Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-04
THE BATTLE AT PORT HUDSON.

We append Yankee account Of the attack of Far
raguts squadron at Port Hudson, full description of
which, obtained from Confederate sources has already
appeared in our columns. It is copied from thTEeY
Orleans Era of the 18th ult, which paperyerms it
brilliant exploit"
The enemy were duly apprised of the Intentions Of
the fleet by rockets which sent up from the shore
opposite Port Hudson. As soon the Hartford came
within range of the batteries they opened brisk fire
upon her. She returned the FIRE by whole broadsde,
and continued pouring shot and shell into the enemys
works until she had succeeded in passing the batteries
The last of the Hartford she steaming Up the
river 10 gallant style.
The Richmond the next ship In line Of battle, fol-
lowed the motions Of the flag hip-passed the principal
batteries and had just rounded the point when shot
passed through her steam chest temporarily disabling
her and compelling commander Alden to drop down
stream Her executive officer, Lieutenant Com. A. B.
Cummings was standing the bridge encouraging and
cheering the men, when shot from the rebel batteries
struck his left Leg below the knee severng it from his
body and knocking him from his post. Commander Al
den who was standing beside him, was knocked from
the bridge by q hammock displaced by tho same shot
which wounded Mr.. Cummings, but fortunately sustained
no injury The loss on the Richmond was three killed
and ten wounded.
A boatswains mate who had both legs his right arm
and left hand cut off by the explosion Of shell, he
fell to the deck with his last breath exclaimed i'll LAM
guage worthy of Lawrence" Don't give up the ship,
lads"
The only casualties among the officers of the Rich
mopd was that of Lieut.. Com. Cummings. The ship
ceged several shots in her hull but was only empora-
rily disabled.
The Genessee, which was alongside of the Richmond,
being unable stem the current with her in tow was
obliged 70 drop down stream with her. She had three
men slightly wounded
The aoDongahela and Kino were next in the line of
battle Captain McKinistry was struck from the
bridge early in the action and was carried below. The
command Of the vessel devoving upon Lieutenant Tho
ma. "A Young and gallant officer, he essayed to follow
flagship; but from the dense smoke which enveop-
ed the ship the pilots we're unable to keep the channel
and the ship grounded directly under fire of the princi
pal batteries where she remained backing her engines
for TWENTY-FIVE minutes She finally succeeded In get
ting off, through the exertions OF the knio which Wss
handled in a most admirable manner, although her rud-
der was TANNED by shot between the rudder and stern
post rendering the vessel almost unmanageable.
Having succeeded in gaining deep water, the honon-
gahela steamed up the river, until her crapsn,n D.
coming heated, she was unable to "a
ped down to the position OF the me
on the Monongahea was six killed
ed, incllding several officers. No
ed on the Kino.
The Mississippi in obedience TO q
raj Farragut brought up the rear.
the point directly opposite the town,
were eongratulating themselves upon
through the greater danger, the ship ~
not having sustained single casualty. n
helA not being IN sight, orders were given
the speed, in order to close up the space b
ships. The atmosphere being humid, the sm
ing close to the surface Of the river nothing
cernable but the flashes Of our own and the
pieces, the ship which had acquired rapid he
grounded on the right bank OF the river, directly
site the terminus Of the Port Hudson and Clinton I'd
road.
Her engines were Immediately reversed and orders
were given by Captain Smith for the men to fire with
ali possible rapdity, as their safety depended upon
keeping the enemy from their guns. The respond
ed with alacrity and in the short space of hirty-fve
minutes they fred two hundred and fifty shots. During
this time Engineer Rutherford made every exerton to
get the ship aAoat but without success. Capt Smith,
hnding 1t impossible to his vessel gave orders to
make instant preparations to destroy the chip and save
the crew. Orders also given the chief engineer
to destroy the engines and the outward connecting
pipes This being done, the water flowed rapidly into
the ship. The sick and wounded were conveyed on
board Of the irOn-cad ram Essex and the remainder
of the crew conveyed to the right bank OF the
river which had been cleared by the gunboats of rebel
sharpshooter Before the left the ship every pre-.
paratiOn made to destroy her by collecting Oombus
tbes in the forward and after parts of the ship. Un-
fortunately she fred forward before the order