United States vs. James T. Seaver, Acting Master, late commanding U.S.S. Philippi
Acting Master James T. Seaver wanted to join in the impending Battle of Mobile Bay, but was told no since his vessel was considered inadequately armed and underpowered to survive the fight. In direct violation of Percival Drayton's orders, instead of staying outside the range of Ft. Morgan's guns to await further orders, Seaver followed the van in and grounded the Philippi upon a sandbar. Two well places shots from Fort Morgan disabled the Philippi and her crew panicked and started to leave the vessel. Seaver ordered her abandoned and shortly afterwards she was boarded by confederates from the CSS Morgan, searched, the body of Frank Wilson was thrown overboard after he died from his broken legs, and then the ship set on fire.
Two men lost their lives due to Seaver's action, Quartermaster William H. French, whose shipmates took him with when they abandoned ship and later died aboard the Tennessee. The other was Landsman Frank Wilson. It was assumed that Frank Wilson was already dead when the order was given to abandon ship, however reports from the confederate crew who boarded her report that Wilson was still alive when they boarded her and died while she was being searched.
Seaver was ordered out of the squadron in disgrace aboard the Circassian under arrest. He was dishonorably dismissed from the service effective 21 October 1864 per the 1865 Navy Register.
Record of the Proceedings of a Naval General Court Martial, held September 3d, 1864 on board the U.S.S. Richmond, lying in Mobile Bay, Ala. by virtue of an Order dated September 2d 1864 and signed by Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding W.G.B. Squadron, and which is herento appended and marked "A".
U.S.S. Richmond
Mobile Bay, Ala.
September 3d 1864
The court met in pursuance of the above mentioned order: Present
Captain Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain John B. Marchand
Lieutenant Commander Wm. E. Fitzhugh
Lieutenant Commander Edward Terry
Lieutenant Herbert B. Tyson
Lieutenant Stephen A. McCarly
Lieutenant LaRue P. Adams
members and Alex S. Gibson, Judge Advocate.
The accused, James T. Seaver, an Acting Master of the U.S. Navy, being also present, the precept convening the court was read aloud to him, and he was asked if he had any objection to any member of the court, to which he replied No. He was further asked if he had a copy of the Charges and Specifications to which he replied Yes.
The Judge Advocate was hereupon duly sworn by the Senior Member of the Court and the Court was duly sworn by the Judge Advocate in presence of the accused, according to the Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act for the better government of the Navy of the United States," approved July 17, 1862
The accused was asked if he desired any one to act as his Counsel to which he replied No.
He was further asked if he was ready for trial, to which he replied Yes.
The Charges and Specifications herewith appended, marked "B", were then read aloud to the accused by the Judge Advocate, and he was asked-
Question; You have heard the reading of the Charges and Specifications preferred against you, how say you? Are you guilty or Not Guilty?
Answer: Not Guilty of Charge First; Not Guilty of Charge Second.
The court, being now duly organized proceeded to trial.
Captain Percival Drayton, U.S.N., Fleet Captain of the W.G.B. Squadron, being called as a witness for the prosecution, was duly sworn, in presence of the accused. The Specifications to Charge First having been read aloud to him, he was asked by the Judge Advocate-
Question; Please state what you may know in relation to this Specification?
Answer, - On the evening of August 4th, Acting Master Seaver late in the evening reported to me on board of the Hartford, his arrival from Pensacola. In the course of conversation he expressed a desire to go in with the fleet the next morning, saying that his vessel could tow very strong. I told him there was no chance for him, as all the vessels were already selected, and that, even were they not, his machinery was too much exposed to make his vessel of any use, as the inner vessel could not protect it. He then asked me what he should do. I answered that in the morning he must discharge all the ammunition he had into the Tennessee and then report to Lieutenant Commander Grafton in the Genesee, who would be the Senior Officer outside and who would give him orders what to do.
