The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-08-02
THE WESTERN NAVY.
ITS OPERATIONS BEFORE vIcKsRyRe.
Omcial Resume OF Its Bril-
liant Achievements.
What Admiral Porter Says Of
General Grant.
Complimentary Notice to the Command
ing Officers Of the Squadron.


Harmonious WORK Of tho Army
and Navy,
&c, &C.. %.
The Report OF Admiral Porter.
UMnD STATES hrssSmP SouADRoN,1
FLAGSHIP BLACK hawk,
orr VCKsBURG July 13, 1903. }
Sm| have made reports 10 tho department Of the d
aerens actions hs occurred on this river since the
Investment Of vtcxsburg; and il remains for
give credit 70 the different officers who have participated
Whom took command Of thissguadron this river was
vhtuss closed against our stsamers from Helena TO
Vckseurg II was only necessary to impress the officers
and mon with the Importance OF opening communication
with New Orleans and every one with few exceptscns,
sred1tabe 70 them, and with determination that the
river should be opened II thsir aid could effect
the army have nos feared for the result though has
bean postpoaed longer than shoughs Il would be.
sock. feet captain and conandant staten Cairo
10 him am much indebted for the promptness with
required could b procured. His duty has becn
sinecuse and he has performed 1t with ability that
10 has materially assisted me IL sHs management Of the
Tennessee and Cumberland squadrons, keeping mo
ma snsSns me- to make propr dsposons 70 cheet
him, exercising most discreet judgment In moving the
vessels 70 meet the rebels when there was no time 70
The war on the banks OF the Tennessee and Cumberland
has been carried most actively There has been In
oeseant skrmshng between the guerras and gunboats
IN which the rebels have been defeated every
50 constant these attacks that 70 think Of
Shem Of any Importance though there has been much
salhnlry displayed on many occasions.
Lieutenant Commanders Phelps and Fitch have each
Aad command Of those rivers and have shown them.
sslvss 70 be able officers feel apprehension at
Anv time with regard 70 movements In that quarter Had
not been for the activity energy displayed by Lieu
tenant Commander Fitch Captain Pennock and Lieutenant
COMMANDER Phelps General Rosecsans would havo been
10 Captain Waso, Commander woodwork Lieutenant
Commanders Breese Greer Shrk owen, Wilson, Walker,
Bob MURPHY ssridge prichss., Ramsay. and acting
vounteesL Lteuteuant Ho feel much Indebted for their
asve and energetic attention 70 all my orders and their
ready cooperation with the army corps commanders
e us: which enabled sAem - carry out their plans
Ne Benton, Lieutenant Commander Greer; Mound
Lsusenant Commander 6hirk; CArondelet Acting Lieu.
tenant Murphy. and tho Sterling Price, Commander
shs batteries vckssurg the foyhve days siege
eommenced.
osy, C.rmdslet and Tuscumba % ali the water bat.
series, which three were senced and four guns In
red @ dismounted was one Of the best contested
oAgements Of tho kind during the
On she next attack Of the same gunboats when Gen.
Grant opened a hs batteries for six hours tho river
end down withou. having shot fred them, showing
NJ noral eject the nrst attack had.
ths gallant events q Ibis war and though Lieu
.adsr him, h we'll deserves the handsome commenda.
sons bestowed upon him BY ths department..
assigned ths management three heavy guns placed
- ocowB and anchored IN position thas commanded the
ns . bear on these boats was rsd
baa without moments cessation OF ire the part VI
hail among them This battery completely enal.ded the
batteries and rine Pits in front Of General Sherman, and
Tns mortar boats under charge gunner Eugene
Mack, who for thirty days stood at his post the firing
continuing night and day. He performed his duty well
m0du Tho hard and
every at tho morars. laid up with sickness.
