Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, March 15, 1863

About sundown the shelling ceased, and nearly all of us returned to camp to endeavor to sleep, as we had been up all the night preceding unloading a corn boat. We had all got comfortably settled for the enjoyment of that sweet restorer of tired nature, when the whole fleet of mortar boats, ships-of-the-line, and I do not know how many gun-boats, turned loose their storm of iron hail into our midst without giving any warning. The effect on soldiers suddenly aroused from sleep can be imagined. We sprang to our feet, and hardly taking time to draw on our coats, took to our heels in search of shelter. Indeed it was enough to make the stoutest heart quake to hear the shells hurtling over our heads and the fragments crashing through the timber or ploughing up the earth at our feet. I started to the trenches to get with my company, which had been left on picket, but as I had to go through the thickest of the fire to get there, I backed out after going several hundred yards, and made for the shelter of a large tree in a swamp near by; but found five men crouched down behind it; tried another with a like result, and another and another, and found all "full;" concluded that the front seats were all taken or reserved for the officers. Saw a wagoner driving his team through the thickest of the shells and observed that the mules took it quite easy; concluded that a soldier was as good as a mule and emulating their unconcern, I made for the river bank, where I got a good position high and dry, and watched closely the progress of the fight. I enjoyed the grandeur of the scene to the fullest extent.

Simultaneously with the opening of the mortar boats, the men-of-war and gun-boats attempted to run past our batteries, which one of them, a large steamship, succeeded in doing notwithstanding the terrible fire which was poured into her. It is said that she would have surrendered if our men had ceased firing upon her. Two others attempted to follow in her wake, but one of them was forced to retire badly crippled, and the other was set on fire by a hot shot from one of our guns, when her crew abandoned her, and she burned to the water's edge. She drifted down with the current, and a tremendous explosion a few hours later told that she had blown up. Others of their craft are supposed to have suffered considerably. After a hot engagement of two hours and a half, the firing ceased and the enemy withdrew. Our loss in the whole bombardment, is, so far as I can learn, five killed and wounded, while the enemy's loss must have amounted to hundreds, as nearly every shot from our guns took effect. From some of the crew of the burnt vessel who were picked up this morning, we learn that nearly all of her men, over three hundred in number, were either killed, burnt or drowned; only a few swam to the shore. Our batteries sustained no damage whatever. Taken altogether we came off well, and if they are not satisfied that they can't take this place, let them come again. The vessel which passed last night was lying in plain view this morning, and firing signal-guns as though she would like to get back to her consorts below, which are also in view today.

The train from Clinton, La., came in this morning at an unusual hour, bringing the sick from the hospital, and reported that the Federal cavalry were near that place in strong force. If this is true, and we can't get the Yankee ship from above, our supplies are cut off, as we have but limited stores of subsistence here. So that if the siege is prolonged for some time, we may expect to undergo all the pangs of hunger; we are now, and have been for weeks, living on half rations of meal and pork. We now calculate on living on half an ear of corn per man, before this place is given up. To-day we have been allowed to live in peace up to the present hour, 2 P.M. We are cooking rations, expecting to be sent to the ditches again to-night.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 125-7

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: April 16, 1862

On Steamer Henry Clay, off New Madrid, Mo.,

April 16, 1862.

