The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-06-10
Big Gunboat Fight
MEMPHIS suRRENDERED.

MEMPHIS suRRENDERED.
Cairo, June 8.
The regular Packet Platte Valley, the
FIRST boat through from Memphis, arrived
this marning. Our forces are in posses
sion Of Memphis. Our .Flotilla was ut
TT. Pillow at 2 o'clock Thursday p. m.
consisting Of the gunboats Benton Flag
Ship, Carondelet, St. Lonis, Louisville
and rams Monarch, Switzerland, Lancas.
ter, Queen Of the West, Fulton, Mingo,
Samson and Hornet. Finding no oh.
struction 1t Fort Randolph, every gnn-
boat anchored two miles above Memphis,
the rams remaining short distance
above. A reconnaissance discovered the
enenly's feet lying near Memphis, con-
sisting of the following vessels: Gen.
Van Dorm Flag Ship, Gen. Price, Gen.
Lowell, jeff. thompson, Gen. Beauregard,
Sumter and Little Rebei. All the rams
were under command Of Capt. Ed. Mont
gomery. During the night the Rebels
moved down the river and at early dawn
were ont Of sight, but in about half an
hour they were discovered coming up,
formed in line of battle. Our gunboats
in the meantime had weighed anchor aud
moved slowly down towards the rebel
feet when 1hot from the Little Rebels
long range rifled gun fell within short
distance Of he gunboat Cairo, which was
in advance. : The Cairo replied with
broadside aud soon the engagements be-
came general At long range. The rams
in the meantime had advanced, whom the
rebel gunboAt Beaaregard being some
distsnoe in advance, was singled out by
the Monarch and Queen Of tho West,
each striving to be FIRST To strike the
rebel craft. The Monarch succeeded in
striking the Beauregard amidships. a.
most cutting her intwo, causing her TO ell
and sink Immediately in the channel OPP
posite the city. At that junction the
ram Lifrle Rebel made a dash for the
Monarch, which was by this time amidst
the rebel feet, but BY skillful move
mcnt BY the pilot Of the latter ste
dropped out Of the way, and the blow 10
tended for her. struck The rebel gunboat
Price, taking of her wheel and making
IL necessary for her to run ashore, where
she sent q shot which entered the side Of
the rebel gunboat Gen. Lowell and rem
dered her Interchangeable, and Immediately
afterwards she was run down by the
Queen of the West. A broadside from
the Benton took effect on the JEFF Thomp-
son. She was run ashore and soon after
was in flames burning to the waters edge.
Four Of the rebel gunboats having been
disabled the remainder of their feet
started down the liver, pursued by our
gunboats, firing as they advanced, result
ing in the capture of the Sumter, Bragg
and Little Rebel, which had been aban-
doned by the most Of their crew. The
latter running ashore. Captain Mont
geometry and most of his men succeeded
in making their escape in the woods on
the Arkansas shore.
The Federal ram Lancaster was struck
by the Beauregard early in the engage
ment, slightly disabling the former. Col.
Elliott in command of the rams, was
struck in the breast by splinter, stun
ming him temporarily but he soon re-
covered and continued on deck through.
out the action. This was the only casual
ty on our side. Our rams were manned
by sharpshooters, mostly from Illinois.
who did good execution, picking of the
enemy's gunners at every opportunity.
The rebel loss in killed, wounded and
prisoners is heavy, but has not been fully
ascertained. Our tugs were busily en-
gagged picking up the crews of their dis
abled boats.
After the return Of the gunboats which
had gone down in pursuit of the rebels
Com. Davis sent a boat from the Flag
Ship Benton with the following note to
the Mayor Of the city
Flag Steamer Benton,
off Memphis, june 9th, 1869.
SIR have respectfully to request
that you viii surrender the city OF Mem
phis to the authorities of the United
States, which I have the honor to repre-
sent I am now, Mayor.
Respectfully your obi servant.
G. H. DAVIS,
Flag Officer Commanding.
To his Honor the Mayor of the City oil
Memphis.
In about an hour tug boat put out
from the levee bearing the following