March 5, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
From the Savannah papers of yesterday we glean the following additional particulars of the action at Genesis Point:
The fire on the fort was opened about half past 7 o’clock from three iron-clad turret boats, which had taken position in front of the batteries, and two or three mortar boats, which were with the fleet some two miles below. The firing was continuous and brisk from the iron-clads during the day, which was deliberately responded to by the garrison, which directed its shot almost entirely at the nearest iron-clad, supposed to be the Montauk. From Coffee Bluff we witnessed for hours the unequal contest in which our gallant men, in their open earthwork, received the concentrated and enfilading fire of the Yankees, who were securely housed in their […..] safes. The fire was kept up with great spirit by the Yankees until about 3 o’clock, when their energies seemed to flag. A little after 3 p.m., one of the iron-clads hauled off and returned to the fleet. About this time the fire from the other two ceased, and shortly after the second iron-clad returned. The batteries now poured a terrific fire upon the remaining iron-clad, which, after remaining silent for full half an hour, followed her companions in their retreat. As she steamed down the river our garrison redoubled their fire, which was not returned by the retreating Yankee. The last gun from the fort was fired at her when nearly out of range, a quarter to five o’clock.
The latest accounts we have from the battery are up to three o’clock, from which we learn that only two men had been slightly injured, and one gun dismounted. More or less damage was, no doubt, done to the works, but the repairs will be completed by daylight tomorrow morning, when our brave boys will be ready to give the Yankees another day’s entertainment.
Occasional heavy guns were heard last night in the direction of Genesis Point, from which we infer that the mortar boats lying below were engaged in throwing shells at our batteries for the purpose of preventing our men from repairing the damage sustained by the works during the day, or from obtaining rest.
The attack will probably be renewed this morning, with, perhaps, increased force, as they have another iron-clad in their fleet.
We observed yesterday that most of the shots fired from our batteries struck the turret of the iron-clad at which they were aimed, but the fact that she was not disabled is evidence that our heaviest missiles had but little effect on her iron mailed turret. At long taw, or in an open searoad, where it would be difficult to come to close quarters with these iron monsters, they are certainly very formidable affairs; but, in a land-locked channel, with the shores on either side in our possession, it seems that means might be resorted to which would render them unsafe. The fresh water navy and horse marines of the West have a way of capturing Yankee gunboats.
There are thirteen vessels below in Ossabaw Sound. From a reconnoisance made by Capts. Hussey and Marks, on Monday and yesterday, it has been ascertained that there are none of the enemy’s vessels in Savannah River. They started Monday morning and returned last evening, after making a thorough search.