Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-08-21
LATEST NEWS
By TELEGRAPH.
the WAR NEWS.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE NA-
VAL ENGAGEMENT NEAR
BATON ROUGE.
HOW the RAM ARKANSAS
WAS DESTROYED.
Gallant Ceadact Of Cen. Porter.
APPOINTMENTS BIZ THE PRESIDENT
How and Why Donaldsonville
was Destroyed.
NEMOVAL OF GENERAL BUTLER
ANTICIPATED.
Ten. Burns!de's Future Prospects.
The R;BElS MARCHING ON
FORT DONALDSON,
EeNrfSSI Railroad .4CcilcMt
OmiclaI report of the Naval Engage
Ment at Baton Rouge.
~, =, WAsHINGroH, Aug. 10.
The Navy Department is in receipt Cf dos patch
A
The R;BElS MARCHING ON
FORT DONALDSON.
EeNrftII Railroad .4ccidelaf
Omiclal report of the Naval Engage
ment al Baton Rouge.

-, =, WAsHINGroS, Aug. 10.
ne navy Department is in receipt Cf despatch.
es from Admiral Faragut, and among them is the
following,
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD,
BATON RoUGs, Aug.7.
SIR:-ltis one Of the happiest mements Of my
lte thai am enabled to inform the Departm ent
OF the destruction OF the Ram Arkansas, not be-
cause held this iron clad boat in such terror but
because the hecommunity did. On the 4th inst. sent
the Tennessee up to Baton Rouge with provisions
tor CON- Porter, and the gun boats stationed at
that place. On the night of the 5th, sho returned
with Information that the enemy had made an
attack upon Baton Rouge, by the ram and two gun
boats, the ebb and Music calling fer assistal c.
AT daylight the Hartford was under way for
his place with orders for the others to follow as
fast as ready. arrived to day at IL NJ in com
pany with tho Brooklyn, Westfcd Clinton, j ack-
and Sciota. had sent the Cayuga up agrecaby
to the request of Gen. Butler, in consequence of
the guerrlllas firing into some Of his transports,
On my arrival | was informed by Com
mander w. d. Porter that yesterday morn
ing at two o'clock tho enemy's forces under
Gen. Rreckinridse, attacked Gen. Will ans
Having ample warning, all was prepared for him.
The fight was continued with great energy, on
both sides till 10, .. m. by which time tho cnemy
had been driven two OF three miles. But unfor-
nstely be had infor ued Lieut.. Commanding Ran
som the evening before Of his plans and request
ed him not to 6rs gun until he notified him, and
whom no did so our gun boats opened with fine
effect, thro wing their shell directly in the midst
of the enemy, producing great dismay and confu-
sion. Among them Lieut.. Ransom had an officer
on the State House, winch overlooked the adjacent
country, and could direct the fire of our >hells.-
As soon as the enemy was repulsed, Comma nder
Porter with the gun boats went up the stream
after the ram Arkansas which was lying about
4 miles above. apparently afraid to take . share
in the conflict.
According to tho preconcerted plan, IS he came
within gun shot he opened on her and probably
soon disabled her machinery or steering appara
tu., for she became unmanagabIe, continuing how
ever, to fire her guns At the Essex.
Commodore Porter says he took advantage Of
her presen ing weak point towards him, snd
loaded With incendiary SHE'LL After his FIRST dis
charge of this projecti!e, gush Of Ere came out
of her side. and from that moment it was discov-
cred that she was on FIRE, which he continued his
exertions to prevent being extngushed. They
backed hex a.hOie ani nale iine fast to the
shore which soon burnt and she swung eff into
the river, where she renamed until she blew ~
With q tremendous explosion. 1hus ending the
career Of the last Iron clad on the Mississippi.
There we're many persohs on tho bank Of the
river witnessing the fight, in which they antici-
pated . triumph.
TO support the army, and sill return tomorrow
Island. with q light heart that have left no
bup bear to tormert the communities of the Mis-
.ississip ppi in my absence.
Very respectfully.
d. &. FARRAGUT,
Flag Ship. Commanding.
To Hon. Gideon WeHs, Sec'y Of Navy:
Commander W. b. Porter's despatch to Admiral
Farragut, is thus given:
S1R-Thi, morniug at s o'clock steamed up
I Oft ckndt tho ArIo
sas and blew her up There is not fragment Of
her loft. Lieuts. Ransom and Rea, also Cem'd.
Porter each sent circumstantial account Of the
affair. 1t. Rea says the enemy are still hoveripg
in the rear Of Baton Rouge, and that information
is received that they number 5000 men and that
OO0 more are approaching IRON Mancnaster and
Others from Vicksburg. l keep in constant com
munication with the commander Of the troops
here. and ready to open Ere when and whore he
may desire. COm'd Porter says toe Arkansas had
crew of 1870 men and mounted 10 guns, six
inch, and four 50 Founders rifle, and the gun
boat Es.sx, commanded BY him, moun:ed guns
and had only ~ men On ao inc time .. ou,
ef the Arkansas is submitted to the Secretary oi
Navy by AdmI Farragut:
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD,
NEw ORLEANS, Aug. 10.
Sr.-Since forwarding the reports Of Lieuts
F. ..irfax. Ransom and Rea We have picked up
number Of prisoners from the ram Arkansas. al
Of whom l have csteehised very closely. The,
agree very we'll respecting her exit from tn,
Y.soo snd her massage Of the feet, and they ais,
agree ~ as to the number Of killed and wounded Q,
esch Of these occasions, making in all Is killet
and a large number OF wounded. Al vicksburs
the deck win ,he, IRON 1ea and dd fortified
mana of Lieut.. II. K. Stevens. Lieut. Brown be
iuc % sick at Vicksburg, with the intention of max
ine q Combined attack with Gen Breckenridge O.
Baton Rouge, but her port engine breaking aox
repaired in the course q III sns day and tn
they e saw hsr coming up the starboard engine CAV
way and they ran her ashore perfectly nnmanag
sbis. They '.y that when cur gunboat. yer
seen coming up and the Essex commenced frin
| to ran ashore. They also state that tho gunboat
Wee1 end Music wsrs sent for to tow her up e.
rives. bat they did net arrive and neither q tAsz
| had been seen.