Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-06-13
From tbe western Fleet.

successfully resisted large force. M
The rebels after leaving the fort destroyed thel
pontoon bridge which they had constructed
some weeks since over Hatchec river When
the De Soto, which last arrived from the fleet
left, our gunboats had passed the feet and down
the river. III reported that the rebels hay g
evacuated Fort Randolph. If this is the case
nothing prevents the fleet fronarriyiDg at Mem
phis to-day.
Cairo, June 6.-The regular packet Platte
Valley, the first boat through from Memphis,
arrived this morning Our forces are In pos
session Of Memphis The hotilla of gunboats
and 3 rams left Fort Wright at o'clock, Thurs
day morning, finding no distinctions at Fort
Randolph. The Aotilla passed on, and at s
o'clock Thursday evening, tho gun-boats an-
chored two miles above Memphis, and the rams
remained short distance above.
A reconnoisonce was made, and the enemy's
fleet, consisting of the following vessels, Gen.
Van Dorm, Flag Ship, JEFF. Thompson, Beaure-
gard Sumter and Little Rebel, were discovered
lying near Memphis. During the night the
rebel feet moved down the river, and at day
light were out of sight, but in half an hour af-
terwards were seen coming up, formed in line of
battle.
Our gunboats had in the meantime weighed
anchor, and followed by several rams moved
slowly towards the rebel feet when shot from
the Little Rebel from rifled gun of long range,
fell within short distance of the guuboat 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 Beaure-
gard being some distance in 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 amidshps, almost cutting her in two, caus-
ing her to fill and sink immediately in the
channel directly opposite the city.
At this juncture the Little Rebel made dash
at the Monarch, which by this time was in the
midst of the rebel fleet, but by skillful move
ment by the pilct of the latter she dropped out
ofthe way, and the blow intended for her struck
the rebel boat Gen. Price, taking away her
wheel and making it necessary to run ashore
where she sent shot which unfortunately for
the rebels struck the boat Gen. Lowell, rendering
her unmanageable. Immediately after, she was
run down by the Queen of the West A broad
side from the Benton took effect in the sides of
the jeff Thompson, and she ran ashore soon af-
ter in flames and was burned to the waters edge.
-Four rebel boats having been disabled, the re-
mainder of the fleet retreated down the river,
pursued by our boats, firing as they advanced,
resulting in the capture of the Sumter, Bragg
and Little Rebel which had been abandoned by
most of their crews. Capt. Montgomery, the
flag officer with most of the officers and men
succeeded in escaping to the woods on the Ar
kansns shore.
The Federal ram Lancaster was struck by the
Beauregard early in the engagement, and Slight
ly disabled.
Col. Elicit commander of the Federal rams,
was struck in the breast by splinter and stun
ned temporarily, but soon recovered and contin-
inued on deck throughout the action This
vas the only casualty on our side.
Our rams were manned by sharpshooters, |
Mostly from Illinois, who did good execution
n picking of the enemys gunners at every op- |
,ortunity.
The rebel loss in killed, wounded and prison.
RS is heavy, though not yet fully ascertained.
Our tugs are busily engaged in picking up
he crews of their disabled boats
After the return of our gunboats from the pur-
uit Commodore Davis sent the following note
o the Mayor of the city:
L. S. FLAG SHIr Benton,
OFF Memphis, June 6. l.
SRI have respectfully TO request you will
urrender the city of Memphis to the authority l
# the United States, which l have the honor to
epresent.
l am, Mr.. Mayor, with high respect,
Your obcdient servant,
CHI. DAVIS, Flag officer.
In reply, the Mayor said: aYour note is re-
;eived In reply, have only TO say, as civil
authorities have no means of defense, by force |
If circumstances the city is in your hands.
Immediately after boats crew landed, and
he national flag was liOisted over the Post Of |
ice. The party was followed by an excited
,rowd, but We're not interfered with.
The forty y-third and forty sixth Ind regiments
row occupy the place, Col Fitch in command. |
The city is quiet, no demonstrations whatever
having been made 1t is even asserted that it |
will not be necessary to declare martial law
Five of our gunboats now lie abreast the city,
We captured five large steamers which were
noored at the levee. The rebels burned new
,unboat which was nearly ready TO be launched. !
The Vicksburg Whig Of the 4th says, the Fed
erals have landed six thousand troops at Baton
Rouge. The Memphis Avalanche of the 9th
iays, that the locomotives recently run off by
abroad employees were recovered. The same
paper says all the bridges between Memphis
and Humboldt We're destroyed.
Washington, June 9.-The War Department
has received official dispatches from Com Elicit
the Ram fleet dated off Memphis,
9Th, giving an account Of the operations of the
Rams. Com. Elicit was disabled early in the
by pistol shot in the leg. He
was the only person in the feet disabled. In a
dispatch dated the 5th he says: "To my morti-
fcation the enemy evacuated Fort Pillow last
night. Randolph like Pillow, is weak and
couldn't hold out long against a vigorous attack
The people express desire for the restoration
OF the old order ofthings, though protesting Sc
Memphis, June Since the formal surrender
ofthe city yesterday, and the posting of pickets
through the city, the excitement of the people
has spbsided and all was quiet during last night
The only event this morning was-the capture
ofthe rebel steamer Check, which eluded the
fleet yesterday, above the city, running up the
slough out of sight. She was brought down
this morning. Nothing has yet been heard of
the boat Van DORM which was the only boat of
the rebel fleet that escaped yesterday.
Reports are current that Com. Hollins when
he received the news Of the destruction of the
feet, burned his vessels four in
number, which were some distance below here.
Over 5000 people lined the Bluffs here, and
the fight. This morning all the
stores were closed, but many win be opened to-
The citizens seem anxious to have
trade renewed with them. Very little trouble
IS apprehended in holding the city. Large
quantities OF cotton were burned but it is said
there is great amount Of sugar and molasses
which has been secreted by its owners ready foT
shipment. A rebel regiment was stationed
about mile below the city but has disbanded,
and the men are endeavoring to get home
The feet will start at once for Vieksburg. The
loss of the rebels in the engagement Was up
wards of 100 killed, fifty of whom belonged TO
the gunboat QenaL0Yell. aud were drowned,
Jeh. Thompson witnessed the fight sitting on
horseback in front Of the Gayaso House. The
rempant Of his army, with stampedng citizens,
were in cars not far from the city, and when one
atter another Of the Confederate boats sank and
The flag ship took fight, JEFF. left.
Two OfOuT mortar boat men managed to ehde
he guard and get on shore on Friday night, and
were killed in a row of their own getting up