Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1862-07-05
Col. commanding ash Indiana NJ

Col. commanding Ash Indiana Vols,
The following dispatch was received at the
Navy department: t a-.
Q. s. Flag Steamer BsntoR, Aemphis, Juns
10, rip Cairo JuIe 2l.-To Hon. Gideon
Welles, Secretary of the Navy The gunboat
Corestoga, returning from White River, reports
the capture Of two batteries, mounting seven
gunr, at ST. Charles, eighty miles IRON the
mouth. .----==z -.-iI IS.
The attack was commenced by Captain
Charles Katie in The gunboats, who silenccd
the first battery. The second battery was
gallsPtly carried by Col. Fitch. at the head Of
the 46ih Indiana Volunteers, A shot caused
the explosion Of the s.etndraw Of the Mound
| City, by which a part Of her officers and crew
were killed and wonHucd. write br to DAYS
mail. CuAs. Fl. Btvfs, Flag Officer.
| NsmphiS JuSe lg.-Tsc Conestoga has ar
rlycd with Dispatches containing the particulars
! VI the engagement at the rebel Notifications
below ST. Charles, SIS mics from White river.
On the l7lh, the gunboats ST. Louis, Mound
City, Lexington, aud ConcstoeN, and transport
New National, having on board the 4B:h Indi.
ana regiment Col Fitch. which lelt here n
week ago to open communication with Gen.
! Curtis army, aud remove the distractions
from White flvCr, Fscendpd that stream.
/ The gunboat Mound City, Captain Keltz,
commanding, was about mile and half in
the advance. Ia bend Of the river, near ST.
Charles, two concealed batteries opened on the
Mound City. Her dteks-wp Immediately
cleared for action, and as soon rs thu range of
tho works were obtained, the guns opened
lire.
/ !, Capt Kelt7 signalpd Col Fitch to land his
Iorce below the fort, which was successfully
accomplished The Lexington and St. Louis
Shecd the woods under cover Of which Col
Fitch gained tho rear Of the rebel isition.
At this jHnCturc lall from o sieg. gin on
the bluff struck the forward and pert side Of
the Mound City, penetrating the easements
aud passing thrvl "a tie steam draw. THO
vessel was hlled win the escayins vapor, and
nearly every one On boerd was sesided Only
twcnly.ihree Of the officers and crew, out OF
! l75, escaped from Injuries Many Of the crew,
frantic with pam, Jumped overheard, and some
NJ them were drowned. Boats ir,R the Con,
J tpga, which was coming mp at the time TO SUP
? port Of the Mound City, were sent to their
lief, but the rebels fired on the men IN th,
water with grape and canister from their feld
i pieces, numbering most OF those vhn were NJ
tempting to escape, Being apl rised OF th,
j mcnt pushed forward and carried the fort bJ
=, slorih al the point Of the bayonrL
The rchrl works consisted NJ tr ba teries
e the lower cne mounting six fed pieces, IN,
B.. the upper one thre, h'avy sicgc guns uannc,
by from 400 TO loJ men. urd,r Col Frye, lat
Of the United States ua-y, About 200 rebel
d are said 10 lave ESCAPED, over 40 are rcporto
: Killed and wounded, and 30 taken PRISONERS
y hnorg the prisoners is Col. Frye, who wa
wounded in the shoulder H. has beyn brough
To Memphis by tho Conss'oga
, Coluhri ftch rrPUrN that hnt few of III
Is mcn were wounded, md none killed aud bu
tr the unfortunate sceidert m the Monnd Cit,
, fic rebel Wo'ks would have been nnrrird vii
n out Ines on OF side. She can easily ls rrpsire'
n The flag Oliccr has sent 10 Cairo for anolh,
crew. Tho isbyI, have ohslturttd thr rhAan
81 aboye by striking two large steamboats,, md
II gun oaI believed To be the MayPoIr.