Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-08
NOnTHBBN NEWS.
The Battle OF the Passes

|
OFFICIAL REPORT OF The ATTACK ON THIS NEv
| % ORLEANS BLoCKADING FLEET.
4 UNITED STATES STEAMER RIcHxoxD I
/ S. W. Pass, Mississippi River, Get 49, 1861.
| Sir l have the homer to make the following re
Port: At a quarter to four. A. NJ, October 18th
| 1861 while the watch on deck were employed in
taking coal on board from the schooner Joseph Il
Tocnes a ram was discovered in close proximity to
this ship. By the time the alarm could be given
ahe had struck the ship abreast of the port fore
channels tearing the schooner from her fastenings
and forcing hole through the ships side. Passing
aft the ram endeavOred TO effect breach IN the
stern, but failed. The planks in the ships side
were stove in about two feet below the water line,
making hole about five inches In circumference
At the first alarm the crew promptly and cody re
paired TO their quarters, and as the ram passed
abreast of the ship the entire port battery was dis
charged at her with what effect it is impossible to
discover, owing to the darkness. A red light was
shown as s signal Of danger, and the squadron was
underway in very few minutes, having slipped
their cables. p. ..--.-. ~
the Southwest Pass loLe c0Us-ed their retreat which
they did at about 4:50 A u. At this time three
large fire RATS, stretching aeross the river were
rapidly nearing u.s. while several larger steamers
and bArkFlgged propeller we're seen astefn of
them. The squadron proceeded down the river in
the following order: First the PrebIe second, the
Vincennes; third, the Richmond; fourth, the Water
Witch, with the prize schooner Frolie in tow
When abreast of the pilot settlement the pilot ia
formed me that he did not consider it safe to ven
tJre to turn this ship in the river, but that he
believed he could pass over the bar l accordingly
attempted to pass over the bar with the squadron
but IN the passage the VlneenDes and Richmond
grounded while the Preble went over clear. This
occurred about eight O'Clock, and the enemy, who
were now down the river with the fire steamers /
commenced firing at u.s. while we returned the fire I
from our port battery and rihed gun on the poop
our shot, wever, falling short of the enemy, while
their shell burst on all sides Of US, ana several
passed directly over the ship.
At half>past nine Commander Handy, of the Vim /
cennes nisaking my signal to the ships outside the
bar to get under way for signal for him to sban,
don his ship, came on board the Richmond with all
his Ulcers and large number of the crew, the re
mainder having gone on board the Water Witch
Captain Handy before leaving his ship had placed
lighted slOlc match TO the magazine Having waited
reasonable time for an explosion, directed Com
mander Handy to return TO his ship with his crew,
to start his water and if necessary, at his WI re-
ouest to throw overheard his small guns for the
purpose of tightening his ship, and 10 carry cut his
hedge with cable TO heave of by. At ten A. n Il
the enemy ceased firing and withdrew up the river /
During the engagement a shell entered our quarter
port, and one Of the boats was stove by another
shell.
have this morning succeeded in getting this
ship over the bsr. The Mcclellan and South Caro- l.
lima are using all exertion to get the Vincennes off
The Nightingale is hard and fast bore to the end
of the bar. have succeeded IN reducing the leak
of this ship so that our small crimes keep the ship
free. This is only temporary, and the ship VIII
have to go some place and have three rlanks put
in. have received rifle guns and placed the thir-
tytwo FOUNDER on the fsrecasfle and the twelve
FOUNDER on the poop. Gould 1 have possibly man
aged this ship in any other way than keeping her
head up and down the river, would have stopped 7
1t Pilot town to give bAttle but this found too
owing to her extreme length. The at ;
Tempt was made, but broadsids could not be
brought to besr without running the ship ashore
hen concluded advised to start for the bar, and
rust to the chance of finding water enough to
,ross.
In narrating the affair of the river, omitted to
tate that the ram sunk one of large cutters and
shot from the enemy stove the gig
am pleased to cay the Vincennes is sf1st and ]
It anchor outside of my stsrboard quarter. As !
istant Surgeon Robinson, from the Vincennes, is !
ordered to temporary duty on this ship ASST i
mt Surgeon Howell, condemned by survey, will
eturn in the Mcclellan. The MISTER of the Night h
ngaIe will deliver fifty tons of coal to the MeCiel
an This, together with what will take out. will !
trust tighten her so thst we can haul her off. {
Very respectfully, JOHN PORE, Captain, :
To Flag officer, VIM. A Mexican.