THE “STONEWALL JACKSON” BAMMING THE “VAKUNA.”
had to thank his gallant navy and the stupidity, tardiness, ignorance, and neglect of the authorities in Eiehmond.
The first gun fired "brought my crew to their stations. We had steam within 3 minutes, it having been ordered by that hour; the cable was slipped, when we delayed a moment for Lieutenant Warley to spring the Manassas, then inside of us, across the channel. A little tug-boat, the Belle Algerine, now fouled us—to her mortal injury. By the time we started, the space between the forts was filling up with the enemy’s vessels, which fired upon us as they approached, giving us grape, canister, and shell. My vessel being a large one, we had too little steam and elbow-room in the now limited and crowded space to gather sufficient headway to strike a mortal blow on ramming. So rather than simply “squeeze” my adversary, I made haste slowly by moving close under the east bank to reach the bend above, where I would be able to turn down-stream ready for work. I took this course also, to avoid being fired and run into by the Confederate rams moored above me; but the ground for this fear was soon removed, as, on getting near them, I saw that one had started for New Orleans, while the telegraph steamer Star, ram Quitman, and one other had been set afire at their berths on the right bank, and deserted before any of the enemy had reached them, and were burning brightly. They being in a clear space were in full view, and I was close to them. Another reason for leaving our berth directly under Fort St. Philip, where the Louisiana, McRae, and Manassas also lay, was to get clear of the cross-fire of the forts, and that of each ship of the enemy as they passed up close to us, for we sustained considerable damage and losses as we moved out into the stream.
When we were turning at the head of the reach we found ourselves close to the United States steamer Oneida, 10 guns, with the United States steamer Cayuga, 4 guns, on our port beam. On being hailed with “What ship is that?” I replied, “United States steamer Mississippi,” to deceive,
she being a side-wheel vessel also, but, seeing our distinguishing light, the Oneida raked with her starboard broadside at a few feet distance; the Cayuga delivered her fire thirty yards distant; the Pensacola, 25 guns, a little farther from us, at one fire with shrapnel from the howitzers in her tops cleared out 12 men at our bow-gun. Beyond her the firing of single guns in quick succession, as some vessel unseen to any one was moving rapidly up-stream, attracted my attention. At the same instant the United States steamer Pinola, 5 guns, close to on our port quarter, delivered her fire, kill-
REAR-ADMIRAL CHARLES S. BOGGS, U. S. N. Iii command of the “Vanina.”
FIRING AT THE “VARUNA” THROUGH THE BOW OF THE “GOVERNOR MOORE.”
the fire on both sides was necessary, since neither could distinguish friend from foe. In some places no object was distinguishable until directly upon it, when it was as soon lost to view, yet the United States squadron steamed ahead, blindfolded, as it were, through the darkness and confusion, soon to find themselves in places of absolute safety and with comparatively few casualties.
At about 3:30 A. M. (April 24th, 1862) an unusual noise down the river attracted my attention. As we expected to be attacked at any moment I descended the ladder to near the water, where I distinctly heard the paddles of a steamer (the Mississippi). I saw nothing on reaching the deck, but instantly fired the after gun, the one forward being fired by the sentry there ; at the same moment the water-batteries of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip let drive, followed in an instant by a general discharge from all the available guns in the forts, and both batteries of the advancing fleet, mounting 192 guns, and Commander Porter’s squadron of 7 vessels, mounting 53 guns, which attacked Fort Jackson’s flank below the obstructions. There was also a splendid practice from 19 Federal mortars, which fired their 13-inch shells at intervals (between the vessels) of 10 seconds.
The bursting ot every description of shells quickly following their discharge, increased a hundred-fold the terrific noise and fearfully grand and magnificent pyrotechnic display which centered in a space of about 1200 yards in width. The ball had not more than fairly opened before the enemy’s ships were between the forts, and the Uncle Sam of my earlier days had the key to the valley of the Mississippi again in his breeches-pocket, for which he
THE CONFEDERATE SIDE.
BY BEVERLEY KENNON, CAPTAIN, LA. S. N.
Commander of the “ Governor Moore” in this engagement.
. . . The Governor Moore, which was anchored near Fort St. Philip opposite Fort Jackson, could not have been surprised at any time. I slept for the most part only during the day, and but rarely at night. At 8 p. M. four sentinels were always posted on the spar-deck and wheel-houses, and a quartermaster in the pilot-house; an anchor and engine-room watch was set; the chain was unshackled and the fires were banked; both guns were carefully pointed at the opening in the obstructions through which the enemy had to pass to reach us. The vessel being secured as firmly as if at a dock, effective firing of her guns was assured. Every opening in the vessel’s side through which a light might be seen was kept closed. At dark the vessel’s holds and decks and magazines were brightly lighted to save delay in the event of a sudden call to quarters. Two guns’ crews were ready for service, and the officer of the deck and myself were always at hand.
The evening previous to the battle I reported to General Duncan, the commander of the two forts, my observations on the enemy’s movements as seen by myself from the mast-head. Yet to my knowledge no picket boat was sent down by us, or any means adopted to watch the enemy and guard against surprise. The result was they were abreast the forts before some of our vessels fired a shot. In a few moments this space was filled with smoke from the guns and exploded shells, intensifying the darkness of the night. A slackening of
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