Captain J. R. Marmion's Letter
 

Headquarters Marine District of Matagorda SW

 JF Carr           

 30 Dec 1863

Capt E P Turner

   A.A. Genl.

                 Sir,

I have the honor to report to you that at 5:30 PM yesterday, this vessel steamed up the bay to ascertain the cause of fireing heard in the direction of Caney. At dark one of the enemy vessels was discovered from 10 miles up the Penninsula, oyside, but owning to the darkness of night, and the haziness of the weather, nothing definate could be ascertained as to the cause.

However I anchored in the vicinity and awaited the approach of the day to discover their positing. This morning the weather still very hazy. I steamed up some miles further, where from the shore I learned the enemy had some 300 men further down the Penninsula. I then ran close down that land untill abreast of Matagorda, when two of the enemy vessel's men discovered outside, and a working party on shore throwing up breach works of logs and sand. Bringing this vessell as close in as the depth of the water would permoit, the enemy vessels being at a distance of about 3 1/2 miles, the working party about 2 miles. After taking position, a shot was fired at the party on shore which caused them to suspend their work. One of the enemy's vessels firing at us continually from 1:30 PM until 4:PM________ well aimed shots firing over us_________ others falling short at a distance of about 100 yards.

The haziness of the weather prevented us from ascertaining the time_____ not have been more than 200 men, at further ______ on shore at whom we had fired ten shots, stopping their work effectively.

I have sent to Houston for one hundred and forty rounds of ammunition for the 3 ____ guns on board this steamer.

We will remain in our present position and report to you in the morning. One of the steamers has left, the other abreast of us at a distance of about four miles.

The weather still remaines very hazy.

I have the honor to be, Captain               

Very respectfully                                        

your obdient servant,                                

J. R. Marmion                                            

Capt. Comdg. Marine Dist. Matagorda

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