Series 1, Volume IX
page 656
Report of Commander Cooke, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Albemarle,
C.S.S. ALBEMARLE,
Off Plymouth, N.C., April 23, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your order I left Hamilton with the Albemarle on Sunday evening last, the 17th instant, and proceeded down the Roanoke River for the purpose of cooperating with the army under Brigadier-General R. F. Hoke in attacking Plymouth.
At 10 o’clock on the night following a portion of the machinery broke down. The damage consisted in the wrenching up the bolts which fastened the main coupling of the center shaft. Having taken the precaution to carry a portable forge down with me in a flat, we were enabled to repair damages and get underway after about six hours’ delay. Having proceeded some distance down the river the rudder head broke off, and another delay of four hours was sustained. On account of the numerous bends and difficult navigation of the river I was compelled to move the boat down sternforemost nearly all the way, but despite these difficulties I anchored 3 miles above Plymouth on Monday night at 10 o’clock.
Failing to hear from the army, I was at a loss to know what course to pursue, as I knew nothing about the position of the enemy’s batteries and obstructions. In this emergency Mr. Gilbert Elliott, who assisted me throughout the attack as volunteer aid, volunteered to make a reconnoissance, and took a small boat with Pilot John Luck and two men and left the Albemarle at 11 o’clock. This party proceeded down the river as far as Plymouth, passed over and sounded the obstructions, and passed the enemy’s battery of three guns, one of which was a 200-pounder Parrott, at Warren Neck, 1 1/2 miles above Plymouth. They returned at 1 o’clock, and reported that the Albemarle could pass over the obstructions without danger, on account of the high stage of the water. Acting upon this information, I weighed anchor at thirty minutes past 2 on Tuesday morning and again started down the river. I passed the fort at Warren Neck, receiving several shots from the battery without returning the fire, passed safely over the obstructions, and passed still another 200-pounder Parrott gun mounted on a battery in the town. This last battery did not open fire upon the vessel, and I think she passed without attracting observation, although the river is only 200 yards wide at that point. I moved down and discovered two of the enemy’s vessels chained together, lying about half a mile below the town. I ran into one of them, the Southfield, commanded by Lieutenant French, U.S. Navy, carrying six guns, with a crew of 117 men. The prow of the Albemarle extended about 10 feet into the sides of the Southfield, sinking the latter vessel. I immediately commenced backing the Albemarle, but was unable to extricate her from the sinking vessel for some time. In the meanwhile the weight of the vessel so depressed the forward deck of the Albemarle as to cause the water to run into the forward port. The Miami, commanded by Captain Flusser, the senior naval oificer at the station, carrying 13 guns, then poured broadside after broadside upon the port side of the Albemarle’s shield. Being of course unable to work my great guns while in this condition, I ordered all the crew on the top deck and engaged the enemy in a close conflict with small arms. At this time I lost one man—Harris—killed with a pistol shot. As soon as I was relieved from the weight of the sinking vessel I opened fire upon the Miami, but after striking her several times she succeeded in making her escape. I have since learned that her captain was killed, and that she sunk after reaching Edenton, at the mouth of Chowan River. Eight prisoners were picked up with my small boat. One of them, a negro, died a short time after being brought on board from wounds received in the action. I afterwards turned over my prisoners to General Hoke.
Not having heard anything from the army, I laid about 1 mile below the town, anticipating an attack on the town, and at 11 o’clock a.m., being again at a loss to know what course to pursue, Mr. Elliott again volunteered and took Pilot Hopkins with a boat’s crew and proceeded down to the mouth of the river and up a creek in the rear of Plymouth, distant from the boat by water about 12 miles. He communicated with General Hoke and sent me dispatches.
During the day and night I kept up fire against the enemy’s batteries, and on Wednesday morning the fight was renewed with vigor, the army assisting. At 12 m. on that day the town was surrendered unconditionally.
The material results of this victory are very important. Immense quantities of commissary and other stores were captured, and free access afforded to two of the richest counties in the State. I captured a large quantity of anthracite coal, probably 200 tons.
I can not speak too highly of the efficiency of my officers on this occasion. It is almost impossible to make distinctions where all acted so well, but I can not refrain from complimenting the coolness and firmness of Lieutenant Roby and the bravery and excellence of Master Shelly. I respectfully recommend that a commission of lieutenant for the war be granted Master Shelly for his excellent behavior. Passed Midshipman Hamilton, who was detained by me for the time, acted very gallantly. In truth, sir, I can take no credit to myself for the success of the Albemarle in her engagements, for, with such efficient and energetic officers, failure was almost impossible. I had only 20 seamen, those sent from Charleston, and without them I should have been almost powerless.
The damage to the Albemarle was slight, only nine bars iron being broken, and she now lies at Plymouth undergoing repair and completion.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. W. COOKE, Commander.
Hon S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy, Richmond, Va.
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Resolution of thanks by Confederate Congress.
[No. 3.]—JOINT RESOLUTION of thanks to Major-General Hoke and Commander Cooke and the officers and men under their command for the brilliant victory over the enemy at Plymouth, N.C.
Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That the thanks of Congress and the country are due and are tendered to Major-General Robert F. Hoke and Commander James W. Cooke and the officers and men under their command for the brilliant victory over the enemy at Plymouth, N.C.
Approved May 17 , 1864.
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Extract from the report of the Secretary of the Navy of the Confederate States, dated April 30, 1864.
On the night of the 19th instant the ironclad screw sloop Albemarle, of 2 guns, commanded by Commander Cooke, with about 100 officers and men, descended the Roanoke River, in cooperation with the military operations of General Hoke, passed the batteries near Plymouth, receiving their fire, and attacked the enemy’s steam gunboats, instantly sinking the Southfield, of 6 guns and 117 men, and crippling the Miami, of 12 guns and 200 men, which only escaped by superior speed. The Southfield went down with all her crew, 8 of whom only are known to have been saved.
At daylight on the 20th the Albemarle attacked the shore batteries and works and kept up the attack until the enemy surrendered to General Hoke at 12 m. on Wednesday, the 20th. The officers and crew of the Albemarle were, with the exception of 1 man killed, untouched.
The signal success of this brilliant naval engagement is due to the admirable skill and courage displayed by Commander Cooke, his officers and men, in handling and fighting his ship against a greatly superior force of men and guns. A copy of Commander Cooke’s report is herewith submitted.
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Report of Colonel Wood, C.S. Army.
PLYMOUTH, April 21, 1864.
Heaven has crowned our efforts with success. General Hoke has captured this point with 1,600 prisoners, 25 pieces of artillery, and navy cooperation.
J . TAYLOR WOOD, Colonel and Aid-de-Camp.
His Excellency President DAVIS, Richmond, Va.