Official Memoir OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER A. BOYD CDMMINGS II. 8. INT.' WASHINGTON : CHRONICLE PUB LIS HI NO COMPANY. 1874. C 4/4o fet^'for Official Memoir OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER A. BOYD CUMMINGS XT. S. 1ST. The following letters and reports are taken from the reports of the Secretary of the Navy for the years 1862 and 1863. REPORT OF COMMAHDEE JAMES ALDE1T, UNITED STATES STEAMER RICHMOND. United States Steamer Richmond, Off New Orleans, April 27, 1862. Sir: In accordance with your instructions I herewith inclose copies of the boatswain's and carpenter's reports of the damage done to this vessel by the enemy's shot during the engagement of Fort Jackson and St. Philip, on the morning of the 24th instant. The list of casual- ties I have already forwarded to you; it is very small, there being but two killed and four wounded. Much in- jury to the men, I am sure, was saved by a carefully-pre- pared "Splinter netting." At one point between the guns the netting was forced out to its utmost tension ; indeed large pieces of plank were thus prevented from sweeping the deck, and perhaps destroying the men at the guns. I would, therefore, recommend that, in our future opera- tions, these simple "pain-savers." or " life-preservers," be adopted in other ships of the fleet. I must beg leave to call your attention to another sim- ple and very effective expedient which was resorted to on board this vessel to obtain light, an element so essential in a night attack on board ship. The deck and gun-car- riages were whitewashed fore and aft, and it was truly 6 wonderful to note the difference ; where before all was darkness, now side Jackie, falls, handspikes, ammunition, and indeed everything of the kind about the decks was plainly visible by the contrast. This idea being so novel, and at the same time effective, I trust it will receive through you the notice it deserves, so that when others are driven to the dire necessity of a night attack they may have all the advantages the discovery insures. We had much difficulty in groping our way through that "fiery channel," our ship being so slow, and the en- emy was met in the "worst form for our profession," but the hand of a kind Providence gave us the victory. No men could behave better throughout that terrible ordeal than the crew of this vessel did. My thanks for support are due to them and the officers generally. I am espe- cially indebted to Mr. Terry, our second lieutenant, for his ready and intelligent aid in the management of the ship during the action ; but to Mr. Cummings, our first lieutenant, are mainly due, as far as this ship is concerned, the handsome results of the morning. By his cool and intrepid conduct the batteries were made to do their whole duty, and not a gun was pointed nor a shot sent without its mark. My thanks are due to Mr. Bogart, my clerk, who took the place of Mr. John B. Bradley, mas- ter's mate, who was shot down at my side while gallantly performing his duty as my aid. I am, sir, respectfullj', &c, JAMES ALDEiS", Commander. Flag Officer D. G. Farragut, Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron. United Steamer Richmond, Above Vicksburg, Miss., June 28, 1862. Sir : In accordance with your instructions, I have the honor to inclose herewith the surgeon's report of the casualties on hoard this vessel during the engagement with the batteries at Vicksburo- this morning. I also send, for your information, the reports of the carpenter and boatswain, showing the injury done to the Richmond by the enemy's shot. Where all behaved so well I find it impossible to desig- nate any particular individual, either among the officers or men, as meriting especial notice for gallantry and good conduct during the spirited fight, which lasted nearly an hour, and was for the most part at short range. Still, I feel that I should be doing great injustice to the officer to whom the careful training and consequent steadiness of the crew is due if I were to fail to give him the credit he has so fairly won : I refer to Lieutenant Curamings, the executive officer of this ship, and I trust a grateful couutry will soon reward him in some way for his untir- ing zeal and devotion to his profession and her cause. With great respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant, JAMES ALDEN, Commander. Flag Officer D. G. Earragut, Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron. United States Steamer Richmond, Below Port Hudson, La., March 15, 1863. Sir : I have respectfully to report that our attempt to pass the batteries at Port Hudson last night, in company with the Admiral and the other ships of the squadron, was frustrated by a shot striking the steam-pipe in the vicinity of the safety valves, upsetting them both and letting oft' the steam. At the time this accident occurred we were in position, second in the line which the Admi- ral was leading, and with her engaging the last battery. The turning point was gained ; but I soon found, even with the aid of the Genesee, which vessel was lashed alongside, that we could make no headway against the strong cur- rent of the river, and suffering much from a galling cross- fire of the enemy's batteries, I was compelled, though most reluctantly, to turn back, and by the aid of the Genesee soon anchored out of the range of their guns. My noble and gallant friend, Lieutenant Commander Cummings, the executive officer of this ship, was shot down at my side just before this accident occurred, his left leg being taken off below the knee by a cannon shot while lie was in the bravest manner cheering the men at the guns. Inclosed I send you a list of casualties and also reports of injuries