Interesting to note that Lt. Cmdr Thomas O' Selfridge of the Osage did not take credit for Gen. Green's death or for using the telescope in his official report to Admiral David Dixon Porter.
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume 26, page 49.
Selfridge said that he was protecting the transport Alice Vivian when he was attcked by two brigades of dismounted cavalry and three pieces of artillery under the command of General Green. He estimated Green's command at not less than 2,500 men.
"I waited till they got into easy shelling range, and opened upon them a heavy fire of shrapnel and canister. The rebels fought with unusual pertinacity for over an hour, delivering the heaviest and most concentrated fire of musketry that I have ever witnessed.
They finally broke in great confusion, leaving the ground covered with their dead and wounded, muskets, knapsacks, etc., for many yards from the bank."
He received orders to rejoin Porter so wasn't able to inspect the battlefield, but estimated Confederate losses at 200. General Green had been killed.
The Lexington, under Lt. Commanding Bache also contributed a "most destructive enfilading fire" on the Confederates.
"General Green will prove a great loss, he standing as one of the best rebel generals this side of the Mississippi."
Dated April 16, 1864.
I Wonder Why Selfridge Would Not Have Mentioned the Periscope and Personal Killing of Green? -- Old Blockade Runner
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