The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-06-14

eXplpued, tearing great holes all around,
and wounding several men There we're
a variety of shot, she'll, &C., struck us
III various places, but the above were
most destruc i've. 1t is remarkable that
we did not receive more damage, when
we consider .Ac number of missiles which
flew around us. While We were coming
up from The forts to engage the enemy,
The Varuna passed MS, (shc being very
FAST when large transport steamboat,
with a large number of troops, wi h bay
oncts fixed, bore down 10 board her, but
the V. was on her guard, aud received
her with Il terrible raking charge of
grape and canister. The effect can be
imagined, when we consider how close
the men were together. She immc-
diatcly went down the river, and the
groans issuing from her were awful AS
soon as she got abreast of us, we poured
in whole broadsidc, which speedy
ended all on board, as she sunk almost
Immediately. The next the Varuna
encountered was the Ram. He made
for the Varuna, and with serious effect,
knocking hole in her, which caused
her to fill rapidly and sink. AS soon as
it was discovered she was sinking she
headed for the shore, firing all The time.
Her stern soon sc tied down in deep
water, leaving her bow out of water, but
she never once ceased firing from her
toward guns. We took her crew Oh
board. Old Ram next prepared to sink
IL C., -,
by shccring little we cvaded him, and
as we passed him $50 close that you
might have drown brick on board) we
gave him one gun af ct another, until he
was helpless wreck drifting down at
the mercy Of cur vessels. The Alssis-
sippi made fast to him, and towcd him
ashore and fired him. So ends the Ram.
The Star of he West and w. II. Webb,
the largest Of the G. S. A. vessels, were
soon disposed of by our vessels. The
former was commanded by Beverly Ken
non, late lieutenant in the L. S. Navy.
AS his vessel passed us, our first lieu
'enant (who had been shipmatc with him)
hailed him, calling him mean, traitor
Gus scoundrcl, and dared him to fire, but
he did not respond, We then gave him
a broadsile, and went on our way. He
was taken prisoner, and | believe all
hands were lost Or taken prisioners.-
While the Hartford was before the forts
she came foul of Il raf', Of which there
was qui c number, and in getting clear
of it fire ship very nearly got afoul of
her, She was in most perllous situa-
ton, being under heavy fire from both
forts, but escaped with comparatively
little loss. Our deck presented light
which beegars description dismembcred
bodies, broken hammers, and shot, pieces
of she'll, and splinted wood lying around
in awful confusion. | now have con-
cepton of what war is. Yet amidst all
these horrors you would have been aston
ishcd TO see with what GOODNESS we all
bore it. We knew we had achieved a
great victory, and that knowledge bin
ded US TO the horrible scenes which were
before our eyes. went down to the
fore hold to see the wounded there were
twenty six some seriously. one mortally,
and a number Sigh ly, and two scrcrcly
scared. One brave fellow had an arm
and leg carried away, and he was alter
nately hurrahing for thcUnion, and beg
ging the surgeon to give him something
to put an end to his life, and so alleviate
his sutEerings. He lived about an hour,
and with his las; breath said in faint
voice, Uurrah for the Union :" So
ended the life of brave fellow he was
only twenty years of age. His name was
Nelson n. Bowling Another, Joua-
than Roberts, displayed the utmost
courage. He had his left arm awfully
shattered he walked wi hout assistance
to The surgeon, and held out his arm,
saying, {: Doctor cut it Off" lie refused
to take any stimulent, and, afcr having
it cut off, walked 10 a cot, and was he'll
ped in-hc never once gave any signs of
fear or pain. | saw him next day. lie
said he suffered considerable pain, but
that was nothing compared with what
other men had suffered in the war
Such arc the men who compose the navy,
and hunt the world you will not find a
Drawer, more determined, or liberal set
Of men.
After lying At anchor until | l o'clock
A. NJ. to clear up the wreck, VIC again
got under way and proceeded up the
river. At 10 p. NJ. we anchored again.
Next morning, FRIDAY, 25th,) at 4.3O A.
NJ, The fleet got under way again. We
expected to receive a warm reception at
English Turn, 1t being generally sup
posed it was strongly fortified, this beng
the place where the English were dcfea-
ted in 1915: but we passed without any
adventure After passing the turn, and
when within about seven miles of the
city, we were signalled to prepare for
action, there being batteries here for the
protection of the advances of the city,
We soon run up, and then we had
pocket cdi,i Of the day before. The
engagement only lasted forty minutes,
but in that short time the batteries were
silenced, and the troops from the camp
could be seen leaving, like leaves before
the wind. We were struck several
times with rifle she'll and shot, but sus-
tanned no loss of life. During the two
engagements we expended 800 rounds of
ammunition, consisting of shell, canister,
grape, and rifle shot. The Hartford ex-
pended 1870 rounds, the Brooklyn 200,
and the Richmond 1877.
a. 50 l,o,, l. = -, ,>,,,al IL tto,a