Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-20
HOT WORK Up THE RIVER.

We learn that a skirmish occurred Tuesday
morning between cur gunboats and shore bat
terry Of the enemy, erected dueing the preceding
night, nearly opposite to TiptonyiIe.
On discovering that the enemy had been at
work on the west bank, our gunboats got up
steam early in tue morning and went ont TO at
tack them The enemy had placed three twenty
four-pounder rife guns in position, for the pur-
pose Of cutting off our communication at Upton
vile, where the land transit across to Island 10
begins The gunbOats (vooden) engaged were
the McRea, Lady Polk, Ivy, Ponchartrain, Liy-
ingston, aud Marapas.
The fight continued some two hours. The
fore and aft chains Of the Marapas were cut by
the enemy's shot. They also sent one shot clear
through the Gen. Polk, which stiaai1 her, or
came out, below the water line, but which We
have not been able 70 ascertain. She imm 2di-
ately withdrew, aud at last accounts it was
found necessary to resort to her pumps to keep
the water down
The other boats continued their fire short
time longer. and then withdrew to their anchor
age. They sustained more or less damage, but
were in no respect disabled
No one was killed on our side; only one per
son being slightly bruised by a splinter. We
have no means Of learning the less of the
enemy.
The Federal force on the other side Of the
river was estimated at one thousand men. They
were engaged in throwing up intrenchments and
strengthening their position
On Monday six Of the enemy's iron clad gum
boats came down within three quarters of mile
Of Island 10, and sheIled the place through the
day. They fred slowly, and seemed to direc-
their shot, not at our batteries, which returned
their fire, but beyond, towards an open planta-
ton where our troops we're supposed to be en-
csmped. Our guns struck the gunboats repeat
edy, but none Of the shot seemed to take effect
The gunboa ; retired beyond range towards
night. In their rear the nyer seemed to be
white with their transports.
Our loss was three killed and eight wounded.
Loss CT the enemy not known.
LATER.
We learn from = gentleman who left Island
10, st half past o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and
arrived here last evening, that ahe enemy re-
newed the attack on the Island Tuesday morn
ing with eight gun boats and three mortar boats.
The Ere was kept up at intervals until the hour
Of his departure.
One Of the gun boats having ventured within
good range. our big gun, the Lady Polk, was
turned loose at her. The hrs. shot was miss /;
the second took effect and cleared It's way
through tle boat from side to side Assistance
was sent her, and she was towed short distance
back, when she sunk
At later hour second boat renewed the at
tack on the battery OF the Lady Polk which
fred seven shot in return. Four missed their
mark; two struck and glanced, and the one,
which was the seventh, passed through the boat
tearing off piece Of the iron sheeting, which
could be seen from tine 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 Off
GERS felt confident of their ability to hold the
island. They have no idea Of abandoning the
position.
By passengers on the Rapusiic, who left Tip
tonYille =---asy morning, we have a confrma-
ton Of the fight between the gun boats and the
enemy's battery. The damage to the Gen. Polk
was not so serious as at first supposed One
shot passed through the pilot house of the
Mauripas.