In addition to these reports from the Official Records, Edwin Bearss' Vol. I & III, The Campaign for Vicksburg, contain discussion of these events.
Fort Taylor is described as an earthwork constructed on Gordon's Landing on the Red River about 45 miles above the mouth of the Black River, see map on p. 634, Vol. I.
George Martin
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIV/1 [S# 36]
FEBRUARY 10-14, 1863.--Operations on the Red, Atchafalaya, and Black Rivers, La, and capture (14th) of the Queen of the West.
No. 5.--Report of Capt.. John Kelso, C. S. Army, commanding Fort Taylor, La.
HEADQUARTERS RED RIVER FORTIFICATIONS,
February 15, 1863.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that two Federal gunboats made their appearance in front of this position at 5 p.m. last evening. I had previously assigned every officer to his post; fire was therefore instantly opened on the enemy.
After a brief cannonade, the leading gunboat, the Queen of the West, struck her colors.
Immediately ordered Captain [T. H.] Hutton, of the Crescent Artillery, and Second Junior Lieutenant Delahunty to go on board and demand the unconditional surrender of the boat, officers, and crew. These officers report that but 13 officers and crew were found on board, the others having escaped under cover of the night.
The visible results of the capture consist in one 32-pounder rifled Parrott gun, one 24-pounder rifled Parrott gun, three 12-pounder Porfield brass pieces, one 12-pounder Porfield brass piece, slightly damaged (I use the expression of the senior commanding officer), a tremendous supply of ordnance stores, a large supply of quinine, one fine case amputating instruments, one equally fine dental instrument, and other very superior cases of surgical instruments, clothing, bacon, flour, beef, pork, hard bread, and other stores in proportion.
The list of prisoners I inclose.(*)
Allow me, major, to mention that for coolness and efficiency the officers and privates of this command are entitled to eminent credit.
To satisfy you of the precision and accuracy of the fire, thirteen out of thirty-one shots from our batteries took effect on the enemy's boat.
Lieut. James Delahunty performed efficient service; he suggested and volunteered to fire a warehouse which would give us the enemy's range and position. In spite of the darkness, he accomplished this important and difficult undertaking with perfect success and signal gallantry.
All my officers discharged their duties with promptness and exemplary coolness.
I omitted to mention that the boat was loaded with bales of cotton.
I have the honor to remain, major, your obedient servant,
J. KELSO,
Captain, Commanding Post.
Maj. E. SURGET,
Assistant Adjutant-General. p. 348
.............
MAY 4, 1863.--Engagement at Fort De Russy, Red River, Louisiana.(+)
Reports of Capt. John Kelso, commanding Confederate gunboats.
FLAG-SHIP GRAND DUKE,
May 4, 1863.
MAJOR: A ship of war mounting four guns on a side came up and opened fire on us this morning. We have some wounded, and I think on the Cotton some killed. The fire lasted about sixty minutes. We had to temporarily abandon the Cotton. We will return for her, as the enemy dropped down, as 1 thought, to secure a flank fire on us; but it is likely he (the enemy) is badly damaged.
I have the honor to remain, major, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. KELSO,
Captain, Commanding Gunboat Fleet.
Maj. E. SURGET,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
P. S.--The enemy, three in number--the picket guard reported before we left--had all gone down the river at the highest rate of speed. A boat answering the description of the Calhoun laid behind the woods and assisted in the attack. She put two or three shells through us. We could not direct our attention to her, as it could not be exactly discovered where she was stationed.
The enemy set us on fire repeatedly, but it was extinguished by the energy of the steamboat men. I will shortly, major, make a full report.
-----
FLAG-SHIP GRAND DUKE,
May 13, 1863.
MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Operations of this fleet since the 1st instant. Continuous fever, confining me to bed during a portion of the time and incapacitating me for work of any sort, has delayed the submission of this report till now.
In obedience to Special Orders, No. 106, and emanating from head. quarters District of Western Louisiana, I proceeded to Fort De Russy on the night of the 1st instant. I immediately made a full examination upon my arrival at the fort of the works and the position of the submerged guns. This examination was made after night and the report transmitted immediately. I found nothing to amend upon a renewed examination in the morning.
