ne rifled seven-inch and two seven-inch shell guns) and
her three starboard broadside guns (a rifled six-inch and two eight-inch
shell guns) were all that could be brought to bear during the
engagement; for being moored to the river bank, the stern and port
broadside guns were useless. The U. S. fleet came up in two divisions,
delivering their broadsides in rapid succession. One of the ships was
set on fire by one of the fireboats (a number of which had been
prepared) but the flames were speedily extinguished. It is said that the
unarmed tug Mozier, under her heroic commander, Sherman, while towing a
fireboat alongside a heavy ship, was sunk by a broadside delivered at
short range, all on board perishing. One of the largest ships, believed
to be the Hartford, came in contact with our stern, and received the
fire of our three bow guns while in this position, returning a
broadside, but she soon swung clear of us and continued on her way up
the river.

When day fairly broke, the storm had passed away, leaving wreck and ruin
in its wake. The river banks were dotted, here and there, with burning
steamers, and a large portion of the U. S. fleet had succeeded in
getting beyond the forts. A few vessels of the attacking force had
failed to pass the obstructions before daylight, and were driven back by
the guns from the forts. The Louisiana and the McRae were the only
vessels left to the Confederates; but the former was almost intact, her
armor proving a sufficient defence against the broadsides, even when
delivered at close range. The eight-inch shells of the Hartford buried
themselves about half their diameter in our armor, and crumbled into
fragments. All of our casualties occurred on the spar deck; our gallant
commander being mortally wounded there; and many of the mechanics, who
were quartered on board the tenders alongside of us, were killed or
wounded. The McRae and the Manassas were in the stream in time to take
an active part in the conflict; the former being considerably cut up.
The Manassas struck two vessels with her prow, but did not succeed in
sinking either. Having followed the fleet some distance up the river,
and being hard pressed and seriously damaged, she was run ashore and
abandoned. She shortly afterwards floated off and drifting down the
river, sank between the forts. The Louisiana State gunboat "Governor
Moore" made a gallant fight, sinking the U. S. gunboat "Verona."

Kennon, in his official report, stat