Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-06-26
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.


THE EXPEDITION UP WHITE RIVER.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF FLAG oYYIcER DAVIS.
U.s FLAG STEAMER BsNToS,)
Memphis, June 10, 1852.
Sir: The Conestoga, Lieut. Commanding g.
w. BlOdgett, arrived here to-day from White
river.
She brings information Of the capture Of two
batteries at st. Charles, eighty miles from the
mouth; tie first Of which mounted four Parrot
guns, and the second three 42pounder rihed guns.
Three guns, 1t Is understood, were taken from
the gunboat Mariposa, which, after being dis
mantled, was sunk.
There 10 now but one gunboat remaining In
White river-the Ponchartrain-mounting three
or five guns, and having her machinery protected
by iron and cotton.
The enemy has att smpted to block up the river
by driving piles and by sinking boats, but no
serious distractions have vet been discovered.
The Cone ,toga will return to White river to-
night, with reinforcements, accompanied by an
additional transport laden with commissary
| stores.
The victory at st. Charles, which has probably
given as the command Of White river and
secured our communication with Gen. Curtis,
would be unalloyed with regret but for the fatal
accident to the steam drum and heater Of the
Mound City, mentioned In my telegraphic di; {.
patch.
OF the crew, consisting of us officers and mer
81 have already died, 80 were killed In the water
OF drowned, IS are severely wounded, and are
| now on board the hospital boat Among tie
| latter 10 Capt. Kitty. They promise to do well.
Three officers and twenty-five men escaped un-
| injured.
Ai.sr the explosion took place the wounded
men were shot by the enemy while In the WI 2.
| and the boats Of the Conestoga, Lexington, End
st. Louis, which went to the assistance Of the
| scalded and drowning men Of the Mound City,
were fred into both with great guns and muskets,
| and were disabled-one Of them forced on shore
| to prevent sinking.
The forts were commanded by Lieut.. Joseph
Fry, late Of the United States Navy, who In now
| a prisoner and wounded.
rhe Department ana the country will contrast
these barbarities Of savage enemy with the hu-
| the wounded and disabled under similar circum-
| sances, In the engagement Of the 9th inst
Several poor fellows who expired shortly after
| the engagement, expressed their willing ness to
| die when they were told that the victory was
| ours.
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully, your
0' Flag ofcer commanding western n n1 EIs,,la
| Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary Of the Navy.
FIGHT AT GRAND GULF, ON THE MIssIs.
SlPPI RIVER.
THE ENBMY's BATTERY sILKNcRp.
| Flag Officer Farragut communicates to the
Navy Department the report Of an encounter be.
| tween our gunboats on the Mississippi and the
rebel artillery in the vicinity Of Grand Gulf, be.
| tween hatcher and Vick,burg A boat, sent
down to bring up coal vessels from near that
| point, discovered earthworks in the process Of
| erection. The Wissahickon and Itasca were sent
down to attick them. They found q battery Of
riied guns actually there erected and force of
some 500 artillerists ready to receive them A
vigorous fight ensued. The ltasca was struck 25
| timss, and the Wissahickon IL times Thew,
however, lost but one man killed and six wound
ed fhe fCrt being TOO serious an obstacle to have
in the rear Of the beats, Commander Palmer,
serving at that point decided to bring the rest Of
the squadron down and break up the business be.
fore IL became too formidable. On the afternoon
Of tie 18th inst he dropped down abreast with
the squadron and shelled the town for an hour
but they deserted their batteries, and, with the
exception Of a few rifle shots, manifested no re-
sistance. Com. p. says that the heights are filed
with rifemen, and II they give him any more an
noyance he shall burn the town.
THE SEIZURE YESTERDAY.
We have received the following in relation to
the seizure yesterday by the Provost Marshal Of
goods marked Eighth New York Volunteers,n
Blenker's Division, found stored In q room In
the rear Of the Gymnasium Restaurant:
The sth New York volunteer regiment, as all
other regiments Of Blenkcr's Division left the
camps at Hunter Chapel with three days rations;
leaving Misunderstanding to special orders-ali
officers trunks and property Of the men.
These Trunks, az well al the private and public
property Of the men, not being sufficiently Sc
cured In the tents, have been stored In this city
| the officers trunks in the house Of Mr.. William,
Pennsylvania avenue, the clothing and other
property Of the men In a storehouIs rented Tor
that purpose.
Now this property Is what the Provost Marshal
seized, and what by error or malice was stated to
| De property absconded or stolen from Govern
/ ment. l.. BLKNKER, Brig. General.
IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTH.
AFFAIRS AT MOBILE-BRAURRGARD's ARMY AR
l IRVING THERE-GKsAT PREPARATIONS MADE
| TO DEFEND THE PLACE.
deserter from Mobile reports coffee at 80 Der
pound, sugar three pounds for 81, bread sI2 Der
barrel lard 81 per pound, and that the rebels are
badly fed and clothed.
He also reports that troops are arriving at Mo-
bile from Corinth. The passage between Fort
Morgan and Sand Island Is blocked up with spiles
and sunken vessels. The guns were being re.
moved from Fort Gaines to Cedar Point A trench
supposed to be that last ditch !-Sta,) ha, been
dug around the city Of Mobile about thirty feet
L H'S'y ohc tACiC1 JUN IlCQ ana door, are
obliged to assist six hours each day. Batteries
are being erected upon its banks.
NOT SO.
The visit Of President Lincoln to West Point,
end his Interview with General Scott has natu.
rally set the guild nuncs at work to penetrate the
cause Of his Grand. Among the thousand rumor.
aaoat, one to the effect that change Of the Cabl-
net at Washington was TO be made. has been
deemed of sufficient importance to be telegraphed
wide cast from New York.
We have Satisfied ourselves that there Is no
truth in this story, or the kindred one that Gen
Scott has been recalled as Commander. In Chief
| DEPARTURE OF THE PAUL JONES.
The new gunboat, Paul Jones, Capt. Steedman,
having taken on board her armament and com.
plement OF seamen, left the Navy Yard about 4
O'Clock yesterday afternoon for the division of