File:The naval history of the United States (1896) (14597950217).jpg

Identifier: navalhistoryofun02abbo (find matches)
Title: The naval history of the United States
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John), 1863-1934
Subjects: United States -- History, Naval To 1900
Publisher: New York, Dodd, Mead and company
Contributing Library: University of Massachusetts, Boston
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Boston

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Union navy gave its undivided attentionto the forts, and did not even give battle to Tatnalls mosquito fleet. Thursday morning dawned bright and mild as a morning in June.The shores of the beautiful bay were covered with woods, out of whichrung- the clear notes of Southern song-birds. The scene from the ships wasone of the most charming imaginable. The placid bay, the luxuriantshores, the ocean showing across the low-lying ridge of white sand, theforts frowning from the steep headland, the fleet of majestic frigatesrnustscd for tV>e att^1 and n the distance the flotilla of defenceless BLUE-JACKETS OF 61. 661 transports, safely out of range, their decks and rigging crowded with fifteenthousand men—all this presented a panorama of life and beauty whichfew eyes have ever beheld. Du Pont, in the majestic Wabash, moyed down the bay, and, as hecame in range of Fort Walker, sent a shell shrieking from a bow-gun, ass:gnal that the action was begun. The old frigate moved on slowly, making
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THE OPENING GUN. play with the bow-guns until abreast of the fort, when with a crash shelet fly her whole broadside. On she went for a few yards, then turningin a grand circle came back, giving the other broadside to the forts as shepassed. The other ships fell in behind; and round and round before theforts the fiery circle revolved, spitting out fire and ponderous iron bolts,and making the peaceful shores of the bay tremble with the deep reverbera-tions of the cannon. 662 BLUE-JACKETS OF 61. The Confederates, for their part, went into the action with the utmostcoolness. They had been assured that their position was impregnable, andhad been cautioned to be deliberate and determined in their defence. Fora time their artillery service was admirable. But soon they found certaindiscouraging features about the affair. Their guns were too light to haveany effect on the fleet, and their powder was of such bad quality thatmany of their shots fell short. Two great guns dismounted themselves,se

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