I finished my last in a great hurry, helped strike and load our tents and equipage and started for the levee, confident that we would be off for Memphis, Orleans and intermediate landings, before the world would gain 12 hours at farthest in age. That day over 30 steamers arrived, received their loads of soldiers and departed, all down stream, preceded by six or eight gunboats and 16 mortarboats. Word came at nightfall that there were not enough boats for all and the cavalry would have to wait the morrow and more transports. We lay on the river banks that night, and the next day alt the cavalry got off except our brigade of two regiments. Another night on the banks without tents, managed to get transportation for two battalions, one from each regiment. They started down yesterday at about 10 a. m. and more boats coming we loaded two more battalions, but at 9 p. m. a dispatch boat came up with orders for us to stop loading and await further orders. The same boat turned back all the cavalry of our brigade that had started and landed them at Tiptonsville; we are at 6 this p. m. lying around loose on the bank here awaiting orders. That boat brought up word that our fleet was at Fort Pillow, and the Rebels were going to make a stand there, but that nothing had occurred when she left but some gunboats skirmishing. What the devil we are going to do is more than three men like me can guess. It's awful confounded dull here. Nothing even half interesting. Saw a cuss, trying to drown himself yesterday, and saw a fellow's leg taken off last night. These are better than no show at all, but still there's not much fun about either case. I'm bored considerably by some of my Canton friends wanting me to help them get their niggers out of camp. Now, I don't care a damn for the darkies, and know that they are better off with their masters 50 times over than with us, but of course you know I couldn't help to send a runaway nigger back. I'm blamed if I could. I honestly believe that this army has taken 500 niggers away with them. Many men have lost from 15 to 30 each. The owners were pretty well contented while the army stayed here, for all the generals assured them that when we left the negroes would not be allowed to go with us, and they could easily get them back; but they have found out that was a “gull” and they are some bitter on us now. There will be two Indiana regiments left here to guard the country from Island 10 to Tiptonsville, and if you don't hear of some fun from this quarter after the army all leaves but them, I'm mistaken. They'll have their hands full if not fuller. We have not been paid yet but probably will be this week. I tell you I can spend money faster here than anywhere I ever was in my life, but of course I don't do it. Am trying to save up for rainy weather, and the time, if it should come, when I'll have only one leg to go on or one arm to work with. That Pittsburg battle was one awful affair, but it don't hurt us any. Grant will whip them the next time completely. Poor John Wallace is gone. He was a much better boy than he had credit for being. We all liked him in the old mess very much. Ike Simonson, of same company, I notice was wounded. He was also in my mess; was from Farmington. There are no rumors in camp to-day. Yesterday it was reported and believed that the Monitor had sunk the Merrimac, that Yorktown was taken, and that another big fight had taken place at Corinth and we held the town. That was very bully but it lacks confirmation. Think it will for sometime yet, but Pope says we'll come out all right through all three of those trials. It's just what's wanted to nip this rebellion up root and all. That's a rather dubious victory up to date, that Pittsburg affair, but guess it's all right.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 82-4

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Thursday, March 30, 1865

At 12. last night the Jonnies made a charge out of their forts on the skirmish line, draw it in on the left where the 7th Vermont was stationed, camps wise all around & on the alert. brisk firing for an hour, some rain falling about this time. At 3. A. M. co C. relieves Co E. on the skirmish line They come in all whole & were not drivn back, reported that about 30 of the 29th Iowa were gobbled by the 7th Vermont giving back & letting the Jonnies in their rear; The day passes so so. Artillery firing from both sides. Reb Mortar boats shell us considerably & heavy firing on the skirmish line all day, some of the heavy guns to be put in position tonight. This evening the reported capture of the men of the 29th is contradicted Co "C" is relieved after dark & bring off 3 prisoners with them, they were out sharp shooting & got to close They talk confidantly & say we can never take Mobile or Spanish Fort which by their act is manned by 6000 reinforcing every night, one Brigade of the 16th A. C. is sent off this P. M. as guard to supply train with rations for Genl Steele who is in the vicinity of Blakely & reports to Genl Canby that he can keep reinforcements from coming here by land or allow it. Genl C. says to allow it. (this is rumor) There is a telegraph from Genl Canbys Hd Qtrs to all the Div Hd Qtrs & to the landing at our new base about 4 miles from our position. The Rebels use heavier guns today. Have a chill this morning & feel quite ill all day.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 581-2

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Sabbath, March 8, 1863

Day warm. Passed 2 musketo boats and mortor boats, tore our co. quarters by running into limb, lost 6 guns &c river very crooked. No rebel battery found. Tall cane brakes, and much water, no plantations today.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 485

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Monday, March 2, 1863

Breastworks of wood put up around all the decks. Afternoon 2 rans [rams] 1 gun boat 1 morter boat passed down, news of fleet of 22 other boats coming down. Lay in cold water stream tonight, have not advanced more then l¼  miles today.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 484

Diary of Mary Boykin Chesnut: April 26, 1862

Doleful dumps, alarm-bells ringing. Telegrams say the mortar fleet has passed the forts at New Orleans. Down into the very depths of despair are we.