In twenty-four hours the submerged 32-pounder gun, and all the undamaged public property, excepting some pieces of railroad iron, was recovered and placed on board the barge ready to be towed to Alexandria, La. Just as this work was completed, an advance of the enemy's gunboats (three in number) was reported by the pickets under command of Lieutenant [H. A.] Frederic, of the signal corps. Capt. George Hite, of the steamer Countess, was immediately ordered by me to take the barge in tow. This he did, and steamed out of sight and danger up the river. In ten minutes after, the enemy made their appearance. The leading ship proved to be a steam propeller with two masts, mounting four guns on a side, and a pivot gun of heavy metal of [on] bow and stern. From the best information procurable, and the report of the pieces, the broadside guns were 32-pounder rifled cannon. This vessel took a position at about 500 yards from us. The remaining vessels of the enemy's fleet took position in favorable and shelling distances behind the woods farther down the river. We fired on the leading vessel twice before she replied.
The engagement now became general, and for one hour the contest was hotly disputed. In twenty minutes after the action commenced the Cotton, under the command of Lieut. E. T. King, was disabled by the cutting of her steam-pipe. Lieutenant King, however, continued to fight his boat with unflinching coolness. In a very short time after, it was reported to me that all the steering apparatus of the flag-ship was shot away. In fact, all the mechanical contrivances by which communication is conveyed from one part of the boat to another, bell-ropes, speaking tubes, &c., were shot to pieces. Captain White reported to me at the same time that he thought his boat unmanageable. The fight continued, however, with unabated energy until the leading gun-boat of the enemy withdrew, apparently uninjured. This gave me the impression, and it was equally the impression of Lieutenant King, that, having divined our crippled condition, the enemy were drifting down the river in order to secure a position from which they could deliver the fire upon our unprotected flank. I therefore directed an examination to be made of our condition. This resulted in ascertaining that, by passing the word from man to man, the boat might be handled exclusively through the engines. Upon a brief consultation with my officers, I determined to run up the river a short distance, repair damages, and return. It seeming to me clear that should the three boats select their positions----as was practicable with them, owing to our damaged con-dittoing-that our destruction would be probable. We therefore ran up the river, repaired damages as rapidly as possible, and returned to the fort.
In the midst of the fight I observed with indignation and regret that the barge had been cast off from the Countess and had floated down against the raft. The Cotton, it was ascertained, could not be repaired at the fort, and it was absolutely necessary to save the barge and her valuable freight,. I therefore took the Cotton and the barge in tow, and proceeded slowly toward Alexandria,, La. The Countess made her appearance subsequently, and relieved us of the barge.
The Grand Duke was set on fire five times, but owing to the coolness and energy of Capt. J. M. White, his officers and men, the fire was each time subdued.
I cannot conclude the report, major, without bearing testimony to the signal good conduct of the officers and men of the Crescent Artillery. First Lieut. W. Hervey and First Junior Lieut. T. H. Handy behaved in a manner to excite the admiration and rivet the confidence of every one who witnessed their intrepid conduct. Sergt. A. Mordis and Sergeant [J. J.] Dalton also deserve special notice for their admirable deportment during the action. When the alarm of fire was repeatedly given, I did not observe a man relax his energies at the pieces. To Lieut. E. T. King too much credit cannot be awarded. He discharged his duties with a fearlessness and composure which inspired confidence in those around him, and elicited the applause of all whose position enabled them to observe him.
The conduct of Lieut. M. Fogarty is reported to me by his commanding officer as deserving of high praise.
I beg leave to refer to the inclosed list of wounded and missing on both boats.
I have the honor to remain, major, your obedient servant,
J. KELSO,
Commanding Gunboat Fleet, off Grand Ecore.
Maj. E. SURGET,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
[Inclosures.]
STATION, GRAND ECORE, GUNBOAT COTTON,
May 12, 1863.
List(*) of wounded and missing of Capt.[E. W.] Fuller's company, Saint Martin Rangers, May 4, 1863, on board of C. S. gunboat Cotton, as follows: Wounded--officers, 1; enlisted men, 6; crew, 3. Missing--enlisted men, 1; crew, 3.
