WEST GULF BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Expedition in search of Confederate schooner from Corpus
Christi
December 7,1862.
Report of Acting Master Johnson, U.S. Navy,
commanding U.S.S. Sachem
'Aransas Bay, Tex., December 8, 1862.
SIR:I beg leave to make the following report:
I caused to be captured on the night of the 6th instant,
about 9 p. m., a small schooner and
sloop loaded with salt, about ,100 bushels, and
three men belonging to Corpus Christi.. I learned from them at once of an armed Confederate schooner having left
Corpus Christi for the pass; for the
alleged purpose of sounding the channel. I at once went
on board of U. S. bark Arthur and reported the same to her commanding
officer.Lieutenant T. F. Wade. It was thought best to send an expedition to capture her, the Arthur to
proceed in advance to Corpus Christi
Pass, while a boat. expedition from the Sachem. proceeded by way of Corpus
Christi Bay, The .Arthur, accordingly got underway at 3 a: m. and boats from
this vessel at 6 a. m., consisting of 18 men and two boats, III charge of Mr.
A. H. Reynolds, acting ensign, and G. C.
Dolliver, master's mate.
After proceeding about 28 miles, it schooner hove in sight, standing toward Corpus Christi. She at once changed her
course and stood direct for Corpus
Christi Pass, Mr. Reynolds and the expedition chasing her, and then about 5
miles astern. The chase was continued for
8 miles, and at 11 a. m., when within about 150 yards of the Pass, and then under a high bluff of land calle4 Padre
Island, being hard pressed by the boats, she was run ashore, officers and soldiers abandoning her, and
took refuge behind said hills. As soon as our boats rounded the point of land,thev were attacked by volleys
ofmusketrv from behind those hills,
wounding Mr. Reynolds badly, and killing 2 of the Sachem’s crew and wounding 2
more; also killing a man, a refugee from
Corpus Christi, whom I asked as a favor to join the expedition.
Mr. Reynolds's part)' being within 30 yards of the enemy,
was compelled to land his men opposite, on Mustang Island, where he could choose his distance, and there fought the
enemy for one hour and a half, defending his boats. Receiving another wound. in the, meantime, and
finding all hopes of assistance from the bark impossible, he was compelled to
abandon his boats, bringing his wounded off with him, and making his retreat to
this vessel by land to this bay, a distance of 30 miles, and arriving on board
at 12, midnight.
I at once sent a boat on board the Arthur for her doctor,
who came in and cared for the wounded.
Mr. Reynolds is badly wounded, 1 man severely,
and 1 slightly. It was ascertained that the rebels had considerable forces on
"Padre Island, besides the forces on the schooner. I cannot say too much in favor of Mr. Reynolds in so ably
conducting this expedition against such
odds as were brought against him, and as
a brave and very efficient officer. And Mr. Reynolds compliments
Mr. Dolliver to me for rendering him
very efficient service, during the whole
engagement, but especially after Mr. Reynolds having received the last out most severe wound, which I most
cheerfully recommend for your consideration,
The names of the killed and wounded are: Mr. A. H. Reynolds,
acting ensign, two wounds in right side, badly; Thomas Mollman, in right arm,
slightly; John Carey, landsman, in breast, etc., severely; William Nicholson, landsman, killed, shot through the head; Benjamin F. Cowen, landsman, killed, shot through the
breast; Peter Baxter, a refugee from
Corpus Christi, and. a native of the city of Perth, Scotland, killed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Amos JOHNSON,
Acting Master, Commanding.
Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron.
P. S.- I wish to state, also, that all the arms were saved, excepting those of the killed and those belonging to
John Carey, severely wounded.
Report of Captain
Willke, C. S. Army.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX., December 8,1862.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that on the 5th instant
myself, Captain John Ireland, and 7 of
his men went on a surveying expedition in the Queen of the Bay, to ascertain
the depth of the channel at Corpus Christi Pass by actual measurement. The boat was in charge of Jack
Sands, Pat Reil, and Tom Simpson. Corpus Christi Pass is about 5 miles long,
and has a bar outside of the Gulf and another inside one toward the bay, We
found 5’ feet water on the former and 3’ feet on the latter. The wind was very contrary, and it took us
one day and a half to ascertain these
facts, when we were compelled to cast anchor and stay over night in the middle of the channel, the wind being
due north and the channel too narrow to beat.
