The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-14
Repera Of the Official Inspection Of
Her Damages.
Her Machinery Entirely SUBJ
merged and the Top Of Her
Casemate Blown Oh.
Report Of Her Commander to tho
Rebel Secretary Mallory.
Interesting Rebel Letter Regarding
Fer Capture,
&e~ &s.s kes

&s.s &s.s kss
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. IL, 1864.
The following is the official report Of the recapure Of
Plymouth, N. u which was received the Navy De.
partment to-day
ADMIRAL PORTER TO SECRETARY wELLEs.
Norm ATLANTIC SQUADRON, J
UNIKD STATES FLAGSHIP MALVERN,
HAMPTON ROADS, Va, Nov. II, 1864
SlR-I have the honor to enclose you the report Of
Commander W. II. Macomb in relation the capture OF
the batteries and town Of Plymouth, N G., which place.
with all its deences, captured from land forces
some time last spring.
This was very gallant affair and reflects great credit
the commander OF the expedition all concerned
1t Is handsome finishing stroke after blowing up OF
the RAM
The fruits OF sthe capture arc twenty-five cannon,
thirty prisoners, hundred stand Of and
more being picked up daily.
The flags Of the fort and OF the Albemare and large
amount Of ammunition were also taken.
am, sir. very respectfully, your obedent servant,
DAVID D. PORTER, Pear Admiral
Hon. GIDEON wELLEs, Secretary OF the Navy, Washing
ton, d. C.
COMMANDER MAcoMB TO ADMIRAL PORTER.
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP SHAMROCK,
OFF PLYMOUTH, N G., Nov. !, 1854
SIRI have the honor to report that tho 31st ult
captured the enemy's batteries at Plymouth, N c. and
the ordnance and ordnance THAT place and
prisoners besides quantity OF provisions. The follow.
ing is a report OF the action =
After the return OF Lieutenant W. B. Cushing from his
expedition to blow up the Abemarle at Plymouth, de-
tsrmired making attack the batteries defending
that town. Accordingly the 2osh ult the vessels
der my command at that time in Albemsrle Sound
got under way at about q quarter past eleven
A. M and proceeded up the Roanoke river 10 The follow
ing order:-commodore Hull, Shamrock, Chcopee, o.
sego Wyalusing and TAcony, the Valley City being sent
the time up the Middle river, which joined tho
Roanoke above Plymouth In order OF any
supplies the reces might attempt TO out in that
direction.
Al about twelve O'Clock N. we came within range OF
the lower batteries protecting the town. upon which
opened Gre, which returned. We continued to
dance until within a mile OF the works. discov.
cred that the channel obsructed point opposite
the batteries by two schooners sunk each side Of
the wreck Of thesSouthned, which together formed
barrier that could only have been passed
with great danger il at all. therefore made signal
to return, which accordingly done, and tho
out of the river at two p H. with the exception OF
the Valley City, which vessel having heard the firing
commence and cease, AMI concluding that we had
the day, down the Roanoke river to within short
distance OF lymouth, where fred on, and
returned reaching the sound at about temp. II.
On the morning OF the 30th ut, having been informed
that there sufficient water in the Middle river, l
determined to blockade the enemy at Plymouth by going
up that river and gaining tho Roanoke above the
knowing that the rebels had vessels TO sink in
the channel, and therefore that should have only the
batteries to contend against should advance from
that direction. l got under way in the Sham.
rock, following the tug Bailey, Acting Ensign
N. D. Ames commanding, having Mr. Alfred Everett
the pilot Of the wyalusng board and folio we'd by the
Otsego, wyalusng, Tacony and Commodore Hull In the
order in which their names mentioned. The Chi
copee and Valley not present, the former having
by the night before to New bern for REPAIRS
and the latter being the way to Hampton Roads, va
with Lieutenant W. B. Gushing and his dispatches both
having started before had decided ascending the
Middle river. BY the good plotting Of Mr.. Everett the
got safely through into the Roanoke river at
about four O'Clock P. NJ. left the Commodore Hull in
the Middle river prevent the enemy from laying tor
pedoes there.
On way through Middle river We fred by compass
the woods at Plymouth at distufces vary
ing from $40 to 100 yards, and have since learned
that our FIRE at that time was very effective.
II was late In tho afternoon when We
rived In the Roanoke, account or the extreme
and the OF the Middle river, but TO
prevent the enemy from blockadng the river putting
torpcdoes the channel dropped to within short range
OF tho one hundred FOUNDER PARROTS sheed him
an hour Early the morning OF the slst ult.
having determined attacking the batteries, sent
tug the Middle river for the Comm 9doro Eul and
commenced preparations for the action
At sbout 8 A. NJ the CcnsoIore Hull arrived and i
stationed her tho head OF the line, before
count ability to hre directly ahead At about nine
A. N. tho United States steamer Whitehead anne up the
Middle river, having board stores the in
Albermarle Sound, from the depot New bcrn.
Az her hundred pounGer Parrot had
hadh no lp helm
dashed 10 the Shamrock and the Belle O.sego TALL
the port sdc) to keep the vessels Ia notion ia case
their engines ssoud be damaged We also had the steam
blown of the etaiboard boilers o. ali the double enters
tho fires banked very lov beneath them aud the stop
valve between the boilers Of escb ship closed so
that steam In the ssarboard boilers but the
In them bsns IL could be got up in short
time.
At hafpast nino O'Clock A. NJ, tho ships being in line
signaized TO the Comm odors HAIL run down aud
connotrs, aud ascertain II the channel clear she
reported call right" and got under way, signalling
the other vessels to fellow in close ORDER The enemy
opened on In range, aud kept opa
constant and very heavy e. directed principally at tho
Commodore Hall and the Shamrock. As ncarcd the
batteries gave the order, "Go ahead fas aud
soon directly opposite the enemy's guns when he
driven from the rife pits and fell pieces by grape and
sanister from the ships, which poured IN very
heavily.
Tho batteries st held out though their Ere began to
be mild but as the Shamrock passed them ooe OF her
shells exploded Ia their magazine, which blew up with
great force Of the fragments falling decks
This evidently caused panic among the rebels Tor from
that time their IRE slackened and at length ceased
altogether.
then made signal to firing and to land and take
possession Of the batteries, which done without
resistance. party from this ship under Lieutenant
Duer marched into the lower works two having by this
time passed the town and arrived Opposite them took
about dozen prisoners and spiked the gus to prevent
the enemy from FIRING vessels should they return
TO their batteries.
IL gives great Qualification 10 have tho honor 70