E. T. KING,
Lieutenant, Commanding Gunboat Cotton.
J. GAUTREAUX,
Acting Orderly Sergeant.
List(*) of wounded of the Crescent Artillery on board flag-ship Grand Duke, May 4, 1863, as follows: Enlisted men wounded, 7.
W. HERVEY,
First Lieutenant, Commanding Crescent Artillery.
[Indorsement. ]
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA
Natchitoches, May 14, 1863.
Respectfully forwarded. Captain [J.] Kelso, in command of the gunboats Grand Duke and Cotton, was sent down to Fort De Russy to remove the guns, ordnance stores, and other public property left at that point, which was successfully accomplished, and the enemy delayed in his advance up the river for forty-eight hours.
R. TAYLOR,
Major-General, Commanding. pp. 684-686
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FEBRUARY 24, 1863.--Capture of the Indianola.
No. 4.--Report of Maj. J. L Brent, C. S. Army.
FEBRUARY 25, 1863.
MAJOR: My last dispatch to you, exclusive of the telegraphic communication sent you last night, was from Natchez. The Federal iron-clad Indianola had forty-eight hours' start of us at Ackland's Landing; at Natchez she was less than twenty-five hours in advance.
We left Natchez on the evening of the 23d, and I found that we could easily overhaul the enemy in the morning of the 24th, but I determined not to do so, in order to bring him to an engagement at night, considering for many reasons that this time was eminently advantageous to us. We reached Grand Gulf before sunset, and there learned that he was only about four hours in advance of us. As we were running more than 2 miles to his 1, the time required to overtake him could easily be calculated; so I determined to overtake and bring him to action at 9 o'clock that evening. We came up with him about 9.40, just above New Carthage, near the foot of Palmyra Island, and I immediately signaled the The result of our first onset was to strip the Indianola of her coal-barges, which protected her sides, and to injure her to some extent in her wheel, as was apparent from her subsequent want of rapidity and precision in her movements. As soon as the Webb swept away clear By this time the Webb had run up stream, turned and came careering on with a full head of steam, and struck him very nearly in the same place where the Queen of the West had before hit him. Through and through his timbers, crushing and dashing aside his iron plates, the sharp bow of the Webb penetrated as if it were going to pass entirely through the ship. As the Webb backed clear, the Indianola, with all the speed she could raise, declined further fight, and ran down the river toward the bank, with the intention, as afterward appeared, of getting a line out, in order that the officers and crew might land and abandon their steamer, which was making water rapidly. In fact, a line was got out on land, but not fastened, and three of the crew effected their escape from the vessel, but were recaptured next day by the cavalry of Major [Isaac F.] Harrison. After the Queen of the West struck the Indianola the third time, she was for some time almost unmanageable. She had listed so much over to the port side, that one of her wheels was much the most raised out of the water. She was making water, and presented every appearance of sinking. Captain McCloskey righted her a little by throwing over cotton from his upper decks, and they were able to bring her round very slowly, but still she was brought up by her gallant commander for a further charge. While the Webb had her bow knocked off, her splendid machinery was unhurt, and she quickly and gallantly bore up for her third charge. When bearing down and approaching the enemy, Captain [Charles J.] Pierce reports that he was hailed from the deck, announcing the surrender, and begging to be towed ashore, as he was sinking. Captain Pierce represents that he placed a line on board and commenced towing the Indianola, when the line parted. As the Queen of the West was running off from her last charge to make a circuit to obtain space to add increased momentum to her onset, we encountered the Dr. Beaty (Lieutenant-Colonel Brand), who had cast off from the tender Grand Era, and was hovering round to enter the fight when an opportunity offered.
Notwithstanding all these circumstances, the enemy lost but 1 man killed and none wounded. The Webb had but 1 man wounded, while the Queen of the West had 2 killed and 4 wounded.
