Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-06-13
ETURE OF MEMPHIS.
xnEAT NAVAL FIGHT.


Thursday afternoon, consisting of gunboats
Benton Gag ship, Cairo, Carondclet, ST Louis
Louisville, and rams Monarch, Switzerland
Lancaster, Queen of the West, Fulton, Min
go, Samson and Hornet finding no obstruc
tons at Fort Randolph, the f1otilia passed O.,
and at eight O'clock Thursday evening, tn,
gunboats anchored two miles above Memphis
tilc rams remaining short distance above
A reconnaissance discovered the cncmy's
feet lying near Memphis, consisting of tho
following vessels: Gen. Van Dorm, (fiag ship,
Gen. Price, Gen. Bragg, Gen. Lowell, JEFF
Thompson, Gen. .Beauregard, Sumter, and
Little Rebel, all rams under command of Capt
Edward Montgomery. aa| j
4 During the night the rebels moved down
tho river and at early dawn were out Of sight,
but in about half an hour were observed com
ing up, formed in line Of battle. Our gun
boats had in the meantime weighed anchor,
and followed by several rams, moved slowly
towards the rebel fleet, when shot from the
Little Rebel, from long range rifle gun, fell
within short distance of the gunboat Cairo,
which was in advance. The Cairo replied
with a broadside, and soon the engagement
became general at long range. The rams
had in the meantime advanced, and the rebel
ram Beauregard, being some distance in adj
vance, 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 Beauregard amid
ships, almost cutting her in two, causing her
to fill, and sink Immediately in the channel Of
the river, opposite the city. b. ~.
Atthis juncture, the ram Little Rebel made
l. L.. l. al.
time in the midst of the rebel fleet but by
skilful movement of the pilot of the latter,
she dropped out of the way, and the blow
intended for her struck the rebel boat, Gen.
Price, taking away her wheel and making il
necessary for her to run ashore, where she
sent shot which entered the Gen. Lowell,
and rendered her unmanageable, and imme-
diatcly after she was run down by the Queen
of the West. A broadside 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. aH e e
s1Four Of the rebel gunboats having been
disabled the remainder of the fleet retreated
down the river pursued 10y our gunboats, fir
ing as they advanced, and resulting in the
capture of the Bragg, Sumter and Little Reb-
ell, which had been abandoned by most of the
crews. The latter ran ashore and Captain
Montgomery and most of his officers and
lnen succeeded in making their escape in the
woods on the Arkansas shore. The Federal
ram Lancaster was struck by the Bcauregard
carly in the engagement, slightly disabling
her. Capt Elicit was in command 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. o&. '' .@'i 1914
Our rams were manned by sharp shooters,
mostly from Illinois who did good execution,
picking off the encmy's gunncrs at every op-
portunity. qua "-'. 5-A
The rebel loss in killed, wounded and pris-
oners is heavy, but has not yet been fully as
certaincd. ..~s
Our tugs were busily engaged in picking
up the crews of the disabled rebel boats.
After the return of the gunboat> which
had gone down in pursuit Of the rebels, Com
Davis sent boat from the flag ship Benton,
with the following note to the Mayor Of the
city: .-a., r.,.'.. w.. WI
UNITED STATES FLAG STEAMER BkSroS,
OFF MEMPHIS, June 6, 1862.
have the honor respectfully to request
that you will surrender the city of Memphis
to the authority of the United States, which
have the honor to represent. ., ..r...
4 am, Mr.. Mayor with high respect, your
most obedient servant, . -.. ..... ..... ..
D. C. H. DAVIS Flag Officer Commanding etc.
To his Honor the Mayor OF the city of Memphis.
Mayor Park replied as follows: ...
s-.., MAYORS OFFICE, Memphis, June 6, 1862.
G. II. DAVIS, Flag Officer Commanding ETC., ste.
SIR-Y our note of this date is received,
and contents noted. In reply, have only
to say, that as the civil authorities have no
means Of defense, by force Of circumstances
the city is in your hands. .. .-
Respectfully,
--- JOHN PARK, Mayor.
Immediately after, boats crew landed,
and the national flag was hoistcd over the
Postoffice The party was followed by an
excited crowd. but was not molcsted. The
Add and 46th Indiana regiments now occu-
by Memphis, Col Fitch in command. The
city is qnet No demonstrations whatever
have been made, and it is even asserted that
it will not be necessary to declare martial
law. Five Of our gunboats lie abreast of the
city We captured five large steamers which
were moorcd at the levee. The rebels burn
ed new gdnboat which was nearly ready
to be launched ....' ....
CALL TO The AID SOCIETIES FROM MRS
WIrTENNYER.-I deem it importan, that the
Aid Societies immediately prepare and send,
for the use of our sick and wounded Iowa
soldiers, butter, eggs, fruit (eithcr dried or
canned, pickles, green tea, dried beef crack
ers, corn starch. E,rina, sage, lemons, shirts
and drawers Other things may be sent as
heretofore, but for the articles above named
there is most pressing demand Fruit,
pickles, ETC.. are invaluable in co .nteracting
the effects Of living entirely on salt food
Butter can be put up in rolls, wrapped in
cloths dipped in brine. Fresh eggs dipped
in lard will keep almost any length of time,
and may be packed in any way. Palm leaf
fans are much needed. Goods directed to
Mrs. j. b. Ho veil, Kcokuk, Iowa, care of
McGayie, Chittcnden ( Co., will be forward
cd to Pittsburg Landing.
The whole plan Of sending the sick and
wounded away has been changed. They will
hereafter be retained here. The last hospi-
tai boats that will be sent North arc now
being loaded. There is a vast deal of sick
ness here, and lack of almost every com
fort. Let the supply be equal to the demand.
Very respectfully. ANNIE wITTENMYER,
E5d5 = z" General Agent Soldiers Aid Society
los FROM HUNTERS ARMY.