Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-16
Correspondence Of the Morning Post.
The Capture of Memphis.


The Capture of Memphis.
The most Brilliant NaraI Battle ofthe War-7Re
Entire Rebel Fleet Destroyed before Breakfast
-ViUid Account Of the Fight-MGtters in Mem
phis-RebeI Hopes Blasted.
MEMPHIS, June Z. 1862.
When our feet left Fort Pillow on Thursday
last, it was in the suppostion that the rebels had
"fallen back" to some new defensive position. At
Randolph, il was supposed the guns removed
from Fort Pillow would be found again in posi-
ton to oppose our progress. But in this supposi-
ton we found ourselves giving far too much
credit to the vaunted determination of the rebels
to defend every inch of sacred soil. Several
inches we're left undefended. Net gun nor
garrison were found at Randolph and, though
some deserted earthworks were visible, not gun
nor a garrison were in sight. We did not pay the
place even the compliment of visit, but steam
ed on toward Memphis, still in the expectation,
however, of meeting opposition at some polntbe
fore reaching that city
The first sign of rebel warfare that met our
view after passing Randolph was at Island 81
where a rebel transport was discovered, the SOve-
reign. She discovered also at the same mo-
ment, and took to her heels with all possible
speed. Several shots were sent after her, which
did not bit her, and the chase for several miles
was Of the liveliest character ever known in Mis-
sissippi steamboat racing. At length turning a
point in the river the rebel steamer was seen Just
rounding another point a couple of miles ahead.
Again we fired at her without effect. A boat
howitzer was then put on board the Lizzie Benton
tsteam tug which was sent through the shute
behind Island 81 to head the steamer off The
tug came out of the chute short distance be-
hind the steamer but within good range, and
sent a shell which warned the steamer that her
tima wa Tor Gapfaiu ran bar IN tho shora
jumped off, and took to the woods; the crew rails
ed flag of truce and submitted to the fate which
they could not escape. They stated that the boat
had been sent up by the rebel authorities to burn
all the cotton they could find at plantations along
the river. They had not succeeded in finding
any.
Fort Harris, some thirty five miles above Mem
phis, was found like Fort Randolph, without oc-
cupants Nothing could be seen but some in
different earthwOrks, apparently unfinished, and
in which evidently no guns had ever been mount
ed. This was the only fortifcation we expected
to find above Memphis, save at the mouth of
Wolf river, Just outside the envirOns. There, it
was presumed, we should find batteries to oppose
US; but in this supposition were again doomed
to disappointment.
We reached Paddy's hen and chickens, "a
group of islands at the mouth of Wolf river
about o'clock Thursday even ng, and anchored
down to reconnoiter, and in the course of an
hour returned, having discovered the rebel feet
lying against the Arkansas shore. opposite the
city of Memphis. 1t was now evident that they
intended to give us fight and everything
was put in readiness on our feet for any emer-
gency.
At daylight in the morning the feet weighed
anchor and dropped SLOWLY down the current until
the foremost gunboat came in sight of the rebel
A. L., 4, ko,l 6
Immediately discovered us and put their boats in
line of battle. or rather in two lines, one about
half a mile in advance of the other. The rebel
feet consisted of eight gunbOats and rams, viz:
the Little Rebel. (aag- -ship,) Gen. Van Dorm.
Gen. Beauregard, Gen. Bragg, Gen. Price, jeff
Thompson, Gen. Lowell and Sumter They were
all mounted with guns of various calibres and also
provided with strong iron clad prows to be used
rams. Scarcely any two of them were alike in
appearance, build weight of metal. Some of
them were partially sheathed with iron over their
boilers, while others were merely protected with
heavy timber bulwarks. Some of them may have
been provided with cotton bale defenses, but
probably not. If any were so provided they were
those which went TO the bottom, where an inspec-
ton of their architecture is not just now conve-
nient. None of them were provided with shot
proof case mates like our own gunboats.
Our own fleet consisted of nine vessels, FIVE
gunboats and four rams, viz: the guLboats Ben
ton, flag shp,) CarOndelet, st. Louis Louisville
and Carlo, and the rams Monarch, Queen of the
West. Switzerland and Lancaster. The two lat
ter did not take part in the engagement, the Ian
casters steaming apparatus being out of order,
and the Switzerland not coming up until the en-
gagement was principally over.
The battle was in three distinct parts. the first
being
THE ENGAGEMENT AT LONG TAw.
Immediately upon percevng the movement of
the rebel feet, our own gunboats let 90 their an
chOrs and awaited their approach. They came
steadily forward until within the distance of a
mile, when the Little Rebel fired the first shot 1t
was aimed at the Benton. but passed over and at
least three quarters of mile beyond. showing that
the hostile fleets were within easy distance OF each
other. No reply was made to this shot, nor to
the next, which was also fred by the Little Reb
ell. The third shot, from the same rebel, was
better aimed and struck the water but short dis
tance from the flag officers tug, Jessie Benton,
which stood some distance at the rear of the flag
ship
The Cairo now opened her stern guns upon the
rebel boat Van Dorm, occupying the extreme
LETT of the enemys foremost line of bat
tie. The shot was well aimed, but passed over
the rebel, doing no injury. 1t was speedily fol
lowed by second shot, which called forth the
Van Dorn's fire in response The cannonadng
Immediately became general. The rebel feet
ceased to advance; but held its position in the
river and blazed away with great vigor. Our
own guns served with equal vigor, and for
twenty minutes huge missiles of destruction filled
the air with their hissings as they sped upon their
terrible errand. The vessels of both fleets re-
mained nearly stationary, and it is surprising that
so little damage was done by this terrible fire.
Some of the enemy's shots cut away portions of
the top hamper of one two of our boats, but
not one of them entered casemate, or did any
serious injury And it is probable that our own
shots. during this twenty minutes, did very little
damage to the enemy; at all events none of his
boats were disabled. THIS constituted the first
part of the engagement.
Perceivfng that this fighting at "long taw''
was not likely to accomplish the end desired in
the shortest space Of time, and finding the rebels
not disposed to venture any nearer, flag officer
Davis signalled the Zee. to turn bows and en-
gage the enemy at short range. At the same
time the rams, which had been waiting inpatient
ly for their turn in the battle, were directed to
"sail in" while the gunboats were executing the
desired maneuyer The Monarch and Queen i'm
meGiately advanced at their highest speed, "eager
for the fray" The Queen aimed for the General
Beauregard, and would undoubtedly have sent
that craft to the bottom with a single blow, but
the Beauregard "sheared off, in time to avoid it..
The Queen kept straight on, passing the Beaure-
gard and aiming for the General Price, which
Was trying to get her. bow in position to strike
the Queen. This the Queen did not let her do