Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-28
FEDERAL REPORTS OF TEE BOBE.
Z q asgsEEEE - EEESENskaAA.

N -
steam al ready to move in at short notice
About h~alf-past nine we could sec the steamer
coming down to the Navy Yard, little suspectin,
that their doom was sealed. In a very shOI
time they were fast 80 the dock, and at JUS
twelve minutes of ten o'clock we saw a smok
issue from Fort Pickens, and heard the boomin,
of a gun. A cheer burst forth from our men
and If ever a ships anchor came up lively, j
was ours then. In order to bring our gun
within range, il WAS necessary for us to run int
very shoal water, and consequently it requires
the utmos caution in working the ship. Eve
with a perfectly smooth sea there would be onl,
twenty inches of water under our keel, and if i
should begin to blow, or "a heavy swell set in, j
was Necessary for us to have the ship in such
position that we could easily run into deepe
water. While working our way in, the Rich
mond came up under our stern, and as she draw
less water than we do, the commodore ordered
her to 60 in and open fire as soon as she wa,
within range. She passed by US, tookup a posi-
ton nearer to the land, and opened fire. W.
kept on steadily until we thought that we were
within range, and then came to anchor.
Our first shot was from the eighty four pound
ri1ed, and it told with very good effect. The
next was from an eleven inch gun, but it fel
short. A few more were fred, but with much
the same result. Finding that ne were too fal
off, a boat was sent out in charge of the master.
in order to sound, and having found that we
could get in somewhat closer Without the water
shoaling much more, we hove up anchor and
ran in about One-fourth Of q mile further. Dur
ing the time that our boat was cut sounding,
several of their shots came very near it, but for
~tunately none hit. We now again opened fire
from ou brOadside guns, and this time to some
purpose. Almost every shot told, aud there
must have been a fearful scattering Of pieces, as
our shells exploded over their heads. l do not
think there was ever any target practice in the
navy that an SHOW such a record OfeffeCtive shots.
The rebels were constantly throwing shot at US,
and seemed to be either Increasing the charge oil
powder or else getting more elevation, tor their
shot gradually came nearer, though 1t was not
until late in the afternoon that We were struck.
BY twelve o'clock both the Richmond and
Niagara, together with the guns bearing from
Fort Pickens and Battery Scott, were all playing
into Fort McRae and It's surrounding batteries.
We averaged one shell every three minutes, and
as the Richmond had more guns, though smaller,
and more than our number of guns were being
served from Santa Rosa, there were about two
shells each minute being fred at this point.
About one o'clock a firing commenced from a
masked battery which disclosed itself in the
woods along the shore, and about a mile south
of Fort McRae. They seemed to hay5 a peculiar
spite against us by the pertinacity with which
they fred at us but finding that they could not
reach US, they turned their attention 10 the Rich
mOnd, which was nearer il shore. Many OF
their shot care very close TO the latter, and had
they been well directed, would have done a great
deal of damage. Only one took effect, however,
and l regret TO record that this killed one man
and wounded seven. The man killed was cap
tain Of the gun, and was in the act Of taking aim
when struck. The wounded were but slightly
hurt. The battery of the Richmond was now
brought 10 bear upon the hidden rebels, but | do
not think it did much execution, as most of her
shot were seen to fall short. About Ave o'clock
she hauled out.
At two o'clock a shell from one of our guns
set IRE to a franz house in the rear of MeRae,
and much OF the time the fort has been enyeloped
n a cloud Of smoke. Soon after this fire broke
oVt their flagstaff was shot away, and the sym
Dol Of tresehe-y aEe down by the run. Suisse
luently it was raised again.
About three o'clock one or two shots passed
over US and dropped into the water, and by the
lote which they sang as they passed we knew
they haa turned some heavier metal uponu us.
Two or three of our guns wGre directed 10 the
spOt whence the smoke was seen TO issue, and il
hey treated Us to music we returned the compi-
nent with interest. They succeeded in planting
.wo shots in our sides, making rather ugly holes,
md upsetting things in one OF the Eeutenants
By six o'clock we must have dismOunted
he gun, Tor ct that time McRae ceased firing
altogether, and for one hour and a half We tum-
shell after shell inside of her walls without
my response. We could hardly believe that We
lad silenced them so soon, but thought that they
must be at work preparing some larger gun for
,ur benefit.
