ticipated in the action, and who will no doubt call attention to the conduct of such individuals as most distinguished themselves. The Winnebago was commanded by Commander T. H. Stevens, who volunteered for that position. His vessel steers very badly, and nei him to turn his vessel every time to get a shot, so that he could not fire very often, but he did the best under the circumstances. As I had an elevated position in the main rig-ther of his turrets will work, which compelled ging near the top, I was able to overlook not only the deck of the Hartford, but the other vessels of the fleet. I witnessed the terrible effects of the enemy's shot, and the good conduct of the men at their guns, and although no doubt their hearts sickened, as mine did, when their shipmates were struck down beside them, yet there was not a moment's hesitation to lay their comrades aside, and spring again to their deadly work. The Manhattan appeared to work well, though she moved slowly. Commander Nicholson delivered his fire deliberately, and, as before stated, with one of his fifteen-inch shot broke through the armor of the Tennessee, with its wooden backing, though the shot itself did not enter the vessel. No other shot broke through her armor, though many of her plates were started, and several of her port shutters jammed by the fire from the different ships. Our little consort, the Metacomet, was also under my immediate eye during the whole action up to the moment I ordered her to cast off in pursuit of the Selma. The coolness and promptness of Lieutenant Commander Jouetted by Captain Percival Drayton, who exhibited throughout merit high praise; his whole conduct was worthy of his reputation. In this connection I must not omit to call the attention of the Department to the conduct of Acting Ensign Henry C. Nields, of the Metacomet, who had charge of the boat sent from that vessel, when the Tecumseh sunk. He took her in under one of the most galling fires I ever saw, and succeeded in rescuing from death ten of her crew, within six hundred yards of the Fort. I would respectfully recommend his advancement. The commanding officers of all the vessels who took part in the action deserve my warmest commendations, not only for the untiring zeal with which they had prepared their ships for the contest, but for their skill and daring in carrying out my orders during the engagement. With the exception of the momentary arrest of the fleet, when the Hartford passed ahead, and to which I have already adverted, the order of battle was preserved, and the ships followed each other in close order past the batteries of Fort Morgan, and in comparative safety too, with the exception of the Oneida. Her boilers were penetrated by a shot from the Fort, which completely disabled her, but her consort, the Galena, firmly fastened to her side, brought her safely through, showing clearly the wisdom of the precaution of carrying the vessels in two abreast. Commander Mullany, who had solicited eagerly to take part in the action, was severely wounded, losing his left arm. In the encounter with the ram, the commanding officers obeyed with alacrity the order to run her down, and without hesitation exposed their ships to destruction to destroy the enemy. Our iron-clads, from their slow speed and bad steering, had some difficulty in getting into and maintaining their position in line, as we passed the Fort, and, in the subsequent encounter with the Tennessee, from the same causes were not as effective as could have been desired, but I cannot give too much praise to Lieutenant Commander Perkins, who, though he had orders from the Department to return North, volunteered to take command of the Chickasaw, and did his duty nobly. The Hartford, my flag-ship, was commandthroughout that coolness and ability for which he has been long known to his brother officers. But I must speak of that officer in a double capacity. He is the Fleet Captain of my squadron, and one of more determined energy, untiring devotion to duty, and zeal for the service, tempered by great calmness, I do not think adorns any navy. I desire to call your attention to this officer, though well aware that in thus speaking of his high qualities, I am only communicating officially to the Department that which it knew full well before. To him, and to my staff, in their respective positions, I am indebted for the detail of my fleet. Lieutenant I. Crittenden Watson, my FlagLieutenant, has been brought to your notice in former despatches. During the action he was on the poop attending to the signals, and performed his duties as might be expected, thoroughly. He is a scion worthy the noble stock he sprang from, and I commend him to your attention. My Secretary, Mr. McKinley, and Acting Ensign H. H. Brownell, were also on the poop, the latter taking notes of the action, a duty which he performed with coolness and accuracy. Two other Acting Ensigns of my staff, Mr. Bogart and Mr. Heginbotham, were on duty in the powder division, and, as the reports will show, | exhibited zeal and ability. The latter, I regret to add, was severely wounded by a raking shot from the Tennessee, when we collided with that vessel, and died a few hours after. Heginbotham was a young married man, and has left a widow and one child, whom I commend to the kindness of the Department. Mr. Lieutenant A. R. Yates, of the Augusta, acted as an additional aid to me on board the Hartford, and was very efficient in the transmission of orders. I have given him the command temporarily of the captured steamer Selma. The last of my staff, and to whom I would call the attention of the Department, is not the least in importance. I mean Pilot Martin