Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Doc. 224. expedition to Ossabaw, Ga.

Commander Rodgers' report.

A writer on board one of the vessels composing the expedition relates the following:

United States gunboat Ottawa, Port Royal, S. C., Dec. 11, 1861.

A third of the series of important reconnoissances projected by Flag-officer Dupont, for the purpose of ascertaining the practicability of penetrating, by our light draught gunboats, the internal waters of the rebel coast, and then, by cutting off the illicit commerce of the same, was made to-day, proving a complete success. Of course, in addition to the foregoing object, these reconnoissances have another equally important object — to obtain a correct knowledge of the position, nature, and extent of the rebel works erected to defend these internal waters from visits of our dashing gunboats; and in pursuing this object we are frequently treated to a discharge of shot and shell, which have as yet done us no injury.

The reconnaissance in the direction of Vernonsburg — a village on the Vernon River, of Georgia--which we made to-day, was made in force. Our force consisted of the gunboat Ottawa, Captain Stevens, the flagship of Captain C. R. P. Rodgers, of the Wabash; the Seneca, Captain Ammen, the Pembina, Captain John Bankhead, and the Mary Andrews, in command of Acting Master Mathews, late of the Quaker City. We left Port Royal yesterday (Tuesday) at noon, and, the Ottawa leading, followed by the Pembina and Mary Andrews in the line, steamed south, and at sundown anchored in Cockspur harbor, off Tybee Island, Savannah River. The Seneca came in half an hour later. As we passed over the bar the water was dotted by hundreds and thousands of wild ducks of every variety, which lazily [464] flapped their wings and sailed slowly away, without exhibiting the least alarm at our presence. The waters hereabout are black with water fowl, and I am told that they have but just begun to arrive. Throughout the winter millions upon millions throng the bays, rivers, and lagoons of the Southern coast, and afford to the sportsman one of the finest fields for his art imaginable.

When our vessels had come to anchor, Commander Rodgers visited the Savannah frigate, which lies at anchor inside the bar; and during the evening the commanders of the gunboats visited the Ottawa to obtain their instructions for the morrow. They were the same as on previous occasions. As we shall need in a few days the services of every light draught vessel in the fleet for an important expedition, of a military as well as naval character, the gunboats were not to risk an engagement and not to fire a shot unless actually necessary. The accommodations on the Ottawa being rather cramped, on account of the large number of guests, your special accepted Captain Bankhead's courteous invitation, and went on board with him to his vessel — the Pembina — calling on Commander John Rodgers, of the Flag, on our way, who set before us some good cheer. As it is desirable not to afford the rebels a too conspicuous mark for their artillery, all the lights were out in the harbor; but the moon-light was so strong that each hull was brought out quite distinctly. Commodore Tatnall, having already enjoyed a taste of our metal, keeps safely out of our way and troubles not our fleet.

