February 10, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
OFFICE NAVAL STATION,
Charleston, February 3, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that upon the night of the 30th ultimo I left the wharf at this place, in company with the steam ram Chicory, Commander John R. Tucker, at a quarter past 11 o’clock, and steamed slowly down the bar, as, from our draft, we could not cross until high water. At half-past 4 we crossed the bar, with about a foot and a half to spare, and soon after made a steamer at anchor – stood directly for her, and directed Lieut. Commanding Rutledge to strike her with our prow. When quite near we were hailed – ‘What steamer is that – drop your anchor or you will be into us.’ He was informed that it was the Confederate steamer ‘Palmetto State.’ At this moment we struck her and fired the seven-inch gun into her, as he gave an order to fire. I then inquired if he surrendered, and was answered in the affirmative. I then directed him to send a boat on board, which was done. After some delay Lieutenant Commanding Abbott came on board and informed me that the vessel was the U.S. steamer Mercedita, Commander Stellwager, and that she was in a sinking condition, and had a crew of one hundred and fifty-eight, all told, and wished to be relieved; that all his boats were lowered without the plugs being in, and were full of water. At this time the Chicora was engaged with the enemy, and the alarm was given. I knew our only opportunity was to take the enemy unawares, as the moment he was under way, from his superior speed we could not close with him. I then directed Lieutenant Commanding Rutledge to require from Lieutenant Commanding Abbott his word of honor for his commander, officers and crew that they would not serve against the Confederate States until regularly exchanged, when he was directed to return with his boat to his vessel to render what assistance he could. I then stood to the northward and eastward and soon after made another steamer getting under way. We stood for her and fired several shots at her; but as we had to fight the vessel in a circle to bring the different guns to bear, she was soon out of range. In this way we engaged several vessels, they keeping at long range and steering to the southward. Just as the day broke we made a large steamer (supposed to be the ‘Pawhatan’) on starboard bow, with another steamer in company, which had just got under way. They stood to the southward under full steam, and opened their batteries upon the Chicora, who was some distance astern of us. I then turned and stood to the southward to support the Chicora it necessary, but the enemy kept on his course to the southward. I then made signal to Commander Tucker to come to an anchor, and led the way to the entrance of Beach channel, where we anchored at 8:45 a.m., and had to remain seven hours for the tide, as the vessels cannot cross the bar excepting at high water.
The sea was perfectly smooth, as much so as in the harbor; everything was most favorable for us, and gave us no opportunity to test the sea qualities of the boats. The engines worked well, and we obtained a greater speed than they had ever before attained.
I cannot speak in too high terms of the conduct of Com. Tucker and Lieut. Com. Rutledge; the former handled his vessel in a beautiful manner, and did the enemy much damage. I refer you to his official report.
Lieut. Com. Rutledge also fought the ‘Palmetto State’ in a manner highly gratifying to me. Every officer and man did his duty nobly, and deserve well of their country.
We had little opportunity of trying out vessels, as the enemy did not close, and not a single shot struck either vessel.
I am highly indebted to Com. Harstine, who gallantly volunteered to take charge of three steamers, with fifty soldiers on board, who accompanied us in case we should need their services; but they could not get over the bar, but joined us after daylight at the north channel and rendered us their assistance in getting through the channel, which is very narrow.
Of the conduct of Mr. Gladden, the pilot of the Palmetto State, I cannot speak in too high terms; he was perfectly cool under the great responsibility he had in taking the vessel over at night with so great a draft, and during the action rendered me great assistance in pointing out the vessels as we approached them in the uncertain night:
I send the reports of Commander Tucker and Lieut. Commanding Rutledge.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D.L. INGRAHAM,
Flag Officer Commanding.
Hon. S.R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy, Richmond, Va.
C.S. STEAMER CHICORA
January 31, 1863.
SIR: In obedience to your order, I got under way at 11.30 p.m. yesterday, and stood down the harbor in company with the C.S. steamer Palmetto State bearing your flag. We crossed the bar at 4.40 a.m., and commenced the action at 5.20 a.m., by firing into a schooner rigged propeller, which we set on fire, and have every reason to believe sunk, as she was nowhere seen at daylight. We then engaged a large side-wheel steamer, twice our length from us on the port bow, firing three shots into her with telling effect, when she made a run for it. This vessel was supposed to be the Quaker City. We then engaged a schooner rigged propeller and a large side wheel steamer, partially crippling both, and setting the latter on fire, causing her to strike her flag; at this time the latter vessel, supposed to be the Keystone State, was completely at my mercy, having a raking position astern, distance some two hundred yards; I at once gave the order to cease firing upon her, and directed Lieut. Bier, First Lieutenant of the Chicora, to man a boat and take charge of the prize, if possible to save her; if that was not possible, to rescue her crew. While the boat was in the act of being manned, I discovered that she was endeavoring to make her escape, by working her starboard wheel, the other being disabled. Her colors being down, I at once started in pursuit, and renewed the engagement. Owing to her superior steaming qualities, she soon widened the distance to some two hundred yards. She then hoisted her flag, and commenced firing her rifled gun; her commander, by this faithless act, placing himself beyond the pale of civilized and honorable warfare. We next engaged two schooners, one brig and one barque rigged propeller, but not having the requisite speed, was unable to bring them to close quarters. We pursued them six or seven miles seaward. During the latter part of the combat I was engaged at long range with a large bark rigged steam sloop-of-war; but in spite of all our efforts, was unable to bring her to close quarters, owing to her superior steaming qualities. At 7.30, a.m., in obedience to your orders, we stood in shore, leaving the partially crippled and fleeing enemy about 7 miles clear of the bar, standing to the southward and eastward. At 8, a.m., in obedience to signal, we anchored in four fathom water off the Beach Channel.
It gives me pleasure to testify to the good conduct and efficiency of the officers and crew of the Chicora. I am particularly indebted to the pilots, Messrs. Payne and Aldert, for the skillful pilotage of the vessel. It gives me pleasure to report that I have no injuries or casualties. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.R. TUCKER,
Com. C.S.N.
Flag Officer D.N. INGRAHAM, C.S.N.,
Commanding Station, Charleston, S.C.