Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-10
U. 9. STEAMER BROOKLYN,
of Netc Orleans, April 29, 1852.

OF Nev Orleans, April 90, 1852.
SIR have the honor to report that after pass
Ing the batteries with the steamer Varuua under
my command, on the morning Of the oath. finding
my vessel amid a nest OF rebel steamers, started
ahead, delivering her fire both starboard and port
at every one she passed The first on her star
board beam that received her fire appeared TO be
crowded with troops-her boiler was exploded,
and she drifted TO the shore. In like manner
three other vessels, one Of them gunboat, were
driven on shore In flames, and afterwards blew
up.
Att a. N. the Varuna was attacked by the Nor
gan, iron-clad about the bow commanded by
Beverly Hennon, an ex- naval officer. This vessel
raked us along the port gangway, killing four and
wounding nine Of the crew, butting the Varuna
on the quarter and again on the starboard side
managed to get three S-inch shell into her abaf.
her arnor as also several shot from the after
gun, when she dropped out Of action partially
disabled.
While still engaged with her another rebel
steamer, irOn-clad, with a Prov under water,
struck US In the port gangway, doing consider
She backed off for another blow and struck ap ain
In the same place, crushing In the side; but by
going ahead fast the conclusion drew her bow
around, and ! was able with the port guns to give
her, while close along side, five S-inch shells,
abaft her armor. This settled her, and drove her
ashore in flames. Finding the Varuna sinking,
ran her into the bank, let 90 the anchors, and
tied up to the trees. During all this time the
guns were actively at work crippling the Morgan,
which was making feeble efforts TO get up steam.
This FIRE was kept up until the water was over
the gun trucks, when ] turned my attention to
getting the wounded and crew out Of the vessel
The Oneida, Capt. Lee, seeing the condition OF
the Varuna, had rushed to her assistance; but 4
waived her on, and the Morgan surrendered to
her-the vessel In flames. j have since learned
that over so Of her crew were killed and wounded
and she was set on Ere by her commander who
burned his wounded with his vessel.
l cannot award too much praise 10 the officers
and crew Of the Varuna for the noble manner in
which they assisted me, and their GOODNESS under
such exciting circumstances, particularly when
extnguishing fre-having been set on fre twice
during the action, by shells.
In fifteen minutes from the time the Varuna was
struck, she was on the bottom, with only her top
gallant forecastle out Of water The officers md
crew lost everything they possessed; no one think.
ing Of leaving his station until driven thence by
the water. trust the attention Of the Department
will be called TO this loss, and compensation
made TO those who have lost their all
The crew were taken of by the different YES
sells OF the feet az fast as they arrived, and are
now distributed through the squadron.
The wounded were sent to the Pensacola.
would particularly commend to the notice Of
the Department Oscar Peck, second class boy and
powder boy Of the after rife, whose coolness aud
intTepidity attracted the attention Of all hands
Aft reward for such services would be an ap-
pointmsnt at the Naval School.
The marines, although new recruits more than
maintained the reputation Of that corps; their
CALLING are cleared the Morgans rifei gun and
prevented a repetition Of her murderous hre
Four OF the marines wcre wounded, one fear,
mortally.
So soon as the crew were saved reported to
you In person, and within an hour left in the
only remaining boat belonging to the Varuna
with your dispatches for Gen. Butler, returning
with him yesterday afternoon.
Very respectfully, CHARLEs Boess,
Commander U. y. ".
To Flag Officer D. G. FARRAsur, Commanding
Western Gulf Blockading Squadron.