Freeman. He has been my great reliance in all difficulties in his line of duty. During the action, he was in the main-top, piloting the ships into the bay. He was cool and brave throughout, never losing his self-possession. This man was captured early in the war in a fine fishing-smack which he owned, and though he protested that he had no interest in the war, and only asked for the privilege of fishing for the fleet, yet his services were too valuable to the captors as a pilot not to be secured. He was appointed a firstclass pilot, and has served us with zeal and fidelity, and has lost his vessel, which went to pieces on Ship Island. I commend him to the Depart ment. It gives me pleasure to refer to several officers who volunteered to take any situation where they might be useful, some of whom were on their way North, either by orders of the Department, or condemned by medical survey. The reports of the different commanders will show how they conducted themselves. I inclose herewith my General Orders, Nos. 10 and 12, (marked twenty-two and twenty-three,) issued before the action, and General Orders Nos. 12 and 13, (marked twenty-four and twentyfive,) issued after the engagement. LETTER FROM REAR-ADMIRAL FARRAGUT TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. L. PAGE. FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, August 5, 1864. Brigadier-General R. L. Page, Commanding Fort SIR: Admiral Buchanan is severely wounded, having lost his leg. There are in addition four or five others of the crew of the Tennessee who require more comfortable quarters than we can give them in the fleet. Will the commanding officer at Fort Morgan permit a vessel to take them to our hospital at Pensacola, with or without our own wounded? The understanding being that the flag of truce vessel takes nothing whatever but the wounded, and brings nothing back that she did not take out, and my honor is given for the above time. Very respectfully, D. G. FARRAGUT, Rear-Admiral Commanding W. G. B. Squadron. REAR-ADMIRAL D. G. FARRAGUT. FORT MORGAN, ALA., August 5, 1864. Your request relative to the wounded of the Tennessee, and also those of your own command, being taken to Pensacola, will be permitted under a flag of truce, and to return on the conditions you propose. I would be glad if Admiral Buchanan, having lost a leg, be permitted, under parole, to go to Mobile, where he can receive earlier and more prompt attention. I have already mentioned Lieutenant Commander Perkins of the Chickasaw, and Lieutenant Yates of the Augusta. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant William Hamilton, late commanding officer of the Augusta Dinsmore, had been invalided by medical survey, but he LETTER FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. L. PAGE TO eagerly offered his services on board the iron-clad Chickasaw, having had much experience in our Monitors. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant P. Giraud, another experienced officer in iron-clads, asked to go in on one of these vessels, but as they were all well supplied with officers, I permitted him to go in on the Ossipee, under Commander Le Roy. After the action he was given temporary charge of the ram Tennessee. Before closing this report, there is one other officer of my squadron of whom I feel bound to speak, Captain T. A. Jenkins, of the Richmond, who was formerly my Chief of Staff, not because of his having held that position, but because he never forgets to do his duty to the Government, and takes now the same interest in the fleet as when he stood in that relation to He is also the commanding officer of the Second division of my squadron, and, as such, has shown ability and the most untiring zeal. He carries out the spirit of one of Lord Collingwood's best sayings: "Not to be afraid of doing too much; those who are, seldom do as much as they ought." When in Pensacola, he spent days on the bar, placing the buoys in the best po sitions, was always looking after the interests of the service, and keeping the vessels from being detained one moment longer in port than was necessary. The gallant Craven told me only the night before the action in which he lost his life: "I regret, Admiral, that I have detained you; but had it not been for Captain Jenkins, God knows when I should have been here. When your order came I had not received an ounce of coal." me. I feel that I should not be doing my duty did I not call the attention of the Department to an officer who has performed all his various duties with so much zeal and fidelity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, If the latter request is granted, please inform DIER-GENERAL R. L. PAGE. FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, MOBILE BAY, Aug. 5, 1864. SIR: In reply to your note of this date, I would say that it is altogether out of the question that I should permit Admiral Buchanan to be sent to Mobile, but I will send him to Pensacola, where he will receive the same comforts as our own wounded, which I apprehend are as good as they could be at Mobile. It was simply as an act of humanity that I made the proposition I did to-day. I would be glad to bury my dead on shore, but if there is any objection to it, they can have a sailor's grave in the deep, honored by the heartfelt sighs of their shipmates. Very respectfully, D. G. FARRAGUT, Brigadier-General R. L. PAGE, LETTER FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. L. PAGE TO was cast off and directed to chase the Selma, REAR-ADMIRAL D. G. FARRAGUT. FORT MORGAN, August 6, 1864. SIR: Your note of the fifth received. There is no objection to your burying your dead on shore. When they arrive near the wharf here, a point will be designated for the burial. