User:HBuff41/Braving the Fire of Port Hudson

USS Hartford Above Port Hudson Apr. 23/63
Dear Cousin, In hopes that it may interest you I will set down and write you a few extracts from my log, so you can form some idea as to how we pass the time. I will commence with March 9th. On which day we got up steam and sailed up stream, arriving at Baton Rouge on the 11th. On the 18th started ahead again and came to anchor in the evening a few miles below Port Hudson, where the rebels have some batteries. This place is situated on a bluff, while the river makes a very sharp turn, it therefore possesses as you may see many natural advantages for defence. On the fourteenth steamed up within sight of the batteries accompanied by the following vessels, viz; Richmond, Mississippi, Monongahela, Tennessee, Albatross, Hines, and the iron clad Essex; There were also six mortar schooners. During the day the mortar schooners took position and opened fire upon the batteries, but with what effect could not be seen, as we had to conjecture in a great measure the position of the enemy’s guns. There were four or five rebel steamers under the batteries one of which was supposed to be the Queen of the West, which was captured by them a short time since. It has been determined upon to attack and run by the batteries this evening. In accordance with the plan determined upon, we spread down fires and got underway a few minutes past 9 P.M. At 9.30’ we went to general quarters, moving at the same time very slowly, so as to give the fleet time to get into position. At 11.30’ fired our first gun when the action became general. The Hartford was in the advance and had the little gunboat Albatross made fast to her port quarter. The object in doing this was to protect her from injury as much as possible as the Hartford was then between her and the batteries. The rebels seemed determined to give us a warm reception and aimed their guns with great precision. A number of their shot and shell went shrieking over us, whilst some pierced our hull. One percussion shell struck us amidships and entered the hammock nettings where it burst scattering splinters and pieces of iron in every direction, whilst a shower of sparks issued forth which reached almost to the tops. Before entering the engagement, a splinter net was put up inside the bulworks, which caught all the large splinters caused by this shell. I noticed one in particular which was at least four or five feet long. The effect of this missile whirling through the deck crowded with men would have been fearful, in all probability a dozen men would have been killed if the splinter net had not been there. We received one shot through our mizzen mast which will weaken it very much. Our rigging was also much cut up, one shot passed through the smoke pipe. We kept up firing until 12.20’ when we came to anchor above the batteries, but found no vessels with us except the Albatross. What had become to the rest of the fleet was a mystery to me.A short time after we got past a large vessel with heavy spars was observed to be on fire, the impression seemed to be that it was the Mississippi. That some mischance has befallen the fleet is highly probable but to what extent we cannot tell, but I sincerely hope they were not beaten back by the enemy’s guns. The rebels fired with terrible energy, and it is remarkable that we escaped with as little injury. Sunday morning March 15th about three o’clock a tremendous explosion was heard that shook the whole ship, it is supposed to have been the Mississippi. We will now turn our attention to the Albatross and find that she has received several shots in her and had one man killed. We lost one man who either fell or was knocked overboard, there were five slightly wounded. March 16th. At anchor off the mouth of the Red River, we heard a report to the effect that the vessel which was burned was the Mississippi. We also heard that the rebels call this ship and the Albatross the “Black Devil” and it’s “Pup”. It would afford them much gratification if they could destroy or capture this ship as they have and especial grudge against us. In passing the city of Grand Gulf, which is situated about three hundred miles above New Orleans, we were opened upon by the rebels who had some field pieces and one thirty-two pounder. They succeeded in doing us considerable damage, killing two men and wounding five. Our maintopsail yard arm was shot away, the rigging and hull cut in a number of places, our fore mast and main mast were both struck, taking the whole affair altogether it was quite brisk. In the evening we came to anchor below the Warrenton batteries and had communication with Genl. Grant’s pickets. Warrington is about twelve miles below Vicksburg, which latter city is the scene of active operations. Genl. Grant having charge of the Army while acting Rear Admiral Porter is in command of the gunboats. The news obtained from the pickets was unimportant, as they had not been in communication with the camp for two weeks. March 21st. Made a reconnaissance of the Warrington bluffs, but did not discover any guns although there were some earthworks visible. In the afternoon we past Warrenton shelling the earthworks and some of the building which were supposed to shield some rebels. Came to anchor a 6.20’ in sight of Vicksburg. This is the third time for us at this place.