|
Mon May 25 1863 CMDR Andrew A Harwood, Potomac Flotilla, writes SECNAV "I enclose herewith the certificate of capture by the guard vessel at Piney Point of the sutler schooner Mignonette, for having on board of her articles not contained in her manifest contrary to the stipulation contained in her permit. The Mignonette arrived at the yard this morning in tow of the Reliance, and her papers have been forwarded to the district attorney." In a second letter he writes "The Ella arrived this morning with the schooner Emily, loaded with miscellaneous cargo, a certificate of capture of which is herewith enclosed. She was taken by the Currituck, Anacostia, and Satellite on the 21st instant, 10 miles above Urbana, on the Rappahannock. On the approach of our vessels the Emily was set fire to and abandoned by her crew, who succeeded in escaping to the shore. The fire was extinguished with very little damage to the vessel, and at the time it had just
reached the cargo. No papers were found on board, but by the remarks on the log slate and the charts found on board, it is ascertained that she came from New York and was probably commanded by John Sanford. A copy of the log slate is herewith enclosed. Acting Master Linnekin in his report mentions that the day previous to the capture our cavalry had been about a mile above Monaskon wharf and burned a large quantity of goods."
RADM Samuel P Lee, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron writes CDR R T Renshaw"Your report of the late naval operations at Washington, N. C., during the siege of that place has given me great satisfaction. I have transmitted it to the Department and have availed myself of the opportunity to commend the excellent judgment and prudence displayed by you in the trying position in which you were placed." Similar letters are sent to LT Saltonstall and MacDiarmid
RADM Theodorus Bailey East Gulf Blockading Squadron writes Master Edgar Van Sice "So soon as the vessel under your command is ready for sea, you will proceed with her to cruise to the northward and westward of the Tortugas. The general limits of your cruising ground will be between 25° and 26° 30' north latitude and between 83° and 84° 30' west longitude, although in chase of anything there are no limits other than the jurisdiction of foreign governments. You will be vigilant to overhaul and examine all vessels you may fall in with, and to seize and send in for adjudication all such as may have violated the blockade or as may afford a reasonable ground of presumption that they intend doing so. You will put into the Tortugas for supplies of coal and water, until obliged to return to this port for provisions. The quartermaster at Fort Jefferson has been directed by the commanding general to furnish you with these articles. While cruising you will be as economical with your coal as is consistent with an instant readiness to chase any vessel that may come in sight, with a view to remaining as long as possible at sea."
LCDR John G Walker, USS Baron De Kalb writes RADM David D Porter, Mississippi Squadron, "I have the honor to report that in obedience to your order I started from Snyders Bluff on the 20th instant with the De Kalb, Choctaw, Forest Rose, Linden, and Petrel on an expedition to Yazoo City. Arriving at Haynes Bluff, I landed a force and spiked an 8-inch gun in the works there, and burned the carriage. I also burned some forty tents left standing, and a steam sawmill. Arriving at Yazoo City at 1 p. m., on the 21st instant, I was met by a committee of citizens, who informed me that the place had been evacuated by the military authorities, and asking protection. Enclosed I send copies of communications received, and my reply. The navy yard and vessels had been fired by the enemy, and I sent a working party to ensure the destruction of everything valuable to the rebels. The vessels burned were the Mobile, a screw vessel ready for her plating; the Republic, which I understand was being fitted for a ram, and the vessel on the stocks, a monster, 310 feet long and 70 feet beam. The navy yard contained five saw and planing mills, an extensive machine shop, carpenter and blacksmith shops, and all the necessary fixtures for a large building and repairing yard, which, with a very large quantity of lumber, were burned. I also burned a large sawmill a little above the town. Most of the public stores had been removed. Such as I found in town were taken on board the vessels or destroyed. Enclosed I send the lists of articles removed or destroyed by Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Brown, the officer detailed for that purpose. In the hospitals I found and paroled 115 soldiers, a list of whom I enclose. Returning, I left Yazoo City this morning, arriving here at 4 p. m. At Liverpool Landing, in a sharp bend of the river, we were attacked by a force of three field guns and about 200 riflemen concealed in the bushes, and for a few minutes the firing was very sharp. The enemy retreated as soon as the vessels got into position to use their guns with effect. The Petrel, Linden, and Choctaw were struck by shot, but with no particular injury to either. Sergeant Stockinger, of this vessel, was killed by a rifle shot. The Linden had 5 wounded, the Petrel 2, and the Choctaw 1; most of the wounds, I am happy to say, are slight."
LT Smith, USS Linden writes RADM Porter, " I have the honor of reporting to you that while on our way down from Yazoo City this 8 a. m., and near the town Liverpool, in company with the Baron De Kalb, Choctaw, Forest Rose, and Petrel, the Petrel leading the advance was fired into by a battery and infantry from the Mississippi side. We being the second in line, immediately opened on them with shell and canister, also with sharpshooters. We were struck four times from the batteries. One rifled shot, 12-pounder, I think, lodged on our berth deck, one shell exploded on our port quarter gangway, carrying away a boat davit. The infantry fired into us very briskly. Our cabin, wardroom, etc., are riddled with their balls. We expended 39 rounds of shell and canister and quite a large amount of small-arms cartridges. We had two captains of guns, soldiers belonging to the Fifty-eighth Ohio Regiment, dangerously wounded. W. C. Perry, first assistant engineer, and W. A. Seagrave, quartermaster, slightly. The soldiers were left on board the U. S. hospital boat City of Memphis, now lying at Chickasaw Bayou."
MGEN Grant,USA writes MGEN Sherman, USA "By an agreement entered into between the major-general commanding and Lieutenant-General Pemberton, commanding Confederate forces in Vicksburg, there will be a suspension of all hostilities for two hours and a half, to commence at 6 p. m. to-day, during which time you will send and bury our dead and gather in any of our wounded we have in front of your line."
|