On the morning of the 7th we detected the bark Arthur
outside, evidently cruising for us, for when they had detected us they stood
off into sea to beat back to Aransas
Pass. Captain Ireland and myself went to Mustang Island to watch her, but arrived [too] late at the Gulf shore
to find out if she had left any boat behind. We ·watched her until 11 o'clock, when the wind turned
toward the east, and we returned to the boat to weigh anchor.
At 12 o'clock we started homeward. When near the inner-bar we detected two of the enemy's launches fully
manned, who had come into our rear over
the mud flats near Shell Bank. They were about 2 miles from us, and we could not find out if there were any more hidden
behind the shore, so I gave orders to turn our boat around and run nearly before
the wind back toward the Gulf. The boats were in hot pursuit, using both sails
and oars, and gained slightly on us, so that
they were a little over a mile behind us when we arrived at the bluffs of
Padre Island. We ran the Queen ashore close to the hills, jumped out with the most necessary baggage in case we
should lose the boat, and took position
on the hills, keeping ourselves hid. They came in close, and at about 200 yards we opened fire on
them. The first two shots disabled 2 of
their men, and they at once changed their course and took position in the center of the Pass, all
the while shooting at us, but without
any' effect, while our balls were flying close to their boats, probably
wounding some of them, for they at once went across the channel to Mustang Island, ran both boats ashore, and
Jumped out as fast as they could,
leaving everything in their boats except their guns, which were not fastened to
their bodies, and ran farther up the beach taking
position about 1,000 yards opposite to us. From there they fired occasionally
onus, but their shot fell short, while one of our men at that distance killed
one of theirs. When they saw that even at that distance they were not safe
against our shot, they retired still
further and disappeared behind the hills. During the time the breeze had become stronger and driven
their boats from shore. One came right toward us, and Captain Ireland, with 2
men, went waist deep into the water, securing her. He found one dead body and a
wounded man m it, besides a good many articles clothing and arms. The other
boat, whose sail was still flying, drifted toward the Gulf, and Jack Sands took
a small boat, went over, and took her also. Captain Ireland then succeeded in
shoving the Queen into deep water, and after securing the corpse of the man who
lay shot on Mustang Island we soon afterwards made good our retreat toward
Corpus Christi, where we safely landed about 9 o'clock in the morning with our
whole booty.
I must mention here the bravery of all the men. Captain
Ireland's men were selected from the
best shots of his company, and I take pride in mentioning their names, for they
did really such very good execution. They were W. E. Goodrich, W. Safford, E.
G. Roberts, S. Elliott, John Neill, John Haley, and Nat Henderson, all from or
near Seguin. About Captain Ireland 1 need not mention anything to you, for he
behaved exactly as you would have a brave man to behave. We were 7 armed men
against their 22, for Captain Ireland and myself had only six-shooters and the
three boatmen had nothing. The latter did their part in shouting and urging on
our men.
We took 2 launches (one metallic) with full equipment in
sail and Oars, 6 greatcoats, 4 percussion muskets, 1 double-barrel shotgun, 3
holster pistols, 4 cutlasses, 1 bayonet, 3 cartridges boxes, 3 pistol cases,and
sundry small articles, which I had turned over to. the quartermaster and
ordnance officer. Three of the greatcoats were issued by my order to the 3 sailors,
2 of whom have, since they are in the service, received neither pay nor
clothing and scarcely any, rations for they belong to no company, and nobody
has ever drawn for them. I believe I can direct the quirtennast.er to issue to
them rations and pay them their wages, and let .so.me of the captains draw
their clothing for them. They are good sailors, and I wish to retain them in
that branch for our boats. Have I a right to do that, or must they join a
company.. I would request you to. send me an answer to that question.
I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
H. Willke,
No comments:
Post a Comment