The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-12
MEMPHIS, Tam, June Q, 1852.

MEMPHIS, Tam, June 9, 1852.
SMOKE BURNING COTTON.
Az the feet steamed slowly down the river the smoke
OF burning rising in all directions Several
plantations were passed where the torch had just been
apped 10 the cotton led the banks in full view OF
tho passing boats At Randolph magazine, constructed
Of several layers OF cotton bales had been fired few
hours previous arrival and its ruins were stu
mong The gunboats took the lead in the advance upon
Memphis followed closely by the little tugs and at
more slfe distance by he transports The rear was
brought up by the steamers G. W. Graham and Henry
Won Phul towing large wharf boat between them the
three crafts being laden with infantrythe Forty third
and Forty-sixth Indiana regiments under command OF
Colonel Fitch OF the latter regiment The attention OF
all on beard the feet attracted by frequent bales Of
cotton floating in the and by tho numerous white
Hscks Of the material, which made striking con-
trast TO the water OF the Mississippi
People could frequently be standing on the banks
and gazing sullenly on our fleet as it passed.
CAPTURE OF A REBEL
on tho Afternoon Of Thursday large side wheel steam
or was seen as the foren ost Of our boats rounded
. point It was useless for the unweldy gan-
boats attempt pursuit, but boat howitzer was
hastily placed on board the tug Sptre and manned by
Lieutenant Bishop and gun crew number ten from the
Benton Captain sprope Of tho tug, put all steam
ana the rebel transport The latter attempted to escape
nv taxing the chute behind Island No. 81 but Captain
sarope followed the main channel and out at the
lowest end OF the sland little ahead Soon those
on board the transport perceived this movement they
ran their boat ashore and abandoned her. making good
use OF heels in escaping 10 the dense cottonwood
forest on the shore Lieutenant Bishop boarded his prize
which proved to be the Sovereign, an old boat formerly
in tho St. Louis New Orleans trade but during the
last year used a. transport by the rebel government
prize crew was placed on toard and the So
vsrt ign became q part Of the Uaion feet.
MEMPHIS SIGHT.
About surset Of the 5th, the feet rounded
/" Padcys Hen and Chickens'-a group Of small
islets seven mii,s north OF Mempais-those who
wore looking the river caught sight Of the third
Chckasaw bun an the rsbellious city that ed its
height and slope. A dim haze hung over Memphis,
through which the cupolas browning its public buildings
could be soon like the mnarets Of st. Sophia as Con-
stantncps approached by the voyager on the Golden
Horn The outline OF the huge blocks and warehouses
could be discovered with difficulty and those the
isvss resemblance 10 the batteries that do
Tended the base Of the bluff at Fort Pillow With glass
few aags could DO hoating various parts Of
the city add though IL was impossible to define them
the Inference natural that they Of the three
barred variety II late to advance that evening
70 Memphis in case should be necessary engage the
rebel gunboats any infantry that might be protecting
the town. Our gunboats accordingly anchored in the
stream Ia their custom, while the transports, rams
and mortar boats tied up the Ark shore and
waited for the following dawn.
I'm rIxrr MOVING Down THE RIVER.
daylight this morning the gunboats tripped anchor
and owiy steamed rather backed down the river till
they were within three miles Of Memphis The rebel fleet
was perceived lying the Arkansas shore, opposite
Memphis, with steam up, ready TO move at moment
was Commodore Davis intention not to open battle
until the mon had taken their breakfast and In accord
ance with this design he signasd his feet halt and
few later gave additional orddrs for III, 10 ITS
up shs river As a. the rebels perceived
feet they steamed the river and formed in
line Of battle IT, the flagship taking the osntrs
little In advance Of the Others when Commodore Davis
halted started up the rebel feet advanced TO
meet him and the prospect Of battle hailed with de-
light BY all on board.
TEE ORGANIZATION or rm Q INTENDING FLEETS
mo rebel dee. consisted Of the General Van Dorm flag
ship) General Price, General Bragg, General Lowell
Lttle Rebel, JET Thompson, Sumter and General Beau.
rsgard-aH Of them being hybrids between rams and
gunboats, Strengthened FOR rams, and mounted
with guns for engaging the enemy in the ordinary
ra OF naval encounters Tho Little Rebel was for.
merry New crloa6 iowboat, and was armed with
once coasing steamer In the New Orleans and Calves.
ton trade and in general resembles the boats
Of the stonington Fall River irss cary ing walking
beam and low pressure engines. she Is smaller than
the Plymouth Rock, bat has general appearance to
that boat When In her original mercantile pursuits che
was known 40 the Mexico The remainder OF the rebel
nota most Of them old coasting or New Orleans
boats with or two exceptions authorities differing
to which Of them constructed FOR war purposes
Several covered with railroad iron bot tho guns
were all mounted bdrbete. on forward sftR deck
and not protected BY classmates. Ths entire feet
was commanded by Commodore Edward Montgomery,
formerly steamboat captain in the river trade. The
Union feet consisted OF the following boats and com
msndsrs-
Benton Captain PHELPS
Carondelet--6 apfain Wake.
g. Louis-Iisutsnant Commanding McGonigle.
qouisvilIs-captan Dove
Cairo-Leutenant Bryant.
The entire feet In command or Commodore
CHARLES Fl. Davis, who recently succeeded Coms
nodore Foote, account OF the Illness u the
litter oacsr. The Union feet consisted OF tho
boats Monarch, Queen Of the West, Lonsss, Swift
zerland, Mngo Lancaster No. 3, Fulton, HCrnet and
Samson.
Thsy were formerly Pnssburs towbca,s, and were
strengthened and fitted with iron prows for running down
tn, rebel boats They were in command Of Colonel II.
let the engineer who constructed the Niagara suspen.
sion bridge and were fitted up under his immediate su.
pervsion. Government, had adopted them and was 70
pay for them in case they accomplished the end desired
Tho result Of todays operations shows Thorn be com.
rlsts success But two Of them were engaged IN the
battle third that attempted 70 part in the AMIR
losing her rudder before the Of action The con
troll OF the entirely Independent Of that OF tho
guaboas - also that Of the infantry none Of tho
three commanders being responsible 10 either o, tho
others.
OPENING or THE ACTION.
Az the two battle limos Of gunboats moved SLOWLY up
the stream the rebels In pursuit Of their foes Com
modsrs Davis, seeing the ensmy's willingness to
night, concluded TO commence the action Al once.
and either whip or be whipped before break.
FAST Accordingly he signalled for only suf
fcsut steam TO I'd kept 10 stem tho current, and
awaited The approach OF his ANTAGONISTS Whom tha IN,