[Engagement of Federal fleet with Confederate ironclads and shore batteries at Howlett’s, June 21, 1864.]
Report of Lieutenant [John S.] Maury, C. S. Navy, commanding C. S. S. Hampton.
C. S. S. Hampton,
James River Squadron, June 22, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor of stating that in company with the squadron, by a signal, this vessel got underway and steamed down the river. At 11:30 at Cox’s Wharf we commenced shelling the enemy’s batteries and gunboats at intervals varying from ten minutes to thirty minutes. We fired 11 shell from the forward rifle, 32-pounder, as follows: 2 10-second, 1 15-second, and 8 percussion shell. From the aft 8-inch shell gun we fired 8 shell, as follows: 1 10-second and 7 15-second shell. We continued our fire until 5:30, when we received orders to cease firing and moored into the north bank of the river; got underway at 7:30 and proceeded up the river to our old anchorage. We received no injury to the vessel, nor was there anyone on the vessel hurt.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J[ohn]. S. Maury,
Lieutenant, Commanding.
Flag-Officer J. K. Mitchell.1
This map shows the June 21, 1864 Action at Howlett’s Bluff, covered in this report by Lt. John S. Maury.
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