The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-08-18
Admiral Farraguts Official Report Of the
Late Naval Victory,

WAsHINToN, Monday, Aug. 15.-The fol-
lowing official dispatches have been receiv-
ed at the Navy Department;
OFFICIAL.
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD, MOBILE BAY,
FRIDAY, Aug, 5, 1864
TO Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary
of the Navy:
have the horror to report to the Depart
ment that this morning [ entered Mobile
Bay, passing between Forts Morgan and
Gaines, and encountering the rebel ram
Tennessee and gunboats of the enemy viz,
the Selma Morgan and and Gaines
The attacking fleet was underway by
$40 a. III. in the following order: The
Brooklyn, with the .Octorora on her port side;
the Hartford, with the Metacomet; the Rich
mond, with the Port Royal the Lackawana
with the Seminole; the Monongahela,
with the 'Tecumseh the Ossipee, with the
Itasca and the Oneida, with the GaIena
On the starboard of the feet was the pro-
per position of the monitors or iron clads =
Fort Morgan opened upon us at ten minutes
past seven o'clock, and soon after this the
action became lively. AS we steamed up
the main ship channel there was some diff
Guilty ahead and the Hartford passed OH a.
head OF the Brooklyn. At forty minutes
past seven the monitor Tecumseb was struck
by torpedo and sunk, going down very
rapidly and carrying down. with her all the
officers and crew with the exception of the
pilot and eight or ten men, who were saved
by boat that sent from the Metacomet
which was alongside of me.
The Hartford had passed the boats before
eight o'clock. Finding myself ralled by the
rebel gunboats. ordered the Metacomet to
cast off and so in pursuit of them, one of
which (the Sehna) she succeeded in captur-
ing. All the vessels had passed the forts by
$50 but the rebel ram Tennessee was still
apparently nninjured i'll our rear
A signal was at once made to all the flee t
TO turn again and attack the ram, not ouly
with guns, but with orders to run her down
at full speed The Mononglhela was the
first that struck her, and though she may
have injured her badly yet she did not
succeed III disabling her, The LacIlawana
also struck her, but Intellectually The flag
ship gave her severe shock with her bow,
and as she passed. fired into her a whole
port broaiside of solid nine inch shot, and
thirteen pounds Of powder, ut distance of
not more than twelve feet The iron cads
were closing upon her, aud the Hartford and
the rest of the fleet were bearing down on
her, when at 10 a. IN. she surrendered
The rest Of the rebel fleet, viz the Nor
gan and Gaines, succeeded in getting bacl,
under the protection of Fort Morgan. This
terminated the action Of the day.
Admiral Buchanan sent me his sword, be-
ing himself badly wounded with compound
fracture Of the leg which it is supposed will
have to he amputated.
Having had many Of my men wounded,
and the Surgeon of the Tennessee being
very DESTROYS to have Admiral Buchanan
removed to the hospital sent flag of
truce to the commanding officer of Fort
Morgan, Brigadier General Richard L. Page
to say that if he would allow the wounded
of the fleet, as well as the rebels, to be taken
to Pensacola, where they could be better cared
for than here, would send out one of our
vessels, provided she would be allowed to re-
turn, bringing back what she did not take
out
Gen. Page consented, and the Metacomet
was dispatched. The total loss on our side
was 40 killed and SO wounded.
On the rebel ram Tennessee were captured
20 officers and about 10 men On the Sci
ma were taken 80 officers and men. | will
send d detailed dispatch by the first oppor-
tuLity.
Very respectfully your obedt serv't
ID. q. FARRAGUT,
r. A. C.. w. e. B. Squadrou.