Glass E 5 ^ ? . Book /4^Pz / 1 i HISTOKY OF THE i>5 ^ "ATLANTA," ^^ Now on Exhibition at Foot of Washington Street, For tlie B E N E F I T of tlie Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, PHILADELPHIA, With an interesting account of the Engagement which resulted in her capture. N^QVEMB^R, 1868. Printed by GEO. H. IVES, N. E. Corner of Walnut and Dock Streets. >^ m W o P Q O 02 O C3 CM 5 ^ o O *^ o ^ 1%: ^ o o W P^ H O HISTORY OF THE REBEL RAM "ATLANTA," Now on Exhibition at Foot of Washington St., For the BENEFBT of the Union Volunteer Eefreshment Saloon. It gives us great pleasure to announce that we have pro- cured the Rebel Ram "ATLANTA," from the United States Government, for a short period, to gratify the public curi- osity, and to add to our fund, which we expect will be heavily taxed for the next few months, by the passing troops. This ship is reported to have been built by the voluntary sale of Jewelry of Southern Ladies, at a cost of $1,500,000. So confident were they of her success in capturing the Mon- itors sent against her, that numbers of these misguided daughters of the South, accompanied her in two steamboats, to the scene of conflict, expecting to return with her cap- tured antagonists, the proceedings to Avind up with a grand Ball in honor of her success. They will be doubtless gratified to learn that the "Atlan- ta" is now doing a noble work, in replenishing the funds of an Institution organized for the purpose of feeding Union Soldiers. j|@=° We are indebted to Mr. ROBERT S. DAVIS, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who was at Port Royal at the time of her capture, for the following History of this vessel, which will be read with interest. Committee of the Union Refreshment Saloon. Special Correspondence of the Inquirer. Port Royal, S. C, June 19, 18G3. Now that the smoke of the late brilliant naval action in this vicinity has cleared away and the " Atlanta," flying the " Stars and Stripes," is riding safely at anchor in this harbor, within hailing distance of the " "Wabash" and other respectable United States sea-dogs. 1 am able from a personal in- spection of the ci-aft, as well as from an account which I have gathered from eye-witnesses, to furnish your reailers with an intelligible description of the capture (f the "Atlanta" by the " Weehawken." And first, we may as well settle the nativity of said vessel, as much discussion has already arisen here as to whether she is, or was, the "Fingal," the "Georgia," or the " Atlanta." SHE IS ALL THREE. You will recollect, that upon the 12th of November, 1861, the "Fingal," an English, Clyde-built steamer, ran the blockade, and carried a valuable cargo of arms and aumiunition in to the Rebels at Savannah. She had aboard of her also, several batteries of the celebrated Blakeley guns, which the Rebels immediately mounted in Fort Pulaski, and which fell into our hands when we captured that fort. In the following January the I'.ebels having loaded the "i'ingal" with a cargo of one thousand bales of cotton, endeavored to re-run the blockade, but were detected by oxir cruisers, and driven back up tlie Savannah river. After this occurrence the idea seemed to occur to them that the "Fingal" miglit be converted into an iron-clad, and to this result they have industriously devdted themselves for the last four- teen months. After she was near ompletion her name was changed to the '•Georgia," and sulisequently slie received u new christening as the " Atlan- ta," which name she has borne for over six months. ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE TO SEA. From a perusal of her log-book, which was captured, together with her other valuables, I learn, by an entry made on the 24th day of January, 1863, that the '• Atlanta" then having been fully completed was ordered to engage our blockading squadron and Fort Pulaski, and in tbe general fire run out to sea. In accordance with this programme she was fully manned and equipped for her voyage, and her sides slushed for action. But Admiral Dupont having been advised of this intended movement, by deserters from Savannah, immediately adopted such precautions that the "Atlanta's" offi- cers, seeing that their plans had been betrayed, immediately gave up their adventure although their craft was in sight both of the blockading fleet and Pulaski. She returned to Savannah, and attempted nothing serious until lately, which adventure is the subject of the present letter. PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE AT SAVANNAH. On the 7th instant it was announced that the "Atlanta" was about to achieve the most signal victory of the war, and properly christen the newly adopted Confederate flag. The people in Savannah were jubilant, and as- sembled e7i maiise upon the wharves to bid her a suitable farewell. The "Atlanta," owing to her drawing fifteen feet of water when loaded for the intended cruise, and St. Augustine's Creek not