At four o'clock this morning three white lights were displayed from the Ottawa, as a signal for getting under weigh, and in a few moments she had her anchor up and steamed out of the harbor. The Seneca followed, her and we (the Pembina) took our position astern of her, the Mary Andrews bringing up the rear, in line. Daylight found us at sea, standing south, and at about eight o'clock we stood in toward the low, marshy shores that lie on either side of the entrance to Ossabaw Sound, about eighteen miles south of Tybee. Our engine was slowed down, and, following the Ottawa and Seneca, the Pembina ran cautiously in over the bar, the lead going constantly to guide us, as there were no buoys or spars to mark our course. We carried nearly five fathoms across the bar, which we passed at nine o'clock, and nearly as much clear up to the mouth of the Vernon River. When we entered the river, taking the north channel, every one was engaged in scrutinizing the low wooded shores and the marshes to find batteries. Nothing of the kind was seen until we reached a point about ten miles from the bar, when we discovered tents upon the point of Green Island, and on approaching nearer made out a strong field work, over which flew the dirty rebel stars and bars. The river here winds about through marshes and low lands, and the channel is very intricate, sandbars putting out on either side at frequent intervals, making navigation somewhat difficulty. We proceeded cautiously and slowly on, guided by the lead, and stood toward the battery on the island, at a bend of the river, and commanding the approaches by either the north or south channel. Our men were at quarters; the huge eleven-inch gun cast loose, looked fiercely toward the rebel encampment, and the rifled piece on the forecastle, pointing the same way, was ready for the fray. Slowly we steamed on until reaching a point in the river less than two miles from the battery. After we had counted the guns in position, ascertained the character of the work, and satisfied ourselves of our ability to shell them out, the Ottawa turned and steamed down the river again. The Seneca, close behind her, began to turn, and while presenting her broadside to the battery a flash was seen, a cloud of thick white smoke arose over the ramparts, and in an instant a rifled shot, probably a sixty-pounder, struck the water about fifty yards from the Seneca's side. The sound of the shot striking the water was heard in the twinkling of an eye, followed by the hum of the projectile, and lastly the explosion of the gun. The Seneca made no reply to this shot, but turned down the river. The Pembina had nearly turned when the battery fired a shot at her; but it fell far short of us. We did not burn a grain of powder, but passed along in a dignified silence. The Mary Andrews, in obedience to orders, had stopped at the first discharge, and when we passed by her she turned and followed the line down the river. The battery on Green Island was an open work, mounting eight or nine guns, one or two of which are rifled, and all of a heavy calibre. To the right of the battery was an encampment of seventy-five tents, with a small building on the extreme right, occupied as a hospital. The troops manning the works were undoubtedly members of the Georgia Coast Guard, and were doubtless very glad to see us turn without firing a shell, of which they have a well-founded fear. While we were approaching within range the greatest commotion among them was visible. They ran to and fro in the most hurried manner, and otherwise exhibited a most extraordinary state of alarm. We could see the gleam of bayonets above the ramparts, and the men at their guns. As we only desired to learn their strength and the calibre of their guns, we drew their fire and retired, having accomplished our object. We shall hear of a victory from rebel sources; but what it was based upon you now know.

After we had reached the confluence of the Vernon and Ogeechee rivers, we ran up the latter to a point abreast of Racoon Key, opposite Bryan Morell's plantation, where boats were sent ashore from the gunboats after they had come to anchor. The boats penetrated the island through a creek, and landed at Morell's plantation. They found it perfectly deserted — not a living animal, man or beast, was seen [465] upon the plantation. All the negro cabins were vacant and empty. On their flight they had removed household furniture, poultry, and pigs, and every thing movable. It was desolation itself. The party soon returned, and, as the Pembina was to run into Tybee to get despatches, I again went on board the Ottawa, and the flotilla steamed rapidly toward Port-Royal. A short time after dark, while we were between Tybee and Port Royal, a strange steamer was seen ahead. The men were sent to quarters, the guns cast loose, and the ship prepared for action. We ran down toward her, and an officer was despatched in the gig to ascertain her character. While on the way he was met by a boat from the steamer, coming toward us. An officer stepped aboard and stated it was the Rhode Island, bound from Port Royal to Tybee. Having lost her way, he wished directions. They were given, and we both went on our respective ways. We arrived at our anchorage at nine o'clock, after a most delightful trip of two days. The weather through-out was lovely — perfect June weather — perhaps a trifle too warm in the noonday sun for comfort, but altogether very desirable weather. The sea was smooth and the sail delightful. Of one thing all are now fully convinced, and that is that the new gunboats are the most efficient and serviceable vessels that we have in the navy. Their light draught enables them to penetrate into the waters that lead into the States along the coast, and go anywhere they can be of the least service. Unfortunately they were not put together so well as they might have been, and their engines fall far short of the contract standard. In short, they are not what they ought to be, and what they were contracted to be. But with all their failings I wish we had fifteen or twenty more in these waters this very day. We could then accomplish much.