SOURCE: Mary Boykin Chesnut, Edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary, A Diary From Dixie, p. 158

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, June 17, 1863

Our mortar boats are shelling the rebels day and night, and the constant roar of cannon is something dreadful to listen to. Our regiment drew some clothing from the quartermaster today. We just learned that we are to remain out here on picket. The boys are having easy times picking blackberries and plums. They are quite plentiful, and come as a Godsend to us. Water is becoming very scarce, for the branches which we have to depend upon have now stopped running, and all we can get is the water left in the sink holes in the creek bottom.

SOURCE: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 122

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, June 12, 1863

Our brigade receiving orders, moved out about a mile and again went into camp in a large hollow; we fixed up bunks and made a nice camp. I was out last night again with a large detail from our brigade digging rifle pits, working all night with rifle in one hand and pick in the other, digging trenches to protect ourselves in the daytime. There was skirmishing and heavy cannonading all day, and after night by their lighted fuses we sometimes could see the shells from our mortar boats coming over the city and down to the ground before they exploded.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 121

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, June 9, 1863

The weather away down south in Dixie is getting quite warm. The soldiers are all in good health and fine spirits. Times are quite lively, with good news from all directions around Vicksburg. Our mortar boats are throwing shells into town day and night.¹

__________

¹ We were all confident that Pemberton would soon be compelled to surrender Vicksburg, for we had him completely surrounded. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 120-1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, May 20, 1863

This morning found us going up the river, when about 10 o'clock we landed three miles below Vicksburg. The rebels commenced throwing shells our way and we dropped down the river to a point six miles below the city. But at 4 o'clock we returned to the place we had reached in the morning, and landing on the west bank marched across the point of land just opposite Vicksburg. Here we boarded the boats again and awaited orders. The mortar boats are throwing shells into the town. Our armies about Vicksburg have taken a great many prisoners. It is reported that our men have taken Haines's Bluff, and that General Grant has commenced action all the way around his line of battle.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 116

Diary of Edward Bates, January 10, 1862

Disappointed in the S.[upreme] C.[ourt] by the postponement of the School cases, I hastened to C.[abinet] C.[ouncil] where we had a free consultation, which disclosed great negligence, ignorance and lack of preparation and forethought. Nothing is ready. McClellan is still sick, and nobody knows his plans, if he have any (which with me is very doubtful). The expeditions for the South do not go¹⁹ — nobody knows why not — The boats and bomb-rafts at Cairo are not ready²⁰ — not manned — Indeed we do not know that the mortars have reached there — Strange enough, the boats are under the War Dept., and yet are commanded by naval officers. Of course, they are neglected — no one knows any thing about them.

I advised the Prest. to restore all the floating force to the command of the Navy Dept, with orders to cooperate with the army, just as the Navy on the sea coast does.

Again, I urged upon the Prest. to take and act out the powers of his place, to command the commanders — and especially to order regular, periodical reports, shewing the exact state of the army, every where. And to that end—

I renewed formally, and asked that it be made a question before the Cabinet, — my proposition, often made heretofore — that the President as “ Comm[an]der in Chief of the Army and Navy ” do organize a Staff of his own, and assume to be in fact, what he is in law, the Chief Commander. His aid[e]s could save him a world of trouble and anxiety — collect and report to him all needed information, and keep him constantly informed, at a moment’s warning — keep his military and naval books and papers — conduct his military correspondence, — and do his bidding generally “in all the works of war[.]”

