Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-09-01
The Siege of Charleston.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
WASHINGTON, August "a. The following dis
patch has been received from Admiral Duhlgren
Flagship DinSmors,
Of Morris Island August lS 1868, (
To Hon. Gideon Weliss, Secretary Of The Navy !:
Sir: Yesterday vas begun by another series Of
operations against the enemy. work.
Early in the morning Gen. Gilmore opened all
his batteries upon Fort Sumter, firing over Fort
Wag ner and the intermediate space. About the
same time moved up the entire available naval
force, leading with my flag in the Weebawken,
folowe by the Cstskil, Nahant and Montauk !;
the Passao and Patapsco 10 reserve for Sumter,
the lronsides in pasition opposite Fort Wagner,
and the gunboats at long range
As the tide closed the Weehawken was closed
to about $50 yards off Wagner, the other three
Monitors followed, and the lronsdes was taken as
near as her great draft Of water would permit.
After steady and well-dirscted FIRE, Wagner
was silenced about $50 A. NJ, and that OF our
iron vessels was slackened in consequence.
In the meanwhile the FIRE Of our shore batteries
was working effectively upon the gorge OF Sumter,
whirh appeared to have been strengthened IN eye-
ry possible msnner.
At thi. time the flag was shifted to the Pissaic,
which, with the Patap,co, both bavin { rted guns
steamed up the channel until within 'wo thousand
Yards oi Fort SUMTER when fire was opened on
the gorge, angle, and southeast point Of the work.
Tho PstApsco fred very well, and is believed to
h,ve struck the southeast part nine consecutive
times. To all this Sumter scarcely replied. Wag-
ner was .ilsnced, and Battery Gregg alone main
tAined deliberate fire at the Passalc and Patap
SEQ. Il
1t was now noon the men had been hard at
work from daybreak, and needed rest, 80 with
drew the vessels to give them dinner
During the afternoon our shore batteries con-
tinued the FIRE at Sumter with little or 20 reply
from the enemy, and contented myself with
sending up the Pass,ic and Paiapsco TO prevent
Wagner from repairing damages. The fort re-
Piled brskly, but in short time left of firing.
am not able to state with exaotness the result OF
the days work, but am well satisfied with what q
distant view OF Sumter allowed me.
Our entire power s not yet developed as 1t
will be daily, while the enemy is damaged with
out being able to repair.
! The officers and men Of the vessels have done
their duty we'll, and will continue TO do so.
| All went we'll with us save one sad exception,
Capt. Rodgers, my chief Of Staff, was killed, as
well {. Psymaster Woodbury., who was standing
Rear him.
Capt. Rodgers had more than once asked Oh
this eccssion il he should 60 with me as usual, OF
resume the command Of his vessel, the Caisklll
and he repeated the query twice during the
morning, the last time on the deck OF the Wee
hswksn, while preparing to meve into action. In
each instance replied, do as you choose" He
finally said, We'll, will 90 in the Cstskill, and
the next time with you"
The Weehswken was ying about 1000 yard
irem Wagner, and the Csakil, with my gallan
friend Just inside Of me- the ere OF the fort com
ing in steadily Observing the tide to have riser
little, | directed the Weshawken to be carried
closer, and the snohor was hardly weighed when
noticed the Catskill was also under way, which
remarked to Capt. Calhoun. 9N
1t occurred to me that Capt. Rodgers detected
the movement Of the Weehawken and was deter
mined TO be closer 10 the enemy II possible. NJ,
attention was called of Immediately 10 position
for the Weehawken, and soon after it was report,
cd tha, the Catakill was going out Of action viii
signal flying tha. her captain was disabled. III
was killed instantly. la' -'." '.
1t is but natural that should feel deeply th'
loss thus sustained, for the closs and confidential
relation, which the duties Of the fleet captain ne
cs.saiily occssioned impressed me deeply with III
worth Of Captain Rodgers. Brave, intelligent
and highly capable, devoted to his duty, and t
the hag under which he psssed his life, the coun
try cannot afford to lose such men or kim
and generous nature, he was always prompt t
give relief when he could. | have decided tba
al respect be paid to his remains and the coun,r
will not, am sure, omit to honor the memor
OIL one, who has not spared his life in her hour
: trial. ..Hi.u. ai.
( have the honor to be very respectfully,
.., Your obedient servant,
(Signed) t john A. DAHLGREN
Rear Admiral Commanding South Atlant
! B.ockadng Squadron.