Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-10-07
ELLSWORTH MAINE, FRIDAY OCTOBER 7, 1864

great leap into the air, and tumbed over
her sides into the waters Of the bay
and such other damage was done her
that she ceased firing and employed all
her power to escape to the fort, but the
loss Of her smoke pipe impaired the steam
making capabilities of her boilers to such
an extent, that she lost the very high rate
of speed, she had before possessed, and
she soon found herself between two of our
monitors, with other vessels in dangerous
proximity. Her commander, now in
mercy to his men at 10 o'clock and 8 min
hoisted the white flag in token of sub
mission, and in few minutes after the
Stars and Stripes were Proudly waving
over the iron monitor, that had so de-
family held alolt the banner of treason.
Thus ended the most terrific and desperate
naval battle ever known to the history of
the world. The rebel Admiral Buchanan
is badly wounded, and it is Thoughts it
will be necessary to amputatc one Of his
legs. The ram had complement of $50
officers and men who were all made
prisoners. While this fearful struggle
was going on, other scenes of carnage
aud 6loodshed were being enacted in the
Eastern bay, where the rebel gunboat
Selma was endeavoring to make her
escape. The Metacomet always ready
for any emergency, started in pursuit,
and delivering her broadsides, carried
Death and destruction to the boastfu, but
eowardy rebel, and at S,55 the rebel
commander thinking prudence the better
part Of the valor-struck his flag, and
soon after. the glorioue flag of our
country was hoisted in its stead, by one
Of our brave tars from the Wetacomet.
The rebel gnnboat Gaines mounting 10
guns, was driven ashore under the guns
OF fort Morgan and sunk. The Morgan
Of the same class was also driven under
the guns Of the fort, and the following
night, succeeded in making her escape to
Mobile city.
On the night of the 5th, fort Powell
a work defending tho entrance to Mobile
bay through Grants pass was bombarded
and captured, and another rebel gunboat
destroyed SO you see that the much
boasted of reb. Navy in Mobile bay have
all been captured or destroycd-except-
ing one-by our glorious fleet. On the
sth inst. ths garrison in fort Gaines, con-
sisting e $50 persons, surrendered un-
conditionally to Admiral Farrasut, and
Al 10 A. NJ. the monster rebel rag was
hauled down ou one SIDE OF the dag staff
while at the same time, the beautiful
stars and stripes went up en- the other
The whole fleet manned their rigging and
gave three enthusiastic cheers and as
the sound Of tho voices Of our gallant
tars died away 10 the distance, the scene
presented one better imagined, than dc.
Scri5e9. Fort Morgan is now closely be-
seigsa by the army and the fleet, and its
surrender is on Y u question Of time
Wehave several thousand troops on the
point Of land to the eastward of the fort,
some of which are within 200 yards of
font, mining. The gun. o. the oncc rebel
ram-also those Of the Selma are now
turned upon the fort, and you may be
assured it is bitter pill tor the rebs to
swallow.
l have now given you as correct &C
count Of this great fight and victory. as
| can possibly do at present. The fleet
is laying quietly in this beautiful bay,
where We find it much more agreeable.
than rolling and pitching about off the
bar. | do not exactly know what our
loss is but | fear it is quite heavy in
killed and wounded. Some Of the ships
are pretty badly cat to pieces. The
Brooklyn lost 30 killed and 80 wounded
Hartford % killed aud about 80 wound
el--the Oneida 40 killed and woundel-
&c. &c. | was accidentally hurt a lit
tie III the fight, and Am at present on the
sick list, but hope to be at my post
again in a few days. We captured on
the Tennessee $50 officers and men. She
carries six of the very heaviest rihed
cannon, aud has iron plating 6 inches in
thickness, backed by feet of solid oak.
She is about 1000 tons burthen and is
an important addition to our already
formidable Navy.
Ny love to all ; your affectionate son,
j. j. BUTLER.