The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-04-09
The Battle at Port Hudson.
Com. Farrdgalt Passes the Rebel
u. Batteries
Fom the New Orleans Era, March 10

Fom the New Orleans Era, March 10.
The fleet of Admiral Farragut was
composed of the following ships: Hart
ford flag sbip,) Capt. Palmer; Rich
mond, Commander Alden; Mississippi,
Commander Smith; Monongahela,
Capt. McKinstry; Genesee, Captain
McCOmb; Albatros, Lieut.. -Comman
der Hart; Kinio, Lieut.-Commander
Waters. These vessels were designed
to attack the batteries in the order emu
merated below: The Hartford, with
the Albatros made fast to her port
side; the Richmond, with the Gene
see on her port side; the Monongahe-
la, with the Kinio on her port side !;
the Mississippi being alone.
The mortar fleet, which consisted of
six schooners, the iron-clad Essex, and
the gun-boat Sachem, the whole under
commander Caldwell, of the Essex,
proceeded on Friday evening to within
shelling distance of the Rebel batter
les, where they remained at last ac-
counts. At a quarter past 9 o'clock
On the night of the 14th, every prepa-
ration having been made for an ad-
vance, signal was made from the
flag ship for the feet to get under
way, the feet at this time being at an
chor off the head of Profit Island, with
in three miles of the enemy's works.
The enemy were duly apprised OF
the intentions of the fleet by rockets,
which were sent up from the shore op-
posite Port Hudson. As soon as the
Hartford came within range OF the bat.
teries, they opened brisk fire upon
her. She returned the fire by a whole
broadside, and continued pouring shot
and shell into the enemy's works until
she had succeeded in passing the bat
terles. The last seen Of the Hartford
she was steaming up the river in gal
liant style.
The Richmond, the next ship in line
of battle, followed the motions of the
flag ship, passed the principal batteries
and had just rounded the point, when
shot passed through her steam chest,
temporarily disabling her, and COM
pelling commander Alden to drop down
stream. Her executive officer, Lieut.
Commander A. b. Cummings, was
standing on the bridge, encouraging
and cheering the men, when a shot
from the rebel batteries struck his left
leg, below the knee, severing it from
his body, and knocking him from his
post. Commander Alden, who was
standing beside him, was knocked from
the bridge by hammock, displaced
by the same shot which wounded Mr..
Cummings, but fortunately sustained
no injury. The loss on the Richmond,
was three killed and ten wounded. A
boatswain's mate, who had both legs,
his right arm, and lett hand cut off by
the explosion of a shell, as he fell to
the deck, with his last breath, exclaim-
ed, in language worthy of Lawrence /:
Don't give up the ship, lads - The
only casualties among the officers OF
the Richmond was that of Lieut.. Com
manding Cummings. The ship receiv.
ed several shots in her hull, but was
only temporarily disabled. -
The Genesee, which was along side
of the Richmond, being unable to stem
the current with her in tow, was
obliged to drop down stream with her.
She had three men slightly wounded.
The Monongahela and Kinio were
next in the line of battle. Capt. Nc,
Kinstry was struck from the bridge
early in the action, aud was carried be
low. The command of the vessel de
volving upon Lieut.. Thomas, young
and gallant officer, be essayed to follow
the flag ship; but from the dense smoke
which enveloped the ship, the pilots
were unable to keep the channel. aud
the ship grounded directly under sr.
of the principal batteries, where she re
manned, backing her engines Cor tw.n,
ty-hve minutes, She finally succeeded
in getting of through the exeruons o,
the kin.o, which was handled in mos,
admirable manner, although her rud
der was iammed 10y shot between
the rudder and stern post, rendering
the vessel almost unmanageable.
Having succeeded in gaining deep
water, the Monongahela steamed up
the river, until her crank pin be
coming heated, she was unable to pro-
ceed, and dropped down to the posi-
ton of the mortar fleet. The loss on
the Monongahela was Q killed and 20
wounded, including several officers.
No loss has been reported on the
Kinio.
The Mississippi, in obedience to the
order of Admiral Farragut, brought up
the rear. She had reached the point
directly opposite the town, and her
officers were congratulating themselves
upon having passed through the great
er danger, the ship up to this time hav-
ing not sustained single casualty.
The Monongahela not being in sight,
orders we're given to increase the
speed, in order to close up the space
between the ships. The atmosphere
being humid, The smoke hanging close
to the surface of the river, nothing be-
ing discernable but the flashes OF our
own and the enemy's pieces, the chip,
which had acquired rapid headway,
grounded on the right bank of the
river, directly opposite the terminus Of
the Port Hudson and Clinton Railroad.
Her engines were Immediately re-
versed, and orders were given by Capt.
Smith for the men to fire with al pos
sible rapidity, as their safety depended
upon keeping the enemy from their
puns The men responded with alan.