Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-06-18
Correspondence Of Chicago Tribune.
The Grand Naval Engagement.

Destruction Of tie Rebel F7eet-Part
Taken Jy tic Rans--4ppalling Scenes
- Gallantry Of or Soldiers, &c.
Memphis, Jure 6, 1862.
] write from one of the chief cities Of
rebeldom. Here treason has been ram
pant. Here money has been poured out
like water for the Southern Confederacy.
Here the flag of the United States one
year ago was buried. Resurs am. II has
risen from the grave! II floats to night
more proudly than ever in the setting sun
shine over this rebellious city. The place
is re possessed. The authority Of the Uni
ted States is re-established. The Missis-
sippi is open 1t has been glorious day.
The naval forces Of the United States
the ram fleet, offspring Of the city Of Pitts
burg, have done honor to the country. 1t
has been a day Of great events.
ARRIVAL OF THE FEDERAL FEET.
Five Of the gunboats descended the riy-
er last night, to the bend about the mouth
Of Wolf River. There being a haze upon
the river, it was not generally known in
the city, as has since been ascertained, that
the dreaded Lincoln fleet was SO near
The boats were the Benton, Flagship, |
Carondolet, Louisville, St. Louis and Cal
70. The Mound City was left behind at
Fort Pillow, to accompany the transports
The Pittsburg was found leaking, and was
ordered to Cairo. The Cincinnati has not
at this time of writing arrived, although
she is reported to be on her way down.
The Conestoga is at Hickman. The Lex
ngton is also supposed to be on her way
down.
In addition TO tho gunboats, is Colonel
Ellett's fleet of rams. He holds a position
as Colonel Of Engineers III the army, and
his rams are manned by sharpshooters =
fifteen to each boat. The ram fleet is in
dependent Of the nayy-also Of the army.
-Four Of the rams arrived near the an
chorage Of the fleet early this morning
the Queen Of the West, Monarch, Lancas-
ter No. 8, and Switzerland. | doubt if
the rebel commander knew Of the arrival
Of the rams when they offered battle to
COlhiIouof6 LAW Two or bHfGo were
tied up in the bend along the Arkansas
shore. They knew that we had rams. but
their offering battle at so early an hour,
and the boasts made by jeff. Thompson in
the city just before he stepped on board
his loat, "That the people Of Memphis
would see tie Lincoln fleet chawed up be-
fore O'clock" or words of like import,
leads to the conclusion that he hoped to
crush the five ounboats.
The Rebel Fleet consisted Of eight yos-
sells, carrying excellent guns. The Little
Rebel was formerly large sized sea-going
New Orleans tug, very swift and powerful
The General Bragg was formerly tie Mar
quis dc Ia HaJanRa, sea-going steamer,
plying between New O leans and Calves
ton-a staunch, powerful side-wheel boat,
with a walking beam ara nasts with
schooner zig. All Of the boats were pow
erful as rams, but their guns We're exposed.
Nearly ali hid casemate projections TO the
boilers and machinery Of railroad iron,
which in the encounter at Craighead Point,
successfully resisted our solid shot. The
fleet was built by the "River Defense Elk
petition" of New Orleans, Yicksburg,
Natchez and Memphis, and was not part
and parcel Of the Confederate navy.