Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-04-07
4tlt5tcI,onD.
The Loss of the Steamer Mlsslssippi,

The Loss of the Steamer Mississippi.
We copy from the New Otoln, Era the fl-I
loving account Of The los, If the Steamer Al,,is,-
ippi, in the auemp, to run the bltteue, at Por.
Hudson. The correctness Of this account Is
7oucsed for by Lieut.. DEWEY, who sent it to his
father Dr. J. Y. DEWEY of this town. The Era
says:
The Mississippi, in obedience to the order OF
Admiral Flrragut, brought up the rear She had
reached the pont directly opposite the town, anG
her officers we're congratuatng themselves upon
having passed through the greater danger, The
ship up to this time not hAybg sustained single
casually. The Monougahea not oelng in sght,
orders were 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 suriice Of the lyer, nothing being discern
able but tine flashes OF cur own and the enemy's
pieces, the ship, which had acquired rapid head
way, grounded on the right bank OF the river, d.
rectly opposite the terminus Of The Port liuds n
and Clinton Railroad
Her engines vere Immediately reversed, and
orders were gtye by Capt Smith for the men to
fire with all possible rlpdlly, as their safety Diet
pended upon keeping the enemy from their guns
The men responded With aIacrty and, IN the shor-
space OF ;hrty-iiye minut 5, they fired ttpo hun
dred and my Shots During this time, Eng!-
ueer Rutherford made every eXertlon TO get the
ship atoat but without success. Capt Smith,
fSding it impossible to save his vessel gave or.
ders to make instant preparations to destroy the
ship and save the crew. Orders were also given
to the Chief Engineer to destroy the engines, and
cut the outward connecting pipes. This being
done the water flowed rapidly into The ship. The
sick and wounded we're conveyed on board Of the
lron-clad ram Essex, and the remainder OF the
crew we're conveyed to the right bank OF the rver,
which had been cleared by the gunboats OF rebel
sharpshooteIs. Before the crew left the ship,
every preparation was made to destroy her by coll
lecting combusbes in the forward and after
parts Of the ship. Unfortunately she was fired
forward before the order vas given. This be-
coming known to the crew, and there being bat
three small boats which they could use, many
iumpsd overheard, and it is feared were drowned
in attempting to escape. Some others, seven in
ALL including Marine Captain Fonteue, Assistant
Engineer Brown and Masters Mate Francis, fell
into the hands Of the enemy.
Just before the order was given to abandon the
ship a hot from the enemy entered forward oi
the wheel, killing Acting Master Kelly, COM
mandng % division, also killing and Sounding
all but four men at one Of his guns.
After seeiug that the survivors OF his crew were
fairly clear OF the ship and every preparation
made to ensure her destruction, Commander
Smith, accompanied by Lieut. Dewey, his Exeeu.
tive Officer, Ensign Blchelder, lst Assistant En.
gneer Tower, LETT the ship and abandoned her to
the flames, after having with his own hands spiked
most of the guns.
As an evidence Of the coolness which Captain
Smith displayed on this occasion, it Is related
that in the midst of death and destruction which
surrounded him, while coolly Lighting his cigar
with flint and steele, he remarked to Lieutenant
Dewey" 1t is not likely that we shall esccpe, and
we must make every preparation to insure the
destruction Of the ship
As soon as Captain Caldwell, Of the Essex
discovered the flames bursting from the Msss
sppi, notwithstanding she was within five hun
dred yards of the principal rebel batteries, HI
steamed up the river and succeeded In taking OF
from the shore many Of the men who had es
capped, aud in saving many who were still srug
Cling with the current for their lives.
The fire having full possession Of the ship