Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-09-02
1nterestlng letter frOm the GUS.

Interesting Letter from the Gulf
The A0aek on Foris' Gaiasssg9d Morgan Lieut.
Pyenttss Rtlied.-TAe Fight ioith The Tennessee
and her Capture -!Sarrender Of Fort Powsu -
Dseds Of HsroisD, &c, 3c.
The following interesting extracts from let
ter written by gallant young Delaware officer
attached to the "Monongahea," concerning the
recent attack upon Forts Morgan and Gaines
will he OF public interest. The officer Is q son
Of prominent citizen of this State.
August 7ib, 1864.
DEAR FATHER,
write to-day to give you on
account Of our great battle Of Fsiday. We were
underway at $50, and steamed into line. A
few minutes later We beat to quarters and hoist
ed the American ensign at fore, main, mizzen and
peak. At ~ the first gun was fred from Fort
Morgan, and was answered Immediately from
the brooklyn. The shot and shell from over
hundred guns on each side were soon flying in
the air. The first shot that struck this ship
(Monongahela) wounded our first lieutenant aud
executive officer, Roderick Prentiss, in both legs
The left one was amputated, but he died in eigh-
teen hours. A few minutes after that shot, the
rebel ram Tennessee made for the Hartford
Seeing this, we put our helm hard down and ran
into him at full speed, but being encumbered
ram. as he swept by us, his Gag already shot
to pieces, was shot away; we thought he had
surrendered and we yelled. We steamed up the
boy engaging Fort Gaines. The rebel gunboais
had taken refuge behind Fort Morgan, except
the Selma. She was followed and captured.-
Al 9.40, the fight was over and we were pre-
pairing to anchor, when we saw the rebel ram
Tennessee, hoist his battle flag and make towards
this vessel. We steamed ahead at full speed to
run him down. lie fired shotted gun at the
Hartford in defiance. The Admiral then sig
nailed US to run him down. We ran into him
and also poured bToadside, and prepared to run
again. The Lackawanna, also rau in and gave
q broadade. Then the Hartford, glorious ship
ran alongside and fired q broadsde while her
guns almost touched the ram. The Brooklyn
and two irOnoads followed. We shot away the
rap . smoke-staCk and every thing we could get
at. As we ran him down again, he fired two
riaed shells into us, laying waste our berth deck
and wouuding several men. He finally surren-
dered to the fleet. This fight lasted an hour and
was glorious. | went on board Immediately
after the fight to receive our share of prisoners.
lie WAS just as good as ever, but his steering
gear was gone and chimney shot away, so that
steam was going down and suaOcaiug the men.
Our loss is severe.
Yesterday morning Fort Powell surrendered
to us. This gives us free communication with
the outside, through Grants pass. Fort Gaines
offered to surrender on terms to-laY. The Ad-
miial said unconditional" and they refused.
We will take it in week.
by general order we performed divine ser
vice To-day, in thanksgiving for SO glorious
victory, We are in fine spiris, but mourn our
loss greatly. 1t will be nearly two hundred in
killed and wounded. Besides these, we lost
Capt I. A. NJ. Craven, aud about niaety officers
aud men in the Tecumseh. We shall glory in
this battle to our dying hour. am proud of
tie humble share had in it, and shall always bo
proud that had command of sixty Of the bravest
hearts in the world. had made up my mind to
DO my duty. ascribe my self-possesson to
this resolution, / had not an extra heart throb
except when success dawned, and then | felt
saeh pride. Ill go through dozen battles to
feel that way again. During the battle great
yet controlled enthusiasm uptoyailsd; officers
aud men were alike reused to glory. Prentiss
remarked us he was carried forward, 'its only
beth legs, Bache," and smile lit up his coun-
ienlnce at his sorry joke Hearing cheers on
deck, he cheerad the flag vhiis The Knife iOas cut
ting him. lie was marred bat four months ago.
lcould, had l time, write you incidents without
numbers Of herUism, GOODNESS au noble courage.
Our captain has made no distinction, but recon-
mends every officer aud man in the highest
terms"