Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-07
Our pickets now occupy Shirley.
More Of Rombardment.

from tAe flcksouIB NhlgJ
When we went to press on Saturday morning,
the shells were falling in every part of the city,
and we were therefore compelled to close our pa
per without any particulars of the unparalleled
scene then being enacted before our eyes.
A little before four o'clock, ten of the enemy's
vessels commenced moving up the river toward
cur guns As soon as they came in range, our
lower batteries opened on them, when they COM
menced replying with al possible ~alacrity.
The mortar heet below the point and one on the
opposite shore at Burney's, opened upon us and
sent the messengers Of destruction with light
ming speed in all directions. The gunboats and
frigs.es steamed on up the river, throwing broad
side after bToadside Of every species of shot,
shell, grape, canister and schrapnel, in rapid sue
cession. Our lower batteries replied as rapidly
as possible, with shot, shell and grape but soon
the feet came in range Of the guns above the
bayou, when Col, Jackson opened his dahl-
green, parrot, rife and columbiads on the boats,
and then was such a scene as has never before
been witnessed. The steam and two mortar
fleets appeared to belch forth with renewed re-
pidity, until the heavens were covered with
burning flames and the air filed with bursting
iron hail.
Our men continued at their guns, and fred
into the boats steadily. Two Of the boats were
observed dropping back from the lowest bate
RES, supposed to be crippled, but the others con-
tinued on, and soon FIVE of the feet came up in
front of the upper batteries snd passed by, I'M
der a terrible fire from our guns. Our men
could hear the shots as they went tearing into
the boats, and when the feet got up in the bend,
one of their vessels was so disabled that another
boat had to take herin tow and carry her around
the point. They all passed out Of range about
seven O'Clock, and then the firing ceased above,
but the mortar fleets below continued to ell the
air with shells for an hour afterwards, when the
dreadful noise ceased, the bright globes stopped
filing the air with fury, and all was quiet again.
None of our guns were damaged in the least,
and our loss was only two killed and about
three wounded-one of whom has since died.
The men at the guns fought brsvely, and never
hinched from the storm of hail that was falling
about them. They certainly deserve universal
praise for their perseverance, indomitable will,
and heroism.
While this h~eart-rending sight was being en-
acted on the river, the scene in the city beggared
all description. Many families were still living
in town-some 10th to leave their hemes. others
who could not find houses to 60 to, and many
who were too poor to move. all were aroused
from their slumbers about four O'Clock, by the
shot and shell whistling and bursting around
them. Men, women and children, both Black
and white, went screaming through the streets,
seeking a place Of satety-some dressed and
others almost nude. Mothers were running
with little babes in their arms, crying " where
viii | goq' and some would stop and crouch
the first hill, while the shell was bursting
above them. We noticed one man with his wife |
IN his arms-she having tainted with fright at
the explosion Of a shell within a few feet Of her.
A shell burst in the midst of several children
who were making their way out of danger, and
the dirt thrown up by the explosion knocked
thres OF them down, but fortunately done no
injury. The little ones picked themselves nm as
quick as possible, and Wiping the dust from their
eyes, fastened on.
Ia q short time the hills, three or four miles
east OF the city, were covered with people who
had fed from danger. When the fring was
some few returned to the city, but the ma
lority sought quarters respectable distance from
Even the stock, and almost every living
thing IN the city, was pauic stricken and fed
horses, mules, cows, dogs, etc, could be seen
on through the town, out of reach of
Such a scene we have never before
witnessed, and we hope we never shall again.
The damage done in the city was pretty So
7ere-a great many Of the houses being struck
md more or less injured. Although the streets
we're thronged during the bOmbsrdment with
he terrified inmates of the town, flying TO
places of safety and refuge, there YVES but enc
oss Of ife-the estimable Mrs. Gamble. The
must have suffered severly, rs our shots
old with fearful effect upon their vessels.
On Sunday forenoon three guns were fred
roE our lever batteries, in honor Of the elori-
us news from Virginia, which they construed
uto an attack, and Immediately opened upon
IS. They kept the fire up for several hours,
ding considerable damage. About nine o.
lock that night they opened again on the city,
for about az hour .s2d a half the shells from
be mortar feet fell into the city. A few houses
damaged by them.