The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-20
END OF THE ARKANSAS

AS we stated three days ago, and repeated
in our yesterday issue, the sinking of Federal /
gunboats by the rebel boat Arkansas, proves /
mere canard. From Mr.. d. Stark, pilot ofthe |
W. H. B., which arrived from Vicksburg yes
terday, we learn the following particulars, to
which he was eyewitness:
About half-psst eight ON the morning OF
Tuesday, the Arkansas gunboat appeared in
sight of the fleet at Vicksburg, and was fred
on by the Carondelet, replying fast and well.
Our boats not having steam up, the Arkansas
kept on, steadily firing with great rapidity, and
receiving the shots of such OF the Federal
boats as were 80 placed as to have guns that
would bear upon her. The Carondelet received
her first shot in her bow, it swept her deck,
killing eleven men in its passage out at her
stern. In the meantime, the Hartford opened
on the Arkansas at very close range with 60
pound shells, which on striking would careen
her from the mere force of their weight and
velocity. The Lancaster next shared In the
engagement with her drum just filling with
steam, one unlucky ball struck it, and rePe-
tition of the Mound City scene occurred, men
scalded, jumped overheard and drowned. The
gunboat a. o. Tylor being next, received
shot which our informant saw come out at
her lower wheelhouse. Not one of these three
boats was so damaged, however, as to be even
called crippled, if we except the Lancaster,
whose loss of her drum incapaeitated her for
time.
One of the Arkansas shots struck the trans
port John..H. Dickey, which was lying near
the Louisiana Shore going through the ladies
| cabin, taking the top off a rockingham.
Thus much injury did the Arkansas do the
feet, on her way to the shelter of the Vicks-
| burg batteries.
In the meantime, her own injuries appear to
have been of the seyerest. As shot after shot
struck her, the railroad iron was torn from her
sides; and the pilot of the gunboat Louisville,
as well as several officers, who walked across
the bend on shore and observed Der with glasses,
as she lay beneath the batteries, report that
/ they saw her naked sides well riddled, the pilot
observing hole in her port bow of some
twenty inches in diameter, and others on other
parts of her sufficient to demonstrate that
1 sne Is more LudH cOlAuOAlJ fUlnOlaDAO AOA
q mailed boat. The railroad iron seems unable
to withstand The shock of heavy missiles as
well as the plates. 1t appears in this case that
the rails sprung from one fastening when hit
on the other. 1t is held doubtful that she could
have Aoated much longer; her pumps were
being worked as hard as possible, and toward
night she was hidden from Federal view by the
placing in front of her of some old transports
Conhagration OF yieksburg.
At about o'clock on Tuesday night a ferct
bombardment was commenced on Vicksburg,
incendiary shells being thrown necessarily for
several hours. The town was fired in several
places, and the light that shone from the con-
fagration is reported to have turned night
into day. The rivers surface for miles re-
Aected the glare, and from the accounts of our
circumstantial narrator, it seems certain that
all of Yicksburg that fire could destroy, exist
no more. -s.tH
After the bombardment had ceased, the fee
having completely silenced the batteries, mad
ready for the total destruction Of the disabled
Arkansas, and they we're bearing on the de
voted vessel when the w. II. B. left.
I. j