The specification of Charge Second having been read aloud to the witness, he was asked by the Judge Advocate;
Question; Please state what you may know in relation to this specification?
Answer; After passing the forts and when were at anchor, I think and above the middle ground, I saw a steamer on fire near the obstructions that ran between Forts Gaines and Morgan and some distance inside of Mobile Bay; this vessel was the Philippi, and as I have seen since, she was totally destroyed.
Question by the Court; Was the accused in charge of the Philippi on the evening of the fourth and morning of the fifth, August, 1864?
Answer; Yes.
Question by the Court; In your opinion was the Philippi improperly hazarded on the occasion referred to?
Answer; Yes, as it was would have been almost impossible for a single vessel to have passed the fire of the Fort.
The accused was hereupon asked if he had any questions to ask the witness; to which he replied No. There being no further questions to ask the witness, his evidence was read over to him and found to be correct; whereupon he retired.
Lieutenant Commander Edward C. Grafton, U.S.N. being called as a witness for the prosecution was duly sworn in presence of the accused.
The Specification of Charge First having been read aloud to him, he was asked by the Judge Advocate;
Question: Please state to the Court what you may know in relation to this specification?
Answer: On the morning of the fifth of August, I saw the steamer Philippi standing up the main channel and aground under the guns of Fort Morgan, which opened fire upon her. The accused did not report to me until he had abandoned his vessel. He came down in one of the tugs. I do not recollect her name nor the time; it was in the forenoon - and stated that he had stood in in hopes to be of service to some vessel which might be disabled as his vessel wa a powerful tug; and that he had left his signal book on board on the deck; that it could not be found when he left.
The specification of the Second Charge having been read aloud to the witness, he was asked by the Judge Advocate: -
Question; Please state what you may know in relation to this Specification?
Answer: On the morning of the fifth August I saw the steamer Philippi standing in the main channel of Mobile Bay, and aground under the guns of Fort Mogran, which opened fire upon her. After the accused has reported to me, I saw fire burst out upon her and she was destroyed. I do not know the cause of the fire, but a boat was reported to me as going from the vessel to the fort.
Question by the accused: Did I report to you that there were any wounded and how many?
Answer: He did; he reported to me that there was one killed and that several - I do not remember how many - were wounded. The man killed I think he was left on board the Philippi; the wounded were brought off.
Question by the accused: Did you ask me what induced me to go in, if so what was my reply?
Answer: I did; he replied to me that he thought he might be of some service in assisting vessels disabled or in distress.
Question by the accused: Did you ask me what my orders were? If so, what did I reply?
Answer: I did not ask.
Question by the accused; Did I tell what my orders were?
Answer: Not that I remember.
The accused having no further questions to ask the witness, and there being no further questions to ask him, his evidence was read over to him and found to be correct; whereupon he retired.
Acting Second Assistant Engineer John Rogers USN being called as a witness for the prosecution, was duly sworn in presence of the accused.
Question by the Judge Advocate; What is your name and rank, and where were you serving on the fourth and fifth of August last?
Answer:John Rogers, Acting Second Assistant Engineer and I was serving on board the U. S. Steamer Philippi on the fourth and fifth of August.
Question by the Judge Advocate: Where was the Philippi and what did she do on the morning of August fifth?
Answer: After daylight, she got under way and steamed alongside the Tennessee and discharged shot and shell and other things which we had fetched from Pensacola, after which we got underway and steamed up past Sand Island and towards Fort Morgan, after the fleet which was hotly engaged at the time passing the forts. We steamed up to within about a mile of Fort Morgan when we were fired on from the Fort. We tried to turn around and go out and in doing so, got aground. The bells were rung to stop and back, which was done; after backing for about five minutes, a shot or shell passed into the boiler, which drove the firemen and engineers out of the fire-room and engine-room. The Captain ordered the boats lowered and the men to get into them and leave the ship. After the men were in, the boats shoved off and rowed for the Cowslip, which was lying near Sand Island.