ewing excessive labor. AfterNr. Mack taken III
married ability. We know that nothing condnced more
the end OF the siege than the firing which de-
persons killed the cattle destroyed property all
and set the city on hre On the last two days
hsavy charges OF twenty-sx pounds OF wder The dis
tApoe was three miles and tho falling Of shells
% the rebes.o use the words OF rebel officer
sour shells intruded everywhere
Lieutenant Commander Brecsc has been very efficient
IN relieving me OF vast amount Of duty, super intending
personally all the requirements made the navy, and
facilitating tho operations OF the army every way that
laid in his power In every instance where was at all
possible TO bring the Black Hawk into action against the
enemys batteries he has not hestaed TO do though
she not fortified exactly for such purpose. HIS long
shines
Tbeg leave to mention the different commanders Of the
light drafts who have carried my orders promptly
aided IN keeping saeras from Abe river conveyed
porte safely and Kept their vessels In good condition for
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Geo. W. Browp command
ing Forest Rose Acting Volunteer Lieutenant G. Downing,
commanding ngna Acting sSunseer pnasD WA Leqepa
commanding Robb: Acting Master J. 9. Bunner com
mandins New FRA; Acting Volunteer Lieut. j. " John
stone commanding Romeo; Acting Volunteer Lieut. John
Pierce, commanding Petrel; Acting Master w. T. Fen
tress commanding Rather Acting Volunteer Lieutenant
7. +. Smith commanding Linden; Acting Volunteer Lien
tenant G. Il. Brennand commanding Prairie Bird Acting
Volunteer Lieutenant J. Candy, commanding Queen CITY,
eeem 70 me the most prominent
The action OF the 4th n July Helena wherein the
Tuf rtta4pa haua afr
70 the department. There IL doubt the minds
any thst the Tyler saved Helena for though General
war his little force of thirty Ave hundred
fast being overpowered by the enemy with eighteen
thous men, when the Tyler took position and changed
must not omit 70 mention Acting Volunteer Leuten
Hamilton and Richardson, OF the powder vessels
Great Western aud Judge Terrence. Thoy unremit
tng their 20 their duties during the siege
supplying wthou. delay every reqaisi,on made on them
When the ARMY called on the Navy for siege guns,
detailed what officers and monI could 70 and work
the batteries Lieut. Com Selfrdge had command the
naval battery the right wing, Gen shermans corrs.
This battery worked with marked ability and cn-
cited the warmcst praise from the commanding general
One thousand shells fred INTO tho encmys works
from Lieut. Com. selfridges guns ns services bong
the surrender and lieut. Com. walker supplied his
place and conducted the nrins with tho same ability
Acting Master Chas. b. nahlgren ordered TO report
20 Gen Mcphcrson for duty aud was assigned ~ the
management q two nne inch guns which admirably
Acting Master Reed, Of the Benton had chlrge a ,he
batteries a Fort Benton 80 nancd by General Heron
nonur of General HERON generously &C.
knowedgod the services q those sent him. which
municztion enclose with this report
have endsavored 70 do Justice 70 all who were mme.
AiatcIy engaged tho struggle for the mastery Of the
Mississippi To the army we DO owe immediate thanks
for the capture of vcksburg but the army was much
facilitated by the navy, which was redy ~ oil times TO
operate. This has been no small undertaking. 7As
late irpestmsn gnd capture OF Viotsrc pn b ehara1y-
ind AZ As crcofsf ndry cchi~n<~is kno-cr.
zA> ct~opdos Of "a ,dso ortr,naed A General Grunt.
MAO aderssa cosrs IN wheA orea labor eas pyfcm<d,
oyea ,utso tcaoM a~d creat rlsla r,n single
mstAke would have Involved In di1cuy bat well
were All the plans matured, well were ali the
ments timed, and 70 rapid the evoutions performed
that no mistake has occurred from the passage Of ths
feet Nv Vcksbsrg ana the passage Of The army across
the river, up W the present time. 10 confident q
ability of General Grant 70 carry his plans when
he explained them 70 me hesiated 10 chanse
INV position from above 70 below vicksbnrg Tho work