, 1862-05-13
The Gallant Action Of the Faruna-
Capt. BoEgass Letter to his Family

The Gallant Action Of the TAruna-
Capt. BoEgsss Letter to his Family.
The following is an extract from letter OF |
Captain Boggs, addressed to his family in New |
Jersey. It was not intended for the public |
eye sailor-lke, the gallant captain identifies
himself with his ship, and writes with IS
much directness and force as he fights:
MISSISSIPPI R1vER, or BOARD STEAMER
HARRIET LAsE, April 98, 16s2.
As Capt. Porter is about to dispatch yes
sci to Havana with communications for our
say that, thanks to good Providence, am
safe, and without even scratch. :;
Yesterday our great battle WIS fought. The
squadron passed the forts under as severe 8
IRE as any feet probably ever endured. The
sb5ps were much cut up, and there were many
killed and wounded
I can only give Fou hasty narrative Of what
occurred oh board the Varuna, as In that you
viii take special interest.
We started at o'clock A. NJ, and received
the first ire at $50, Just aa the moon was riE-
ing. My vessel vas terribly bruised, but We
returned the fire With interest. On passing
the forts I found myself the leading ship, and:
| surrounded by squadron Of rebel eteamers,
| who annoyed me much by their hro; SO that
| steered as close to them as possible, giving
to each broadside In succession as passed;
driving one on shore, and leaving four others
| in flames.
| During this time the firing Of guns, whis-
Ting OF shot and bursting Of shells. was terri
| finding moro steamers ahead, stopped to
look for the rest Of the squadron. The ship
Tas leaking badly; but thus far none were
hurt. Astezn, I SAW the Onedia engaged with
rebel steamer. TIE latter shortly after
came, up the river, when engaged him, but
found my shot Of no avail, as he was iron clad
about the bow He tried to run me down :;
and to avoid him and reach bis vulnerable
parts. During these moTe1nents he raked me,
killing thee and wounding seven, and ut
tempted to board; but VIC repulsed him
Driving against me be battered me severely;
but In these efforts exposed his vulnerable
side, and I succeeded IN planting couple Of
broadsides into him, that crippled his engine
and set him on fire. He then droped of, and
as he moved slowly up the river and passed
InoW found my ship on fire from his shells,
an6 it Was with great difficulty that It was put
out Just then. another fron-c1ad steamer
/ bore down aud struck heavily on my port
This blow crushed in my side; but at the same
instant I gare him full complement Of shot
and shell that drove him On shore and IN
flames.
Finding myself In a sinking condition ran
my bow into the bank md landed my wound
who At Last han1ed down his flag, Ny last gun
: t was fred az the decks went under the water.
No time to s&ve anything; the officers and
crew escaping With the clothes they had Or
, | their bscks -
We we're taken of by boats from the squad
ron, who hsd noW come up; the crews cheer
{ ing az the Varunh went down with her fa{
] | flying; victorious In defeat and covered viii
:. | glory.
think we have done well. Eleven steam
ers destroyed By the squadron.* The old ran
t MsDaBeas sunk By the Mississippi
!, ! This has been gallant fight no less thar
no guns playing on ug, The furts are cut ol
q from succor and must soon surrender. tn
a | way to New Orleans Is open, and the city
probably OURS at this moment; for the fee
Q Immediately passed up the river.
d,f The Commodore, as q post OF noDor, dN
patched me In my only remaining host, Wit
o picked crew from the Vaxuna's men, to carr
r dffpatchce to 0en- Butler.
~ Having been IN the boat for twentY.sI
bou1a, after such days previous work, 70
maY imagine am somewhat exhausted
What my next position may be I do not kno
-peebaPe to 60 home for q new ship, or po
sIbly to become navl aid to-Major Genet
Butter.
ia {*Csptain Boggs il too modest to say that