lieutenant Commanding Smith, came up and made signals for me to come on board. I went on board and explained the nature of my business and what I was doing. He ordered me to report to him at Helena, and to inform General Gorman that in the future I should not be under his orders; also to return and inform the captain of the Evansville that I could not give him any more assistance, and advise him to return with me to 1-lelena, but not to allow him to detain inc at all. I went back, but did not come up with him until he got to Laconia. As soon as I was in sight he landed, and when I got to him he had some cotton rolled out ready to take on board. I told the cap- tain my orders. He asked me if he could not take on board what he had down, and if I would not give him permission to do so. I looked over my general orders and saw nothing that would prevent my doino~ so, and I gave him a note allowing him to take it on board, and left him and proceeded up the river and reported to Captain Smith at Island 56. Previous to my leaving Helena, General Gorman informed me that the owner of this vessel (Evansville) was a Colonel Compt?n, and showed me a letter from General Curtis, requesting him to give him all the assistance he could without interfering with the interests of the Government. He also showed me an order from the Secretary of the Navy, respecting trade in the newly opened ports, and told xrie that you had promised him a gunboat to remain under his order, and that I was not to go in the expedition into the pass, and ordered me on the duty above mentioned. I regret to say that I acted on a verbal order, which I can assure you I shall never do again, if reinstated. I have no knowledge of General Gorman or his son being concerned in the cotton, only the rumors that I have heard. Had I not met wit Page 347 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 347 Captain Smith I should have reported the whole in writing to you. I arrived at Helena on the 14th. On the 15th I was ordered to Memphis, and on my return was ordered to report to you as under arrest. Captain Smith told me that it was for giving vessels permis- sion to trade, against your order. I have given you, sir, a plain and true statement of the facts as they have occurred. In my reports I have given all that has been left out here. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson and Mr. Morton, special pilot, I think, will testify that I have done all I could to forward the work at Yazoo Pass. Eloping this will receive your early attention, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. BROWN, Acting If aster, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Comman cling Afississippi Squa(iro ft. [Enclosure.] U. S. S. FOREST ROSE, Reulals Landing, Miss., February 10, 1863. Sin: You will not proceed down the river any farther in search of the mortar boat, as it is evident that it has been removed, and I have not time to go any farther; therefore work your way back to Helena, being careful not to violate any permits you may have from the commanding officer. Respectfully, etc. GEO. W. I3RoWN, Commanding. CAPTAIN OF STEAMER ROSE HA1~IBLEToN. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting papers relative to the seizure. OFFICE OF Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., Ma eh 3, 1863. Sin: I have the honor to transmit herewith certain copies relative to the seizure of the steamers Evansville, Rose Ham bleton, and Cur- lew. I have telegraphed the arrival of these steamers to the United States marshal and district attorney for the southern district of Illi- nois, and shall turn them over with everything on board as soon as possible. I had the honor to telegraph to the Department last night the fact of the seizure of the Curlew and the discovery of and capture from several persons of a considerable amount of Confederate States and Southern money. The money has been sealed up by me in the orig- inal packages in which it was received. It amounts to about $24G in Confederates States notes, $918 in New Orleans money, and the balance, about $323, in Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina money and shiuplasters. I have retained this money until the cir- cumstances in relation thereto can be fully investigated. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Seeretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 348 348 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Enclosures.] U. S. GUNBOAT CONESTOGA Jiflississippi Ricer, Februaiy 19, 1863. SIR: I send up the steamers Evansville and Rose Hambleton. con- demned by Admiral Porter for illegal trading in the enemys country. I have directed the officer in charge to report to you and to turn the steamers over to the custody of the United States marshal. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS 0. SELFEIDGE, Lieutenant- Commander. Captain A. M. PENNOcK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo ,Ill. U. S. GUNBOAT CONESTOGA, A/is& issippi River. Feb~ uary 19, 1863. SIR: I send up by order of Admiral Porter the steamers F?ans- yule and Rose Hambleton, seized on the evening of February 12 at Carsons Landing, Miss., for illegal trading and trafficking in the enemys country without proper licenses and in violation of naval and military regulations. All the official papers found on board are in possession of the admiral. They were captured by the gunboat Duchess, acting under my orders. The Conestoga and Duchess are entitled to share in the proceeds of the prize. Witnesses besides the officers of the captured steamers, the officers of the Duchess and Acting Master French, of the U. S. S. Brown. I have directed the officers in charge to deliver over the steamers to you. The officers and crew of the captured steamers will probably endeavor to escape unless forcibly detained. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS 0. SELFRIDGE~ Lieutenant-Commander. U. S. DIsTRICT MARSHAL, Cairo, Ill. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Brown, gunboat Forest Rose, is a wltness. I enclose manifest of cargo of Rose Hambleton and Evansville. THOMAS -0. SEL FRIDGE, Lieutenant- Commander. U. S. GUNBOAT CONESTOGA, Off White River, February 21, 1863. SIR: I enclose an extract of the letter from Admiral Porter in relation to the prize steamers. I forward you by the Evansville 84 bales of cotton belonging to the Conestoga, taken upon an order from the admiral to seize all the cotton I can Page 349 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 349 This is entirely independent of the Fvan8villes cargo proper, and put on board of her only for transportation. Will you please have this lot taken off and stored before delivering the vessels to the marshal. Are yon in want of any male contrabands? Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THo~IAs 0. SELFRIDGE, Lieutenant- Commander. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Commanding Naval Station, Cairo, Ill. [Subenclosure.] Extract of letter dated February 17, 1863, fronr Admiral Porter to Lieutenant Commander Seifridge. When possible, send np the two steamers (with a prize crew) to Cairo, with a full statement of facts and extract from the log. They are condemned on the gronnd of trading in the enemys country without license. Captain Pennock will turn them over to the mar- shal. Send me a list of persons on board your vessel at the time of capture, and take all steps required by law for the condemnation of the vessels. The captains and mates to go up in the vessels. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAvID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral. U. S. GUNBOAT NEW ERA, Island NQ. 10, February 28, 1863. Sin: I send you np the steamer Curlew, with Mr. Marsh, first assistant engineer, as prize master. I overhauled the steamer this morning, and on examination I found a large quantity of goods not permitted in any way, and to be landed at Fulton Bend. Besides these goods I also seized a large quantity of money, which I also send you. I am confident that when her hold is examined you will find a large quantity of hoods also. It would be advisable (I most respectfully suggest) to immediately put a guard on board, as the passengers and crew are not over loyal. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, XV. C. HANFORD, Commanding New Era. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain, and Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. [Telegram.] CAIRO, ILL., March 1, 186311 p. m. Steamer Curlew, bound down river, just arrived. Was seized by gunboat New Era at Island No. 10 for having goods without permit on board to be landed at Fulton Bend, below Fort Pillow, where guerrillas attempted to capture steamer Belle AIeir& phis. Fifteen hundred and eighty-seven dollars and fifteen cents in counterfeit money and Southern funds also seized. So many goods, arms, drugs Page 350 350 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. etc., are landed at present between this point and Memphis at places not occupied by United States forces that I would respectfully sug- gest that no boats be permitted to go below except on Government service. General C rant has already prohibited trade below Memphis. A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Stat~orb. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Seifridge, U. S. Navy, denying unfounded reports regarding his command off White River. U. S. S. CONEsTOGA, 0/f White River, February 11, 1863. SIR: Your communications dated February 8, with Sqnadron Gen- eral Order (33) and general orders and circulars from the Navy Department, have been received. The General Bragg has never been up either the Arkansas or White rivers. Since I have been in command at this point no vessels have been tired upon at or near Napoleon, nor anywhere in this vicinity, except the I/ce Hammitt, on Sunday last, near Napoleon. It was a small volley, and inflicted no injury. Had there beeii others I must have known it, as I require all transports to report to me. Your orders bearing date January 17 and 20 direct me to cruise ulider low steam between the Arkansas and White rivers. Upon the receipt of the order dated January 28 the General Bragg was dispatched to Napoleon. She has been lying ever since at the head of Ozark Island, 2 miles below the town. The ram Lancaster brought only verbal instructions to report to me. Her commander led me to suppose that you were ignorant of her condition. It has been my constant endeavor to carry out your instructions to the letter. It is a source of regret that unfounded reports should have caused you to feel dissatisfied with my course. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THos. 0. SELERIDGE, Lieu tenant- Commander. Actine~ Near-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. The night signal for an enemy betweeli myself and the Bragg is a gun and rocket, which I have found to answer the purpose. liespeetfully, etc., THos. 0. SELERIDGE, Lieutenant- Commander. Confidential letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding various matters. Confidentialj FEBRUARY 11, 18G3. SIR: As circumstances occur I have to change the quantity of coal required here and find it impossible to hit upon any particular quail Page 351 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 351 tity. It is likely that we shall want a large amount, and I want a stack of 160,000 bushels sent to the Yazoo River, besides the monthly allowance already required, viz, 70,000 bushels here, 40,000 at White River, and 20,000 at Memphis. You will also have the Abraham filled up with three months provisions and stores for the squadron, or as much as she can carry, and keep her ready at all times with her machinery in order and in condition to move at a moments notice to such point as I may designate. Circumstances may occur when it will be necessary to move the wharf boat, and you will arrange for the most expeditious plan to do so. There is a plan on foot which it is necessary to look out for; it extends to the army here, or at least to those officers who compose McClernands staff. Jake Thompson, the old Secretary of the Interior, came over under a flag of truce, with a flimsy excuse, when in fact lie wanted to com- municate with McClernand. I would not let him, but sent for General Grant instead, and so checkmated him. You will see from what I have written the im- portance of carrying out my order to the letter, for much depends on my being in such a position with the squadron that I can not be hampered, and can be in a condition to move where I please. I am sending coal down past the batteries at Vicksburg at night for the ram Queen of the West and her consort, the De Soto, a prize. I expect to do a great deal of damage below. Already the ram Queen of the West has destroyed over $200,000 worth of rebel property and four fine steamers. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commnnding Mississippi Squadron. Commander A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo. Instructions of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieu- tenant-Commander Sel/ridge, U. S. Navy, regarding cotton. FEBRUARY 11, 1863. SIR: No trading or purchasing cotton will be allowed below helena. if vessels come with permits, turn them back with an offi- cer on board, who will proceed with themn as far as Helena to see that they do not trade; the officer will then return to his vessel. If vessels have cotton on board in forbidden localities, take it out; if the vessels have no permits, and are not army transports, keep them at White River until you hear from me. State in your report all the circumstances. Take all the cotton you can hear of in your vicinity, when you can do so with safety; it is all rebel property. Keep an accurate account of it, all the names of the persons and their relations to our Govern- ment. 1-lold the cotton subject to my order. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander Timos. 0. SELFRIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Conestoga off White River Page 352 352 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Captain Sutherland, comrnan ding U. S. ram~ Monarch, regarding affair8 in the vicinity of Greenville, liliss. U. S. RAM MONARCH, Off Greenville, February 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that I have not been able to arrest the men indicated in your order to Captain Prichett; I do not think they are in this part of the country. Early on the morning of the 9th instant I moved over to Green- ville and surprised a party of mounted rebels; they left precipitately without firing. I succeeded, however, in dismounting several of them before they got away. I took a party of my men and searched the town. I ascertained that they were regularly quartered there. They had a quantity of provender for their horses, which they placed (for protection) near a bospital; the hospital contained ten or twelve sick soldiers. The enemy were quartered in a church, and have for a long time occupied a building near the waters edge for a lookout. It is my opinion that the enemy do not intend to fire upon us from that town, but to avail themselves of its comforts and conveniences to quarter there and watch the movement of our vessels. I would have considered it within the scope of my orders to have burned the town had not the hospital been in the way. I await your instruc- tions relative to Greenville. The General Lyon circulated a report here, of an expedition going through Yazoo Pass down Sunflower into Yazoo River. This morn- ing two regiments of the enemy were seen 10 miles back of here, moving north. This comes from too many sources to be doubted. Two of Adams companies are encamped 8 miles back of here on Deer Creek. We encounter their pickets every day, but they are very cowardly. I have penetrated the country here 3 miles back, destroyed a ferryboat across a bayou, in which they crossed their pickets to this side, also a barge, which was captured from one of our vessels. The water is not sufficiently high to inundate the country by cut- ting the levees. The ram Fulton, with coal in tow, was fired into at the foot of Cypress Bend. I will move to that point at midnight and get back here to-morrow. I think I have sufficient force to land, scour the country, and cap- ture the enemys artillery. I also have a plan for surprising the two Adams companies, which I will lay before you as soon as I have time. I hope I do not transcend your instructions by going to Cypress Bend. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, IE. W. SUTHERLAND, Captain, Commanding Monarch. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER. General Order No. 35. FEBRUARY 11 1863. No vessel belonging to this squadron will leave the station assigned them without a written order from me Page 353 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 353 Military officers must make requisition on me for vessels when they are wanted, and officers commanding must decline acceding to any order or request to leave a station where I have placed them. No person not connected with the Army or Navy, and on public service, will be taken on board any vessel in this squadron excepting refugees in distress. [DAVID D. PORTER], Acting Rear-Ad iral, Commanding Mi8~8~tppi Squadron. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, regarding the 8ei~ure of the 8teamer Home. OFFIcE Mississippi SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 13, 1863. SIR: The steamer Home arrived here a few days since. I have had her seized in accordance with your order of the 26th ultimo. The United States marshal will be here to-morrow, when the whole matter, together with other property captured as prize, will be placed in his hands. The Rocket has not yet arrived. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding Mi88i88ippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting IJifa& ter Simond8, U. S. Navy, to ha8ten the completion of steamer Sov- ereign. FEBRUARY 12, 1863. SIR: It is very important that the Sovereign should return here filled with provisions as soon as possible. You will get her guards repaired as soon as possible, and send her down under convoy of the Cricket. While you are repairing her guards, do any other work required, but the moment she can raise steam and turn her wheels, send her down. I can make all other repairs here. You will send Mr. Rowe by the first opportunity, under guard, to Captain A. M. Pennock, at Cairo, to be kept in confinement there until further orders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Coin nding 2liississippi Squadron. Acting Master G[usTAvusl B. SIMONDS, U. S. Navy, Commandant of Navy Yard, Memphis, Tenn. 7110x W RVOL 2410 2 Page 354 354 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, for guard ships, regarding lights to be shown by vessels running the blockade of Vicks burg. FEBRUARY 12, 1863. For the Guard Ship off the Camp: Whenever any of our vessels that have run the blockade at Vicks- burg and are coming up, the guard vessel will know them by their two red lights or three perpendicular lights, or burning a Coston signal or blue light. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. One guard ship will pass this to the other. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Treasury Agent Yeatman, regarding the restriction of trade. FEBRUARY 12, 1863. SIR: Captain Selfridge, of the Conestoga, informs me that the Evansville came below as far as White River to trade. We are carry- ing on important military operations, and you will please notify vessels that they can not trade below Helena. Any permits granted for trading purposes will not be recognized. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. THOS. H. YEATMAN, Esq., Special Agent Treasury, Memphis, Tenn. Report of Acting Lieutenant Woodworth, U. S. Navy, acknowledging his assignment to the U. S. S. Lexington, regarding work on the U. S. S. General Price, and recovery of armament of the U. $. S. Glide. OFFICE MISSISsIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 12, 1863. SIR: Your letter of January 28, 1862, tendering me the command of gunboat Lexington, came to hand by gunboat Juliet. For your kind offer I am extremely obliged. The Price will be ready in ten days to start for Vicksburg. Cap- tain Pennock is using every exertion to dispatch her, and on Monday, the 15th, we will commence loading her with such articles as you have required to her full capacity. I am arming her with three 9-inch guns on Marsilly carriages aft, and one 9-inch on pivot f or- ward, there being no 100-pounder rifles here. Also two 14-pounder howitzers, fleldpieces, on boiler deck. Part of her officers have al- ready been ordered to her, and believe some men can be shipped for her in Cairo Page 355 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WAT)J1S. 355 The joiners and painters will finish their work this week, and the deck will be ready to receive her guns by Wednesday next. Since the burning of the Glide, Mr. Dahigren and myself have been engaged in recovering from the wreck the most valuable portion of her armament. We have got all her guns, which are in good order, except one. The carriages are destroyed, but the mountings are re- covered and can be refitted here. We have also saved her anchor and chains, all the iron plates from her casemates and sides, and many other articles of value that can be again employed. Her boilers, engines, doctor, capstan, and wheel, complete, are saved, and can be used again, with but slight repairs. All the canister and most of her shrapnel and shell are recovered, but slightly damaged by water. Captain Pennock has doubtless informed [you] of the victory over the enemy by the gunboat fleet in the Cumberland River, in saving Fort Donelson. