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MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, 
 April 10, 1862. 
 
 To the Senate and House of Representatii 
 
 of the Confederate States : 
 
 I herewith transmit to Congress a communication from 
 the Secretary of the Navy, covering a "detailed report of 
 Flag Officer Buchanan, of the brilliant triumph of his squad- 
 ron over the vastly superior forces of the enemy, in Hamp- 
 ton Roads, on the 8th and 9th of March last." 
 
 . JEFFERSON DAYIS. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2011 with funding from 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/reportofflagoffiOOconf 
 
LETTER OF SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. 
 
 CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, ) 
 
 Navy Department, \ 
 
 Richmond, April 7th, 1862. ) 
 
 To the President : 
 
 Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith copy "of the 
 detailed report of Flag Officer Buchanan, of the brilliant 
 triumph of his squadroD over the vastly superior forces of 
 the enemy, in Hampton Roads, on the 8th and 9th of March 
 last, a brief report, by Lieut, Jones, of the battle of the 
 8th, having been previously made. 
 
 The conduct of the officers and men of the squadron, in 
 this contest, reflects unfading honor upon themselves and 
 upon the navy. The report will be read with deep interest, 
 and its details will not fail to rouse the ardor and nerve the 
 arms of our gallant seamen. 
 
 It will be remembered that the Virginia was a novelty in 
 naval architecture, wholly unlike any ship that ever floated; 
 that her heaviest guns were equal novelties in ordnance; 
 that her motive power and her obedience to her helm were 
 untried, and her officers and crew strangers, comparatively, 
 to the ship and to each other; and yet, under all these dis- 
 advantages, the dashing courage and consummate profes- 
 sional ability of Flag Officer Buchanan and hi >ciates, 
 achieved the most remarkable victory which naval annals' 
 record. 
 
 ^ When the Flag Officer was disabled, the command of the 
 Virginia devolved upon her Executive and Ordnance Officer, 
 Lieut, Catesby Ap R, Jones, and the cool and masterly 
 manner in which he fought the ship in her encounter with 
 the iron-clad Monitor, justified the high estimate which the 
 country places upon his professional merit. 
 
 To his experience, skill and untiring industry, as her 
 Ordnance and Executive Officer, the terrible effect of her 
 fire was greatly due. Her battery was determined in ac- 
 cordance with his suggestions, and' in all investigations and 
 
tests, which resulted in its thorough efficiency, he v 
 ousl 
 
 Th< of commendation the Fla r, in 
 
 y the conduct of his offic >t the 
 
 cord": nt of the Department; and the concui 
 
 •nony of thousands who wi the engagement, 
 
 places his own conducl 
 With mi 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 S. R. MALLORY, 
 
REPORT OF FLAG OFFICER BUCHANAN. 
 
 Naval Hospital, 
 Norfolk, March 27th, 18 
 
 Sir : Having been confined to my bed in this building 
 since the 9th inst., in consequence of a wound receiv 
 
 ction of the previous day, I have not had it in my 
 power at an earlier date to prepare the official report, which 
 I now have the honor to submit, of the proceedings on the 
 Sth and 9th insts., of the James River Squadron under my 
 command, composed of the following nai imcr 
 
 Virginia, Flag Ship, ten guns; steamer Patrick Henry, 
 twelve guns, Commander John R. Tucker ; 
 town, Lieut. Commanding J. N. Barney, two guns; and 
 gunboats Teazer, Lieut. Commanding W. A. Webb; Beau- 
 fort, Lieut. Commanding W. II. Parker, and Raleigh, Lieut. 
 Commanding J. W. Alexander, each one gun. Total 27 
 guns. 
 
 On the 8th inst., at 11, A. M., the Virginia left the Na- 
 vy-Yard, Norfolk, accompanied by the Ra] id Beau- 
 fort, and proceeded to Newport News to engage the enemy's 
 frigates Cumberland and Congress, gunboats and shore bat- 
 teries. When within less than a mile of the Cumberland, 
 the Virginia commenced the engagement with that ship with 
 her bow gun, and the action soon became general, the Cum- 
 berland, Congress, gunboats and shore batteries concentrat- 
 ing upon us their heavy fire, which was returned with great 
 spirit and determination. The Virginia stood rapidly on 
 towards the Cumberland, which ship I bad determined to 
 sink with our prow, if possible. In about fifteen minutes 
 after the action commenced we ran into her on her starboard 
 bow; the crash below the water was distinctly heard, and 
 she commenced sinking, gallantly fighting her guns as long 
 as they were above water. She went down with her colors 
 flying. During this time the shore batteries, Congress, and 
 gunboats kept up their heavy concentrated fire upon us, do- 
 
ing us some injury. Our guns, however, ol idle; 
 