There were two men badly wounded that I know of, who died afterwards, one fireman badly scalded and one fireman badly wounded. There were three wounded fetched away; I do not know about the other one. I heard him holler when he was wounded; he was then carried aft somewhere and I do not know what became of him.
Question by the court; How far astern of the sternment vessels of the line of battle were you when you ran aground?
Answer: About two and one-half miles.
Question by the court: When the Philippi was abandoned, were the signal books and public papers preserved?
Answer: I do not know.
Question by the court: To your knowledge, what signal books were on board?
Answer: I have never seen any but the "Boat Code."
Question by the Court: Did you hear the accused say whether he intended to pass Fort Morgan or not?
Answer: No, I did not.
Question by the court: Do you or do you not know whether it was the intention of the accused commanding the Philippi to pass the Forts after the fleet?
Answer: I do not.
The accused was asked if he had any questions to ask the witness; to which he replied No. There being no further questions to ask the witness, his evidence was read over to him, and found to be correct, whereupon he retired.
Acting Ensign S. R. Vance, USN, being called as a witness for the prosecution was duly sworn in presence of the accused.
Question by the Judge Advocate; State your name and rank and where you were serving on the fourth and fifth of August last?
Answer; Servis R. Vance, Acting Ensign; I was serving on board the U.S.S. Philippi at that time.
Question by the Judge Advocate; Where was the Philippi and what did she do on the morning of the fifth of August?
Answer: She was at anchor off Mobile Bar. She got underway about daylight and went alongside the U.S. Steamer Tennessee and discharged buoys, shell and solid shot. We cast off and stood up the main ship channel. We went to quarters and stood in and when we were abreast of the Fort, about a mile or a mile and a half off, were fired into by the Fort. The first shot struck short of us; afterwards two more were fired at the same time; one passed over us, the other struck our rail and splintered it cutting one man's leg off and the splinters slightly wounding two or three others. Just as the shots were fired, the helm was put to starboard by the Captain's order and the vessel struck on the West Bank. I went forward to see how much she was out of the water and found she was about a foot out; just at that time a shot came into the chain locker right under me. As soon as it was ascertained that she was struck, I heard the Captain order to stop her and back her heavy; which was immediately done. Just then one of the men whom I had sent aft with the wounded man came forward and told me that they had lowered the boats and were getting into them and shoving off. I was the only one forward at that time, having sent four men aft with the wounded men to the Doctor. I went aft and found the boats lowered - the Captain, Executive Officer and Chief Engineer were on the hurricane deck - the metallic life boat was clear of the ship entirely with about twelve men in her. The Captain ordered her to come alongside again, and ordered me to go to the Cowslip for assistance. She came back and I got all the men out of her but six. In getting out, they stepped on the gunwale, and filled her half full of water. I should think there was twelve inches of water in her. I shoved off in her and set the men to bailing with their caps. Just as I was about to shove off, I saw smoke and steam coming out of the fireroom as if she had received a shot or shell in the boiler. The engine slacked down and stopped in less than two minutes. I pulled for the steaming Cowslip, which lay just inside of Sand Island. When about seventy five or one hundred yards off, I saw the first cutter and gig shove off with everybody as I supposed in them. About an hour after I left her, I saw a smoke and after a short time an explosion.
Question by the Judge Advocate; How many of the ship's company of the Philippi were killed and wounded?
Answer: There were none killed outright: three were mortally wounded and two slightly.
Question by Judge Advocate: What, to your knowledge became of these wounded men?
Answer: All, except one were taken on board the Tennessee.
Question by the Judge Advocate: What became of the other wounded man?
Answer: He was not fetched off in the boats.
Question by the Judge Advocate: Do you or do you not know whether that wounded man was alive at the time the boats left?
Answer: I do not know.
Question by the court: To your knowledge, was the whole ship's company of the Philippi accounted for with the exception of this wounded man?
