Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-30

in a very short time, the Keystone State and
the Quaker City CO. operating effectively.
Lieutenant Commander J. r. Davis, with
both rudders disabled, got his vessel-the Sas.
sacus-into close action, and assisted materi-
ally In silencing the works, and the Santiago
de Cuba and Fort Jackson took such positions
as they could get-owing to other vessels not
forming proper lines and throwing them out Of
their places-and fought their guns we'll.
The taking Of new position, while under
fire, by the Brooklyn and Colorado was a
beautiful sight; and when they got into posi-
tiop, both vessels delivered q fire that nothing
could Withstand. The Brooklyn well sus-
tanned her proud name under her present COM
mander, Captain James Alden; and the OoIora-
do gave evidence that her mmander, H. X.
Thatcher, fully understood the duties Of his
position.
The Susquehannah was most effective in her
fire, and was fortunate enough to obtain the
right position, although much bothered by
vessel near her that had not found her right
place. The Mohican went into battle gallantly,
and fired repeatedly and with effect and when
the Pow hatan, Tfconderoga and Shenandoah
got into their positions they did good service.
The Pautuxet fell handsomely into line and
did good service with the rest, and the Van
derbilt took position near the Minnesota and
threw in a splendid fre.
The firing Of the monitors were excellent,
and when their shells struck, great damage
was done; and the little gunboats that covered
them kept up fire sufficient to disconcert the
enemy aim.
The rebels fired no more after the vessels all
| opened on them. excepting few shots from
| the mound and upper batteries, which the
lasco and consorts soon silenced.
Our men were at work at the guns five
| hours, and glad to get little rest. They come
out of action with rather a contempt for reDel
| batteries, and anxious to renew the battle i'll
the morning. =
On the 25th, Admiral P. says all the trans
poris had arrived, and Gen. Butler sent Gen.
| Weitzell to see him and arrange the programme
| for he day.
1t was decided that we should attack the
| forts again, while the army landed and as
saulted them, if possible, under our heavy
fire.
Seventeen gunboats were sent under COM
mand of Captain O. s Glisson to cover the
| troops and assist with their boats in landing
| the soldiers.
Finding the smaller vessels kept too far from
the beach, which was quite bold Admiral z.
says he sent in the Brooklyn to set them
| example. To this lumber were added all the
| small vessels that were covering the coast
and finally he sent some eight ane vessels,
| that were acting under Commander Guest, in
| endeavoring to find way across the bar. This
gave hundred small boats to land the troops
| with, besides those the army were already pro.
Yided with, about twenty more.
At7 a. m, on the 20th, he made signal to get
under way and form in line Of battle, which
was quickly done.
The order to attack was given, and the Iron
sides took position In her usual handsome
| style, the monitors following close after her.
| All the vessels followed according TO order,
and took position without shot being fired
at them, excepting few shots fired at the four
last vessels that got into line
J. The firing this day was slow and only SUM-
| cient to amuse the enemy while the army
landed, which they were doiag five miles TO
the east Of the feet.
Admiral p. proceeds to say:
81 suppose about three thousand men had
landed, when was notified they were re EN-
| barking / could see our soldiers near the forts
accommodating and sharpshooting, and was in
| hopes that an assault was deemed practical.
| servations about 800 wards off; and the troops
were IN and around the works. Ono gallant
| officer, whose name I do not know, went on
| the parapet and brought away the rebel flag
| we had knocked down. soldier went into
| the works and isd out a horse. killing the
orderly mounted on him, and taking his dis
patches from the body.
"Another soldier fired his musket into the
| bomb. proof among the rebels, and eight or ten
| others who had ventured near the forts were
wounded by our shells AS the ammunition
gave out the vessels retired from action, and
| the iron. clads and Minnesota, Colorado and
| Susquehanna were ordered to open rapidly,
| which they did with such effect that 1t seemed
to tear the works to pieces.
| We drew off at sunset, leaving the iron clads
| to fire through the sIght, expecting the troops
| would attack in the morning when we would
| commence again. received word from GenI
| ethel informing me that it was impractical
| BILE to assault and herewith enclose a letter
from General Butler assigning his reasons for
| Withdrawing the troops. l also enclose my
| answer.
In the bombardment of the 25th the men were
| engaged firing slowly for seven hours. The
| rebels kept couple OF guns on the upper bat
| teries, firing on the vessels, hitting some OF
| them several times without doing much dam
age
| The Wabash and Powhatan being within
| their range, the object seemed mainly to dis
| able them, but rapid fire soon closed them
up. Everything was coolly and systemati-
| cally done throughout the day, and witnessed
| some beautiful practlce.
The army con- menced landing about three
o'clock, Capt. Glisson, in the Santiago de Cuba
| ha wing sheIled Flag Road Battery, 10 ensure a
| safe landing, and they commenced to re-
| embark about O'Clock, the weather coming on
About a brigade were left on the beach
during the night, covered by the gunboats.
| As our troops landed 65 rebel soldiers hoisted
| and were taken prisoners by the seamen land.
ing the troops and conveyed to the Santiago
| de Cuba 21S more gave themselves up to the
accomplishing party, all being deslrous to
| quit the war.
don't pretend to put my opinion in oppo.
| sition to Gen. Weitzel, who is a thorough SOL
der and an able engineer, and whose business
| it is to know more of assaulting than do, but
l can't help thinking that 1t was worth while
! to make the attempt after coming in so far.
| About II O'Clock I sent in a detachment Of
double. enders, under Commander Jno. Guest,
| to see If could effect an entrance through the
| channel.
| The great number Of wrecks in and about the
| bar has changed the whole formation, and
where the original channel was we found a
| shallow bar.
sent Lieut.. W. B. Gushing in to sound and
| buoy out channel If he could find one, with
! orders 10 Commander Guest to drag for torpe-
| does, and be ready to run in by the channel
when ordered.
One boat belonging to the Tacony was sunk
| by shell, and man had his leg cut off, still
| they stuck to their work until ordered to with.
draw for other duty.
In conclusion allow me to draw your atten.
ton to the conduct of Commander Rhind and
Lie utenant Preston. They engaged in the most
perilous adventure that was perhaps ever
Undertaken, and though no material results
have taken place from the explosion that we
know of, still it was not their fault. AS an in
centive to others / beg leave to recommend
them for promotion. Also taat of Lieutenant
r. H. Samson, who piloted them IN and
brought them Off
No one in the squadron considered that their
lives would be saved, and Captain Rhind and
Lieut.. Preston had made an arrangement to
sacrifice themselves in case the vessel was
boarded, a thing likely to happen I append
herewith the report OF Capt. Rhfnd, with the
names OF the gallant fellows who volunteered
for this desperate service.