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

and the gunboats Baltic. Morgan. Gaines
| and Selma. The Tennessee was stronsi!
| constructed, and had good armament
| The others were rather river-craft ant
| tug-boats made over.
"The Federal fleet had been lying on
| the bay IN the Gulf OF Mexico. II con
sisted OF ten wooden ships, OF which the
Hartford was the flagship of Admiral
| Farragut. I'm command. on the 4th oil
| August Il was reinforced by four NOM
| tors. Then all were made ready for nc
| ton. and on the next morning the fleet
| was seen to be advancing. AdmirS'
| Buchanan was below when their move
ment was reported, and going on deck
saw the enemy's vessels heading for tae
passage past the fort.
I'm the words OF one Of his own officers,
the grand old Admiral OF 60 years. with
his couutenance rigid and stern. showing
a determination for battle in every line,
then gave his only order: Get under way,
Captain Johnson. Head for the leading
vessel, and fight each one as they pass
US And so the Tennessee moved to-
ward the Federal fleet, which was adj
vancing in two lines, the monitors near
est the fort, and the frigates outside. AS
they approached the foremost monitor,
the Tecumseh, was seen To shudder then
TO reel and sink into the sea, struck by a
torpedo. The leading vessels OF the
enemy backed water and steered TO one
side. This broke the line and threatened 70
destroy their order OF battle, but Farragut,
perceiving It, pressed to the front In his
flagship, the Hartford, and, crying out,
On the torpedoes; go ahead led the
way. The vessels, as they passed the Ten
nessee, swept her with their guns, until
nothing was left outside but her iron walls.
But the little ironclad fought each one
as they passed. For an hour and d half
the battle lasted. The enemy had then
passed the fort, and the Tennessee turned
toward it TO lie apparently under the
shelter OF Its guns.
BACK TO THE FIGHT.
But 1t was soon seen that her COM
mander had not yet quilted the battle,
for, TO the amazement of his officers. he
was heading again toward the enemys
neet.
"Farragut, when told that Buchanan
was advancing again, said, 1t is like his
audacity,' and gave the order for his fleet
TO advance upon him one by one and
crowd him down into the water. The
wooden vessels had been altered with
with iron prows for the purpose. Down
they came upon the Tennessee, one by
one. at the speed of ten miles an hour
towering high above the lowly ram. Cap
tain Johnson stood in the pilot-house
with some of his officers and men await
ing the blow. All expected TO be swept
under. The blow came. The Tennessee
was whirled around like a top. The main
PROV or the enemy was shivered, and Cap
tain Johnson instantly said: We are all
right; they can never run us UNDER But
for an hour and a half the battle lasted
six guns against sixty-eight. AS they
swept by her their muzzles were not 10
feet apart. SO close were they that men
wounded each other in the port holes or
the opposing vessels with bayonets.
FIGHT TO THE LAST"
Some one reports that the Admiral is
wounded. The surgeon goes to seek him,
and finds him lying on the deck near the
port-hale covered with fragments OF four
men who are slain. He is badly hurt, the
bone of his left leg is broken by a piece
of iron and is sticking through the skin
The surgeon lifts him up, throws his
arms around his neck, and carries him to
the cockpit. where he received Captain
Johnson and told him to fight on
THE battle continues, but the Tennes-
sees steering gear having been badly In
iured, and being unable to bring a gun on |
the enemy, her captain so reports it. The |
brave old Admiral bids him Fight 10 the |
asst linen, 10 save these brave men, |
when there is no longer any hope, sur
twenty minutes later Captain Johnson |
stepped upon the missile-swept deck, and |
held up a white handkerchief upon a |
boarding pike, and the battle OF Mobile |
BAY is ended.
SWORD SURREND' RED |
"rhe sword of Admiral Buchanan was |
yiven by him TO Captain Giraudy TO be |
delivered to Admiral Farragut. Admiral |
5uchanan was carried aboard the Meta |
onnet commanded by Captain James f.
ouett, and his fleet surgeon, DIR. Con- /
'ad, and his two aides were allowed 10
accompany him. Admiral F'arragut sent
kind message when he heard of his
wound. 1t was thought at first that his
eg would have to be amputated. but the
wonderful nerve and self-command of the
Id hero saved it, He was afterward re-
moved to the hospital at Pensacola, and
n December, when able TO walk on
rutches was taken to Fort Lafayette.
HIS DAYS ENDED IN PEACE.
Admiral Buchanan passed through
Baltimore on February %. 1866. on his
way South TO be exchanged This had
,nly been effected by the determined
stand of his government. which refused
o consider any exchange until he should
re included.
Admiral Buchanan retired to his beau
iful home, The Rest in Talbot county,
md with a brief interval of absence spent
he remaining years of his life in the
,leasant association of his family and
many friends.
HE died on Monday evening, May II.
S4, in the 10th year of his age, and
vas inferred I'm the battle-ground OF the
lloyd family at Wye House, about four
niles from his home. In him died a
nan who never feared another, whose
Whole life was his answer To the call OF
uty, whose name is a proud heritage
o his children, whose record gives honor
o his native State, and whose memory
will be an enthusiasm to heroes Of the
uture."