, 1864-05-18

Iattempted to turn har head up stream to
attack with our two bow guns, the only guns
left, but as this was impracticable, let her
drift down around the point aud shslled the
them for moment, and enabled the light
draft Juliet and pump-boat Champion, lsshed
together, to escape from under tho bank
where they had drifted.
/. The J1llct had her steam pipe cut, and be-
came disabled, having driftcd clear from un-
der the guns Of the enemy and close into the
bank, where the guns could be depressed to
rsaeh them, and tren whence the Champion
towed her in safety, when the Hindman open
ed her batteries, and this vessel was firing
into the rear of tha enemJ'a batteries,
Seeing that the Hindman did not pass tho
batteries, the Juliet disabled, and that one Of
thePump-boats had her boiler exploded BY q
shot, I ran down to 4 point three or four
miles below, where had ordered two iron
clads TO be ready to meet me in case of ne
>cessity.
Unfortunately. ran on shore short time
passing the battery. and remained there
three hours. Took fire In tho meantime from
the explosion Of some cartridges, the box
containing which had been struck by the Gu
the appointed place, rhere1 found the Usage
lying opposite field battery OF the enemy,
which they had been shelling throughout the
day.
: The Lexington Lad been hard At work 1t
them, and had been hullea fifteen times, with
only one man killed. The firing above had
ceased, and as the channel Was very intricate,
the fyesGels without danger Of her getting
aground. knew that they were all ADORE
tie batteries, and vas in hopes that the
Hindman had eilenced than.
Lieut. Commander Phelps Ind two vessels
in cLnrgs-tIe Juliet and Champio he
wished to get through safely. He kept them
out Of range until he could partially repair
the Juliet, and then starting, nndcr heavy
fire, he made 4push By. Unfortunately the
burnt up. The Hfndman had her wheel
ropes cut away, and dzifted past, turning
round and round, and getting we'll cut up. in
Thc Juliet was cut to pieces in hull aud
machinery, and had fifteen in killed and
wounded. Four miles le:ow they met the
,Neosbo going up, toe lste to cover them
cleaned out the batteries at least diverted
the fire of them until the passage Of the boats.
] inclose the report Of Lciut- Commanding
Phelps from. the dmc of hia first misfortune
until his arrival at this place. where now
am with all tho fleet, having lost none Of the
sunboats, but very mucn surprised that
Rnye one left, considering the difficulties en-
COEHttEeu " AC4 hAV AEtC15 uhi 1DlluNE Ell
our army to the point where they could effect
no more, all their attention was turned to the
little squadron had escortiug the Eastport.
Every man and gun were brou2ht to the
river, and We had to contend against such
od1s that 1t seemed impossible to escape de-
strnction or very severe handling. No YES
sells were ever better fought, and none Of this
cla: {mere thread paper yessels) were ever
under so hot fire.
In five minutes the Cricket was struck
thirty eight times with solid shot and shell,
with loss Of twenty y-three killed aud Honn-
dtd-haH her crew. The Juliet about the
came, with fifteen killed and wounded. The
T4indnan lost three killed and tour or 1se
wounded,
I may have lacked Judgment In not blow.
INK the Eastport up sooner, Wheu found