The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-12
MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
FIVE MILES BELOW MEMPHIS, May o, 1862. (


Arrival oft Union Fleet Near Memphis-7he Gurbca,
Fgh-Tioo Rebel Boas Sunk-The Oilers s'Skk rdd,e''-
A ".Secesh" Pilot TAKEN Out of the Riyer-Ths Union
Flag FLUNG Ooey Rebel Boats-F Floating Cotton Fire
"Coar Can't Sdrs the City-To,cing Up the Captured
Rebel Gu1od,s-Ths Rebels in Too Much of Hurry to
Fire their Nagasines-7he "Secesh" Cro,od The Riuer
Blrgs-7ne City Saveaders-Stoles Arms Rscooertd de-
We have had a naval battle and achieved glorious
victory destroying running shore and capturing six
rebel gunboas and rams-oniy Of their entire fleet
escaping; she ssskcdaddled" down the river. At half
past p yesterday fleet anchored just above
Memphis. During the night large fires in the
city-cotton burning, probably
At halfpast four A. NJ to-day, the city in full view
and seven robel boats ready TO oppose Our
flag boat made signal "Get under way" whom
the feet weighed anchor. At twenty minutes
past five A. NJ. tho rebels opened fire on US,
which ws returned and the fight became general. Our
boats kept going down the river the Benton ahead Lou
isvlle next tho other three following in close order
firing as wo went along. At the wharves in Memphis
were many river steamers, and the heights were
covered with the inhabitants witnessing the light It
must have been sad sight for the secesh portion At
half past FIVE passed the gunboats and down
and into rebels sinking both boats Of which
tirely disappeared. AZ forty mnutes past Ave the rebel
Qittle Rebel nagboat commanded by Mont gomery,
run INTO py our MonArCn, StruCk Dy SuOt
from the Louisville. She to the Arkansas Shore and
her officers and crew took the woods. This just
below Memphis. At twenty minutes past six another
ram and gunboat struck her Gag and got ashore the
crew escaping This boat subsequently, set fire
when our had got below her. and at nine A. NJ she
blew up with tremendous explosion. At twenty nva
minutes past the rebel gunsoa and Sumter hauled
down h0r flag and ashore, her crew escaping. At
hsfpast six the largest OF their eet-thc General
Bragg formerly the Moxico--was discovered to have
been deserted aud disabled. Only was left on
board OF her. He hauled her flag down got along.
side waving his hat no did SO. One boat only
was LETT, and she proceeding down tho river and
miles ahead. So at thrty-hve minutes past six A. NJ.
ths Flag officer sgnszcd "Csass fl ing" and tho fleet
turned up the river.
wo picked up the pilot OF tho Sumter In tho water
He was almost drowned. lie says many Of her crew
we're drowned, they all Jumped overheard in conse.
quence OF alarm Of are. On board of the sumter we
found one dead man, shot bya MIME ball through the
heart He captain Of her gun and had his thumb.
stall and printing wire still hanging to his wrist.
Balls flew thick over fleet, but, far as can
learn no hurt. The Louisville fred over sixty
rounds ed the other boats about the Balls passed
so near az 10 shame the luoss in their musical
qualities Tho deserve great credit. They were
handled we'll After sinking driving shore three
boats they fell in the rear and let the gunboats finish the
business.
We are all standing back for the city Of Memphis
Rebel flags were displayed in Memphis as We passed
Perhaps now they will haul them down The Sumter
was badly cut up by shot, the General Bragg
They both looked very those OF US who were
IN the fight the 10th Of May Our flag flies over both
boats now.
At Memphis there was gunboat lying with the rsbo
flag flying We fred upon her and caused them TO burn
her making loss 10 them OF OF eight boats.
We had no time TO STOP being after larger and more
abundant game down the river. The Of the rebel
boat which escaped Is the Bsauregard There IL great
deal In q name.
AZ ten A. NJ the Benton hoistsd flag of truce just
below Memphis. As we pass up the river nothing can
be seen OF the which blew up but her chimneys
Immense quantities Of burning cotton are floating by
Another rebel feet Is said TO be between us and vcks
burg. Our tugs followed tho fleet dqrn, and were
very useful. they collected the rebel flags Of the
deserted boats. The Memphis Daily argus Of last
evening, in an article headed " How to Save Mem.
pills." says II oil persons having coal "a
spare will give II TO the gunboats they can save the
city I wonder what they think now' Commodore
Davis has become great favorite with every BY his
bold and dashIng attack to-day The last twenty Ave
hours have been busy ones and events have occurred
of vast Importance to the country. Commodore r. r.
pinckney Is said TO command the rebel boats below and
Lieutenant j. II. Carter tho Polk. The Livingston Il
Tinckneys vessel. Both officers were formerly In the
United states Navy.
-Four OF the rebel boats-Gencral Bragg Sumter
Little Rebel and another being tewod up 10 our
feet; one, the General Lowell, eau be raised; one
blew up, and one sunk In deep water--makns
ssyen out OF eight instead OF six out OF seven
which the rebels have lost Tho Louisville was the las