The New York herald., 1862-04-29


made sad havoc among ships The story evidently
has somc foundation; but cannot believe oil find
in that shoe. about the affair. We very anxious to
hear tho full particulars, and wish they would not keep
the Monitor. which belongs ee At the Roads any
longer than possible. We want her here. 1t s highly
important that should have her here. But suppose
it would be almost madness to ask for her. wepty
poor wordsn, and trust hs may the Of his
eyos. -
Iclose this letter, there is supplementary mail
being made up board, which. Il suppose, will be
to Ship Island. Up To- day have dings of
the Connecticut which, according to our calculations u
now over due.
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP HARToRD,)
HEAD PASSES, y
MISSISSIPPI RIVER, April 4, 1882.
Othr Vessels Pas ths Bay~-A Fight Baosen n. United
States Gsn6oat Kimeo and The Rebel Ptagship-A Rsbet
Lookota-The Rebel Fleet in Force near the FJvaS, &c.
Since my last letter have been engaged n voyaging
between this ship and thoss on tho bar Southwest
Pass watching with ntesss, tho efforts which have been
made to got tho heavy draught vessels into the Tho
Mississippi Iroquois and Oneida have in, but the
Pensacola s still outside, trying to como UP. think
little tugging will bring her In also Tho Connectl
cut Is here with meagro mail for us; she brings
intelligence Of the sad disaster in Hampton Roads, which
afraid at FIRST Of doefu character.
To-day have been eye witnesses Of a smart little
brush between the gunboat Knso and tho flagship Of the
rebel fotia. The Of the skirmish few miles
above u.s. and most Of the firing could be witnessed from
topgaant forecastlo. Just before a steamer
appeared In sight at the point above u.s. ssaming down
the river. We noticed Immediately that she was
stranger aud that she the blue Gag Of the Admiral
OF the rebels She was large aud powerful sdewhsei
boat, painted black, and had two Al the main
waved the stars and bars. Signals were Immediately
thrown out from the Brooklyn Capt Adsn.bsing the
nior officer here the tag officer being al the bar) chase
the onemy The Kneo Iroquos Immediately proceed
cd 10 execute the order The rebel boat came
down a short distance, and stopped his engine
10 await the arrival OF gunbcsts AZ soon as the
Knoo-sno being the fastest boat OF the vo-got within
range she fred raed gun at the defiant Admiral but
missed the mark Tho rebel slowly turned his hoad
up stream when the Kineo let fly another shell and bit
secesh. This had the effect quicken his speed and
away he went up sresm fast his wheels could pro-
pei him. Tho Kinso kept firing at hm and Captain Ran.
som informs that lie hit him three times She was
too much Cor tia rsbe aud hs went on with sa in his
! ear in the shape Of rifed shsll Whom the Kineo
arrivedat the Jump she thai the Admiral not
alone x 10 the distance she thrse river bostsev
IDENTIFY eunboats-.wo iron clad gunboats constructed
with slopg SIDES and in amost every rsspsc. being the
counterpart OF Flag Officer Foote'S gunboats Upper
Mississippi; Aid besides these there
affair, which was pronounced At once 10 be the Rant
Captain Ransom, finding the odda against him, wisely
concluded fight the party, and after making good
Preservation o. ha vesses hs rc;cvned with ha iroquo
and reported The state Of affairs TO Captain Alden who
despatched the Ksnnsbec inform The plsg Ocer
OF the appearance Of the cnemys ioa force Nothing
occurred the latter part Of tho afternoon 70 occasion
sny alarm but jus, before sundown o rebel steamer
made lis appearance on the point and remained there
come time taking notes, and then returned report.
There be doubt that the rsscals preparing
attack us with rams Graships, gnnbosts, and 10 fact With
all the offensive means within their command To pre-.
them laying plen based upon present position
| tho position Of vessels up here
after dark all up anchor and have shifted positions
and writing forming into line ofbattlo
| and making all preparations TO meet them ground
which will prove superiority We are not
spelling for hght bat country has called upon
aid in protecting It's honor aud to unfari the emblem OF
! great nation people Who have rebeled and cast
aside Gag which has beon respected Tor nearly cen
tnry To do this We will give utmost endeavors, and
trust God for we do intend 70 be caught
"nsppng'' and be buttsd and rsnmed at the viii and
mercy Of desperate foe Twice Our vessels have been
thus msltrested and will try hsvo II occur
again without Furnishing the depredators. There is
strong for believing tha, IL will no, be long be-
fore The enemy will be upon and make strong efforts
to drive from these waters. They may do it, but
doubt It. Our nghtng will be or desperate character
They viii force. Their reconnaissance Of day
shows that aud contrasts strongly with few days
| ago.
Ihavo doubt but the movements Of tho enemy VIII
expedite our movements greatly, land We will be under
much had calculated upon. Veal wish
suspenre is TERRIBLE but cooness and dis
erection best plan after all. and must sadsr
some to gain any grsa, object
| Ft.cspp AprIl 8 1872
Our Fleet SCI Sdl Up ne Rier-T1s Rsbsl Admiral T,ies
10 Hiehea Us by Bold Monoarys bta Fdiis-A Fiqht.
This morning Flag 0frcsr Tarragut, who arrived
from the Pass las, evening Captain Bell and your special
embarked on board the Iroquos The following vessels
| accompanied us;--Gupboats wissahickon, Kstshdu,
Kennsbee, Kineo and Sciota. We left our anchorage
with full bead Of steam and discrimination fght
their vessels f they could be induced ou. The
Ircqaos, which yesterday was the steruwost boat
soon showed her superiority by rapidly leaving our
companions In the Nothing worthy Of note
going up the nrst fow miles; but when the signsl
TO prepare battle was made and we beat 10 quarters
was forciby struck with tbs personnel OF this trim,
craft The officers aud very anxious 10 clear
up any imputatiops which may have been east upou
ihem in relation 10 their cruise after The Sumter Deter
mnation bssnisd from every eye. In many instances
tho men wore stripped 70 undsrshirt ready for a
eight, Perfect stiffness reisnsd tbroushsut the vessel
which was not broken save when the Flag Onlcsr
made some remark from the masthead, whore he
bad stationed himself, with Captain Bell, "a
see the forts sad the position Of the sunboats.
Our speed increased 10 its utmost and the rroquos
lrembled like aspen leaf lac revolution OF hor
At about rebel boat bearing small blue
! Gag (idmra), made its appearance She was al ogcs
rronouncei 10 bo tbs tugbost ", @. Hews Down sho
c-mo, a. she vas 70 sanihtato tbo sn.re party; bu