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SELIM E. WOODWORTH, Acting Lieutenant, U. S. Navy. Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Missi8sippi Squadron. Report of Fleet Captain Pennoek, U. S. Navy, regarding the prepara tion of the U. S. S. Lafayette. OFFICE Mississirri SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 12, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report to you that on the arrival of Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, from Island No. 10, to take command of the U. S. gunboat Lafayette, I delivered to him a copy of your communication to me of the ~th ultimo, in accordance with your order contained therein; that I had her provisioned immediately on receipt of your letter, and that her ordnance stores have been put on board and her crew detailed and ready for transfer on board the receiving ship Clara Dol8en at any time that Captain Walke may be ready to re- ceive them. I have also ordered all her officers on board, with an ad- ditional number of acting masters mates. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Com~nandant of Station. Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy, Commanding 2JIis8i88ippi Squadron. P. S.I am informed that the iron plates necessary to complete the Lafayette have been on the way here for some time; that the vessel on which they were shipped grounded, and that the quartermaster has sent a light-draft boat to bring the iron to Cairo. I have also given Captain Walke a copy of your letter to me of the ~d instant Page 356 356 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Captain Walke, U. S. Navy, to Pilot McBride, to report on board the U. S. S. Lafayette. U. S. S. LAFAYETTE, Cairo, Ill., February 13, 1863. SIR: You will report to me for duty on board of this vessel until further orders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. WALKE, Captain, U. S. Navy. Pilot SAMUEL MCBRIDE, U. S. S. Eastport. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding the preparation of mortars for attack. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. GENERAL: I am preparing the mortars and will open on the town and thereabouts as soon as I can get them in position. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT Commanding Army of the Mississippi. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Captain Sut her- land, commanding U. S. ram Monarch, regarding the securing of cotton. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. SIR: You will obtain all the cotton you can find in rebeldom and report to me in each case the number of bales, the names of the per- sons claiming ownership, and the time and circumstances under which it was taken. Also report to me the number of bales you now have on board. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Captain E. W. SUTHERLAND, Commanding U. S. Ram Monarch. Report of Fleet Captain Pe c/c, U. S. Navy, regarding Confederate officers captured by the U. S. ram Queen of the West. No. 19.] OFFICE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 13, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a communica- tion to me from Acting Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding Mississippi Squadron, relative to four rebel captain Page 357 357 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. brought here in the U. S. S. General Lyon, and whom I have turned over to the military authorities as directed therein. Their names are J. S. Johnson, W. G. Rolfe, F. Scott, and H. C. Smith. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, February 9, 1863. SIR: I send by the General Lyon four rebel captains, and will send four more by the New Natio 1. These officers were captured by the ram Queen of the West. They will be turned over to the military authorities, and you will report them to the Secretary of the Navy. Very respectfully, D. D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Commander A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Selfridge, U. S. Navy, regarding captured cotton. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. SIR: All the cotton you may capture you will send up to Cairo, to Captain Pennock, with a list of persons who owned it, the number of bales, the time captured, and a copy to be sent to me. I will designate the vessels that will take it up to Cairo. ~ Send me a list of the amount you have tiken altogether, up to this time, with the names of the owners, etc. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander THos. 0. SELERIDGE, U. S. Navy, Commanding Conestoga. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Acting I7olun- teer Lieutenant Scott, U. S. Navy, to explain absence from his station. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. SIR: When the Tyler, sent to relieve the Signal at Greenville, the station assigned her in my orders to you of the ~36th January, arrived there, your vessel was not found there. You will be pleased to give an explanation of your conduct in this matter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant JOHN Scovr, U. S. Navy Page 358 358 NAVAL FORGES ON WESTERN WATERS. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Grant, U. S. Army, forwarding escaped prisoner. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. GENERAL: The bearer, B. D. Hurley, a prisoner taken by the rebels at Corinth, and who has escaped from Jackson jail, wants to join his company, the Hatchee Scouts. He may be able to give you valuable information. I am, general, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 111 ississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT Commanding DepartmAt of Tennessee. Report of Fleet Captain Pennock, U. S. Navy, transmitting report regarding the seizure of steamer White Cloud, February 13, 1863. No. 21.] OFFICE MIssIssiPPI SQUADRON, Cairo, Ill., February 19, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith several copies relative to the capture of a rebel mail and goods contraband of war on the steam- boat IVhite Cloud, and the consequent seizure of that vessel. The mail was brought here on the morning of the 15th instant by Acting Ensign Hanford, and I immediately, after a cursory examination into its contents, ordered Acting Lieutenant Woodworth to proceed with it to St. Louis for the purpose of enabling Major-General Curtis to gain important information therein contained. I had not sufficient time to take copies of any letters except one, a copy of which I here- with enclose; also a copy of Lieutenant Woodworths report on his return from St. Louis this morning. The White Cloud has not yet arrived at this station, and I have therefore not yet taken possession of her. She has on board a prize officer from the gunboat New Era. I have telegraphed to the marshal and district attorney that I am hourly expecting her arrival. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] CAIRO, ILL., February 14, 1863. SIR: On the afternoon of the 13th instant, as the steamer White Cloud was going down the river we thought it advisable to overhaul her, and found on board a ladys satchel underneath the cabin between two washtubs, containing a rebel mail. Also found on board two trunks with contraband goods and revolvers; found the owners and brought them here and turned them over to the United States mar- shal. Seized the steamer; but on account of her having Governmen Page 359 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 359 stores on board, gave her in charge of one of our officers and allowed her to proceed to Memphis, and on her return will be brought to this port for adjudication. I also seized the owner of one barrel of whisky that was to be landed at Island No. 35. On my way down in the John P. Perry I found in one of the pas- sengers trunks a false top containing arms and quinine. I found the owner and took him prisoner. On searching his person I found ~2,O41 in gold on his person, which I seized. I also found another trunk containing contraband goods, which I seized also. By order of Cap- tain Flanner I have brought the prisoners, together with the goods, and turned them all over to Captain Woodworth. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. HANFORD, Executive Officer. Captain A. M. PENNOCK, Fleet Captain and Commandant of Station, Cairo, Ill. A tiacks upon Federal ve85e15 near Greenville, Miss., and correspond- ence regarding proposed retaliatory measures, February 13 to April 7, 1863. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding the need of a force at Greenville. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. GENERAL: I have reliable information that two regiments of rebels (about 800 men) have been sent up the Sunflower with artillery to annoy vessels passing Greenville and that neighborhood. Would it not be a good plan to try and clean out that country? Three or four hundred cavalry, with some light fleldpieces, would do it. They think we will not molest therfi. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comimanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Coirumanding Army of the Mississippi. There is also a battery at Cypress Bend, which can be taken by 200 ~nen. I have a gunboat near there. Letter from Major-General McClernand, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Por- ter, U. S. Navy, proposing to send an armed force to Greenville. hEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Cairup before Vicksburg, February 13, 1863. ADMIRAL: Your note of this date to Major-General Grant, in his absence, was referred to these headquarters. To meet the threatened attack upon our transports by the forces you refer to, I have ordered General A. J. Smith to send a brigade to Greenville, and all his available cavalry, and to capture or disperse the enemy on either bank of the river Page 360 360 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Your cooperation, with such number of gunboats as you may deem necessary, is respectfully invited. The expedition will sail by to- morrow afternoon with seven days rations. I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, JOHN A. MCCLERNAND. Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mi8si88ippi Squadron. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Captain Sutherland, com- manding U. S. ram Monarch, to proceed to Cypress Bend when feasible. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. SIR: Your communication of the [lithi instant has been received. I approve of your going to Cypress Bend; visit it whenever you can leave Greenville, and if possible get those fieldpieces that are firing on our vessels. If you catch any of the party who fire on unarmed vessels hang them to the nearest tree. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Comir& anding lJIi8Si$sippi Squadron. Captain E. W. SUTHERLAND Commanding Monarch. P. 5. Obtain cotton wherever you can, to have your boilers and steam pipe perfectly protected from shot. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Captain Sutherland, com- manding U. S. ram Monarch. FEBRUARY 13, 1863. SIR: You will convoy the Wil8on safely past Cypress Bend. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mi88is8ippi Squadron. Captain E. W. SUTHERLAND, Commanding Monarch. Letter from Captain Sutherland, commanding U. S. ram Monarch, to Lieutenant- Colonel Ferguson, C. S. Army, requesting an interview. MIssIssIPPI RIVER RAM FLEET, Off Greenville, February 14, 1863. SIR: I desire an interview with you on business connected with the service. If you will do me the honor to meet me, I will indicate the court-house in Greenville as a proper place, where I will be with a flag of truce to-morrow (Sunday, 15th) at 2 p. m.* I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWIN W. SUTHERLAND, Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding First Division, Ram Flotilla. Officer Commanding C. S. FORCES NEAR GREENVILLE. * See also A. W. R., Vol. XXIV, pt. 3, pp. 626, 637, 650 Page 361 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 361 Report of Captain Sutherland, commanding ram Monarch, regarding petitions received from the women of Greenville for protection. Mississir~i RIVER RAM FLEET, Off Greenville, February 16, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on Saturday, 14th, I received a visit from the women of Greenville, praying me not to destroy their town without giving them notice to leave. I answered that when the rebels fired on us from that town it would be their note of warning. I was then informed that a rebel officer desired to see me. I consented and appointed to meet him the next day at Greenville. At the time indicated the rebel, attended by some twenty officers and men, arrived. He introduced himself as Colonel Ferguson, com- manding Confederate forces this side Yazoo River. He is a graduate of West Point, has been on the staff of Beauregard, is dignified and polite, and presented me with the following bill of indictment: That I had frightened women and children, that I had fired on unarmed citizens, and that I had fired into a house where there was a sick Methodist minister (very low with smallpox), and nobody with him but an old widow (Mrs. Blanton), and he himself had seen where the shell went through the house, fell on the floor, but did not ex- plode; and added as I had failed to give good and valid reasons for it, I was booked for doom. I replied that I had never knowingly fired on unarmed people or into houses occupied by women, and if such was the case, it was accidental. In reference to the measures you intended to adopt toward those men who fire on unarmed vessels, he stated substantially that the time had come to run up the black flag, and if your orders were executed, reprisals would swiftly follow. That you could not afford to carry out your threats, as they had a great preponderance of pris- oners. He asked for a copy of your notice to forward to General Pemberton. He further said he would burn all the cotton he thought might fall into your hands, and that he would hang every negro that he could catch going to or coming off our boats. Colonel Ferguson was dressed in artillery uniform; most of his officers in the uniform of cavalry. I think his command proper is seven pieces of artillery and about 230 effective cavalry, from all the information I can get from pris- oners, refugees, and contrabands. This force was formerly under the command of Colonel Starke. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. SUTHERLAND, Captain, Comniandinq Monarek~. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER. Report of Captain Sutherland, commanding U. S. ram Monarch, regarding co- operation with Brigadier-General Burbridge, U. S. Army. MISSISSIPPI RIVER RAM FLEET, lJlonctrch, February 30, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on Monday, 16th, General Burbridge came on board and said he intended to land near Green Page 362 362 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. yule and ferret out the rebels on that side the river, and said you had directed me to cooperate with him. I immediately moved to a point a mile and a half above Greenville. I covered the debarkation of the troops (some 3,000 men). I then took a horse and accom- panied the general to Deer Creek, where he camped. I returned the same evening to the vessel. On my way back I found the army so utterly demoralized that I sent a message to General Burbridge to fall back under cover of my guns. From the head of the column, 10 miles out, all the way back to the boat, was one continuous line of stragglers, pillaging every house within 2 or 3 miles of the road. Arriving at my vessel I shelled the men away from the houses in reach of my guns. During the night messages were constantly com- ing to me from wronged and outraged women asking for protection. These messages were almost all addressed to Captain, Gunboat Monarch, or any naval officer. I enclose two of them as a specimen. It is my conscientious belief that had 100 mounted rebels attacked the command of General Burbridge it would have been routed. The expedition, having arrested two men, returned next day. The following results were achieved: Taking jewelry from the per- sons of women and toys of little children, and making a rebel soldier of every man and boy this side of Yazoo River. I gave General I3ur- bridge your orders relative to pillaging. He immediately arrested 50 of his men, whom he says he will court-martial. I prevailed on the general to go with me to this point, where we arrived the 18th. Yesterday the cavalry moved out some 8 miles, when they were tired on by the rebel battery, three 6-pounders. The cavalry fe]l back, pursued by the enemy. General l3urbridge moved up with infantry and artillery, and would have captured their guns had he not given them an idea of his strength by engaging with his whole force a few pickets. Major Montgomery and myself went forward to recon- noiter; arrived at the ferry across a bayou in time to see the enemy moving off. After destroying the ferry our artillery came up and engaged them, but they soon got out of the way. We captured a lieutenant, who admits he was with the party who tired on the Ful- ton. General Burbridge will not let me have him. I got possession of a private, who said he had fired on the Fultom. I shot him dead on the spot, and will execute all others I can get hold of. The troops yesterday moved in good order. Very respectfully, etc., E. W. SUTHERLAND, Captain, Commanding Monarch. Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER. Extract from report o Brigadier-General Burbridge, U. S. Army, regarding operations of his brigade. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, TENTH DIvISIoN, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Youngs Point, La., February 27, 1863. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my brigade against rebel forces at Greenville and other places: * * * * * * Page 363 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 363 This brigade embarked on transports on the morning of the 14th (February) instant and moved to Greenville. * * * * * * * On the morning of the 18th I moved the fleet to Cypress Bend, where but a few days previous a transport had been fired into. * * * Hearing from three deserters who came in to us on the morning of the 20th that the enemy had gone beyond our reach, I returned to the transports and remained there that night, intending to drop down next morning to Perkins Landing, 4 miles from Cypress Bend, where I had heard I could, by a road leading into the Bolivar and Vicksburg road, cut off the retreat of Colonel [S. W.] Fergusons force and com- pel him to give battle or surrender; but the weather was so inclement; that I remained at Cypress Bend, while Captain Sutherland, of the steam ram Monarch, went up to Bolivar to hear of the location of the enemy. He reported that the whole force had left Bolivar the day previous and had returned to the vicinity of Greenville. * * * * * * * To Captain Sutherland, of the steam ram Monarch, I am indebted for many acts of courtesy in his official capacity. His ram was with my transports from the time we reached Greenville until our return, and I was by that means able to leave the boats with no guard, and take all the well men with me in whatever expedition I needed them. I find that there are no road improvements in the country, and it is impossible for infantry to be effective against cavalry in such a country. Their information is always better than our own; the citi- zens all sympathize with them. The only force which can capture any of those rebel forces that fire into our transports is cavalry, or mounted infantry, and light mountain howitzers. * * * I am, with much respect, etc., S. G. BUEBRIDGE, Lieutenant HouGH, Brigadier- General. Acting Assistant Adjustant-General, Tenth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson, C. S. Army, to Captain Sutherland, Commanding U. S. ram Monarch, requesting an interview under flag of truce. HEADQUARTERS C. S. FORCES, Washington County, Miss., February 25, 1863. SIR: I desire to communicate with you, officially, in reference to the recent notice of Admiral Porter, communicated to me by you. Should you agree to honor me with an interview, I will meet you with a flag of truce at such proper time and place as you may desig- nate. S. W. FERGUSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, C. S. Forces. Captain E. W. SUTHERLAND, U. S. Navy, Commanding Ra Monarc Page 364 364 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Lieutenant-General Pemberton, C. S. Army, to Lieutenant-Colonel Fergu- son, C. S. Army, regarding retaliation. HDQRS. DEPT. OF Miss. AND EASTERN LA., eJack8oTh, February 20, 1863. SIR: A few days since instructions were sent you in case you find that your position on the river could not be maintained, you should return. The same are now reiterated. I leave it to your j udgment to determine the advisability of remaining or returning, inasmuch as no further supporting force can be now sent you. Admiral Porters notice, threatening to treat as highwaymen and assassins persons who