White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1862-05-15
Of the Naval lshs % Ne
Nfssissippi.

1k1stoo1pp1s
CAlRo, May. IL.
The desperation of the rebel eause
eliminated yesterday. in an attack on the
the Aotills BY the rebel 8est from Fort
Wright. At six on Saturday morning
the rebel ram Loui.iana came around the
Point accompanied BY four gunboats, and
Immediately opened Ere on the gunboas
Cincinuati, which was iu the advance.
The rebel boats were held in check BY
tho vigorous Gre of the Cincinnati alone
until the Federal feet came to her assis-
tance. In the meantime the rebel ram,
finding her guns Intellectual against the
iron srmor Of the Cincinnati. approached
with the intention of rnnning her down.
Capt. Stembell Of the latter prepared
to meet the assault by putting his stesm
batteries in readiness for use. As the
ram approached within close range the
Cincinnati turned her head about, causing
the ram to run along side. when Capt.
Stembell drew his pistol aud shot the pi-
lot Of the ram through the head. A,
this time the contest was intensely exci-
ting. The crews Of each boat were arm
cd with cutlasses. carbines and boarding
pixies, discharging volley after volley 10
quick succession. just then the steam
batteries Of the Cincinnati opened with
terrible effect. throwing volumes Of steam
and scalding water into the midst Of the
rebel crew. placing all who appeared on
deck hors du combat Instantly ; and caus-
ing the craft to Withdraw hastily. In the
meantime the rebel feet had been rein,
forced by three other vessels: among them
was the new iron-clad Mallory, lately
built at Memphis. These three imme-
diataly engaged the Cincinnsti. She
witstood the assault nobly. The shots Of
the enemy glsncing from her ironplating
without causing the slightest damage.
while her own guns were pouring shot
and shell into the enemy with fearful
effect during the engagement the Mallory
approached the Cincinnati with the de-
sign Of accomplishing what the ram had
failed to do. AS she came in close prox-
unity the Federal gun boat Saint Louis
bore down npon her with full head Of
steam on and struck her amidships. cut
ting her nearly in two. causing her to
sink in few minutes.
While this work was in progress the
other boats Of our feet engaged the re-
mainder Of the rebel feet. A most ter
rife battle ragged. Report followed re-
port in continuous roar. Dense volumes
Of smoke covered the broad river. for .
time completely enveloping both fleets.
1t was at that time report louder than
usual attracted general attention. When
the smoke lifted little. it was found
that one Of the enemy's boats had been
blown to atoms. Scarcely had the ex-
element passed away. when second re-
port was heard. and another rebel boat
and her crew disappeared. Both vessels
we're blown up by the explosion of shells
from our guns in their magazines. Un-
der cover Of this dense smoke. the re-
mainder of the rebel feet retired at 20
minutes after seven /; the fight having
lasted little over an hour. The Cincin-
natl bore the brunt of the battle. and was
so little damaged that "a hours will fit
her for action. The St. Louis that run
down the Mallory. is but slightly dam
aged. and is again ready for dnty. No
other Of our boats were injured in the
slightest degree. The loss Of life on eth
er side is not ascertained.