Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-05-16

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the enemy from their ll.iuch pivot guns wit
furious rapidity, and with them the sloop-otws
IroqUeis, Capt. De Camp, whose gailantry
everywhere admitted The IroqUois seemed t
be a special target 10, the enemy, and shell
{ plowed up tho water all around her, but sh
escaped with only two Of the crew slightly
wounded.
Over the woods, beyond the forts, we cal
count seven or eight moving columns of smoke
which indicate that the rebel steamers are pass
ing about probably plotting some mischie
against us. Soon ono HHd then another anC
afterwards a third, appear in view, steering 10
ward the forts. Bstore reaching them, however
the steamers dash to cover again, sld we see thai
| three huge burning RATS have been set adTift
| The swift current sweeps them toward Us, below
| they are a brilliant blaze, and rising from the
flames is a SPIRAL iunuel-shSpcd cloud Of grayish
| black smoke, so dense as TO shut from sight the
! fort, and all else in that direction Nearer and
nearer these seemingly formidable rGfts approach,
! but they occasion very little anxiety. We know
| how to dispose of them. The sailors from the
| large ships are called ont OF the rigging, which
| they have been permitted to occupy as interested
spectators of the battle, and in a short time boats
have the RATS in tow, aud they are landed on the
| river bank to burn away We all confess TO an
admiration Of these pyrorechnic displays. They
add vastly to the pIcturosqueness OF our sur
roundngs, and are perfectly harmless.
UNITED STATES SCHOONER DAN SNITH,l
OFF PILOT TOWN, MISSISSIPPI
Friday Evening, April 25. ,
When closed my letter yesterday, had no
idea that I should be down here at Pilot Town,
in my old quarters more than twenty miles from
tho scene of the bombardment. But such is the
fact. The mortar Gotla, with which l have
been more especially connected, was ordered
suddenly, about five o'clock IN the afternoon, to
get under way, and repair to this place, where
most of the vessels are now at anchor. The
reason TOR this unexpected order IS explained by
the circumstance that an immense floating bat
terry, irOH-clad and heavily armed, survived the
FIRE of cur feet 8s it the gauntlet of the iOrts,
and could be seen a mile CT two above US, with
no adequste force to interposa. should its rebel
masters attempt to clear US out of the river.
With every confidence IN the capacity of the
mortar schOoners to defend themselves against
ordinary enemies, Captain Porter was of the
opinion that it would be sheer Tecklessness to
allow them to remain where they were certainly
exposed to an attack from this invulnerable ar
rangement which would have the game entirely
in its hands Our retreat was decided upon par
ticularly because there is really no need, under
existing circumstances. Of keeping up the siege
of the forts We have the rebol garrison in
trap from which it IS Impossible to extricate !
themselves, and a few days, more or less, for
them TO hold the forts Is OF no material conse- |
quence. Here the mortar vessels are perfectly |
secure.
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM COM FARRAGUT |
There is no doubt that Commodore Farragut, |
With a large squadron, Is now il New Orleans
Read the following letter, copy Of which | was
permitted to make. II was written when the |
flag officer was warm from the conflict and the
words Lave the ring IF tue metal in them
DEAR PORTER We had rough time OF It, as
BOggs will tell you but, thank God, the num-
Der Of killed and wounded was very small, cOu-
'ideTing This ship had two killed sai eight
wounded. We destroyed the ram IN a single
combat between ser and the old Mississippi, but
be, ram backed out when he saw the Mississippi
coming at him so rampantly, and he lodged her
md ran on the Shore wheTeUpOn Smith put two
II three broadsides through him and knocked
him all to pieces The ram pushed A fire raft on
% noe, and in trying TO avoid, II ran the ship on
hore- be again pushed the FIRE raft on me, and
yo' the snip on FIRE ali along one side / thought
{ was all up with us, but we puJ it ont aud go!
II again, proceeding up the river, fighting our
Tay We have destroyed all but TWO of the
-unboa.s, and these VII. have to surrender with
be forts Il
intend &c TOllC" up Aiy success aud push fOr
Vew Orleans, and tben como down anu attend
o the forts, 80 you hold tnsm a. Statg Gz0 until
come back think Ii you send q 6sg OF truce
ND demand their surrender, they viii yield, l0y
heir intercourse with the city is cut off We Il
.aye Gus the wires above the quarantine, and
.re now going ahead. took 300 or 400 prison I
rs at quarantine. They surrendered and
'aroled them not 70 take up arms again. [ II
oUld not stop TO take care Of them If the
-eneral viii come up 70 ibe bayou and land
ew men or az many as he peascs, he will fud 4
wO OF our gunbosts there 10 protect him from
he guuboa.s that are at the forts wish to yet
he English Turn. where they say they have not
,laced battery vet, bat have two above near
Jew Orleans They viii not be IDLE and neither
viii L You supported Us mostly uoblJ.
Very truly yours
d. & FARRAGUT