The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-03-28
Hot work Up the River.

r. HHrHb . L1Oe W Va n ~ ehAO ~sAs0As
We learn that skirmish occurre
!. Tuesday morning between our gunboa
= and shore battery of the enemy, cree
), cd during the preceding night, nearly o.
0 posite to Tiptonville. r'4 A't nais
n On discovering that the enemy hs
!. been at work on the west bank, our gul
: bi,ats got Up steam early in the mornin
4 ,nd vent out to attack them. The 81
emy lad rlaced three twenty.four.poul
der rife guns u position, for the pu
pose of cutting Oh, our communication q
Tiptonville, where the land transit acro'
to island 10 begins. The gunboa'
| (wooden) engaged were the Nc. Yea, Ii
dy Polk, Ivy, Ponchartrain, Liyings.sor
and Murapsss n !.
| The fight continued some two hours
The fore and aft chains of the Marapa.
were cut by the enemy's shot. They al
so sent one shot clear through the Gen
Polk, which struck her, or came out, be-
low the water line, but which we have
not been able to ascertain. She imme.
diately Withdrew, and at last accounts il
was found necessary to resort to her
pumps to keep the water down. a.e
The other boats continued their fire a
short time longer, and then withdrew to
their anchorage. They sustained more
or less danger, but were in no respect
disabled. t@ 5 ,sja ft.
No one was killed on our side; only one
person being slightly bruised by spin.
ter. We have no means of learning the
loss of the enemy.
The Federal force on the other side of
the river was estimated at one thousand
men. They were engaged in throwing
up intrenchments and strengthening
their position.
On Monday six of the enemy's iron
clad gunboats came down within three
quarters of mile of Island 10, and
shel.ed the place through the day. They
fired slowly, and seemed to direct their
shot, not at our batteries, which return
ed their fire. but beyond, towards an
open plantation where our troops were
supposed to be encamped. Our guns
struck the gunboats repeatedly, but none
OF the shot seemed to take effect.
The gunboats retired beyond range to-
wards night. In their rear the river
seemed to be white with their transports.
Our loss was three killed and eight
Loss ofthe enemy not known.
LATER.
We learn from gentleman who left
Island 10, at half past 2 o'clock Tuesday
afternoon, and arrived here last evening,
that the enemy renewed the attack on
the Island Tuesday morning with eight
sunboats and three mortar boats. The
ire was kept up at intervals until the
1our of his departure.
One of the gunboats having ventured |
within good range, our big gun, the ia
iy Polk,"' was turned loose at her. The
irst shot was miss; the second took eff.
ect, and cleared its way through the
'oat from side to side. Assistance was
ent her, and she was towed short dis
ance back, when she sunk.
AT later hour second boat renewed
he attack on the battery of the Lady
'olk, which fred seven shot in RETURN
Our missed their mark; two struck and
lanced, and the one, which was the
eventh, passed through the boat, tear
ng offa piece of the iron sheeting. which
ould be seen from the Island. This
oat was also towed back, evidently dis
bled, but to what extent our informant
as unable to say. |,
1t may not be improper to add that
lr officers felt confident of their ability
hold the Island. They have no idea
abandoning the position. {
by passengers on the Republic who
IL Iiptonville yesterday morning, we ,
ave confirmation of the fight between I
lie gunboats and the enemy's battery
he damage to the Gen. Polk was not so y
rious as at first supposed. One shot !
used through the pilot house of the !
arapas.-Asmphis Appeal 2OA. Il
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