Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-10-18

The Mansssas, 'altce the Turtle, alias
Nondescript, ulias Gyascutis, with steel
prov and one 9-inch columbiad in Che bow,
Commanded BY Capt Stevenson 1.-The affair
about which we obtained all orr iuforma-
ton from the Northern papers.
The cutter Pickens, Capt. Brushwood,
carrying one 8-inch columbiAd and four
"a FOUNDER carronades.
The expedition started down The river
from the forts at an early hour Saturday
morning, the ireboats ahead and the gun
boats following. But the span of'ireboats
could not be controlled by the tug that was
attempting to guide il, and very soon ii
commenced to slew round, and then, dc.
spite every effort, ii ran into the river bank
The plan of firing the fleet was abandon
ed by Commodore Hollins ON the occur
renee of this accident, and he proceeded
down the river with the gunboats, for the
purpose of making legitimate attack upon
them.
The vessels of the enemy found lying Of
the head of the passes we're taken complete
" by surprise, and had not the steamers
had steam up at the time, perhaps none OF
them would have escaped. AS il was, their
firing, maneuvres, and general conduct
showed that they were thunderstruck and
frightened.
The Manassa led the way of our httfe
feet, and steering straight for one of the
sioops of war, ran right into her. The
force Of the conclusion was tremendous, so
much so as to put the machinery of the
Manassa out Of gear, and render her per-
fectiy useless, floating about in an unman-
ageable condition.
But the enemy were quick in making
their arrangements to move, and the two
steamers each took one of the sloops Of
war in tow, aud started down the river
making the best speed of which they were
Icapable.
They defended their retreat with every
guns they could bring to bear upon theiI
pursuers, but their aim was wild, and show.
ed that the gunners were terribly alarmed
The McRae, Ivy and Tuscarora led oui
feet aud we're the boats that kept up the
fire ON the retreating vessels, and drove
them down stream. The other vessels Of
our feet followed on down as we'll as they
could.
The enemy's vessels took the southwest
pass for their avenue Of escape, but some
of them got aground On the bar there. Thu
boats of our fleets then came up with them
about nine o'clock A. NJ. and firing nov
commenced in earnerst. 1t being daylight
they discovered the weakness of our feet
aud they managed their guns in far able
manner.
For over an hour the duel was kept up
but at the end of that time Commodore
Hollins signalled our, boats to Withdraw
from so unequal contest, in which moth
| ing more was to be gained. At the time
of leaving, they we're taking the men of
the sloop-of war that had been run into BY
the Manassas and she was settling in tn,
water in significant manner, so that ther'
can be no doubt of her laundering and to
tai loss. Our informant believes that thii
vessel was the Vincshnes, and not thu
Preble, as was reported by Commodore
| Hollins.
Our little feet returned up the river ant
captured the cutter of the steam frigait
Richmond, which was full of cdtlasses.-
What became of the men who had throw
down their Gu tlasses in such hasty man
nera nd abandoned their boat is not known
Returning to the head of the Passes,
detachment of men were landed, who Sc
Ere to all the lumber which the enemy hat
put ashore there after bringing it such
distance and at such great cost, and it wa
totally consumed. The Manassas was the
taken in tow, and all Of the boats returned
to the forts.
Not one of our boats are injured in th
slightest manner, except the slight ilisar
ropgement of tie machinery In the Man
ASA, but are quite ready to fepeat the at
fair should the enemy give them a chance
Not single man on any of our boats wa
hurt in the least. 1t is believed that all o
the enemy's vessels are somewhat injured
and that there must have been many casu
alties among their crews, but of this moth
ing can be known as yet.