It is objected (by both the Prest. and Sec of War) not that the thing is wrong or undesirable in itself but that the Generals wd. get angry — quarrel &c!!  I answer — Of course the Genls — especially the Chief²¹ —would object—.  they wish to give but not receive orders — If I were Prest, and I found them restive under the command of a superior, they should soon have no inferiors to command. All of them have been lately made of comparatively raw material, taken from the lower grates [sic] of the army officers or from civil life. The very best of them — McClellan, McDowell,²² Halleck²³ &c until very lately, never commanded more than a battallion [sic]. They have no experience in the handling of large bodies of men, and are no more to be trusted in that respect, than other men of good sense, lately their equals in rank and position. If therefore, they presume to quarrel with the orders of their superior — their constitutional commander — for that very reason, they ought to be dismissed, and I would do, it in full confidence that I could fill their places with quite as good men, chosen as they were chosen, from the lower grades of officers, from the ranks of the army, or from civil life.

There can be no lawful, just or honest cause of dissatisfaction because the President assumes, in practise, the legitimate duties of his place — His powers are all duties — He has no privileges, no powers granted to him for his own sake, and he has no more right to refuse to exercise his constitutional powers than he has to assume powers not granted. He (like us, his official inferiors) cannot evade his responsibilities. He must shew to the nation and to posterity, how he has discharged the duties of his Stewardship, in this great crisis. And if he will only trust his own good judgment more, and defer less, to the opinions of his subordinates, I have no doubt that the affairs of the war and the aspect of the whole country, will be quickly and greatly changed for the better.

I think it unjust to to [sic] those Genls. to impute to them such unsoldierly conduct. Very probably, they would object and grumble in advance, in the hope of deterring the President from that course, ²⁴ but the resolve, once taken, would work its own moral and peaceful triumph. For those generals are, undoubtedly, men of sense, prudence and patriotism, and, for their own, as well as their country’s good, would obey their official superior, as cheerfully and heartily as they expect their inferiors to obey them. If, however, contrary to professional duty, to the moral sense of right, and to sound logic, they should act otherwise, that fact would be proof positive of unfitness to command, and, for that cause, they ought to be instantly removed.

If a Major Genl. may be allowed to complain because the President has about him a staff — the means and m[a]chinery of knowledge and of action — why may not a Brigadier complain that his Major Genl. is so accom[m]odated? The idea seems to me absurd. The very thought is insubordinate, and smacks of mutiny.

My proposition assumes that the President is, in fact as well as theory, commander in chief (not in detail) of the army and navy; and that he is bound to exercise the powers of that high post, as legal duties. And that he cannot perform those duties intelligently and efficiently, by his own unassisted, personal powers — He must have aides, by whatever names you call them; for they are as necessary to the proper exercise of those official functions, as the bodily senses are to the proper perception and action of the individual man. If it be the duty of the President, as I do not doubt that it is, to command, it would seem to follow, of necessity, that he must have, constantly at hand and under his personal orders, the usual means and machinery for the performance of that duty, with knowledge and with effect.

In at least one important sense, I consider the Departments of War and Navy as constituting the Staff of the Commander in chief, and it does seem to me highly important that he should have, always near him, intelligent and confidential persons, to facilitate his intercourse with that multitudinous staff.

If it be not the President’s duty to command, then it is not his right, and prudence would seem to require him to renounce all control of the affairs of war, and cast all the responsibility upon those who are entrusted with the actual command — But this he cannot do, because the constitution forbids it, in declaring that he “shall be Commander in chief.”

I see not the slightest use for A General in chief of the army. When we had peace with all the world, and a little nucleous of an army, of about 15.000 men, and had the veteran Lieut. General Scott as our first officer, perhaps it was well enough to give him that honorary title. But now, that we have a war spreading over half a continent, and have many armies, reaching, in the aggregate to over 600.000 men, it is simply impossible for any one general, usefully and well, to command all those armies. The army of the Potomac alone is quite enough for any one man to command in detail, and more than almost any one can do, with assurance of good success.

