New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-27
Burning Of the Steamer Swallow below
Memphis, by EcbeIs-Guerriiins En-
creasiny-Cetton Burning Opposite
Iaelena-kiaves Becoming Free.
, 0nr snecisl Correspondent.

From Our Special Correspondent
Miss RIVER, BgLow CAIRO, Aug 2l 1861
On our passage up from Helena we passed the
burning wreck of the steamer Swallow about 20
miles below Memphis, on sand-baT. lhis ca'as-
tvphe occurred on the night OF the 18th inst, the
tame evening we left Helena. For more tnan
week past the Swallow had been aground on bar
in the river and by the falling OF the water was
left high and dry. She bad been the blacksmith boat
Of the naval Ho,a, and was an old s'eInwhee'
vessel and of but little value. crew OF s!A He''
end four negroes was left on her, including the mate
frank Low, the carpenter (Wm. Reed, watch
mad fireman, steward, and assistant steward.
About 2 o clock on Wednesday morning the crew
were aroused BY volley of musketry fired into the
boat and soon perceived that they were attacked by
a party OF Rebels, who had come IRON tie Missls-
sipp side OF the river, on the bar. MT heed WAC
il a passenger with us, and from whom l obtain
these particulars, does not know whether any eS-
caped beside himself He immediately got down
over the wheel at the sern OF the boat INTO the
water with AL old hfs-preserver, aAd swan out
into The river By this time the Rebels Lad board
ed the boat and were firing at the escaping crew IN
the water MIR. Reed counted number VI baiis
tha struck the water Oil around hin, ana our nv
his hfe-preserver but did him no INJURY. little III
front Of him he heard man IN tie water but soon
the noise ceased. The man was propaOiy either
shot or sunk beneatl the stream. ,
Mr.. Reed sw am On till he came nearly to the other
shore where he saw four men On the bank Win
guns, and concluding that they were Rebels, De
allowed himself to float silently down with the cur
rent and afterward struck out for the other shore
aesin On arriving at u large bar be found himself
about three miles below the burning boat when ,he
Rebels had set fire. and from when the hscendlhg
flames lighted up the whole river AL THIS Juncluie
the steamer CITY Of Alton from Helena, Oh her mp
wafd massage came i'll sight, and MIR. Reed hailed
her as she came along, and was taken on board and
brought 10 Memphis ,
A little later tie steamer Ike Hammer aiso came
along and the burning Swallow was consumed az
Lyy down as her hull, when was still burning lhe
Hebels had fed not daring 20 remain or make all
attack on the passing boats. The late OF Tue othel h'e
white men and the four negroes 10 unknown 70 Us
Perhaps some Of them escaped, although tne pf0oa'
h;i,,isa are that most of them perished, or they
would have been seen by the passing boats IN the
Ight made by the burning steamer. mr.. Low, tne
mate, was a refugee who had escaped from the
s. nthern Confederacy. The names of the others gre
not known to Mr.. Reed, the survivor.
GUFRRILLAS INCREASING.
Guerrilla bands are growing holder along the
river. The steamer Champion was fired into with q
volley of musketry on her last DOWNWARD IMP IRON
Cairo to Memphis, near Hickman, KY, but no one
was injured although the boat was iuii OF passen.
pers Every boat should be armed with bowitzei
10 scatter these guerrilla bands along the Shore bu
the boats continue 10 run the gauntlet WITHOUT any
means Of defense protection, loaded WIN vtlua
bic stores and passengers. The weak point u al
operations III C0TSftSSHtss OH VA wy All"
itary authorities. This remark does not apply sc
much TO our armies in the field TO the general ad
ninistraon OF affairs, and especially to matters o.
transportation.
COTTON BURNING OPPOSITE HELLNA.
Just az we left Helena information came IN thai
Rebel bands were within few miles, OH the othei
side of the river, burning cotton. Our cavalry vii
soon put stop to this proceeding. Lately we have
obtained considerable cotton on that side OF the
river and our scouts brought in 90 contrabands from
one plantation. One OF these, good'looSing mouse
servant IL now on the boat with US, her way TO
Northern home "a free woman, TO receive wage'
for her service, and TO he treated as human being
and Christian. UULbkhI'