The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-15


WASHINGTON, August 15-The following
official despatch has been received at the
Navy Department.
"FLAesHIP HARTFORD; MOBILE BAY,
August 8, 1s64-Sir:-I have the honor to
report to the Department that this morning
entered Mobile bay, passing between Forts
Morgan and Gaines, and encountering the
Rebel ram Tennessee, and the Rebel gunboats
Morgan, Selma, and Gaines.
"'The attacking feet was under way by Gas
A. NJ, in the following order:-
"rhe Brooklyn, with the 0ctorGrd on the
port side the Hartford, with the MetGcomet;
the Richmond with the Port Royal; the
LGckdlodnG with the Seminole; the Moaon-
gdheIa with the Kennebec; the OSsipee with
the Hdscd; and the Oneida with the Galend.
"on the starboard of the feet was the pro-
per position Of the monitors or iron-clads.
The wind was light, from the southwest, and
the sky cloudy, with very little sun.
"Fort Morgan opened upon us at ten min
utes past Z, and soon after this the action
became lively.
3 "As we steamed up the main ship channel
there was some difficulty ahead, and the
Hartford passed on ahead of the Brooklyn.
"At forty minutes past the monitor Tecun-
sch was struck by torpedo and sunk, going
down very rapidly, and carrying with her all
her officers and crew, with the exception of
the pilot and eight or ten men, who were saved
by boat that 1 sent from the Metdcomet
along side OF me.
"The Hartford had passed the forts before
8 o'clock, and, finding myself walked by the
Rebel gunboats, ordered the Metdcon,et to
60 in pursuit of them, one of which, the Selma,
she succeeded in capturing
"All the vessels had passed the forts by half
past o'clock, but the Rebel ram Tennessee
was still, apparently uninjured, in our rear.
"A signal was at once made to all the feet
TO turn again and attack the ram, not only
with guns, but with orders to run her down
at full speed The MonongGhela was the
first that struck her, but though she may
have injured her badly, yet did not succeed
IN disabling her.
"The Ldckd,oGnnG also struck her, but inef-
ftctually, and the flagship gave her severe
shock with her bow, and, as she passed, poured
her whole port broadside into her-solid niue
inch shot and thirteen pounds Of powder at a
distance of not more than twelve feet.
"The iron-clads were closing upon her, and
the Hartford and the rest of the fleet were
bearing down upon her, when, at 10 A. NJ.
she surrendered.
"The rest ofthe Rebel fleet, viz, the Morgan
and Gaines, succeeded in getting back under
the protection Of Fort Morgan.
"This terminated the action Of the day.
"Admiral Buchanan sent his sword, being
himself badly wounded with compound
fracture Of the leg, which, it is supposed, will
have to be amputated.
"Having had many Of my wounded, and the
surgeon Of the Tennessee being very desirous
to have Admiral Buchanan removed to hos
pital, sent q 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 their own
to be taken TO Pensacola, where they could be
better cared for than here, L would send out
one Of our vessels, provided she would be per.
mitted to return, bringing back nothing that
she die not take out. General Page con.
Gented, and the Metacomet was despatched.
"The list of casualties on our part, as far as
ascartainpd ara as fnIlowa.-