Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-20

while the other three monitors. as close to
1t as they could get, were firing furiously
upon the fort. At seven minutes after
the Brooklyn opened fire with her chase
guns Four minutes later the Hartford
Joined in the battle with hers. none Of the
broadside guns as yet bearing.
The ships were well up now and coming
along grandly in spite Of the fire fro-, the
fort, which was growing sharper and more
severe as the gunners got the range. At
twenty minutes after Z the Brook rifles on
the Tennessee and the rifled thirty-twos on
the gunboats added their voices to the hell
fsh clamor. The line had become lengthen-
ed out little by this time, and the leading
ships slowed down once more to let the
rear vessels close up again.
At 7:35 the Brooklyn was fairly abreast
OF the fort. Her heavy broadsides now bore
square upon it, and the guns, loaded with
grape, shrapnel and shell, the fuses cut
snort the range not more than 80 yards,
poured in broadside after broadside in rapid
succession. which was returned with SPLEEN
did spirit by the garrison, especially by the
water battery. masking the northwest cur
tain between the channel basttons. A few
moments after the Hartford, now close
aboard the Brooklyn. elso got the fort
abeam under her guns and by mighty
broadsides almost cleared the batteries
The confederates could not maintain their
stations at the barbette guns in such a
rain of shot as that. They were forced to
seek shelter between the broadsides, and
their own fire abated perceptibly, but now
the leading ships were within easy range of
the guns Of the Tennessee and the gunboats
dead ahead. The Union feet made a SPLEEN
did target, and the fire OF Buchanan's gun
boats, for the most part effectively handled
and well delivered was fearfully effective.
Except for few light chase guns the ships
could make no reply. The fire of the gun
boats was much more destructive than that
Of the fort at this juncture.
Meanwhile at the head Of the line the
Tecumseh was making for the Tennessee.
Craven's orders. as were the orders Of all
the other captains. had been to pass to the
eastward Of the easternmost buoy through
the clear channel right under the guns of
the fort, but with a fine tactical apprehen-
sion of the situation on the part Of Admiral
Buchanan the Tennessee had moved over
now SO that she was stationed just behind
the line of torpedoes. To get at her the
Tecumseh would have to cross the line or
by going to the east OF the buoy find her
self in a very dangerous as well as disad-
vantageous position. By Craven's initiative,
therefore, the orders were disregarded, and
: the Tecnmseh rushed straight for the Ten
snessee The heart of Craven was bent
upon graphing with the iron monster to-
ward which he was now heading. He be-
lieved that he was more than a match for
her. and he determined to try 1t. Buchanan
was not less willing and anxious for the
test. There would be no indecisive Mon
itor and Merrirnac hght about this action.
The leading ships were now fully en-
gagged and the roar of the battle was ire
mendous The water between the ships
and the fort was whipped into foam by the
shot. Clouds OF smoke and flame hung