The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-06-12
The Rebel Fleet.
The rebel fleet consisted of eight vessels,

Inc (t6Oet 4 tEeL
The rebel fleet consisted of eight vessels,
carrying excellent guns:
Little Rebel flag ship)-..- .--------.-2 guns.
Gen. Beauregard --- ----4
Gen. Prlce ----....----,- -------4
Gen. sumter -
Gen. Lowell -.---.----.-- .--------4 "
Gen. Thomson. --------4 -
Gen. Bragg .--.---------S
Gen. Van Dorm ..--..-4
Total. % guns.
4 Reconnaissance.
Early ia the morning dense cloud of smoke
could be seen from the feet, rising above the
woods on the Arkansas shore, opposite Mem
phis, but whether caused by the burning of cot
ton, or steamboats,, or whether it was the rebel
feet lying ready to pouuce upon US, was not
known From certain movements On shore,
even at this early hour, It was supposed that
the rebel commanders were there, waiting to
show the thousands gathering upon the levee
and esplanade, and tops Of houses, how easily
we would be put to the bottom.
The Benton and Louisville having weighed
anchor, slowly dropped down towards the city,
which caused a visible sensation on shore
Men and horses galloped to and fro, and the
increasing multitude made it evident that there
was to be an engagement. Suddenly the Lit
couceament steamed across the river and took
a position nearer the city followed by the Beau
regard, which passed beyond the Little Rsbel.
One by one the others came out, and formed in
two lines Commodore Davis, not wishing to
pitch in till after breakfast slowly steamed back
to his position Of the 'Paddy's Hen and Chick
eus.'
Preparations for the Battle,
1t was but little after sunrise when the reb-
ell commanders advanced to give us battle The
sky was without a cloud, and there was moth
ing to obscure the gaze Of the $4,000 people
now congregated upon the roofs ofthe city and
the leYee, except the dense body of smoke as
eending from the stacks of the gunboats. The
rebel boats remained motoness awhile, with
the exception of the Little Rebel, which darted
about like a corporal parading his squad. At
length they began to move up stream, n OF rap
idly, but lesurely. They kept their lines, which
had been formed i'll admirable order. Nearest
the Memphis, in its front line view, was the
Beauregard, then the Little Rebel, then the
Price, aid on the Arkansas side the Sumter
Behind the Little Rebel, having the right of
the line, was the Lowell then the Jeff. Thonp-
son, the Bragg and the Van Dorm.
The Federal gunbOats were early ~ line, the
the Benton being nearest the Tennessee shore,
next the Carondelet, next the ST Louis, and
lastly the Cairo-the Queen of the West and
Monarch having been tied up TO the Arkansas
shore, aud the Lancaster No. 3, Switzerland
about mile up stream. When Commodore
Davis saw that the rebels intended TO fight he
displayed the signal to prepare for action. The
crews eapad to their quarters with cheers -
decks were cleared in a twinkling guns run
out; shot and shell piled up near the guns -
boarding pixies distributed; marines beat to
quarters, and boarding netting stretched, with
alacrity which showed that the hearts of The
men were IN the work. The time they had
lOnged for had come-t7 meet the rebels in a
fair and square fghs
The Little Re5et opens Firs.
As soon as it was discovered that the rebel
commander YVES in earness-that be really in
lended to make the attack, the signal was Civ
en- to round to. Up to this monieat the fleet
bad been head up stream. The rebel comman-
der saw the movement, and evidently DESTROYS
of knocking some holes in the stern and sides
of the gunboats where they were unprotected
by iron plating, opened fire. The Little Rebel
threw the FIRST shot with her bow gun q thlr-
ty two ppapd Tiied gun. 1t was til, own to OBJ
tain the range. 1t was aimed at the Benton,
and was in good line, forming almost directly
over the flag ship over the tug Jessie. Benton's
tender, which was near at hand, and dropped
into the water far up stream towards the trans
ports. The Test of the rebel fleet waited to see
the effect OF the shot before opening fire. The
Beauregard saw il strike, depressed her left
hand bow gun, and sent Ga pound shot. which
plowed into the water abreast Of the Benton
but several feet TO the right. The Sumter fol-
lowed, aiming at the Carondalet Ga pound
rifle shot which passed close to the muzzle Of
the left hand stern gun, and threw up q column
Of water between the Benton and the Jessie, |
within few feet ofthe latter The correspond |
ent of the Boston JOurHal, G. G. Coffin ESQ. /
was seated IN an arm chair on the top of the !
Jess.o's cabo0se, making obse"yah ons. He |
made a note oat,' and kept his position.
Up to this time the Federal war dogs had /
remained silent. The Cairo having position |
on the Arkansas shore in consequence of the |
bend in the liver, was nearest tic rebel fleet |
All were within easy range-not more than
thrce-fourths of mile distant from the enemy's
line Of battle, bat there was a disposition to
get within close range before gong into the
work, but the Cairo, from her position, had (
fair sight at the side of the Little Rebel, she /
tried one of her stern guns. This 5A0s spun
through the air and dropped INTO the water
close under tho hull Of the enemy's flag ship
1t was the signal for the general letting loose
of the dogs. Bang from the Csrondelat Il
bang from the st. Louis and Louisvills and
lastly, bang from the iron mailed Benton
each giving shot and watching to see n. -
feet. Some of the guns were too D. - g
ted and some too much deere -~eh eieVa-
els waited while thass o. .sed. The rem
and then opened j." .,nlties were EXTENDED;
all tbeig gu"~ lie from all their boats AND
ffs9us"' Renlies were given as fast ~ d
~ For fifteen minutes 'h9 ea," Chaue
vaTv severe, shaking the earth VII a thun'
nd shutting out the combatants rom sight:
IT, was a sublime spectacle. he ar was Sun
- calm that the dark volumes OF smoHe IFom
.ba ch;mpeys and the sulphurous CLOUDS rom
tbS csnnons, mingled in one and hung thick
"r3 heavy, a black pail streaked into gray
over the combatants, shutting OFT the morning
Sunshine. The gathered thousands on the
sTore bebeld it, 100 much amazed at the scene
too much absorbed, and too much interested III
the result to make any demonstration. In
bresthless anxiety they watched the sudden
flashes and the narrowing space between Inc
two hostile fleets.
The Federal gunboats slowly turned in the
e+ream. and while turning there lull in
tba canuopade on our side, but none from the
anemv. There was a continuous screaming of
Shot and explosion of shell one of which burst
above the Benton, throwing fragments upon
her deck bu: doing no injury.
The Queen Of the Vest Sails IN.
When the Little Rebel opened the ball thC
.-oy, of the Queen of the West leaped to the il
stations with the same salacrity and enthusiasm
sba+ had characterized the well-tried tars of th'
gunboats, -. L.,,;,,o ., oo,,,,lo,
eonfdenee of the ability of the Queen to crus
any rebel gunbcat into kindhng-Wooa' calie