March 20th. Nothing has occurred to-day worthy of note. Rebel pickets have been seen all day on the opposite shore. Last night the mortar vessels above Vicksburg opened fire and shelled the city for about three hours.
Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford–Wm. C. Holton
March 19th. This morning we were taken a little by surprise. Not expecting to meet with any opposition along here, we were not altogether prepared for it, as we have been on all former occasions. As no fighting had been anticipated the watch below was allowed to sleep in their hammocks, while the watch on deck got the ship under way. At five A. M. weighed and started ahead, steaming along slowly, and at six forty-five, as we came within range of the enemy’s guns, which they had mounted on high cliffs at this place, known as G rand Gulf, the enemy opened fire upon our ship, causing great excitement as a matter of course. We beat to quarters immediately; as soon as our guns could be brought to bear, we fired our broadside into the enemy’s batteries, and not until we had fired our broadside guns did the watch below know of what was going on. The excitement of those below sleeping, being awakened from their sound slumbers by the report of guns right over their heads, and the enemy’s shots striking the ship in many places, may be more easily imagined than described. We steamed ahead as rapidly as possible, and before our guns could be reloaded we had passed beyond range, although not altogether out of range of the enemy’s guns. We endeavored to train our guns so as to pay them back in their own coin for the damage they had done us, but we were not able to do them any, as our ship had by this time passed too far beyond. The enemy continued to shell us at long range, and the only retaliation we could make was with one heavy rifled gun which we had mounted on the poop deck. The battle was of short duration, lasting altogether about thirty minutes. Our casualties were two killed, and five slightly wounded, while our ship sustained much damage. If we had been aware of the fact that the enemy had fortified this place, we would have been prepared for them, and it is quite probable that we would have done them much more damage than what we did. The enemy got the best of us this time; but as our sailors say it was not a square fight, and when we go down the river again we will show them what are the fighting qualities of the old Hartford. It is quite evident that they know something of them already, as Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the Chalmette batteries and Vicksburg, and lastly, Port Hudson can testify to this fact. However, we continued on our course up the river. We met with no further opposition, and at three forty-five P. M., brought ship to anchor twelve miles below Vicksburg, or three miles below Warrenton.
As soon as we came to anchor a small boat was seen approaching from ashore; soon ascertained that the boat contained four men, one of them a Lieutenant, the other a private belonging to our army; they were on picket duty. Seeing our ship approach they knew who we were, so accordingly they came on board to inform our Admiral of what they knew. We were very happy indeed to meet with friends. The Admiral immediately dispatched his secretary, Mr. Gabaudan, to communicate with Admiral Porter’s fleet above Vicksburg. It is reported that we have an army of two hundred thousand men in the vicinity of Vicksburg. It is very probable that an attack will be made upon this place very soon. It is doubtful, however, whether we participate in the attack, as we are alone.
At five thirty P. M., called all hands to bury the dead; read the funeral services over the bodies of Charles Sweeney, seaman, and Dennis Driscoll, landsman; sent an officer on shore in charge of bodies to see them interred. The Lieutenant who came off to the ship in the small boat brought with him two prisoners; placed them in confinement on suspicion of being in rebel employ.
March 18th. This morning, at five o’clock, got under way, and proceeded on up the river, No act of violence occurred to our ship during last night while laying off Natchez. During the day the ship’s company have been engaged in making preparations to prevent the enemy’s steamers from coming alongside to board us, by securing chain cable out to the lower yard-arms; also preparing boarding nettings. At six P. M. came to anchor for the night, about seven miles below Grand Gulf.
March 17th. This morning at four o’clock we left our anchorage at the mouth of Red River, and proceeded up the Mississippi. We arrived off Natchez at six P. M. and brought ship to anchor. This is our fifth appearance at this place. As soon as we arrived our Admiral sent a boat on shore under a flag of truce, with a despatch to the Mayor, stating that if our ship was fired into during the night, that he would burn the city down. The citizens at this place are of the strongest kind of secesh. We have been able through their daily journals, to see the regard which they have for us; and we are well aware that if there were no restraint placed upon the people at this place, they would instantly resort to some means to destroy our vessels as they pass up and down, or at least would make some effort towards it.
March 16th. This morning at five thirty got under way, and steamed up the river in charge of the pilot. At seven A. M. two men came on board, and reported themselves as belonging to the original crew of the Queen of the West, having escaped from her after her capture by the rebels, since which time they have been concealed in the woods. At nine A. M. weighed and started on up, weather having cleared up so as to be able to see our way. At eleven thirty A. M. brought ship to anchor off the mouth of Red River. It is quite evident that there are a number of the enemy’s gunboats up this river. This afternoon the ship’s company have been engaged at target practice.
