Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-26
THE WHITE RIVER EXPEDITION.
Another Gunboat Engagement.
Fight at st. Charles, Arkansas.
MEMpHIs, Thursday, June 10, 1862.

An expedition, composed OF the gunboats
ST. Louis Lexington, Conestoga aud Mound
City, accompanied by transports carrying the
43d and 46Lh Indiana regiments, under Col
Fitch, was sent from here some days since, for
the purpose Of removing the distractions in
White River
On the l7th, the expedition reached st.
Charles, IS miles above the mouth OF the
river, where the rebels had erected a battery.
An engagement ensued, lasting an hour ard
half
While the gunboats engaged the battery
the troops, under Col Fitch, landed short
distance below, and proceeded to storm the
place
During the cannonading ball entered the
boiler of the Mound City, causing fearful
explosion and loss of life The crew consisted
of l75 men, OF whom nearly l25 were killed
or wounded.
The following officers are among the killed ::
John Kinzie, James kinzie, James Scoville,
John Green. Henry r. Brown, Joseph Nixon,
and John Knox.
Capt. Kelly, Flag officer, was badly scalded,
but it is thought that he will recover.
Col. Fitch's charge upon the battery was a
perfect success, driving the enemy ont at the
point of the bayOnet.
The rebel loss is 1875 killed and wounded,
and 80 prisoners. COL Fitch's loss is small.
Gen Halleck has occupied Holly Springs.
WASHINGTON, June Il, 1862.
The following dispatch was received at the
Navy Department:
U. s. FLAG STEAMER BENTON, I
MEMPHIS, via Cairo, June 81, 1852.
To Hon. Gideon Weles, Secretary OF the Navy:
The gunboat. ConestogG, while returning
from the White River, reports the capture Of
two batteries, mounting seven guns, at St.
Charles, so miles from the mouth.
The attack was commenced by Capt. Kelly
in the gunboatS, who sleDced the first battery.
The second battery was gallantIy carried by
Col G. n Fitch at the head of the 46th In
diana Volunteers. A shot canSed the eXpio-
sion of the steam draw of the Mound City, by
which the greater part of her officers and crew
were killed and wounded. / write by to day S
mail. c. IL. DAVIS, Flag Officer.
The following was received at the War De
partment to day:
ST. CHARLES, White River, Ark, June L,
Via Cairo Saturday, June u, 1852.
To Hon E. NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War:
On arriving eight miles below here last eve-
batteries here, supported by force of iDfaut-
~, number unknown.
A combined attack was s,ade at I a. m. to-
day The regiment under my command (46th
Indaua) landed two aud a half miles below
the battery, and skrmishers were thrown out,
who drove in the enemy's pieketS. The gun
boats then moved up and opened on their bat
teries
A ri1ed-shot from one of the batteries pene
trated the steam.draw Of the Mound City, dis
abling by scalding most of her crew. Appre-
heusiYe that some similar accident might hap
pen to the other gunboats, and thus leave my
small force without their support, | Slgnalled
the gunhoatS to cease firing, and we would
storm the battery.
They ceased at exactly the right moment,
and my men carried the battery gallahtly.-
The infantry were driven from the support of
the guns, the gunnerS shot at their posts, their
commanding officer Freye (formerly Of the Z.
s. Navy wounded and captured, and eight
brass aud iron guns, with ammunition, captured
The enemys loss is unknown We have
buried seven or eight of their dead and other
dead and wounded are being broughtiu. The
casualties among my own command are small,
the only real loss being from the escaping
steam in the Mound City.
She will probably be repaired and ready to
proceed with us np the river tomorrow.
A full report will be made as early as
possible
Very Respectfully. G. \. FITCH.
Col. Comdg 46th Indiana Volunteers