the mortar vessels were adding to the dreadful noise.

"Shot, shell, grape, and canister filled the air with deadly missiles. It was like the breaking up of a thousand worlds-crash-tear-whiz! Such another scene was never witnessed by mortal man. Steadily we steamed on, giving them shell, the forts firing rifleshot and shell, ten-inch columbiads, forty-two, thirty-two, and twenty-four pounder balls; and, to add to this state of affairs, thirteen steamers and the floating battery Louisiana of the enemy were pouring into and around us a hail-storm of iron perfectly indescribable. satisfied with their firing, fire-raft after fire-raft was lit and set adrift to do their work of burning. The ram was busy at work trying to shove them under the bows of our vessel.

Not

"As we drew near abeam of the forts we intermingled grape with shell, which had the effect to silence in a measure the barbette guns The shot from the enemy, which for some time had gone over us, now began to cut us through.

"While in the port mizzen rigging the flag-officer narrowly escaped being hit with a rifle-shell. A shell burst on deck, and the concussion stunned Lieutenant George Heisler, of our marine corps, so that for a time his life was despaired of I started to go forward to see how things were working there, and the wind of a huge rifle-shell knocked the cap off my head. It was a time of terror; our guns were firing as rapidly as possible, and the howitzers in the tops were doing excellent execution.

181

"The rebel steamers were crowded with troops, who fired volleys of rifleballs at us, most of which did us no harm. One of them came near us, and I think I am safe in saying she contained two hundred men. Our howitzers opened on them, and Captain Broome, of the marine corps, opened into her with two nine-inch guns. An explosion-terrific yells--a careen, and that fellow was done for. Their steamers were bold and fearless; but no sooner did they come in sight of our gunners than they were sunk. The Varuna sunk six of them one after another.

"In the midst of this awful scene down came a tremendous fire-raft, and the ram shoved her under our port quarter. The flames caught our rigging and side, and for a moment it seemed we must fall a prey to the ravages of fire. A fire was also burning on the berthdeck. The fire hose was on hand, and we soon subdued the flames, and gave the ram a dose of rifle-shell. She, however, came up for us again; but some other vessel tackled her and she hauled off. During this stage of affairs we grounded, and our fate seemed sealed; but our men worked like beavers, and the engineers soon got the ship astern and afloat. It defies the powers of my brain to describe the scene at this time. The river and its banks were one sheet of flame, and the messengers of death were moving with lightning swiftness in all directions. Steadily we plied shell and grape, interspersed with shrapnell. Rebeldom began to quake; her boats were fast being riddled by well-directed

broadsides, and they who were able made for the shore to run them on, so that they could save their lives. Some were on fire, and others were sinking. Our boys were cheering with a hearty goodwill; and well they might, for we had almost won the day, and we were nearly past the forts. Our ship had been on fire three times, and she was riddled from stem to stern. The cabin was completely gutted, the starboard steerage all torn up, and the armory all knocked intopi.' My clothing was strewn abaft decks, and I was obliged to pick it up piece by piece. The manuscript of the bombardment came near to destruction by a rifle-shell, which tore up my room and killed one man.

After being under a terrific fire for one hour and twenty minutes we were past the forts, badly cut up, a shot hole through mainmast, two in stern, and several through us. I frankly confess I am unable to describe the scene. Words cannot express any adequate idea of the engagement. Wrapped up in smoke, firing and being fired at, shot and shell whistling like locomotive demons around, above, before, and in the rear of you; flames from fire-rafts encircling you, splinters flying in all directions, and shells bursting overhead! Can you imagine this scene? If you can, it is more than I can describe as I would wish to. "At half-past five o'clock no less than eleven rebel steamers were in flames along each side of the river. We steamed up to the Quarantine to anchor, when lo! the ram made her appearance, and saucily fired at the Richmond.

"The Mississippi being near at hand, about ship for the black devil, and at him she went with the idea of running him down. The ram ran, but finding the Mississippi gaining on him he ran his nose into the bank of the river, and immediately about thirty men came up out of the hatch and ran on shore. The Mississippi fired two or three broadsides into her and boarded her, but finding she was of no earthly account, again fired into her, and she drifted down the river, sinking very fast. On reaching Quarantine, we found that the Varuna had been sunk, and that, after her brave exploits, she fell, crippled in a glorious

cause.

