The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-05-17

turned on this fellow, we fired at range
of thirty yards, and the effect was very
des;ruc i've. She Immediately steered
in shore, ran aground, and sunk.
The Parrot gun on the forcastle
drove off the one on the bow, while we
prepared to rcpel boarders, so close was
our remaining enemy. About this time,
Boggs and Lee came dashing in, and
made finish of the Rebel boats--cleycu
in all.
In the gray of the morning we discov-
cred n camp WI h the Rebel flag flying,
We opened with CAMS er. At ! p. III.
we received the sword and flag of Col.
Szymanskiz and his command of five
companies, arms, and camp cquipage.-
While engaged at this point we observed
the Varuua in conflict with number of
gunboats; she had been but ed by one
of hem and sunk, but with his forward
guns still above the water, she was
bravely maintaining the fight, driving
off his enemies aud saving his crew.
REPORT OF CAPTAIN BoGGs OF THE
VAEUNA.
U. S. STEAMER BROOKLYN. !
OFF New ORLEANS, April 30, '62.
SIR: 1 have the honor to report that
after passing the batteries with the
steamer Varuna under my command on
the morning Of tie 9th, finding my
vessel among a nest of rebel steamers,
| Started ahead, delivering her fire, both
starboard and port, at every one that
she passed. The first on her starboard
beam that received her fire appeared to
be crouded with troops. Her boiler
was exploded and she drifted to Shore
In like manner three other vessels, one
of them gunboat, we're driven ashore
i'll flames, and afterwards blew up.
At 6 A. NJ. the Varuna was attacked
by the Morgan, which was iron-clad
about the bow, commanded by Beverly
Kennon, an exnaval officer. This yes
sci rakcd us along the port gallery,
killing four and wounding nine of the
crew, buting the Varuna on the quar-
tiers, and again on the starboard side
| managed to get three eight-inch shell
into her abaft her armor, as also several
shot from the after rihcd gun, when she
dropped out Of the action, par tally dis
abled. While still engaged with her,
ano her rebel steamer, also iron-clad,
wi a prov under the wa err, struck us
in the poit gangway, doing considerable
damage. Our shot glanced from her
bow. She backed off for another blow,
and struck again in the same place,
crushing in the side; but, by going
ahead fast, the conclusion drew her bow
around, and l was able, with the port
gun, to give her, while close alongside,
five eigh Inch shells abaft her armor.-
This settled her, and drove her ashore
III flames.
Finding the Naruna sinking, ran into
the bank, let 60 the anchor, and tied up
to ;hc trees. During all this time, the
guns were actively at work crippling the
Morgan, which was making feeble efforts
to get up the stream. The fire was
kept up until the wa:er was over the
gun trunks, when | turned my attcn-
to getting the wounded and crew out of
the vessel.
The Oneida, Captain Lee, seeing the
condi ion of The Naruna, had rushed to
her assistance, but | waved her on, and
The Morgan surrendered to her. The
vessel was i'll flames. l have since
learned that over fifty of her crew
were killed, and wounded, and she was
set on fire by her commander, who burned
his wounded with his vessel.
| cannot award too much praise to the
officers and crew of the Varuna for the
noble manner in which they supported
me; and their GOODNESS under such excit-
ing circumstances, particularly when
extinguishing the fire, having been set
on fire twice during the action by the
shells. In fifteen minu; es from the time
the Naruna was struck, she was on the
bottom with only her top gallant fore.
castle out of water. The officers and
crew lost everything they possessed, no
one thinking of leaving his station until
driven thence by water.
REPORT OF FLAG OFFICER FARRAGUT.
l had two Union men OIL board who
had been forced into the Confederate
service at Fort Jackson as laborers.
They informed me tlat there were two
forts near the city, and as we approached
The locality tried to concentrate the
vessels, but we soon saw that VIC must
take u raking fire for two miles. So we
did not mince the mater, but dashed
directly ahead. They permitted us to
approach within a mile and quarter
before they opened on us. Capt. Bailey
on the Cayuga, Lieut.. Commanding
Harrison, was in advance, and received
most of the first fire, but although the
shooting was good, they did not damage
his little vessel.
The Cayuga then fell back and the
Hartford took her place. We had only
two guns, which had placed on the
topgallant forecastle, that could bear on
them, until we got within half a mile
We then stored off, and gave them such
a fire cas- they never dreamed of in
their philosophy" ...
The Pensacola ran up af or a while.
and took the starboard battery off our
hands, and in few minutes the Brook
lyn ranged up and took chance at my
friends on the left bank, but they were
silcnced in, should say, twenty minutes
or half an hour. Half of the vessels did