The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-13
THE W A r.
SIRRENDER OF MEMPHIS.
Brilliant Naval Engagement.
OF TIE FIRST PACKET AT CAIRO.

Al
The regular packet Platte Valley. the frs,
boat through from Memphis. arrived at Cal
no Sunday morning. Our forces are in pos
session of Memphis. The fo,ila, consisting
of ) sunhoats and rams. left Fort Pillow at
> o'clock Thursday morning. Finding no
distractions at Fort Randolph, the tiotilla
passed on and at o'clock on Thursday eve
ming the sunboa,s anchored miles above
Memphis, the rams remaining a short dis
tance above. a reconnaissance was then
made, and the rebel fleet consisting of the
following vessels: The General Van Dorm,
flag ship, General Bragg, General Lowell. JEFF
Thompson, Beauregard, Little Rebel and
Sumter, were discovered living near Memphis.
During the night the rctel fleet moved down
the river and at daylight were seen coming
up in line of battle. Our gunboats had in
the meantime weighed anchor and followed
by several rams. moved slowly towards the
rebel fleet, when shot from the Little Reb-
el, from rife gun at long range. fell within
shor: distance of the Cairo. which was in
the advance. The Cairo replied with broad
side, and soon the engagement became gene
raj at long range. The rams had in the
meantime advanced, and the rebel ram Beau
regard being in the advance, was singled out
by the federal rams Monarch and Queen of
the West. each striving'to be first to strike
the rebel craft. The Monarch succeeded in
striking her amidsbips, almost cutting her in
two. causing her to Fill and sink Immediately,
in the channel directly opposite the city.
At this juncture the Little Rebel made a
dash at the Monarch, which by this time was
in the midst of the rebel fleet, but BY skill
full move of the latter she dropped out of the
way, and the blow intended for her struck
the rebel boat Gen Price, taking away his
wheel, making it necessary for her to run a
shore, where she sent shot, which, unfortu-
nately for the rebels. struck their boat, the
General Lowell, rendering her unuanagable.
Immediately after she was run down by the
the Queen of the West. a broadside from
the Benton took effect in the side of the jeff
Thompson, when she ran ashore, and soon
after was in flames and burnt to the waters
edge. Four of the rebel boats having now
been disabled, the remainder of their fleet
retreated down the river, pursued by our
boats, firing as they advanced, resulting in
the capture of the Sumter, Gen Bragg and
Little Rebel, which had been abandoned by
most of their crews. Captain Montgomery
the flag officer, with most of the officers and
men, succeeded in making their escape in the
woods on the Arkansas shore. The federal
ram Lancaster was struck by the Beauregard
early in the engagement, and slightly disa-
bled. Col Ellet, in command of federal rams
was struck in the breast by splinter, and
stunned temporarily, but soon recovered and
continued On deck throughout the engage
ment. This is the only casualty on our side.
Our rams were manned by sharpshooters
mostly from Illinois, who did good execution
in picking off the rebel gunners at every op.
portunity. The enemy's loss in killed, wound
ed and prisoners is heavy, but not vet fully
ascertained. Our tugs are busily engaged
picking up the crews of their disabled boats.
SURRENDER OF THE CITY.
After the return of our gunboats from the
pursuit, Com Davis sent the following note
to the mayor of the city Of Memphis -
U. S. Flag Steamer Benton, off Memphis,
June 6th.-I have respectfully to request that
you will surrender the city of Memphis to
the authority of the United States. which
have the honor 10 represent. am, Mr. May
or, with high respect, your obedient servant,
c. N. DAVIS. Flag Officer.
In reply the mayor says :-"Your note is
received, and in reply have only to say, as
the civil authorities have no means of de-
tense, by the force of the circumstances, the
city is in your hands," Immediately after.
our boat crews landed, and the national flag
was hoisted over the post office. The party
was followed by an excited crowd, but were
not interfered with.