Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-06-26
Battle on White River.

CHICAGO, j une IL / he lOliOWlnS lur-
ther accounts of the fight with the rebel
batteries on the White River, are just re.
ceived:
MEMPHIS. June 19.-The gunboat Cones
tQga, has arrived, bringing dispatches con-
tanning the particulars Of the engagement
with the rebel forDlications below ST
Charles, and So miles from White River
cut off,
On the 18th the gunboats 81. Loms,
CoRcStQgd, Mound Ctty, Lexington, and the
Transport New National, having on board
the 10th Indiana, Col. Fitch, (Which left
here week ago to open communication
with Gen. Curtis army, aud remove OBJ
structions from white River, ascending
that stream, the gunboat Wound City,
Capt Kelley commanding, being about
mile and half in advance. In bend
of the river, near St. Charles, two con-
cealed batteries opened on the WouRa
Tay. Her decks were Immediately cleared
for action, and as soon as the range of the
works was obtained the guns opened fire.
Capt. Kelley signaled Col. Fitch to
land his force mile below the fort, which
was successfully accomplished, the gun.
boats 81. Louis and Lecington sheIling the
woods under cover, while Col. Fitch
gained the rear Of the rebel position.-
At this ,juncture plunging shot from
siege guns mounted on the bluffs, struck
the forw ard and port side of the Noand
city easements, penetrating it and pass
ing throug the steam drum, and filling
the vessel with escaping vapor, scalding
nearly every one on board only % out
Of the officers and crew, out of one hun
dred and soventy-fve escaped uniniured,
The scene which ensued was horrible
Many of the crew, frantic from injuries,
Jumped over boald, and some were
drowned. The boats from the Conesto-
ga, which were coming up at the time to
support the Mound City, went to their re-
lief, but the rebels fired on the men in the
water with grape and canister from field
pieces, numbering most of those attempt
ing to escape
Apprizcd of the position of affairs at
the river, Col. Fitch drew up his regi-
mcnt and pushed forward and carried the
Fort by storm. At Point Bayoult the
rebel works consisted of two batteries, the
lower one mounting six field pieces and
the upper one three heavy siege guns
manned by from four to six hundred men
under command of Col. Fry, late of the
u. S. Navy. About two hundred rebels
are said to have escaped. Over on, hun =
dred and fifty are reported killed and
wounded, and thirty prisoners. Among
them is Col. Fry, who was wounded in
the shoulder and brought up on the Con-
estoga. Captain Kelley was sevelly seal.
ded on the face and hands but will recov-
cr. Second Master Heath, Third Mas
ter Kinzic, Fourth Master Scoville, Eas
ter's, Mate II. r. Browne, Paymaster
Gum, Chief Engineer John Coke, AS,
sistaut Engineers John McAfeed and
lIolingsworth, were killed. Pilot ChaS.
Young was severely scalded, reported
since dead. Scrgeons Jones, Carpenter,
Monning slightly,
From eighty to one hundred Of our
sailors are already buried, and over twcn-
ty missing.
Col. Fitch reports four men wounded
and none killed but for the unfortunate
accident to the MoaRd City.
The rebels have obstructed the chan
mel above by sinking two large steam
boats AMI a gunboat, believed to be the
4Voypole