The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-06 00:00:00

STAMPED ....sd.

tiilery, all the siege guns in the Star Fort and the
Main Fort; the quartermaster's and commissary's
stores and ammunition, besides 6,000 muskets and
200 waggons with horses and mules, and all the
private baggage and camp equipage of the officers
and men.
" The fugitives came into Maryland Heights
straggling in small parties, with nothing but what
they carried on their backs, besides being hungry
and tired out with three days' fighting and march-
ing. Many of the officers had their wives with them
in Winchester, and were compelled to leave them to
the tender mercies of the rebels.
" The officers and men are loud in condemnation
of Gcn. Milroy, whose bad management they charge
as being mainly the cause of the disaster.
" Officers and. men concur in awarding to the
brigade and regimental commanders the highest
degree of praise for their bravery and courage under
the trying circumstances.
" The dead and wounded are left on the field and
along the roadside as they fell, the latter without
surgical attention either by the rebel surgeons or
our own. The whole scene is described as one of
the most humiliating and heart•sickening that has
been witnessed during the war, fruitful as it has
been in horrible incidents.
" A full investigation will doubtless be made of
the circumstances attending the battle, when the
responsibility will be placed where it properly be-
longs. I therefore refrain from any comments, con-
tenting myself with merely giving the facts as they
were represented to me.
"Major-Gen. Milroy had rendered himself very
obnoxious- to the rebels in-•eoneequence of the rigor••
ous policy he pursued towards them, punishing the
citizens with great severity, and liberating their
negroes. Their hatred to him was so bitter that a
reward of 10,000 dole_ was offered for his head, and
it is thought that the desire to save himself from
capture induced him to neglect the precautions neces-
sary to secure the safety of his command.
" General Milroy is from Indiana, but the force
under him was composed mainly of Virginia and
Maryland troops. It is said he was suspended from
his command by General Schenck and ordered to
report at Maryland Heights for duty under Brigadier
General Tyler, and was on his way there on Wed-
needay night, when he was prevented from reaching
that point by the rebels being at Point of Rocks."
THE FIGHT AT MILLIKEN'S BEND—OFFI-
CIAL REPORT FROM ADMIRAL PORTER.
" Washington, June 20.
The Navy Department has received a report from
Admiral Porter, dated June 9, near Vicksburg, in
which he states as follows :
" On the 7th inst., owing to a report that the
rebels in force, about 4,000 strong, were threaten-
ing Milliken's Bend, where a quantity of army stores
were kept guarded by two black regiments and part
of the 29th lowa Regiments, the gunboats Choctaw
and Lexington were despatched to that place to pro-
tect them. Our troops had thrown up some extra
entrenchments near the levee, and prepared to re-
ceive the rebels, with some doubts as to the issue.
The enemy made his attack before daylight, and
many of our men had not arrived at that point.
The fight was desperate, and our men were
overpowered and had to retreat behind the bank,
near the water's edge, followed closely by the
rebels. Then the gunboats opened on the rebels
with shell, grape, and canister, and they fled in
wild confusion. Not knowing the gun boats were
there, or not expecting such a reception, they re-
treated to the woods and soon disappeared. When
last heard from the enemy was bound in the direc-
tion of Lake Providence. I have dispatched gun
boats to meet them.
In another report of the same date Admiral
Porter states—
" The army is still advancing close to the enemy's
works.
" One of our batteries opened fire the day before
yesterday, and cleared everything before it. The
mortars kept constantly playing upon the city and
the rebel works, and the gun boats threw in their
shell whenever they see any work going on at the
rebel batteries or new batteries being put up. Not
a soul is to be seen moving in the city: The rebel
soldiers are lying in their pits or trenches, and the
inhabitants are stored in caves or holes dug in the
cliffs. Vicksburg must fall. It is wonderful that
it has held out so long.
" The rebel steamer Lady Walton came down
from Little Rock, Arkansas, a few days since, and
gave herself up to the commanding officer at White
River."

The .Richmond Inquirer, of June 19th, contains
the following accounts of the proceedings at Port
Hudson :

" Mobile, June 17,

" A special to the Tribune, dated Jackson, Miss.,
June 17, says a courier arrived at Brook Haven last
night from Port Hudson, who reports that our
troops are in fine spirits, that they have repulsed
the enemy 27 times, and the attack successfully.
Aid was close at hand.

" Jackson, June 17

" A courier from Port Hudson has arrived, He
states that the enemy has been punished severely.
His companies in front (a Zouave regiment) made
good marks, and our boys took deliberate aim, and
killed and wounded immense numbers. The cou-
rier says they have sixty days' provisions, and
have no fear, but are determined to hold out to the
last.

" Osyka, June 16
" A desperate fight took placo at Port Hudson on
she 12th. The Confederates left their entrench-
ments, charged the enemy, and drove him from his
fortifications and spiked his siege guns. But the
situation at Vicksburg still engrosses all the solici-
tation of the country. Heavy reinforcements are
pouring into Fort Grant, and large instalments from
the command of Rosencranz have been transferred
to the great army investing Vicksburg. Whether
Johnston has at the last hour been invested with
authority to concentrate the troops of the West is
the anxious topic of inquiry and the vital question
of the crisis.
" A citizen from New Orleans, Saturday, reports
that many regiments are arriving from Baton Rouge.
The Federals are despondent because they cannot
take Port Hudson by assault. Provisions are high
and rising in New Orleans. The river is very low.
There is other cheering, but contraband, news. The
St. Charles Hotel is filled with wounded from Port
Hudson. They arc brought by boat loads at night.
" Summit, Miss., June 17.
" A courier from Logan's headquarters, states that
Logan dashed into Jackson, La., on Monday, and
captured 100 Yankees of the 40th New York
cavalry, 20 negroes, with their waggons and arms,
and 120 horses. A major and other officers are
among the prisoners."
A correspondent of the Charleston Courier, writ-
ing from Quincy, Fla., furnishes the folio
clad
account of the loss of the Confederate iron. d
ChP ttahoochec :
il trai-
tor hee and re-
gentleman reached here to-day from Chattahoec
"The news received hero to. day is appalling indeed. A
ports that the schooner Fashion, at
la was loading
hoochee river, 25 miles above Apalachicoka,
e.
e orn e
isnoym 'se
d She had
with cotton, and intended to run the blocnd
was waiting
anchor in the Chatta-
received 60 bales of Sea Island clottona,sapy
the
torous pert:on conveyed the fact t
another arrival from --, when
the enemy eet
blockading. Tho result was thatd
the schooner sent nine
launches with armed men,
caltu;.o the fl oner with the
cotton on board, and tock her
Lieutenant fleet. Whon the
news reached Chattahoochee, . Guthrie, cora
the Confederate States iron• clad gunboat , .
mending
hoochce, ordered steam to be raised, and was determined
pass the obstructions in the river if possible, with to
attacking the. United States steamer and endeavouringaView of
relieve the Fashion. Bat the Caine gentleman to
just as the steamer was leaving her anchors
reports that
exploded, and twelve persons were killed, e
her boilers
others were badly scalded. As
et 1
-riled, while several
what officers and men were killedy” am unable to learn
The Columbus Sun has the
statement of the destruct. following detailed
"The boiler exploded Whilst of the Chatt h eochee :
d Whilst the a
-vessel Wes rtt anchor, and

