Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-25
Admiral Dah1gren's Dispatch.
HE It LAU DTHNMEIt DTNoMUKE,
OF Morris Island. Ang. Is.

NE II Lag DTEAMEK iDINSMORE, Z
OFF Morris Island, Aug. Is.
Hon Gideon WelleS, Secretary Of the Nary,
WdShlHgtOH-
SIR Yesterday was begun another series
of operations against the enemy's works. Ear
ly in the morning, Gen. Gilmore opened all
his batteries upon Fort Sumter, firing over
Fort Wagner and the intermediate space.
About the same time, | moved up the entire
naval force, leading with my flag in the Wee
hawken, followed by the KaatsSill, Nahant,
and Montank. The Passaic and Patapsco in
reserve tor Fort Sumter The Ironsides in
position opposite to Wagner and the gunboats
named in the margin at long range, viz -
Canandiagua, j. f. Greene; Mahanhaska,
commander j. b. Creighton: Concmaugh,
commander a. X. Huges; Ottawa, Lieut..
commander j. L. Davis; Daiehing, Lieut..
commander j. L. Chaplin; Lodono, Lieut..
commander Brodhead.
AS the tide rose the Weehawken was about
$50 yards off Wagner The other three mon
itors followed, and the IronsideS was taken ais
near as her great draft of water permitted.
After a steady and well di ected fire Wagner
was silenced about $50 A. NJ, and that of our
own vessels was Stacked in consequence.
Meanwhile the fire Of our shore batteries was
at work eIfcctually upon the gorge of Sumter
which appeared 10 have been strengthened in
every possible way. Al this The flag was
shifted to the Passaic, which, with tile Pa
tapsco, both having rihed guns, steamed up
the channel until within 2000 yards of fort
Sumter, when fire was opened on the gorge,
Angle and south east, front of the work The
Patapsco fired very well, and it is believed to
have struck the southeast front nine consecu-
tive times.
To all this Sumter scarcely replied. Wag-
ner was silenccd, and battery Gregg alone
maintained deliberate fire at the PAssaic and
Patapsco. 1t was now noon, tae men had
been hard at work from dayhrcak and needed
rest. so withdrew the vessels to give them
dinner. During the afternoon our shore bat
teries continued the fire at Sumter, with little
or no reply from the enemy, and contented
myself with sending up the PaSsaic and Pa
tapsco to prevent Wagner from repairing dam
ages. The fort replied briskly, but in II short
time left OIL firing. | am not able to state
with eXactnesS the result of the days work,
but am well satisfied with what a distant view
OF Sumter allowed me. Our entire power is
not yet developed, as it will be daily while the
enemy Is damaged without being able to re.
pair. The officers and men Of the vessels
have done their duty well, and will continue
to do SO.
All went well with us save one sad excep-
ton. Capt. Rodgers, my chief of staff, was
killed, as well Ms paymaster Woodbury., who
was standing near him. Captain Rodgers had
more than once asked ON this occasion if he
should 90 with me as usual or resume COM
mand Of his vessel, the kaatSkil, and he re-
peated the query twice during the morning
the last time on the deck Of the Weehawken.
just while preparing to move into action. In
each instance | replied edo as YOU choose
He finally said, swell, will go to the Kaats-
kill and tie next time with you" The Wee
hawken was lying about 1000 yards from fort
Wagner, and tie Kaatsklll with my gallant
friend just inside Of me, the fire Of the fort
coming in steadily.
Observing the tide to have risen a little |
directed the Weehawken to be carried in close
and the anchor was hardly weighed when |
Which Fe'..,rl-..d y, Cal1tain %Gnader weigh,
occurred to me that Captain Rogers detected
the movement of the Weehawken and was de-
termined to be closer to the enemy if possible.
My attention was called off Immediately to
position for the Weehawken, and soon after
it was reported the Kaatskill was going out of
action with signal flying that her captain
was disabled He had been killed instantly.
1t is but natural | should feel deeply the loss
thus sustained, for the close and confidential
relations which the duties of fleet captain nee
essarily occaSoncd impressed me deeply
with the worth OF Capt. Rogers.
Brave, intelligent, and highly capable, de-
voted to his duty and to the flag under which
he passed his life, his country cannot atlordto
lose such men, Of a kind and generous ma
ture, he was always prompt To give relief
when he could. have directed that all re-
spcct be paid to his remains, and the country
will not | am sure omit to honor the memory
of one who has not spared his life in her hour
Of trial. | have the honor to be, very re-
specially, your obedient servant,
John A. DAHLGREN, Rear Admiral.