The President being a Civil Magistrate and not a military chief, and being the lawful commander in chief of the army, needs, more than any well-trained general can need, in his intercourse with and his control of the army, the assistance of skillful and active aid[e]s, always near his person. And I indulge the hope that he will find it right to appoint and organize just such and so many as his exigencies may seem to require; and I say all this in the confident belief, that his own reputation, now and hereafter, and the present and permanent good of the Country, do require such an organization.²⁵

__________

¹⁹ “Butler’s and Burnside’s. See supra, Dec. 31, 1861.

²⁰ “They were being collected for the attack on Fort Henry which took place in early February.

²¹ George B. McClellan.

²² Supra, Nov. 16, 1861, note 53.

²³ Supra, Nov. 13, 1861, note 37.

²⁴ Inserted later in the margin.

²⁵ See supra, Dec. 31, 1861, note 64.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, The Diary of Edward Bates, published in The Annual Report Of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930 Volume 4, p. 243-6

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, February 20, 1863

There is some talk of our having to move our camp again. News came that our gunboats were throwing shells into Vicksburg, one every fifteen minutes, driving the rebels back, and that our mortar boats were damaging some of their water batteries.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 101

From Ft. Pillow

MISSISSIPPI FLOTILLA, OFF FT. PILLOW,

On board J. H. Dickey, May 13,

Our mortar boats, one of which, for the past three weeks has kept up a steady day bombardment on Ft. Pillow, from beneath the protection afforded by Craighead Point, were yesterday morning withdrawn and silenced, by order of Com. Davis, after firing one or two shells at dusk last evening.  The rebels commenced shelling the place either from their works at the fort or from the Tennessee shore.  They kept at their firing during the night, their shell bursting wide of the mark.  They fired generally two mortars in quick succession, at intervals of about twenty minutes.  They are provided with heavy mortars and shell, equaling in weight of metal and efficiency to those used by this fleet, and they are rapidly gaining in their gunnery.  Our mortars thus far have remained silent.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 1

The Next Naval Expedition

The next naval expedition, which is now preparing at New York and other points, is to be commanded by Com. Farragut, and reports are abroad, some stating that it is destined for Savannah and others assigning it to the western part of the Gulf.  It will be by far the most powerful naval force yet fitted out, and will consist of the Hartford, Richmond, Pensacola and other large steam frigates, a great number of gunboats, and twenty or thirty vessels carrying mortars and thirty-two pounders.

The mortar flotilla connected with this expedition is under the command of Capt. D. D. Porter and is being hurried towards completion with all possible haste, but from its extent some weeks may elapse before all the vessels are ready to proceed to sea.  The armament being of a kind rather novel to our navy, has caused some delay in fitting out the first vessels of the flotilla, but those obstacles are now overcome, and the vessels are nearly all ready for their guns. – The mortar, which is placed amidships of each craft, weighs about 17,000 pounds, and is bored for 13-inch projectiles, the most formidable known to modern warfare.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

The Battle at Island 10

FOURTH DAY.

