The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-18
OUR GUNB0AT EXPLOITS.
The Late Triumph On the
Mississippi.
..o~~>~~~~~>~>~~~~~~~~~
Another Test OF FORMULATED
Vessels.
Invllnerable Ironsides Of the
Union Navy.
Tremendous Contest Between Union
and Rebel Ships.
Dreadful Explosion Of Two Iron Gum
boats, Sinking of Another, and
Injury to All the Rest.
COMPLETE VICTORY FOR THE UNION NAVY.
..~--o~y~~~y,~c-o~>o->>
Captain Davis Official Report Of
the Action,
&C., DC, 90.
COMPLETE VICTORY FOR THE UNION NAVY
Captain Davis Official Report Of
the Action,
10. &c. dc,
Our Mississippi River Correspondence

Ne,o Con, crder-The Action Begvls--The Contest Be
tceen TIE Iron Ships Csnetrndi and Lo,'isidna--Gal
Lanry Of Ccp'ain Sembel-Appearance and Sinking of
the Mulbry-The Courage and DESPERATION Of the Rebe
Figstfsl Explosion of Tro Rebel Gtnbodts-The Close Of
the Sirusgle-The Union Cause Victorious, dc, dc.
At last we have experienced change IN the O
events which have toiled onward monoonously.tor
four weeks past We have had battle, and, like all the
battles against this rebellion the right side il vctori-
GUS. The rebels, choosing their own time and place,
have attacked in force, and been driven
back badly cut up. They out with Eve
Or their boasted gnnboats and three rams, and
driven back with three less boats and their whole
Heet completely rddled and shattered. Their loss has
been great-how great have Of knowing; but
It Is plain that their killed only be numbered by
hundreds. L has been most glorious victory for the
Union cause, and achieved without the loss of a
single man and with but four casualties in ALL and these
out slight. Our boats out Of the action in good
irm aud all of them fully capable Of again encounering
the enemy without the delay OF day for repairs At
shis writing have not had opportunity of Passing
through the feet and gathering all the incidents and
particulars would wish for, but will hasten to give you
aOarrative Of the affair as fully as maybe.
rREIINrNARIEs.
On Thursday morning four rebel gunboats
around the point apparently for the purpose Of cutting
ont of our boats, which they had
believe moored against the Arkansas bank about
mile from the point the position usually taken by them
when firing; but in anticipation OF such vement
Commodore Foote had saued orders that these boats be
withdrawn every evening from their exposed positions
and Raoored higher up the stream. When the rebels
after them they had not yet been placed In posi-
fion; but they not greatly disappointed after
all, as the sequel shows, inasmuch they secured
nne view Of Our fleet before they were driven back.
Yesterday they came up with a single boat, bearing
dag Of truce cstensiby to exchange Union surgeons
captured at Belmont IN reality, as it now appears,
they desired perfect information Of position
than they possessed and rssorted TO this expedent
obtain it. The exnedient a good one, furnishing
them clear daylight Of all our vessels and their
positions and enabling them TO prepare for future ops
rations.
Thus, and with such information as they might have
previously obtained, they pretty well posted
the position occupied by vessels, and their number
and the strength Ct their ornaments.
On our part wero BY no means unprerared, gene.
rally, to meet them. Some days ago Commodore Footc
received inform alton OF nature to cause him 10 antici
pate attack from the enemy. Acting upon this incr
nation, he moved his transport and supply beats
further up stream and caused the boats 10 BIO
removed every night 10 more positions The gun
boats also turned about and headed down streams
DO readiness for any emergency The stricest
tiny kept on every movement OF the enemy.
