We soon came to the bar, and the Preble passed over safely, the Vincennes followed, but struck the bar with her stern up stream, and we came last and also took the bottom, fortunately swinging broadside up stream.
Meanwhile, with the daylight, the Ivy, the McCrea, and another rebel steamer came down, and, keeping at a very safe distance commenced their old game of firing at us at long range. It was very evident that they had a wholesome objection to our 9-inch guns at closer quarters.
Their shells passed over us and fell near us, but only one, a spent shell, came in through an after port, but fortunately it failed to explode, and Lieutenant Edward Terry calmly picked it up and threw it overboard.
The usual signal, “Chase the enemy,” was made to the Water Witch, and like a bantam rooster she steamed up toward the two steamers, and they withdrew out of range.
We now piped to breakfast, and made a signal to two coal ships anchored outside the bar to “get under weigh.” I was officer of the deck at the time, and, to my surprise, the quartermaster came to me at 9.30 and reported, “The Vincennes is being abandoned by her crew, sir!”
“Abandoned! What do you mean, Knight?”
“They are filling up her boats, sir, as fast as they can. Just look for yourself, sir!”
I hurried aft, as she lay somewhat on our port quarter, not more than three hundred yards distant, and sure enough, her boats were at her gangway and were being filled with men.
I sent the orderly down to report the matter to Captain Pope, and in a few moments the first boat reached us, and I received Captain Robert Handy, who came over the side with a very anxious face, and with a large American flag tied about his waist.
As he met Captain Pope he said: “In obedience to your signal, sir, I have abandoned my ship, leaving a slow match, connected with the magazine, burning!”