The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-06-19

shore and crawled up the bank, more
dead than alive, and were kindly cared
for by the crews of the Monarch and
Queen of the West.
Brave, noble hearted men are the
sailors of the Western feet. Theirs
all power to crush, theirs all effort to
save-to crush an enemy, to save when
crushed. How glorious snch conduct
when contrasted with that which the
poor struggling sailors of the Cumber-
land received at Hampton Roads from
those on board the Merrimac. There
rifle shots, here help! Bright, amid all
the distress, all the horrors, all the infa.
my of this rebellion will shine forever,
like the stars of Heaven, these acts of
humanity.
THE LITTLE REBEL.
The Little Rebel seeing that three of
the best boats were disabled, ran down
to the Beauregard, which lay helpless
in the stream, took on board portion
of the officers and crew, and made for
the Arkansas shore. The bow of the
boat was run high and dry upon the
bank. in the eagerness of the crew 10
escape. They left their flag still flying
at the stern-a large, beautiful silk flag,
which was cuptured by Capt. Mayna-
dier, of the mortar fleet.
The rebels went into the woods south
of Hopedale upon the double quick.
By this time the Cairo had passed
round the point. She opened her broad.
side upon them, treating them to a
score of parting farewells.
FLIGHT OF THE REBEL FLEET.
One-half of the fleet had been dis
posed of, aud the remaining vessels
now attempted to flee. The Federal
fleet was sweeping on the while, its
cannon laundering, and riddling the
enemy's boats.
A short distance below the Little
Rebel the JEFF. Thompson was run
ashore and abandoned. She was re-
peatedly struck with shot, with what
damage will. l.never be known. Again
the broadsides of the boats were turned
upon the panic stricken crew, fleeing
~ a. 10 ShS x1t hdiiSb 40 . w dtnpSs
Further along, the Sumter was run
ashore, and still further down, opposite
Presidents Island, the General Bragg.
Both suffered severely in the fight. A
shell exploded among the cotton pack
ing of her sides. The cotton was set
on fire, but by the timely exertions of
Lieut.. Bishop and boats crew from
the Benton, it was extinguished. Both
vessels were subsequently, towed back
to the city by the rams and transports.
The Van Dorm alone escaped. She
is a swift steamer. Had the Conestoga
or Lexington been at hand, she too
would have been captured.
BURNING OF THE JEFF. THOMPSON.
There was no time to pick up the
prizes as the fleet passed down. Gen.
Davis was intent udon destroying or
capturing all. AS soon as the fleet
rounded to, the Cairo and Louisville
were sent up in advance to protect the
captured boats and save them from des.
truction. But they were too late to
save the jeff Thompson. Flames had
already broken out. A wide berth was
given to the burning vessel. The boil
ers, heated to redness, Kissed and
smoked like million serpents, and
burst at last, but there was second
sight grander than all others-the ex-
plosion of her magazine 1tcame. A
mighty pillar of fire sprang from the
burning hulk = lifted itself four hun
dred feet--spread out in an umbrella
like form of rolling. Sulphuric clouds,
folding in and in, rolling over and over
in thick, heavy, creamy masses, filled
with timbers, plank, and bars of iron,
fragments of charred timbers and Goals
of fire, cannon, shot and shell-all com
mingled-all raining down upon forest,
field and river, AZ if an avalanche or
meteors of vast proportions had fallen
from heaven through cloudless sky TO
earth. The Benton was abreast of the
Thompson, the Cairo above and the
St. Louis below. but all at a respectful
distance, and no damage was done by
the explosion.
OCCUPATION OF THE PLACE.
| Az lcil " ClOCh tnS uCSt W do ttt ehS
city, The Benton took a position front
ing Union street, and let go her an
chors. A skiff put out from shore, in
which was a well.dressed, sober-look-
ing, middle aged gentleman holding uP
a white handkerchief lie came on
board the flag ship and announced
himself as DR.. Dickerson-sent out by
the influential citizens to talk about the
occupation of the place. After brief
Interview, he returned to the city ac-
companied by Capt. Phelps and G. w.
Reed, masters mate. Official cores
pondence followed, which has already
been transmitted. And SO Memphis
was ours, with no last rebel ditch to
die in. aG
THE SCENES ON THE SHORE.
While the fight was in progress, the
levee, esplanade and roofs of the houses
were crowded with spectators-men,
women and cbildren-among whom
were great many of the colored pop
ulation. There was no hostile demon.
stration from the shore. Amy hostili
ties from that quarter and the broad.
side of the feet would have been heard
from. There stood the thousands and
saw their pets go down. There stood
the Union men-those who had sui
fered at the hands of tyrany-who had
been prosecuted, robbed and threat
ened with death-Watching the course