may be found interrupting the navigation of the Mississippi River, and giving no quarter to any person found burning cotton or levying contribution on the inhabitants along the river, has been forwarded by General Stevenson to me. You are authorized to say to Captain Sutherland, or any other Federal officers that if his threat is carried out, retaliation in the fullest measure will be visited on the heads of such Federal officers and prisoners as I have, or may hereafter fall into my hands. I shall direct General Stevenson to notify Ad- miral Porter that any attempt to carry into effect this notice will be retaliated in the same manner upon such prisoners as I now have or may hereafter fall into my hands. II am, very respectfully, ~ ~. PEMBERTON. Lieutenant-Colonel S. W. FERGUSON. Letter from Major-General Stevenson, C. S. Army, to Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, regarding retaliation. HDQR5. SECOND DISTRICT, DEPT. OF Miss. AND EAST. LA., Vicks burg, February 24, 1863. GENERAL: I am instructed by lieutenant-general commanding this department to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a notice purport- ing to have been issued by Admiral David~ D. Porter, U. S. Navy. I request that you will inform me whether this document is authentic; and if it be, whether the operations of any part of the forces under you are to be conducted in accordance with the principles announced by Admiral Porter or those of civilized warfare? While the troops of this Confederacy whom I have the honor to command will actively repel the invasion of our territory by the forces of the United States, it is my desire that their operations shall be in according with the usages of war, of humanity, and of civilization. I shall deplore the necessity of any departure from them. Therefore I hope this notice of Admiral Porter is not au- thentic, or that it will be reconsidered, and that in no case will its threats be executed, because I am instructed to say, if they are, the fullest retaliation will be inflicted upon the Federal prisoners now in our hands, or whom we may capture, and no quarter will be given to any officer, soldier, or citizen of the United States taken in the act of burning houses, laying waste the plantations, or otherwise wantonly destroying the property of the citizens of this Confederacy; and that all such persons suspected or having been guilty of suc Page 365 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 365 acts will not, if taken, be treated as prisoners of war, but will be kept in close confinement. Relying upon your disposition to cooperate with me in averting the necessity for a resort to such measures, I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant. C. L. STEVENSON. Major-General U. S. GRANT, Commanding U. S. force8 in front of Vicks burg. [Enclosure.] Notice. Persons taken in the act of firing on unarmed vessels from the banks will be treated as highwaymen and assassins, and no quarter xvill be shown them. Persons strongly suspected of firing on unarmed vessels will not receive the usual treatment of prisoners of war, but will be kept in close confinement. If this savage and barbarous Confederate custom can not be put a stop to, we will try what virtue there is in hanging. All persons, no matter who they are, who are caught. in the act of pillaging the houses of the inhabitants along the river, levying con- tribution, or burning cotton, will receive no quarter if caught in the act, or if it is proved upon them. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson, C. S. Army, regarding proposed interview with Captain Sutherland. NEAR GREENVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, February 28, 1863. MAJOR: Your favor of 23d instant has just come to hand. I have to report that I am here with a small party waiting to communicate, by flag of truce, with the ram Monarch, instructions of the 20th instant direct from Lieutenant-General Pemberton. My future move- ments will depend in great measure on the result of the desired in- terview. * * * * * * * Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. W. FERGUSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. Major J. J. REEVE, Assistant AdjLtant-Cenerai. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Stevenson, C. S. Army, regarding the unwarranted attacks upon Federal vessels. U. S. Mississi~~i SQUADRON, Near Vicksburg, March. 2, 1863. SIR: Major-General Grant, commanding this department, has handed me a communication from you, written by authority of Ge Page 366 366 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. eral Pemberton, commanding Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. I might very properly object to notice it, as all commu- nications relating to the Mississippi Squadron should be addressed to me as commander in chief of the naval department on the Missis- sippi River. I decline, however, to stand on a point of etiquette. I enclose you a communication I wrote to. one of my officers in rela- tion to the notice your general has taken exceptions to; it will fully explain my views on this subject. No one is more desirous than myself that operations within the limits of my command should be conducted in accordance with the usages of war, of humanity, and of civilization, which sentiment I am pleased to see is expressed by yourself. I can see no easier way to arrive at the desired end than by putting a stop to the inhuman practice of firing on unarmed vessels and peaceful citizens. I am quite satisfied that it is not civilized for parties who are over- seer civilians one day (trading with our people) and soldiers the next, to be traveling around the country firing upon hospital vessels and river steamers. The hospital vessel of this squadron was attacked in sight of me, and a volley of musketry fired into the windows while she had on board, and being attended with all care, some of the wounded prison- ers taken at the Arkansas Post. A few days since a band of armed desperadoes jumped on the deck of the tug Hercule8 and killed in cold blood some of the unotfending crew. Men lurk in the woods without a flag or distinguishing mark and fire at any human being they may see on the deck of a steamer, without caring or knowing whether it is friend or foe they are about to murder, and this we are called upon to recognize as civilized war- fare. If, sir, you call this carrying on war in a civilized manner, we differ very widely in our opinions. If those who profess to be your followers make war on us after the manner of highwaymen, I see no reason why they should be treated with that courtesy and kindness which, I believe, I have the reputa- tion of extending to all prisoners captured in honorable warfare. I think, on due consideration, that you will find I have announced no principle not strictly in accordance with the usages of civilized war- fare. In this respect I endeavor to set an example of moderation that it would be well to follow. I have enjoined upon every person under my command to exact the strictest obedience to my order against pillaging or injuring the property of persons on the rivers; and while doing all I can to avert the calamities of war, I intend to exact a strict compliance with the usages of war, of humanity, and of civili- zation. If persons claiming to be soldiers deviate from them, they can scarcely expect to be treated to any of the amenities of war, and their leaders should not claim for them more than they expect themselves. In this matter of firing on unarmed vessels, no good results have arisen; on the contrary it has led to a system of retaliation where, unfortunately, the guilty parties did not always suffer. It has led to perfect demoralization, and brought to the river banks a set of desperadoes, who plunder alike both friend and foe. The system can do no good toward ending this war, and is only destructive to those who had no hand in making it Page 367 NAVAL FORGES ON WESTERN WATERS. 367 If General Pemberton is desirous that the war should be con- ducted on the principle of humanity and civilization, all he has to do is to issue an order to stop guerrilla warfare. He can exercise his judgment with regard to any retaliatory measures he may think proper to institute. I presume our soldiers and sailors could easily prepare themselves for any ordeal they might be subjected to, and we might hope to see our country aroused at last to a sense of the injuries inflicted upon it. Very respectfully, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Major-General C. L. STEVENSON, Vieksburg, Miss. Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson, C. S. Army, to officer commanding U. S. Forces near Greenville, complaining of violation of usages of war in re- lation to the flag of truce. HEADQUARTERS C. S. FORCES, IVashington County, Mississippi, March 8, 1863. SIR: I have been informed that two men of my command, left by my order at Greenville, Miss., with flag of truce, for the purpose of delivering a letter addressed to Captain Sutherland, U. S. Navy, oii official business were taken off from that point on the 6th instant by the forces of the United States. In consequence of this, I send an officer under flag of truce to Greenville to deliver this letter. If my information proves correct, I would request to be informed on what grounds, and by whose authority, this violation, as I must consider it, of the rights and usages of war has been committed. I am the more urged to make this request, as the same men were a day or two before taken, disarmed, and carried on board the United States vessel Curlew, where their dispatch was opened and read. With the hope that this matter may at once receive the attention of the United States authorities, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. W. FERGUSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. To the OFFICER IN COMMAND OF U. S. FORCES NEAR GREENVILLE. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson, C. S. Army, regarding violation of the usages of war in relation to the flag of truce. CAMP ON DEER CREEK, Washington County, March 13, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor to make the following report: On the 15th of February ultimo I received, by the hand of a citizen, a letter from Captain E. W. Sutherland, U. S. Navy, a copy of which is herewith forwarded Page 368 368 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. The Department was at once informed of the result of that inter- view, and furnished with the notice of Admiral Porter, then com- municated by Captain Sutherland, who expressed his willingness to communicate at any time that it should be necessary by flag of truce. On the 25th of the same month I received instructions from Linetenant-General Pemberton, which I was ordered to communicate to Captain Sutherland, or any other Federal officer. I at once sent by flag of truce a letter, a copy of which is herewith for- warded. After keeping the party with the flag of truce at Green- ville for several days in the further effort to communicate, the ravages of the abolitionists on Lake Washington compelled me to withdraw the party, except a sergeant and one man, whom I left at Greenville with the flag and letter. I accidentally learned from a citizen that on or about the 4th instant a gunboat, the Curlew, landed a party, who met the flag of truce, disarmed the bearers, and took them on board, where they were rudely treated and their dispatch broken open and read. It was then returned to them with the remark that Captain Sutherland should be informed the letter was for him. About the time this news reached me, and before I could communicate with the sergeant referred to, I heard from a citizen that a gunboat had landed and taken off two men. I at once dispatched another party with a flag of truce and letter, a copy of which please find enclosed, as well as a copy of the answer I received to it. I can not learn by what boat they were taken, and have not received an answer from Admiral Porter. Their horses and horse equipments I found at Greenville. Since the receipt of Captain J. M. Prichetts letter, I have posted a picket at or near Greenville, but from the 23d instant to that time I had no troops nearer than 20 miles, except the party with the flag, and I need not add that the assertion of Captain Prichett in regard to flags of truce is utterly false, and that none but those mentioned herein have been sent or been seen there. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. W. FERGUSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. Major J. J. IREEVE, Assistant Adjutant-General. Letter from the Confederate Secretary of War to Lieutenant-General Pemberton, C. S. Army, regarding the reference to the President of Acting Rear-Admiral Porters order regarding reta]iation. WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, Va., March 20, 1863. GENERAL: Your letter of the 23d ultimo, forwarding copy of notice purporting to proceed from Admiral D. D. Porter, U. S. Navy, and a copy of retaliatory notification which you caused to be issued, has been received, and, on reference to the President, he replies that the course adopted by you is concurred in, rendered necessary by the barbarity of the enemy, as evinced in the order to hang troop Page 369 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 361) who should be captured when assailing the enemys lines of commu- nication to prevent the forwarding of supplies and reinforcements. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. A. SEDDON. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, Coimmanding, etc., Jackson, Miss. Letter from the Confederate Secretary of War to Lieutenant-General Pemberton, C. S. Army, transmitting the opinion of the President of the Confederate States. WAR DEPARTMENT, Richqnond, Va., March 28,1863. GENERAL: The correspondence between General Stevenson and Admiral Porter, resulting from the capture of the Indianola, was submitted to the President, and has been returned by him with an endorsement,of which I enclose a copy for your guidance in any future correspondence. Your obedient servant, J. A. SEDDON. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, Com~manding, Jackson. Mis8. [Enclosure.] MARCH 21, 1863. SECRETARY OF WAR: iRead and returned. The misstatements and evasions of the naval commander do not appear to have been exposed and brought out with such distinctness as would seem to have been practicable, and he presents by his showing a defense to which he can not be entitled. When the rivers banks are marked by burned houses and devastated estates, it is mockery to proclaim a purpose to abstain from injury to private property; and when the river is the enemys line of communication, upon which both his supplies and troops are transported, it was worse than idle to prevent the use of unarmed boats as dedicated to humane and charitable purposes. The enemy have no plausible pretext for objecting to the dress of our troops. They may not be in uniform, may have no other than citi- zens dress, without in any degree subjecting themselves to the charge of being disguised. To avail themselves of cover, and thus to effect a surprise, is the ordinary and recognized practice of war. The reports we have, even through the Northern papers, show why their boats land at plantations, and it is to be regretted that they have so often plundered with impunity. To destroy their transportation and to capture their foraging parties is the fit service of partisan corps, and the enemys epithets can not deprive them of the rights of prisoners of war if captured or change the nature of their acts. When or where could he allege the crimes named were committed by men in our service? J [EFFERSON] D [AvIs.] 7110x W BVOL 2410 2 Page 370 370 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Order of Lieutenant-General Pemberton, C. S. Army, to Major-General Stevenson, C. S. Army, calling attention to the Presidents endorsement. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF Mississi~~i AND EAST LOUISIANA, Jackson, April 7, 1863. GENERAL: The lieutenant-general commanding directs me to send you the enclosed copies of communications from the War Department, and to say that he regrets that the tenor of your correspondence with Admiral Porter was not in accordance with his instructions; that hereafter your communications with the enemy will be guided by the considerations set forth in the endorsement by the President. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. PEMBERTON. Major-General [C. L.] STEVENSON, Commanding, etc., Viclesburg. Second detached expedition to Red River by U. S. ram Queen of the TVest, sup ported by U. S. S. Indianola, including passage of Vicks- burg batteries by the latter, February .13; capture of Confederate steamer Era No. 5, and of U. S. S. Queen of the West, Febru- ary 14; also s~nking of U. S. S. Indianola by the C. S. ram William H. Webb, captured ram Queen of the West, and steamers Dr. Beatty and Grand Era, February 24, 1863. Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, regarding time of departure. FEBRUARY 10, [1863]. COLONEL: I would like you to get away to-night as soon as it is dark. Be particular that the furnaces on the De Soto are screened, so that no lights can be seen. Hoping soon to hear a good account of you, I remain, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral. Colonel CHARLES RIVERS ELLET. Dont be surprised to see the Indianola below. Dont mistake her for a rebel- ~he looks something like the Chillicothe. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, explaining cause of delay in departure. U. S. RAM QUEEN OF THE WEST, Below Vicksburg, Aliss., February 10, 1863. ADMIRAL: The reason I failed to get away last night, as I had intended, was the delay caused by the broken steam pipe of the Dc Soto. I did not get it until late this morning, and your positive orders not to pass Warrenton by daylight prevented me from going then. I shall certainly start this evening Page 371 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 371 The enemy has, I think, removed his guns from the heights imme- diately opposite our present landing. Not a man can now be seen there, and the cannon have disappeared. I shall take every precaution to avoid coming into collision with the Indianola. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Rain Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, to Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, requesting the services of the steamer De Soto. U. S. RAM QUEEN OF THE WEST, J3elow Vicksburg, February 6, 1863. GENERAL: On returning to the Queen this morning I understood from Captain Conner that you had been kind enough to offer me the two 30-pounder Parrott guns at the mouth of the canal. I shall gladly accept them, and with your permission will take them on board at once. As they will be of immediate service, I should like to obtain an order for them as speedily as possible. I would also respectfully request that if the steamer De Soto is not needed just at present, she might be given to me. I propose to employ her in supplying the Queen with coal. She is very small, tolerably fast, of little intrinsic value, draws but little water, and can easily be protected with cotton. If you will give her to me, I will, with Admiral Porters permission, run up to-night and bring down a barge of coal. I will only take eight or nine men, and if sunk, we can all escape in a boat. - Very respectfully, CHARLES RIVERS SELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Major-General SHERMAN, Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Ellet, command- ing Ram Fleet, regarding measures for procuring coal. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, February 5, 1862. COLONEL: You can do as you like about the De Soto, though I fear a failure. I dont think she can make 4 miles an hour upstream, which will put you under fire forty minutes or an hour at least. If you do try it, it must be done when very dark. I have a tug that I picked up to-day that will go through the canal and carry a thousand bushels of coal; or to-morrow night it might float a barge down, and you could stand by to go a little above the canal and pick her up. Make what arrangement you like best. Yours, truly, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral Page 372 372 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Letter from Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding coal for the ram. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Camp be/ore Vicksburg, February 5, 1863. DEAR SIR: I did not get to my quarters till near midnight last night, when I found your note of yesterday about the coal. * * * Again, a barge could be carried by night, and turned loose and let her pick it up. This latter plan was suggested by the officer of the ram Queen of the West when I was on board of her yesterday after- noon. Colonel lEllet seems to be full of energy and resources. If he will devise a practical method of getting coal to his boats, and needs assistance which I can give, tell him to call on me. * * * * * * * W. T. SHERMAN; Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Letter from Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, to Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, transmitting order for guns. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Camp Before Vicksburg, February 6, 1863. DEAR SIR: Captain Breese tells me you want the two 30-pounder Parrott guns now in position at the foot of the canal. I enclose you an order for them and the ammunition. Each gun has 100 rounds, and when it is determined how to send your coal I can send you 200 rounds more. Congratulating you on your brilliant success, and advising you to see me before you make another trip to Red River, I am, with great respect, Your friend and servant, W. T. SHERMAN, Major- General, Commanding. Colonel ELLET, Commanding Ram Queen of the West. I was recently a resident of Alexandria, La., and know many people there and thereabouts. SHERMAN. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, to Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding measures for sending coal to the ram. U. S. RAM QUEEN OF THE WEST, Below Vieksburg, February 6, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have just received an order from General Sherman for the two 30-pounder Parrott guns, and will take them on board as speedily as possible. I have written to General Sherman, requesting him to give me the little steamer De Soto. I think that I can bring down a barg Page 373 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 373 of coal with her without any difficulty. She only draws 2~ feet when loaded with cotton, can make 6 miles upstream per hour, is very small, and can easily be protected with cotton. Her guards are quite broad, and I can secure her boilers without difficulty. I shall hug the left-hand shore going up, take only nine or ten men with me, and if they sink her get off in a boat. The De Soto is worth nothing anyhow, and the importance of getting coal at once to the Queen justifies, I think, the risk. I will be able, also, to bring down the ammunition for the two 30-pounder guns. In case General Sherman will let me have the boat and you should give me orders to start, I think I can have everything ready to start to-morrow night. Very respectfully, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Co anding IJIz8Si8s~pp~ Squadron. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, regarding the urgent need of coal. U. S. RAM QUEEN OF THE WEST, Below Viek8burg, February 7, 1863. ADMIRAL: Your communication of February 5 has just been received. I wish that the tug you mention could be run through at once. A thousand bushels would be a great help. It is needed in the hold more than for fuel, as the Queen is very heavily laden above with cot- ton and needs ballast. If you will float a barge down to-night and let me know by signals or otherwise when it is coming, I will run up in the De Soto and get it. I shall set to work at once to prepare her. It is very important that I should obtain coal at once. The rebels are putting up new guns opposite my present landing; and if they drive us away, we will have to go below Warrenton. The barge ought to be a very full one,, as she will then be much less visible. I think it can be floated within reach without much difficulty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Comrr& anding Ram Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mt88m88mppt Squadron. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, announcing arrival of coal barge below Vicksburg. U. S. RAM QUEEN OF THE WEST, Below Vick8burg, February 8, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have the honor to report to you that the coal barge reached me in good condition at half past 11 oclock last night. I secured it without difficulty, and removed it this morning into the slue, where it is entirely out of danger from the enemys shot. Page 374 374 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. shall coal immediately. I have mounted one of the 30-pounder Par- rott guns on the De Solo. I hope to be able to procure cotton enough down the river to thoroughly protect her. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mi8si88ippi Squadron. Instructions of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Colonel Ellet, com- manding Ram Fleet, for the expedition. U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, February 8, 1863. COLONEL: When you have taken in your coal, you will proceed, at night, after dark, with the De Solo and the coal barge down the river, showing no lights. When you get near Red River, wait until daylight above the mouth. From there you will be able to see the smoke of any steamer over the trees as she comes down Red River. When you capture them, do not burn them until you have broken all the machinery, then let go the anchors and let them burn, under your own eye, at their anchors. There will be no danger then of any part of them floating down to the enemy. There is one vessel, the Webb, that you must look out for. If you get the first crack at her, you will sink her, and if she gets the first crack at you she will sink you. My advice is to put a few cotton bales over your bow about 15 feet abaft the stem, and if she strikes you there, there will be no harm done. It is likely that an attempt will be made to board you. If there is, do not open any doors or ports to board in return, but act on the defensive, giviiig the enemy steam and shell. Do not forget to wet your cotton before going into action. Do not lose sight of the De Solo, unless in chase and under cir- cumstances where it will be perfectly safe. When your coal is all out of the barge, you can take the De Solo alongside. You can help each other along. Destroy her at once when there is the least chance of her falling into the hands of the enemy; she is now, though, a government vessel, and should be brought back if possible. Destroy all small boats you meet with on the river; also wharf boats and barges. If you have a chance, and have plenty of coal, take a look at Port Hudson and give them a few rifle shots, but do not pass by. Communicate with the squadron below by signal if possible. The great object is to destroy all you can of the enemys stores and provisions and get your vessel back safe. Pass all batteries at night if the canal is opened. I will keep you supplied with coal. Keep your pilot house well supplied with hand grenades, etc., in case the enemy should get on your upper decks. Do not show your colors along the river unless necessary in action. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding 2ib88~88ippi Squadron. Colonel CHAS. R. ELLET, Commanding IiIi~i8sippi Ra Fleet Page 375 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 375 Report ~f Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, acknowledging instructions for the movements of the Queen of the West. U. S. RAM QUEEN OF THE WEST, Below Vicksburg, February 8, 1863. ADMIRAL: Your orders relating to the future movements of the Q ueeu have been received and xviii be executed as far as lies in my power. I sent you early this morning a Communication informing you of the gratifying success which attended your efforts to pass coal to me. The barge came exactly to the right spot and was secured without difficulty. The hand grenades you speak of are all on the Monarch and Switr~erland. I should like to have them sent to me. I have already informed you of the necessity of having the broken flange of the steam pipe of the De Soto repaired. If a coppersmith could be sent to me at once he could have it done before I had finished coaling. ~/ery respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIvERs ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Aiis8is8ippi Squadron. Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, to Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, in preparation for the running of Vicksburg batteries by the U. S. S. Indianola. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, February 12, 1863. GENERAL: I shall send the Indianola down to-night to run the batteries at Vicksburg. She will show two red lights when she gets near your pickets below. If you would let your people at the canal show a light I would be much obliged. I want Captain Brown to send me a report. Will you please order it sent over? Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER. General GRANT, Co anding. [Endorsement.] HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, February 12, 1863. General Grant has referred this to General Sherman. He directs that you take secret, but effectual, measures to instruct your people at the canal and along the levee. I have notified General Steele. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. HAMMOND, A88i8tartt Adjutant-General. General DAVID SmART. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, announcing the passage by the U. S. S. Indianola of the Vicksburg batteries and transmitting copy of instructions to commanding officer. No. 109.1 U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, February 14, 1863. SIR: I ordered the Indianola, Lientenant-Conimander George Brown, down the river, and she ran the batteries last night, under Page 376 376 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. heavy fire, without, I believe, receiving any damage. She carried with her two coal barges, enough to last two months. This gives us entire control of the Mississippi, except at Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and cuts off all the supplies and troops from Texas. We have below now 2 XJ-inch guns, 2 IX-inch guns, 2 30-pounder rifles, 6 12-pounders, and 3 vessels. They have orders to burn, sink~ and destroy. I send you a copy of my instructions to Lieutenant- Commander Brown, and have the honor to remain, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Abssissippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, February 13, 1863. SIR: You will take two coal barges alongside that have been some- what lightened of coal and stand by to run past the batteries at Vicks- burg and join the vessels below. The object in sending you is to protect the ram Queen of the West and the De Soto against the Webb, the enemys ram; she will not attack you both. I do not wish you to go below Red River, but to remain there while Colonel Ellet reconnoiters Port hudson and prevent his being taken by vessels from Red River. Keep your guns loaded with solid shot, or, if you are attacked by vessels protected with cotton bales, fire shrapnel, which are good in- cendiary shell. If you can capture a good steamer, I want you to keep her. Go to Jeff. Daviss plantation and his brother Joes and load up said steamer with all the cotton you can find and the best single male negroes. If you can not get cotton enough to protect the steamer you capture, obtain it at Acklens Landing, and when you have filled the prize up with as much as she will carry and make good speed send her up to run the batteries and join me here. To do this, daub over her white paint with mud, so that she can not be seen in the dark. Dispose the cotton bags so that everything is well protected and no light can possibly show in any part of the boat. You must select dark and rainy nights for running the blockade, and dont show yourself below Warrenton as you come up. After you pass the batteries at Vicksburg, show two red lights on your bow that our people at the canal may know you. If you receive any damage from the batteries, send me a short report from the other side and go on with care until you are the other side (some distance) of Warrenton; lay by there until the moon is up and proceed to Red River. When the Queen of the West returns, Colonel Ellet and yourself will go up Red River (provided you can get good pilots) and destroy all you meet with in the shape of enemys stores. This part must be left to your discretion. Ellet and yourself will consult together what is best to be done, and whatever you undertake try and have no failure. When you have not means of certain success, undertak Page 377 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 377 nothing; a failure is equal to a defeat. Never leave your coal barges unprotected by the De Soto, and never leave her between you and the enemy. Dont forget that I had your vessel strengthened to perform the part of a ram; dont hesitate to run anything down. When you have emptied the coal barges, either destroy them so that the enemy can not possibly use them or till them with cotton and bring them back. Make your calculations to get back here with plenty of coal on board. Tell Colonel Ellet when he gets to Port Hudson to send a commu- nication in a barrel (barrel to be marked Essex), and tell the commander in said communication that I direct him to pass Port Hudson on a dark night and join the vessels above. Have your casemates and sides well covered with tallow and slush before you start. Very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Jhss~ss~1pi Squadron. Lieutenant-Commander GEO. BROWN, U. S. Navy, Commanding Indianola, Mis8issippi Squadron. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of Lieu- tenant-Commander Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Indianola. No. 12~5.] U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Ya~oo River, February 24, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose you a communication from Lieu- tenant-Commander George Brown. We still hold the mouth of Red River. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. S. INDIANOLA~ Aifouth of Red River, February 18, 1863. I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your written in- structions, I left the anchorage in the Yazoo River at 10: 15 p. m. on the 13th instant, having in tow two barges of coal, containing about 7,000 bushels each. The weather was all I could desire. At 11: 10 p. m. I was abreast of the upper batteries, which did not open fire. The rebel lookouts at those batteries could not have seen us. The first gun that was fired at us was at 11:22 p. in., from a battery abreast the point. At this time we were running very slowly, but at once started at full speed. Other guns opened on us in very quick succession, and rockets were sent up at the upper batteries. At 11 :41 p. m. the last gun was fired. Eighteen guns were fired at us in the space of nineteen minutes, none of which struck us. They were generally good line shots, but all passed over us; every shot came from abaf Page 378 378 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. the beam. When abreast of the lower end of the canal, I showed two red lights on the starboard side. At Warrenton two musket shots were fired at us. At 1 a. in., on the 14th instant, we anchored about 4 miles below Warrenton. At 5:20 a. m. we got underway and proceeded slowly down the river. Nothing of importance tran- spired until the morning of the 16th, being at anchor about 8 miles below Natchez, when a steamboat was heard approaching from below. I got underway at once and stood across the river, when the fog lifted, and I made the steamboat Era No. 5. I hailed her, and learned that she was in charge of Colonel Ellet, having on board the few officers and men who were saved from the Queen of the IVest. The particulars of her capture will be reported to yon by Colonel Ellet. I again anchored, and, after consulting with Colonel Ellet, con- cluded to proceed on down the river, as soon as the Era could be put in running order. At 4:30 p. m. we started down, the Era ahead. At 5: 10 a steamer was seen abreast of Ellis Cliff, which I at once recognized as being the rebel gunboat Webb. At the same time the Eras whistle was blown, indicating that she saw danger ahead. I cleared for action, and was going ahead at full speed, when the Webb turned and started down. I fired two XI-inch shot at her, both of which were good line shots; one struck within at least 50 yards of her. Both guns had all the elevation that the ports would admit of. The Webb at this time was making most excellent speed, and soon disap- peared behind the point. As we rounded the point the fog set in so thick that not even her smoke could be seen. On account of the dense fog we anchored for the night under Glasscock Island. Thinking it probable the Webb might get ashore in the fog, and knowing that if she did that we would drift by her without seeing her, I thought it best to remain at anchor until I could run with safety and be certain of seeing everything on either side of the bank as we passed. At 1 p. m. on the 17th instant, the fog lighting up, we got underway and proceeded on down the river as far as the mouth of Red River, oppo- site which place we anchored about 5 p. m. I sent on shore for Colonel Acklen, who informed me that three boats had accompanied the Webb in chase of Colonel Ellet, but that they had all turned back and gone up Red River. I was informed that Colonel Lovell, who commanded the Webb and the expedition, said that he would make a stand at Normans Landing, where he could have the assistance of the fort at that place. I was also informed that the Queen of the West had been hauled off and towed up to Normans (sometimes called Gordons) Landing; that she was injured only in her steam and escape pipes, which could easily be repaired. That the rebels will make use of her to attack us, I do not doubt, but I feel prepared to meet both the Queen and the Webb. A deserter from the Webb reports that she has no iron on her bow, but that the machinery below the spar deck is well protected by cotton. On account of her walking beams, which are not at all protected, she will not come within close range of our guns. Two boats are being fitted up with cotton at Port Hudson, for what particular service I am unable to learn. My only trouble is to look out for the coal barges, which I can tow upstream at a very slow rate, and I can not run the risk of losing sight of them, unless in case of some pressing emergency. I keep the coa Page 379 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 379 bunkers full at all times, so that in the event of my losing the barges we will have plenty of coal to take us to Vicksburg. Colonel Ellet thinks it is important that he should go up the river at once and com- municate with you. I am convinced that I can remain alone in this vicinity for some time, but at the same time I consider it important that there should be at least one other serviceable vessel with me. If the river rises 1 foot more, of which there is a strong probability, Port Hudson will be unapproachable by land, so you can readily under- stand the importance of the stoppage of all river communication. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. BROWN, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mi88i88ippi Squadron, Yazoo River. Report of Lieutenant-Commander Brown, U. S. Navy, regarding the loss of the U. S. S. Indianola. WASHINGTON, D. C., May 928, 1863. SIR: At this, my earliest opportunity, I respectfully submit to the Department a report of the operations of the U. S. S. Indianola, while below Vicksburg, Miss.; also the particulars of the engagement with the rebel armed rams Queen of the TVe8t and William H. Webb, and armed cotton-clad steamers Dr. l3eatty and Grand Era, in which the Indianola was sunk and her officers and crew made prisoners. In obedience to an order from Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, com- inanding Mississippi Squadron, I passed the batteries at Vicksburg and Warrenton on the night of the 13th of February last, having in tow two barges containing about 7,000 bushels of coal each, without being once struck, although eighteen shots were fired, all of which passed over us. I kept on down the river, but owing to dense fogs made but slow piogress until the morning of the 16th, when about 10 miles below Natchez I met the steamboat Era No. 5, having on board Colonel Ellet, of the Ram Fleet, and a portion of the officers and crew of the steamer Queen of the IVest. I then learned for the first time of the loss of that boat, and after consulting with Colonel Ellet I con- cluded to continue on down as far as the mouth of Red River. On the afternoon of the same day I got underway, the Era No. 5 lead- ing. On nearing Ellis Cliffs the Era made the prearranged signal of danger ahead, soon after which I made out the rebel steamer William H. Webb. Before I got within range of the Webb she had turned and was standing downstream with great speed. I fired two shots from the XI-inch guns, but both fell short of her. -She soon ran out of sight, and in consequence of a thick fog setting in I could not continue the chase, but was obliged to anchor. I reached the mouth of Red River on the 17th of February, from which time until the 21st of same month I maintained a strict block- ade at that point. I could procure no Red River pilots, and therefore did not enter that river. The Era No. 5 being unarmed, and having several prisoners on board, Colonel Ellet decided to go up the rive Page 380 880 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. and communicate with the squadron, and sailed at noon on the 18th of same month for that purpose. On learning that the Queen of the We8t had been repaired by the rebels and was nearly ready for service, also that the William H. Webb and four cotton-clad boats, with boarding parties on board, were fitting out to attack the Indianola, I left the Red River for the purpose of getting cotton to fill up the space between the casemates and wheelhouses, so as to be better able to repel the boarding parties. By the afternoon of the 22d of same month I had procured as much cotton as I required, and concluded to keep on up the river, thinking that I would certainly meet another boat the morning following, but I was disappointed. I then concluded to communicate with the squad- ron as soon as possible, thinking that Colonel Ellet had not reached the squadron, or that Admiral Porter would expect me to return when I found that no other boat was sent below. I kept the bunkers of the Indianola filled with coal, and would have sunk what remained in the barges, but knowing that if another boat was sent below Vicksburg, that I would be expected to supply her with coal, I concluded to hold on to the barges as long as possible. In consequence of having the barges alongside, we could make but slow progress against the current, the result of which was that I did not reach Grand Gulf until the morning of the 24th of same month, at which point and at others above, we were fired on by parties on shore. As I knew that it would be as much as I could do to get by the Warrenton batteries before daylight the next morning, I returned the fire of but one party. At about 9:30 p. m. on the 24th of same month, the night being very dark, four boats were discovered in chase of us. I immediately cleared for action, and as soon as all preparations were completed, I turned and stood down the river to meet them. At this time the lead- ing vessel was about 3 miles below, the others following in close order. As we neared them I made them out to be the rams Queen of the West and William H. Webb, and two other steamers, cotton-clad, and filled with men. The Queen of the West was the first to strike us, which she did after passing through the coal barge lashed to our port side, doing us no serious damage. Next came the William H. Webb. I stood for her at full speed; both vessels came together bows on, with a tremendous crash, which knocked nearly every one down on board of both vessels, doing no damage to us, while the William H. Webbs bow was cut in at least 8 feet, extending from about 2 feet above the water line to the keelson. At this time the engagement became gen- eral, and at very close quarters. I devoted but little attention to the cotton-clad steamers, although they kept up a heavy fire with field pieces and small arms, as I knew that everything depended on my disabling the rams. The third blow crushed the starboard barge, leaving parts hanging by the lashings, which were speedily cut. The crew of the Indianola not numbering enough men to man both bat- teries, I kept the forward guns manned all the time, and fired them whenever I could get a shot at the rams; the night being very dark, our aim was very uncertain, and our fire proved less effective than I thought it at the time. The peepholes in the pilot house were so small that it would have been a difficult matter to have worked the vessel from that place in daylight, so that during the whole engage Page 381 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 381 ment the pilots were unable to aid me by their knowledge of the river, as they were unable to see anything; consequently they could do no more than obey such orders as they received from me in regard to working the engines and helm. No misunderstanding occurred in the performance of that duty, and I was enabled to receive the first five blows from the rams forward of the wheels and at such angles that they did no more damage than to start the plating where they struck. The sixth blow we received was from the William II. IVebb, which crushed in the starboard wheel, disabled the starboard rudder, and started a number of leaks abaft the shaft. Being unable to work the starboard engine placed us in an almost powerless condition, but I continued the fight until after we received the seventh blow, which was given us by the William H. Webb. She struck us fair in the stern, and started the timbers and starboard rudder box so that the water poured in in large volumes. At this time I knew that the Indianola could be of no more service to us, and my desire was to render her useless to the enemy, which I did by keeping her in deep water until there was 2~ feet of water over the floor, and the leaks were increasing rapidly as she settled so as to bring the openings made by the William H. Webb under water. Knowing that if either of the rams struck us again in the stern, which they then had excel- lent opportunities of doing, on account of our disabled condition, that we would sink so suddenly that few, if any, lives would be saved, I succeeded in running her bows on shore by starting the screw en- gines. As further resistance could only result in a great loss of life on our part, without a corresponding result on the part of the enemy, I surrendered the Indianola, a partially sunken vessel, fast filling with water, to a force of four vessels, mounting 10 guns, and manned by over 1,000 men. The engagement lasted one hour and twenty-seven minutes. I lost but 1 killed, 1 wounded, and 7 missing, while the enemy lost 2 officers and 33 men killed, and many wounded. Before the enemy could make any preparations for endeavoring to save the Indianola her stern was under water. Both rams were so very much crippled that I doubt whether they would have tried to ram again had not their last blow proved so fatal to us. Both signal books were thrown in the river by me a few minutes before the sur- render. In conclusion, I would state that I have very reliable in- formation that the IX-inch guns of the Indianola were throxvn over- board, and the XI-inch guns damaged by being loaded with heavy charges and solid shot, placed muzzle to muzzle, and fired by a slow match, so that they were rendered useless; this was done in conse- quence of the sham monitor sent from above, having grounded about 2 miles above the wreck of the mdi ola. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. BROWN, Lieutenant- Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. GIDEON ~TELLEs, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C Page 382 382 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, regarding escape of the crew of the U. S. ram Queen of the West on the captured steamer Era No. 5. U.S. S. ERA,No.5, Below Viclcsburg, February 21, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have to report to you that the steam pipe of the Queen of the West was cut by a battery at Gordons Landing, up Red River, after the pilot had run her aground. The officers and majority of the men escaped on the Era No. 5, which I had captured. We were pursued by the Webb and three other boats, but they were driven back by the Indianola. One hundred shots were fired at the Era yesterday by three batteries at Grand Gulf, Carthage, and Warren- ton. I bring up 1~0 bales of cotton. I shall report to you in person as soon as I can obtain a horse. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIvERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, announcing the loss of U. S. ram Queen of the West. No. 120.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Ya~oo River, February 22, 1863. SIR: The best calculations are liable to be upset, and mine have been disarranged by the capture of the Queen of the West, up Red River. That vessel grounded under the guns of a battery, which she foolishly engaged, and received a shot through her boilers and steam drum which drove most of her people overboard. Many es- caped in a prize, the steamer Era ATo. 5, but most of the deck hands and contrabands fell into the power of the rebels. The officers and Colonel Ellet were then chased up the River Mississippi by the Webb and some two or three other vessels until they met the Indianola, which vessel saved them and drove the rebels back. This is all I can learn of this affair. The colonel arrived here safe with the Era No. 5, having run the batteries all along the river, and had 120 shots fired at him with- out being hit, bringing up 170 bales of cotton. It is said that he left the Indianola and Webb engaged. I hope to get a report from him in a day or two. He is on the other side and sick, and the road is almost impassable. Had the commander of the Queen of the West waited patiently, he would, in less than twenty-four hours, have been joined by the In- dianola, which he knew. That vessel was detained eighteen hours by a fog at the mouth of the Yazoo. This is a serious disappointment to us all here, as we calculated certainly on starving out the garrison at Port Hudson by merely blockading the mouth of Red River. My plans were well laid, only badly executed. I can give orders, but I can not give officers good judgment. The Jndianola is now there by herself. Whether the commander will have the good sense not to be surprised, remains to be seen. He should return for the present Page 383 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 383 The intrinsic value of the Queen of the West is nothing. She paid for herself five times over by the destruction and capture of rebel property, only she has a national character. It was a loss without any excuse, and if not destroyed by the Indianola she will fall into rebel hands. She was grounded 100 miles up the Red River under the batteries of Fort Taylor, which batteries would have fallen into our hands had the Queen of the West waited for the Indianola with her heavy guns. I would not have employed this class of vessel on this service, but am obliged to use such as I have. I had nothing else to send that could stem the current. We are sadly in want of a good class of fast ironclad rams on this river. The rebels have a number fitting out, and I should like to have something to meet them. The Ellet rams are fit for nothing but towboats. I have nothing but the Indianola that will make more than 2 knots against the current, and shall have to depend on that vessel alone for carrying out my cherished plan of cutting off supplies from Port Hudson and Vicksburg. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting report of the loss of the U. S. ram Queen of the West. No. 123.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, Yazoo River, February 23, 1863. SIR: Colonel Ellet has arrived on this side of the river. He in- forms me that his ram was not destroyed, but fell into the hands of the rebels. He could not destroy her without sacrificing his wounded. She will not be worth anything for some time to the rebels, and is much used up; will not do to ram with any longer, being too weak and hattered. I am going to try it again with another one. The ram committed great havoc on Red River; destroyed many stores also along the river. She destroyed and captured altogether over $100,000 of Confederate property. He returned with cotton to the value of $70,000 and a boat worth $18,000. I enclose herewith Colonel lEllets report. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER. Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C. Enclosure.] U.S. S. ERA No.5, Below Vicksburg, Miss., February 21, 1863. ADMIRAL: I have the honor to report to you that I left the land- ing below Vicksburg, in obedience to your written instructionS, o Page 384 384 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. the night of the 10th instant, taking with me the De Soto and coal barge, and proceeded down the river. We passed Warrenton without interruption and reached Red River on the following evening. I destroyed, as you directed, the skiffs and flatboats along either shore. I ascended Red River on the morning of the 12th as far as the mouth of the Atchafalaya. Leaving the De Soto and coal barge in a secure position, I proceeded down this stream. Six miles from its mouth I met a train of 12 army wagons returning from Simmes- port. I landed and destroyed them. On reaching Simmesport I found that two rebel steamboats had just left, taking with them the troops and artillery stationed at this point. They had left on the bank 70 barrels of Government beef, which I broke open and rolled into the river. I pursued another train of wagons for some distance, but they retreated into the swamps and escaped. One of their wagons, loaded with ammunition and stores, fell into our hands and was destroyed. On her return at night a party of overseers and other civilians fired into the Queen from behind a levee and immediately fled under cover of the darkness. First Master James D. Thompson, a gallant and efficient officer, was shot through the knee. Anchoring at the mouth of the Atchafalaya, I waited until morning and then returned to the spot from which we had been attacked. All the buildings on three large adjoining plantations were burned by my order. I started up Red River the same day and reached Black River by night. On the morning of the 14th instant, when about 15 miles above the mouth of Black River, a steamboat came suddenly around a sharp bend in the river, and was captured before she could escape. She proved to be the Era No. 5, laden with 4,500 bushels of corn; she had on board 2 rebel lieutenants and 14 privates. The latter I at once paroled and set ashore. Hearing of three very large boats lying with steam down at Gor- dons Landing, 30 miles above, I decided on making an effort to captnre them, intending to return if I should find the battery at that point too strong and ascend the Washita [Ouacliita]. I left the Era and coal barge in charge of a guard. We reached the bend just below Gordons Landing before dusk. The dense smoke of several boats, rapidly firing up, could be seen over the tops of the trees as we approached. I ordered the pilot to proceed very slowly, and merely show the bow of the Queen around the point. From the sharp bend which the river makes at this place, there was no apparent diffi- culty in withdrawing out of range of the enemys guns whenever it might be desired. The rebels opened upon us with four 32-pounders the moment we came in sight. Their guns were in a fine position, and at the third shot I ordered Mr. Garvey, the pilot, to back the Queen out. Instead of doing so, he ran her aground on the right-hand shore. The posi- tion at once became a very hot one; 60 yards below we would have been in no danger. As it was, the enemys shot struck us nearly every time. The chief engineer had hardly reported to me that the escape pipe had been shot away, when an explosion below and a rush of steam around the boat told me that the steam pipe had been shot in two. Nothing further, of course, could be done. I gave orders t Page 385 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 385 lower the yawl at the stem of the Queen, to carry off Captain Thomp- son, who lay wounded in my stateroom. Some person had already taken the yawl, however, and it was gone; the other yawl was on the be Solo, a short distance below. Fortunately the cotton bales with which the Queen was protected afforded an avenue of escape, and the maj ority of the men and officers succeeded in reaching the be Soto. I ordered this boat to be brought up as far as it was practicable with- out being struck, and sent her yawl to the Queen. Lieutenant Tuthill and Third Master Duncan bravely volunteered for this purpose. I remained with the De Soto over an hour, picking up men on cotton bales. Lieutenant Tuthill bravely succeeded in escaping from the Queen, the rebels boarding her in skiffs as he escaped. Mr. Duncan stayed too long and was captured. The Queen could easily have been burned, but this could not be done while Captain Thompson was on board, and it was impossible to remove him; all the passages had been blocked up with cotton, the interior of the boat was intensely dark, full of steam, and strewed with shattered furniture. The dis- play of a light enabled the batteries to strike her with unerring cer- tainty. To have brought the be Soto alongside would have insured her destruction, as the light from the latters furnaces rendered her a conspicuous mark. A dense fog sprang up as we started down in the De Solo, and she lost her rudder by running into the bank. Drifting down 15 miles, I took possession of the Era and scuttled and burned the be Soto and barge. Knowing that the rebels would lose no time in pursuing, I pushed on down through the fog, throwing off the corn to lighten her. We reached the Mississippi at dawn. Opposite Ellis Cliffs, Mr. Garvey ran the Era, a boat drawing less than 2 feet of water, hard aground, actually permitting her wheels to make several revolutions after she had struck. It was with the utmost difficulty that she could be gotten off. The disloyal sentiments openly expressed by Mr. Gar- vey a few hours previous to this occurrence rendered it necessary for me to place him under arrest, and forced upon me the unwilling con- viction that the loss of the Queen was due to the deliberate treachery of her pilot. It is to be regretted that the unfortunate illness of Mr. Scott Long, who piloted the Queen past Yicksburg, rendered it nec- essary for me to trust the Queen to the management of Mr. Garvey. The next morning, a short distance below Natchez I met the Indianola. Captain Brown thought that he might be able to ascend Red River and destroy the battery at Gordons Landing, and I accompanied him down in the Era, leading the way. I had not gone 3 miles when a break in the dense fog disclosed a steamer rapidly moving upstream about a mile ahead. I at once rounded to and caused the whistle to be blown, to warn Captain Brown of her pres- ence. As soon as the rebel steamer, which was undoubtedly the Webb, perceived the Indianola, she turned and fled. The latter fired two shots at her, but without effect. I learned afterwards that three other armed boats had been sent in pursuit of the Era, and ha d been turned back by the Webb on her retreat. They all went back up Red River. On reaching this stream Captain Brown decided not to ascend it, and I thought it best to return at once. Thinking we might be attacked on the way up, I seized 170 bales of cotton and protected the Era8 7110s w RVOL 24102 Page 386 386 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. machinery as far as practicable. At St. Joseph I landed and seized the mails, and learned from them that Colonel Adams was waiting for us at Grand Gulf with two pieces of artillery. Thirty-six shot were fired at the Era while passing this point, none of which took effect. On reaching Island No. 107 a body of riflemen opened a heavy fire upon the Era from the Mississippi shore. Suspecting it to be a ruse to drive us to the other side of the river, I decided on keeping to the right of the island. The furnaces of the Era became so clogged at this point that I found it necessary to stop and have them cleaned. out, causing a delay of twenty minutes. The Era~ had scarcely passed the island when a battery of three guns opened upon her from the Louisiana shore; forty-six shots were fired, but did no injury. At Warrenton the rebels opened fire upon the Era with two rifled 20-pounder guns; they fired twenty-four shots, but did not succeed in striking her. Extraordinary as it may seem, there is every reason to believe that no one was killed on the Queen. It is probably attributable to the fact that those below got into the hold through the numerous hatches and thus escaped the effects of the steam. Mr. Taylor, one of the engineers, is reported to be badly scalded, by a deserter from the Webb. Twenty-four men were taken prisoners, ten of whom were civilians, employed on the boat. Assistant Sur- geon Booth was the only commissioned officer captured. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Rain Fleet. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, transmitting report of operations. U. S. S. ERA No. 5, Below Vicksburg, Febraary 21, 1863. GENERAL: I enclose you a copy of my report * to Admiral Porter of the circumstances attending the capture of the Queen of the West. I omitted to mention therein that the shots which injured her ma- chinery all came in between the bulwarks and gundeck, through a space which was unprotected by cotton. The Queen, indeed, was never more than very partially protected, the construction of the boat rendering it impracticable to make her entirely secure. I would respectfully recommend to you for promotion for their bravery and efficiency Second Lieutenant John L. Tuthill and Sergeant James H. Campbell. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Commanding Barn Fleet. * See preceding Page 387 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 387 Report of Brigadier-General Ellet, commanding Marine Brigade, transmitting report of operations. HEADQUARTERS MISSISSIPPI RIVER MARINE BRIGADE, St. Louis, March 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to enclose you a copy of Colonel Charles Rivers Ellets report,* together with other papers containing the orders from Rear-Admiral Porter nuder which Colonel Ellet was acting when the misfortune of the loss of the Queen of the TVest occurred. I also send you a copy of Rear-Admiral Porters order recalling Colonel Ellet from Napoleon (for the protection of his gunboats against an anticipated attack from the rebel rams), when engaged fitting lip the Switzerland for another run past the Vicks- burg batteries for the purpose of endeavoring to recapture the Queen of the IVest. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, ALFRED W. ELLET, lion. EDWARD M. STANTON, Drigadier-General. Secretary of War. Report of Colonel Ellet, commanding Ram Fleet, regarding orders received for further operations below Vicksburg, and referring to the destruction of Era No. 5. U. S. RAM SWITZERLAND, Mississippi River, March 1, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report to you that 1 left the. Era, No. 5, in charge of Captain A. Conner on the 23d February, and pro- ceeded up the river on the 25th, with instructions from Admiral Por- ter to take the. Switzerland and protect her machinery with cotton bales in order to run the batteries at Vicksburg. On the 27th I re- ceived the folloxving dispatch from Admiral Porter: FEBRUARY 25, 1863. Sin: Return here without a moments delay. The Quccm is up at Warrenton. Heavy firing list night below here. The presumption is that the Indianola is sunk or coptured. flurry down. Wait for notliin~. We have uothiu~ to meet the ram. Bring the Monarch also, if she is within hail, but (10 not wait for anything. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Co ntandiay Squadroa. I immediately started down and reached the fleet below Yazoo River on the same evening. On the morning of the 28th Captain Conner came on board and reported that the Era had been taken from him by order of Major-General Grant, and scuttled in the mid- dle of the river. No reason was assigned for this disposition of a valuable boat. The 170 bales of cotton on her were set ashore. Colonel Woods, who bore the orders of General Grant, has, I am in- formed by Captain Conner, permitted his men to seize and appropri- ate not only the few articles of clothing which some of my men had left on board, but also to rip up several of the cotton bales and use * See p. 382 Page 388 388 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. their contents for bedding. This destruction is still going on. The following order is the only one which Captain Conner was permitted to see in relation to this appropriation of private and public property in the possession of my officers. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS. February 27, 18G3. Captain CONNER: Colonel Woods has orders as to what you will do. You must send all the negroes you bave early to-morrow morning to report here under a sergeant or corporal. I have wondered why you have not already Sent them; and give them rations for one day only; for your own men, four days. The negroes will be put to work at once. Yours, truly, J. H. HAMMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General. No receipt for the cotton was given to Captain Conner, nor has one been sent to me. I would respectfully request instructions in regard to the course I should pursue in this matter, as I do not wish to be held responsible for losses to the Government which occurred during my absence and without my consent. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel, Conimanding Ram Fleet. A. W. EmIT, Com~manding Alissi& 9ippi lJIarine Brigade. [Telegram.] U. S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, February 22, 1863. (Received 3 p. in., March 2, via Memphis 1st.) SIR: I regret to inform you that the Indianola has also fallen into the hands of the enemy. The rams Webb and Queen of the West attacked her 25 miles from here, and rammed her until she surren- dered. All of which can be traced to a noncompliance with my instructions. I do not know the particulars. If she has not sunk, she may be used against the lower fleet. It would be well to caution them. DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Telegram to be sent in cipher.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 2, 1863. The disastrous loss of the Indianola may, if she has not been dis- abled, involve the most serious results to the fleet below. Without due knowledge of all the circumstances under which you are placed at Vicksburg, the Department is not prepared to give a positive order, but rather suggests that a sufficient number of ironclads be sent to destroy her or ascertain her fate. She is too formidable to be left at large, and must be destroyed unless the attempt, in your judgment, involves still greater risks Page 389 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 389 The Department has no means of notifying the fleet at New Orleans. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mis& tssippi Squadron, off Vicks burg. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the rumored sink- ing of the U. S. S. Indianola. U. S. M~ss~ssw~ SQUADRON, Yazoo River, March 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of March 2. I would have sent a force below at once if I had had one adequate to the rescue of the Indianola. I had nothing with me at the time if heard the news but the Pook ironclads, which would have been noth- ing against one ram. I felt so secure about the two vessels that had gone down the river that I sent all the rams up the Mississippi to patrol the river. I sent for them immediately, to protect the trans- ports here, and they had not time to get cotton to pack themselves with. Without cotton they are little better than river boats. All the news we have goes to confirm the report that the Indianola was sunk or ran on a sand bar. We feel pretty sure that they can not use her for some time to come. and a general opinion prevails that she was blown up. Certain it is that a heavy explosion occurred within a mile of the place where the escaped part of the crew were concealed. They all agree in that, and the explosion shook severely everything in this neighborhood. The wheels and propellers of the Indianola were so damaged that she could not use them at once. Weighing all these reports and knowing I might only make a failure and not being at all prepared for an adventure below, I concluded to wait until I could make the operation effectual. The Lafayette has arrived here, but unfit for anything but tempo- rary service. I got her here more for show and in case the Indianola still existed and should attempt to come up here. Had she been fit for use, without doubt they would have attempted to shell out our troops opposite Vicksburg. We have scouts who will soon let us know the facts. The signal agreed on by Captain Smith and myself (nine minute guns and the three guns in rapid succession) has been fired up the Yazoo River, and I have good reason to believe that the whole Yazoo region is now in our possession. If so, it is the severest blow dealt the rebels in this quarter. I trust the Department will not for a minute think that proper steps are not being taken to avert any further calamity from the loss of the Indianola,. I think of nothing else. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 390 390 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, confirming the news of the attack upon the U. S. S. Indianola. No. 126.] U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, February 27, 1863. Sin: I have just received information through one of the men who escaped from the Indianola that she had an encounter Tuesday night with the two rams Webb and Queen of the IVest, and that after being struck six times, and the report being made that she was sinking, she was surrendered to the enemy. The commander then ran her on shore, when the man who gives the information got on shore with some others and he brought me the news. He could not see whether the vessel had sunk or not. From his account it appears that Lieu- tenant-Commander Brown laid at the mouth of lied River three days (just about time to allow the Queen of the West to repair damages), and then being apprehensive of attack, or, reading over my instruc- tions and finding out that he was sent down only to protect the Queen of the West and was ordered to attempt nothing when he was not certain of success, he started up the Mississippi River with the two coal barges in tow, giving the enemy all that advantage. I had cautioned Lieutenant-Commander Brown so much before he started about the management of his ship, and told him particularly to use his butting power, which would have defeated both his antagonists, but he was caught with the two barges alongside, and his vessel must have been unmanageable. I had every reason, on this expedition, to demand the most perfect success. The rebels had but one old bo~it (the Webb), so weak that they had to take her iron off her bows~ and (a:s one of her crew in- forms me) with planking too old to caik. She carried three 32- pounders. The vessels I sent down carried twelve heavy guns. The importance of this move to our army here can not be estimated. We had already broken the communications of the enemy in Texas with Vicksbur~ and Port Hudson. We had cut off all supplies and means of transportation, having destroyed some of their best boats. In a week more the water would have surrounded Port Hudson, and there being no means of getting away, they would have been obliged to evacuate in time. We hoped in a short time to force this thing by getting one or two more gunboats below, and troops enough to land close to Port Hudson. That place evacuated, General Banks could have ascended the river. The Department has a copy of my in- structions to Colonel Charles li. Ellet and Lieutenant-Commander George W. Brown, and they will, I am sure, do me the justice to say that my plans were well laid. The object contended for was a very important one, and that I was sufficiently cautious in sending down twelve guns to contend with three. There is no use to conceal the fact, but this has, in my opinion, been the most humiliating affair that has occurred during this re- bellion, and after taking so much trouble to make matters sure, it almost disheartens me, and puts me out of the conceit of sending off any expedition, unless I can go with it. I certainly had a right to expect that two vessels carrying twelve guns, that had passed all the batteries at Vicksburg, Warrenton, Carthage, and other places on the river, could manage between them to take one old steamer, or else have the wisdom and patriotism to destroy their vessels, even if they had to go with them Page 391 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 391 A flag of truce is, I believe, coming up, and I shall know in a short time whether the Indianola sunk, or whether the enemy will be able to save her. A terrific explosion occurred last night in the direction of the Indianola, and my only hope is that she has blown up. In conclu- sion, had the Indianola thrown off her coal barges and run upstream with the speed she is reported to have, she could have disabled both the rams with her two XI-inch guns in iron casemate before either of them could get alongside of her. They tracked her along from point to point, found out exactly how she was operating, and made their dispositions accordingly. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the lack of defi- nite information relative to present condition of the Indianola. U. S. Mississirri SQUADRON, Yahoo River, March 4, 1863. SIR: Amongst the three persons escaped from the Indianola I can gain no intelligence beyond hearsay. All agree that they heard she had been blown up, and all agree that a heavy explosion took place within a mile of them. It is very certain that the Indianola was cap- tured by the rams Webb and Queen of the TVest; that she was rammed six times and that she never fired a gun until she was run into by the Queen of the iVest. The evidence goes to show that the two after guns were not manned, and that the Indianola did not use her ram power. It appears that Lieutenant-Commander Brown was apprised that an expedition was fitting out up Red River to board him, and that he remained at the mouth of Red River three days with his coal barges alongside; that two vessels escaped him from not casting his coal barges off. It further appears that he saw the smoke (or those on board did) of the steamers in chase of him twelve hours before they overtook him, and that he still held on to the coal barges, which he was ordered to destroy in case there was any danger of their falling into the enemys hands. He was about 13 miles from our batteries below Vicksburg when he first saw the enemy, and it was half an hour after the Queen of the West hove in sight before he was struck by her. He could easily have reached the protection of our batteries, where, in a large slough, he could not have been attacked by any force with- out destruction to an attacking party. It appears that the ship was indifferently fought, and there is no evidence to prove that she was in a sinking condition. Her pro- pelling power (wheels) was damaged and she was knocked about by the repeated blows, but her sides do not appear to have been crushed. It seems to be the opinion of the men that she gave in too soon; and if their statement is to he relied upon, and from what I know of the vessel, she would have gained a victory if properly managed Page 392 392 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. We heard the firing from this point, or imagined we did, and sup- posed it was the Indianola firing at the batteries at Carthage on her way up. The firing was very slow and not like that of an action. The men say she was engaged nearly two hours and fired twelve times~ There may be some extenuating circumstances for this capture, but from the evidence I can gather nothing encouraging; nor is there any proof that she is sunk or is not now in the hands of the rebels. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Connruanding Mississippi Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] U. S. Mrssissir~i SQUADRON, Yasoo River, March 1,1863. We know pretty positively that the Indianola was too much dam- aged to be used offensively at once, but they might, in the course of a month, be able to operate against the fleet below. Any vessel with a ram could easily destroy her, if she is not already blown up. She is a weak vessel. If she exists, I hope to have her before a month is over. DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Rear.Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, for a court enquiry on the loss of the U. S. steamers Queen of the West and Indianola. NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 10, 1863. SIR: You will have a court of enquiry * on the loss of the Queen of the IVest, al)d also on the loss of the Indianola, as soon as Lieu- tenant-Commander Brown is exchanged or released. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Secretary of the Navy. Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Cairo, Ill. Report of Acting Assistant Surgeon Mixer, U. S. Navy, late of the U. S. S. Indianola, regarding the operations and capture of that vessel. MERCHANTS HOTEL, New York City, April 26, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this port this day from New Orleans, in army transport steamer Fulton, under orders * No record found of court of enquiry Page 393 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. from Commodore Henry W. Morris, a copy of which orders please find herewith enclosed. I was attached to the U. S. gunboat Indianola at the time of her capture by the rebel fleet on the 24th February last; was held at Vicksburg until the 1st April, and was then sent to our lines at New Orleans, under a flag of truce. Lieutenant-Commander George Brown, with the remainder of the officers and men of the Indianola, are in Jackson, Miss., held as hostages, subject to such retaliation as may be by them, the rebels, deemed proper under the order of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, threatening to hang any person caught firing upon unarmed trans- ports. At the suggestion of Lieutenant-Commander Brown, and as I am the first officer so situated as to communicate with the Navy Depart- ment, I subjoin a brief statement of the circumstances attending the loss of the vessel. The Indianola ran the batteries at Vicksburg on the night of the 14th February, 1863. The night was intensely dark and we passed under nearly half their guns before we were discovered and fired upon. No shot struck the vessel. We proceeded down the river, and on the morning of the 17th Feb- ruary, at Ellis Cliffs, we met Colonel Ellet in the Era No. 5, with such of the officers and men of the Queen of the We8t as had escaped at the time she was abandoned on Red River. From him we first learned of the loss of the Queen of the We8t. The two vessels proceeded together to the month of the Red River, where the Indianola supplied the Era No. 5 with coal, provisions, and arms, and on the morning of the 19th February, the Era No. 5 started up the Mississippi River to communicate with Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, report the loss of the Queen of the T~Vest, and ask for imme- diate assistance for the Indianola. I have since learned from rebel sources, during my stay in Vicks- burg, that the Era No. 5 reached there on the morning of the 21st February. Of course this may or may not be true. The Indianola remained at the mouth of Red River until the morn- ing of the 21st February, when, learning that a rebel fleet was about ready to attack us, of which fleet the Queen of the West would be one, we started up the Mississippi River. We called at two plantations and took on board enough of cotton to make bulwarks reaching from the casemate to the wheelhouses, and from the main nearly to the hurricane deck. Thus protected, and having still in tow the two coal barges, with which I omitted to say we ran the batteries at Vicksburg, the In- dianola proceeded on up the Mississippi River. At noon on the 23d February we made out the smoke of vessels in pursuit. Half the men of each watch were kept constantly on deck, and we steamed on up the river, now hourly expecting to meet vessels coming down to our assistance. They never came. We passed Grand Gulf on the afternoon of the 24th February, and on the evening of the same day were just above the head of upper Palmyra Island when, at 9 oclock and 30 minutes p. in., the lookout on the wheelhouse discovered the lights of vessels in pursuit. They were then about 4 miles astern Page 394 394 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. The ship was immediately cleared for action, and at ~0 minntes before 10 oclock p. m. she was turned abont and headed downstream, when the fight immediately commenced. The rebel fleet consisted of fonr vessels, the Webb, Queen of the West, Dr. I3eatty, and Grand Era, the two former rams, and the latter cotton-clad and carrying soldiers for boarders. The Queen of the West struck us first completely crushing through one of our coal barges, which was immediately cut loose and sunk. The other coal barge was also cut adrift. The rebel rams both carried guns, from which they kept up a rapid fire, wisely, however, placing their main reliance on butting, as their shots did us no damage. The Dr. Beatty also caine up within range and gave us constant volleys of musketry. The Indianola had thus far managed to receive all the blows from their rams on her bows. The construction of her pilot house was such that in the night her pilots could see nothin~., and the management of the vessel was therefore devolved entirely on Lieutenant-Commander Brown, who knew that everything depended upon protecting her vulnerable part from the rams. To accomplish this he exposed himself everywhere. He stood upon the hurricane deck, swept by volleys of musketry, grape, and canister shot, looking out for the rams, giving orders to his pilots, and with his revolver firing upon the pilots of the enemy. He stood on his knees on the grating on the main deck to see to it that the engineer correctly understood the orders from the pilots. He went to the casemate repeatedly and ordered the fire to be reserved until the rams were close upon us and then fire low. He aimed and discharged one of our guns himself, but the working of our guns was of necessity left largely to his subordinate officers. It would be perhaps too much to expect that young officers, in their first battle, in the horror and confusion of a night attack, and with such a multiplicity of assailants, should be cool and collected. Greater rapidity and precision of fire might possibly have varied the result. The fight had now lasted about one hour. Our vessel had been struck on her bow by their rams five times, but was uninjured. The Webb now passed astern of us and, while the Queen of the West remained on our bow, succeeded in striking us on our stern and with such force that our rudder was carried away and a hole stove in our hull. We had not men enough to man both our stern and casemated guns, but our guns crew was now called away to work a stern gun. The leak was partially stopped, and one stern gun had been once discharged when the Webb again struck us on our starboard quarter, just abaft the wheelhouse, this time carrying away the outboard bearing of the shaft and knocking a large hole into her side. The wheel dropped down; the vessel was no longer manageable; she was rapidly filling with water; the Webb was again ready to ram us and the Dr. Iieatty now ran,~ed up alongside to board, when at 7 minutes past 11 oclock p. in., the fight having lasted one hour and twenty- seven minutes, and with ~ feet of water in her hold, the Ind~anol Page 395 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 395 was surrendered, in the language of Lieutenant-Commander Brown, a sinking ship to an overwhelming force. The engagement terminated on the Louisiana side of the river, and in deep water. The TI/ebb and Dr. Beatty immediately took ns in tow and ran us across the river, when the vessel grounded and sunk on a sand bar, in 10 feet of water, opposite the head of lower Pal- myra Island. and in about half an hour after- the surrender took place. The signal book was thrown overboard and did not fall into the enemys hands. Our loss was 1 man killed and 1 seriously wounded. He has since recovered. Just at the close of the fight four of our men j umped overboard and swam ashore. Three of them were captured next day by the rebels, and one I have since learned made good his escape and reached the fleet above Yicksburg. Some of our negroes also jumped overboard, but of their fate I have no knowledge. The rebels loss was 2 men killed and 3 wounded. The Queen of the iVest was reported by the rebels to have received one shot through her hull. I did not see her by daylight, and there- fore do not know how much injury she may have received. The Webb considerably damaged her bow in striking us, but was otherwise uninjured. The Dr. B catty and Grand Era were not struck by our shot. In conclusion, I ought to say that my duties calling me below deck during most of the engagement, I have relied upon the representa- tions of Lieutenant-Commander Brown and other officers OT the vessel for many of the statements embraced in this communication. I was not held as a prisoner of war, and am therefore ready for immediate duty should the interests of the service demand it, but I have been and am still suffering from diarrhea and bronchitis, and would respectfully ask leave of absence for thirty days. Awaiting your orders, I am, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, H. M. MIXER, Acting Assistant Surgeon, U. S. iVacy, late of the Indianola. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, P. C. Report of Lieutenant Rassler, U. S. Army, regarding the attack upon the dummy gunboat. YOUNGS POINT, LA., February 25, 18636 a. ~n. SIR: I have the honor to report that the firing from the rebel batteries near the city at 12 p. m. was occasioned by a boat which is now below the mouth of canal, and proves to be a flatboat rigged up to represent a gunboat. She has a square turret forward, with a mock cannon projecting toward the bow from within. Smokestacks made of four barrels, wheelhouse, etc., covered all over with a thic Page 396 396 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. coat of tar. Has a hole just above the water line, at the bow, from a shot. Nothing else of interest. Very respectfully, yours, S. HASSLER~ Second Lieutenant, Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. P. B. STANBERRY, Lieut. and Acting Assistant Adj. Gen., 2d Div., 15th A. C. Order of Major-General Sherman, U. S. Army, to Colonel Woods, U. S. Army, for the destruction of the captured steamer Era No. 5. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Camp near Vicksburg, February ~7, 1863. SIR: I have received your several communications, and have con- ferred with General Grant and Admiral Porter. The Indianola is lost, and there is no assurance that she is sunk or disabled beyond probability of repairs. We know the enemy has two rams in good order, and may have any number of transports. This makes vigilance on your part necessary. Admiral Porter has no gunboats or rams to go again below to encounter the enemy; therefore, the enemy has recovered the river below Vicksburg, and the Era is useless to us. You will, therefore, destroy her, not by fire, but in such a way as to leave no trace by which the enemy can guess where she is. Thus, let her machinery be detached, scattered, and sunk; pipes the same. By night tear her to pieces and use her cabin work for bivouac for your men. When stripped as well as possible, scuttle and sink her in deep water. Let the work be done so that when to-morrow dawns not a trace of her be left. If the Indianola be not sunk I have no doubt we shall soon see her and her comradesthe Webb and Queen City [Queen of the TVest]. The admiral has sent for several rams, one of which (the Monarch) has arrived, and he feels no uneasiness about the fleet above Vicks- burg. I do believe the enemy may attempt a night move on our pickets, the motive being the capture of the Era and the battery. The only point where a landing could be made on the levee is near where the Era lies and a point above you, which I shall cause to be guarded by Stuart. Should you want reinforcements at any time I will send them. General Steele is present and reads this. I am, etc., W. T. SHERMAN. Colonel CHARLES ii. WooDs, Commanding Detachment near Riggs House. [Telegram.] BEFORE VIcKsBURG, MISS., Februa 25, 186312.30 a. im. (Via Memphis, Tenn., March 1). The Queen of the West is now at Warrenton with the rebel flag flying. Distant firing was heard, lasting from 4 p. m. yesterday unti Page 397 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 397 1 this morning. It is supposed to have been the Queen and Indianola. Apprehension is felt for the safety of the Indianola. U. S. GRANT. Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief. [Telegram.] BEFORE VICK5BITRG, Miss., February 27, 18632.30 p. in. (Via Memphis, Tenn., March 2.) News just received that the Queen of the We8t and Webb attacked the Indianola about 35 miles below Vicksburg the night of the 24th, and after an engagement of about forty minutes captured her, with most of her crew. It is said the Indianola afterwards sank. U. S. GRANT, Major-General H. W. HALLECK, lilajor-General. General-in-Chief. Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, transmitting newspaper clip- ping showing that the destruction of the U. S. S. Indianola by the Confederates was caused by the dummy monitor. OFFICE OF THE U. S. MILITARY TELEGRAPH, War Department. The following telegram was received at Washington, 5 p. in., March 15, 1863, from U. S. Mississippi Squadron, Yazoo River, March 10, via Memphis 13th, via Louisville, dated March 13, 1863: I have been pretty well assured for some time that the Indianola, had been blown up in consequence of the appearance of a wooden imitation mortar, which enemy sunk with their batteries. The mortar was a valuable aid to us. It forced away the Queea of the West and caused the blowing up of the Indiartota. The following is an account of the affair taken from the Vicks- burg Whig of the 5th instant: Destraction of the Indianola.We stated a day or two since that we would not then enlighten our readers in regard to a matter which was puzzling them very much. We allude to the loss of the gunboat Indianola, recently captured from the enemy. We were loath to acknowledge she had been destroyed, but such is the case. The Yankee barge sent down the river last week was reported to be an ironclad gunboat. The authorities, thinking that this monster would retake the Indianota, immediately issued an order to blow her up. The order was sent down by a courier to the officer in charge of the boat. A few hours afterwards another order was sent down couutermanding the first, it being ascertained that the monstrous craft was only a coal boat. But before it reached the Indianola she had been blown to atoms; not even a gun was saved. Who is to blame for this piece [of] folly? This precipitancy? It would really seem we had no use for gunboats on the Mississippi, as a coal barge is magni- fied into a monster, and our authorities immediately order a boatthat would have been worth a small army to usto be blown up. D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Acting Rear-Admiral. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 398 398 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Telegram.] ALEXANDRIA, February 15, 1863. (Received at Richmond, February 2~.) The ram Queen of the West was captured at the fortifications below this point, on the 14th with all her armament and supplies. Most of the crew and commanding officer escaped on another boat. The J)e Soto, a small boat, filled up with cotton, and the consort of the ram, was sunk in the same engagement. R. TAYLOR, Major-General. General S. COOPER. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Lovell, C. S. Army, appointed to command the C. S. ram William H. Webb. JACKSON, Miss., February 28, 1863. GENERAL: In compliance with Special Orders No. 35, dated Jack- son, Miss., February 4, 18~3, I proceeded with all possible dispatch to Trinity, La., at which point I arrived on the 8th instant and found that the Webb had left the day before for Alexandria, by command of General Taylor, to fit out at that place. I pushed on immediately, and arrived at the latter place on the evening of the 10th. I met General Taylor on my way up Red River ane showed him my orders. He informed me that he had placed an officer in command of the Webb, and asked me to go and assist in getting her ready. I replied that I was ordered to take command, and unless allowed to do so would return. He then endorsed my orders to take command, which I did on the 11th instant. I found that nothing had been done to the iVebb except a little calking on the outside, and nothing at all to either of the other two boats which had been ordered to be fitted out. I had the greatest difficulty in getting carpenters to work on the vessels, although I offered them every inducement. I had the same difficulty with negroes. The committee who were building a raft in Red River fur- nished me with thirty; they lent twenty more, but would not allow them to go on board the Grand Duke, the other vessel being fitted out, she having had a case of smallpox on board some days previous. I was unable until the third day after I arrived to get the number of carpenters and negroes I required, Major E. Surget pressing the latter force. At 1: 30 Monday morning I received information from Maj or Surget that the enemy had attacked Fort Taylor, at Gordons Land- ing, in Red River, and he requested me to go down with all possible dispatch and assist the fort. I reported the Webb ready by 7 in the morning. By 9 I received a detachment of about 100 officers and men and left Alexandria. The Webb was by no means properly pro- tected, not having had sufficient time; the boilers, about 30 feet long and 4 feet above the water line, had no protection whatever, saving the sides of the vessel, which could easily be penetrated by a Mini~ ball. On my arrival at Fort Taylor I found that the Queen of the West had surrendered about 8 oclock, having had one of her steam pipes cut; that the commanding officer and a number of the crew had escaped on the steamer Era No. 5, having first burned the steame Page 399 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 399 De So to. I pushed on with all speed after the Era No. 5 and arrived in the Mississippi River about 9 oclock in the evening. The fog at that time was so dense that we could make but little or no progress; finally it became so thick that we had to tie up. The pilots did every- thing in their power to make progress. We made only a few miles from 9 in the evening until 9 in the morning, when we started again. Had to work along very slowly, as the fog was still very thick. On my way down the Red River I captured 9 men belonging to the Queen of the West, one her second mate. He informed me that Colonel Ellet expected a powerful ironclad to meet him at the mouth of Red River, and that it was time for her to be along, at the same time advising me to keep a bright lookout for her. I received information in the Mississippi River that another gun- boat had passed Vicksburg on Friday night, 13th instant. Off Ellis Cliffs, about 5:15 in the evening, I saw two chimneys sticking up through the fog; supposin~ it to be the Era No. 5, pushed on; shortly afterwards I saw another pair of chimneys. I at once concluded they must be the gunboat and Era No. 5. An officer from aloft reported three steamers in sight. A number of officers were confident they saw three. From the information received, and the steamer appearing very low in the water in the fog, I was fully convinced she was an ironclad, as were all my officers. I supposed the steamers to be from 2 to 2~ miles from us; the captain of the Webb, an old pilot, thought about 1~ miles. It was impossible to tell on account of the fog. One of the vessels fired at us three times. We endeavored to reply, but our friction primers failed. I turned around and made all possible dispatch down the river, fearful that the fog would again rise and that the steamers Louis dOr and Grand Duke would pass me and fall into the hands of the enemy, they following me up. I succeeded in turning them and other steamers back. I arrived at Fort Taylor Monday morning, the 18th instant; made a report to General Taylor, and asked him what disposition he wished made of the Webb, stating that I had done all I could under orders from you. I informed him that I should remain at Gordons Landing, to assist the fort in case of an attack, until I learned his wishes. Immediately on receivin~~ my communication General Taylor sent me orders to assume command of the forces at Fort Taylor, which I did. On his arrival I turned the Webb over to him. Shortly afterwards he relieved me by one of his staff officers, saying he did not feel author- ized to detain me any longer than possible. I left as soon as possible for this place. Lieutenant J. H. Morrison rendered me great assist- ance. His ability L nd efficiency throughout contributed largely to further all my e orts, and I am greatly indebted to him for the will- ingness and promptitude with which he performed all the duties assigned to him by me, for which I take this occasion to return him my thanks. I am, general, very respectfully, yours, W. S. LOvELL, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aetinq Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, Commanding Department of Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana Page 400 400 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. Reports of George W. Koontz, Confederate States Agent at Natchez. NATCHEZ, February 17, 1863. (Received February 19.) The Yankee ironclad gunboat IncUanola passed here Sunday at 3 p. m. She laid 10 miles below here yesterday morning. The Queen of the West and De Soto passed up Red River on Friday evening. On their way up, captured the steamboat Era No. 5. The Queen of the TVest attacked our batteries at Fort Taylor, but was very soon disabled by our guns, and got aground, when Colonel C. R. Ellet and many of the men abandoned her, floating off on cotton bales, and she is now supposed to be in our possession. Before the Queen of the West went up the Red River, she went down the Atchafalaya near Simmesport and destroyed five or six plantations. After Colonel Ellet and some of the men abandoned the Queen of the West they went on board Era No. 5, which lay 5 miles below the batteries, and came out of Red River, and yesterday morning gained the Indianola, 10 miles below here. This information I got from a white boy who was a prisoner on board. During the engagement the De Soto was de- stroyed in sight of our batteries by the enemy. The boy was brought up by the Era. I consider the information reliable. The Indianola has no doubt gone down. A courier has been sent to Alexandria. GEORGE W. KOONTZ, Government Agent. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. NATCHEZ, February 18, 1863. (Received February 19.) The following official report of the engagement on the Red River received from Alexandria to-day: * * * * * * * There has been nothing further heard from the Indianola since my dispatch of yesterday. This afternoon, at 4 oclock, the Era No. 5 passed up alone, with one tier of cotton on her and apparently very few men. GEORGE W. KOONTZ, Government Agent. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. Report of Major-General Taylor, C. S. Army, referring to the injuries sustained by the U. S. S. Queen of the West when captured. HEADQUARTERS DISTEIcT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Alexandria, La., February 920, 1863. GENERAL: I seize the first opportunity of advising you of the state of affairs here. Every facility was afforded to Lieutenant-Colonel EW. ~.1 Lovell to enable him to equip the Webb and Grand Duke. He will report to you in person. The cost of the Grand Duke will be paid, I suppose, by your department, as I will send the boat to you. Th Page 401 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 401 federal ram Queen of the West was scarcely injured in her engage- ment with my battery on the Red River. Struck thirteen times; only one affecting her by cutting a steam pipe. She left here last night to attack the federal boat now lying at or near the mouth of Red River. One of my staff is in command, with orders to attack at all hazards. I confidently expect to hear of the capture or destruction of the enemys boat. The Queen of the TVest will then proceed to Vicksburg, to attempt to destroy the enemys battery, if it be not already re- moved. We must maintain our communications at any cost. You have doubtless learned from General Gardner that I have succeeded in throwing several cargoes of supplies into Port Hudson since the first boat passed Yicksburg. He was probably in great need of them. I have several boats loaded for him, which will go out, taking our gunboats. * * * I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. TAYLOR. Lieutenant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, Commanding Department of Mississippi, etc. [Telegram.] JACKSON, February 23, 1863. The Indian ola passed up to Natchez at 3 oclock this morning. J. R. WADDY, Assistant Adjutant-General. Maj or-General STEVENSON, Vicks burg, [Telegram.] JACKSON, February 24, 1863. Indianola passed up by Rodney at 2.30, doing her best. Nothing of Confederate fleet yet. J. C. PEMBERTON. Major-General C. L. STEVENSON, Vicksburg, Miss. [Telegram.] YICKSBURG, February 25, 1863. Expedition, fitted up in Red River and Port Hudson, captured ironclad gunboat Indianola at 11 oclock last night; is now sunk in the Mississippi; shows bow and upper works out near Mr. Joe Daviss plantation. Armament, two 11-inch forward, two 9-inch aft. Lieu- tenant Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding, with his officers and men, captured. Will do everything possible to raise and get her afloat im- mediately. There will probably be an attempt by other ironclads 7110N W BVOL 241O--2~ Page 402 q 402 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. to run down past our batteries to-night. Major J. L. Brent, of Gen- eral Taylors forces, commanded the expedition. J. C. PEMBERTON, Lieutenant-General Comman General S. COOPER, ding. Adjutant and Inspector General. [Telegram.] VICKSBURG, February 25, 1863. I have the honor to report, after a severe and hot enga ~ ement, the capture of the Federal ironclad steamer Indianola, Lieutenant-Com- mander Brown, U. S. Navy, together with all her officers and crew, by the C. S. steamers Queen of the We8t and IVebb, forming an ex- pedition sent out by me for that purpose, under the command of Major J. L. Brent. The prize is a good deal damaged. R. TAYLOR, Major-General, Commanding. General S. COOPER. [Telegram.] STEAMER DR. BEATTY, Thirty miles below Vie lcsburg, February 25, 1863. Last night, about 10 p. in., fell in with the U. S. ironclad gunboat Indianola, and after the rams Queen of the West and Webb, under Major Brent, had engaged her for an hour, I went alongside, when the commander, Lieutenant-Commander Brown, U. S. Navy, sur- rendered to me. As all credit is due to Major Brent, I have turned over to him, in a sinking condition, the prize, which we hope to save. Nobody but 5 hurt. FREDERICK B. BRAND, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON. Report of Major Brent, C. S. Army, commanding expedition for the capture of the U. S. steamers Queen of the West and Indianola. FEBRUARY 25, 18G3. MA4OR: My last dispatch to you, exclusive of the telegraphic com- munication sent you last night, was from Natchez. The Federal iron- clad Indianola had forty-eight hours start of us at Acklins Land- ing; at Natchez she was less than twenty-five hours in advance. We left Natchez on the evening of the 23d, and I found that we could easily overhaul the enemy in the morning of the 24th, but I de- termined not to do so, in order to bring him to an engagement at night, considering for many reasons that this time was eminently advantageous to us. We reached Grand Gulf before sunset, and there learned that he was only about four hours in advance of us. A Page 403 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 403 we were running more than 2 miles to his 1, the time required to overtake him could easily be calculated, so I determined to overtake and bring him to action at 9 oclock that evening. We came up with him about 9:40, just above New Carthage, near the foot of Palmyra Island, and I immediately signaled the Webb to prepare for action. Our order of approach was as follows: The Queen of the We8t about 500 yards in advance of the Webb, and the Beatty, Lieutenant-Colonel F. B. Brand commanding (who, I wrote you, had joined us with a force and steamer fitted out from Port Hudson), 2 miles in the rear. and lashed to my tender, the Grand Era. The moon was partially obscured by a veil of white clouds, and gave and permitted just suffi- cient light for us to see where to strike with our rams, and just sufficient obscurity to render uncertain the aim of the formidable artillery of the enemy. We first discovered him when about 1,000 yards distant hugging the eastern bank of the Mississippi, with his head quartering across and down the river. Not an indication of life was given as we dashed on toward himno light, no perceptible motion of his machinery