Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-08-28

The Navy Department IS In receip
of voluninous dispatches from Admi'
raj Farragut, and among them is The
following:
"FLAesHrP HARTFORD, BARON
RoueE, Aug. 7th, 1862.
"SrR: It is one Of the hsppiest mo
ments of my life, that am enabled tc
inform the Department of the destruc-
tion Of the ram Arkansas, not because
it held this iron-clad in such terror,
but because the community did. On
the 4th inst. ! sent the Tennessee up
TO Baton Rouge with provisions Tor
Commander Porter, and the gunboats
stationed at that place.
On the night of the 9th she returned
with the Information that the enemy
had made q combined attack upon
Baton Rouge by the ram and two gun
boats, the Webb and Music; and call
ing for assistance, at daylight the
Hartford was under weigh for this
place. with orders for the other vessels
to follow me as fast as ready. ar
rived here to-day at 2 NJ, in company
with the Brooklyn, Westfeld, Clinton,
jackson and Scioto. l had sent the
Cayuga up, agreeably to request OF
General Butler, in consequence OF the
guerrillas firing into some OF his trans
ports. On my arrival. l was informed
by Commander W. D. Porter, that yes
terday morning, at 2 o'clock, the en-
emy's forces, under General Breckin-
ridge, attacked General Williams, and
drove in his pickets. General Williams
having had ample warning, all was
prepared for him.
The fight was continued with great
energy on both sides till 10 A. NJ, by
which time the enemy had been driven
two or three miles, but unfortunately
the gallant Gen. Williams was killed.
Fortunately he had informed Lieut..
Commanding Ransom the evening be-
fore of his plans, and requested him
not to fire again until he notified him,
and when be did so, our gunboats
opened with fine effect, throwing their
shells directly in the midst of the ene-
my, producing great dismay and con-
fusion among them. Lieut.. Ransom bad
an officer on the state house, which
overlooked the adjacent country, and
could direct the FIRE of our shells. As
soon as the enemy was repulsed, Com
mander Porter with the gunboats went
up the stream after the ram Arkansas,
which was lying about five miles above,
apparently afraid to take share in the
conflict.
According to the preconcerted plan,
as he came within gunshot he opened
on her and probably soon disabled some
of her machinery or steering apparatus,
for she became unmanageable, continu-
ing, however, to fire her guns at the
Essex. Commodore Porter says be
took advantage of his presenting a
weak point toward him and loaded with
incepdiary shells. After bis first dis
charge of this projectile gush of fire
came out of her side, and from that
moment it was discovered she was on
fire, while he continued his exertions
toprevent it being extinguished. They
backed her ashore, and made line fast
which soon burnt and she swung of
into the river where she continued TO
burn until she blew up with tremen-
dous explosion, thus ending the career
of the last iron-clad on the Mississippi.
There were many persons on the
banks of the river witnessing the fight,
in which they anticipated a triumph.
will leave a sufficient force of gun
boats here TO support the army, and
will return tomorrow to New Orleans,
and depart Immediately for Ship Island
with light heart, that l have left no
bugbear to torment the communities OF
the Mississippi in my absence. Very
respectfully,
Your ohedient servant,
D. 6. FARRAeUT,
Flag officer Commanding.