The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-05-28
THE BATTLE AT FORT Pillow.
Captain Davis vlesory Over Hollins.
FULL PARTICULARS,
TERRIBLE FIGHTING.

Rebels scaldsd and Their Beats Sank.
TERRIBLE FIGHTING.
Especial dispatch to the Chicago Times si
Monday, 18th inst. gives the fsllouing parsicu.
lars OF Captain Davis victory over Hollias rebel
neei Of gunboats on the Mississippi River, near
Fort Pillow:
on Fort Pillow, May 10,
Via Cairo, Nay II.
Atlast the menstsny ID broken. We have had
hsht and glorious one, too. purely naval
sita nearly an equal number Of boats on each
eide, and have sent the rebels back down the
river, badly crippled. They attacked 10 this
morning at o'clock, and before they we're 20
badly whipped tba, they will sever again attempt
such q job.
Yesterday morning they sent up boat With
flag OF truce, ostensbly to arrange Al exchange
OF two surgeons captured at the battle Of Bel
mont, but, as nov appears. simply 70 ascertain
definitely the position OF oar heet.
A~-'y 'hi. morning usual, hnats
were to~ed down to their position for firing,
one mile from the end Of Crsisghead Point.
The sunboat Cincinnati ran down a . convoy.
RrBEL Ram GKrs scALprp.
Scarcely had the mortars been moored in their
f~sS", "HSu tuc IcOCi ram l<Outei1.A oRRo8tcO
coming around the point, accompanied by four
other gunboats. The ram Immediately opened
IRE on the Cincinnati to which the latter replied
with interest. The rebel boat were all held in
check by the Cincinnati alone, when the rest Of
the Federal neet got under way, and came 70 her
assistance
In the meantime, the rebel ran, finding her
guns Intellectual against the iron armor Of the
Cincinnati, approached her with the evident in
tentlon OF running her down. Capt. Stcmbel, Of
the latter, prepared to meet the assault Of the
ram by opening his steam batteries and putting
them 10 readiness for use. .i.s
Az the rebel ram approached within close rarge
the Cincinnati turned her head about, causing
the ram 10 run along close beside her, when
Capt. Stembel drew his pistol and very coolly
shot tine pilot. killing him instantly; but second
afterwards a musket ball struck the gallant Cap
tain in his left shoulder, infcuDg painful though
not serious wound.
was hfdst f6renseIy exchtrnk.- -7lrs ehs~ro.Na~.a
were armed with carbines, cutlssses and board
ing pixies. ana we're dischargipg volley after vel
ley in quick succession At each other; while the
ram was also sndeavoring to get her head about
A. run into, and if possible, sink her antag-
Onist
Just then the steam batteries Of the Cincinnsti
we're opened with terrible effect, throwing heavy
volumes Of steam aud scoiding water into the
mid,t of fhs rebel crer, plscing al who appeared
on deck hors 9u combat instantly, and causing
the craft to withdraw in all haste.
REBEL IROxCLAD BATTERY SUNK
In the meantime the rebel feet had been rein
forced by three other vessels, and among them
the new iron.clad gupboAt Mallory, lately built
a. Memphis These three ran immediately up
to the Cincinnati and engaged her at once. She
withstosd the assault most nobly, the shot Of the
enemy glancing of from her iron plating without
causing the slightest damage, while her own guns
we're raining shot aud shell with fearful effect
upon the enemy
NAMED at his post and directed every movement
with the GOODNESS and delberation for which he
ia noted.
During this engagement the Mallory approach
ed the Cincinnati, With the design Of accom-
plishiRg that which the rsm had tailed in doing
As she came in close proximity, the Federal
boat st. Louis bore down upon her, and coming
with full head Of steam on, struck her amid
ships, butting her nearly in two, and causing her
70 sink in very few minutes. Numbers Of hes
crew escaped by cliUging TO the st. Louis, and
others we're picked up BY the Cincinnati. but the
larger proportion went down with the boat.
TERRIBLE FIGHTING.
While this work was in progress the Other
boats of our feet had engaged the remainder 0
the rebel fleet. and a most terrible battle va
raging, the like Of which the usually peaceful
waters Of the Mississippi had never before wit
messed.
Report followed upon report like the conunuet
rattle Of musketry. The rebels fought brsvell
and with determination but they we're met b!
greater bravery, skill and metal, and we're beinl
badly wOrsted.
Captain Davis, on the fng ship Benton, direct
| ed every movement of our fleet With the sagaci
tv and style OF veteran in naval warfare. II
| made no mistakes Not q boat wae moved bu
with fearful effect upon the enemy. Did tn
Carondelet put her bows up stream, it was to lc
fly her stern guns; did the Cairo turn abost.
was that broadsde might give its destruction
to the foe.
The Mound City, ST. Louis, Cincinnati, and tn
old wsr-horse Benton, we're each and all diligen
and effective, while the Conestoga, wooden, Ia
off at safe distance and made good use Of he
long range guns.
The cannonading vas fearful, and its reverb'
rations were most grand aud terrible. The noii
vas almost like one continuous report, while %
, broad river WAS covered with . dense volume
| u
fleets and hid them from view.
Ii was At this time that . report loader ar
, more distant than that Of gun attracted gener
attention, and when the smoke lifted a little,
, wa. found that one of the snemy's boats vi
7 blown 70 atoms.
DEADLY EvrEcr or ouR YIaE.
>. 1 have no means Of knowing the loss Of life I
this terrible casualty, bu, t mast have been ve
o great few lucky fellows we're seen foatis
& abeut on fragments Of the wreck, and we're pic
}. ed up by the rebel boats, but the majority Of q
o rebel crew perished miserably.
t Scarcely had the excitement caused BY Il
q fearful and unlocked for event passed ava
t when second report startled oil ears, and %
e ,her rebel boat with its crew had disappearc
T. Both vessels we're blown up BY the explosion
Z shells from our guns in their magazines.
All this time our boats continued to pour th'
deadly rounds into the enemy. Gripping sseh
v their craft as we're not wholly destroyed, and q
e ryipg death to hundreds Of their crews. VIII
e themselves unburs, they proudly de6sd the h
=. West missiles of the rebel guns, their iavuine
2 bIe srmor, sloping sides, repelling both shes .
II shell with perfect success, no enemy could sta
i against such extrem and destructive hre
re our boats continued to give, while their o
guns we're impotest for mischief, much less
their crippled condition, With three of their eli
IN boats Destroyed, could the rebels maintain sh
lie ground.
IN shelter Of their batteries.
e The casualties on our side we're scarcely no
uentioping. Capt. Stembel vas slightly vos
ed in his left shoulder, and TIVE seaoea we're