Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-08-19

GUT.
Washington, Aug. I5.-The following official
dispatches have been received by the Navy De-
partment:
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD,
MOBILE BAY, Aug. 5.
Sin: Il have the honor to report TO the De-
partmenf, that this morning | entered Mobile
Bay, passing between Forts Morgan and Gaines,
and eDcountering the rebel ram Tennessee and
gunboats OF the enemy, viz, Selma, Morgan,
and Gaines. The attacking fleet was under way
by $40 A. NJ. in the following order.
The Brooklyn with the Octorora on her port
side, the Hartford with the Metacomei, the Rich
mond with the Port Royal, the Lackowana with
the Seminole, the Monongahela with the Te-
cumseh, the Ossipee with the Stosco, and the
Oneida with the Galena. On the starboard
OF the fleet was the position of the Monitors and
iron clads.
Fort Morgan opened upon us at ten o'clock,
and soon after this, the action became lively.
As we steamed up the main ship channel
there was some difficulty ahead, and the Hart
ford passed ON ahead Of the Brooklyn.
AT forty minutes past seven the monitor Te-
cumseh was struck by torpedo and sunk, going
down very rapidly and carrying with her all
the officers and crew with the exception of the
pilot and eight or ten men, who were saved by
the boat that was sent from the Metacomet.
ordered the Metacomet to cast off and go in
pursuit of them, one of which (the Selma) she
succeeded in capturing.
All the vessels had passed the forts by $3.50,
but the rebel ram Tennessee was still apparen-
tly uniDjured, in our rear. A signal was at
once made to all the fleet to turn again and at
tack the ram, not only with guns but with or
ders TO run it down with full speed.
The Monongahela was the first that struck
her, and though she may have injured her bad
ly, yet she did not succeed in disabling her.
The Lackawana also struck her, but eneffectu-
ally. The flagship gave her severe shock
with her bow and as she passed, fired whole
port broadside of solid inch shot, with Is pound
of powder, at distance OF not more than II feet.
The iron elads were closing upon her and the
Hartford and the rest of the fleet were bearing
down upon her, then Ito A. NJ. she surrender
ed.
The rest of the rebel feet, viz. the Morgan
and the Gains succeeded in getting back under
the protection Of Fort Morgan.
Thus terminated the action of the day.
A6miral Buchanan sent me 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 own m en-
wounded and the surgeon of the Tennessee be-
ing very desirous to have Admiral Buchanan
removed to the Hospital, sent flag of truce to
the commanding officers of Fort Morgan, Brig
adler 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 permitted to return, bringing back
what she did not take off. General Page con-
sented, and the Metacomet was dispatched
The total loss on our side is 40 killed and SS
wounded. On the rebel ram Tennessee 90 Off
GERS and about l70 men were captured. On the
Selma were taken ninety officers and men.
will send detailed dispatch by the first op-
portunity.