The fire of the enemy was terrific. Their huge shot and shell came whizzing by us, directed wide of the mark in every instance, except the two shots that struck the Queen and one that passed through the bulwarks of the Webb, while the far-darting flames of their enormous guns almost licking our bows, and the loud thunder of their reports (heard as far as Vicksburg, 30 miles off), added unusual sublimity to the scene. The Queen of the West has some appearance of protection for her men--how feeble was manifested by the injury inflicted by one shot alone; but the men on the Webb were utterly without protection. The boilers were rudely surrounded by cotton, but her walking beams were entirely exposed. I think the annals of naval warfare may be safely challenged to produce an instance where a feeble craft was thrice precipitated upon the iron sides of a first-class war steamer, mounting as heavy an armament as is to be found in the western waters.
The heroic gallantry of both captains in rushing their steamers against the iron-clad enemy in face of and against the muzzles of 9-inch and 11-inch guns cannot be overestimated.
Captain McCloskey, commanding the Queen of the West, combined with the courage of the soldier the skill and aptitude that characterizes the sailor of our western waters. Taking his position in the front of the steamer, by word and example he cheered the men on to their duty and rallied them when disheartened. I reserve to him the mention of the names of the officers and men under him who merit special mention, but I feel compelled in one case to specify an example of heroic courage and skill as exhibited by Sergt. Edward Langley, of the Third Maryland Artillery. He had on the Queen a detachment of 13 men of his artillery, and was placed in charge of the two Parrott guns. He himself took command of the 30-pounder gun in our bow, where he remained during the action, neither he nor his gallant comrades ever leaving their posts for a moment. While our bows were resting against the side of the Indianola, he still manned and fired his gun, though he and his men were without the least covering or protection. In addition to this courage, the skill and judgment he showed in maneuvering his piece, mounted on wheels within a most contracted space, is deserving of equal commendation.
Lieutenant [T. H.] Handy, of the Crescent Artillery, commanded the troops on the Webb. He exhibited the greatest skill and courage in handling his command, and he himself in person manned and pointed his rifled 32-pounder gun. His report will disclose the names of such officers and men as merit special mention.
I learn from verbal report that Lieutenant [H. A.] Rice, of the Twenty-first [Thirty-first] Tennessee, on board of the Webb, served most efficiently and gallantly. Acting Lieutenant Prather served his two field pieces, entirely unprotected, with most unshrinking courage, and was ably seconded by Mr. Charles Scholer, acting as captain of the guns.
Capt. Charles J. Pierce, a civilian, commanded and controlled the movements of the Webb. It was he who selected the weak spots of the enemy, and with a steady hand and eye dashed the Webb against the Indianola.
Not only did the officers do their duty, but I have nothing but commendation for the private soldiers. Captain [E E.] Carnes' and Lieutenant Rice's company, of the Twenty-first [Thirty-first] Tennessee, and the detachment of Lieutenant [R. S.] Dulin, adjutant of Major [James] Burnet's battalion of Texans, were in the expedition of the Queen and Webb, and under fire they, as well as their gallant officers, comported themselves with courage and discipline.
On taking possession, we found our prize rapidly making water, which we could not arrest. Seeing that she would sink, I did not wish that this should take place on the western side of the river, and therefore made fast to her with two of the steamers, and towed her over the river, when she sank in the water up to her gun deck, thus losing to us the greater part of the valuable stores that were in her hold. Captain [James W.] Mangum, assistant adjutant-general of Brigadier-General [J. C.] Moore, being in Alexandria, accompanied the expedition as a volunteer and acted as my adjutant. He comported himself gallantly under fire, and throughout the expedition rendered me valuable service.
I herewith submit the report of Captain McCloskey,(*) of the Queen of the West. He mentions favorably Captain Carnes and Lieutenant [Henry] Miller, of the Twenty-first [Thirty-first] Tennessee Volunteers; Lieutenant [R. S.] Dulin, adjutant of Major Burnet's battalion of Texans, and Capt. T. H. Hutton, chief of artillery; Sergt. Edward Langley, acting as lieutenant in charge of the two Parrott guns and the volunteers; Capt. C. H. White, slightly wounded, acting with great efficiency as ordnance officer; Captain Tank, Lieutenant Fisk, Lieut. C. Stanmyer, and Lieut. K. R. Hyams, quartermaster and commissary, who exhibited much energy. Lieutenants Stanmyer and Fisk were wounded at their pieces while gallantly acting as captains of artillery.
