The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-10-28

Two New Orle... Naval En.nsenens.

CAPTAIN PorE's OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
.UrTED STATES SrRAMHE KIoHMosD,C
RW. Pass mIssIssirrI RIVER, Oct. Is, 1861
An--I have tho honor TO make the following
rport AT quarter 10 four A. M October
II, 1861, while the watch on deck wore en-
ploy cd in taking coal On board from the schoOn-
g Joseph ii. Toone, q ram was discovered in
closo proximity to this ship. by the time the
alarm could 10 given she had struck the ship
abreast Of thu POrt. fore channels, tearing the
echG0Hr from her hstanings, AMI fotciDg hole
through the ships side. Passing aft, the ram
sndssyocd 70 effect . breach in the stern,
but failed. Three plahlls in tho ships sids were
stove in about two feet below the water line,
making hole about five inches in eircumfsr-
eIco. A. tho first Alsrm, the crew promptly
and coolly repaired 10 their quarters, and As
the IAN passed abreast Of the ship tss entire
port battery was discharged Of her, with what
effect II il impossible To discover, owing TO the
darkress. A red Light WAS SHOWN as a sigual
OF danger, and tho squadron WA under way in
. very few minutes, having clipped their cables
ordered the Prebls and Vincennes to proceed
down the Southwest PASs, while covered their
retreat, wSich they did at Abut 400 A. NJ.
At this time three large fro rafts stretching
across the rlytr, were rapidly approaching u9,
whilo several larger steamers and bark riggel
propeller were ssen Astern Of them. The squad.
ron proceeded down the river in the following
crdori--Pirst, tho Preble: focond, tho Vincennss;
third, Tire Richmond; fourth this Water Witch,
with the prize schooner Frolc in tow. WhsH
abreast Of the pilot settlement the pilot informed
Inc that he did not consiter ii safe TO venture to
turn this ship in the river, bat that he believed
he could pass over tho bar | acco, dinghy at
tempted 10 pass over the bar with the squadron,
but In the passage tho Vincsnnes and Richmond
grounded, while the heble went over clear.
This occurred about eight o'clock, and the enc
my, who were now down the river with the fire
steamers, commenced firing At u.s. while w
returned the fire from our port battery and rihed
gun on the poop-our shot however, falling
short of the enemy, WI ile their she'll burst all
sides Of US, and several passed directly over the
At half past nine Commander Handy, Of the
VinoenDes mistaking my signal TO tho ship
outside the bar " got under way for signal
for him 10 abandon his ship, came on board the
Rlchnond with all his officers aud large num-
Der VI the crew, tho remainder having gone on
board the Water Witch. Captain Handy be-
foro leaving his chip had placed lighted slow
match at the magazine. Having waited rsA'
Sonable time for an explosion, directed Com
mAndsr Handy to roturA to bis ship with hil
Gew, TO start his water, and II necesuy, at his
owH request. TO throw overheard his small guns
for the purpose q Tightening his ship, and 10
carry out his kpdgs with cable 10 heave on
BY. At 10 A. n. the enemy ceased firing and
withdrew up the river. During the engage
nent sAelf entered our quarter port, and enc
q tha boats was stove by another shell.
ship ovsr The bar. Tbs Mcclellan and South
CAioIira arc using AL sxertions TO get the Vim
comes "a. The Nightingls b hard and last
sshoEs 70 The cod q the bar, have succeeded
n reducing Tie Leak 4 this hip 20 that "a