 ■ to the sh and 
 
 sis, and we v. I mtly bus! lined I -; of the 
 
 squad 
 
 J US 1 after the Cumberland Bunk, that gallanl 
 
 rohn R. Tucker, was Been star o James 
 
 sr under full steam, panied b; imestown and 
 
 t. Th< 
 
 I to the heavy fi] Their escape 
 
 miraculoi were under a galling fire of Bolid 
 
 r of which passed through 
 the vessels without doing any serious injury, < • the 
 
 •ick Henry, th ■ boiler a Bhot passed, scalding 
 
 to death , and wounding others. Lieut. Com- 
 
 manding Barney prom;?!;; obeyed a signal to tow her out of 
 the action. Ass tired, the Patrick 
 
 Henry returned t tion and continued to perform 
 
 service during the remainder of that day and the follov 
 Having sunk the Cumberland, I turned our attention to 
 We were some time in getting our proper 
 ition in consequence of the shoalness of the water 
 
 difficulty of managing the ship when in or near 
 the mud. To succeed in ct, I was ol !: i run 
 
 the ship a short distance above the batteries on James ]'. 
 in order to wind her. During all the time her keel was in 
 
 I but slowly. Thus we were 
 I twice to the heavy guns of all the batteries in pass- 
 ing up and down the river, but it could not be avoided. We 
 ral of the batteries, and did much injury on 
 
 the whari 
 blown up, one schooner sunk, and another captured and 
 to Norfolk. The loss of life on shore we have no means of 
 ascertain 
 
 While I "iiia was thus engaged in getting her posi- 
 
 tion for attacking the Con ite it was 
 
 believed on board that ship that we had hauled off; the men 
 lei t tl is and gave tl . They were soon sadly 
 
 undeceived, for a few minutes after we opened upon her 
 
 . The carnage, 
 havoc and di by our lire compelled them to haul 
 
 down th . and to hoist a white Hag at their gaft and 
 
 half nether at the main. The crew instantly 
 
 took' Handed. Our fire immedi 
 
 and a signal ade for the Beaufort to come within hail. 
 
I then ordered Lieut. Commanding Parker to take posses- 
 sion of the Congress, secure the officers as prisoners, allow 
 the crew to land, and burn the ship. He ran alongside, re- 
 ceived her flag and surrender from Commander Wm. Smith 
 and Lieut. Pendergrast, with the side-arms of those officers. 
 They delivered themselves as prisoners of war on board the 
 Beaufort, and afterwards were permitted, at their own re- 
 quest, to return to the Congress to assist in removing the 
 wounded to the Beaufort. They never returned, and I sub- 
 mit to the decision of the Department whether they are not 
 our prisoners. While the Beaufort and Raleigh were along- 
 side the Congress, and the surrender of that vessel had been 
 received from the commander, she having two white 
 flying, hoisted by her own people, a heavy fire was op 
 upon them from the shore and from the Congn ss, killing 
 some valuable officers and men. Under this fire the steam- 
 ers left the Congress; but as I was not informed that any 
 injury had been sustained by those vessels at that time, 
 Lieut. Commanding Parker having failed to report to me, I 
 took it for granted that my order to him to bum her had 
 executed, and waited some minutes to see the smoke ascend- 
 ing from her hatches. During this delay we were still 
 jected to the heavy fire from the batteries, which was always 
 promptly returned. 
 
 The steam frigates Minnesota and Roanoke, and the sail- 
 ing frigate St. Lawrence, had previously been reported as 
 coming from Old Point, but as I was determined that the 
 Congress should not again fall into the hands of the enemy, 
 I remarked to that gallant young officer, Flag Lieut. Minor, 
 "that ship must be burned." lie promptly volunteered to 
 take a boat and burn her, and the Teazer, Lieut. Command- 
 ing; Webb, was ordered to cover the boat. Lieut. Minor had 
 scarcely r within fifty yards of the Congress, when a 
 
 deadly fire was opened upon him, wounding him severely 
 and several of his men. On witnessing this vile treachery, 
 1 instantly recalled the boat and ordered the Congress de- 
 stroyed by hot shot and incendiary shell. About this pe- 
 riod I was disabled, and transferred the command of the ship 
 to that gallant, intelligent officer, Lieut. Catesby Jones, 
 with orders to fight her as long as the men could stand to 
 their guns. 
 