being deep enough to float her in this condition, she only took on board her crew at Savannah, and steamed down the river, drawing but eleven feet of water. Her provisions and stores followed her upon some gun-boats belonging to Tatnall's musquito fleet, and when she had successfully passed through St. Augustine's Creek, which runs from Cranston's Bluff to the head of the Wilmington river, she then received on board all her stores, provisions, ammunition &c., and was made ready for action. It occupied six days in getting her down safely from Savannah to the head of 'Wilmingtoii river. now WE KNEW SHE WAS COMING. We were fully apprised of this intended excursion by deserters who, from time to time, have escaped from tlie " Atlanta," and unbosomed their lie.irts to Admiral Dupont Irom these cljivalric sons Admiral fupont learned that the "Atlanta" was about to assume the offensive, and imitate her worthy predecessor, the "Merrimac." Accordingly, ten days ago he sent the "Weehawken," Captain John Rodgers commanding, and the "'Nahant," Commander Dov/ns, to v,-atch the "• Atlanta," and give her every satisfaction which she might demand. The " Weeh.awken" and •■ Nahant" proceeded to Wassaw Sound, and took up their positions near the mouth of the Wilming- ton river, which empties into this Sound. THE " ATLANTA" STEAMS INTO SIGHT. Cajitain Rodgers stationed a picket-boat every night up the river, in order that he might not be taken unawares, and the two Monitors rode at anchor, anxiously awaiting an introduction to their mutual enemy. On the morn- ing of the 17th the picket-boat, as was its wont, had returned to the " Wee- hawken," and the men having reported no suspicious-looking steamer, turned into their bunks, where the rest of the crew were already enjoying themselves in a sleep undisturbed, except, perhaps, by the vision of a sink- ing ram. When the picket returned it was about 5 o'clock, A. M., and hardly had they bunked before the " Atlanta" was seen coming down the river, some three miles distant. She was coming at a rapid rate, and was followed by two wooden gun-boats. THE MONITORS PREPARE FOR ACTION. No time was to be lost, and the Monitors were ready for action in less time than I can describe it. Owing to its being flood-tide the Monitors were not •• bow on," that is, their steins were toward the " Atlanta," and it was necessary for proper action that they should turn around and face the ene- my. For fear, on accottnt of the shallowness of the water, that he might run aground in executing this manoeuvre. Captain Rodgers steamed down the Sound, as also did the "Nahant," to deep water, and having successfully turned, he steamed up with all haste to meet the '-Atlanta," which wus coming down upon him with full speed, intending, beyond a doubt, hght. WHAT THE "ATLANTA" PROPOSED TO DO. In order that you may fully appreciate the sequel to this Rebel adventure, I will here, while the " Atlanta" and the Monitors are approaching each other, narrate, as I have it from the officers themselves, the object and in- tention of their expedition. The following was their plan : — They were fully aware of the presence of the '• M eehawken" and the ''Nahant" in "Wassaw Sound, but they intended to engage these Monitors, and having captured them, to send them up in tow of their gun-boats to Savannah. If, on engaging our Monitors, they found themselves unable to whip and cap- ture them, then they intended to run past them and put out to sea. Having gained the ocean, they were to proceed inmiediately to C harleston harbor, and engage the blockading fleet there in conjunction with the Rebel rams at Charleston, wliich were to come down to our tleet upon certain signals, which liad alreatly been agreed upon, being made by the "Atlanta." Our blockaders having been annihilated, the " Atlanta" and her consorts would proceed to Wilmington and raise our blockade there in a similar manner. After these important victories had been gained, then an indis- criminate raid upon the Northern sea-board towns and cities was to be made, and general havoc ensue upon the land and sea. This was their in- tention ; let us see how "The best laid schemes of men and mice, gang aft aglee." But before detailing the engagement I would, for the amusement of your female readers, state that the two wooden gun-boats which accompanied the "Atlanta" were crowded with Savannah ladies, who had come down to see the abominable Yankees receive a severe castigation, and wave their per- fumed cambrics at the victorious '■ Atlanta" as she proudly steamed out to sea covered with glory, while they would escort back to Savannah our dis- abled Monitors. THE " ATLANTA" OPENS THE BALL. r,ut we left the '-Atlanta" steaming down upon our Monitors, while the latter, especially the " Weehawken," were making counter advances. The " Nahant," for some reason or other, did not seem to get along very well, and the " Weehawken" soon left her some