The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-08-23

and the resources of the Government. I remain,
dear sir, yours, with great respect
G. 4. TRENHOLM
THE NAVAL FIGHT NEAR MOBILE
| Correspondence of the Wilmington Journal
MOBILE, Ala, Aug. 6, l864.-Messrs. Editors:
Early on yesterday morning, the sun rose to
dazzle the cloudless sky, the enemys fleet were
observed to be in foil tide of preparation for de.
monstration against Fort Morgan, the principal
work of the defences of this city The rapid ex-
change of telegraphs, and the constant plying Of
boats to and from Admiral Faragut's Flag Ship
| Hartford, gave assurance that the hour tor action
was at hand. At six A. NJ. their line of battle
commenced to move two deep; first were two tur-
retted monitors, followed by two iron plated dou
defenders, then the Hartford, with small steam.
er on her off side, her side being we'll protect
ed with chains, run from stem to stern ard below
her water lines; the small vessel was evidently in
tended to render her assistance if required. When
near abreast Of the Fort, the monitors, double
enders and Hartford opened fire, which led along
their entire line-The Fort replied with vigor and
good precision, as one of the monitors, commanded
by A. Nj. Craven, sunk almost instantly. Three
men swan to the Fort. Craven jumped into his
boat and pushed of; only one man succeeded IN
getting with him, the balance of one hundred and
eighteen men went down, the water closing over
Immediately inside the Fort lay Admiral +.
Buchanan, Of Hampton Roads celebrity, in his iron
clad ram, Tennessee, of six guns; the Morgan,
Gaines and Selma side-wheel wooden vessels of
six guns each, which were in line of battle, and at
once opened fire upon the advancing enemy: and
here the sight was magnifcently grand to see;
broadsde after broadside poured into the enemy,
who now numbered fourteen sail inside the Fort.
But it was soon manifest that our little squadron
n CO
powerful fleet. The contest had now lasted
about two hours both parties lessened their fire as
if by consent
Buchanan run up his signals, 'follow the mo-
tons Of the commanding officer" "sink, but don't
surrender" on which the engagement re- common
ced with greater fury than before. The Fort was
then out of range to do much injury. The Gaines
had she'll in her magazine, and another in her
bread room, which caused her to leak badly.--She
was fast settling by the stern, and soon went down
in three fathoms water, with seventeen shot in her
hull-She was commanded by Lieut.. John W.
Bennett Of Maryland. The Morgan was attacked
by frigate, from which she retired while fighting
into sboal water. Her enormous adversary could
not follow, and she escaped with very little damage
In this latter engagement the monitors and the
two double enders surrounded the "Tennessee;"
her steering gear was struck, which left her uu-
manageable; her smoke-stack was so perforated with
shot that it fell overheard close by the deck, and
this prevented the possibility Of making steam,
and filled her gun deck with smoke. Then, ana
not till then, did this brave old veteran surrender
neither did ne quit her deck until shot down. A
despatch from his Surgeon, D. B. Conrad, describes
mis- wound fracture of the thigh, which may
require amputation.
In this engagement the Old North State fur
nished one Commander, P. Nj. Murphy, of the
"Selma," who fought his ship against the Hart
ford (sixteen guns with much skill, until all hope
of victory vanished, and then as if madness drove
him on, he up, fired broadside into her. and
surrendered.
Thus ended an engagement which will be long
remembered, and cannot fail to find high place on
the calendar Of hstory's page.
lett the fort at Z. NJ just as Admiral Far
ragut sent in a flag of truce asking permission to
bury his dead near the FORT and to send his wound
ed to "Pensacola." Gen. (Ramrod) Page refused,
and hence their dead were thrown overheard :
In the latter part of the engagement, little
steamer called the Phlippi attempted to pass the
fort, but shot disabled her, killed one man, and
cut the leg off another, which they left behind in
their haste to abandon her They were thrown
overheard before we fired the vessel. -.
The casualties in the fort are very slight, being
two killed and FIVE wounded, all the enemy's at
tcnton was given to the fleet of Buchanan, with
slight long range fire upon the Fort.
One of our men escaped from whom [ obtained
the following list Of killed aud wounded In the
tormer-the killed are Killeny and John Silk
LIT. Comstock, Elk Officer, j K Murray, Masters
mate, " Hall, Gunner's mate, and ten men,
Wounded-Admiral Buchanan, j c Cornell and
Vim Rogers Engineers, and Captain Peter NJ
Murphy and fifteen men.
by this man I learn that all our wounded are
gone to Pensacola. "IVY GREEN" ,
MosBY,s LATE EXPLOIT following Off
clal dispatch, received at the War Department
confirms the account of Moshy's recent exploit
Berryville, Va.
Colonel Mosby reports that he attacked The
enemy's supply train near Berryville, on the 18th
instant, captured and destroyed seventy FIVE load
ed wagons and secured over two hundred prison
ems including several officers, between five and six
hundred horses and mules upwards Of two hun
dred beef cattle, and many valuable Stores A
considerable number of the enemy were killed and
wounded. His loss, two killed and three woun
ded"
Berryvillc is the courthouse of Clarke county,
and situated in the northern part of the Valley Of
Virginia, about eleven miles from Winchester.
The captured train was conveying supplies to
Sheridan forces, Strasburg