done to the ship by the enemy's shot. To say, in the most emphatic manner, that all did their duty nobly and well under the most trying circumstances that men could be placed in is but a feeble tribute to their de- votion and gallantly. For more than two hours they stood to their guns and replied in the steadiest manner to the most galling fire that I have ever witnessed, not excepting the memorable passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Our difficulties in this action were heightened by the abrupt turn in the river, where the strongest of the enenry's batteries were placed, by the obscurity of the night, and the humidity of the atmosphere, this last caus- ing the smoke to settle around us so that we were fre- quently compelled to cease firing to find our way. 9 Just before the accident to our steam-pipe a torpedo was exploded close under our stern, throwing the water . up thirty feet, bursting in the cabin windows, and doing other unimportant injury. Whereas I have said all did their duty so well it would almost seem invidious to designate any by name. Of Lieutenant Commander Gummings I have spoken else- where, aud I trust he will be promoted immediately as a slight token of his worth and bravery. Lieutenant Ter- ry's service in this action can hardly be overestimated. To his consummate coolness, which I have never seen excelled, together with a quick eye, the rescue of this vessel is, in a great measure, due. Captain Ramsay, who deserves special mention, in charge of the marine division of great guns, had nearly a whole gun's crew swept away by a single cannon shot, Acting Masters Gibbs and AVil- son, together with Ensigns Swann and Haskins, fought their guns ably and well. Master's Mate Cox, together with my clerk, Mr. Bogart, who acted as aid and signal officers, deserve mention, too, for their promptness in car- rying my orders. To Mr. Moore, our chief engineer, great credit is due for his management throughout the fight, and particularly after the accident to the safety-valve chest. We shall have our injuries temporarily repaired by to- morrow, and be ready for any emergency that may arise. Before, however, we can be entirely efficient it will be necessary to have one new safety-valve and chest, all of which can be readily obtained at New Orleans. With great respect, I am your obedient servant, JAMES ALDEN, Commander. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. 10 REPORT OF CAPTAIN ALDEN OF THE DEATH OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER A. B. CUMMINGS. United States Steamer Richmond, Below Port Hudson, March 23, I860. Sir : It becomes my melancholy duty to inform the De- partment of the death of Lieutenant Commander A. B. Cummings, late executive officer of this ship. The fact of his being grievously wounded, by the loss of his leg- in the action of the 14th instant, was stated in ray dis- patch dated the following day. He died on the 18th in- stant, three days after he left us doing apparently well. In the death of this young and gallant officer the country has sustained a loss which can never be repaired. I can truly say that to me personally it has been a crushing- calamity. In the hour of need he was the main stay and support to his commander, and a tower of strength to the officers and crew, who had so long and had been so used to look up to him for counsel and advice. My feelings on this occasion have been expressed in an address which I thought it fitting and proper to deliver at a general muster on the quarter-deck of this ship, a copy of which is herewith inclosed, and which I respect- fully request may be spread upon the records of the Navy Department. I have the honor to be, very truly, your obedient ser- vant, JAMES ALDEX, Commander and Senior Officer present. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. 11 Address of Captain Ahlen to the officers and crew of the Richmond. March 22, 1863. With deep sorrow I call you together to announce the death of our late executive officer, Lieutenant Commander A. B. Cumnrings, at Xew Orleans. It has pleased God to take from among Us our gallant friend in the fullness of his energies and usefulness. You all well know the importance of his services in this ship ; his conscientious devotion to duty ; his justice and even temper in main- taining discipline ; his ability in preparing tor emergen- cies, and his coolness in meeting them. All these quali- ties he brought to his country in the hour of need, and he has sealed his devotion with his life. The fatal can- non shot struck him when he stood on the u bridge" cheer- ing the men at the guns and directing their tire. He was thrown down upon the deck, but his presence of mind still remained— he said: "Quick! boys, pick me up; put a tourniquet on my leg ; send my letters to my wife ; tell them I fell in doing my duty." When below, he said to the surgeon : " If there are others worse hurt, attend to them first ;" "Xolan, are you here too V He inquired about Howard, and his thoughts were directly of others and of success in the fight. When told that the noise he heard was from the escape of steam, and that the ship could no longer stem the current, he ex- claimed : " I would rather lose the other leg than go back; can nothing be done? there is a south wind ; where are the sails ?" Friends, the high object of our country in this war is, " that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations." 12 In this sacred cause has fallen the Christian gentleman whose death we now lament. In this cause have fallen all the brave men whose blood has stained these decks. We can not do our duty better, but let us at least try to do it as well. JAMES ALDEX, Commanding and Senior Officer.