New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-25
WARMTH OF THE ACTION

time.
WARMTH OF THE ACTION.
For twenty-five minutes the engagement was
warm, though it was evident the foe had few guns,
probably not more than two or three, though these
were fired with great rapidity, and seemed better
manned than those Of the other ratification had
been.
Round shot and shells fell just above and just be-
hind our gnbcats, and often shrieked only few
feet above their decks, but none of them struck the
vessel. Our shot and shell seemed well directed, and
appeared to fall frequently within the enemys
works, with what execution no one could determine
IXTERPOSITION OF COL. FITCH.
The cannonadng was going on brskly, when
Capt. Kitty learned through signal previously ar
ranged between the naval and land oficers) from
Col Fitch, who had landed his infantry below, that
the gallant Indianans about to march to the
rear of the upper battery and attack the Rebels IN
their intIenchments.
The Mound City and st. Louis therefore, ceased
their ire after few more shots, fearing that they
might XII the brave soldiers who were pushing Oh
stoatlv toward the fertilization, while Col Fitch en-
couraged them 10 be quick, iheir surprise must be
sudden and immediate.
HORRIBLE ACCIDENT TO THE MOUND CITY.
AT this luncture when everything was in
pense, and while the gumboats were waiting
anxiousy for the result Of Col. Fitchs enterprise,
the dreadful accident 10 which l have alluded oc
CURED.
TIE Mound City was lying with her stern little
to the southern shore of the river designing to turn
in the stream, when a round shot, which proved to
be fouy-two winged shot, so called from the iron
hanges at s side struck her in Der port side, in the
upper part of her casemaes between the first and
second guns. The shot, which from Its elevation
was pluuging shot, passed through the iron-ined
casemate, struck and exploded the steam-drum, and
lodged in the stewards pantry.
The stesm-drum exploded What scene Of
horror
Many eau imagine, but cannot describe, the ter
rors and tor,ures Of that dreadful hour.
Steam is The most fell and fearful Of foes. No one
who has seen It's ravages but shoulders at their reco-
lecons and prays for less cruel death than il com
pels.
TIL HORRORS or STEAM.
In a moment the burning steam was pouring ont
in immense volumes, shrieking like IN insl;a'le
demon claiming is own. Through every inch Of
space crep the yaporous devil, aad transformed the
heathfu vigorous man MO an appalling corpse or a
more appalling sufferer.
Imagine one Of the gunboats, large, square,
closely-coniued box with no apertuIes but the
uoits filed with burning steam, having no means of
escape save through those ports and two or three
.l.,-ligiis with one hundrei aud sevenyfve human
creatures crowded together ia the gun-rooms, AMI
YOU NAV have some faint idea Of the terrible ami
desperate situation Of those brave and loyal men.
God. what an awful Tar;arus what a shudieriug
spectacle
The brain and the heart ache al tie mental con-
temptation OF those gallant officers ami that gallant
crew. exposed to the most horrible Of deaihs, with
no opportunity 10 escape their most dreadful fate.
When the steam rushed out 20 madly in immense
volumes no one could have mistaken the fearful
import Of that sbreking sognd o. all modes Of
death that Wa the one they had most prayed to be
spared.
No one conscious OF the power and ierocity Of
steam who does not dread it a foe. IL is tieac.
erous and remorseles as an ayenging feni.
But even the steam was merciiul 20 some, through
the involuntary justice Of its law.
Forty OF fny u the men on board the Mound City
inhaled the fierce yapor, and il was draughi OF
peace.
No dread no lingering no torture there. Through
the .aa. yapor passed spirits suDtler than the steam
ami brave and true and loyal unto death
As Tor the hundred others. alas! alas What
crimes had they committed that in the face Of vic
tory. IN noble and an honest cause they should
.aiier a. Proms,Leus and I2.on suffered in the az
Gent hell
TERRIBLE SUMS ~ THE GUNBOAT.
One low but deep anj awful wall OF horror ran
through tie fatei vessel the steam filled her every
where. Il va the involuntary expression Of min
gled dread ami gedgnaton that strong natures yield
70 q destiny tLey cannot control, and whose justice
no philosophy explain.
There we're fittings Of the hands; there were
writing. Of the limbs there were gestures Of Tor
ture: there were shI.eks OF agony; there were
pcttiouings to Heaven. there were the uterngs oi
exquisite despair.
How sudden and how awful few second,
change
All hopeful, all ssrnest, all excited then. All SUI
ferinc, dead OF dying now.
The zun-5eck was covered with miserable. perish
ing wretoLes. Some Of the officers who were IN the
cabins rushed out frantic with pam to fall in wri,h-
ing tortures beside some poor though fortunate iel-
low who haj just breathei bis last
The close aod burning atmosphere Of the vessel
was rent with cries, and pEayero, ami groans and
cirse,-a Paudemonium Of torture aud despair.
They suffered writhej, and twisted like coil Of
serpeuts over burning hygots. but many who were
less injured than o,hes, felt even IN that hour the
instinct Of selrpreseryation and, running to the
ports, leaped out into the river The water, for