"Captain Boggs, of the Varuna, finding that a steamer was about to run into him, put the vessel in such position that in being damaged he could repay it with interest. On came a large steamer, all clad with iron about the bow, and hit the Varuna in the port waist, cutting and crushing in her side. She dropped alongside, and cleared out to butt again. She hit the Varuna a second time, and while in a sinking condition the Varuna poured the eight-inch shells into her so fast that the rebel was set on fire and driven on shore.

"No sooner had the Varuna cleared herself of this customer-and while en deavoring to reach the river bank-than the steamer Governor Moore (formerly the Morgan), commanded by Lieutenant Beverly Kennon, came along in a crippled condition, and endeavored to run away up the river. The Oneida gave chase, and she surrendered to her. She

"UNITED STATES STEAMER BROOKLYN, OFF NEW?

}

ORLEANS, April 29, 1862. "SIR: I have the honor to report that after passing the batteries, with the steamer Varuna under my command, on the morning of the 24th, finding my vessel amid a nest of rebel steamers, I started ahead, delivering her fire both starboard and port at every one that she passed. The first on her starboard beam that received her fire appeared to be loaded with troops. Her boiler was exploded, and she drifted to the shore. In like manner three other vessels, one of them a gun-boat, were driven on shore in flames, and afterward blew up. At six A.M. the Varuna was attacked by the Morgan, iron-clad about the bow, commanded by Beverly Kennon, an ex-naval officer. This vessel raked us along the port gangway, killing four and wounding nine of the crew. Butting the Varuna on the quarter and again on the starboard side, I managed to get three eight-inch shells into her abaft her armor, as also several shot from the after rifled gun, when she dropped out of action, partially disabled. While still engaged with her, another rebel steamer, iron-clad, and with a prow under water, struck us in the port gangway, doing considerable damage. Our shot glancing from her bow, she backed off for another blow, and struck again in the same place, crushing in the side; but by going ahead fast the concussion drew her bow around, and I was able with the port guns to give her, while close alongside, five eight-inch shell abaft her armor. This settled her, and drove her ashore in flames. Finding the Varuna sinking I ran her into the bank, let go the anchors, and tied her up to the trees. During all this time the guns were actively at work crippling the Morgan, she making feeble efforts to get up steam. This fire was kept up until the water was over the gun trucks, when I turned my attention to getting the wounded and crew out of the vessel. The Oneida, Captain Lee, seeing the condition of the Varuna, had rushed to her assistance, but I waved her on,

I have since learned that over fifty of her crew were killed and wounded, and she was set on fire by her commander, who burned his wounded with his vessel. I cannot award too much praise to the officers and crew of the Varuna for the noble manner in which they supported me, and their coolness under such exciting circumstances, particularly when extinguishing fire, having been set on fire twice during the action by shell.

'In fifteen minutes from the time the Varuna was struck she was on the bottom, with only her topgallant forecastle out of water.

"The officers and crew lost everything they possessed, no one thinking of leaving their station until driven thence by the water. I trust the attention of the Department will be called to this loss, and compensation made to those who have lost their all.

"The crew were taken off by the different vessels of the fleet as fast as they arrived, and are now distributed through the squadron.

"The wounded were sent to the Pensacola.

"I would particularly commend to the notice of the Department, Oscar Peck, second class boy and powder boy of the after rifle, whose coolness and intrepidity attracted the attention of all hands. A fit reward for such services would be an appointment at the Naval School.

"The marines, although new recruits, more than maintained the reputation of that corps. Their galling fire cleared the Morgan's rifled gun, and prevented a repetition of their murderous fire. Four of the marines were wounded, one I fear mortally.

"So soon as the crew were saved I reported to you in person, and within an hour left in the only remaining boat belonging to the Varuna, with your dispatches for General Butler, returning with him yesterday afternoon. "Very respectfully yours, CHARLES S. BOGGS,

"Commander United States Navy. "To Flag-Officer D. G. FARRAGUT, Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron."