Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy   By: John M. (John Mullin) Batten (1837-1916)

The only excuse I offer for publishing this little book of reminiscences is that a story half told is better than a story not told at all.

J. M. B.

73 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., May 8, 1881.

REMINISCENCES OF TWO YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

By

JOHN M. BATTEN, B.E., M.D.,

Late Acting Assistant Surgeon United States Navy, Pittsburgh, Pa.

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR.

LANCASTER, PA. INQUIRER PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO. 1881.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881,

By JOHN M. BATTEN, B.E., M.D.

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C.

TO THE

Grand Army of the Republic,

AND TO THE

Soldiers and Sailors

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AS AN OFFERING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNION,

AND TO MY MOTHER,

SARAH BATTEN,

THIS LITTLE BOOK OF REMINISCENCES

IS MOST

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Appointment in the United States Navy 9

On the Princeton 10

Choice Prescriptions 10

Acting as Coxswain 11

Detached from the Princeton 12

Adieu to Mother 12

Back of Orders 13

A Night on the United States Steamer Minnesota 14

Visiting Important Places in the Vicinity of Hampton, Va. 15

Dismal Swamp Canal. Reporting Aboard the Valley City 15

Washington, N.C. 16

Sinking United States Steamers Southfield and Bombshell 17

Death of Flusser. Plymouth Re captured by the Confederates 17

An Attack on Washington, N.C. 17

Down Tar River in a Storm. Evacuation of Washington, N.C. 18

Newbern 19

Cruising 20

July 4, 1864 22

Cruising, and Capturing John Taylor 22

Ordered to the Mouth of Roanoke River 24

Roanoke Island 25

Joining the Fleet 25

Ram Albemarle and Edenton 26

Taking H. T. Wood to U.S. Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va. 27

Again Through Dismal Swamp Canal. Too Late for the Boat Fawn. At Norfolk, Va. 28

Arriving Aboard the United States Steamer Valley City, and description of Dismal Swamp 29

Leaving Newbern 32

Winton 32

Appearance of the Albemarle at the Mouth of Roanoke River 33

Aground in Scuppernong river. A Brush with the Enemy 34

Confederate Account of It 35

What Mr. Milton Webster says of the Brush 36

Up Alligator River 38

Up Frying pan River 39

Cushing the Brave 40

Meeting Cushing for the First Time 40

His Arriving Aboard the Valley City 41

Blowing up the Ram Albemarle 41

Three Cheers for Cushing 42

Cushing's Official Report 45

New York Herald's Dispatches 49

Mr. Galen H. Osborne's Dispatch 49