Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-21
TIE ENGAGEMENT AT FORT DARLINa
Official Reports Of the Engagement Be.
tween the u. 3. Gupboats and the Y ebsl
Battery On the James River, near Rich.
mend.

tween the u. 8. Gupbsats and the Rebel
Battery on the James River, near Rich.
mend.
The following reports have been received at
the Navy Department, having been forwarded by
Commodore Goldsborough:
REPORT OF COMMANDER ROGERS
u 8. STEAMER GALRNA
0f City Pofnt, James Rirer, May 16, 1862.
Sir IL have the honor to report that this vessel
the Aorstook, the Monitor and Port Royal with
the Naugatuck, moved up the river, getting
aground several times, but meeting no artificial
about eight miles from Richmond, where we en-,
countered heavy battery and two separate bar
riers, formed by piles and steamboats, and sail
vessels The pilots both say they saw the James
toMn ana Yorktown among the number.
The banks Of the river we found lined with
rlhe-pfs, from which sharpshooters annoved the
men at the guns These would hinder the re-
movai OF the distractions, unless driven away by
The Galena ran within about 600 wards OF the
battery, (as near the sples 1t was deemed proper
TO go) let go her anchor, and with spring across,
swung across the stream, which is not more than
twice as wide as the ship is long. Then at 7 As
a. m opened fire upon the battery. The wooden
vessels, as directed, anchored about 1 300 yards
below. The Monitor anchored near and at 2
O'Clock she passed just above the Galena, but
found that her guns could not be elevated high
enough to reach the battery; she then dropped a
little below US, and made her shot effective.
expended nearly all her ammunition and made
signal to discontinue the action we had but
SIX Parrot charges, aud not single filed ninc-
men Incl shell We had 13 killed and IL wounded
Inc rlned 100 pound Parrott gun OF the Naugatuck
burst, half Of the post abaft the trunnions going
overheard. She Is therefore disabled Lieut.,
Newman, the executive officer, was conspicuous
Tor his gallant and effective service Mr. WASH
Durne, acting master, behaved admirably. These
two :re selected from among the number
The Arostook, Port Royal and Naugatuck took
tne stations previously assigned them, and did
everything that was posi- BILE. The Monitor couId
net have done better The barrier n .,cb thai
Ine vessels OF the enemy, even If they have any,
carnot possibly pass out. Ours cannot pass In.
haye the honor to be your ob't servant,
JOHN RODGERS,
Commander U. 8. Navy.
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT JEFFERs.
The following is the report of Lieut. VIM. N.
Jefers, commanding the Monitor:
U. S. IroH- Clad Stsans, Monitor.
James River, MAY 18th (
Sir: submit the following report of the move
ments Of this vessel during the action Of yester-
day:
Shortly after weighing anchor from our no.i.
ton near kingsland creek sharp fire of musket-
ry was commenced from both banks on all the
shlps. AT half pastseven O'Clock discovered an
extensive fertilization on an elevation of abnnt oo0
feet, with several smaller batteries-alI annarent
ly mounting guns OF the heaviest calibre AT the
foot OF the bluff, In the river, are obstructIons
formed OF sunken steamers and vessels secured
with chains, and the shallow water spilled acros.
the river. 'O''
The Galena having anchored at about OGO
yards distant from the feet, and beino WARMLY
engageo, endeaVored to pass ahead Of her to take
on some OF the fire, but found that nv guns couId
not De elevated sufficiently 10 point at the fort
then took position on the line with the Galena
ana maintained deliberate fire until the close OF
sells, dropped down to the anchorage Of the
morning. The fire Of the enemy was rernar kahIv
well directed, but vainly, towards this vessel.
st, enc was struck three tmes-ene solid S-inch
shot square on the turret, and two solid shot
on the Side armor forward Of the pilot house
Neither caused any damage beyond bending the
plates. -e
am happy to report no Casualties
In conclusion, permit me to say that the action
was most calamity fought against great odds
ana with the usual effect against earthworks. So
long as our vessels kept up rapid fire they rarely
returned our fire, but the moment our Ire slack,
ened theyremanned their guns. 1t was i'm mpossb!e
70 Leduce such works, except with the aid of
land force. -
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT CONSTABLE.
Ihe following Is the report Of Lieut.. ID. c. Con-
stable, commanding the steamer E. A Stevens
(Naugatuck) The report is dated May 10th.
Sill have the honor to report that In yestar
days attack upon the enemy's battery at Wards
NIL, mn, nsal nlchmond, va, ! placed the vessel
under my command in the position assigned me
Dy you In the line Of attack, and opened fre upon
the battery, which continued until the bn,stsD~
OF our gun Whilst getting into position during
the Dombardment, and while falling hack with
the squadron, this vessel was under unite a be,vv
nre OF nusketry, which was constantly re urneS
by us with shell and canister from our IiUbt
Droadside guns have likewise to report to YOU
tha' TWO Oh my crew were Sounded-one bv
musSet shot through the arm and the other bv
severe contusions. They have been sent on beard
the Port Royal for surgical treatment NV oficers
ana crew behaved to my entire satisfaction.
u fl,a4,
ooaro OF ofncsrs to examine into and report uoon
TIE cause OF the bursting Of our Pariott gun.
REPORT OF coMMopoRR GoLDsloRoUeB.
The following report from Com GoIdsborough
mas also been received at the Navy Department:
U. s. Flagship Snsq4s6anna.
James TiUeT, Va, May Is, 1862
SIR In consequence Of report from Com,
south side OF this river-one at Roc .wba,, I,nd
,1s ihs ana the other at Harding's Bluff, or Motbe,
Homes Landing-which REQUIRED reducing In
otoei 10 open the river and get supplies up to him
up to them yesterday, with this shin, the Machn-
SCI, Dacota, Maratauga, and the tug Young A Amer.
lea, but found that both had been recentiy shsn
dOned and Left comparatively In useless condi.
AT Harien's Bluff the guns were spiked car.
iages burnt, and magazines blown up, but a lit
ttv psIoW II solitary gun remained intact and
sn1s mn was put out Of use. At Rock Wharf Land
h,ssu. s1ns "oio diso spiked and carriages
ouint, but neither the magazines nor bonb proof
haa been destroyed. This I ordered 10 be done
ana IL was enectually accomplished.
Tbe James river Is now open from the month
up to Wards or Drury's Bluff, or, In other wo,ds
up 10 within eight miles Of Richmond, where, aa
you viii perceive by Commander Rogers, report
Ot MS nght, IL is seriously obstructed | am.
very respectfully, your obedient servant
IL. M GOLDsBoRoUGH, Flag Onacer.
Cong North Atlantic Block'g Souaaron
non. GipzoN WRLLEs, Secretary Of the Navy.