Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-20

been under our fire for two hours and
twenty-five minutes. The keokuk mas
sunk, one monitor was towed south on
the morning of the 9Th of April instant,
several were apparently injured, and the
fact has been demonstrated that IRON
clads Of the monitor class are not invul-
nerable. 80
For the effect Of the fire of the enemy
upon the fort, I would respectfully refer
to the report of Engineer.
One S-inch columbiad, old pattern.
chambered gun, exploded. This gun was
being fired at about one degree elevation.
and 1t is my opinion that It's bursting was
caused by the shot rolling forward when
the gun was run into battery. In firing at
low degrees Of elevation and at depres-
sion sabor-shot should be used.
One 42-pounder ri1ed gun was dismount-
ed by recoii and temporarily disabled. one
10-inch columbiad was disabled by having
the rear transom of it's carriage shot
away. Both guns were again ready for
action In a few hours.
The garrison flag received a shot
through the union. The regimental nag
was much torn by fragments OF she'll.
The garrison, consisting of seven COM
panies, First South Carolina Artillery,
was disposed of as follows:
1. Captain d. G. Fleming, with Com
pany b, seventy-eight men. In command
Of east parapet battery, assisted by Lieu
tenants F. ID. Blake and Iredel Jones.
Lieutenant j. NJ. Rhett, Company A, al
though on sick report, was assigned tenn
porarily TO Company b.
2. Captain +. II. Harleston. with Com
pany ID, seventy-four men, in command OF
northeast parapet battery. assisted by
L~ieutenants Mcmillan, King, and W.. S.
Simkins.
3. Captain j. c. King, with Company +,
in command of northwest parapet bat
terry, assisted by Lleutenants A.. s. Gall
Hard, John Middleton, and w. II. n
son.
a. Captain J.. c. Mitchell, with Company
I, seventy-eight men. in command OF west
parapet battery, assisted by Lieutenant
j. S. Bee.
5. Captain J. r. Macbeth, with Company
e, seventy-seven men, in command or
mortar battery and east casemate bat
terry, assisted by Lieutenant j. j. Aston
G.. Captain w. II. Peronneau, with Com
pany @, seventy-seven men, in
of northeast casemate battery, assisted
by Lieutenant f. S. Ficklin.
4 0aDTAln 4. w. GdIhtIg III uVNaSA
ment Company c., ffty-five men, ana de-
tachment Company Il, in OF
northwest casemate battery, assisted by
Lieutenants G.. f.. Haynsworth and X.
Kemper.
q Lieutenant II. Grimball. with regl-
mental band fifteen men, in command OF
second tier casemate battery.
Q. Lieutenant Garrison, with detachment
- --~N,, -Gt~a ,gnnn nf Tnmn1nN IL
Charleston Battalion, posted in second
tier casemate as sharp-shooters.
Lieutenant-C Colonel Yates, having re-
ported for duty on the morning Of the 18th
of April, was assigned to the immediate
command of the parapet batteries. The
casemate batteries were under the imme-
date command Of Major Ormsby Bland
ing.
The following is the number OF guns
brought into action: Two Finch Brooke
guns. four 10-inch cOlumbiads, two 9-inch
Dahlgrens, four S-inch columbiads, four O.
inch nayv-guns. seven banded and rified
4~2-pounders. one banded and rifed 81
FOUNDER. thirteen smooth-bore S2-pound-
ers. seven 10-inch sea-coast mortars.
The following were the officers OF the
staff: Lieutenant S. G. Boyleston, adJu-
tant; Captain r. NJ. Barker. assistant
ouartermaster: Captain S. F.. Ravenel, A.
G S. Rev. n. Aldrich, chaplain; Ser
C. p. G%runshig, and Quar-
termaster-Sergeant. William Nicoll. Lieu
tenant Charles Inglesby was officer OF
the day; Lieutenant j. S. Hayward was
officer Of the guard; Lieutenant h. +.
Ravenel was acting ordnance officer, as
sisted by Lieutenant James b. Hayward,
of ordnance.
The Medical Department was under
charge of Surgeon NJ. 5. Noon, assisted
by Acknowledgment Samuel Miller.
Mr.. Edward White was present as act
ing engineer officer.
The members Of the signal corps were:
T. p. Lowndes, Arthur Grimball, ana
Joseph W.. Seabrook.
Several officers Of General Ripley's stan
were present during the engagement, and,
in the absence Of General Ripley tender
ed their services to me
Captain Benjamin Read, assistant ad-
tutant-general. Colonel Edward Mani
gault, and Colonel st. Clair bearing were
present, having rendered their services
also.
Mr.. Lacoste also was present and rem
dered efficient services.
For expenditure Of ammunition l would
respectfully refer to enclosed report of
ordnance officer.
For a list of casualties 1 would also re-
fer to enclosed surgeons report.
At 9 o'clock A. NJ. April sth, the Keo-
was seen to sink near Norris Island
beach, where she now lies.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED RHETT,
Colonel Commanding.