The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-11
The CAPTURE OF MEMPHIS.
Interesting Correspondence Between Col. Elst
and the Mayor Of the City.
Further Particulars Of the Naval
Fight,

The following dispatches from Colonel Ellet
csived this morning at the War Department
UNITED STATES RAN SWITZERLAND, I
OPPOSITE MEMPHIS, June 7, 1862.
Hon. E. NJ STANTON, Secretary Of War
Satisfactorily, after the engagement with the rebel
fleet had nearly terminated, and tho gunboats and one
of my rams had passed below. was informed that
white tag had been raised in the city. Immediately
sent my son, medical cadet, Charles R. Ellet ashore
with flag of truce the following to the author
ties:-
OrPc SITE MEMPHIS, June 9, 1862
understand that the city OF Memphis has surren.
dered therefore send my son, with two United States
flags, with instructions TO raise upon tho Custom
House and the other upon the Court House, evidence
OF the return Of your city to tho care and Of
tho constitution CHARLES EIIET, JR.,
Colonel Commanding.
The bearer Of the nag and the above note
panied by Lieuepant Cranke Of the Ftynnth Illinois
regiment, and two men OF the boat guard.
The following is the reply Of the Mayor OF the city
MEMPHIS, June 6, 1862
Colonel CHARLES EILKT Jr., Commanding &C.,
SIR-Your note OF this date is received and the
tents noted The civil authorities Of this city not
advised OF its to the forces the United
States government, and reply to you is simply to
state respectfully that have forces to oppose the
raising Of the flags you have directed raised over
the Custom House and Post Office. Respectfully,
JOHN PARK, Mayor.
On receiving this reply the small party proceeded to
the Post Office to raise the national flag and there
joined by the Mayor. 1t is proper to say that the
duct of the Mayor and Of the citizens unexcep
tionabe; but the party surrounded by excited
crowd, using angry and threatening language. They
assembled to the of the Post Office and planted the flag
though fred upon several times and stoned by the mob
below. Still believe this conduct reprobated by
the people Of standing in the place. Indeed, many evil
dences extensive Union sentiment in the place
reach me. Respectfully, CHAS. EILEr, JR.,
Colonel Commanding Ram Fleet
OprosrE MEMPHIS June 10, 1862.
Hon. E. NJ. STANTON
srE-There several facts touching the naval en-.
gagemsnt Of the 9th inst this place which wish to
place on record.
Approaching Memphis the gunboats were in the ad-
vance, / had received notice that fight was ex-
pected but was informed on landing within sight of
Memphis that the encmys glnboats had rersated down
the river. Ny first information Of the presence Of the
enemy a shot which passed my boat. had
four my most powerful rams in the advance and ready
for any emergency the others were towing the bargss
On advancing to the attack expected, Of course to
be followed by the Monarch tho Lancaster and the Swift
zerand. The Monarch came calamity. Some Of the
the line became excited and confused but the engi
behaved well; the pilot erred in signals, and
backed the boat ashore and disabled her rudder The
captain Of the Switzerland construed the general signal
order to keep half mile in the rear Of the Lancaster
to that he was "to keep half mile behind her IN
the engagement and therefore failed to participate.
Hence the whole brunt OF the fight fell upon the Queen
and Monarch. Had either the Lancaster Switzerland
followed the Monarch did the rebel gunboat Van
Dorn would not have escaped, and my flagship would
not have been disabled. Three Of the rebel rams and
gunboats which struck by my two sank out
right and lost another called the General Price,
but slightly injured and am now raising her and
purpose to send her tony fleet. Respectfully,
CHARLES ELI.ET, JR,
Colonel Commanding Ram Fleet.
WASHINGTON, juno 10, 1862.
Commander Pennock of Commodore Davis feet, tes-
graphed to the Navy Department tho buildings and
machinery OF tho late Memphis Navy Yard found
uuinjursd when our forces occupied tho town.
Private Despatch from Colonel Ellet.
The following private despatch from Colonel Ele:
TO a relative in Philadelphia -
OPPOSITE MEMPHIS, June g.,
VIA CAIRO, June 8, 1862
Mr. DEAR Aunt wish you To let my dear mother
know that though was disabled by gun pistol shot
in the naval engagement oil Memphis this morning, it
seems only TO be flesh wound above the knee.
sank Of tho two rebel gunboats engaged, and
Alfred sank and took anothcr that have her
possession. Alfred behaved most calamity, and Is
unhurt
wish William wainwright to provide FOR my wife TO
reach me here, OF at Cairo, should go there
CHARLES ELIET, Jr.