Sunday morning, March 16th (15th), two o’clock. The fighting is still going on with our ships below, and the mortars are still contesting with the enemy. In our action we lost one man killed, and two slightly wounded. Three o’clock A. M., one hour later; the firing below has ceased, enemy still in possession of their batteries. All hands were called to “splice the main brace.” It will be remembered that we had some five or six of the enemy’s steamers to contend with after passing their batteries, but we soon made them skedaddle, unable to close in with them on account of their superior speed. Nine A. M.—We nailed a placard on the remains of our launch, dated five miles above Port Hudson, stating our safe arrival, and sent it drifting down the river, with the expectation of our friends below intercepting it, as our communications with them were all cut off.
At ten thirty A. M. got under way again, in company of Albatross, and proceeded on up the river in search of the enemy. The day was very stormy and foggy, still we kept on our course, our pilot being one of the very best that ever traveled this river. Four P. M., brought ship to anchor for the night; the storm is still raging severely. Nine o’clock P. M. A light is reported from the masthead, coming down the river; the rattle is sprung, calling all hands to quarters; soon ascertained, however, that it was a light on shore. The night was one of the very worst that I ever experienced—dark, stormy, and we were expecting every moment to be attacked by the enemy’s boats; the night passed over with great anxiety on the part of all hands.
March 14th. This morning at five thirty, called all hands to up anchor, signalized the fleet to get under way, started ahead, ran some distance further up the river, came in sight of the batteries at Port Hudson; at seven thirty A. M., brought ship to anchor; the whole fleet came to anchor at the same time. Here we are able to command a view of the enemy’s batteries; we are lying within four miles of them, just out of range of their guns. The mortar schooners are lying about one mile ahead of our ships, under cover of a point of land; in this position they will bombard the enemy; it is quite probable that an attack will be made to-night. This afternoon an officer came on board with dispatches from Gen. Banks. The mortars have opened fire upon the batteries, simply to get range. Another rebel steamer came down the river this afternoon, making five in all; they lay under cover of the batteries.
It is now decided to make an attack to-night. We took the small gunboat Albatross in tow; she was made fast to our port quarter. The Richmond and Monongahela had, each of them, a gunboat made fast to them also. This was done after dark, so that the enemy could not see our movements; at nine P. M., everything being in readiness, signals were made for the whole fleet to get under way, and follow us up; we beat to quarters, and waited for the fleet to form in line of battle. A very few minutes elapsed before we were all in motion, each vessel taking its respective station; at ten P. M., the tugboat Reliance came up with despatches for the Admiral; spoke, and sent her back to hasten the rear ships; at ten thirty Richmond reported rear ships moving up to station; we moved along very slowly and very cautiously; the night being so very dark, we endeavored to approach the enemy as near as possible without being seen. As soon as we were discovered, the enemy opened their batteries upon us. It was some time before we could get any of our guns to bear; as a matter of course, we were obliged to stand and take it; however, we kept on our course with but one object in view, “conquer or die.” After being under fire of the enemy’s guns for some time, we succeeded in getting our guns to bear, then the firing became general and fearful in the extreme; our ships were all in full blast. In the meantime, the mortar vessels, six in number, let drive their missiles of death. By this time, our ships had got right under the batteries, and in the thickest of the firing. Unfortunately we ran aground; it was not long, however, before we were afloat again, as full steam was applied, and we succeeded in backing off; the enemy, in the meantime, did their utmost to destroy our noble ship.
We were under fire of the enemy’s guns one hour and ten minutes; our ship sustained more damage in this battle than any other we have been in yet. After we had passed by the batteries, our first duty was to ascertain the fate of our fleet; as it was so intensely dark, it was impossible to see the length of the ship from us; not many minutes elapsed before we were informed that the Hartford, and the gunboat which we had in tow, were the only vessels out of the whole fleet that had succeeded in passing by the batteries. We passed on out of range of their guns, and brought ship to anchor. What had become of the balance of our fleet, was now a mystery to us. It was very evident that our ships had met with a serious fate, or else some of them would have passed by. We could see from our anchorage a large fire raging below the batteries, supposed to be the side-wheel steamer Mississippi, from which a frequent number of explosions were heard.
March 13th. To-day the gunboat Sachem started up the river, also two transports loaded with troops. The day has been spent in getting the ship ready for action. This afternoon, army signal officers came on board to accompany us up the river. Mortar vessels are moving up to take their positions for bombarding; at four P. M. we got under way, and started up the river, followed by the Richmond, Mississippi, Monongahela, and gunboat Kineo. As soon as the ships were got under way we beat to quarters.
The Admiral, Fleet Captain and Captain Palmer commanding, also Mr. Kimberly, executive officer, inspected the ship fore and aft, to see that all things were in readiness; at seven thirty P. M. came to anchor for the night, it being so very dark it was deemed necessary, as every precaution is required under the circumstances.
March 12th. The Genesee went up the river to-day with two mortar schooners in tow.
March 11th. At five-thirty A. M. got under way, and continued on up the river. At nine A. M. brought ship to anchor off the city of Baton Rouge, La. The crew have been employed to-day coaling ship.
