Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-13

ment, including her commander. about
eleven killed. the same plumber drowned.
twenty-six wounded, and nineteen prison.
ers. Twenty-three of her officers ind
men escaped. According TO the number
engaged, the losses of the Underwater
were nearly as large as that sustained
by any other naval vessel I'm tho war;
and her record I'm this engagement IL ono
that will ever rebound to the credit OF
American manhood and TO the glory OF
the American sailor. The Confederate
loss was over one-fourth of their num-
Der engaged-six killed and twenty-five
wounded. f. II. Gill. the Confederate En-
gineer, was killed In the gangway, and
Midshipman Palmer Saunders a gallant
young man, was cut down In n hand-to-
hand conflict and shot through the sto<
mach by Federal officer and breathed
out his young life on deck. All fought
WELL There was no hating, no coward
ice; every man stood at his post and cid
his duty and exhibited the heroism OF
Americans, and made plain glory that
now belongs to all the citizens jof the
Great Republic.
FORTS FIRING ON FRIENDS.
While the contending forces were bats
Ting on the decks of tho Underwater.
the Federals on shore and in the forts
began TO beat the long roll, and the cry
'"ro armsp' ITO arms" rang out on the
early morning air; rockets yere exploded,
the guns in the forts were loaded, ana
before the Underwater was entirely in
the hands of the Confederates the short
batteries opened fire on the doomed ves-
sci. Regardless Of their wounded and
the men who were prisoners on board
the Underwater, a 2O0-pound shell struck
the afterdeck In front OF Sae prisoners
and injured her machinery. Another gum
boat appearing in the distance, the Con-
federates made preparations 20 defend
the Underwater. Lieutenant Hoge OPEN
ed the magazines and manned the guns.
and the prisoners and the injured we're
placed in the boats. Steam. however.
was down, and as the machinery was
disabled. and a heavy fire from the forts
were pouring into the steamer, 1t was de-
cided TO set fire to the vessel and absn-
don her. Accordingly. the guns were
loaded and pointed toward tho town: IRE
was applied from the furnaces OF seve~
raj parts OF the vessel, and In five min.
utes after the Confcderates left the IN
derwriter was I'm one mass Of flames rom
stem 10 stem, burning with her. the dead
bodies of the brave Federals who had
fallen during the struggle.
THE UNDERWRITERS BLOWN UP.
The Confederates retired under n heavy
fire from the forts and batteries on
shore and received as a parting salute a
yolley Of musketry, which whistled over
the water near their heads. Several largo
shells exploded near the boats. and ono
burst under the stern OF one, nearly mt
ing IL out OF the water. The boarders
turned once more up the Neuse, and as
49, - a.. o. 49,
q last look at the burning steamer, which
was now completely enveloped la flame.
the lurid light flaming in the sky and hsshs
Ing for miles across the water. Although
hidden from view. the Confederates could
tell by sudden flashes In the sky and by
the dull booming sound which came TO
them upon the night air. that the guns
and the saeIl-room were reached. ard
that the explosions had begun. Finally.
tho fire reached the magazine. and all
hat was left OF the Underwater wis
blown 70 pieces. Turning into Swift creek.
about eight miles from New Berne, the
expedition landed 10 care for the wounds
FL and 10 communicate with General
Pickett. IL was part OF tho confederate
plan. n the military had been successful
n their attack on the Federal works. for
he boats to embark large force OF in-
'antry and make an assault on the water
Tide OF the forts Owing 20 the failure cf
lome Of his command 10 cooperate In
he demonstration. General Pickett with
rev his troops from before My Berne.
md the naval force ON the next morning
up the Neuse river and were
lnaliy sent 10 their various stations.
During the attack on tho Cnderwrder
he other Federal gunboats IN the sound
ook the alarm and ran on as fart a.
team could carry them. In recosnnioe