Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-08-27
THE RECENT BATTLE AT BATON ROUGE.
Official Report of Com. Farragut

Official Report Of Com Farragut
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.-The Navy Depart
ment is in receipt of voluminous dispatches
from Admiral Farragut, among which are the
following:
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD,
BATON RoUGE, Aug. Z, 1852. I
SIR: 1t is one of the happiest moments of
my life that | enabled to inform the De-
partment of the destruction of the ram Ar
kansas, not because I held the ironclad in
such terror, but because the community did.
On the 4th inst, sent the Tennessee to Ba-
ton Rouge with provisions for Commander
Potter and the gunboats stationed at that
place. On the night of the 5th she returned
with information that the enemy had made
combined attack on Baton Rouge, by the ram
and two gunboats, the Webb and Music, and
calling for assistance.
At daylight, the Hartford was under weigh
for this place, with orders for the other ves
sells to follow me fast they got ready.
arrived here to-day at Il m. in company
with the Brooklyn, Weslfield, Clinton. jack
son and Scioto. | had sent the Cayuga up
before me, agreeable to request of General
Butler, in consequence of the guerrillas firing
into some of his transports.
| On my arrival was informed by comman
| der ". d. Porter that yesterday morning at
| two. O'Clock the enemy's forces, under General
! Breckenridge, attacked General Williams,
! drove in his pickets, ETC. General Williams,
having had ample warning, all was prepared
for him. The fight was continued with great
energy on both sides until ten O'Clock p. M,
| It, ;ol,f tEo ha1 Il rJt-a,,
! back two or three miles But unfortunately
the gallant General Williams, while cheering
on his men, received a MIME ball through the
heart.
Gen. Williams had informed Lieutenant
! Commanding Ransom the evening before of
the plans, and requested him not to fire gun
until he notified him, and when he did SO, our
gunboats Kinro and Katahdin opened with fine
effect, throwing their shells directly in the
midst of the enemy, and producing great diSs
may and confusion among them. Lieutenant
Ransom had an officer on the State House,
| which overlooked the adjacent country, and
could direct the fire of every she'll
As soon as the enemy were repulsed, Com
mander Porter went up the stream after the
ram Arkansas, which lying aboat five
miles above, apparently afraid to take her
share in the conflict, according to the precon-
certed plan. AS he came within gun shot, he
opened on her, and probably soon disabled
some of her machinery or steering apparatus,
for she became unmanageable, continuing,
however, to fire her guns at the Essex.
Commander Porter says he took advantage
of her presenting weak point towards him,
and loaded gun with incendiary shells. AZ
ter his first discharge of this projectile, gush
of fire came out of her side, and from that
| moment it was discovered that she was on
fire, which he continued by his exertions to
prevent from being extingushed. They
backed her ashore, and made line fast, which
was burnt, and she swung off into the river,
where she continued to burn until she blew
up, with tremendous explosion. Thus en-
ded the rareer of the last iron clad ram of the
Mississippi.
There were many persons on the banks OF
the river witnessing the fight in which they
anticipated triumph for secession. but ON
the return of the Essex not soul was to be
seen. | will leave sufficient force of gun
boats here to support the army, and will re-
turn tomorrow to New Orleans, and depart
Immediately for Ship Island with light heart,
that | have left no bugbear to torment the
communities OF the Mississippi in my absence.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
d. G. FARRAGUr, Flag officer Commanding
the w G. Blockading Squadron.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLS, Secretary of the
Navy, Washington, D. C.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT.
! A letter from Baton Rouge says, that MIN s
battery thrice repulsed the foe and did great
slaughter among them. Breckenridge is said
to have lost his right arm by cannon ball.
The battle took place on the edge of the town.
! General Williams being unwilling to expose
| the helpless women and children. We Gap
tnred large number of prisoners, including
Capt. Blunt, Breckinridge's aid. Gen. Will
Jams, who was killed. behaved like hero,
and Capt. MINIS men entitled to imper-
ishable glory. The loss of the enemy must
have been severe, as our men charged and re-
charged upon them. We have taken three
guns. Another account says, the strength of
the rebel troops is varously estimated at from
5000 to $4,000, under Generals Lowell and
| Breckenridge. The combat was obstinate
| Our loss is $50 killed and wounded, including
large proportion of officers. The rebel loss,
according to the statement of the prisoners
taken was immense.
The transport steamer Lewis Whitman ran
into the gunboat Oneida, fifty miles above
New Orleans, on the night of the 9th, and the
| transport sunk. She had on board the body
of Gen. Williams, with an escort of six of his