Answer: Yes.
Question by the courts: What was done with the public books and papers and the signal book when the Philippi was abandoned?
Answer: I do not know
Question by the court: Was there or was there not a signal book on board?
Answer: Yes there was, a "Boat Code" book.
Question by the court: When did you last see it?
Answer: I saw it on the morning of the fifth, before we left the side of the Tennessee, it was lying on an arms chest.
Question by the accused: Did you or did you not hear me say to the Executive Officer as you shoved off "Are you sure that man is dead" If so, what was his reply?"
Answer: I heard him ask the Executive Officer if the man was dead or killed, I do not remember which - I did not hear his reply.
Question by the Court: How far astern of the sternmost vessel of the Fleet was the Philippi when she struck?
Answer: Over a mile; the sternmost vessel was inside the obstructions.
Question by the accused: How many men did you put into the first cutter before you shoved off?
Answer: All but six out of the boat; I think about six.
The accused having no further questions to ask the witness, and there being no further questions to ask him his evidence was read over to him and found to be correct; whereupon he retired.
There being no further witnesses on the part of the prosecution, the case for the prosecution was closed.
The accused was asked if he had any witnesses to call for his defense; to which he replied Yes, that he wished to summon as an important witness Andrew A. Ward, an Acting Ensign of the U.S. Navy now at a distance, to wit, serving on board the U.S. Iron Clad Steamer Tennessee, at New Orleans, La.
There being no further witnesses for the present, the Court adjourned to meet on Monday September fifth at 10 o'clock A.M.
Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain and Senior Member
Alex S. Gibson
Acting Ensign and
Judge Advocate
U.S.S. Richmond
Mobile Bay, Ala.
September 5, 1864
The court met in pursuance of the last adjournment. Present
Captain Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain John B. Marchand
Lieutenant Commander Wm. E. Fitzhugh
Lieutenant Commander Edward Terry
Lieutenant Herbert B. Tyson
Lieutenant Stephen A. McCarty
Lieutenant LaRue P. Adams
members and Acting Ensign Alex S. Gibson Judge Advocate.
The accused, James T. Seaver, an Acting Ensign of the U.S. Navy was also present.
The whole of the proceedings of the previous day were read aloud by the Judge Advocate and found to be correctly recorded.
As the witness desired for the defense had not yet arrived, the Court adjourned to meet tomorrow, September 6th, at 10 o'clock A.M.
Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain USN and
Senior Member
Alex S. Gibson
Acting Ensign USN
and Judge Advocate
U.S.S. Richmond
Mobile Bay, Ala.
September 6, 1864
The court met in pursuance of the last adjournment.
Present
Captain Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain John B. Marchand
Lieutenant Commander Wm. E. Fitzhugh
Lieutenant Commander Edward Terry
Lieutenant Herbert B. Tyson
Lieutenant Stephen A. McCarty
Lieutenant LaRue P. Adams
members and Acting Ensign Alex G. Gibson, Judge Advocate.
The accused, James T. Seaver, an Acting Master of the U.S. Navy, was also present.
The whole of the proceedings of yesterday were read aloud by the Judge Advocate and found to be correctly recorded.
As the witness desired for the defense had not yet arrived, the Court adjourned to meet tomorrow September seventh.
Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain and
Senior Member
Alex S. Gibson
Acting Ensign and
Judge Advocate
U.S.S. Richmond
Mobile Bay, Ala.
Sept. 7 1864
The court met in pursuance of the last adjournment. Present
Captain Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain John B. Marchand
Lieutenant Commander Wm. E. Fitzhugh
Lieutenant Commander Edward Terry
Lieutenant Herbert B. Tyson
Lieutenant Stephen A. McCarty
Lieutenant LaRue P. Adams
members and Acting Ensign Alex S. Gibson, Judge Advocate.
The accused, James T. Seaver, an Acting Master of the U.S. Navy, was also present.
