Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-08-07
From Vicksburg.

will be read with interest =
| From vicIzsburg.
| [From our Special Correspondent
MISSISSIPPI FLoTLLA ABOVE VICKSBuRa
Tuesday Afternoon, July Is.
Amid the excitement consequent upon the unexpect-
ed arrival of the famous rebel and gunboat Arkan
sas at the Union fotla above Vicksburg hasten to
relate the circumstance, which, now that it has trans
pired strikes the most Indifferent with amazement and
! terror.
You are probably aware that this famous vessel was
| towed from Memphis in an unfinished condition, a few
days before the destruction of the rebel feet before that
city, up the Yazoo river to be completed aud to receive
her armament. This morning at O'Clock the gunboas
Tyler and Carondelet accompanied by the ram Queen
of the West, started reconnotering expedition up
the Yazoo river but they had hardly reached the mouth
of that stream when they were met by the Arkansas
coming down, and engagement ensued, resulting,
far learn, decidedly in favor Of the rebel
| sell
THE TyLER AND CARoNDELET CRIPPLED.
The Tyler received several shots, and then put
siderable distance between herself and theenemy The
Queen perceving that there chance whatever of
coping with her formidable opponent, wisely retired
The Carondelet Capt. Henry Wike commanding, ran
alongside the monster ard attempted to board her. but
| was driven of in crippled condition. Her mud re-
ceiver was cut by shot, but some forty or fifty of her
crew escaped death from scaldng by caping overheard
| THE ARKANSAS FLoTILLA.
By this time, say O'Clock, the Arkansas having re-
| suuled her downward course arrived in the hotia-
None of gunbOas had steam up but the ports were
thrown open and every preparation made to give her
| a reception
The ram Lancaster turned her Prov towards the ap-
preaching monster, but was struck by shot which
burst her boiler, scaldng and instantly killing several
| OF her crew.
The Arkansas fired into our transports lying upon
the right shore of the Mississippi, but injured one
as the crews had fled ashore at her approach AS she
passed down each vessel in feet she received their
fire without any apparent injury, and triumphany dis
appeared around the bend and anchored safely under the
rebel batteries in front of Vicksburg.
APPEARANCE AND STRENGTH OF THE ARKANSAS.
This formidable craft IS smaller than any of Com
DaViss gunbOats; but she is much more plainly con-
structed, and absolutely formidable. Our shot
and SHE'LL although delivered thick and tast seemed not
to affect her whit for she kept on the even tenor Of
her way, while her iron ribs repeled shower of solid
iron, the very weight OF which would think sufi-
cient to sink her.
She is cone,shaped and is covered with double tiers
OF railway iron, mounts twelve very large guns, and
is provided with a formidable ram of solld iron at
her PROV. She runs fast for an iron-but vessel and
presents but small surface to the guns of enemy
THE BENTON AND CINCINNATI FOLLOW THE
ARKANSAS.
AS soon as steam could be raised the flagship Ben
on aud Cincinnati pursued the enemy but the former
very severely Injured by the guns OF the upper bat
terry before she could ces5uy engage her foe They
then returned to the otila which is now busiy pre-
pairing for a movement on the enemYs works
DESTRUCTION oE~oNE OF OUR MORTAR BOATS
The rapidly falling waters of the Mississippi had left
the mortar boat Sydney g. Jones aground below the
city aud upon the approach of the Arkansas it was
deemed prudent to blow her up rather than have her
fall into the hands of the enemy Accordingly, her guns
and mortar spiked and her magazine ignited when
sac flew into pieces with terrific explosion The rem,
nants of the vessel Immediately took f,e, and in few
hours nothing remained OF her but a few floating and
char'ed timbers. Her crew are al! sale.
! SPIRIT OF THE AFFAIR,
1 Nothing exceed the boldnts5 and daring dis.
played by this vessel, running sngehanded and alone
into the very jaws of seemingly inevitable destruction
ard great indeed must be the pride CT her at the
success OF her achievement.
Besides the fifteen vessels comprising that portion Of
the Union otia above the city, there were seven rams
some Of which rendered such efficient service at Mem
phis; yet, decided heroic effort was made to stop
the downward progress of the Western Mercimac while
she hurled defiance and death from her flaming port
holes.
Onward she went, like an aveDging hend, hut not a
soul was to be seen On her deck she swept
steadily down the river and droppd anchor under the
protecting guns Of the rebel city.
Soon after her arrival crowds of women were seen
Fastening down the hitherto deserted streets Of Vcks
burg, and rushing aboard. to comfort aud console the
wounded, if any, and congratulate all upon their really
brilliant success.
What reflection upon orr boast5d strength and
stigma upon our generaIshp! Again ard again
the necessity of movement up the Yaz1o urged
upon naval Officers, but that spirit Oi ncied secu
ry supreme ind ference which seeuS to have con-
roled nearly all their the western waters
held them fast and they may well blush, when 10 the
silence OF reflection they must acknowledge that they
were outwited, ard badly beaten by single vessel
The only spirit Of enterprise shown since the investment
of the place has been displayed by Lieut.. COL Elet
commander OF the ram feet, lily adapted to take any
part in siege, to lead an exploring expedition
which the Switzerland and Queen of the West have
done uLaldod On two separate occasions.
INCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES.
DO not pretend to give you the facts of this affair
they transpired but will endeavor in this my necessar
y hastily written account, to present such statement
as shall at least contain generally correct detail.
Soon after the Lancaster was struck, she drifted
down stream, many of her crew having Ieaped over
boad. These picked up by tugs and the boat
oVeraken by the Queen of the West Switzerland, and
Champion No. g. and towld up stream. where the
scaded men properly cared for. Her injured
John Wybraut, first engineer fatally scaded Dos,
pilot, slightly scaIded Two negroes deck hands,
killed by shot. Many others jumped overboard and are
still missing.
The Carondeet has thrty-four killed. wounded and
= missing, but her officers are reported uahutt
: On the Benton, three men were killed. A hundred
ard twcnyeght pound shot entered her port quarter
killing VIM II. Lewis, and completely demolishng the
captains cabin. Several others were wounded, but
have been unable to obtain their names
The Tyler lost eight nine killed and several wound-
ed. Among those reported killed are - Gobel,
! engineer, and John Sebastian, pilot.
II foIn-