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. L. PAGE, Brigadier-General C. S. A. To Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Mobile Bay REPORT OF CAPTAIN PERCIVAL DRAYTON. FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, MOBILE Bay, Aug. 6, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to offer the following report of the part which this vessel took in the action of yesterday: which, keeping on our bow, had annoyed us excessively with her three stern guns, which we could not answer, owing to our rifle gun-carriage having been destroyed by a shell. She was just sheering off as the Metacomet was loosed from us, and being followed into shallow water was overtaken and captured by thelatter vessel, after an exciting running fight of an hour. The other two gunboats, the Morgan and Gaines, also got into shallow water, and not being followed by any of our light-draft vessels, escaped to Fort Morgan, where one was run ashore and afterward burned; and the other, the Morgan, got into Mobile during the night by keeping close in shore. According to previous arrangement, the Met- The fight appearing to be now over, we anacomet lashed alongside of us at half-past chored and made signal to the fleet to do the same, four A.M., and at half-past five we got under supposing that as the Tennessee had got under way, following the Brooklyn, which led the Fort Morgan, she would remain there, when a line. After some little delay, which was re- quarter of an hour later it was reported that she quired to allow of all the vessels getting into had come out and was steering toward us. I could position, we moved on in the direction of Fort not, however, believe in such temerity at first, but Morgan, which opened on us at about two miles its truth becoming soon evident, by your order, distance at six minutes past seven. The enemy's I commenced heaving up the anchor, and should fire was at once answered by our bow hundredpounder rifle, the only gun that could be brought to bear, until about half-past seven, when we commenced firing the broadside guns with great rapidity, which was continued as long as they could be of use. About thirty-five minutes past seven, I heard the cry that a monitor was sinking, and looking on the starboard-bow, saw the turret of the Tecumseh just disappearing under the water, where an instant before I had seen this noble vessel pushing on gallantly in a straight line to attack the enemy's ram Tennessee, which had apparently moved out to give her an opportunity. As our boats could not be lowered, by your direction, one was sent which was towing astern of the Metacomet, the vessel lashed to us. The rapidity of our fire, together with the smoke, so completely disordered the enemy's aim, that we passed the Fort with no great injury or loss of life, a shell which came through the side and exploded a little abaft the mainmast, killing and wounding a large portion of number seven gun's crew, being the only one that caused much destruction. As we, however, were getting by the shore batteries, we came directly under the fire of the gunboats Selma, Morgan, and Gaines, and the ram Tennessee, and being only able to direct our fire on one of them at a time, the shots from the others were delivered with great deliberation and consequent effect, a single shot having killed ten and wounded five men at number one and two guns. The Tennessee also followed us for some distance, throwing an occasional shot, but finding that she did not come up, and we being now a mile ahead of the remainder of the fleet, she turned and ran down to them, not wishing, I suppose, to be entirely cut off from Fort Morgan. At this time, by your order, the Metacomet have slipped had it not been for the jamming of a shackle-pin; but the ship was soon under way again, steering for the ram, which we struck with great force, although not on her beam, as she turned toward us as we approached. After striking we dropped close alongside, and delivered our broadside of solid nine-inch shot with thirteen pounds of powder, at a distance of perhaps not more than eight feet from her side, as I believe, however, from subsequent observation, without doing any injury. The ram at the time had only two guns in broadside. One missed fire several times, as we could distinctly hear; the shell from the other passed through our berth-deck and exploded just inside, killing and wounding a number of men, and the pieces broke through the spar and berthdecks, even going through the launch and into the hold where were the wounded. This We then stood off, and were making another circuit to run into the ram again, when in mid career the Lackawanna struck us a little forward of the mizzenmast, cutting us completely down to within two feet of the water. caused a detention of perhaps five minutes, but finding that we were not sinking, the ship was, by your order, pointed again for the ram, and we were going for her at full speed, when it was observed that a white flag was flying. This ended the action, and at ten minutes past ten we had again anchored at about four miles distant from Fort Morgan. I have now only to speak of the officers and crew. To Lieutenant Commander Kimberly, the executive officer, I am indebted, not only for the fine example of coolness and self-possession which he set to to those around him, but also for the excellent condition to which he had brought every thing belonging to the fighting department of the ship, in consequence of which there was no confusion anywhere, even when, from the Flag-Lieutenant, who, besides attending most terrible slaughter at some of the guns, it might faithfully