CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report:
The Abolition iron-clad fleet, consisting of the frigate New Ironsides and eight monitors, appeared in sight on Sunday morning, April 5 instant; crossed the bar the same evening, and anchored in the main Ship Channel.
At 2 o'clock p.m., April 7 instant, the whole iron-clad fleet advanced to the attack in the following order, viz: Four monitors were in advance, led by the Passaic. The Ironsides came next, followed by three other single-turreted monitors, and the Keokuk, a double-turreted monitor bringing up the rear.
At thirty minutes past 2 p.m. the long roll was beaten and every
disposition made for action.
At fifty-five minutes past 2 p.m. the garrison, regimental, and Palmetto flags were hoisted and saluted by thirteen guns, the band playing the national air.
At 3 o'clock p.m. the action was opened by a shot from Fort Moultrie. At three minutes past 3 p.m. the leading vessel having approached to within about 1,400 yards of the fort she fired two shots simultaneously, one a 15-inch shrapnel, which burst; both passed over the fort. The batteries were opened upon her two minutes later, the firing being by battery. The action now became general, and the four leading monitors taking position from 1,300 to 1,400 yards distant, the fire was changed from fire by battery to fire by piece, as being more accurate. The fire by battery was again resumed as occasion offered. The Ironsides did not approach nearer than 1,700 yards. The whole fire of the batteries engaged was concentrated on the Passaic for thirty minutes, when she withdrew from the engagement, apparently injured. The other ships each in its turn received our attention. The fire of both Fort Moultrie and this fort being now directed against the Ironsides she immediately withdrew out of effective range.
The other turreted monitors came under our fire in like manner as the preceding, slowly passing in front of the fort in an ellipse; one only, the last, approaching to about 1,000 yards.
At five minutes past 4 p.m. the Keokuk left her consorts and advanced bow on gallantly to within 900 yards of our batteries. She received our undivided attention, and the effect of our fire was soon apparent. The wrought-iron bolts from 7-inch Brooke gun were plainly <ar20_265> seen to penetrate her turret and hull, and she retired in forty minutes, riddled and apparently almost disabled.
At twenty-five minutes past 5 p.m. the whole fleet withdrew. The iron-clads had been under our fire for two hours and twenty.five minutes.
The Keokuk has sunk; one monitor was towed south on the morning of the 8th April, instant; several were apparently injured, and the fact has been demonstrated that iron-clads of the monitor class are not invulnerable.
The enemy's fire was mostly ricochet and not very accurate; most of their shot passed over the fort and several to the right and left. The greater portion of their shots were from 1,300 to 1,400 yards distant, which appeared to be the extent of their effective range. Some shots were from a greater distance, and did not reach the fort at all.
For the effect of the fire of the enemy upon the fort I would respectfully refer to report of engineer.
One 8-inch columbiad, old pattern chambered gun, exploded. This gun was being fired at about 1° elevation, and it is my opinion that its bursting was caused by the shot rolling forward when the gun was run into battery. In firing at low degrees of elevation and at depression sabot shot should be used. One 42-pounder rifled gun was dismounted by recoil and temporarily disabled. One 10-inch columbiad was disabled by having the rear transom of its carriage shot away. Both guns were again ready for action in a few hours. The garrison flag received a shot through the union. The regimental flag was much torn by fragments of shell.
The garrison, consisting of seven companies First South Carolina
Artillery, were disposed as follows, viz:
1. Capt. D.G. Fleming, with Company B, 78 men, in command of east parapet battery, assisted by Lieuts. F. D. Blake and Iredell Jones. Lieut. J. M. Rhett, Company A, although on sick report, was assigned temporarily to Company B.
2. Capt. F. H. Harleston, with Company D, 74 men, in command of northeast parapet battery, assisted by Lieuts. McMillan King and W. S. Simkins.
3. Capt. J. G. King, with Company F, in command of northwest parapet battery, assisted by Lieuts. A. S. Gaillard, John Middleton, and W. H. Johnson.
4. Capt. J. C. Mitchel, with Company I, 78 men, in command of west parapet battery, assisted by Lieut. J. S. Bee.
5. Capt. J. R. Macbeth, with Company E, 77 men, in command of mortar battery and east casemate battery, assisted by Lieut. J. J. Alston.
6. Capt. W. H. Peronneau, with Company G, 77 men, in command of northeast casemate battery, assisted by Lieut. E. S. Fickling.
7. Capt. C. W. Parker, with detachment Company C, 55 men, and detachment Company E, in command of northwest casemate battery, assisted by Lieuts. G. E. Haynsworth and K. Kemper.
8. Lieut W. H. Grimball, with regimental band, 15 men, in command of second tier casemate battery.
9. Lieutenant Clarkson, with detachment of 25 men of Company B, Charleston Battalion, posted in second tier of casement as sharpshooters. Lieutenant-Colonel Yates, having reported for duty on the morning of the 7th April, was assigned to the immediate command of the parapet batteries. The casement batteries were under the immediate command of Maj. Ormsby Blanding.
The following is the number of guns brought into action: Two 7-inch Brooke guns, four 10-inch columbiads, two 9-inch Dahlgrens, four 8-inch columbiads, four 8-inch navy guns, seven banded and rifled 42-pounders, one banded and rifled 32-pounder, thirteen smooth-bore 32-pounders, and seven 10-inch sea-coast mortars.
The following were the officers of the staff: Lieut. S.C. Boyleston, adjutant; Capt. T. M. Barker, assistant quartermater Capt. S. P. Ravenel, acting chief of staff; Rev. N. Aldrich, chaplain; Sergt. Maj. C. P. Grundshig, and Quartermaster Sergt. William Nicoll. Lieut. Charles Inglesby was officer of the day; Lieut. J. G. Heyward was officer of the guard; Lieut. E. P. Ravenel was acting ordnance officer, assisted by Lieut. James B. Heyward, lieutenant of ordnance.
The medical department was under charge of Surg. M. S. Moore, assisted by Asst. Surg. Samuel Muller. Mr. Edward White was present as acting engineer officer.
The members of the Signal Corps were T. P. Lowndes, Arthur Grim-ball, and Joseph Seabrook.
Several officers of General Ripley's staff were present during the engagement, and in the absence of General Ripley tendered their services to me. Capt. Benjamin Read, assistant adjutant-general, Col. Edward Manigault, and Col. St. Clair Dearing; were present, having tendered their services also. Mr. LaCoste also was present and rendered efficient service.
With regard to the conduct of the garrison it is impossible for me to draw any distinction. Officers and men were alike animated with the same spirit, and I cannot speak in too high terms of their coolness and gallantry throughout the action. All acted as though they were engaged in practice, and the minutest particulars of drill and military etiquette were preserved. For cxpenditure of ammunition I would respectfully refer to inclosed report of ordnance officer. For a list of casualties I would also refer to inclosed surgeon's report.
At 9 o'clock a.m. April 8th the Keokuk was seen to sink near Morris Island Beach, where she now lies.
Respectfully submitted.
ALFRED RHETT,
Colonel, Commanding.
