Official Reports of the Destruction of steamer George Washington, near Beaufort, S.C., April 9, 1863: No. 1. — Report of Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton, U.S. Army, commanding District of Beaufort, S.C.

No. 1.

Report of Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton, U.S. Army, commanding District of Beaufort, S.C.

BEAUFORT, S.C., April 9, 1863.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report the total loss of the steamer George Washington this morning opposite the Brick yard under the following circumstances:

On yesterday she started in company with the U.S. gunboat Hale for Whale Branch, where the latter boat was ordered to take her station. The Hale ran aground at the Brick-yard, while the Washington went on her way to the ferry. Finding that the Hale did not succeed in getting off she returned to her assistance. The two vessels anchored opposite the Brick-yard until 4 o'clock this morning, when the Hale started for her station. The Washington, instead of starting as she should have done, remained at her anchorage until daylight this morning, when the rebels opened fire upon her from a light battery of six rifle guns, which they had brought there during the night. The battery was about 1¼ miles from the boat. One shot struck the rudder of the boat and another, a shell, set the magazine and boat on fire, exploding directly in the magazine. The vessel is completely destroyed.

As far as I can ascertain but 2 lives were lost; 6 men were wounded, 4 of them slightly. The rest all escaped.

It is my opinion that the conduct of the officers in command of the two boats is deserving of the severest censure—that of the Hale for starting off before daylight without giving notice to the officer in command of the Washington, and of the latter for laying all night within gun-shot of the rebels' lines, giving them ample time to bring their light battery from the railroad station.

From all that I can learn the enemy is in considerable force in our immediate vicinity, and an attack may be expected at any moment.

Colonel Elwell has applied to Captain Moore for the steamer Darlington, which I had just repaired, now the Washington is lost. This vessel is absolutely essential until the present emergency is over. She can only use wood, and is totally unfit to go to sea, and would be useless should she reach Charleston. I respectfully request that I may be allowed to retain her.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. SAXTON,        

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Col. CHARLES G. HALPINE,
        Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 14 (Serial No. 20), p. 280-1

Official Reports of the Destruction of steamer George Washington, near Beaufort, S.C., April 9, 1863: No. 2. — Report of Col. Joseph R. Hawley, Seventh Connecticut Infantry.

No. 2.

Report of Col. Joseph R. Hawley, Seventh Connecticut Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS U.S. FORCES,        

Hilton Head, S.C., April 10, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report certain facts concerning the loss of the armed steamer George Washington.

I most respectfully declined obeying the peremptory order of General Saxton to send the Washington to Beaufort before she had completed the task assigned her by yourself, as I supposed, in protecting Captain Graef's operations. General Saxton, on board the Flora, went to Seabrook's and commanded the Washington to follow him to Beaufort, and Lieutenant Blanding felt obliged to obey.

On the 8th the E. B. Hale and Washington started to go around Port Royal Island on a reconnaissance, conducted by Captain Briggs, Third Rhode Island Artillery. Before reaching the ferry the Hale got aground. At night she got off, and about 4.30 a.m. of the 9th started, without the knowledge of the officers of the Washington. The latter started about 5 or 5.30 a.m. to follow her, and had proceeded a mile or two when a turn in the channel revealed a rebel light battery directly astern, perhaps a mile distant, which instantly opened fire. The Washington had only a howitzer astern, and could not turn to reply. The second shot exploded the magazine, which was in the afterpart of the vessel, unshipped the rudder, broke the steering gear, ripping up the deck, tumbling the howitzer into the hold, and destroying all the ammunition for the James rifle forward. The vessel took fire and began to fill rapidly. The master backed her toward the marsh on our side. Captain Briggs ordered a white flag raised—against the protests of the master, Campbell, who continued his attempt to escape. They put the wounded on the marsh and all scrambled off. The rebels, seeing this, resumed their fire, of course, and with great accuracy, though it is not known that any were struck while crossing the wide marsh. The wounded lying on the bank were captured by a boat party of rebels.

The E. B. Hale, somewhere near Broad River, was informed by some one (she having heard the firing, it is said) and went back and sent or received a flag of truce and took the wounded. The Washington burned to the water's edge.

The total loss is 14, all, it is supposed, from the explosion. Two were killed instantly; 2 seriously (probably fatally) wounded, 8 slightly, and 2 missing. Some of the men were hours scrambling through the marsh. No officers were hurt.

No unusual movements of the enemy have been perceived. All is quiet.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOS. R. HAWLEY,

Colonel Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, Commanding Post.

Brig. Gen. T. SEYMOUR,
Chief of Staff, Department of the South.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 14 (Serial No. 20), p. 281-2