Headquarters, Spanish Fort, April 2, 1865-7.30 p. m.
Major-General Maury, Mobile:

If you can get the Tuscaloosa [or] some iron-clad to come down and enfilade the right flank of the enemy, I have a plan for attacking the advance line of that flank which will enable me to gain decided advantages, certainly to arrest his progress and pressure against me at that point.

R. L. Gibson, Brigadier-General.

O.R., Series I, Volume 49, Part 2, page 1192.

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Headquarters of General Steele, April 5, 1865.
Captain Eaton:
....
2 p.m.-Lieutenant Adams reports steamer Jeff. Davis lying at Blakely with hospital flag flying. Steamer Senator just arrived at Blakely from Mobile, empty. Rams Nashville and Huntsville have been at anchor one mile from and short distance above our right, shelling our flanks occasionally; exploded two shells over siege battery, but injured none of working party.
4 p.m.-Nashville moved down toward Blakely, shelling occasionally. Will report by telegraph and orderly daily.

W. F. Warren, Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army.

O.R., Series I, Volume 49, Part 2, page 242.

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April 5, 1865.-7.30 a.m.
Captain Lacey:

....The gun-boat Huntsville is in the same position, and I can see the smoke of two others but cannot make them out through the trees.

Respectfully, &c., R. P. Strong, Lieutenant and Signal Officer, U. S. Army.

O.R., Series I, Volume 49, Part 2, page 248.

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Federal intelligence report from Mobile newspapers of 6 April 1865-

"...The papers say also a steamer started yesterday with four 100-pounder Parrotts for Spanish Fort: that besides the Nashville, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, and Morgan, the rebels have at Blakely two rams, which were towed up there...."

O.R., Series I, Volume 49, Part 2, page 261.

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Headquarters of General Steele, April 8, 1865.
Lieutenant Colonel C. T. Christensen:
....
Thirty-pounder put seven shots into the Morgan. She is going down Raft River. Nashville took shelter behind earth-works on the enemy's left, and is now backing down stream. Huntsville has not moved. She and batteries on shore are shelling our siege battery.

F. Steele, Major-General.

O.R., Series I, Volume 49, Part 2, page 286.

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Report of Lieutenant John W. Bennett, C. S. Navy, commanding Steamer Nashville, of operations March 27-April 11-

"....April 8, underway at daylight; proceeded to Blakely, and thence to junction of Raft and Upper Tensas Rivers at request of commanding general. At 7 a.m. heavy firing of artillery and small-arms all along the lines at Blakely. At 8 opened upon the enemy's right in conjunction with Morgan and Huntsville. About 2 p.m. the enemy opened upon us from batteries masked by the trees at about 1,600 yards. We could only direct our fire by their smoke. The Morgan was obliged soon to retire much damaged. The Nashville continued the action until she had exhausted all her 12-pounder cartridges and fuses of required length. Although not struck by a single projectile, their fire being principally directed at the Morgan, I deemed it prudent to retire for the purpose of procuring and arranging ammunition....

....April 11, received coal from transport King. At 3 p.m. the Morgan relieved us. Got under way and anchored at head of Spanish River; received crews and material from the Huntsville and Tuscaloosa. At 11 p.m. the Nashville was under way steaming up Mobile River...."

O.R., Series I, Volume 49, Part 1, page 320-322.