Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-06-12

Cairo, june 8.
The regular packet, Platte Valley, the
first boat through from Memphis, arrived this
morning, Our forces are in possession OF
Memphis.
The hotilla, consisting Of five gunboats
aud eight rams left Fort Wright at o'clock
on Thursiny morning. Finding no obstacles
at Fort Randolph, the fotila passed on, and
at 8 o'clock on Thursday evening the gun
boats anchored two miles above Memphis
The rams remained a short distance above.
A reconn oisapoe was then made.
The rebel fleet, consisting of the following
vessels, the Gen. Van Dorm, flag ship Gen.
Bragg, Gen, Lowell, jeff Thompson, Beau
regard, Little Rebel, and Sumter, were dis.
covered lying near Memphis. ..9'
During the night the rebel fleet moved
down the river, ard at daylight were seen
coming up in line of battle. Our gunboats
had in the meantime weighed anchor, and
followed by several rams, moved slowly to-
wards the rebel feet, when shot from the
Little Rebel, from riaed gun OF long range,
fell within short distance Of the Cairo,
which was in the advance,
The Cairo replied with broadside, and
soon the engagement became general at long
range. ....... ......
The rams had in the meantime advanced,
and the rebel ram Beauregard being in the
advance, was singled out by the Federal
rams Monarch and Queen of the West
each striving to be first to strike the rebel
craft. The Monarch succeeded in striking
her amid-ships, almost cutting her in two,
causing her to fill and sink Immediately in
the channel. Directly opposite, at this juno
ture, the Little Rebel made dash at the
Monarch, which by this time was in the very
midst of the rebel heet-but by skilful
movement of the pi it of the latter, she drop
ped out of the way, and the blow intended
:Hr her struck the rebel boat Gen. Price, ia
king away her wheel, making it necessary
for her 10 run ashore, where she got shot,
" ich, unfortunately for the rebels, struck
thel. cat the Gen. Lowell, rendering her
unmanageable. Immediately after she was
run down by the Queen ofthe West A
broadsde from the Benton took effect in the
sides of the jeff Thompson, when she ran
ashore, and soon after was in flames, and
burnt to the waters edge.
Four of the rebel boats having now been
disabled, the remainder of their fleet retreat
ed down the river, pursued by our gunboats
firing as they advanced, resulting in the
captur OF the Sumter, Bragg and the Little
Rebel which had been abandoned by most
of their crews.
Captain Montgomery, the flag officer, with
most of tn officers and men, succeeded in
making their escape in the woods on the Ar
kansas.
The Federal ram, Lancaster, was struck
by the Beauregard early in the engagement,
and slightly disabled
Col. Elliott. in command of the Federal
rams, was struck in the breast by splinter
and stunned temporarily, but soon recovered
and continued on deck throughout the eu-
gagement. This is the only casualty on our
side.
our rams were manned by sharp shooters,
mostly from Illinois, who did good execution
in picking off the rebel gunners at every op-
portunity.
The enemy's loss in killed, wounded and
prisoners is heavy, but not yet fully ascer-
tanned. ...
Our tugs are busily engaged picking up
the crews of their disabled boats.
After the return of our gun boafs from the
pursuit, Com. Davis sent, the following note
to the Mayor of the city OF Memphis
U. S. Flag Steamer Benton,)
off Memphis, June 8.
have respectfully to request that you will |
the city of Memdhis to the author
lty of the United States, which l have the
honor to represent
am, Mr.. Mayor, with high respect, your
obedent servant,
c. II. DAVIS,
Flag Officer.
In reply the Mayor says:
Your note is received, and in reply I
have only to say, as civil authorities have no
means of defence, by the force of circum.
stances, the city is in your hands"
Immediately after, one boats crew landed
and the National flag was flying over the
The party was followed by an
exciting crowd, but were not interfered with
The 43d and 46th regiments now occrpy
he place. Col. Fitch is in command The
,ity is quiet. No demonstrations whatever
nave been made. 1t is even asserted that it
Will not be necessary to declare martial law.
Five of our gun boats new lie abreast of
he civ