to the signals, found time to assist me have been looked for. on several occasions when it was important to give directions in detail about the firing. All did their duty, but I cannot but mention Lieutenants Tyson and Adams, and Ensign Whiting, to whose example and exertions it was in a great measure owing, no doubt, that the great loss at some of the guns was not followed by confusion or delay in repairing damages. Acting Master's Mate Finelli, who took charge of the Third division after Lieutenant Adams was wounded, is spoken of to me very highly. Acting Third Assistant-Engineer McEwan is also strongly noticed in the report of ChiefEngineer Williamson. He lost his right arm while busily employed on the berth-deck, where he was stationed, in assisting and comforting the wounded. He is spoken of by his superiors as most competent to fill the position of Third Assistant-Engineer in the regular service, for which I would beg you to recommend him to the Hon. Secretary of the Navy. The last shell fired at us-that from the ramkilled my clerk, Ensign W. H. Heginbotham. Although this was the first time he had been in action, nothing, I am told, could exceed the coolness and zeal with which he performed his duties in the powder division, and I feel his loss most seriously, as his general intelligence and many amiable qualities had made him almost necessary to me. I must also thank Lieutenant A. R. Yates, a volunteer from the United States steamship Augusta, who acted as an aid both to you and myself, and was to me most useful. The two after-guns were entirely manned by marines, who, under the direction of Captain Charles Heywood, performed most efficient ser vice. Thanks to the unremitting supervision of ChiefEngineer Williamson, all had been so thoroughly prepared in his department, that nothing was required of the engines during the day which they could not perfectly perform. The devoted attention of Fleet-Surgeon Palmer, Surgeon Lansdale, and Assistant-Surgeon Commons to our wounded was beyond praise, and it was owing to their skill and untiring exertions that the large number of desperately wounded were prepared by eight o'clock in the evening for removal to the hospital at Pensacola, for which place they left at daylight on the following morning in the Metacomet, under a flag of truce. Boatswain Dixon was nearly knocked overboard by a splinter, but absented himself from the deck only long enough to have his wounds dressed, when he returned to his duties. Acting Master's Mate Henrick, while superintending the passage of powder and shell on the berth-deck, was very seriously wounded by a piece of shell which entirely disabled him at the time, and may, I am afraid, prove very serious. Up to this time his conduct and bearing are spoken of by the commanding officer of the division in the highest praise. I must also thank Lieutenant Watson, your Of the crew, I can scarcely say too much. They were most of them persons who had never been in action, and yet I cannot hear of a case where any one attempted to leave his quarters or showed any thing but the sternest determination to fight it out. There might perhaps have been a little excuse had such a disposition been exhibited, when it is considered that a great part of four guns' crews were at different times swept away almost entirely by as many shells. every case, however, the killed and wounded were quietly removed; the injuries at the guns made good, and in a few moments, except from the traces of blood, nothing could lead one to suppose that any thing out of the ordinary routine had happened. In In conclusion, I request that you will recommend to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy, for the medal of honor, the men whose names accompany this in a separate report. They well deserve the distinction. Very respectfully, P. DRAYTON. Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT, Commanding W. G. B. Squadron. Captain. With this report I inclose those of the executive officer, the officers of divisions, and of the gunner, carpenter, and sailmaker, and I beg leave to heartily indorse all that is said in them about the officers and men of their respective commands. I would also beg leave to say that although there was very considerable loss of life in the powder division, thanks to the good arrangements and the example of Ensign Dana, who was in charge of it, there was no confusion. He was also greatly assisted in the after-part of the division by sailmaker T. C. Herbert, whose example tended much to give confidence to those around him; he is a most deserving officer. The gunner, J. L. Staples, and carpenter, George E. Burcham, also deserve notice for their strict attention to duty. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT, P. DRAYTON. Commanding W. G. B. Squadron. Captain. U. S. FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, MOBILE BAY, Aug. 8, 1864. SIR: Agreeably to your order, I submit the following reports of the passage of this ship by Forts Morgan and Gaines, and our engagement with the ram Tennessee, iron-clad, and with the gunboats Selma, Gaines, and Morgan. On the morning of the fifth, called all hands at three A.M., stowed hammocks, and gave the people an early breakfast, hove in to twenty fathoms of chain, and prepared to receive the United States steamer Metacomet alongside. At daylight the Metacomet came on our port side and made fast, our battery on that side having been run in for that purpose. Hove up our anchor, and at forty minutes past five A.M. stood in to take our position astern of the Brooklyn, which ship was slowly standing in for the bar, followed by the Hartford. Lashed our anchors to the bows, and