The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-05-20
The Gallant 4 elton OF the Varuaae-.
Capt. BogS'S letter to his Family.

for the public eye. sailorlike, the gal
liant Captain identifies himself with his
ship, and writes with as much direct
ness and force as he fights
MISSES irpT RIVER, on BOARD THE STEAMER
lIARRlEr LANE, April 2Sth, 1862. !
AS Capt Porter is about TO dispatch a
vessel to Havana with communication
for our Government, have only few
moments to say that, thanks to good
Providence, ] am safe, and without even
scratch.
Yesterday our great battle was fought.
The squadron passed the forts under as
severe fire as any fleet probably ever
endured. The ships were much cut up,
and there were anany killed and wound
ed.
/ can only give you a hasty narrative
of what occurred on board the Varuna,
as in that you will take a special inter
est.
We started It o'clock A. NJ, and re-
ceived The first fire at $50, just as the
moon was rising. My vessel was terri
bly bruised, but we returned the fire with
interest On passing the forts L found
myself the leading ship, and surround
ed BY a squadron of rebel steamers, who
annoyed me much by their fire; so that
/ steered as close to them as possible,
giving to each broadside in succession
as l passed driving one on shore, and
leaving four others in flames.
During this time the firing OF guns,
whistling OF shot, and bursting of shells,
was terrible the smoke dense. AS this
cleared off, finding more steamers ahead
stopp d to look for the rest of the
squadron. The ship was leaking badly ;
but thus far none were hurt Astern, |
saw the Oneida engaged with rebel
steamer. The latter shortly after came
up the river, when engaged him. but
founl 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 his
vulnerable parts. During these move
ments he raked me, killing three and
wounding seven, and attempted to board ;
but we repused him. Driving against
me he battered me severely but in these
efforts exposed his vulnerable side, and
| succeeded in planting couple OF
broadsides into him, that crippled his en-
CINE ana set him on fire. He then drop
ped off, and as he moved slow y up the
river and passed me gave him another
and parting broadside.
l now found my ship on fire from his
shells, and it was with great difficulty
that it was put out. Just then another
iron clad steamer bore down and struck
heavily on my port quarters, and backed
off Cor second blow This blow crush
ed in my side but at the same instant !
gave him full complement of shot and
she'll that drove h,,.s:: on shore and in
flames
Finding myself in a sinking condition
ran my bow into the bank and landed
my wounded, still keeping up fire on
nv opponent, who at last hauled down
his flag. Ny last gun was fired as the
decks went under the water.
No time to save anything the officers
and crew escaping with the clothes they
had on their backs.
We were taken off by boats from the
squadron, who had now come up; the
crews cheering as the Varuna went down
with her flag flying victorious in defeat
and covered with glory.
think we have done well. Eleven
steam rs destroyed by the squadron. y
The old ram Manassas sunk by the Miss
;ssippi.
This has been gallant fight; no less
than 10 guns playing Oh us. The forts
are cut off from succor and must soon
surrender. The way to New Orleans is
open, and the city is probably ours a
this moment; for the fleet immediately
passed up The river.
The Commodore, as q post o. honor
dispatched me in my only remaining
boat with a picked crew from the Varu
mas men, to carry dispatches to Gen
Butler.
Having been in the boat for twenty
six hours, after such days previou:
work, you may imagine / am somewha
exhausted What my next position may
be do not know perhaps 10 go home
for new ship, or possibly 10 become
saval aid to-Major Gen. Butler.
Captain Bogg. ia too modest to say that
h destroyed SIX out of the seven Fps
T.yoH.on.ooa. Il