at the time there were only seven pounds of steam. The
disaster happened immediately after cold water had been
put into the boiler. The magazines of the ship were within
three feet of the boiler, and the shell room as near. As soon
as the explosion occurred 'a panic commenced, the men
jumped overboard, fearing the explosion of the magazine
and shell rooms. At this point the gunner, Mr. John A.
Lovett, in the absence of the first lieutenant, took charge
and displayed great energy and courage in saving life and
property, and in re-assuring the panic-stricken men.
" The ship was found to be filling, when the poor
wounded and burned sufferers were landed, together with
the personal effects of the crew and officers. It was 1 ainin 0-
and blowing very hard, and the bank was very muddy upon
which the wounded were landed. The poor fellows lay
writhing and groaning in the mud for some time before they
could be got to a cotton gin near by.
"The ship was hauled in near the shore, and has sunk
to ber deck, settling firmly on the bottom. The powder
and shells are a total loss. The guns have been landed,
and the nine-inch and rifle are already in position at a
strong point, end although the loss of the vessel and the
brave men is much to be deplored, yet with the guns ashore
manned by the splendidly-drilled crew of the late Chatta-
hoochee, the river is much safer than even before."
The following are the official accounts of the cap-
ture of the Atlanta at Savannah :
"Flagship Wabash, Port Royal Harbour, S.C.
June 17.
" Sir,—l have the honour to inform the department That
since mailing my despatches I have received further details
of the capture of the Atlanta, sent through the kindness of
Col. Barton, by telegraph, from Pulaski.
"The Atlanta, Capt. Wm. Webb, came down this morn-
ing, via Wilmington River, to attack our vessels in War.
saw Sound, accompanied by two wooden steamers filled, il
is said, with persons as spectators. The Weehawken, Capt
John Rodgers, at once attacked her, firing in all five shots,
1 three of which took effect, penetrating her armour and kin-
king or wounding the crews of_twa gang... -,Xwo_.or—three of
the pilots were also badly wounded and the pilot house
broken up, whereupon the vessel grounded and immediately
after surrendered. The armament of the Atlanta was two
7-inch and two 6-inch guns. She is but slightly injured.—
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
" S. F. DUPONT, Rear Admiral,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
"P.S.—The officers and crew of the Atlanta numbered
.65 persons. " S. F. D."

" Newport News, June 22,
" To Hon. Gideon Wells, Secretary of the Navy.
" Your telegram was just received. Admiral Dupont
sent the Weehawken, Captain John Rodgers, and Naphant,
down to Warsaw Sound to look out for the Atlanta. June
17, at 6 a,m., the Atlanta came down, accompanied by two
gunboats. The engagement was exclusively between the
Weehawken and Atlanta. The latter mounted four of the
Brooke rifles, two of 7-inch on the bow and stern pivots,
and two of 6-inch on each end, She could use two of the
former and one of the latter on a side. Rodgers engaged
the rebel at close quarters. The first 15-inch shot, fired by
himself, took off the top of the Atlanta's pilot house, and
wounded two of her three pilots. Another 15-inch shot
struck half way up her roof, which was iron
plated four inches thick, killing one and wounding
17 men. Eleven shots were fired in all—five of the Wee-
hawken, and six by the Atlanta. The fight was short, and
the victory signal.
"The Weehaken sustained no injury of any sort. The
Atlanta steers well, and made six knots against a hard sea
going to Port Royal. She was completely provided with
instruments and stores for a regular cruise. She has a ram,
a saw, and a tornado on her bow. Ex-Lieutenant W. A.
Webb commanded her. Her compliment was 125 souls.
" The Atlanta is said to have come down confident of
capturing the monitors easily, and her consorts, filled with
spectators, were prepared to tow them to Savannah. She
will soon be ready for service under the flag of the Union.
(Signed) "S. P. LEE, Acting Rear-Admiral.
REPORT OF CAPTAIN ROGERS.
"Washington, June 23.

" Captain John Rodger circumstantially relates the pro-
ceedings attending the capture of the Atlanta. On ex-
amination it was found that the enemy had been struck
four times. The first on the inclined side by a 17. inch
convex shot, which, although fired at an angle of 5U degrees
with her keel, broke in her armour and wood backing,
strewing the deck with splinters, prostrating about 40 men
by the concussion and wounding several by broken pieces
of armour and splinters; one man has since died. The
second shot, an 11-inch solid, struck the edge of the over-
hang knuckle, doing no damage except breaking a plate or
two. The third shot, a 15-inch coned, struck the top of
the pilot-house, knocking it off, wounding two pilots and
stunning the man at the wheel. The fourth shot:supposed
to be an 11-inch, struck a port stopper in the centre, break-
ing it in two and shattering it very much, driving many
fragments in through the port.
"There were on board at the time of the capture (as
per muster rolls) 21 officers and 124 men, including 2S

marines.
" The captured rebel officers told Captain Rodgers that
they thought the speed of the Atlanta would be found to
reach ten knots. They believe her to be the strongest iron-
clad in the Confederacy, and confidently anticipated
taking both the Nallant and the Wekhawken. The fol-
lowing among her officers are late of the United States
Navy :—W. R. Webb, commander ; J. W. Alexander, first
lieutenant ; Alphonzo Barber, second do. ; A. L. Freeman,
surgeon ; G. 11. Johnson, first assistant engineer.
"Admiral Dupont, in his despatch, says the Fingal in a
dense fog ran the blockade of Savannah a few days after
the Port Royal forts were taken in November, 1861. She
has been closely watched ever since, and, as in the case of
the Nashville, the long and ceaseless vigilance of his officers
has been rewarded. The Atlanta is now at Port Royal
under the American flag, having unaided steamed into the
harbour from 'Warsaw."

