Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/25



HE first naval encounter occurred at the mouth of the Mississippi river on the i2th of October, 1861. At this time the United States ships Richmond, Vincennes, Preble, arid the small steamer Water Witch, commanded respectively by Capt. John Pope, Commanders Robert Hardy, and Henry French and Lieut. Francis Winslow, were lying at the "head of the passes." The Confederate squadron, under Commodore Hollins, consisted of the ram Manassas (Lieutenant Warley), the McRae (Lieutenant Huger), the Ivy (Lieutenant Fry), the Tuscarora, the Calhoun, the Jackson, and the tugboat Watson. A little before 4 a. m. Warley rammed the Richmond with the Manassas, but without damaging her seriously. Fire rafts were sent down by Lieutenant Averett, of the Watson, and these, with the "ramming," completely demoralized the enemy. The captains of the Richmond, Vincennes and Preble were panic-stricken and retreated with their vessels down the river. The brave commander of the Water Witch (Winslow), however, kept his head and his post. In attempting to pass the bar the Richmond and Vincennes grounded, and the captain of the latter vessel actually deserted his ship with his crew, first laying and lighting a train to the magazine. It was said that as the men of the Vincennes were leaving the ship, an old quarter- gunner, with more nerve than his commander, brushed aside the train, and thus saved the ship. Winslow, after attempting in vain to