New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-14

naturally from her size, and tie conspicuous part
she took in the fight, was made the target Tor Tie
ncentrsted FIRE Of all the guns that could be broashs
% bear on her. She was oflener struck than any
other vessel and the comparatively slight mortality
among her men must he attributed in slight ex.
tent 70 her very high bulwsrks, but is principally
owing to her admirable handling BY her officers who
never permitted her to get INFO position whore sbe
could be raked by the shore batteries.
The Bienville was in the hottest Of the action,
approaching nearer 10 the shore than any other Of
tie feet and being punished for her temeriiy accord
ngly. Sc was struck by five shots, but one Of
which inflicted serious damage, though the others
struck tie rigging cutting oil the shrouds, ETC., but
u.iciins no injury tia; cannot be repaired without
aking her into dock. One shot from one Of the
heavy coumbiads Of Hilton Head struck her on tbe
stsrboard bow. This shot killed two men and
wounded three Others. The injury TO the ship vas
not considerable beyond performing her side, which
hole was plugged up. The gunbost PEseviS. was
struck in her steam chest which exploded thus req
derirg the vessel incapable Of action. Fortunately
no one was scalded by the steam, and abe was
quickly taken in tow by the Isaac Smith, and led
cut Of range.
Besides these specially mentioned, most Of the feet
suffered bus not considerably; in fact, not vessel.
save the Penguin, was incspacitaled fer immediate
service or 50 far injured that her own crew cannot
put Der in readiness for sction at once.
The Pawnee was struck nine times, and the Mo-
hicsn also received a number Of shots. These two
were the most cut up of any Of the smaller vessels Of
The feet The Ottawa. Seneca, Ysndalia, Seminole.
Susquehanns, Pocahontas, and Augusta, all were
several times hit, bu, none were disabled. This ap-
parent lack Of execution, when the shots so many
times struck the vessels arises from the fact that,
either The rebels puVosey aimed high for the pur-
pose Of breaking tie walking beams and 30 crippng
the engines Of such of our vessels as could thus 30
disabled; or from the fact that not deemng it possi-
bic that we would have the temerity TO engage them
az hundred yards instead Of two or three miles tho
guns were all sighted for the longest range and they
consequently carried over snd clear Of the bulls Of
our Ships aud only cut The upper rigging. Ofcourse,
II would have been easy for them 20 have 30 altered
the elevation Of the guns as 10 bring them TO bear on
our ships, even at the unexpectedly short distance
they took up; but either the guuuers had not the
requisite skill, did not get the orders or had 80 far
o, their presence of mind as to render impossible
for them to obey, for certain It Is that they by no
means made the best use of their guns and probable
it is that in the bands Of their new masters the iron
dogs of war" when again " let slip will cry
" Havoc" to much more effective purpose than
when under rebel misdirection.
Probably there was never a naval, or SEMI
naval engagement like this where ships for so many
hours sustained fire so heavy, and at such short
range without being much more damaged than tbess
Of ours have been. The hope and intention Of oar
enemy 10 sink our fleet in 2OmDutos was, considering
the weight of the huge Rebel guns, their number.
and their admirable position which renderedit possible
TO concentrate the tire Of 30 guns on single ship.
by ne means an unquestionablo one. l venture TO
say that another action, fought under similar con-
di.ions. with our artillerists to handle the shore
batteries, would result much dsstrousy to the
navy.
yAGARIES OF THE SHOT.
Some Of the shots played queer Pranks. One solid
Coumbiad shot Of 1870 pounds weight rcocheted four
times after striking the water, and then seemed
about to pass through the Bienyile just above the
wa,er-ine, when it suddenly took flying leap clean
over the latter ship passing 10 or y feet above her
decks, and struck the Augusta, which lay 20 or 10
yards beyond the Bienye.
BEHAVIOR OF OUR MEN.
But very few of our sailors had ever been 10 &c
ton before owing to the peaceful condition OF our
National affairs OF late yean, which have entsiled
no wars on us; but cannot learn that single man
hinohed or faltered. Several Of the captains have
told me that they now look upon their already
veterans in point of bravery cooness aud utter in
difference to danger.
A BRAVE BOY.
On almost every vessel after the fight, the men
were called AFT and publicly thanked by their rs-
spective Captains On the ship Bienyille, particular
mention was made and special thanks returned, in
presence Of the ships company 10 William Henry
Steele, boy not II years old who conducted him
self with distinguished bravery. He is powder
bow. and not only never 1inchei or lodged shot,
but when two men were killed at bis gun he did not
turn pale or cease fer an instant bis duties, but
handed tue cartridge he bad in hand TO the gunner.
stepped carefully the bodies and fastened below
for more ammunition. Young Steele, is smart set
i've. intelligent boy from Williamsburg N. Y.
where his parents live He cannot fail to make such
sailor as his country will yet be very proud OF.
PLUCk.
The case Of Thomas jackson, coxswain Of the Wa
bash deserves notice. He was struck by shot, or
splinter which 40 nearly cut his Leg of as to leave
il hanging but by a small portion OF the muscle and
skin Partially riaing and leaning painfully against
gum jackson glanced at bis maDged limb, apd, in
an instant perceived its hopeless condition. Feeling
behind his back in his belt, where seamen always
carry their knives, he drew his sheahknife fom It's
leather scabbardand deliberately began 10 saw away
at his leg, but the knife dull and he could nos
cut the limb of. As be was borne below by his
mates and sfterward, he asked continually how the
light Wac going, and kept saying " hope We Il win
II hnre ell vim In two hours he died biz lass