Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/321

Rh was indefatigable in his effort; his experience and exertions as a gunner have contributed very materially to the efficiency of the battery.

Acting Master Parrish was assisted in piloting the ship by Pilots Wright, Williams, Clark and Cunningham. They were necessarily much exposed.

It is now due that I should mention my personal staff. To that gallant young officer, Flag Lieutenant Minor, I am much indebted for his promptness in the execution of signals, for renewing the flag-staffs when shot away—being thereby greatly exposed; for his watchfulness in keeping the Confederate flag up; his alacrity in conveying my orders to the different divisions, and for his general, cool and gallant bearing.

My aid, Acting Midshipman Rootes, of the navy, Lieutenant Forrest, of the army, who served as a volunteer aid, and my clerk, Mr. Arthur Saint Clair, Jr., are entitled to my thanks for the activity with which my orders were conveyed to the different parts of the ship. During the hottest of the fight they were always at their posts, giving evidence of their coolness. Having referred to the good conduct of the officers in the flag-ship, immediately under my notice, I come now to no less pleasing task when I attempt to mark my approbation of the bearing of those serving in the other vessels of the squadron.

Commander John R. Tucker, of the Patrick Henry, and Lieutenants-Commanding J. N. Barney, of the Jamestown, and W. A.. Webb, of the Teazer, deserve great praise for their gallant conduct throughout the engagement. Their judgment in selecting their positions for attacking the enemy was good; their constant fire was destructive, and contributed much to the success of the day. The "general order," under which the squadron went into action, required that in the absence of all signals, each commanding officer was to exercise his own judgment and discretion in doing all the damage he could to the enemy, and to sink before surrendering. From the bearing of those officers on the 8th, I am fully satisfied that that order would have been carried out.

Commander Tucker speaks highly of all under him, and desires particularly to notice that Lieutenant-Colonel Cadwallader Saint George Noland, commanding the post at Mulberry island, on hearing of the deficiency in the complement of the Patrick Henry, promptly offered the services of ten of his men as volunteers for the occasion—one of whom, George E. Webb, of the "Greenville guards," Commander Tucker regetsregrets [sic] to say, was killed.