The New York herald., 1862-09-22
MIERESIIIc laval KW2
Operations Of the United States 6teaa
Gunboat Essex.

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Government Acknowledges the Services
Of Commodore Porter,
u, TO-. -
or BoARD UmsD SrAus GuNsoAr Essu,l
Orr Nxw oslsASs, Sept. ., 1862.
Hos. GIDsor wsILks, Secretary Of tho Navy
Sm-I have the honor to report that ON the 3sd uls
having remained OF the city OF Baton Rouge two days
after Its evacuation BY troops, proceeded up IL
river 70 reconnos reported batteries in progress Port
Hudson La and also 10 coal my vessel at Bayou Sara.
the only place could obtain any At New Orleans
Arriving there found the town apparently deserted and
the coal burning. Sending boats shore they
Cred at by guerias from the houses n heavy forces
my drove them and burned the Buildings Ia Ne
lower part Of the town. to prevent such being used 70
protect the enemy These gusrlas had few days pre-.
vousy Ared at and wounded several Of the Of the
United States gunboat Sumter.
On the gath ncccssated BY want Of fuel TO send
the towboat Anglo American. which bad lifted oas
and armed to New Orleans for COAL and again droppeA
down the river and awaited her return of Port Hudson.
could discover guns at this place. but earthworks
in progress and whilst destroying these had the
misfortune to explode my heavy tsnnch gum The Anglo
American not returning up to tho evening Of tho 26As
returned TO Bayou Sara where were again nred as
by the suerias and from the buildings left. on which
ordered those remaining to be destroyed.
The American joined the Goth and reported
three batteries having opened her whilst passing
Port Hudson She received seventy three shots In passsg
had received Information that tho rebel gunboat Webs
Natchez which city she had transports
with supplies from Red river followed TO that city,
but found they had sought the protection q the vioks
burg guns. AT Natchez . boats crow from the Essex
sent ashore 70 procure some Ice for my sick whom
they wantony attacked by over 200 armed czsnss
wounding the officer In command, and killing one and
woundng Ave immediatsly opened Are On Tho
lower town. and Get considerable number Of houses
fire from which they attacking After bombard
ing tho place hour tho Mayor Internationally sur
rendered tho city During this Are Of my ninsncA
Dahlgron guns exploded.
followed the rebel gunboat webb 70 tho batteries a.
vicksburg, under the guns or which she, with tive
transports lay Heavy ordnance batteries, extending
three miles farther down the river than during tho siege
in July prevented my nearer approach TO these boats
Having exchanged Shots and ascsrtaned that the
upper feet not in the vicinity Of The town, benS
short OF provisions battery Weakened by the oss es
two guns bursed, and also short Of ammunAon deter
mined down the river 70 New Orleans for sup
plies possible ascertain the strength Of the Pors
Hudson batteries. Leaving yicksburg the evening of
the 9th nst the 7th at quarter past four A. NJ, ws
were on that place. and on coming within range the
enemy opened . vigorous are with siege
guns. The Essex struck heavily. AZ near -
could Judge the enemy had in position troD
thirty-Avs to forty guns Of l2opounders, riaed.
tsn.inch smooth noh and eghinch cslbre in thrss
batteries commanding the river to u extent Of ave
miles. sixtyeight-pound, thirtytwo-po pound ana
also tennch rife ball lodged the Essex, but without
material damage. We under hre an hour andfhree
quarters, during which time were weh and in
cessanty worked aud have 10 believe the enemy
suffered heavily, and the works certainly in pare
destroyed. Mr. J. Harry Wyatt fourth master and my
secretary had command OF the batteries OF the Essex,
aud his conduct throughout met my entire appreciation.
laud force will be necessary TO complete the destructioD
Of this fort which, allowed 70 again be restored would
seriously interrupt the FREQ navigation Of the Mississippi.
tho various encounters Of tho Essex since leaving 81
Louis the 9Th July she has been struck heavily 100
times by heavy shot-giancng shot left rscordshrss
having broken ron and but penetrated and thAs
from rled sixty eight poundsr At the distance Of few
feet delivered by the Arkansas Very respectfully
your obsdient servant,
W.. d. PORTER, Conmodore, o. 8. N.
NAVY DEPARTMENT. August 20, 1882
sRSoar despatch or the 9th instant. announcing the
destruction the rebel iron-cad Arkansas by The
Essex under your command is received, and to YOURSELF
your officers and desire TO expsess the thanks oe
the department and OF the country, for the herosm dis
played ana ServtCo TenuoEou ou was
daring achievement, well and faithfully executed lam,
respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON wEILES.
Commander w. n. PORTER, commanding Untsd SistS8
steamer Essex, OF Baton Rouge, La.
NAVY DnARrxKxS, August 20, 1867.
sR-hs Advisory Board, convene& under the late acs
Of Congress omitted present your promotion;
but the department in consideration Of your great
vice aud distinguished bravery, particularly in the
luSaa tul.u
recommended you to the President for the position oe
Commodore has been pleased to with me
in ordering your appointment. am, respectfully, your
obodient servant GIDEON WEI.I.E5.
Commodore W D. PORTER, Commanding United statss
steamer Essex, on Baton Rouge, La
Cosamsnde Porter 20 shs Men Of sket
Essex.
lFrorn. the New Orleans pel,s.j
Commander Porter United States Navy whose services
base told 80 fesrfuy upon the rebels since the com.
vita whom be has been associated the following high
WrS or yHr EssHr--ws haxe now been associated to-
gesler board this vessel very near one year. and
during that period have been successfully sngased
with tue enemy six hard fought battles Your frst
aahieyemen With fcsr cr the rebel gsnboats,
OF vastly Superior force In Lucas end. all Of which were
disabled and driven below the batteries AZ Columbus.
Your next achievement. at Fort Henry shsre yov
led way and by your and vslcr caused the
surrsnder OF that stronghold the short space Of
hour aud ten minutes- the time the Essex attacked
Fort Henry she could scarcely be called iron clad boat
the ports large and unprotected and te boilers
posed although fonfeea wounded TO death aud
twenty wounded by steam and scsding waters, yon
werc roady your guns Tor action before ha surreser
Of the fort. THIS battle of the most mporaus
Of tho TO thai time our forces could scarcely
say they had gained victory. You, BY your yaiora
the tide Of dcisaa and gave 70 the conn
try For 9short period the ship was upder exteraA ~
nars and largo porou Of this participated Ia ths
victories Of Donelscn Columbus, Island NO. y, Fa,A
pillow ana Memphis When your old md tried ship ls-
csn,s fnIy equipped you joined her M Cairo, and wiS
vour old And tried associates entered hesi0i
orsr.i,ons vcksAmrg felt your prowess and while