The whole of the proceedings of yesterday were read aloud by the Judge Advocate and found to be correctly recorded.
Acting Ensign Andrew A. Ward, USN being called as a witness for the defense was duly sworn.
Question by the Judge Advocate: Please state your name and rank, and where you were serving on the fourth and fifth days of August last?
Answer: Acting Ensign Andrew A. Ward, and I was serving on board the U.S.S. Philippi on the fourth and part of the fifth of August.
Question by the Accused: On the morning of the fifth of August, when we were standing on the guard of the Philippi, just previous to leaving her in the boats, did you hear me ask the persons standing around if they were sure the man that was wounded was dead? If so what was their reply?
Answer: I heard the question asked, and the answer was that he was dead before they could get him aft to the Dispensary.
The accused having no further questions to ask the witness and the Court and Judge Advocate having no questions to ask him, his evidence was read over to him, and found to be correct; whereupon he retired.
There being no further witnesses on the part of the defense, the accused was asked if he was ready with his defense; to which he replied Yes, and presented the paper which is herewithto appended and marked "C", which he read aloud to the Court.
The testimony in this case being now closed, the Court was cleared and the whole of the evidence was read aloud by the Judge Advocate; the court proceeded to deliberate.
After mature deliberation the Court found as follows: viz.
That the Specification to the Charge First is Proven, and that Acting Master James T. Seaver, U.S. Navy is Guilty of the First Charge: That the Specification to the Charge Second is Proven and that Acting Master James T. Seaver, U.S. Navy, is Guilty of the Second Charge. Whereupon the Court sentences the said James T. Seaver, U.S. Navy and lately in command of the U.S. Steamer Philippi to be dishonorably discharged from the Navy of the United States.
Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain and Senior Member
J. B. Marchand, Capt.
Wm. E. Fitzhugh, Lt Cmdr
Edward Terry, Lt Cmdr
Herbert B. Tyson, Lieut.
Stephen A. McCarty, Lieut.
LaRue P. Adams, Lieut.
Alex S. Gibson
Act. Ens. and Judge Advocate
Respectfully forwarded
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral
At this stage in the proceedings, the Court adjourned to meet tomorrow, September 8th, 1864 at ten o'clock A.M.
Thorton A. Jenkins
Captain and Senior Member
Alex S. Gibson
Acting Ensign and
Judge Advocate
"A"
Flag Ship Hartford
W.G.B. Squadron
Mobile Bay, September 2d 1864
By virtue of authority in me vested a Naval General Court Martial is hereby ordered to convene on board the U.S.S. "Richmond", lying in Mobile Bay, Ala. on the Third day of September, one thousand and eight hundred and sixty-four, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the trial of James T. Seaver, an Acting Ensign of the U.S. Navy, lately commanding the U.S.S. Philippi, and such others as may be legally brought before it.
The Court will be composed of the following named officers, any five of whom are empowered to act; viz. -
Captain Thomas A. Jenkins
Captain John B. Marchland
Lieutenant Commander Wm. E. Fitzhugh
Lieutenant Commander Edward Terry
Lieutenant Herbert B. Tyson
Lieutenant Stephen A. McCarty
Lieutenant LaRue P. Adams
and Acting Ensign Alex S. Gibson of U.S.S. Hartford is hereby appointed Judge Advocate.
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral
Commdg. W.G.B. Squadron
B
Charges and specifications of charges preferred by Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut Commanding West Gulf Blockading Squadron against Acting Master James T. Seaver, U.S. Navy, late commanding U.S.S. Philippi.
Charge First. Disobedience of the lawful order of his superior officer.
