New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-18
FURTHER FROM THE BLOCKADE.
Another Account OF Tsoliins's Attack on
Our Vessels mt the Mouth Of the 1iissiS-
sippi-Another Attack Ten Days Later
The Rebels Again Discounted.

The heDeb A8nih
The following extracts from private letters received
from one of the crew of the United States sloop-of-
war Preble give an account of the naval engagement
at the mouth Of the Mississippi, which is more credi-
table TO our navy than that furnished by the officers
Of the Nightingale The writer states fact which
we have not before seen mentioned that subsequent
TO tie somewhat disastrous engagement, the rebel
musketo fleet again came down the river but were
chased back with considerable damage.
OS Bo,ED THE PRzBLE. Mississippi River Oct 10.
At u clock this morning, an iron machine
rounded the point above M aud Heating down the
river with the current, made in the direction of the
Richmond. We ran mp red lantern, the signal OF
danger. The men always sleep on their guns, 90
that we were well prepared for this internal ma
chine as il turned out to be. As u Heated by US,
we could have given it broadsiie, but having no
signal from the Post Captains ship. were not al
lowed 10. This machine-ior We have no other
name for it's long ard low, in shape like cigar.
II has no deck, but is apparently cased in railroad
IRON II has probably been severely tested, else 1t
would never have ventured on the batteries OF three
sbips as il did. Soon AS il seen by us it steamed
up and went for the Richmond. There was a
schooner alongside Of her that she had coaled from
the day before. This machine or battering ram
aimed AZ her port bow but the schooner being IN the
way, she was obliged to turn, and that diminished
the force of the blow somewhat. She struck the
vessel on the starboard side, under her third port,
about four feet below the water, making hole a
foo, square, The water rushed in In a torrent. a
rubber stopper was slid down the side OF the ship,
and by working the steam pumps she was Kept
free After this "black Tam," as the tars called
il. had left the Richmond il went on toward the
Vincennes, approaching within forty. yards oil
IT, The Vincennes turned short round and came over
10 u.s. The Richmond's glns On the port side had
been run in the day before to allow the schooner
to get alongside. She at ills moment got them
TO bear. and poured shot aud she'll on the black
ram though most of the missiles went beyond their
mark. As he ranged alongside Of us we gave him
three broadsides. Most of the shots struck him,
though but one took effect Shot one - was
shel from tire 6Spounder. IL struck him plump on
the srnoke-staek, knocking said stack out OF sight
As he passed our bow he fired q rocket over our
forecasile, which was signal for bis chummies up
the river Lights sprung up oil over the river above
ua. and freslips chained together came toward us
from every direction. So rapidly they approached
that all four of the vessels were Obliged 10 sup an
Choir. We could see five steamboats, and bark De-
hind the ire.ships, and IL we're madness to think OF
fighting fire. We retreated in good order down the
Southwest Pass. The order from Capt. Pope was
for all of us 10 90 over the bar The Prebe obeyed
in good shape. The pilot Of the Vincennes not thor
oughly acquainted with the channel, got her
aground. The Richmond, now essaylng TO aid the
Vincennes got aground also. The Prebe stood oil
tie bar for an anchorage. We found suitable
place and dropped the kellock. Very soon the flag
boat of the secessionsts, named the Ivy" ap-
peared in the pass three miles up, and commenced
firing her ritled cannon at the Richmond. The Post
Captain sgnaled for TO beat to him, but having
a very heavy head wind and current, we could make
no Roadway and were obliged TO witness the
fight without the enjoyment OF participation. The
Vincennes aground stern up the river, could
get none Of her broadside guns 20 bear on
the enemy. But Capt. Handy had bis cabin
stove to pieces to enable him to work two 6Ss
ont Of the cabin ports astern. The Ivy, seeing the
| b.lnlnssness of the Vincenpes steamed down to-
ward her, probably with the intention Of boarding
her. The little Water Witch, with her four guns,
now run in between them, aud by well-directed
broadside, knocked the whole upper part OF the
Ivy's stern of. The steam bark now came down
toward the Richmond, who was aground, broadsde
up the pass. The Richmond drove her oil by lew
well-tbrown shot and she'll The other steamers
being banged up badly, the fleet concluded TO leave.
They went up the Southwest Pass, and then down
Pass a rOutre. Their intention was to run the
blockade 90 as to get the steam bark to for pri
yateer. This bark, according 10 Secession papers
that we found at Ship Island, had been lying in
New Orleans for some time, and the Secessionists
had conceived the idea Of getting her 10 in this
manner. However, it was "no go" with her, for
ut Pass lOntre the Colorado was on guard, in
company with the new gunboat from Boston. The
Northeast Pass Ii guarded by the Niagara, assisted
by one or two small gunboats. The chiyalry had no
other alternative but 10 return TO New-Orleans and
make their brags.
During the engagement the yincennes was de-
serted by order Of Captain Pope. Captain Handy
spiked his guns, and wrapping the American flag
around him, set fire TO fuse connected with the
magazine and left his ship. As soon as the Seces-
sjonsts Were driven OF, an officer returned 10 the
yincennes and put out the fuse. The Water witch
then proceeded TO Pass a rOutre, and came back
with the South Carolina. Both together could not
yet tho Yinoennes OIL. The Huntsville came IN mex.
day, and by throwing overheard all the guns eAcel'