On Friday morning Captain c. y. Davis, the newly ap
pointed Fleet Captain arrived and Immediately entered
upon the discharge Of the duties Of Flag Officer Comno-
dore Foote surreDderine the command TO him while he
(Foote) should improve sick leave by going home
recruit his shattered heath. Tho Commodore here lot
me say st suffers severely from the bruse be received
IN his foot at Doneson, and is only able TO hobble
about cruiehos yet. His health gradually fall
Ing him under the confinement incident to this lamcness
and relief from his great responsibilities and change
81 climate became rnperatively necessary TWAS wtha
Wow Of aErdng HIM this relief that Capan Davis, an Old
and experienced naval officer appointed as Fleet Cap
tan, hus aSng rank next 10 the Flag officer Though bv
means superseding him. The Commodore lie I inmcd
soly upon Captain Davis arrival that the lattor
thrown Immediately into a position as commanding
psr. When the rebel attack made he had scarcely
had time to make the acquaintance Of the sGbordnaes
~ his command to inform himself of Tie nature and
strength Of the vessels composing his fleet He how
did not disturb the gemcns already made b.
she Flag Officer and was therefore, in readiness so far
~ the disposition or the feet concerned to meet
tic attack when IL was made
The morning OF tne csf of the seag0n though
as Ia very common IN this region, before sunrise dull
haze spread over the water, making II difficult 70
at any great distance away. Just AZ daylight
the mortar boats towsa down to their 20
sitions ready for their days work This morning the
y,mboat Cincinnati seat down with them pre-
cantionary measure. The after dropped anchor Just
abreast OF the mortars and but short distance out in
tho stream Scarcely had she swung around and become
settled IN her position when the lookout the signal
'Steamer astcrn ~ Sure enough by peerng through
the msts, low, dark object discovered, bearing
strong resemblance to steam craft or kind. II
subsequently ascerained TO be the rebel ram Louis.
ana All haads beat 10 quarters and the gunbost
cleared for action immediately Tho prcmptness OF
che Spouse Of the in putting the boat in fighting
shape was most remarkable. The anchor up almost
simultaneously With the issue Of the order, the decks
were cleared Of all rubbish and everything In the
shape OF obstruction, and every man was standing
at his gun By thus time the rebel craft had approached
aesr enough 70 be readily recognized, rnd Just tho
early dlspeing tie haze tie Cincinnati swung
around and welcomed the visitor with fun broadsiGc
40 the sound Of the report and its tremendous reyerie-
ratcns along the shore aud reached the ears ~ those
annug the other boats OF our feet hera one rcre-
hn feet and prepared for duty. with the report came
aec reinoscements 70 the rebs boat. Three number
tbey came quickly around the point, and prepared "
grappls with the spunky Yankee The louisiana ram
rarredtwo heavy ried pieces both Of witch, together
With the guns II ber consort were caring upon
lhe Cincinnati and throwing Ia shot after 81 lot IN rapid
succession. But against them all the Cincir-
aati boldly held her position, her s'oping iron
sides repeilina their heaviest missiles as fhosch
they were but paper balls. This uneoual
contest lasted for full twenty minutes during all Of
which tjme ths rebel runboa,s were kept 70 check by inc
Cincinnati alone. Tho ram, however Up to the
Union boat, and manifested a disposition 70 run her
down.
feet came the roscus--tho Benton GagripN, Calop.
daict, Pitsburg CAIRO and st. fous-and relic, ed tie
date attention tho rebel ganboats IN nabtg her
10 close In with the ram alone.
ENCOUNTER ~ rIK CINCINNATI vim TIE RAs.
inc Louisiana came along ip, Under iull steam, NJ v
nearly uron tho Cincinnati when abe attor p her beaS
t3qtt aud avoided TIE wen intended blow. Her
deck, armed with outasses, boarding. ikos and
s1rbNcs fully prepared far close baud 81 hand
ter 1ae ram, foiled IN her nrst attempt, Withdrew
hor distance, and nsain turned upon tn Union boat
This rune che got he- sharp bow uli IN upon Ito
savy JCpu sides ~ The CluclnDatlt bit her
headaay Wa not sufficient t. 5ny very serious
dafs44e. HNofe Hho could get away however,
rrAt stembci carln sneing Tho Cincinnati rushed mon
the hurricane deck ah, Selling p@ln, hot the ,ebul
pot, king him istaniiv. lhs ioocl c.eu rel 4 ec1
ahen i m skel blll cutereL he gallant Ctaa rel3
beglder high ~ nea.y to lie neck, and passed onto