The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-04

operations against the enemys works. Early
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 available
naval force, leading with my flag in the Wee.
hawken, followed by the Catskill Nahont and
Montauk, the Passaic and Patapsco in reserve
for Fort Sumter, the Ironsdes in position on,
posite to Wagner, and the gunboats named IN
the margin at long range:
Canandaigua, Capt. j. j. Grum.
Weehawken, Commander j. B. Creighton.
Clmerone Commander A. X. Hughes
Ottawa, Lieut.. Commander W. d. WHITING
Wissahickon. Lieut.. Commander j. L. Davis.
Dai Chlng; Lieut.. Commander j. l.. Chaplin.
LodOno Lieut.. Commander E. BrOdhead
AS the tide rose, the Weehawken was closed
TO about 400 yards of Wagner. The other
three Monitors followed, and the Ironsides was
us near as her great draft of water permitted.
After steady and well directed fire Wagner
was silenced about $50 A. NJ, and that of our
vessels was slackened in consequence.
Meanwhile the fire of our shore batteries
was working etfectually upon the gorge of
Sumter, which appeared to have been strength
ened in every possible manner.
AT this time the flag was shifted to the Pas
sale, which, with the Patapsco, both having
rified guns, steamed up the channel until within
two thousand yards of Fort Sumter, when a
fire was opened on the gorge angle of the
southeast front of the work The Patapsco
fired very well, and is believed to have truck
the southeast front nine consecutive times To
all this Sumter scarcely replied, Wagner was
silenced and Battery Gregg alone maintained
deliberate fire at the Patapsco.
Ii was now noon, the men had been hard at
work from daybreak, and needed rest, so I
Withdrew the vessel to give them dinner.
During the forenoon our shore batteries
continued the fire at Sumter, with little or no
reply from the enemy, and | contented myself
with sending up the PasSaic and PatapscO to
prevent Wagner from repairing damages. The
tort replied briskly, but in brief time left off
firing.
l am not able to state with exactness the
result of the days work, but am well satisfied
with what 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 repair.
The Weehawken was lying about one thou
sand yards from Wagner, and the Catskil.
with my gallant friend, just inside of me, the
lire OF the fort coming in steadily Observing
the tide to have risen little, / directed the
Wcehawken to be carried in closer, and the
anchor was hardly weighed when | noticed
that the Catskill was also underway, which |
remarked to Captain Calhoun. 1t occurred to
me that Captain Rodgers detected the move
ment of the Weehawken, and was determined
to be closest to the enemy if possible Nv
attention was called off Immediately to the po-
sitiOn of the Weehawken, and soon after it
was reported that the Catskill was going out
of the action, with q signal flying that her
Captain was disabled. He had been killed
instantly.
The officers and men of the vessels engaged
have done their duty well and will continue to
do so. All went well with us, save one sad
exception. Captain Rodgers, my chief of
staff, was killed, as well as Paymaster Wood
bury, who was standing near him. Captain
Rodgers had more than once asked on this Oc-
casion if he should 90 with me, as usual or
resume the command of his vessel, the Ca S.
kill, and he repeated the query twice in the
morning, the last time on the deck of the Wee
hawken, just while preparing to move into
action. In each instance l replied, do as
you please" He finally said, "Well, will 90
in the Catskill, and the next time with YOU
1t is but natural that should feel deeply the
loss thus sustained. for the close and conf
Dental relation which the duties of Fleet Cap
tain necessarily occasions, impressed ME deeply
with the worth Of Captain Rodgers. Brave,
intelligent and highly capable, devoted to his
duty and to the flag under which he passed his
life, the country cannot afford to lose such
men. Of q kind and generous nature he was
always prompt to give relief when he could.
l have directed that all respects be paid to his
remains, and the country will not, l am sure
omit to honor the memory of one who has not
spared his life in her hour of trial. l have the
honor to be, very respectfully, your obedent
servant,
JOHN I. DAHLGREN, Rear Admiral,
Cong South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.