 The ships from Old Point opened their fire upon us. The 
 Minnesota grounded in the north channel, where unfortu- 
 nately the shoalness of the channel prevented our near ap- 
 
proaclu "We continued, however, to fire upon her until the 
 
 pilot main in that 
 
 position, and we accordingly returned by the south channel, 
 (the fily beti 
 
 and Mini St. Lawrence and the Ro ring 
 
 i had an 
 opportunity of opening upon the Minnesota, i her 
 
 y fire in retui upon the St. 
 
 Lawrence, fr . 
 
 e dark and we soon after 
 >red oil" I int. Tlic rest of tl Iron fol- 
 
 lowed our. movements, with tl of the Beaufort, 
 
 Lieut. Command:;. r, who proceeded to Norfolk with 
 
 the wounded and • soon as he had left the Con- 
 
 gress, without report! ). The Congress ha 
 
 set on fire by our hot shot and incendiary shell, continued 
 to burn, her I Lccessively disc], 
 
 the flames reached them, until a few minul night 
 
 when her magazine exploded •, is report. 
 
 The fa< e stated as having occurred after I had 
 
 lip in charge of Lieut. Jones, were reported to 
 me by that officer. 
 
 At an early hour next morning, (the 9th,) upon the uv 
 solicitations of the Surgeons, Lieutenant Minor and myself 
 were very reluctantly taken on The accommodations 
 
 for the proper treatment of wounded persons on board the 
 
 are exc< limited, Lieut. Minor and m; 
 
 occupying the only space that could be used for that pur] 
 
 in. I therefore consented to our being 
 landed, on Sewell's Point, thinking that the room on board 
 vacated by us, could be us hose who 
 
 . the renewal of the action. In the course of the day, 
 Lieut. Minor and myself v I in a steamer to the hos- 
 
 pital at Norfolk. 
 
 The followi extract! ' utenant 
 
 Jones, of the lings of the Virginia on the 9th: 
 
 " At daylight on the 9th we at the Minnesota was 
 
 still ashore, and that there iron battery near her. At 
 
 8 we ran down to engage ously sent the 
 
 killed and wounded out of the ship) firing at the Minnesota, 
 and occasionally at the iron battery. The pilots did not 
 place us as near as they expected. The great length and 
 draft of the ship rendered it exceedingly difficult to work 
 hor ; we ran ashore about a mile from the frigate and were 
 
backing fifteen minutes before we got off. We continued to 
 fire at the Minnesota, and blew up a steamer along-side of 
 her; and we also engaged the Monitor, sometimes at very 
 close quarters ; we once succeeded in running into her, and 
 twice silenced her fire. The pilots declaring that we could 
 get no nearer the Minnesota and believing her to be entirely 
 disabled, and the Monitor having to run into shoal water, 
 which prevented our doing her any further injury, we ceased 
 firing at 12, and proceeded to Norfolk. 
 
 " Our loss is two killed and nineteen wounded. The stem 
 is twisted, and the ship leaks, we have lost the prow, star- 
 board anchor and all the boats ; the armor is somewhat dam- 
 aged, the steam pipe and smokestack both riddled, the muz- 
 zles of two of the guns shot away. It was not easy to keep 
 a flag flying ; the flag staffs were repeatedly shot away ; the 
 colors were hoisted to the smoke stack and sever;) 1 times cut 
 down from it." 
 
 The bearing of the men was all that could be desired; 
 their enthusiasm could scarcely be restrained. During the 
 action they cheered again and again. Their coolness and 
 skill were the more remarkable, from the fact- that the great 
 majority of them were under fire for the first time; they 
 were strangers to each other and to the offi I bad but 
 
 a few day's instruction in the mnn. <.>f the great guns. 
 
 To the skill and example of the officersis this result in no 
 small degree attributable." 
 
 Having thus given a full report of the actions on the 8th, 
 and 9th, I feel it due to the gallant officers who so nobly sus- 
 tained the honor of the flag and country on those days, to 
 express my appreciation of their conduct. 
 
