New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-10-21
THE BATTLE OF SOUTHWEST PASS
THE MANASSAS SHARE IN THE EXPLOIT

Particulars by PartiCipator in the Fight
we feel much indebted to the gentleman who
furnishes the following account Of the part taken
BY the steamram Manassas, in the recent attack
upon the enemy's squadron. The position he oecu-
ped in that expedition afforded him opportunities
Of thorough observation, and his account can
therefore be relied en-: /
Amid the many statements published in the city
paners relative 10 the attack OF the 5teamtram Ma
nassas on the enemys feet, on the morning of the
l2rl inst, dare say the public would like to read
a plain account rt The affair." and one that can be
vouched for ny responsible individuals attending
the expedition. With this natural premise, allow
me 70 say that Lieut.. Marley, G. S. N, commanded
the Manassas throughout the time that the vessel
was used by the Confederate authorities.
After leaving the - Jump" and when about six
mics from The enemy, Lieut.. Marley placed Mr.
Austin, the first mate forward with night glass,
the pilot Mr. Mason, abatt the smoke stacks, and
he himself took his position at the after hatch, to
see the orders for steering properly obeyed Mir.
Austin aad Mr.. Hardy received orders from Lieut.
Warley--thc one to report when the enemy was IN
sight the other to be ready to give all possible
speed to the Ram Acting Master Stone was Or
dered to fire rocket at the instant of concusson
These orders were obeyed to the letter.
A 5 soon as the enemy was discovered, DIR. AUSTIN
and the pilot came aft all steam was put on, Lieut.
Marley, Mr., Ansrin and Mr.. Mason got down close
10 the wheel, the after shutters were lowered, ana
ASlS
the shutters for thst purpose.
An instant before the collision a bell was heard
to ring on board the vessel ahead and that was the
only sound or indication of life heard on board the
enemy until the crash of the tmbers, and the
shock that told the Ram had done its WORE. At
that instant the pr!mDg OF the rocket shot back
burning the hand of John McGaVock, petty
officer from the McIae, who was assisting Air.
Stone. Some OF the alter rigging belonging TO tue
attacked ship fell the deck of the Ram, and the
men exclaimed "Ihey've grapped u.s." Lieut..
Marley gave the order to back her, and as soon
rear of her, Mr. Austin said there was another
ship right ahead. The commanding officer gave
the order to 70 ahead and into her, when the Chief
Engineer, MIR. Hardy, reported the starboaFd
Lieutenant Marley then relinquished the ldea OF
running into the vessel ahead, and gave orders
to make the best way possible up the river Kun.
ming with one engine, as the Ram was, she quic hy
swung with her head up stream. compass was
carried forward by the pilot, who passed WORD
along how to steer. AS the Ram crept slowly up
the river the enemy commenced firing at very
short range but their shots went over or missed
altogether, except one of the twenty-nin tired
This one shot struck her bow, and shot either
shattered her little yaw or it was crushed IN the
collision When the firing ceased, and not before
the forward shutters were thrown back for air and
draught. Mr. Austin went on deck without inter
ference from the commanding officer, and IN mo
ment came back 10 the hatch and said to Lieut.
Marley, I've found out what makes her go sc
slow: one of the stacks was towing overheard, ant
/ cut it away The Ram having but one engine
and her nose being slowed to one side, as after
wards discovered, constantly came to against {
starbard helm and finally when a short distance
above the tire-barges, tOwed by the watson, sht
ran ashore. The Ivy came and tried to get her oil
parted two hnwseIs and gave it up. The Calhoun
then came and hauled her off, but the Ram agail
getting on shore, the Calhoun left, taking Lieut.
Marley in her. The Manassas was atterWard
pulled of and towed up the river by the Watson
under the command of Acting Llcnt AVerett' lhi
is what did happen on board the Manassas; siVih
no undue credit, taking from no one that ue
Iroa from oil M liShmnnt9.
one who has read the account OF the Ventures0nl
affair given in some of the city papers, should, /
common justice TO all concerned, read TINS uhVal
niShed unpreiudiced and unromantlc statemeh
which is given by one accompanying the eXped
ton, as l have before said Some erroneousi
hold the opinion that all the crew on board wer
employed by Capt: Stevenson. Ihe al Wnole M con- oa
pany, thirty. eight in number, was made up pa
tally from the original crew, and the remalnds
were volunteers chosen by Lieut.. Narley from I'll
ever-ready men Of the McRae jackson, Ivy al
Calhoun.
PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR.-Every planter shou
look well to his hogs and see that he has a lars
stock for next year. If the blockade is not opene
and we cannot see the most distant hope of it, &C
ton cannot be sold, and but little Of it will
raised. Planters must of necessity turn their q
tention to the raising OF grain, pork beef, mutto
WOOL sugar, etc.--articles that will sell, and e
able them to live and pay their taxes. Sheep
we'll here il they provided with sheds to shelf
them from the wet in the winter when the fleece
be wanted. We must prepare for next year,
every circumstance indicates there will be
peace until we conquer the North, and that W
have to be done by an invasion of the enem,
country. We must therefore be ready for Vs'
Gus campaign next year [Vcksburg Wing.
Ok DIrs.-The Richmond correspondent of
Charleston Mercury, of q recent date, says
Among the on dts and floating rumors, m
mention the following: Gen. Wise is dangerous
sick; Gen. Toombs is said to have said there v
be no fight at. Manassas until next spring; there
enough tobacco in England to last two years !
thousand bales of cotton are at certain port
Florida waiting for the Yankees; we had ri
sharp storm of wind and rain last night.
The News, published at Cynthiana, hy
been suppressed and its editor arrested and
prtsoned, on charge Of recruiting for the Cont
erat army. --
FRENCH WApDED DJAcKETs.-Messrs. y, Ialam
Dsssornmes & Co.. No Magazine street, offer splenoa Il
French wadded jackets which would answer aafnr""'S
uniforms Tor active SERVICE Those companies VINO "'e