Walker, John Grimes (1835-1907) [John G. Walker's unbound orderly book for 25 October 1862-16 June 1863]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03804.01 Author/Creator: Walker, John Grimes (1835-1907) Place Written: various places Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 25 October 1862-16 June 1863 Pagination: 36 p. ; 33 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Contains 38 separate entries, which seem to be a copy of his official correspondence. Is written in several different hands. Writes at first on board the U.S. Gunboat "Chillicothe" at Jeffersonville, Indiana 25-29 October 1862. Afterward he writes from the Yazoo River region on board the U.S. Gunboat "Baron de Kalb." Most of the entries are of correspondence to Admiral David D. Porter, but also contains correspondence with Captain A. M. Pennock, Brigadier General W. A. Gorman, and Captain J. A. Dahlgren, among other lesser-ranked officers.
Excerpts:
25 October 1862, to Admiral David D. Porter: "I took command of this vessel on the morning of the 22nd...She is a scow without knees or anything to strengthen her and I think her very weak. She leaks forward when underway...The quarters for officers and men are...extremely uncomfortable...The wheel is in the gun tower...very much in the way of the guns in action..."
27 December 1862, to Admiral David D. Porter: "We fired 37.10.sec. 12.15.sec. and 3.5.sec. shells from the X inch guns[,] 33.10.sec shells from the VIII inch guns and 2 Hotchkiss shells from the 30. pdr. rifles."
12 January 1863, to Admiral David D. Porter: "In the attack on the 11th one of the X inch guns was struck in the muzzle and both gun and carriage destroyed. Our 32 pdr. carriage struck and destroyed. One of the iron plates on forward casemate badly broken by shot...I lost two men killed and fifteen wounded, two probably mortally, and several seriously. My officers and men behaved with greatest gallantry and coolness and the practice with the guns was excellent...."
12 April 1863, to Admiral David D. Porter: "...report of the operations of this vessel before Fort Pemberton Tallahatchie river...On the 13th went into action at 10.45 in company with the Chillicothe and mortar boat engaging the fort at about eight hundred yards. This vessel remained in her position until dark firing upon the enemy at intervals of fifteen minutes the enemy having ceased firing."
19 May 1863, to Admiral David D. Porter: ". The rebels have evacuated, leaving all their guns, amunition [sic] tents &c. behind. Guns spiked with nails and priming wires. There is a very large quantity of amunition.the guns are Sin, Win, & Gin rifles."
23 May 1863, to Admiral David D. Porter: ".Arriving at Yazoo City I was met by a committee of citizens who informed me that the place had been evacuated...and asking protection...The Navy Yard and vessels had been fired by the enemy... In the Hospitals I found and paroled one hundred and fifteen soldiers...At Liverpool landing.we were attacked by a force of three field pieces, and about two hundred riflemen concealed in the bushes....Sargeant Stockinger of this vessel was killed by a rifle ball...."
24 May 1863, to Act. Master C.S. Kendrick: "You will take charge of this vessel and follow the fleet up the Yazoo...Take every precaution against surprise and always be ready for a fight."
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