Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-15
THE NAVAL BATTLE AT FORT PILLOW
Full Particulars Of the Engagement.

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Timesl
OFF FoRT PILLOW, May 10, (via Cairo, May
II AT last the monotony is broken. We have
had fight, and glorious one, too. purely naval.
with nesrly an equal number Of boats on both
sides, and have sent the Rebels back, down the
river, badly crippled They attacked u, this
were 30 badly whipped that they viii never
again attempt such job.
Yesterday morning they sent a boat up with a
Gag Of truce, ostensihly to arrange an exchange
Of two surgeons, captured at the battle of Bel
mont, but, 10 now appears, simply to ascertain
definitely the position Of our feet.
Earlv this morning, as usual, our mortar boats
were towed down TO their position FOR firing, II
being point on the Arkansas shore about one
mile from the end Of Craigshead Point. The
gun-bost Cincinnati ran down as a convoy
Scarcely had the mortars been moored in their
position, when the Rebel ram Louisiana appeared
coming around the point, accompanied by four
other guaboats. The ram Immediately opened
fire on the Cincinnati to which the latter replied
with interest. The Rebel boats were all held in
check by the Cincinnati alone, when the rest of
the Union feet got under way and came to her
assistance.
In the meantime the Rebel ram finding her
guns Intellectual against the iron armor OF the
Cincinnati, approached her with the evident in
tention Of running her down. Captain Stembel,
OF the latter, prepared to meet the assault Of the
ram by opening his steam batteries and putting
them In readiness for use
AS soon a. the Rebel craft approached within
close range, the Cincinnati turned her head sbou'
when Captain S.embel drew his pistol and yery
CoOlly shot the pilot, killing him instantly; but
second afterward, musket ball struck the gal
lant Captain In his len shoulder, inficting pain
ful. though not serious, wound.
At this time the contest between the two boats
was most intensely exciting The crews Of each
were armed with carbines, cutlasses and boardin NO
pixies and were discharging voIley after yolley In
quick succession at each other, while the ram
was also endeavoring TO get her head about 10 an
to run into, and II possible sink her antagonist.
Just then the steam batteries Of the Cincinnati
were opened with terrible effect, throwing heavy
volumes Of steam and lsealding water Into the
midst OF the rebel crew, placing all who appeared
on deck hOrS dE combat instantly, and causing the
craft TO withdraw with all haste
In the meantime the rebel feet had been rein
forced by three other vessels, and among them the
new iron clad gunboat Mallory, lately built at
Memphis These three ran Immediately mn To
tie Cincinnati and engaged her at once
She withstood the assault most nobIy the shot
Of the enemy glancing OF from the iron plating
without causing the slightest damage while her
own guns were raining shot and shell with fearful
effect upon the enemy
Captain Stembel, though badly wounded, re-
mained 81 his post, and directed every movement
with the GOODNESS and deliberation for which he
Is noted.
During this engagement the Mallery approached
the Cincinnati with the design Of accomplIshing
that which the ram had failed in doing. AS she
came In close proximity tho Union boat St Louis
bore down upon her, and coming with full head
OF steam on, struck her amidships cutting her
nearly In two, and causing her to sink IN very
few minutes. Numbers Of her crew escaped by
clinging 70 the 81. Louis, and Others were pic ked
up by the Cincinnati. b It the larger portion went
down with the boat
While tnis work was in progress, the other
boats Of our feet had engaged the remainder OF
the Rebel teet, and most terrific battle was rag
Ing, the like Of which the usually peaceful waters
Of the Mississippi has never before witnessed
Report followed upon report, like the cOntinu-
Gus rattle OF musketry. The Rebels fsug ht brave
ly and with determination, but they were met by
greater bravery, skill and metal, and Were being
badly worstsd
Captain Davis, on the flag ship Benton, direct
ed every movement Of our feet with the sagacity
and style Of q veteran in naval warfare. He ma lie
no mistakes. Not boat was moved but with
fearful effect upon the enemy. Did the Caron-
delet put her bows up stream, IL was to let fy
her stern guns; did the Cairo turn about, II was
that broadside might give its destruction to
The foe
The Mound City, St Louis, Cincinnati, and
the old war horse Benton, were esch and all dill.
gent and effective, while the Conestoga, wooden
isy OF at a Iafe distance and made good use OF
her long range guns.
The cannonading was fearful, and its reyerbe
Tatons were most grand and terrible. The noise
was almost ike one continuous report, while thG
broad river was covered with dense volume Of
smoke that for time completely enveIoped bolt
neets sud hid them from view.
IL was al this time that report Louder and more
dIsi.ncI tlan that OF a gun, attracted general az
tention, and when the smoke lifted a little, 1
Wis found that one Of the enemy's boats wal
blown 70 atoms.
have no means Of knowing the loss of life by
this terrible casualty, but II must have been very
great Afew lucky fellows were seen dostin NJ
about on fragmet Is OF the wreck, and weIt
picked up by the rebel boats, but the majority O.
the rebel crew perished miserabIy
Scarcely had the excitement caused by thii
fesrf1l aud unlocked for event passed away wheI
second report startled all ears, and another rebe
boat with It's crew had disappeared. Both yes
ses were b'own up by the explosion Of shell.
from our guns In their magazines. All this m.
our boats continued to pour their deadly roundl
into the enemy, criPpling such Of their craft a
were not wholly destroyed, and carving deaf
to hundreds Oh their crews
While Themselves uRhurt, they proudly deaeG
the heaviest missiles OF the Rebel guns theI
invulnerable armOr, or stepping sides, repelIins
both shot and she'll With perfect success N,
enemy could stand against such extreme and de
structive ire as our boats continued to give
while their own guns were i'm mpe etent for mischief
much less in their crippled condition, with thre,
of their eight boats destroyed, could the Rebel
maintain their ground.
At twenty minutes past seven thew wIthdreu
10 the shelter OF their batteries
The casualties on our side were scarcely wortl
mentioning. Captain Stembsl was slIghtI,
wounded In his LEFT shoulder, and two seameI
were injured, though to what extent has not beer
learned.
Our gunboats behaved most admirably, and al
ofthem came out Of the action without any seriou
damage. -
The Cincinnati was in the thiciest of tne ash
throughout and bore the brunt Of the attack bu
WBnot Injured enough 10 prevent her from imme
diateIy going into action again. The report tina
she was badly dsab.ed or sunk Is erroneous Th
= Louis, that run down the rebel Mallory, wa
bit slightly damaged herself, and is ready sgall
for duty.
When the engagement closed the eunboats re
u-ned to their several positions and their crew
prepared their breakfasts a. though nothing nm
uBual had happened.
To do justice In the way OF credit 20 our officer
engaged in this affair would require the meutIo,
Of all, but cannot forbear speaking Of the Ell
cheney and signal abilities Of Capt Davis, actin,
nag ofacsr, nor Of the c0o!ness and determine,
brayerY,of Capt Stemhel
III very large and enthusiastic meeting wa
bsld In Alexandria. Middle Tennessee on the q
instant, at which time 4 national dag was raise,
on 4 pole planted for that purpose-a real OF,
hickory pole-and an address delivered by Col
VIM. stokes The large crowd OF sturdy yeomel
assembled nIPd0 d0ed