We ceased firing at half past FIVE, it having
become too dark to get good aim. Our whole
of shell fred was one hundred aud
of these, forty-three were filed with
and-an eEpedient sometimes used in preaching
wall. The shots wh.ck sbGck US proved to be
rom an eight inch cOlumbiad. Atsix O'Clock W.
rot up anchor and steamed out to ssfcr anchori
ge, AID Gea al 1au-s -a % hTC cut &6-
hey were very tired and hungry. All begrimm
q and black WitkpowdeT, our nOstTils filed with
moke and heads hearty splitting with 50 much
.oise, We were glad enough 10 go below ard take
little rest, as well as to try the effects of a little
upper. Our men have done nObly; too much
be said in their praise. Once and awhile
would glance towards Pickens, and | could SEES
hat the semicircle OF batteries around her were
up a constant explosion OF shell over her
oval walls while from out her sides there came
steady stream Of white smoke, and could see
hat the shots took good effect. We had already
aade two good holes il McRae, and Pickens lad
.nOcked a mole that a horse and cart nightenter.
SECOND DAYS DISPATCH.
Fort Pickans opened fire a little after ten.
Ne came TO anchor at forty minutes past ten,
nd fired the hrst gun at a quarter to eleven.
It THE time all toe batteries were hard at work.
There were between forty and fifty guns playing
nto Fort Pickens. As We expected, masked
had disclosed themselves all along the
each.
Our firing was very slow, owing to our inabiii-
Y to reach them, except with the rihed gun
The wind, which was quite strong, was directly
.gainst us, and very much in favor Of the rebels.
The charges of powder were increased from nj
cen to seventeen pounds, and still our shots fell
hort. About a dozen OF their shells have ex-
)!oded quite near enough for comfort. The men
.eem TO have taken matters quite oolly to-day.
As / passed along Inc berth deck / saw many
IF them stretched out, fast asleep, and not q few
back CANNON and checkers. Finding
all our shots fell short, we weighed anchor
Il half past two, and moved in a little closer.
Hardly lad we dropped it before a shot went
Yhizzing in be1ueeE Cur smoke pipes, and
in the water hal. a l4i,5 .4e other side
us. Immediately there came another snG
then another, and while they came over US thick
and fast, our guns returned the compliment.
But i yes no use, our shots all fell snort. The
wind was too strong. and our ship was danger
Ously near the bottom.
The charges Of powder were increased to
twenty pounds, FIVE more than the regular charge,
and finding that tia cid US no good, we weigh
anchor and stood out. Even atter We had
moved out a long distance, several shots of this
new gun came directly over our quarter. 1t
could have been no other than a tcn-inch colum-
bad, or else one of the riied l~20-pOunders said
to have be22 brought over by the Bermuda. One
our men says lie COLD hear it say "seceSh,
secesh, secesh, sechong,' as it landed IN the
water. Had one of the secesh villains hit Us, it
would have bored Us through and through.
We got out of their range 1t last, and then We
had the satisfaction of watching the grand CON
If the wind changes and we can get
in. we shall give them an opportunity to try
AGAIN on Monday. We have fred about
shells to-day. No one has been
hurt on our ship.
The Richmond received a serious damage in
the action of Friday, although at the time i was
not considered to be much. A shot struck her
lust above the water line and penetrated the side,
landing ia one of the purser's store rooms. Yes
terday she gained three feet Of water, notwith-
standing the steam pumps were kept in opera
constantly. 1t viii be necessary to send her
TO Kew West. and as she goes to-day, | hasten to
send you this letter, in hopes it may reach you at
aa early date.
I question wdeihsr Col. Brown viii attempt to
do much more. He has eAeot5d bis purpose
that of destroying the winter quartsIz o. tAe
and although they succeeded in putting
the fire in the navy yard, he has shown them