The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-15
From Memphis.

From Memphis.
SOUTHERN ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHT WITH THE
REBEL RAM ARKANsAs-C0NsC
rER1NGs FROM THE BoMBARDMENT OF
vICKsBURG.
Special Correspondence of ths Chicago Tribune.
GAro,o HOUSE, MExrH1s, July q, 1862.
There is nothing new in Memphis that I
can recall that would be of interest to the
general reader. I have, however, obtained
q copy of the Grenada appeal Of the 23d
inst, from which I reproduce the following:
THE GUNBOAT FIGHT.
The Appeal has correspondent at Vicks-
burg, who, under date of July II, gives bis
version of the gunboat fight of the 18th.
He says: At 6 o'clock on the 18th inst,
while the Arkansas was in Old river, into
which the Yazoo empties, about one and a
half miles from the Mississippi, she made
out three of the enemy's vessels bearing
down upon heroine an iron clad gunboat,
the others rams. In few minutes they were
within range, and commenced action. The
ram was more deliberate and cautious, ap-
preaching till within a few hundred yards,
when she opened with her bow battery. At
this the enemy turned and fled, the Arkan-
sas pursuing directly after the gunboat,
raking her by frequent discharges from her
forward guns. Her port bow gun was dis
abled. But in twenty minutes from the time
the running began, the enemy deserted their
guns, having been whipped by the starboard
bow gun alone! The fight began at close
range, which was gradually decreased to
about forty yards, and when at this latter
distance the port bow gun was again brought
into action, and commenced to assist its
mate to demolish the Yankees river pride.
The effect of these terrible engines was soon
apparent. The crippled duck commenced
his favorite dodge of hunting for shallow
water, and for this purpose sheered into the
left bank of the river, exposing himself to
the port broadside of the Arkansas, which
was poured into him at depression, and
went crashing through his sides and bottom.
He did not return the fire. AS be fell be-
hind our steam battery commenced the
raking process again, which caused the ras
cal to haul down his cOlOrs, set white flag,
and desert his vessel.
Now the morale Of this is that our bat.
teries and people have been afraid of a set
of towards who stood less hammering when
brought in front of an equal foe than history
has heretofore recorded. The fellow ran
away without scratching us.
The two swift and stiff" rams of Com
modore Ellet were making splendid time
down stream, and we, in the hope of dis.
aiding or destroying them with our guns,
pushed on after, but they gained steadily
and gave US breathing time before the final
struggle, which was soon to come. As we
rounded point the immense fleet came in
view. The river seemed to be blocked up
by armed vessels of all descriptions. There
was the majestic Hartford, and Brooklyn,
and half dozen other boats, together with
the cumbersome and unwieldy up river
boats, besides rams, mortar boats and tran.
sports by the score. All were under way
taking position. This is decidedly untrue.
None were ready and but one endeavoring
to take a position.) 1t seemed to me that
their plan was to form complete line
across the river in the shape of the letter
V, the point up stream; the Hartford
occupying the van and centre, the Brook,
Ign Immediately astern, the right and left
wings being composed of rams and gun
boats of both classes. We made one dash
to break the left wing, near Farraguts flag
ship. AS we approached the enemy look
ed in mute acoader and establishment. Not
a gun was fred at long range. (The fleet
was not ready to fre.) All were waiting
for the moment when the dreadful missiles
would be most effective. The largest sloop
had her l1,inch guns charged with solid
shot and bided their time. with steadiness,
never divergiDg an inch from their position;
the little ones, however, edged off to the
right and left, bows up stream. Gunboat
No. 6 fired the first gun, loaded with grape,
but with too much depression. 1t fell
short. At the same instant the port bow
gun of the Arkansas sent solid shot crush.
Ing through one of the iron clad which.
alone sent her to the flank. AS we neared
the Hartford ram 1.-THE Lancaster) took
up her position just ahead of US, but the
port gun blew her up, and the crew jumped
overheard on all sides the Arkansas runs
ming through the sinking, drowning peo
PIE. Now we were in the midst of the
melee; broadsides came as fast as blows
from blacksmith hammer; crash came
the shot and grape through the ports. Bat
we were through. As soon as we came in
front of Vicksburg the enemy below show
ed signs of a stampede. They forthwith
burned a mortar boat, their transports got
up steam, and had not our crew been ex'
hausted we could have destroyed the whole
bevy.
But the thing was not over for the day.
AT shutdown Farragut's fleet commenced
passing down, eight going down and ex'
changing shots with US they passed. But
as we were not at our tavorite range, We
have no idea what damage we inflicted.
Before closing 1 must pay my respects to
the " sturdy" arms that were to pounce
upon US. The rascals gave us very wide
berth, and would advise Abraham I. to