Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-23

From

CHICAGO, June 2l.-The following l. a fuller
account of the fight at the rebel batteries on
White river. just received from Memphis. June
18th.
The gunboat Conestoga arrived with dispatches
containing particulars of the engagement at the
rebel fortihcations below st. Charles, eighty i've
miles from White river cutoff on the 18th.
The gunboats st. Louis, Mound City, Lexing-
ton, Conestoga, and transport New National,
having ON board the 10th Indiana, Col. Fitch.
which left here a week ago 70 open communica-
ton with Gen. Curtis's army, and remove OBJ
structions from White river, assembled that
stream, gunboat Mound City, Capt. Kelly com
handing, about "A mile aud a half in advance. In
the bend of the river, near 81. Charles, two con-
eealed batteries opened on the Mound City. Her
decks were Immediately cleared for action. Soon
as a range of the works was obtained, the guns
opened hre. Capt. Kelly signaled Col. Fitch to
land his force a mile below the fort, which was
successfully accomplished, the Lexington and ST.
Louis Smelling the woods, under the cover of
which Col. Fitch gained a position in the rear of
the rebels. At this ~juncture. a plunging shot
from a siege gun, mounted on the bluff, struck
the forward and port side of the Mound City
classmates. Penetrating, 1t passed through the
steam drum and filed the vessel with escaping
vapor, scalding nearly every one on board.
Twenty-three officers of a crew of over lI5 es-
capped unhurt. The scene which ensued was hor-
rible. Many of the crew were frantic from inju-
ries, and jumped overheard. some were drowned.
Boats from the Conestoga, which coming up at
the time to the support of the Mound City, were
sent to their relief, but the rebels fired on the
men in the water with grape and canister from
field pieces, numbering most Of those attempting
to escape. Apprised of the position of affairs at
the river, Col. Fitch drew up his regiment, pushed
forward, and carried the fort at the point of the
bayonet. The rebel works consisted of two bat
teries, the lower one mounting six field pieces;
the upper one three heavy siege guns, manned by
from 400 to GOO men, under the command OF
Col. Fry, late of the United States navy. About
300 rebels are said to have escaped. Over $50
are reported killed and wounded.
Thirty prisoners, among them Col. Fry, who
was wounded in the shoulder. WAS brought up on
the Conest0ga.
Capt. Kelly, severely scalded about the face
and hands, will recover. Second Master Hearth,
Third Master Kenzie, Fourth Master Scoville,
Masters Mate Ii. r.. Browne. Paymaster Gum.
Chief Engineer John Cox, Assistant Engineers
John McAfee and Hollingsworth, we're killed.
Pilot Charles Young was severely scalded-re-
ported since dead. Surgeon Jones and Carpcn
ter Manning were slightly scalded. From eighty
to one hundred of our sailors have been already
buried, and over twenty are missing. Col. Fitch
reports a few men wounded-none killed.
But for the unfortunate accident of the Mound
City, the rebel works would have been carried
without loss on our side. She can easily be re-
paired. The flag officer has sent to Cairo for
another crew.
The rebels have obstructed the channel above
by sinking two large steamboats, and a gunboat.
believed to be the Maypole-
MEMPHIS, June l9.-Nothing of general inter
est has occurred within the last twenty four hours.
Several unimportant arrests were made, other
wise the city is quiet.
Southern papers confirm the evacuation of
Grenada by order of Beauregard. The order is
said to have been given a week since.
Two hundred persons took the oath yesterday,
thirty five of them are soldiers.
A Confederate mail carrier was arrested in the
city yesterday. He had several letters for sol
ders in the rebel army.
A special dispatch to the Post from Memphis,
on the 18th, SAYS:
A report, which is probably reliable, reached
here to the effect that a part of Porter's fleet is
now on its way to Vicksburg. They were at
New Orleans on the Sth.
A rebel soldier. who says he has been orderly
to General Price, was captured in our lines last
night. He says Beauregard started for Rich
mond Immediately after the battle of Chicka-
hominy. He also states that Price has gone to
Richmond to tender his resignation. Bragg is in
ommand of the army of the West.