Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-10-28
S. W. Pass OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
0nfOhar IA 1881

October 10, 1881.
SIR: have the b ouor TO make the follow
ing report; At S:45 A. NJ, October q, 1861
while ths watch on deck were employed il
taking coal on board from the schooner Jo
seph 81. TOone, ram was discovered in close
proximity TO this ship. By the time the
alarm could be given, she had struck the
ship abreast Of the pert fore chsnnels, tear.
ing the schooner from her festsnings, and
forcing S hole through the ships side
Passizs, aft, slsv-TuuI endeavOFea to ehect a
breach in the ships side, Out failed. Three
plsnks in the ships side were stove in about
two feet below the water line, making hole
about Eve inches in circu nference. At the
6rst alarm, the crew promptly and coolly
repaired to their quarters, and ss the ram
passed abreast of the snip, tbs entire port
battery was discharged at her, with what
effect It was impossible to discover, owing to
the darkness. A red light was shown as a
signal of danger, and the SQUADRON was
under way In very few minutes, having
slipped their cables. / ordered the Preble
and Yincennes to proceed down the South
West Pass, while I covered their retreat,
which they did at about 4so A. II. At
this time, three large fire RATS, stretching
across the river, were rapidly nearing us,
while several larger steamers end 2 bark
rigqed propeller were seen aste-o OF them.
The squadron proceeded down the river in
the following order: First the Preble, Sec
ond the Vincennes, third, the Richmond,
fourth the Water Witch with the prize
schooner FFolie in tow. Whe2 abreast of
the pilot settlement, the pilot Informed me
that he did not consider it safe TO venture to
turn this ship in the river, but that he be.
lieVed he could pass over the bEr. eccord-
ingly attempted TO pass over the Ear with the
squadron, but in the passage tbs Yincennes
and Richmond grounded, Wills the Preble
went over clear. This occurred about o.
clock, and the enemy, who were down the
river with the fire steamers, commenced
firing at US, while we returned he FIRE from
our port battery and rihed gun en- the poop,
our shot, however, falling short o. the enc
my, while their shell burst on all sides of US
and several passed directly over the ship.
At $50 Commander Handy o. the Vim
cennes, mistaking my signal to the ships out
side the bar, TO get under way, for a signal
tor him to abandon his ship, came on board
the Richmond with all his officers and a
larpe number of the crew, TIE remainder
having gone on board the Weter Witch
Capt. Handy before leaving his ship had
placed lighted slow match at the magazine.
Having waited reasonable tine for an ex-
plosion, / directed Commander Esndy to re-
turn to his ship, with his crew, to start his
water, and, if necessary, at bis own request
70 throw OVERHEARD his small Guns, for the
purpose Of tightening bis ship, and to carry
out his kedge with 4 cable to heava of by.
At 10 A. N. the enemy ceased firing, and
withdrew up the river. During ths engage
ment q shell entered our qCa7te- port, and
one Of the boats was stove by another shell.
I have this morning succeeded in getting
l this ship over the bar. The Mcclellan and
South Carolina sFe using all eIertions to get
the Vincennss of. The Nightingale is hard
and fast ashore at the end Of the bar. l have
succeeded in reduping the less Of this ship
80 that our small engines keep tie ship free,
This is only temporary, and lie ship will
have 70 90 some place and have three
planks put in. l have received rife guns
and placed the 32-pOunder on tie forecasIle,
and the l2-poundeF on the poop. Could |
have possibly managed this ship in any
other way than keeping her head up and
down the river, would have stopped at Pi-
lot Town to give battle, but THE was found
too hazardous, owing 70 her extreme length,
The attempt was made, bu. e broadside
could not be brought TO bear without run
ming the ship ashore. I then concluded. as
advised, to start for the bar, and trust TO tie
chance of finding water enough 10 cross.
In nRrrating the affair Of TIE river, 1 omit
ted to state that the ram Eunk cue Of our
large cutters, and q shot from the enemy
s.oEe the gig.
lam pleased to say that the Fineennes is
ahoat, and at anchor outsids on my star
board quarter. The Master Of the Fightin-
gale win deliver 30 tons of cosl to the Nc
Clellan. This, together With what will
take out, viii, trust tighten her 30 that
we can haul her of.
Very respectfully,
JOHN POPE, Captain.
To Flag Officer WN A. AoKEAN.