Specification - In this that on the fifth of August, One thousand, Eight hundred and sixty-four, the said Acting Master James T. Seaver commanding the U.S.Steamer Philippi, the said vessel then lying off Mobile Bar, did on the morning of the said day, cross the said bar and attempt to pass with his vessel the batteries of Fort Morgan, to enter Mobile Bay, in direct disobedience of the lawful orders of his Superior Officer Fleet Captain Percival Drayton, who on the evening of the fourth day of August, when the said Acting Master Seaver reported to him on board the Flag Ship, the arrival of his vessel from Pensacola and intimated something about his going in with the Fleet, had expressly told him that such a thing was out of the question, and ordered him to deliver early the next morning certain ammunition he had on board to the U.S.S. Tennessee and then report to Lieut. Comdr. E. C. Grafton of the Genesee the senior officer in charge off the Bar for further orders
Charge Second - Improperly hazarding a vessel of the U.S. Navy under his command.
Specification - In this that on the 5th Day of August, One Thousand and Eight Hundred and Sixty-Four, the said Acting Master James T. Seaver, commanding the U.S. Steamer Philippi, the said vessel then lying off Mobile Bar, did attempt to enter Mobile Bay after the vessels designated for the attack on the batteries of Fort Morgan, without orders so to do and thereby caused the total destruction of the vessel under his command and the loss of several of her crew.
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral
Witnesses
Fleet Captain Percival Drayton
Lieut. Comdr. E. C. Grafton
Acting 2nd Asst. Engineer John Rogers
Acting Ensign L. R. Vance
C
On the evening of the fourth of August 1864, at about 8-30, I arrived with the U.S.S. Philippi at the Fleet of Mobile Bar and came to anchor about five hundred yards astern of the Flag Ship; went on board and reported to Fleet Captain Drayton, that I had on board ordnance and other stores; when I first went into the cabin, Fleet Engineer Shock was on board conversing with Captain Drayton, and for a short time Captain Drayon's attention was engaged with him; after he had gone, he turned and spoke to me. I told him I should very much like to go into the fight which I understood was to take place the next morning; spoke of the Philippi being a powerful tow-boat, and fully equal to the towage of a large vessel; he smiled and said "it would be almost impossible for me to go in and do any good, as the machinery was so much exposed" and continued writing again; in a few moments he turned to me saying "as soon as daylight on the first thing in the morning, go alongside the Tennessee and discharge all the stores you have brought from Pensacola into her, as quickly as possible; and as soon as you get alongside, give these two documents to the Fleet Engineer, as he will be on board there; he also asked me to deliver a note to Captain Alden on board the Brooklyn on my way to the Philippi. I then left the Flag Ship and went on board the Brooklyn, delivered my note to the Captain, and remained there perhaps three quarters of an hour conversing with him; during the conversation he asked me about my steamer; her speed of sailing, the power of her machinery and if I thought her powerful enough to take hold of a good sized vessel in case one should be disabled, and tow her away. I told him I was certain of it, and expressed my eager wish to participate in the coming fight. Having been debarred from participating in any engagement since I had been in the Navy, that previous to the taking of Fort Hudson and Vicksburg, I had twice applied to be detached from the Vincennes, and ordered to some of these ships who would participate in those engagements but I had to remain on board the Vincennes for two years; nearly eight months of that time serving as Executive Officer; both with Let. Comdr. Henry A. Adams and Lt. H. Green, but was detached by the Department in February last and ordered north; when I was given the command of the Philippi; letter of recommendation from both of the Commanders of the Vincennes are on file at the Department. Told my Executive Officer Wm. Ward to call me at day light, also call all hands, heave up anchor and go alongside the Tennessee, as I wanted to hurry up and get the shells, shot, etc out as quickly as possible; at daylight I was called; hove up the anchor and went alongside the Tennessee; I should think twas about 7-45 when all the freight was discharged. The fleet were standing in and well up to the Fort, and were then engaged firing; I dropped off from the Steamer; had all hands called to quarters and the guns manned; had two halves of hawser coiled on each paddle and all the spare rope handy. Told my Executive then, I thought I would stand up the channel