Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-06-18
THE LITTLE REBEL OPENS FIRE.

anu square n9Ht.
THE LITTLE REBEL OPENS FIRE.
AS soon as It was discovered that the
rebel commander was in earnest-that he
really intended to make the attack, the
signal was given to round to. Up to thi,
moment the fleet had been head up stream.
The rebel commander saw the movement
and evidently DESTROYS Of knocking some
holes in the stern and sides of the gunboats
where they were unprotected by iron pla-
ting, opened fire, The Little Rebel threw
the first shot with her bow gun-a thirty
two pound rifled gun. It was thrown to
obtain the range. 1t was aimed at the
Benton, and was in good line, falling al
most directly over the flagship, over the
tug Jessie, Berton's tender, which was near
at hand, a. dropped into the water far
up stream towards the transports. The
rest Of the rebel fleet waited to see the eff
feet Of the shot before they opened fire
The Beauregafd saw it strike, depressed
her left hand bow gun, and sent sixty
four pound shot, which plowed into the
water abreast Of the Benton, but several
feet to the right, The Sumter, followed,
aiming at the Carondolet a sixty-four
pound rifle shot which passed close to the
muzzle of the left-hand stern gun, and
threw up a column of water between the
Benton and the Jessie, within few feet Of
the latter.
Up to this time the Federal war dogs,
had remained silent. The Cairo having
a position on the Arkansas shore in conse-
quence of the bend of the river, was near
est the rebel fleet. All were within easy
range-not more than thfee-fourths of a
mile distant from the enemy's line of battle
but there Was disposition to get within
close range before going into the work, but
the Cairo, from Ler position, had a fair
sight at the Little Rebel, she tried one Of
her stern guns. The shot spun through
the air, and dropped into the water close
under the hull OF the enemy's flagship
II was the signal for a general letting loose
of the dogs. Bang. from the Carondolet
bang from the st. Louis and Louis
vile, and lastly, bang from the iron-m,riled
Benton each giving shot and watching
to see the effect. Some Of our guns We're
too much elevated and one or two too
much depressed. The rebels waited while
these eiyiIties were extended, and then
opened fire from all their boats and all
their guns. Replies were given as fast
and frequent. For fifteen minutes the
cannonade was very severe, shaking the
earth with thunder, and shutting out the
combatants from sight.
It was a sublime spectacle. The air
was still-so calm that the dark volumes
Of smoke from the chinpeys and the sui
phurous clouds from the cannons, mingled
in ono and hung thick and heavy, black
pail streaked into grey, over the combatants
shutting out the morning. sunshine. The
gathered thousands on the shore beheld 1t,
too much amazed at the scene, too much
absorbed, and too much interested in the
result to make any demonstration. In
breathless anxiety they watched the sudden
flashes and tho narrowing space between
the hostile fleets.
The Federal gun-boats slowly turned IN
the stream, and while turning there was a
lull in the cannnonade on our side, but
none from the enemy. There was con-
tinuous streaming Of shot, and explosion Of
shell, one of which burst above the Benton
throwing fragments upon her deck but
doing no injury.
THE QUEEN or TIE WEST SAILS N,
When the Little Rebel opened the ball
the crow Of the Queen of the West leaped
to Their stations with the same alacrity and
enthusiasm that had characterized the we'll
tried tars Of the gun-boats.
Col. Ellet-braye, daring, having com
plete confidence in the ability of the Queen
to crush any rebel gun-boal into kindling-
wood, called all hands to quarters. The
sharpshooters seized their Austrian rifles
and with an eagerness surprising that O
the boats crew Of New Bedford whalei
when they hear the cry, "There she blows 7
sprang each to bis appointed loop-hole.
Immediately, black, pitchy smoke rolled
from the smoke stacks Of the Queen. The
fremen Lad caught the enthusiasm. There
was suiging Of steam in the boilers as ]
they also were boing neryed up, and they
were. Flesh, blood, bones, iron,steel-an
innate and inanimate, put on energy foi
the occasion.
The Queen, when she had prepared her
self. cut loose from the shore, swinging
gracefully into the stream, crossed to tbs
other side, as if moving III cotillion o.
quadrille, swept past the Benton, close t
the Carondelet, almost leaping from the
water in her eagerness, carrying q white
silver trail which sparkled in the early
morning. sunbeams falling aslant across
the waves. Faster, faster whirled bel
wheels She moved straight on. Sht
had a purpose--a single thing in Niew,anc
that must be accomplished.
The officers and men OF the fleet looked
on in astonishment and admiration. i
was i brayery aud daring which eiictee
the admiration Of the thousands on shore
Up to tao moment Of her appearance thS
rebel fleet had been slowly advancing. Tbs
Fa.laral fleet IN rounding to had made