October 28, 1861 – Dispatches from Head of Passes

U.S. steamer Richmond, showing a near side-on view. Her sails are partly unfurled, and her smokestack sits mid deck.

Washington, Oct. 25.—Commodore McKean’s dispatches are received at the Navy Department. Capt. Pope of the Richmond, reports the hole made in her by the ram was two feet below the water line and five inches in circumference. At the first alarm, the crew cooly repaired to quarters, and as the ram passed abreast the Richmond, the entire port battery was discharged at her, with what effect, it was impossible to discover in the darkness. A red light was shown as a signal of danger, and the entire squadron was under way in a very few minutes, the Richmond covering the retreat. The Preble went over the bar while the Vincennes and Richmond grounded.

The enemy coming down the river with five steamers commenced firing when we retreated. The firing was from our port battery and the rifled gun on the poop. Our shot, however, fell short, while their shells burst on all sides of us. Several passed directly over the ship.

At 9:30 Commander Handy, of the Vincennes, mistaking my signal to ships outside the bar, to get under way for a signal to him to abandon his ship, came on board the Richmond with all his officers and a large number of his crew, the remainder having gone on board the Water Witch. Capt. Handy, before leaving his ship, had placed a lighted slow match to the magazine. Having waited a reasonable time for an explosion, I directed Commander Handy to return to his ship with his crew, and to start his water if necessary, at his own request, and to throw over his small guns for the purpose of lighting his ship, and to carry out his kedge with a cable to heave off by.

At 10 o’clock A. M., the enemy ceased firing and withdrew up the river. During the engagement, a shell entered our quarter-port and one of our boats was stove by another shell. Capt. Pope reports the Richmond and the Vincennes both afloat, and the leak of the former so reduced that the small engines keep her free. This is only temporary, and the Vincennes will have to go somewhere and have two or three planks put in. I have received rifled guns and have placed the 32-pounder on the forecastle and the 12-pounder on the poop. Could I have possibly managed the ship in any other way than in keeping her head up and down the river, I would have stopped at Pilottown and given battle; but this was found hazardous owing to her extreme length, an attempt was made but her broadside could not be made to bear with out running the ship ashore.

Evansville Daily Journal, Evansville, IN

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