, 1862-06-10

Z. :. Carnnde1et.
: !: !: $ss?s:.., 8; $s5:s s:s,., |
s. >. 1sm @ 9nssa @ogaro6 Ct the West. !
twinkling; guns run out; shot and Shell piled
up near the guns boarding plke5 distributed;
marines bent to quarters, and boarding net
ting stretched, with an alacrity which showed
that the hearts OF the men were in the work.
The time they had 1onged for had conle-to |
1geet the rebels in fair and square fight.
TIE LITTLE REBEL OPENS FIRE.
As soon as it Was discovered that the rebel |
commander was in carnest-that lie really in |
tended to make the attack, the signal WIS Civ |
en- to round to. Up to this moment the fleet |
had been head up stream. The rebel comman- |
der San the movement and evidently desirous
ofknocking some holes in the stern aud sides
Of the gunboats where they were unprotected
by iron plating, opened fire. The Little Rebel
threw the first shot with her bow gun-a
thi1ty~two pound riied gun. It was thrown
to obtain the range. It was aimed at the
Benton, and was in good line, forming almost
u4SGtl$ OfS4 Liz LIS SA&tPi VIII IAt lNt5 oSo9A~1
Benton's tender, which WIS near at hand, and
dropped into the water fur up stream towards
the transports. The rest Of the rebel fleet
waited to sec the cfrec; OF the shot before open-
ing fire. The Bcauregard saw it strike, de-
pressed her left hand bow gun, and sent
eixty-four pound shot, which plowed into the
water abreast Of the Benton, but several feet
to the right The Sumter followed, aiming
| at the Carondelet sixty-fonr pound rifle shot
| which passed close to the muzzle Of the left
| hand stern gun, and threw up column Of
water between the Benton and the Jessie,
| within few feet OF The latter. The corres-
pondcnt Of the Boston Journal, c. G. Coffin,
| Esq, was seated in an arm chair on the top
Of the Jesslc's caboose, making observations.
he stmadc note ont" and Kept his posi-
ton.
Up 10 this time the Federal war dogs had
remained silent. The Cairo having a position
on the Arkansas shore in consequence
Of the bend of the river, was near
est the rebel fl.et. All were within eusy
rangc-not more than three-fourths Of mile
t distant from tic cneuy's line Of battle, but
there was disposition to get within close
: range before going into the work, but the
Cairo, frol. her position, had fair sight al
, the side Of the Little Rebel, she tried one O
+, her stern guns. The shot spun through thF
s air and dropped into the water close undo
. the hull Of tho encmy's flagship. It WAS th
) signal for a general letting loose Of the dogs
Bang! from the CaroDdelet-bang from th
St Louis and Louisville, and lastly, bang
from the iron. mailed Bcnton-each giving
n Ehot and watching to see the effect. Some 6
IT the guns we're too much elevated and one G
IA two too much depressed. The rebels waite
while these civilities were extended, and the
opened fire from all their boats aud all the
=. guns. Replies were given as fast and frequen
m For fifteen minutes the cannonade was VET
sevtre, sl,akip. tile earth with thunder, an
shutting out the combatants from sight.
of It was a sublime spectacle. The air IF
~ still-so calm that the dark volumes Of smcl
-. from the chimncys and the sulphurous clou
hc from the cannons, mingled In one and hui
or thick and heavy, black pail stresked in
~ cray, over the combatants, shutting out t
e., morning sunshine. The gathered thousan
~ On the shore beheld 1t, too much amazed
~ the scene, too much absorbed, and too 1nu
,,x | interested in the result to make any demo
"a stration. In breathless anxiety they watch
~ the sudden flashes and the narrowing sps
between the two hostile fleets.
os The Federal gunboats slowly turned in
~ stream, and while turning there was lu1l
-. the cannonade on our side, but none from
- enemy. There was continuous sc1cau1i
49, 49, Of shot, and explosion Of smell, one Of VIII
w a burst above the Benton, throwing fragme
,., upon her deck but doing no injury.
49, THE QUEEN OF TIE WEST SAILS N.
~ ~ When the Little Rebel opened the ball
crew Of the Queen Of the West leaped to tt
stations with the same alacrity aud enth
asm that Ind characterized the weu-tried
49, Of the gunboats.
t;on Col. ENet-braye, daring, having c
p1ete confidence in the ability of the Gu
med TO crush any rebel guuboat into kindl
still | wood, called al handH to quarters.
foot sbarpshooters seized their Austrian ri
on and with an eagerness SURPRISING that Of
the boats ere" o1 nc" oeolofu " n~sr
the they hear the CRY " There she blowsr spl
,mo- caeh to his appointed 1oop-hool.
,om- Immediately, black, pitcby smoke II
borc ! from the smoke stacks Of the Queen.
mr.. tiremen had caught the enthusiasm. 7
was surging Of steam in the boilers
they also we're being nerved up, and
Vim we're Flesh, blood, bsnes, iron, steel
att1e. n'ale ano tHa'1tol'@9' Pos Va ~A~e1 -'A -
v,s casicn-
I, 200 Inc Qaeen' "nen Hne uao pl.p'Ae eu ~
e +ha cut loose from the shore, swinging grace
~ ~ into the stream, crossed to the other sic
,r1,n il moving in eotillon or quadrille, s
,n1.ss past the Benton, close to the Carondsle
T itt1a most 1eap;ng from the water in her eager
., NJ. ca17ing white, silyery trail which spa
~, r. in the early morning, sunbeams falling
,-a,r across the waves. Faster, faster ~hirle
,rn,ea wheels! She moved straight on. She
bis in PURPOSES single thing in yicw, and
,sard 1aust be accomplished.
"a m The officers AID men of the fleet look
ID the in astonlshment and admiration. It
2 was bravery and daring which elected the Al
n tha ton of the thousands on shore. Up
moment Of her appearance the rebel f}e
, line. been slowly advancing. The Fedora
shore in rounding to had made but little hes
r. and The glorious advance Of the Queen, Il
+st md 50 dctermincdly, brought the rebel fe'
40 Az. stsnd-still. The guns which had been
3 and at the gun were brought to bear upo
Whan The Beauregard fired with her piTt
ola ~ when the Queen YRS within close pisto
IN nre. but strange to say, missed The shot
j, +ha,r over and fell near the Benton. Arriving
ed in in rifle shot, tho sharp shooters bega7