New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-26
NIGHT ATTACK ON VICKSBURG
THE CITY ON FIJI L
From Our Special Correspondent.


been discovered at last, and her powers have been
severely put to the test She came when least looked
for, and has proved herself what has been Claimed
for her-the Merrmsck of the Mississippi.
BRIILIANCE OF THE ARKANSAS 5 PERFORMANCE.
No one can fail to award her credit for her extra
ordinary courage and to confess she has accomplished
one of the most dashing fssts of the war. She has
braved our entire feet and run the gauntlet Of
fifteen of our best vessels in broad light OF open day.
casting the glove of defiance down, and Drawing them
in their chosen position.
The boastings of the enemy in regard the strength
and efficacy of the Arkansas have been, for once,
not without reason. Their promises about her have
been verified. She is indeed formidable, and 20 far
sswe actually know, invulnerable She has achieved
q great triumph and her success will be most well
come 10 the South in this her hour of heavy trai and
dire extremity. 1t will be balm and honey TO he
enemy, but gall and wor1nwood to US. We cannot
but yield praise to the Arkansas for her distinguished
bravery nor fail to feel mortified at the extraordinary
result. Certainly it is not gratifying to our national
pride to think that small vessel with twelve guns,
moved slowly, quietly, and unconcernedly by fifteen
national vessels carrying 200 guns, and escaped
with impunity.
THE RECoNNOIssANCE UP THE yAZOO.
Yesterday il was determined that another recon.
noissance should be made up the Yazoo far as liv
erpoo Landing, for the purpose Of fully ascertainng
the situation in that vicinity and the intention
10 leave at noon The proper preparations were not
made, however, and tne expedition Was deferred
until to-day.
This morning at o'clock, the uou-clad gunboat
Carondelet, Capt. Henry Wake, the wooden gun.
boa, Tyler, Capt. WIN. Gwin, and the steam ram
Queen Of the West, Capt. Joseph Ford left the fleet
for the Yazoo. They had not proceeded more than
seven miles up tue Old River, into which the Yazoo
empties, before they discovered a strange and mys.
FERROUS looking craft descending the stream rather
sowly. She was light brown in color, not more than
one.haf as large rs Of Daviss gunboats, and Lad
sInge chimney.
The glasses on the three vessels were directed to-
ward the stranger and it was speedily concluded
she mus; be the much.talked Of Arkansas the ma
-ine monster, which. the Rebels had declared would
sweep the Union ilotills from the Mississippi.
Some persons were skepdcal; for they insisted
that the Arkansas wac not finished and sill
aground above the Rebel raft. IL the vessel were
not the famous gunboat, what was she That was
the question no one could answer; and there was
little time to answer it indeed; for the Arkansas was
moving steadily down.
DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE REBELS POWER.
In another moment heavy report was heard
from the enigmatical gun-boat, and huge round.
shot went howliog over the deck OF the Tyler
Another and another followed and the craft increased
her speed perceptbly, the Tyler, meanwhile, turn.
inc 10 give her bioadside. Before tie Union veg
sel was in position, the enemy Was upon her, and
discharged three guns at her in rapid Succession.
The TYLER fired her broaisde, but tue shot seemed,
even az that distance to have effect on the Rebel
while the latter had pierced her opponent in
several places. The stranger was iron-cad, and very
strong. There was no longer any doubt that she was
the Arkansas. Nor was further evidence wanting to
show how vastly she the superior Of the wooden
vessel, which soon turned her bow down stream and
steamed toward the Mississippi Tapid'yss possible
THE ENGAGEMENT IN THE YAZo0
Strange to say, the Arkansas, in spite OF her
strength and weight, is quite fast-nearly as much
50 as the Tyler-snd kept very close behind her.
firing at regular intervals, while the Nationalist re-
turned the hostile favors with her stern guns
Almost every shot of the enemydid damage; though
most of them injured the boat only. One round'Shot
entered above the stern-post, and killed and wounded
eight or ten men, carrying away the heads OF four
saors who were standing in a line and working the
piece.
There was every prospect the Tyler would be
sunk or blown into the air. Yet her brave officers
and crew, though they regarded their condition as
desperate, still kept up q responsive fire. The ene'
mys shot crushed and splntered her timbers, and
few Of the loyal hearts board expected to escape
The Tyler put on all steam; and still she could
gain little upon her pursuer, which followed with the
cruelty Of Fury and the directness OF Fate.
by the tine the brave Unionists reached the mouth
Of Old River, eight Of her men bad been killed aud
seventeen wounaed. Some Of the reports give the
number as eleven killed aud twenty.one wounded,
though ulnk the former more nearly correct AT
present, however, NJ information of an entirely trust
worthy character can be obtained The only officers
that suffered on the Tyler are the Chief Engineer
- Gobel, who was killed, and John Sebastian,
principal Pilot, MORALLY wounded.
ACTION OF THE CARoNDrIrT
The Carondelet had not assembled Old River, but
had remained at the mouth, while the gunboat and
ram went up the stream, and as she was iron-clad,
her brave commander and crew determined, if
possible stop the Of their fearful adversary
Ar soon as the Arkansas appeared in sight, the
CarondeIet fred on her, and received her heavy
ordnance in return, several shot and shell passing
through the wooden portion OF the National ship,
and killing men and woundiDg 81. For few
minutes the fight was very brisk, but it soon became
evident 10 Capt. Wake that he was no match for
bis antagonist aud he concluded therefore, 10 board
DER.
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