Naval and Military Intelligence.

THE NAVY.
VALLETTA, June 30.—Her Majesty's ships Mar'
borough, 131, bearing the flag of the Vice-Admiral
Commander-in-Chief Robert Smart, K.H., Capt. C.
Fellowes ; Revenge, 73, bearing the flag of Rear-
Admiral H. R. Yelverton, Ca', t.
the Hon. F.
A. Foley ; Trafalgar, 70, Capt, T. Mason, and
Meeanee, 60, Capt. G. Wodehouse, entered port on
the 22d inst., the Marlborough and Trafalgar from
the lonian Islands, and the two other ships from a
cruise in the Malta Channel. All four ships sailed
again on the 25th hence, and, except the Revenge,
which re-entered port on the 29th inst., have ever
since been cruising off Malta, within sight Tactice
island, occasionally exercising at target ptb.
Unless contrary orders are received to-night by_ere.
mail from Marseilles it is expected the Commar:ccle a
in-Chief will, on receiving his despatches,
thpe e
ports
to Naples, and afterwards visit several of
for the
of Spain, before returning to 1‘,_.1, will not
winter, The Revenge, it is
,rheprortsi
Na lea,
accompany the squadron funceorfu, to be sta-
but will probably proceed to
frigate Liffey,
tinned there. Her 31ajesty's senrow
the 23d inst. for
35, Capt. G. Parker, left Ma"a on
J. K. E. Baird,
Corfu, the Alacrity, 4, Comnia;
b©
land t
left on the same day for 'ng
off. Her Majesty's screw storeship
d Supply,2,
, \•\ ith stores
Master-Commander E. Bowden, arrived on the
27th inst. from Woolwich and
Shefleet. brought as pas-
tAASOHmmerander the Hon.v
senger Capt. J.iBKe3l,leLy,ielut
gunboat Procr t
John B. t
Vivian, arrivedl\ 0-day from Gibraltar, to
undergo repairs. Her lajestY's ships in
Hibernia, receiving ship (bearin 4, port are
H. T. Austin, C. 8.) g the flan of Rear-
AdmiralCoHarvey, 73 (bearing the flag ,of
Rear-Admiral
R. E.
R. Yelverton, C. 13.), capt,
the ear-Admiral H.
the Medina, Capt. J. A. B. Spratt, Hon. F. A. Foley ;
Ma-
lacca, 17, Capt. G. N. Na • C.B, ; the
Com-
mander P. Brock ; peer ; the Pelican, n, Com-
th
wander E. Wilkinson eth aradoe, 2, Lieut.-Com.
Commander the Hon.; B.evProcris, 3, Lieutenant.
Master-Commander E. Bowdenivian : the Supply, 2,
Boxer
and
urowl ; and the tenders
Waiter Crofton, el..
The death of Col. Edward
Royal Artill er in comcnanding the 3d Brigade of
Friday y t 'is garrison, which occurred on
island. 'The morning
lest, has cast a deep gloom over the
by
his
mini deceased NI, as much respected not only
officers and men, but by those of the
Other bre rieheq
ha • of the nervice an well as by the in-
habitants generally. Scarcely'
life he
wasstruck
past the prime of
down by an insidious disorder;
Which from long neglect had rendered an operation
necessary. He died in • less
than a week from the
first appearance of dangerous
mains were interred in the Ta Braxia Cemetery.
Major.-Gen. Wood, C. 8., 1 commanding the Ist bri-
gade in this garrison, accompanied by Mrs. Wood
and Capt. Wood, aide-de-camp, left Malta last week
for England Ilia Marseilles, on leave of absence.
The following officers have also taken the Br gape;
r-
ture on leave : —Capt. Musgrave, Rifle