Inside of Mobile Bay

August 5^th      

 

My dear wife—This will most likely be overhauled before it is allowed to pass with the flag of truce which carries Admiral Buchanan to Pensacola, therefore I will confine myself to matter of fact details, though you well know in what way I would like to write, and what I would like to say. We are all safely inside of the bay some three miles or so above Morgan and Gaines, having fought our way in this morning about six o'clock. The contest was spirited, in fact the Capt. says he had been in five combats previously but was never handled so severely before. The "Brooklyn" leading the line suffered the most severely, the ship herself as well as personnel, some eleven killed and twenty-five wounded, amongst the casualties. Hull, spars and rigging all present a respectable show as to [?]. However we float all right and intend to remain so. The ram "Tennessee" was captured (Admiral Buchanan being wounded) the whole fleet had their chance at her, that is to say, the large vessels, and our worst hits are from her shots. The "Metacomet" captured one if their light draught wooden gunboats and the iron-clads another. The forts are intact of course as the only damage / inflicted was in running by at day about 400 or 500 yards. As soon as this ship was able to bring her broadside battery to bear their firing was not so destructive. Of course as to future operations it would not be well to write, but remember we are all right with a dozen wooden vessels and three iron-clads exclusive of the captured ram. If you should not hear dont get uneasy, for it may be some time before the forts are in our possession. This has been a great success through God's providence, though we sustained a heart-rending loss in the sinking of the "Tecumseh" (monitor) Capt. Louis Craven. She struck a large torpedo and went down almost instantaneously, only a small boat's crew saved, none of them officers. By At this time the monitors had gone ahead of the line. She was just ahead of us. We backed and stood more to the west^d after seeing her sad fate—The "Oneida" has burst her boiler, otherwise the vessels are in condition for another good fight of it. Admiral "Buchanan" is severely wounded and goes to Pensacola by flag of truce past the forts with our wounded also. This is the way this goes. I left a letter outside in our "Tennessee". they may make a mistake and send it as they have a numerous set of commissions. You will get this first so that will make it all right. After communication is opened you will hear everything from me about / matters. I would have told you in my last letter about this movement, had any of us had the least idea when it was coming off. But no one knew until the day previous that it was to be this week. This has been a most glorious success. Every one says it beats Mississippi river. Well we are by with God's help, and are most sanguine of every operation. I will only add my love to each one and God bless you my wife—

                                                                                   

Your devoted husband—

 

 

We have only one officer a Master's mate killed, and none wounded except Blake a splinter wound in the leg. Please send this letter to father after you have read it, as I will not have an opportunity of writing another one.

 

[pen diagram of engagement, top to bottom]

 

W. Powell                   *[?] anchorage

                                                                                    

                                    Ram    Rebel vessels                                     

Ft. Gaines                    (2)       Ft. Morgan                 

                                                                                   

Dauphin Is.     +          B                                             

            (1)                   H         +                                  

Sand Island                 R                                             

                                    L                                              

                                    M                                            

                                    O                                            

                                    O

                                    800 yds

 

                        Bar outside

 

B. "Brooklyn" with "Octorara"

 lashed alongside

 H. "Hartford" with "Metacomet"

 R. "Richmond" with "Port Royal"

L. "Lackawanna" with "Tennessee"

M. "Monongahela" with "Abago"

O. "Ossippee" with "Kennebec"

O. "Oneida" with "Galena"

 (1) 1^st Position of iron-clads

(2) 2^nd Position of iron-clads

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