Nearly fifty shots were fired from the Hatteras, and I presume a greater number from the Alabama.
I desire to refer to the efficient and active manner in which Acting-master Porter, executive officer, performed his duty.

The conduct of the Assistant-surgeon, Edward S.Matthews, both during the action and afterwards, in attending to the wounded, demands my unqualified commendation.

I would also bring to the favourable notice of the Department Acting-master's mate McGrath, temporarily performing duty as gunner.
Owing to the darkness of the night and the peculiar construction of the Hatteras, I am only able to refer to the conduct of those officers who came under my especial attention; but from the character of the contest, and the amount of damage done to the Alabama, I have personally no reason to believe that any officer failed in his duty.
To the men of the Hatteras I cannot give too much praise.

Their enthusiasm and bravery were of the highest order.
I enclose the report of Assistant-surgeon E.S.Matthews, by which you will observe that five men were wounded and two killed.

The missing, it is hoped, reached the fleet at Galveston.
I shall communicate to the Department, in a separate report, the movements of myself and my command from the time of our transfer to the Alabama until the departure of the earliest mail from this place to the United States.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H.C.