The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-11
Our Mississippi River Correspondence
UNITED STATES GuyBOAr CAIRO,
OPPOSITE Fo.r PILLOW, June 5, 1862. J
N. .f P.,y D.jI...,


OpPosIIE Fo.r PILLOW, June 5, 1862
The Evacuation of Fort Pitloc
Two rebel gunboa,s had the temority to run up cons
derably beyond Craigheads Point last Tuesday after
noon about vc O'Clock and remained sufficiently Long
to observe the position OF feet and to OPT
MON with regard TO ts probable strength. While they
we're making these the gun6oats Cairo and
Mound City which had been lying the Point for the
purpose OF supporting couple OF mortar floats by whose
shells the enemy has been daily annoyed for seven
weeks gave them the contents Of their chasers
which these boats stationed the Captain s
cabin and the other in the ward The shot from
these guns did not damage the rebel boats.
Captain Bryant Of the Cairo slipped his cable and did
the best could with his unwicldy vessel TO place
in position from which he could give the enemys boats
broadside. As soon. however tho rebel commander
perceived the object OF this atomp he babe these boats
an Inceremonous farewell, and left without firing a
gun The Mound City, Captain Kelly, in the mean
time preparing use her guns them; but they
both too quick for aud escaped apparently unhurt
the position they had chosen having become so uu-
pleasan, that they seemed quite willing to withdraw and
reioin their more congenial consorts below.
These steamers constructed after the Southern
pattern OF rams," with side wheels and powerful ma
chncry proporonsd to hoir size and weight but they
showed disposition to mako trial Of their butt ing
powers and being somewhat pressed for time perhaps
they feared they would be too late for the subsequent
evacuation il they remained longer in company with
those who would have received thom with warmest
welcome they could have wished. ono Of the was
called after the rebel chiefiain JET Thompson,
and the Of the other, when she engaged in the
legitimate business or Mississippi steamboat, was
Lizzie smmons-a altogether too pretty to have
been tran sformed, except by the Intervention or
the marriage ceremony legally performed into that
OF General Price, under which appellation the
boat is at present enrolled and registered on
Tho books OF the Rebel navy We were indebted
for the pleasure OF this visit from Southern friends
IN tho naval service the fact that three boat crush.
ors which been lately lifted up for the purpose Of
cutting and destroying any rebel craft lying on tho
breast Of tina Father OF Waters, had steamed down
the river while a thunder storm was raging, and had
made an examination OF the ensmys works which would
serve as n valuable guide in future operations OF the
uotia on the ca,harc of the Mississippi. These
comics of Aries met with warm reception from Fort
Pillow but sustained no INJURY from its artillery and
returning TO their usual harbor. passed the night
in mace We having thus enjoyed the boosted
hospt,lity Of the Southrons, they naturally enough
Thought proper return the visit, " for other
reason nj least tour prcndre but has often hap
nnrsI anon them their good breeding vanished the
rnnment Commodore Davis fleet ready 10 receive
them with the honors Of war, and they hurrody dc.
parted had either no time or inclination t. say they
xpild call again The operations Of the notilla under
com Davis charge might and would he much moro
vigorous and active IL II composed of boats that
could be easily handled but every vessel in 1t, except
the new rams has only wheel, and that, with
| somewhere the middle OF the boat this
| pupdeck also In level with tho surface OF
the water and all the machinery that possibly be
put there 10 below IL; this an excellent arronremen