As I was on board the Queen during the action, the conduct of these gentlemen was under my own eye, and I cheerfully indorse the commendation of Captain McCloskey. Captain McCloskey also speaks highly of the intrepid promptness and Skill of Pilots Z. Milligan, W. Melloy, Frank Fittrell, and N. Dunbar. Also of the engineers (Messrs. J. R. Allyboy, E. Woods, J. Crawford, P. Montrose, and G. W. Daniel) and of the mate, Mr. W. H. Parker. Though the gentlemen were civilians, yet knowing that the boat was well and skillfully handled, I have thought it a matter of justice to approve the indorsement of Captain McCloskey. He also speaks approvingly of the conduct of Assistant Surgeon Blanchard, who manifested much care and coolness, coming on the gun deck in the midst of the action and personally supervising the removal of the wounded.
Sergeant Magruder, of the Signal Corps, also deserves mention for having rendered very important services in the discharge of the responsible duties devolved upon him.
I am, major, yours, respectfully,
J. L. BRENT,
Maj. E. SURGET,
[Indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA,
Respectfully forwarded.
No more gallant feat has illustrated the war. Maj. J. L. Brent is my chief of ordnance. Capt. James McCloskey is post quartermaster at this point. Mr. Charles [J.] Pierce is a Red River pilot. The expedition was fitted out by me with the utmost dispatch to destroy the Indi-anola before the enemy could pass another boat by Vicksburg or cut off our communication. Both the Queen and the Webb returned here much shattered by their terrible conflict. I shall use every effort to repair them at once and meet the enemy.
R. TAYLOR,
The Dr. Beaty is a frail steamer, with but little power, and incapable of being used as a ram, or of resisting the terrible fire to which we were exposed. She was crowded with nearly 250 gallant spirits, who volunteered from the forces at Port Hudson, and who had embarked in the Beaty with the resolution to fight the enemy by boarding her. We called out to them that the opportunity for boarding her had arrived, as it was apparent that the enemy was disabled and much demoralized. Lieutenant-Colonel Brand with his command gallantly bore away, approached the enemy, and gave, as I am informed by him, the command "prepare to board," when he was greeted by a voice from the decks of the Indianola, announcing that she had surrendered and was in a sinking condition. Colonel Brand then boarded her upper deck and received the sword of Lieutenant Commander Brown. This result must have been very gratifying to Colonel Brand, as it was obtained without the loss or injury of a single man of his command. Upon my reaching the deck, Colonel Brand most handsomely acknowledged that the capture was entirely due to the Queen of the West and the Webb. I have no doubt if it had been necessary that himself and his gallant command would have again demonstrated that nothing can resist the desperation of troops who regard not their own lives, but victory. I immediately appointed Lieutenant Handy, of the Webb, as prize-master. We found our prize a most formidable monster, mounting two 11-inch guns forward and two 9-inch guns aft, and all protected by splendid iron casemates, utterly impervious except to the heaviest artillery at the very shortest range. Her propelling power consisted of side wheels and two screw propellers. She was filled with a most valuable cargo, embracing supplies of every kind. The officers and crew, amounting to over 100, fell into our hands as prisoners. Nothing shows more clearly how well protected were her men than the fact that our artillery, though they frequently fired at the range of 20 and 30 yards, utterly failed to injure her. Lieutenant Handy, of the Webb, fired his 32-pounder rifled gun so close to the casemates of the enemy that it actually enveloped both port-holes in flames, and yet no injury was sustained. Our skillful and courageous sharpshooters fired deliberately at every onset.
I am much indebted for the success that crowns this expedition to the skill and gallantry of my officers.
Captain Pierce, of the Webb, reports to me verbally that his pilots (Mr. Norman White, mate, and the Messrs. Elijah Trene, Frank Smith, Charles Oakey, and O. S. Burdett), and chief engineer (Hugh Derby) and the assistant engineers (George Marsh, Richard Stockton, J. E. Conklin, and William Kuvish) behaved themselves with the utmost gallantry and bravery, and discharged their duties with promptness and ability. I have no doubt this is correct, from the skillful manner in which the Webb was handled while she was in action.
Major, Commanding Expedition.
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Alexandria, March 1, 1863.
Major-General, Commanding. pp. 364 - 369