Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-06-11
memphis Surrendered Desperate
Naval Engagement.

mempnlS surrendered DESPERATE
Naval Engagement.
CAIRO. June 8.
The regular packet Platte Valley. tn,
first boat through from Memphis, arrived
this morning.
Our forces are In possession of Memphis
The ~iotilla, five gunboats and eigh
rams, left Fort Wright at 2 o'clock OF
Thursday morning. Finding no obstruc
lions at Fort Randolph, the totilla passed
on, and at eight o'clock on Thursday eve
nInS the gunboats anchored two mile
above Memphis, the rams remaining
short distance above.
a reconnaissance was made. The enc
my's heet consisting of the following YES
sells: Gen. Van Dorm and flagship Gen
Price, Gen. Bragg, Gen. Lowell, JEFF
thompson, Beauregard, Sumter and Lit
tie Rebel, was discovered lying near Mem.
phis.
Dlring the night the rebel feet moved
down the river, and at daylight were out
of sight, but in half an hour afterward.
were seen coming up formed in line Of
battle.
Our gunboats in the meantime weighed
anchor and followed by several rams
moved slowly towards the rebel fleet,
when a shot from a little rebel boat, from
a rified gun, long range, fell within a short
distance of the gunboat Cairo, which was
in advance. The Cairo replied with a
broadside. Soon the engagement became
general at long range.
Our rams had in the meantime advanc-
ed, and the rebel ram Beauregard being
some distance in advance, was singled out
by the Federal rams Monarch and Queen
OF the West, each striving to be the first
to strike the rebel craft. The Monarch
succeeded in striking her amidships al
most cutting her in two, causing her to
nil with water and sink immediately in
the channel opposite the city.
At this J%uncture the Little Rebel made
a dash at the Monarch, which at this time
was in the midst of the rebel feet, but by
skllful movements of pilot Salter she
dropped out of the way, and the blow in
tended for her struck the rebel boat Gen.
Price, taking away a wheel and making
1t necessary for her to run ashore, where
she sent shot, which, unfortunately
for the rebels, struck the Gen. Lowell, rem
dering her unmanageable, immediately
after which she was run down by the
Queen of the West.
A broadside from the Benton took eff
feet on the side of the jeff Thompson
She ran ashore and soon after was in flames
and burned to the waters edge. Four of
the rebel boats having been disabled, the
remainder OF their fleet retreated down
the river pursued by our boats, firing as
they advanced, resulting in the capture
Of the Sumter, Bragg and Little Rebel,
which had been abandoned by most OF
their crews. Capt. Montgomery-iag Off
cer-and most of the officers and men sue
ceeded in making their escape into the
woods on the Arkansas shore. The Fed
eral Ram Lancaster was struck by the
Beauregard early in the engagement and
slightly disabled. Col. Elicit, commander
of the Federal Rams was struck in the
breast by a splinter, which stunned him
temporarily, but he Dol recovered and
continued on deck throughout the action.
This was the only causalty on our side
Our rams were manned by sharpshooters,
mostly from Illinois, who did good execu-
ton, picking off the enemy's gunners at
every opportunity.
The rebel loss in killed, wounded and
prisoners is very heavy, but not yet fully
ascertained. Our tugs are busily engaged
in picking up the crews of their disabled
boats.
After the return of the gunboats from
the pursuit, Commodore Davis sent the
following note to the Mayor of the city F.:
FLAG STEAMER BENTON,
OFF MEMPHIS, June 6.
SIR.-I have respectfully to request that
you will surrender the city of Memphis to
the authority of the United States, which
l have the honor to represent.
am, Mr.. Mayor, with high respect,
your obedient servant.
lSigned C. II. DAVIS,
Flag Officer.
In reply the Mayor said:
Your note received. In reply | have
only to say that as civil authorities we
have no means of defence, and by force
circumstances the city is in your hands,"
Immediately after q boats crew landed,
and the national flag was hoisted over the
Post Office. The party was followed by
an excited crowd, but were not interfered
The 43d and 10th Indiana Regiments
now occupy the place, Col. Fitch in COM
mand. The city is quiet, and no demon
whatever have been made. 1t
even asserted not to be necessary to de-
clare martial law.
Five of our gunboats now lie abreast
city. We captured five large steam
BIS which were moored at the levee.. The
'ebelS burned a new gunboat which was
nearly ready to be launched.
The Vicksburg Wing of the 4th says
he Federals have landed six thousand
roops at Baton Rouge.