The Battle of Grand Gulf (Mississippi)
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Page469 CHAP. XXXVI.] PASSAGE OF GRAND GULF BATTERIES, ETC.
MARCH 19, 1863.-Passage of the Grand batteries by the Hartford and Monongahela.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the gunboats Hartford and Monongahela passed by this
morning on their way up the river. Colonel [Wm.] Wade, commanding the Parrott battery,
reserved his fire, as directed, until the vessels were nearly opposite his guns. The Hartford kept
between the shore and the gunboat. As soon as he opened, the latter made the best possible time
around the point, and all the fire was directed against the sloop of war. The firing was every
accurate, and almost every shot struck the mark,but with what effect could not be perceived.*
They answered with heavy guns, but harmed nothing except a battery flag-staff.
I have been anxiously looking for the Anna Perette all day, and still hope she will be here before
night. The guns can be mounted in very short order, when once here, and I trust to be able to give
them a better reception on their way down.
I allowed the Grand Era to go on down to Red River this afternoon, there being no danger below.
The Fulton also exhibited orders to proceeded to the same destination, but I retained her to go to
Hard Times, 3 or 4 miles on the other side of the river, to get a thousand or so sacks
* Rear-Admiral D. G. Farragut, U. S. Navy, reports his casualties as 2 men killed and 6 wounded.
See Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 7, 1863.
Page470 [CHAP. XXXVI. MISSISSIPPI, WEST TENNESSEE, ETC.
of corn, which await transportation there. Every precaution has been taken to prevent surprise,
and the boat will return this afternoon.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO S. BOWEN
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Major J. J. REEVE, Assistant Adjutant General.
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Page480 [CHAP. XXXVI. MISSISSIPPI, WEST TENNESSEE, ETC.
Numbers 4.
Reports of Major General Carter L. Stevenson, C. S. Army, commanding at Vicksburg.
HDQRS. SECOND DISTRICT, DEPT. OF MISS., AND E. LA.,
Vicksburg, March 25, 1863.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that, about 5.30 o'clock this morning, two boats attempted to
pass our batteries. One of them was sunk about 2 miles below the town, with almost all on board;
the other was seriously disabled. When she had floated out of range of our batteries, the gunboat
Albatross (heretofore called, it is thought by mistake, the Monongahela), took her in tow. She is
now helpless, and it will apparently take some time for them to repair her damages. During the
engagement the Hartford moved up from below Warrenton, engaging the fort there.
She approached so near that our musketry drove the gunners from the guns, when she withdrew. The officer whom I sent to Mobile and Montgomery has succeeded in obtaining a good deal of powder and projectiles for my heavy guns. It cannot pass either Meridian or Jackson without your orders; please give such that will secure its speedy arrival. I send you on the train to-day two Federal deserters and a negro taken in the act of carrying dispatches for the enemy. One of the deserters is an intelligent man, and some information can perhaps be derived from him. I inclose herewith a list of the ordnance and ordnance stores sent General Loring.*
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. L. STEVENSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
Major R. W. MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
VICKSBURG, March 25, 1863.
The boat which passed this morning was towed ashore just above Brown & Johnston's landing,
where she now lies apparently a wreck. The Hartford, in passing up to her assistance, engaged our
iron casemates at Warrenton for some twenty minutes, during which she was roughly handled,
being struck some twenty-six times. We had mounted four Parrott guns in the casemate since she
went down. General [S. D.] Lee is advancing slowly. Nothing from Featherston. A regiment, the
32-pounder ammunition, and one-cotton boat went to General Loring to-day.
C. L. STEVENSON
Major-General.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON.
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Page486 [CHAP. XXXVI. MISSISSIPPI, WEST TENNESSEE, ETC.
MARCH 31, 1863.- Engagement at Grand Gulf, Miss.
Report of Brigadier General John S. Bowen, C. S. Army.
HDQRS. 1ST BRIGADE, 2nd DIVISION, ARMY OF MISSISSIPPI,
Grand Gulf, Miss., April 1, 1863.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that the enemy's boats, three in number, passed down the
river yesterday evening at 8.15. There having been reports of their approach during the day,
everything had been held in readiness, the men at their guns and a regiment in the trenches Night
coming on, a detail was left at the guns (enough to manage them) and the infantry bivouacked in
position. Owing to the negligence of the signal corps stationed over the river at Hard Times, and
who should have been able to give timely notice, no warning was given during the afternoon, and
at night no rocket was sent up to apprise us of their approach. They were perceived by the
sentinel at the upper battery as they rounded the point and immediately opened upon. About
twenty shots were fired from the heavy guns, twenty-one from the field pieces, and twenty-one
from the Parrotts of Wade's battery. The vessels were struck repeatedly. Seven heavy shells were
seen to take effect, one raking the Hartford from stem to stern. The firing from the field batteries
was excellent, the shrapnel bursting over the decks; but I have no means of discovering what
damage was inflicted on the ships,* but the steam ram which passed the Vicksburg batteries was
struck once amidships, swung round broadside to the current, and floated down thus, firing a lee
gun, which could only have been a signal of distress.
All the vessels lay about 10 miles below during the night and passed on down this morning.
I regret to report than one of the 20-pounder Parrott guns burst at the fourth fire, killing 2,
mortally wounding 1, and wounding 7, besides some scratches. I append a list.#. I entered the
battery just as the gun exploded, and it affords me pleasure to bear testimony to the gallant
conduct of the men there. Though many were knocked down, besides the wounded, only an
imperceptible pause in the firing was occasioned, the men sprung up and to the other guns so
quickly. The lieutenant of the burst gun replaced Numbers 1. of the next piece, who was killed,
and it would not have been possible for the enemy to have discovered the accident from any
slackening of the fire.
