Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-02-14
FRa 80 NAvAL HNaAaEmnNrs.
OmefaF Report.

Below we annex the official reports Of Com
modore Iugrahasa and Commander Tucker, Of
the late brilliant naval engagement of Charles
ton, which viii be read with interest
OFFICE NAVAL STATION.
CHaRLEsToS, February 2 1861
SIR. ] have the honor to inform you lhat
upon the night Of the Both ultimo, I lefs the
wharf at this place, in company with the steam
ram "Chicora,a Commander John II. Tucker. at
a quarter pestelsyen o'clock, snd steamed slow
ly down to the bar, as. rom our draft, We could
not cross until high water. At half past four
we crossed the bar, with about a foot and a half
10 spare, and soon after made q Btaamar at an
ancb0r-stood directly for her, snd directed
LieRt-Com. Rutledge to strike her with our
PROV. When quite near We were hailed
what steamer is that7 drop your anchor or
you viii be into US" He was informed that
il was the ConledeTate steamer "Palmstto
State" At this moment We struck her and
fred the 7-ineh gun INFO her, as he gave an or
der to FIRE. I then inquired IF he surrendered,
and was answered ia the affirmative. 7 then
directed him to send a boat on board, which W s
done. After some delay Lieutenant Abbott,
commanding, esm on board and informed ne
that the vessel was the Uaited States steamer
Msreedite, Commander Stellwager, and that
she was in q sinking condition, and had 8 crew
vi 9ALR AAAAAlA u44 4tETrlaEAar III NaAAr &MAA
wished to be relieved; that all his boats were
lowered without the plugs bsing in, and were
full of water. At this tima the Chicora was en-
gagged with the enemy, and ths slsrm was
given. l knew our only opportunity was to
take The enemy unswares, as the moment he was
under way, from his superior speed we could
not close with him. / then directed Lieutenant
Rntledge, commanding, to require from Lieut.,
Commanding Abbott his word Of honor for
his commander, officers and crew that tAsy
would not serve against the Confederate
States until regularly exchanged, when be Wss
directed 10 return wish his boat to his vessel to
render what assistance he could. I thsn stood
TO the northNard and eastward, and soon after
made another steamer getting under way. We
stood for her and fred several shot 81 her bu;
as We had to fight the vessel in = circle to bring
the different guns 10 bssr. che was soon out Of
our range. In tni3 way we engaged several
vessels, they keeping at long range and steering
t. the southwsrd- Just as the day broke We
made a large steamoS (~sEpposed 20 be the Pow
hatsn) on starboar8 bow, with another steamer
in company, which had just got under way.
They stood to the southwark Uadsr full steam,
and opened their batteries upon the Chicora,
who was some distance astern Of Us. / then
turned and stood to the southwark to support
the Chicora if necessary, but the enemy kept
RA AA @[~Aa4l "a ~ AH II AAaA AAG ~
signal to commander Tucker to come to en- an
Choir, and led the way to the entrance of Beech
channel, where we anchored at 6:45 A N, and
hsd TO remain seven hours for the tide, as the
vessels cannot cross the bar excepting at high
water.
The sea was perfsc.feetly smooth, as mrcb 60
as in the haTbor everything was most favofa
bic for Us, and gave us no opportunity to test
the sea qualities of the boats. TIE engines
worked well, aud we obtained a greater speed
than they had ever before attained.
Icannot speak ia too high terms Of the con
duct of Com. Tucker and Lieut. Com. Rutledgei
the folmer handled his Tesselin a beautiful man.
ner, and did the enemy much damage. I refer
you TO his official report.
LieutensRtC Commodore Rutledgs also fought
the Palmetto State in q manner highly crafty
ing to me. Every officer and man did his duty
nobly and deserve welrof their country.
We had but listle opportunity Of trying ouI
vessels, as the enemy did not close, and not q
single shot struck either vessel
I ambighlY indebted TO Commodore Maritime,
who CALAMITY volunteered to take charge Of
three steamers with fifty soldiers on board, who
accompanied rs in case we should need their
services but they could not get over the bar,
but Joined US after daylight ct the north channel
and rendered Us their assistance in getting
through the channel, which is very narrow,
OF the conduct Of Nj. GLADDEN., the pilot Of
tho Palmetto State, I cannot speak in TOO h.gt
terms he was perfectly cool under the gTea
responsibility he had in taking the vessel over
at night with so great a draUght, and, during the
/ action, rendered me great assistance in pointing
ont the vessels as we approached them in th'
uncertain light
I send the reports Of Commander Tucker aDt
LisItenant Commanding RuEledge.
i am, sir, very respectfully, your obedien
servant, D N. ~IEGKAHAM,
Flag Officer Commanding.