 To that brave and intelligent officer, Lieutenant Catcsby 
 Jones, the executive and ordnance officer of the Virginia, I 
 am greatly indebted for the success achieved. His constant 
 attention to his duties in the equipment of the ship; his in- 
 telligence in the instruction of ordnance to the crew, as 
 proved by the accuracy and effect of their fire — some of the 
 guns having been personally directed by him, his tact and 
 management in the government of raw recruits, his ge: 
 knowledge of the executive duties of a man-of-war, together 
 with his high toned bearing were all eminently conspicuous, 
 and had their fruits in the admirable efficiency of the Vir- 
 ginia. If conduct such as his — and I do not know that I 
 have used adequate language in describing it, entitles an of- 
 ficer to promotion, I see in the case of Lieutenant Jones one 
 
10 
 
 in all respects worthy of it. As flag officer I am entitled to 
 some one to perforin the duties of flag captain, and 1 shouM 
 be proud to have Lieutenant Jones ordered to the Virginia 
 as Lieutenant Commandant, if it be not the intention of the 
 department to bestow upon him a higher rank. 
 
 Lieut. Simms fully sustained his well earned reputation. 
 lie fired the first gun, and when the command devolved upon 
 Lieut. Jones, in consequence of my disability, he was order- 
 ed to perform the duties of executive officer. Lieut. Jcnes 
 has expressed to me liis satisfaction in having had the ser- 
 vices of so experienced, energetic and zealous an oi 
 
 Lieut. Davidson fought Ins guns with great precision. 
 The muzzle of one of them wal soon shot away; he contin- 
 ued, however, to fire it, though the wood work around the 
 port became ignited at each discharge. His buoyant and 
 cheerful hearing and v >iee were contagious and inspiring. 
 Lieut. Wood handled his pivot gun admirably, and the ex- 
 ecutive officer testifies to his valuable suggestions during the 
 action. His zeal and industry in drilling the crew contri- 
 buted materially to our success. 
 
 Lieut. Eggleston served his hot shot and shell with judg- 
 ment and his hearing was deliberate, and exerted 
 a happy influence on his division. 
 
 Lieut. Butt fought his pi\\n with activity, and during the 
 action was gay and smiling. 
 
 The Marine Corps was well represented by Capt. Thorn, 
 whose tranquil mien gave evidence that the hottest fire was 
 no novelty to him. One of his guns was served effectively 
 aru \ cre di y a detachment of the United Artillery, of 
 
 Norfolk, under the command of Captain Kevill. The muz- 
 zle of their gun was struck by a shell from the enemy, which 
 broke off a piece of the gun, but they continued to lire as if 
 it was uninjured. 
 
 Midshipmen Foute, Marmaduke, Littlepage, Craig and 
 Long rendered valuable services. Their conduct would have 
 been creditable to older heads, and gave great promi 
 future usefulness. Midshipman Marmaduke, though receiv- 
 ing several painful wounds early in the action, manfully 
 fought his gun until the close, lie is now at the hospital. 
 Paymaster Semple volunteered for any service, and was 
 assigned to the command of the powder division, an impor- 
 tant and complicated duty which could not have been better 
 performed. 
 
II 
 
 Surgeon Phillips and Assistant Surgeon Garnett were 
 prompt and attentive in the discharge of their duties ; their 
 kind and considerate care of the wounded, and the skill and 
 ability displayed in the treatment won for them the esteem 
 and gratitude of all who came under their charge, and justly 
 entitled them to the confidence of officers and crew. I beg 
 leave to call the attention of the Department to the case of 
 Dr. Garnett. lie stands liy high in his profession, 
 
 is at the head of the list of assistant surgeons, and tl 
 being a vacancy, in consequence of the recent death of Sur- 
 geon Blacknall, I should be much gratified if Dr. Gan 
 could be promoted to it. 
 
 The engines and machinery, upon which so much depen 
 performed much better than was expected. This is due to 
 the intelligence, experience and coolness of Acting Chief 
 Engineer Ramsey. His efforts were ably seconded by his 
 assistants, Tynan, Campbell, Herring, Jack and White. 
 Mr. Ramsey is only Acting Chief Engineer. I respectfully 
 recommend his promotion to the rank of Chief; and v 
 also ask that second ;;eer Campbell may be 
 
 promoted to first Assistant — lie having performed the duties 
 of tl during I he • lent. 
 
 The forward officers, boatswain Hasker, gunner Oliver, 
 and carpenter Lindsey, discharged well all the duties re- 
 quired of them. The boatswain had charge of a gun, and 
 fought it .well. The gunner was indefi in his efforts; 
 
 his experience and exertions as •< e contributed 
 
 very materially to the efficiency of the batl 
 
 Acting Master Parrish was assisted in piloting the 
 by pilots "Wright, Williams, (Mark and Cunningham. They 
 were necessarily much exposed. 
 