secured the chains with extra stoppers, beat to quarters, and cleared ship for action. A few minutes after seven o'clock, Fort Morgan opened upon us, and continued firing until the fleet had passed. We commenced and continued to fire with our starboard hundred-pounder Parrott on the topgallant forecastle, until our starboard broadside could bear, which was not, however, until we got nearly abreast of the Fort, when we opened with our twelve nine-inch guns, loaded with ten-second shell. We now fired rapidly, and as we approached used five-second shell and shrapnel, with fuses cut at two seconds, which had the effect to drive the enemy from their water-batteries and parapet guns whilst we were abreast of the Fort. The Brooklyn now having stopped and commenced backing, the Hartford went ahead and led the fleet until we anchored up the bay. After passing the Brooklyn, the rebel ram and gunboats paid their individual attention to this ship, taking position ahead and on our starboard bow, and with their heavy guns raking us, we not being able to bring any guns to bear on them, except those mounted on the top-gallant forecastle. We continued, however, to advance, they preserving their position until we got some distance from Fort Morgan, when the rebel ram went back to attack our ships astern. The three gunboats, however, still stuck by us. We had now so altered our course as to bring them to bear on our starboard bow and beam, and opened on them with the starboard broadside; we now were on a footing with them, and delivered our fire with effect on all three, they edging off and increasing their distance, but still keeping up a hot fire, from which we suffered very much. This part of the action had now lasted some thirty minutes, most of the time their fire raking us, cutting down our men at the guns fearfully, and damaging gun-carriages and material, when the Metacomet cast off and pursued. The enemy by this time having been pretty well handled, hauled off, separated, the Gaines and Morgan making for the fort, and the Selma falling a prize to the Metacomet. ships now having come up, we steamed up the bay and anchored with fifteen fathoms of chain in three and a quarter fathoms of water, when the ram was seen approaching; hove up our anchor, went to quarters, and stood down for the enemy; endeavored to strike her, but our anchor hanging from the hawse-pipe, sheered us off from the ram, so that the ships passed, the port sides grazing each other; depressed our port guns and fired with thirteen pounds of powder and solid shot. After passing, put our helm hard a starboard, to come around for another butt, the ship, however, making a larger circle in getting around; approached near to our own ships that were bound down for the rebel ram; one of them, the Lackawanna, struck us on the starboard side abaft the main-chains, knocking two of our ports Our into one, capsized a nine-inch gun, carried away the gig and davits, and starboard M. S. M. backstays, also cutting us down to within two feet of the water. We cleared, and stood down for the ram, which had turned and was running away without a smoke-stack, followed by our ironclads, the Ossipee and other ships. When we were nearly up to the enemy, she hoisted the white flag and surrendered-this ship turned back a short distance and anchored. The conduct of the crew was splendid, and their enthusiasm was unbounded, notwithstanding the raking fire that we suffered. When men fell, others filled the gaps, until almost two entire crews had been swept away. Nothing could be more noble than the spirit displayed by our wounded and dying, who cheered and smiled in their agony, seemingly contented at the sacrifice of their lives for the victory vouchsafed to their country. Such men are our heroes. The officers, one and all, did their whole duty, and in a measure to their exertions and example may be attributed the unflinching conduct of those they so well instructed, drilled, and commanded. Conspicuous was Ensign Whiting, who worked the forecastle guns under the most trying circumstances and under the most scathing fire. Mr. Dixon, our boatswain; Wm. McEwan, Acting Assistant Engineer; Mr. Herrick, Acting Master's Mate; Acting Ensigns Bogart and Heginbotham, deserve praise for their coolness and assistance in the powder division, which was at one time a perfect slaughter-house. Lieutenant Yates, of the U. S. Steamer Augusta, and Acting Ensign Marthow, of the U. S. Steamer Tennessee, who volunteered for the fight, also deserve praise for their very valuable services. Appended are the reports of the divisional officers, whose mention of particular acts of men under their immediate command will enable you to recommend the men mentioned to notice; also the reports of the several officers in charge of the different departments and of the damages sustained therein. Very respectfully, L. A. KIMBERLY, U. S. FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, MOBILE BAY, Aug. 6, 1864. SIR: I respectfully submit the following report of the conduct of the officers and men in the First division, during the engagement of yesterday. Acting Ensign W. H. Whiting, in charge of the forecastle guns, deserves special mention for his gallantry in serving and working both onehundred pounder rifles under the most trying circumstances. The three captains of guns, Henry Clark, Peter W. Stanley, and Wm. H. Wright, displayed an amount of courage and coolness which I have rarely seen equalled. But the two men of whom I wish particularly to speak are Charles Melville and Thomas Fitzpatrick. A rifle shell burst between the two forward nine-inch guns, killing and wounding fifteen men. Charles Melville was |