Monday, March 17. – Last night was one of unusual clearness and the river and shores were bathed in the most delicious moonlight.  If painters need any business, when the grim dogs of war are baying, they would have reveled in the scene.  Although I was surrounded by all the fearful paraphernalia of war, there was nothing to disturb the serenity of the night.  No sounds were audible save the plash of the water, the snarling trumpet calling our pickets afar off, and the sound of the bells upon the gunboats as they called the hours.  The forenoon was consumed until 10 o’clock in supplying the mortar rafts with shells and powder from the ammunition boats.  About half-past ten the mortars commenced practice, occupying the same position as the day before excepting two, which were moored on the left bank about three miles below the upper battery.  Two of the mortars shelled the rebel encampments round the point, the fire of the others concentrating upon the upper battery.  About 11 o’clock, the gunboats took position.  The Benton, Cincinnati and St. Louis lashed together, slowly dropped down the river and opened fire upon the same battery. – The scene now became animated in the extreme, the ball being fairly opened.  I took a position on shore, near the point and alongside the mortars, to witness their practice.  The firing of a mortar is the very poetry of a battle.  A bag of powder weighing from eighteen to twenty pounds is dropped into the bore of the huge monster.  The derrick drops the shell in; the angle is calculated; a long cord is attached to the primer; the gunner steps out upon the platform, and the balance of the crew upon the shore.  The Captain gives the word, the gunner gives his cord a sudden jerk, a crash like a thousand thunders follows, a tongue of flame leaps from the mouth of the mortar, and a column of smoke rolls up in beautiful fleecy spirals, developing into rings of exquisite proportions.  One can see the shell as it leaves the mortar flying through the air, apparently no larger than a marble.  The next you see of the shell, a beautiful cloud of smoke bursts into sight, caused by the explosion.  Imagine ten of these monsters thundering at once, the air filled with smoke clouds, the gunboats belching out destruction and completely hidden from sight in whirls of smoke, the shell screaming through the air with the enemy sending their solid shot and shell above and around us, dashing the water up in glistening columns and jets of spray, and you have the sublime poetry of war.  An incident, however, will show how completely the battle may lose its poetry and develop into a stern and suggestive reality.

FIFTH DAY.

TUESDAY, March 18, 1862. – The firing of our boats yesterday very seriously damaged the upper fort, and at an early hour this morning some two or three hundred men could be discovered busily at work repairing the breaches.  The Benton at once dropped down and commenced using her bow rifles with the happiest effect, causing a complete suspension of labor upon the works, the laborers running pell-mell to the nearest shelter.  The Benton continued her practice until the mortars commenced, when she ceased firing.  The gunboats have been idle to-day, the mortars occupying the time exclusively and making some excellent shots.  Several shells have been lodged in the head of the Island.  The mortar practice is rapidly improving, and at the present rate of improvement will warm up the rebel encampment and fortifications to a degree which must cause a speedy evacuation.

This morning I visited Com. Foote.  He expressed himself confident of reducing the place, but says it will take time.  He is fighting the battle at fearful odds.  The gunboats are too unwieldy and unmanageable to fight down stream in the mad current, which sweeps round the point with irresistible fury.  Should one of them become crippled, no power could save her from falling into the hands of the rebels, or being entirely destroyed by their floating battery.  Still the Flag Officer is hopeful.  Undaunted by the difficulties which stare him in the face, by the mean, despicable lack of sympathy with his plans upon the part of certain army officers and others high in power, thus thwarting him in his endeavors to expedite matters to a successful issue.  He will yet cut the Gordian knot by a splendid victory, and clear the river to Memphis and thence sweep triumphantly to the Balize.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 1

First Day’s Fight at Island No. 10

CAIRO, March 17, on board the Benton, Island No. 10, March 16. – Got under way at daylight this a.m. and dropped down to within range of the upper battery and commenced to arouse them with the rifles of the Benton, while the mortar boats were trying to wade into position.  Only a couple of shots were fired, when a white flag was seen to wave from the works and to continue waving until answered by a white flag from the flagship.

Of course firing ceased, as did also all operations, even the moving of the mortars, while a tug carried Lieut. Bishop down to see what was wanted.  On arriving at the work he was answered that they were signaling their works down the river and did not wish to communicate with us; a mere subterfuge to gain time, which was followed up by the Grampus, with a white flag, steaming towards the tug from the Island.  Lieut. Bishop was of the opinion that time enough was lost and did not wait for the Grampus, but steamed off for the Benton and the Grampus hauled down the white flag and ran back under cover again.

Up to this time no rebel colors had been shown from the battery, but now it went up and the preparations to get it down regularly in the approved method went on with renewed vigor.- Eight mortar boats were soon in position and engaged in throwing 13-inch shell.