The firing from the upper battery (Captain [J. B.] Grayson's) was excellent. The lower
battery, where the accident occurred, was manned by Wade's and Guibor's companies of light
artillery.
I inclose a report on the circumstances attending and the causes of the bursting of the gun.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNumbers S. BOWEN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Major R. W. MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
* Rear-Admiral Farragut, U. S. Navy, reported that the Albatross was not struck; that the
Hartford was struck once, killing 1 man and that the Switzerland was struck twice, but received
no damage.
# Nominal list, omitted, reports 2 men killed and 1 officer (Captain Henry Guibor) and 1 man
wounded, of Guibor's battery; 1 officer (Lieutenant John Kearney) and 5 men wounded, of
Wade's Battery.
Page487 CHAP. XXXVI.]
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,
Grand Gulf, April 1, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to report that I have examined the fragments, and inquired into the
circumstances attending the loading and firing of the 20-pounder Parrott gun which burst during
the action last night, and believe the cause of the disaster was the bursting of a shell in the gun,
there being no fuse or an imperfect fuse in the shell. I was to the right and rear of the piece, about
30 yards distant, at the time of the explosion, and saw distinctly its effect. The cascabel was blown
to the rear, the lower band entire, the center band broken. The chase and muzzle were blown to
the front, and the right fragments of the re-enforce to the "right and rear"; the left fragments to
the "left and front." The right wheel was entirely demolished, the left and stock badly broken. The
upper wrought-iron band was broken and nearly straight.
There is no apparent flaw in any of the metal, the fractures presenting the usual crystalline surface,
devoid of any seam or crack. Parts of the shell were found among the fragments, and no separate
explosion of the shell was noticed by any one. If it had burst after the piece, it certainly would
have been seen. I am, therefore, satisfied that the shell was ignited and exploded before reaching
the chase, thus confining the gases and bursting the piece.
The fragments of the re-enforce will weigh from 5 to 30 pounds.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNumbers S. BOWEN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Major R. W. MEMMINGER, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Page497 CHAP. XXXVI.]
Numbers 3.
Report of Brigadier General John S. Bowen, C. S. Army, commanding at Grand Gulf.
GRAND GULF, April 15, 1863.
Colonel [F. M.] Cockrell had a skirmish to-day, killing 2, wounding 3, and capturing 4 of the
enemy, releasing a major and a number of women and children held in their lines; also retaking
over 100 negroes; captured 5 or 6 horses and equipage.
No loss on our side.
JNumbers S. BOWEN,
Brigadier-General.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON.
Page574 MISSISSIPPI,WEST TENNESSEE,ETC. [Chap.XXXVI.
Number 2.
Report of Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, C.S.Army.
JACKSON, April 29,[1863.]
Six gunboats, averaging ten guns each, opened a terrific fire upon our batteries at Grand Gulf at 7
a.m., and continued without intermission six hours and a half, when they withdrew. Several boats
apparently damaged; one, disabled, lying on Louisiana shore below. Our loss, 3 killed , including
Colonel [William] Wade, General Bowen's chief of artillery; 12 or 15 wounded. Repairs are being
made, expecting a renewal of attack to-morrow. Transports loaded with troops in sight, but
inactive.
J.C. PEMBERTON,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
General S. COOPER.
Number 3.
Reports of Major General Carter L. Stevenson, C.S.Army.
VICKSBURG, April 28,1863.
The men will be ready to move promptly to cross the Mississippi, Both gunboats and transports
must pass the batteries at Grand Gulf. Our army large enough to defend itself on this side; would
consume much time in crossing.
As it is not known what force has been withdrawn from this front, it is not improbable that the
force opposite Grand Gulf is there to lay waste the country on that side, and a feint to withdraw
troops from a main attack here. I venture to express the hope that the troops will
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*Nominal list, omitted, shows, 1 enlisted man killed; 1 officer and 17 enlisted men wounded.
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Page575 Chap.XXXVI.] BOMBARDMENT OF GRAND GULF, MISS., ETC.
not be removed far until further developments below render it certain that they will cross in force.
C.L. STEVENSON,
Major-General.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON.
The line to Grand Gulf is broken. Heavy firing in that direction, under the circumstances, has
induced me to start a re-enforcement.
Eight boats, loaded with troops from our front, are now moving up Yazoo. The display made in
moving them showed a desire to attract our attention.
C.L. STEVENSON,
Major-General.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Jackson.
Number 4.
Reports of Brigadier General John S. Bowen, C.S.Army.
GRAND GULF, April 29,1863.
Six gunboats, averaging ten guns, have been bombarding my batteries terrifically since 7 a.m.
They pass and repass the batteries at the closest ranges. I cannot tell the effect of our shots. Six
transports in sight, loaded with troops, but stationery. My loss as yet only 2 killed. The batteries,
especially the lower ones, are badly torn to pieces. I cannot tell the result, but think that
re-enforcements would hardly reach me in time to aid in the defense if they attempt to land.
JNumbers S. BOWEN,
Brigadier-General.
General PEMBERTON.
GRAND GULF, April 29,1863.
After six hours and a half of continued firing, the gunboats have retired. They fired about 3,000
shot and shell, temporarily disabling one gun. Our loss is 3 killed and 12 or 15 wounded.
Apparently we injured two of their boats; damage unknown. Colonel William Wade, of the
artillery, one of the bravest and best of my command, was killed at his post.
The men behaved like veterans (as they are), and are now hard at work preparing for another
attack.
JNumbers S. BOWEN,
Brigadier-General.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON.
GRAND GULF, April 29,1863.
One disabled gunboat, after endeavoring unsuccessfully to go up the river, now lies about 3 miles
below, by the Louisiana shore.
JNumber S. BOWEN,
Brigadier-General.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON.
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