Nebraska advertiser., 1862-06-12
WAR NEWS.
THE EVACUATION OF MEMPHIS,
5000 TR0OPS AT BATON ROGUE.
CHA RLESTON.
GOOD NEWS FROM TEXAS,
Later from Hunters Command
A Rebel Defeat in Northern Alabama.
rom Hunter's Command
A Rebel defeat in Northern Alabama.

nrSl OOat tnrough from memphlS, aIlIfeu
this morning.
Our forces are in possession of Mem
phis.
Our Aotilla left Fort Pillow att o'clock
gunboats Benton, flag ship, Cairo, Caron-
delet. St. Louis, Booisyllle, and the rams
Monarch. Switzerland, Lancaster, Queen
Of the West, Fulton, Mingo, Sampson
and Hornet.
Finding no distractions at Fort Ran
tolfh. the hotilla passed on, and at eight
o'clock Thursday evening the gunboats
anchored two miles above Memphis, the
rams remaining a short distance above.
A reconnaissance discovered the enemy's
feet lying neal Memphis, consisting Of
the following vessels: The Gen. Van
Dorm flagship Gen. Price, Gen. Bragg
Gen Lowell, jeff. Thompson, Gen. Beau
reguard. Sumter, and Little Rebel, all
rams, under command of Capt. Ed. Mont
gomery.
During the night the rebels moved
down the river, and at early dawn were
out of sight; but in about half an hour
were observed 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 a shot from the
Little Rebels long rifed gun fell within
a short distance of the gunboal Cairo,
which was in advance. The Cairo re-
piled with a broadside, and soon the en-
gagement became general at along lange.
The rams had in the meantime ad-
vanced, aud the rebel GOAT Beauregard
being some distance IN advance was
sought out by the Monarch and Queen of
the West, each striving to be the first to
strike the rebel craft. The Monarch
succeeded in striking the Beanregard
amidship. almost cutting her in two.
causing her to fill and sink immediately
in the channel of the river opposite the
city.
At this junction the ram Little Rebel
made a dash for the Monarch, which
was by this time in the midst of the rebel
fleet, but by a skillfnl movement of the
pilot of the latter, she dropped out Of the
way, and the blow intended former struck
the rebel boat Gen. Price. taking her
wheel and making it necessary for her tC
run ashore, when she sent a shot which
entering the sides of the Gen. Lowell
rendered her manageable, and imme.
diateIy after she was run down by the
Queen of the West.
A broadside from the Benton took
effect in the sides of the JEFF. Thompson
and she was run ashore, and soon after
was in flames, burning 10 the waters
ydge. -Four Of the rebel guDboats hav.
ing been disabled, the remainder of their
fleet ~retreated down the river, pursued by
our gunboats, firing as the advanced, re.
s Ilting in the capture of the Sumter
Bragg, and Little Rebel, which had beer
abandoned by most of their crews. The
latter was run ashore.
Captain Montgomery and most of hi:
officers and men succeeded in making
their escape in the woods on the Arkan
sas shore. The Federal ram Lancaster
was struck by the Beauregard early il
the engagement, slightly disabling he
former, Col. Elliott, in command of the
rams, was struck in the breast by a spin
ter, stunning him temporarily, but he
soon recovered, and remained on dscb
throughout the action This was the only
casualty on our side.
Our rams were manned by sharpshoot
ers, mostly from Illinois, who did good
execution, picking off tie enemy's gun.
ner's at every opportunity. The rebe
loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, il
heavy, but has not yet been fully ascer.
tained. Our tugs were busily engaged
in picking up The crews of their disabled
boats.
Alter the return of the guntoats, which
had gone down in pursuit of the rebels
Commodore Davis sent a boat from the
flagship Benton, with the following note
to the Mayor Of the city:
U. S. FLAG STEAMER Benton, OF
MEMPHIS, Tenn, June 6. 1862. SIR
| have respectfully 10 request that yor
surrender the city of Memphis 10 the aa.
lhority of the United States, which have
the honor to represent. lam. Mr.. May
or, with high respect, your Obedieut SER
want, C. H. DAVIS.
Flag Officer Commanding.
To his honor, the Mayor of the city o.
Memphis.
In about an hour a tug boat put oul
from the levee, bearing the following
message:
Mayors OFFICE, MEMPHIS q.
June 9th, 1862.
C. a. Darts, Fdy Officer Command.
ing, &c: SiR: Your note of this date i;
received, and contents noted. IL reply,
have only TO say that as the civil author
lilies have no means Of defence, by force
Of circumstances, the city is in your hands.
-at Respectfully.
JOHN PARK, Mayor.
immediately after the boats crew
landed. and the national flag was hoisted
over the post office. The party was fol.
lowed by an excited crown, but was no,
molestpd.
The 43d and 46th Indiana regiment.
now occupy Memphis, Col. Fitch in
command. The city is quiet. No dem.
onstralions whatever have been made
and it is even asserted hat il viii not be
necessary TO declare mnrtial law. Five
of our gunboats lie abreast of the city,
i We. captRred five LARGE stesmars ,vb;cL