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Detailed report of Major Watkins, C. S. Army, commanding on the Sabine
River.
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| On Board Steamer Bell, Flagship Second Squadron,
Magruder Fleet |
| Off Sabine Pass, January 23, 1863 |
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Captain E. P. Turner
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| Assistant Adjutant-General
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| Captain, |
| In
compliance with Special Orders, No. 34, from the headquarters,
District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, I assumed command of all
the land and naval forces operating on the Sabine River on the 4th
instant.
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| The gunboats were unfinished, and the country
could afford no subsistence for my troops. The railroad was rendered
impassable by recent rains, and the obstructions to the navigation
of the river had not been removed. Major B. Bloomfield was
immediately dispatched for everything necessary to the complete
outfit of the boats, and Captain Heriot and Lieutenant Wood, of the
Engineers, were sent with troops and the steamer Sunflower to
remove the obstructions. The engineer officers were ably and
zealously assisted by Mr. John Bigslow and Mr. A. P. Brown, but were
unable, with the mechanical appliances under our control, to clear
the channel. |
| On the 13th instant,
however, we were favored by a strong south-easterly wind, which so
swelled the tide that the [Uncle] Ben was passed over, under
command of Captain Johnson, and the Bell followed afterwards.
We were then in Sabine Lake, and on the 20th instant the expedition
steamed to the Pass. In the meantime an order was published
assigning Captain Charles Fowler to the charge of completing the
equipments of both boats and managing the same in battle, under the
orders of the officer maneuvering the expedition. Captain William
Johnson, who had been highly commended to me for gallantry in the
battle of Galveston, was assigned to the command of the Ben. Captain
Matt. Nolan, Second Texas Mounted Rifles, was directed to assume
command of the infantry on the Bell, which comprised
detachments from all the companies of Pyron's regiment, together
with 26 men from Company A, [Ashley W.] Spaight's battalion, under
the immediate command of Captain O. M. Marsh. Captain O'Bryan, of
Spaight's battalion, was ordered to take command of all the infantry
on the boat Ben, composed of volunteers from all the
companies of said battalion. Captain Odium, First Texas Heavy
Artillery, was announced as chief of ordnance and artillery, and had
under his command on the Bell one 8-inch columbiad, bored as
a 6-inch rifled gun, under the immediate command of Lieutenant
Dowling, and two 12-pounder guns, imperfectly mounted and without a
single shell for their service, on the Ben. The latter guns
were deemed unserviceable, and were only placed in position to
inspire the men with confidence in their boat. They were in charge
of Captain [K. D.] Keith, Spaight's battalion.
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| Early in the morning
of the 21st our boats were cleared for action, and at daylight the
enemy was discovered lying offshore (a sloop of war and schooner);
chase was made, and by 10 a.m. our guns were in range, when
Lieutenant Dowling, First Texas Heavy Artillery, was ordered to
commence the action with his rifle gun, which was done at a distance
of about 2½ miles. The enemy replied with a broadside from their
sloop of war, the schooner remaining silent.
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| Our third shell could
not be rammed home, when Captain Fowler was ordered to stop his boat
until the Ben could come alongside, in order that I might
board from both boats simultaneously.
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| Captain Johnson was
signaled to run down on our port. Through the exertions of Captain
Odium and Lieutenant Dowling the shell that had lodged in their
rifle gun was forced to its place, and the gun was worked afterwards
with great effect, striking the sloop repeatedly, and exploding one
shell on the enemy's deck. When within 1,000 yards of the enemy
Captain Nolan's sharpshooters opened a terrific fire, which swept
their decks and soon caused their commanding officer to strike his
flag, and the men to abandon their guns and seek shelter in the
ship's hold.
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| In the meantime the Ben
bore down gallantly on the schooner, receiving her fire and the
broadside of the sloop of war at short range, which, by great
exertion, Captain Keith returned with three solid shot from his 12s.
The schooner was surrendered unconditionally, and, putting Captain
Fowler in charge of the sloop, we started for Sabine Pass.
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| The fight continued about one and one-half hours,
and was concluded out of sight of land in the Gulf and about 28
miles southwest from Sabine Bar. |
| The ship proved to be
the sloop of war Morning Light, of about 1,000 tons burden,
mounting 8 long 32s and 1 rifled Butler gun, commanded by Acting
Master John Dillingham. The schooner was the Velocity, mounting
2 brass 12-pound howitzers, of the Dahlgren heavy model of 1858,
with both boat and land carriages. The sloop of war is ballasted
with about 400 tons of pig iron, and had on board a very large
supply of the best ammunition, which is now safe, and a great
quantity of other stores. We captured 11 fine guns, about 150 stand
of small arms, 109 prisoners, including 29 negroes, without the loss
of a single man or material damage to our boats. The enemy lost 1
killed, 2 reported mortally and 7 slightly wounded.
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| All of my officers
and men are entitled to the highest praise. Captains Fowler and
Johnson, and the engineers and pilots under their command, deserve
great credit for the skillful manner in which they handled their
boats under fire. Captains Nolan and O'Bryan fought with
intelligence and courage. Captain Keith managed his guns to the best
possible advantage. Captain Odlum, chief of ordnance of the
expedition, discharged his duties to my entire satisfaction, and
acted during the fight with great intrepidity. Lieutenant Dowling,
acting adjutant, commanded the gun on board this boat, and by his
address saved the ship's magazine from being flooded. Captains
Heriot and [Dan.] Showalter rendered invaluable assistance in
communicating my orders. Acting Assistant Surgeon Bailey, aided by
Volunteer Surgeons [C. L.] Anderson and [J. G. D.] Murray, were sent
by me to the enemy to assist in caring for their wounded. The
service owes a debt of gratitude to these officers for their
meritorious conduct throughout the expedition. Lieutenant Millett,
acting assistant commissary subsistence and acting assistant
quartermaster, after discharging the duties of his office with
intelligence and integrity, participated actively and gallantly in
the fight.
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| I can not refrain
from representing to the major-general commanding the valuable
services I have received from Major B. Bloomfield, chief
quartermaster, who has supplied me with everything within his
control necessary to my success, evincing as great interest in the
expedition as if he had commanded in person. I also ask to represent
to the commanding general that Captain [William W.] Word, commanding
the transport Sunflower, and Captain Pamele, of the Roebuck,
have given me the assistance of their respective steamers and
are entitled to the thanks of all who rejoice in our victory.
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| I shall at an early
day submit to the major-general commanding an elaborate report of
all that has been done by the expedition since the battle, and as
soon as the official reports of my officers are received I will
bring to his notice the names of others who have distinguished
themselves in action.
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| I have the honor to
remain, captain, with great respect, your obedient servant,
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| Oscar M. Watkins |
| Major and Assistant Adjutant-General, Comdg. on the
Sabine |
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