was discernible. We had also obscured every light, and only the fires of the Era could be seen, 2 miles back, where she was towing the Beatty. The distance between him and us had diminished to about 500 yards. We could clearly distinguish the long black line of his two coal barges, which protected his sides from forward of his bow to nearly abreast of his wheels. The impatience of our men to open fire could be scarcely restrained, but I was too sensible of the vast advantage to be obtained by traversing the dis- tance to be passed over without drawing the fire of his powerful guns. At last, when within about 150 yards of him, I authorized Captain James McCloskey to open fire, which he accordingly did with his two Parrott guns and one brass 12-pounder. At the second fire the 20-pounder Parrott gun was disabled by the blowing out of its vent piece. Our intention was to dash the bow of our boat in his lar- board wheelhouse, just in the rear of the coal barge, but when about 150 yards from him he backed and interposed the barge between us and him. Our bow went crashing clear through the barge, and was not arrested until it shattered some of his timbers amidships and deeply indenting the iron plating of his hull. So tremendous had been the momentum of our attack that for nearly five minutes we could not disengage ourselves, but remained stuck fast. In this posi- ion our sharpshooters opened fire on every light and crevice that could be seen, but no living men were to be seen on the enemys decks. While thus adhering to the enemy the Webb came dashing by us and plunged with terrific force just in the rear of his bow. Some few iron plates were loosened, but this blow of the Webb produced no serious external injury to the enemy. The prisoners since report that it disabled, by the jar, the starboard engine. Urged forward by the Webb, the Indianola swung away. One end of the coal barge that the Queen had cut in two sunk, and the other drifted down the cur- rent a little way and immediately sunk, and the Queen, finding herself free, immediately rounded upstream to add to the impetuosity of her next charge .the additional power obtainable from the descending current of the river. As the Webb approached on her first charge the two XI-inch Dahlgren guns on the bow of the Indianola opened on her at Th yards with solid shot, but fortunately she was untouched. The vigor of her onset pushed the enemy around, and, carrying he Page 404 404 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. forward, laid her across and under the very muzzle of these monstrous guns. Dashing safely around from this perilous position, the IVebb swung on the starboard side of the enemy, between him and his coal barge, breaking the fastenings and setting the barge adrift. rfhe result of our first onset was to strip the Indianola of her coal barges, which protected her sides, and to injure her to some extent in her wheel, as was apparent from her subsequent want of rapidity and precision in her movements. As soon as the Webb swept away clear of the enemy, the Queen of the We8t swung round and again dashed upon him, who, this time with partial success, endeavored to break the force of the onset by presenting her bow to our blow; but bis movements were too torpid and were not entirely successful, which tends to confirm the belief entertained by some that her ma- chinery was injured by the first blow. The Queen struck a little in advance of amidships, but, as she was turning, the force ~of the blow glanced along his side and past his wheelhouse without inflicting any very serious damage. Just as the Queen swung clear of his stern he opened on her with his two aft IX-inch guns. One struck us on the shoulder and knocked off our cotton, and one on the star- board knocked away 10 or 12 bales of cotton, causing us to list over considerably, and another (a shell) entered our front porthole on the port side, passed out, and struck the chase of a brass 12-pounder gun, and exploded, killing 2 men, disabling 4, and disabling two pieces. This time the Queen swung around rapidly up the stream, and in a very brief interval again dashed on him, striking a little to the rear of his starboard wheelhouse, crushing through and shat- tering his framework and loosening some of his iron plates. By this time the Webb had run upstream, turned, and caine career- ing on, with a full head of steam, and struck him very nearly in the same place where the Queen of the West had before hit him. Through and through his timbers, crushing and dashing aside his iron plates, the sharp bow of the Webb penetrated as if it were going to pass entirely through the ship. As the Webb backed clear the Indianola, with all the speed she could raise, declined further fight, and ran down the river toward the bank, with the intention, as after appeared, of getting a line out, in order that the officers and crew might land and abandon their steamer, which was making water rapidly. In fact, a line was got out on land, but not fastened, and three of the crew effected their escape from the vessel, but were re- captured next day by the cavalry of Major Isaac F. Harrison. After the Queen of the West struck the Indianola the third time she was for some time almost unmanageable. She had listed so much over to the port side that one of her wheels was much the most raised out of the water. She was making water2 and presented every appear- ance of sinking. Captain McCloskey righted her a little by throwing over cotton from his upper decks, and they were able to bring her round very slowly, but still she was brought up by her gallant com- mander for a further charge. While the Webb had her bow knocked off her splendid machinery was unhurt, and she quickly and gal- lartly bore up for her third charge. When bearing down and ap- proaching the enemy, Captain Charles J. Pierce reports that he was hailed from the deck, announcing the surrender, and begging to be towed ashore, as he was sinking. Captain Pierce represents that he placed a line on board and commenced towing the Indianola, whe Page 405 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 405 the line parted. As the Queen of the West was running off from her last charge to make a circuit to obtain space to add increased momen- tum to her onset we encountered the Dr. Beatty (Lieutenant-Colonel Brand), who had cast off from the tender Cr d Era and was hover- ing round to enter the fight wheu an opportunity offered. The Dr. Beatty is a frail steamer, with but little power, and incapable of being used as a ram or of resisting the terrible fire to which we were exposed. She was crowded with nearly 250 gallant spirits, who volunteered from the forces at Port Hudson, and who had embarked in the Beatty with the resolution to fight the enemy by boarding her. We called out to them that the opportunity for boarding her had arrived, as it was apparent that the enemy was dis- abled and much demoralized. Lieutenant-Colonel Brand with his command gallantly bore away, approached the enemy, and gave, as I aiu informed by him, the command Prepare to board, when he wa~ greeted by a voice from the decks of the Indianola, announcing that she had surrendered and was in a sinking condition. Colonel Brand then boarded her upper deck and received the sword of Lieutenant-Commander Brown. This result must have been very gratifying to Colonel Brand, as it was obtained without the loss or injury of a single man of his command. Upon my reaching the deck, Colonel Brand most handsomely acknowledged that the capture was entirely due to the Queen of the West and the Webb. I have no doubt if it had been necessary that himself and his gallant command would have again demonstrated that nothing can resist the desperation of troops who regard not their own lives, but victory. I immediately appointed Lieutenant Handy, of the Webb, as prize master. We found our prize a most formidable monster, mounting two XI-inch guns forward and two IX-inch guns aft, and all protected by splendid iron casemates, utterly impervious except to the heaviest artillery at the very shortest range. Her propelling power consisted of side- wheels and two screw propellers. She was filled with a most valuable cargo, embracing supplies of every kind. The officers and crew, amounting to over 100, fell into our hands as prisoners. Nothing shows more clearly how well protected were her men than the fact that our artillery, though they frequently fired at the range of 20 and 30 yards, utterly failed to injure her. Lieutenant Handy, of the Webb, fired his 32-pounder rifled gun so close to the casemates of the enemy that it actually enveloped both portholes in flames, and yet no injury was sustained. Our skillful and courageous sharpshooters fired deliberately at every onset. Notwithstanding all these circumstances, the enemy lost but 1 man killed and none wounded. The Webb had but 1 man wounded, while the Queen of the West had 2 killed and 4 wounded. The fire of the enemy was terrific. Their huge shot and shell came whizzing by us, directed wide of the mark in every instance, except the two shots that struck the Queen and one that passed through the bulwarks of the Webb, while the far-darting flames of their enormous guns almost licking our bows, and the loud thunder of their reports (heard as far as Vicksburg, 30 miles off), added unusual sublimity to the scene. The Queen of the West has some appearance of protection for her menhow feeble was manifested by the injury inflicted by one shot alone; but the men on the Webb were utterly without protec- tion. The boilers were rudely surrounded by cotton, but her walkin Page 406 406 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. beams were entirely exposed. I think the annals of naval warfare may be safely challenged to produce an instance where a feeble craft was thrice precipitated upon the iron sides of a first-class war steamer, mounting as heavy an armament as is to be found in the Western waters. The heroic gallantry of both captains in rushing their steamers against the ironclad enemy in face of and against the muzzles of IX-inch and XI-inch guns can not be overestimated. I am much indebted for the success that crowns this expedition to the skill and gallantry of my officers. Captain McCloskey, commanding the Queen of the TVest, com- bined with the courage of the soldier the skill and aptitude that characterizes the sailor of our Western waters. Taking his position in the front of the steamer, by word and example, he cheered the men on to their duty and rallied them when disheartened. I reserve to him the mention of the names of the officers and men under him who merit special mention, but I feel compelled in one case to specify an example of heroic courage and skill as exhibited by Sergeant Edward Langley, of the Third Maryland Artillery. He had on the Queen a detachment of 13 men of his artillery, and was placed in charge of the two Parrott guns. He himself took command of the 30-pounder gun in our bow, where he remained during the action, neither he nor his gallant comrades ever leaving their posts for a moment. While our bows were resting against the side of the Indianola he still manned and fired his gun, though he and his men were without the least covering or protection. In addition to this courage, the skill and judgment he showed in maneuvering his piece, mounted on wheels within a most contracted space, is deserving of equal commendation. Lieutenant T. H. Handy, of the Crescent Artillery, commanded the troops on the Webb. He exhibited the greatest skill and courage in handling his command, and he himself in person manned and pointed his rifled 32-pounder gun. His report will disclose the names of such officers and men as merit special mention. I learn from verbal report that Lieutenant H. A. Rice, of the Twenty-first [Thirty-first] Tennessee, on board of the Webb, served most efficiently and gallantly. Acting Lieutenant Prather served his two fieldpieces, entirely un- protected, with most unshrinking courage, and was ably seconded by Mr. Charles Scholer, acting as captain of the guns. Captain Charles J. Pierce, a civilian, commanded and controlled the movements of the iVebb. It was he who selected the weak spots of the enemy, and with a steady hand and eye dashed the Webb against the Indianola. Not only did the officers do their duty, but I have nothing but commendation for the private soldiers. Captain E. E. Carnes and Lieutenant Rices company, of the Twenty-first [Thirty-first] Ten- nessee, and the detachment of Lieutenant R. S. Dulin, adjutant of Major James Burnets battalion of Texans, were in the expedition of the Queen and Webb, and under fire they, as well as their gallant officers, comported themselves with courage and discipline. On taking possession, we found our prize rapidly making water which we could not arrest. Seeing that she would sink, I did no Page 407 407 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. wish that this should take place on the Western side of the river, and therefore made fast to her with two of the steamers and towed her over the river, when she sank in the water up to her gun deck thus losing to us the greater part of the valuable stores that were in her hold. Captain James W. Mangum, assistant adjutant-general of Bri~a- dier-General J. C. Moore, being in Alexandria, accompanied the ex- pedition as a volunteer and acted as my adjutant. He comported himself gallantly under fire, and throughout the expedition rendered me valuable service. I herewith submit the report of Captain McCloskey, of the Queen of the West. He mentions favorably Captain Carnes and Lieutenant Henry Miller, of the Twenty-first [Thirty-first] Tennessee Volun- teers; Lieutenant IR. S. Dulin, adjutant of Major l3urnets battalion of Texans, and Captain T. H. Hutton, chief of artillery; Sergeant Edward Langley, acting as lieutenant in charge of the two Parrott gnus and the volunteers; Captain C. H. White, slightly wounded, acting with great efficiency as ordnance officer; Captain Tank, Lieu- tenant Fisk, Lieutenant C. Stanmyer, and Lieutenant K. R. Hymans, quartermaster and commissary, who exhibited much energy. Lieu- tenants Stanmyer and Fisk were wounded at their pieces while gal- lantly acting as captains of artillery. As I was on board the Queen during the action, the conduct of these gentlemen was under my own eye, and I cheerfully endorse the commendation of Captain McCloskey. Captain McCloskey also speaks highly of the intrepid promptness and skill of Pilots Z. Milli- gan, NY. Melloy, Frank Fitreli, and N. Dunbar; also of the engineers (Messrs. J. R. Allyboy, E. Woods, J. Crawford, P. Montrose, and G. W. Daniel), and of the mate, Mr. W. H. Parker. Though the gentlemen were civilians, yet, knowing that the boat was well amid skillfully handled, I have thought it a matter of justice to approve the endorsement of Captain McCloskey. He also speaks approv- ingly of the conduct of Assistant Surgeon l3lanchard, who mani- fested much care and coolness, coming on the gun deck in the midst of the action and personally supervising the removal of the wounded. Sergeant Magruder, of the Signal Corps, also deserves mention for having rendered very important services in the discharge of the re- sponsible duties devolved upon him. Captain Pierce, of the Webb, reports to me verbally that his pilots (Mr. Norman White, mate, and the Messrs. Elijah Trene, Frank Smith, Charles Oakey,~and 0. 5. Burdett), and chief engineer (Hugh Derby), and the assistant engineers (George Marsh, Richard Stock- ton, J. E. Conklin, and William Kuvish), behaved themselves with the utmost gallantry and bravery, and discharged their duties with promptness and ability. I have no doubt that this is correct, from the skillful manner in which the iVebb was handled while she was in action. I am, m yours, respectfully, ajor, J. L. BRENT, Majou~, Comirbanding Expedition. Major E. SURGET, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 408 408 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. [Endorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Alexandria, March 1, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. No more gallant feat has illustrated the war. Major J. L. Brent is my chief of ordnance. Captain James MeCloskey is post quarter- master at this point. Mr. Charles J. Pierce is a Red River pilot. The expedition was fitted out by me with the utmost dispatch to destroy the Indianola before the enemy could pass another boat by Vicksburg or cut off our communication. Both the Queen and the Webb returned here much shattered by their terrible conflict. I shall use every effort to repair them at once and meet the enemy. R. TAYLOR, Major- General, Commanding. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Brand, C. S. Army, regarding the surrender of the U. S. S. Indianola. ON BOARD C. S. GUNBOAT DR. BEATTY, February 26, 1863. SIR: On the morning of the 21st, while wooding at Morganzia, I received information that the Federal gunboat Indianola had left the mouth of Red River. I proceeded to the mouth of Red River; arrived at 3 p. in.; found a picket, with whom I established a code of signals for boats coming up the river. Ran up Red River as far as Black River, where I had to lie up until the fog cleared, which was about 8 a. m. on the 22d. Proceeded on up Red River; when within about 20 miles of the fortifications I met Major J. L. Brent, in command of the ram Queen of the We8t and the Webb, with the Grand Era as tender. I turned back, and proceeded down the river in company with them to find the enemy and attack him at night, as I knew their immense superiority of metal and power. Went on up the Mississippi River to within 30 miles of Yicksburg, near the little town of Carthage, where we discovered our adversary close inshore, about 10 p. in., 24th instant. The Queen of the TVest and the Webb most gallantly charged upon her, their first and second rams doing but little damage. The third time they struck her; the Webb struck her at the back part of the starboard wheelhouse, cutting down below the water into the hull, making also a large hole in her own bow. The Queen of the Weet made another gallant charge, in the face of two 9-inch guns, at her stern, for the purpose of crushing her propellers and rudders, which broke down the whole of her stern. Major Brent then gave me notice (I being within 300 yards) that she was disabled. I immediately rushed up to board her. On running alongside, I grappled her, and, on giving the order to board, Lieuten- ant Brown, U. S. Navy, commanding ironclad gunboat Indianola, said he was in a sinking condition. I asked if he surrendered. He replied, I surrender. I then kept my boarders back, jumped on board myself, and received his sword. I then had her pushed into shore, where we found that they had cut all their pipes, and had blown the water and steam out of their boilers. I found her to be one of the most formidable ironclads in their Navy, protected in ever Page 409 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 409 manner possible with thick heavy timber and heavy iron plates, mounting two XJ-inch (completely casemated) Dahlgren guns for- ward, from which she had fired eleven shots at us. She had two IX- inch Dahlgren guns in her stern, from which she had fired six solid shots at ns. Lieutenant Brown informs me that she would have been used as a ram had he thought we had the boldness to attack him at night. Too much credit can not be awarded to Major Brent and his com- mand for the gallant manner in which they behaved. I therefore turned the prize over to him, to have her taken up Red River, where she could be repaired and fitted out. After towing her down as far as his Excellency President Daviss plantation, we found that she made so much water that we were compelled to run her ashore, where she now lies in 10 feet water. I dispatched the Queen of the West to Warrenton to communicate to Major-General Stevenson, of Vicks- burg, for assistance in the shape of pumps, etc. I then started off in the Grand Era with the prisoners, numbering about 90, with 7 negroes; delivered them to Colonel Wirt Adams command, to be forwarded to Jackson, Miss. On my return to join the squadron, met the Queen of the West, Webb, and Dr. Beatty in full retreat, having learned that the two gunboats expected by Lieu- tenant Brown, U. S. Navy, had passed Vicksburg, our rams leaking so much that it was impossible for us to make another attack. My port end was cut into by the Queen of the West by accident. I was obliged in consequence to leave about 70 bales of cotton on shore near where the Indianola had sunk. The officers and men, one and all, deserve great praise for their coolness and promptitude with which they executed all commands, especially when I gave the order to board. I take pleasure in saying that I never saw men behave better under any circumstances. The West had 2 killed and 3 wounded by a XI-inch shot striking her upper bulwarks. The Webb and Beatty had not a man hurt. The enemy had 1 killed and 1 wounded by our sharpshooters. So well protected were the enemy by their iron that our 20, 30, and 32 pounders made very little indentation at a distance of 10 or 15 yards. Some 40 or 50 of my men were detailed to work on the Indianola, who are now on board the Webb, having gotten on her during the stampede; also Surgeon Thad. J. Wetherly, Lieutenant S. M. Thomas (II. M. Boones battery), and Lieutenan