Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-13
a NAVAL BnUs7E AZ sHIP ISLAND.

a NAVAL BRUSH At SHEP ISLAND.
from the n. o P~icayune, July IL
On Thursday last, the 4th inst. Capt. Hig-
gins, formerly Of the United States navy, and
now oFthe Confederate army, and abide camp
20 msicT-General TWiggs, fitted out the
steamer Oregon, COMMANDED By Capt. A. L.
Myers, and also the steamer Swain, Lieut..
Marley, g. S. ~, commanding, for the pur-
pose Of driving the enemy out Of The Nissis-
sippi Sound. The steamers saiLd on Friday
last, both well armed and manned, and pro
ceeded as far as Bay St. Louis, where thew
hlled up the bags which they had provided
themselves with with sand. They left The bay
at 9 O'Clock Saturday morning, for the cruising
ground Of the enemy, the Swain taking the
main land OF side passage, and the Oregon the
outside, and proceeded to Ship Island Pass.
Fiuding 10 enemy in sight, the Oregon pro-
ceeded to sea from Snip Island, and soon saw
two vessels, aud gave chase. They proved to
Be two fishing snacks Of our own. The Ore
gon then returned 70 Ship leland, and Captain
Higgins, who was in command Of tie expedi-
ton, deemed it advisable to take possession Of
Ship leland. Accordingly be signalized the
Swain 20 come to and 60 alongside Of the
island. The Oregon then came alongside the
Swain, AMI both proceeded to disembark the
men and munitions Of war, provisions, etc, ,
which was done In very short time, consider
ing they had no deTTicks for hosting out the
guns.
After the Decentralization, The guns on the
boats were put in battery, protected BY sand
bags. The Swain was left at the island while
the Oregon PROCEEDED TO New Orleans, ria
Pass Christian, for the purpose of sending a
dispatch to Gen. Twiggs to send forward re-
i~nforcements Of ammGgiti0n and men. The
Oregon then proceeded to New Orleans, where
she arrival an E~uSau norprmn ~n1 80. -.
mediately ordered to take on board guns, gnn
carriages and munitions to r%einforcs Ship Is
land, maiar-General TWiggs, and Captain
Higgins and Major Smith using every possible
effort to get everything in readiness. The
steamer Gray Cloud was also taken into Tequi-
sition, and was loaded and get under way on
Monday morning at II o'clock, alse well armed.
The Oregon followed the sane night, at II
O'Clock, with provisions, and proceeded d.
rectiy TO Ship Island.
At 8 O'Clock on Tuesday morning, when
within eight miles Of the fort on Ship Island,
Capt. Myers saw d large United Statea steamer
and a tender, lying off about two miles outside
the island. At this moment our troops at the
sand batteries opened IRE on the steamer,
which was Immediately returned, and the bat
tie commenced in good earnest. The Gray
cloud coming up slowly, the Oregon took of
her ammunition and prece ded at once to the
scene Of action, Major SEith directing the
GRAY Cloud 70 follow at safe distance.
Having arrived at the bland, Capt. Ny ers
proceeded at once in bis Yawl, with Major
Smith, with load Of shell and powder, being
received with cheers by Capt. Thon, OF the
c. S. marines. and the sailors and soldiers,
who st once carried the supplies 10 The bat
teries. The enemy had fired some thirty odd
rounds OF shell and round shot, which sank in
the sand, and were used by oar gallant sailors
ia returning FIRE. TIE explosion Of the eBe-
my'8 shells did no other damage than slightly
TO inuTe one man in the leg.
The steamers Immediately commenced land
ing their guns and provisions, during which
time the enemy again opened fire, the shot
short, but being returned with great
lt is supposed that tie attacking
steamer, the Massachusetts,, was hulIed three
times. and a she'll was seen TO explode over
her decks, which, it is presumed, did great
as she Immediately hauled of, and
put for the Chandelier Islands. q distance of
miles from our batteries.
Great credit is due to Mai-Gen. Tgiggs
md Capt. Higgins for the expeditions and
lrompt manner in which this Island has been
ortiisd and defended,