The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-06-12
Capture Of Memphis.
The Rebel Fleet Entirely used up


through from Memphis, arrived this
morning. Our forces are in possession
Of Memphis. Our tiotilla left Fort i'il-
low at two o'clock Thursday afternoon
consisting of gnnboa,s Benton. flag
ship, Cairo, Caronaclct, st. Louis,
Louisville, and rams Monarch, Swi,zel-
land, Lancaster, Queen Of the West,
Fulton, Mingo, Samson and Hornet;
finding no Instructions at Fort Ran
dolph, the fotil,a passed on, and at
eight o'clock, Thursday evening, the
gunboats anchored two miles above
Memphis, the rar,s remaining short
distance above.
A Reconnaissance discovered the
enemy's fleet lying near Memphis, con-.
sisting the following vessels: Gen. Van
Dorm flag ship, Gen. Price, General
Bragg, Gen. Lowell, JEFF. Thompson,
Gen. Beauregard, e.mte: and Little
Rebel, all rams, under command Of
Capt. Edward Montgomery.
Durin. the night the rebels moved
down the river and at early dawn were
out Of sight, but III about half an hour
were observed coming up, formed IN
line OF battle. Our gunboats had in the
mean time weighed anchor; and fol
lowed by several rams, moved slowly
towards the rebel fleet, when shot
from the Little Rebel, from a long range
rifled gun, fell within short distance
of the gunboat Cairo which was in ad-
vance. The Cairo replied with a
broad>ide, and soon the engagement
became general at long range. The
rams Aad in the meantlms advanced, and
the rebel gam Beaurcgard being some
distance in advance, was singled out by
the Monarch and Queen Of the West,
each striving to be the first to strike the
rebel craft. The Monarch succeeded in
striking the Bcaurcgard amidships. al
most cutting her i, two, causing her to
fill and sink Immediately i'll the chan
mel Of the flyer; opposite the city.
At this juncturc, the ram little Rebel
made dash for the NJ onarch which
was by this time in the midst Of the
rebel fleet; but by skillful movement
Of the pilot Of the lai'ef, she dropped
out Of the way, 9nl the blow intended
for her struck the rebel boat, Gen. Price
taxing awsy her vince! and making it
necessary for her to run ashore, where
she sent ashot into the Gen. Lowell, and
rendered her an manageable, and i'm
mediately after she was run down by
the Gucen of the West \ broalside
from the Benton took effect in the sides
Of the jeff. Thompson. She was run
ashore and soon after was in flames,
burning to the waters edge.
Fonr Of the rebel gnnboats having
been disabled, the remainder Of the fleet
retrca,cl down the river. pursucl by
our ~. s.vvppoats, firing as they advanced,
and resulting in the capture q the
Bragg, Sumter and Little rcbar,, which
had been abardoncd by most Of the
crews: The latter ran ashore and Capt.
Montgomery and most of his officers
and men succeeded in making their es-
cape in the woods on the Arkansas
shore. The Federal ram Lancaster was
struck by the Beaurcgard early in the
engagement, slightly disabling her
Capt. Elicit ,yas in conomard Of the
rams, and was struck in the breast by
a splinter, stunning him temporarily,
but he soon recovered and continued on
deck throughout the action. This was
the only casualty on our side.
Our rams were manned BY sharp
shooters, mostly from illinois, who did
good execution, picking off the enemy's
gunners at every opportunity.
The rebel loss in killed, wounded and
prisoners is heavy, ;put has not yet been
fully ascertained.
Our tugs were bnsily engaged in
picking up the crews of the disabled
rqoei boats.
After the return Of the gunboats whi4.,
had gone down in pursuit Of the rebels,
Com. Davis sent boat from the flag
ship Benton, with note to the Mayor
of the city, requesting its surrender,
which was complied with without
further resistance.
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