Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-09-11


BaoEe JAn-The Tarboro' Southsrner says that
three prisoners escaped from the jail in that town on
Thursday last-Kit Lewis, of Martin county. confined
on charge OF attempt to commit rape, and joel
Ward and his son Thomas from Pitt on a charge OF
disloyalty.
We learn that in the fight at Manassas, on the 30th
ut General Branchs brigade is reported to have lost
about 80 men killed and about 100 wounded. This,
our informant says near the number of casualties
as could be ascertained, without the official lists.
From the Jackson Mssissippian.
Int, resting Extracts from the log Book Of the
Yankee Gunboat Su inter.
Among the troUhies taken from the Yankee gunboat
Sumter recently captured and DESTROYED by our forces
at Bayou Sara, is the log book kept by Lieut. Henry
Erben, Jr., commanding that illstarred vessel
The Sumter originally belonged to US, but was cap
tured in the naval engagement near Memphis previous
to the fall OF that city. Lieut.. Erben then placed
in command of her when she was towed up to Cairo,
and after undergoing REPAIRS was brought down
to participate in the siege OF Ficksburg.
FIGHT WITH THE ARKANSAS.
The following private and public accounts Of the
contest with the Arkansas and the passage OF our bat
teries at Vickshurg will be found Interesting. The
reader will not fail to notice the TACT that 10 bis own
private account Lieut.. Erben acknowledges loss Of
fifteen bat in bis report to Flag Officer Davis, written
only the day after, be is happy to inform that officer
that he passed batteries without any casualties to
bis crew. Here is pal pable contrarlety OF state
ments and convicts the Lieutenant, beyond the power
of logic to dispute, of having unntentIonaly FURNISHED
the world with another evidence of the pecar idosyn-
cracies Of the race We Of course, believe his private
statement as be certainly had no object in misleading
himself. We quote
July l5th-At A. NJ, was called by officer Of the
deck reporting heavy firing up lie river. Soon saw
tho hNot 'sixa
stern guns Soon rebel boat, the Arkansas, hove il
sight. All the vessels prepared for action and com
mtnced fribg My vessel being under repairs, had no
steam up Repairing cupboard delivery pipes neglect
ed at Cairo. Commenced getting steam Kept up q
fire On the Arkansas she passed The Arkansas at-
ter passing The feet turned round and opened fire On
us, stand of grape striking our port wheel house.
Flag Ship Benton, with Cincinnati and Louisville fol-
lowed the Arkansas down, engaging her. Benton cut
up with shot, losing several killed and wounded. fy-
Ter killed aud 0 wounded Carondeet 80 killed aud
wounded.
Made preparations during the day for running past
the batteries at Vicks urg. At got orders 10 follow
the feet aud run the Arkansas down and slnG her
6.25 p. NJ, got headway and stood down the river
Soon got under heavy fire of musketryports opened
with shot, she'll and grape Passed close under the bank
receiving a heavy fire from the rebels. One l0lnca
shell burst in the hull, tearing up the side and deck
riffs struck the iron plating, another just forward OF
the port whee-both works were ridde1 with small shot
Stopped the engine and drted by the lower batteries in
hopes of nding the Arkansas but was unable to do So
it being quite dark and the smoke very thick. Steam
ed and Joined the fleet below Iotol toss killed and
arounded, fifteen. Anchored for the night.
July 16th--Made fast to the bank and commenced
repairing damages. Made the following report to Flag
Officer Davis:
U. S. GUNBOAT SUMTER, BELOW NICKsBURG,
July 10th, 1862.
SIR have the homer TO report that last night ran
the rebel batteries with no casualties to my crew. |
tho fbD1
Rugged the shore all tie way down, and stopped NY
engine to drift past while endeavoring to find her.
[ am now in very bad condition, owing to imper-
feet equipment, leak throughout board delivery pipes,
and want coal Our leak is aggravated by ten inch
shell which exploded in the hull and shot in the side
just forward the front Wheel and leak but little above
the water line, have only about fifteen or TWEEN
ty hours coal of beard
Respectfully, &c
FIGHT AT BATON ROUGE
August ), l662.-This day. one always to be r. menu
bered one of anxiety and excitement. At 4, A. M,
the enemy under Breckenridge, made the promised
tack upon shore. | took my position aud Or
dered by Commodore Porter to examine the river above
for gunboats Steamed around the point but could see
nothing Ike vessel of any kind. Returned to my
station aud opened fre with shell upon the rebels. The
fight at this time very fierce, both artillery aud in
fantry being hotly engaged Received directions from
time to tme from shore how to fire. Oar troops falling
back. Enemy burns up 18th regiment Maine camp
Large numbers of soldiers skukng u1dcr the river
bank. Ordered them away-threatened to fire into
them.
SINKING OF THE STEAMER WHITMAN
1t is known 10 readers that the nited States
military forces of New Orleans made quite stir
the pretended body of Gen. Williams. The g Delta
gave long account of the funeral ceremonies and sta
ted that after their conclusion the body of Gen. vii
llams placed upon the steamer Star Of the West
and carried 20 its far of home in the North The fol-
lowing extract however, shows that all this ugubgious
parade merely Yankee strategy :"
August 7th.-In the morning saw several Of Farra-
quits feet coming up. By noon seven Of them at an
Choir off the city No news on shore. Enemy still re-
treating. We captured some Of their eaisons. The
Drearids, Capt Preble arrived. Reported having been
run into by the steamer Whiteman. The Whiteman
sunk carrying down with her some seventy wounded
men c1 the cay to tue New Orleans hospital All were
drowned but the Captain, two pilots and thirty wound
ed Tie body Of Gen. Williams also sunk.
HARD UPON THE GROUND.
We close our extracts from the leg book OF the Sum
ter by giving tie subjoned closing entries:
August 14.-Left this morning at A. Nj. for Bayou
Sara-arrived at s, A. hi. Reported to Captain For-
ter aud received orders to remain here until further Or
ders and guard the ferry. | gave him all the norma-
ton regarding the movements of the Confederates He
affected to think light of it, saying there was nothing
in the shape OF gunboat' the river" l did
all could with him, but TO no end. Here l must re-
main in crippled condition in and engine. Re-
ceived two persons from the Essex prisoners taken
from this place At five the stock Of the anchor parted
and we began drifting. Heaved up the anchor but
working of DIR steam became unmanageabe and drift
ed aground under the bank of the town Tried every
way to get off, but could not succeed Sent boat with
Mr. Chess to Baton Rouge for steamer to tCw US off.
Spent restless night, as was so completely ia the
power of the enemy, did they but know it, Mace ready
for fight both from shore and river. At midnight yes
sci hard and fast.
August Id fully expected assistance this morn
ing carly Evaruhn6v fsencr ratLnr rln for