Page updated 08/12/2004.
Colonel Russell, of the Tenth Connecticut regiment, fell dead from his horse at the head of his regiment, while marching against the enemy, Strange as it may appear, not a scratch was found upon his body when examined, and his death must have come from the wind of a cannon ball, or from excitement.
Lieutenant-Colonel De Monteil, who volunteered in the assault upon the rebel battery, received his death wound while heading the advance, and while in the act of shouting: “Come on, boys! we'll show them how to fight!"
In the course of the action a shell burst on the United States gunboat Hetzel, and set her magazine on fire. Lieutenant Franklin, her executive officer, ordered the men to the magazine to extinguish the fire; but seeing that they hesitated, he took the hose in his own hands, and sprang down and extinguished the flames before they reached the powder.
A similar occurrence took place on board the Ceres, from the bursting of a gun, when Acting-Master Diarmaid sprang into the magazine and extinguished the fire.
A shell entered the coal-bunks of another of the steamers, setting them on fire. The flames were subdued after much difficulty, with but little damage to the vessel.
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Page updated 08/12/2004.