Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-07

morning between our gunboass and shore bat.
terry Of the enemy, erected during the preceding
night, nearly opposite TO Tiptonville.
on discovering that the enemy had been at
work on the west bank, our gunboats got up
s.ecm early In the morning and went out to attack
than. The enemy had placed three 81 FOUNDER
rihed guns In position for the purpose of cutting
on our comInpnicalion at Tiptonville, where the
transit across TO island 10 begins. The gunboats
{wooden) engaged were the McRae, Gen. Polk
Ivy, Ponchartrain, Livingston, and Maurpa
The fight continued some two hours. The fore
and aft chains of the Mauripas were cut by the
enemy's shot They sent one shot clear through
the Gen. Polk which sunk her, or came out be-
low the water line, but which we have not been
able to ascertain. She Immediately withdrew
and at last accounts 1t was found necessary 70 re-
sort to her pumps to keep the WATER down.
The other boats continued their fire for a.short
time longer, tnd then withdrew 10 their anchor.
eye, They sustained more OF less damage, but
were in no respect disabled.
No one was killed on ctr side, only one person
being slightly hrriaed by a splinter. We have
no Meass OF learning the loss Of the enemy.
The Federal force on the other side Of the river
was estimated at 600 men. They were engaged
In throwing up their entrenchment and strength.
enlng their position.
On Monday six OF the enemyIs iIonclad gun.
boats came down within threequarters Of mile
OF Island No. 10, and ,shelled the place thronob
the day. They fred slowly, and seemed to direct
their shot, not at our batteries, which returned
| their FIRE, but beyond, to an open ola ntation
where our troops were supposed to be encamped'
Our guns struck the gunboats repeatedly. but
none Of the shot seemed to take effect. ~ WV
The gunboats retired beyond range towards
night In their rear the river seemed 10 be whit.
| with their transports.
Our loss was three killed and eight wounded
| Loss or the enemy not known
| LArER.-We learn from a gentleman who ,ef.
| island No 10 at half past two O'Clock on Tues
| DAY afternoon, and arrived here last EVENING
| That the enemy renewed the attack on the Island
tuesday morning with eight gunboats and three
mortar boats. The fre was kept up at intervals
until the hour of his departure
One Of the gunbosts having ventured within
| sood range, our big gun, the "Lady Polk, - was
turned loose at her. The first shot was a miss:
the second took effect, and cleared its wav
through the boat from side to side Assistance
was sent her, and she was lowed a short distance
back, when she sunk.
AT a later hour a second boat renewed tbe
attack on the battery Of the "Lady Polk. - which
fired seven shots In return. Four missed Their
mark; two struck and glanced, and the one which
was the seventh passed through the boat, tearing
Oh piece Of the iron sheeting which could be
seen from the Island. This boat was also towed
back, evidently disabled, but to what extent our
Informant was unable to say.
IL may not be improper to add that our officers
Ieit confident OF their ability to hold the Island
They have no Idea Of abandoning the position
by passengers on the Republic, which left Tip-
tonville yesterday morning, we have confrma-
tlon OF the Eight between the gunhoats and the
enemy's battery. The damage to the General
Polk was not so serious as at a rst supposed One
shot passed through the pilo, house ofthe Mauri-
pas.