Lieut. Bishop disgusted at the bad taste of the rebels who did not wish to communicate with so gallant and good-looking officer, by permission of the flag-officer and Capt. Phelps, he opened directions by guns of the [Benton’s] rifled 74; with such style that the rebels ran from the work and their flag was covered with dirt and mud.

The firing was kept up steadily though slow until 5 P. M.  The mortars exploding 210 shells and the Benton 41.  The heart of every man in the flagship was saddened by sympathy with the grief of our beloved flag officer Foote, who received by the dispatch boat at noon intelligence of the death of his second son, a lad of 13 years, of exceeding promise, of whose illness the Commodore had no previous intelligence. – To-morrow will see the reduction of one or more of the enemy’s works and the close investment of the whole.

The place is very strong – four our point of view we could see forty-four guns in position and negroes were busily at work on the battery out of our reach, on which to-morrow we shall probably find heavy guns mounted.  With all these notes of preparation and all these premonitions of a hard fight, some incredulous people will suspect that the troops marching across the woods from Island No. 10, to Maryweather’s landing on the Mississippi below Point Pleasant, a distance of only 5 miles from the Island over a practicable road, and that when they are embarked on the fleet of boats, the smoke of which has plainly been seen all day at Maryweather’s, we shall find the next empty and the river clear of rebels to Randolph of Fort Pillow.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4

Captain Porter’s Atlantic Mortar Expedition -- The Rendezvous At Key West

(Key West Correspondence Boston Journal.)

The steamer Harriet Lane, Lieutenant, Wainwright commanding, arrived here on the 27th, bringing Commander Porter of the mortar flotilla.  On her passage from New York she captures a brig called the Joanna Ward, with a cargo of coffee and cigars, from Matanzas, and bound into any Southern port where she could run the blockade.  Her officers and crew were taken prisoners, and a prize crew placed on board the brig, which was sent to Philadelphia.

All but one of the mortar schooners of Commander Porter’s flotilla have arrived here, and all but one have come into port in excellent condition.  The schooner “Norfolk Packet” fired her mortar on the passage to try its range and effect upon the vessel.  With a full charge of twenty pounds of powder, a thirteen inch shell weighing two hundred pounds was thrown two-and-a-half miles, and exploded with a bursting charge of six pounds, the mortar having an elevation of forty-five degrees.  The hull of the vessel was not affected the least, but the shock of the discharge was so great as to shatter the light wood work and cause considerable commotion among the furniture and other portable articles.  A few doses of these thirteen inch pills dropped into a rebel fortification or town will be likely to produce something of a sensation among the confederates.

There have been several fine exhibitions of boat practice since the fleet arrived here. – Forty were out at one time under Lieutenant Queen, commanding the second division, and drilled in the necessary movements for attacking the enemy.

Since the arrival of Commander Porter the Greatest activity has prevailed in the squadron.  The commander has worked earnestly and unceasingly in perfecting the details of the expedition, visiting all the vessels and personally inspecting the men at the mortar and broadside guns.  The flotilla is a most complete navy in itself, and everything pertaining to the vessels and their armament is trim and neat as if the officers and men had a naval experience of years instead of weeks.  I have no desire to raise false hopes in the public mind, but I have every reason for re-affirming what was intimated in a former letter, that a terrible blow, the greatest yet dealt, is soon to be struck against the rebels on the Gulf coast. – The flower of the United States navy is now concentrated in these waters, and all that fine  ships, formidable and effective batteries, skillful and gallant officers and brave seamen can do, will soon be done to crush out this infamous and already too long-lived rebellion.

As I stated in my letter of yesterday, the mortar flotilla is all in the harbor, and expected to have left this morning (5th inst.)  We had a fine breeze during the night, but when the signal gun was fired at 6 o’clock this morning ordering the fleet to weigh anchor and get under way, it was perfectly calm, and consequently the vessel did not sail.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

From Island No. 10

CAIRO, March 18. – A messenger just from Island No. 10, says that our boats kept up a short range fire on the enemy’s works all day yesterday.  The rebels have six batteries on the Tennessee shore.  Our mortar boats kept firing every half hour during the night.  One shell from a rebel battery struck the Benton, killing one and wounding seven others.