 It is now due that I should mention my personal staff. To 
 that gallant your- Mag Lieutenant Minor, I am much 
 
 indebted for his promptness in the execution of signals, for 
 renewing the flag-staifs when shot a 
 
 greatly e — 'ness in keeping the Con- 
 
 federate flag up; his alacrity in conveying my orders to the 
 different divisions, and for his general, cool and gallant 
 bearing. 
 
 My aid. Acting Mid'n Rootes, of the Navy. Lieutenant 
 Forrest, of the An id as a volunteer aid, and 
 
 my clerk, Mr. Arthu lair, Jun'r, are entitled to my 
 
 thanks for the activity with which my orders were conveyed 
 to the different parts of the ship. During the hottest of the 
 
12 
 
 ice of 
 their coolness. Baying referred to the good conduct of the 
 •rs in the flag-ship, imn under my noti 
 
 now to no I task, when I attempt to mark 
 
 my approbation of tli : of these Berving in the other 
 
 >n. 
 Comnfr Jno. R. Tucker, of the Patrick Henry iuts. 
 
 Com'dg J. N. Barney, of tl n, and W. A. V 
 
 of the Te erve great praise for their gallant conduct 
 
 nt. Their judgment in s lecting 
 
 • positions for attacking the enemy was good con- 
 
 • tire was destructive, and contributed much to the sue- 
 of the day. The '-general order," under which the 
 
 '.to action, required, that in the absence of 
 ich commanding officer was to exerci &e hi 
 ment and discretion in doing all the damage he could to 
 the enemy, and to sink before surrendering. From the 
 bearing of those officers, on the 8th, I am fully satisfied that 
 order would have been carried out. 
 mmander Tucker sp< hly of all und and 
 
 es particularly to notice that Lieut. Colonel Cadwalla- 
 '. commanding the post at Mulberry Is- 
 land, on h of the deficiency in the complement of the 
 promptly offered the services of ten of his 
 : as volunteers for the occasion, one of whom. Geo. E. 
 b, of the ' ; Greenville Guards," Commander Tucker re- 
 ; to say, was killed. 
 Lieut. Comd'g Barney reports "every officer and man 
 on board of the ship performed his whole duty, evincing a 
 coura, ness worthy of the cause for which we 
 . 
 
 Lieut. Comd'g Webb specially notices the coolness dis- 
 d by Acti ' third Assistant Engineer 
 
 Quinn, v of artillery and muski 
 
 the shore, whilst the "Teazer" was standing mi to cover 
 the boat in which, as previously stated, Lieutenant Minor 
 Lad gone to burn the " Congress." Several of his men 
 were badly wounded. 
 
 The " Raleigh," early in the action, had her gun-carrii 
 di bled, which compelled her to withdraw. is he 
 
 had repaired damages as well as he could, Lieut. Comd'g 
 Alexander resumed his position in the line. lie sustained 
 himself gallantly during the remainder of the day, and 
 speaks highly of all under his command. That evening he 
 was ordered to Norfolk for repairs. 
 
13 
 
 The Beaufort, Lieut. Comd'g Parker, was in close contact 
 with the enemy frequently during the day, and all on 1 I 
 behaved gallantly. 
 
 Lieut. Comd'g Parker expresses his warmest thanks to his 
 officers and men for their coolness. Acting Midshipman 
 Foreman, who accompanied him as volunteer aid, Mid 
 man Mallory and Newton, Captain's clerk, Pain, and Mr. 
 Gray, pilot, are all specially mentioned by him. 
 
 On the 21st inst., I forwarded to the Department correct 
 lists of the casualties on board all the vessels of th 
 ron, on the 8th ; none, it appears, occurred on the 9th. 
 
 While in the act of closing this report, J i 
 communication of the Dep id in3t., relie 
 
 me temporarily of the command of the squadron foi 
 naval defences of James River. I feel honored in be-in 
 lieved by the gallant Flag Officer, Tatnall. 
 
 I much regret that I am not now in a condition to resume 
 my command, but trust that I shall soon be restoi 
 health, when I shall be ready for any duty that may be as- 
 signed to me. 
 
 Very rcspectfull v, 
 
 FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, 
 
 TT Q p .r Flag ° IlC€r ' 
 
 Hon. S. R. Mallory, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
Hollinger Corp. 
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