and by and catch the Fleet, so that if any vessels were disabled I might be of assistance to them by trying to tow them out of reach of the Fort; he seemed pleased and said everything was ready; the men also seemed pleased as well as the officers. I took my station on the starboard paddle box. I then told the quartermaster who was not at the lead to keep a sharp eye around and see if any signals were made from the Genesee which I was informed by the officers of the Tennessee was the Flag Ship outside the bar, and let me know. The Signal Book was laid on the arms chest; I passed up the channel by the Cowslip and Buckthorn going about two knots, steering after passing them N 12 W; my compass deviating a little over a quarter of a point easterly steering west, and north these being my only points where there was deviation. At about 8 45 I think it was while within about eight hundred yards of the obstructions, a gun was fired from Fort Morgan, the shot striking half a length ahead of us; another two I think was fired at a time one striking the Port on the Starboard side forward, mortally wounded by taking off his left leg Frank Wilson (Lds) and lightly wounding some others. I then ordered the helm to be put to starboard having the soundings "a quarter less three fathoms of water," this making me think there was water enough, and I preferred turning that way; as soon as the shot struck the ship, I struck two bells and when the helm was put to starboard I struck one bell, but the ebb tide setting out strong, it set me ahead father than I thought and she grounded. I did not feel any shock, I only saw she did not move, I then gave the order to back hard, which we did for nearly ten minutes, but she would neither forge ahead or back astern, and I understandably gave the order for the Engineer on watch to leave the Engine Room and the men the Fire Room, hearing a sound as if of cutting and not knowing what it could be, being then in the Pilot House, I went aft and found the men cutting the boat's falls with cutlasses. I told them to stop which they did, and then carefully lowered the boats, which were soon filled with the men and nearly filled with water, but they bailed much of it out. One boat started to leave the steamer, but I ordered them back, and they obeyed, as soon as I left the Pilot House, a shell passed through it; the next shell burst in the fire room; the next I think in the engine room; and then a shell burst about twenty yards between us and the Fort; and all of a sudden steam and smoke issued from the boiler, almost every other shot either direct or ricochet hit us; all the men were in the boats and the officers with the exception of my Ex Officer, Wm Rogers, 2nd Acting Assistant Engineer in charge, the Surgeon's Steward and I think 3rd Asst. Engineer Johnson, I think the steamer was on fire, but there being so much steam and smoke and the Morgan (rebel gun boat) standing down towards us and to all appeared and lowering boats, I thought to save the lives of those under my charge by leaving the steamer she being helpless; I ask if they were sure the man who was struck forward was dead. The Surgeons Steward and I think one or the other of the officer as well as some of the men in the boats said yes, he died soon after they laid him down. I then asked my Ex Officer if he was sure all were in the boats; also asked Wm Rogers if all his men were, we looked around and found all; and left the dead one. Previous to leaving the ship, I should think about fifteen minutes, I sent A. Ensign L. R. Vance on the Dingy with all the men she could hold, with orders to ask assistance of the Cowslip and Buckthorn to steam up nearer, to have the men if the boats were struck from the Fort, I then told my officers to get in the boats. I could not find the signal book, and jumping in last gave the order to shove off. I then stood under a constant fire from the Fort in the boats towards the Cowslip and Buckthorn, arriving alongside in about an half an hour, as the boats were partially filled with water it took a much longer time than I expected; put my wounded on the Buckthorn, both steamers then standing out over the bar towards the Genesee, I reported to Lt Commander Grafton who ordered myself, officers and crew with the wounded on board the Tennessee; there were three men wounded and one scalded, only one has recovered he was wounded slightly, several men were bruised and scratched, Quartermaster Wm. French was wounded while standing by me (mortally). I hereby give a plain truthful statement of what passed as clear as I can remember, I have always tried to do my duty and obey all orders; and promptly and my greatest pride has been to win the appreciation of the Admiral and all superior officers by close attention to my duties.
Respectfully
James T. Seaver
Acting Master