A rifled gun on the St. Louis bursted killing one of the crew.  The St. Louis was struck several times.

The enemy is very strongly fortified and have a large number of batteries on the main land.

The shells from the mortars fall in the enemy’s batteries on the Island every time.

All the mortar boats here are to leave for the Island.

The gunboat Cincinnati received a shot which is said to have done some damage to her machinery.

The bursting of the gun on the St. Louis killed one, mortally wounded two and severely wounded several others.

The previous report that one was killed and several wounded on the flag ship is contradicted.  No damage was done to any other of the boats.

Nothing has been heard from the land forces at New Madrid yet.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Iron-clad Gunboats

No arm of the national service has done such good work and brought about so successful results since the war commenced as the iron clad gunboats.  And the only objection which can be found to the recent appropriation of ten millions of dollars by Congress for the purpose of increasing our navy in this direction is, it is too small.  These boats are not hereafter to be viewed in the light of an experiment.  They have been tried, and the trial has been more than satisfactory.  And what is not a little singular, while England has made such an ado over her iron-clad ships, we have put iron plated vessels to the test of an actual fight before her.  It is not to be wondered that the rebels of Kentucky and Tennessee dread Commodore Foote’s little fleet, for the power of offensive and defensive operations evinced by the gunboats, was something entirely new in the history of naval battles.  During the attack on Fort Henry a 128 pound ball struck the Cincinnati and although the vessel trembled from stem to stern, the plates turned the ball aside and it did no damage.  And the only balls which found their way into the boats were those which struck where there was no casing.

Our naval architects have always favored the plating of gunboats and small vessels rather than frigates, and as the event has proved with good reason.  The British frigate Warrior leaked badly on her trial trip and the French frigate La Gloire, which has already cost a mint of money had to be stripped of her armor for the same reason and some new arrangement of the plates to be tried.  But our gunboats are open to no such objections of this kind and seem destined to become the most important and popular branch of our naval service.  Several vessels of this class are now in process of construction and it is expected that in a few months we shall have on the ocean a fleet of twenty iron-clad, light draft gunboats, besides those on the western waters.  This will do very well for a beginning, but congress should see to it that we have more of them built immediately.  If we don’t need them to crush out the rebellion, we may want them to look after the allies in Mexico, and it would be well to have them ready.

Great expectations are also placed on the operations of the new mortar boats, which are yet to be tried.  They carry heavier guns than the gunboats, higher placed and more of them, and will, it is expected prove of much more value in attacking strong fortifications, and those considerably elevated above the water, like the defences of Columbus.  The mortars they carry will throw a 13-inch shell three miles, and at this distance the boats themselves would present no available mark for ordinary guns, so that they would be almost out of the reach of danger while themselves dealing out death and destruction.  There are two mortar fleets already constructed – one on the western waters, which seems likely to be tried soon at Columbus, and the other under the command of Com. Porter, which has gone round to Ship Island.  New Orleans may receive a visual from both of these fleets soon, and if she is wise she will not withstand their battering powers.  If, after trial, these boats prove useful as the iron-clad gunboats, the rebels have nowhere any fortifications that can stand against them and it would be fool hardiness to attempt resistance when their guns are brought to bear.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

The four mortar boats which left Cairo . . .

. . . on Friday last for the Upper Cumberland were obliged to return, because the two steamers which attempted to tow them were not sufficiently powerful.  One of them was left behind, and the other three were started for their destination the same evening, each towed by a steamer. – Difficulty had been experienced in finding mechanics sufficiently skillful to place the mortars in position, and Mr. W. H. Osborne, President of the Illinois Central, generously placed at the disposal of the Government fifty of the best machinists in the Company’s shops at Chicago. – There is now a prospect that all the boats, thirty-eight in number will soon be ready for service.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 2