Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-06-12
Brilliant Naval Engagement.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR.

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR.
UNITED SLATER STEAMER BENTON, of
Memphis. June 6. To the Hon ileon Wells,
Secretary of the Navy-Sr: | arrived here
last evening. at nine o'clock, accompanied by
the mortar fleet, under Captain Maynadier, the
ordnance steamers, storeships, &c, and anchor
ed mile and half above the city. This
morning discovered the rebel feet which had
been reinforced and now consisted of eight rams
and gunboats, laying at the levee. The engage
ment which commenced at 80 n. M, and en-
ded at I, terminated in running fight was
ably supported by the ram fleet under COM
mand of Col. Elicit, who was conspicuous for
his gallaptry and is severely hurt, but not dan
gerously wounded. The result of the action
was the capture or destruction of seven vessels
of the rebel feet as ioows The General
Beauregard, blown up and burned the Cen
eral Sterling Price, one wheel carried away
the JEFF Thompson, set on fire by shell and
burned and the magazine blown up; the Stump
ter, badly cut up by shot, but will be repaired;
the Little Rebel, boiler exploded by shot and
otherwise injured, but will be repaired; besides
this, one of the rebel boats was sunk in the
beginning of the action; her name is not
known. A boat supposed to he the Van Dorm,
escaped from the notilla by her superior speed.
Two rams are in pursuit. The officers and crews
of the rebel boats ondeavored to take the shore.
Many Of their wounded and prisoners are now
in our hands. The mayor surrendered the city
to me after the engagement. Col Fitch came
down Mt eleven O'Clock, and has taken military
possession. c. H. DAVIS,
Flag officer commanding, pro ten.
ANOTHER REPoRT-AcrIoN OF THE RAMS.
The following message in relation to the ac-
ton of the rams in the naval engagement off
Memphis was received at the war department
Sunday evening"
OPPOSITE MEMPHIS, June 9Th via Cairo the
Sth.--To Hon. L. NJ. Stanton secretary of war
The rebel gunboats made stand early this
morning, opposite Memphis, and opened a Wig
orous FIRE upon our gunboats, which returned
it with equal spirit. | ordered the Queen, my
flag ship, to pass between the gunboats and
run down ahead of them, upon the two rams OF
the enemy, which Just boldly stood their ground.
Colonel Elicit in the Monarch of which Capt.
Dryden is first MASTER followed gallantly. The
rebel rams endeavOrcd to back down stream
and then to turn and run, but the movement
was fatal to them. The Queen struck one Of
them fairly, and for few minutes was fast to
the wreck after separating the rebel steamer
sunk. My steamer, the Queen, was then her
self struck by another rebel steamer, and dis
abled, hut though damaged can be saved. A
pistol shot in the leg deprived me of the power
10 witness the remainder Of the fight. Tit
Monarch also passed ahead of our gunboat
and went most gallantly into action. She frs
struck the rebel boat that struck my flag ship
and sunk the rebel. She was then struck b,
one of the rebel rams but not injured. Sh
then pushed or and struck the Beauregard anc
| burst in her side. Simultaneously the Beaure
gard was struck in the boiler by shot from
one of our gunboats. The Monarch ther
pushed at the gunboat Little Rebel the rebe
flagship, and having got little Roadway. pusheC
her before her, the rebel commodore and crew
escaping. The Monarch then finding the Beau
regard sinking, took her in tow until she sanl
in shoal water. Then in compliance with thu
request Of Colonel Davis. Lieut. Col. Elicit dis
patched the Monarch and the Switzerland il
pursuit of the one remaining gunboat, anc
some transports which had escaped the gun
boas, and two Of my rams, have gone below
cannot give too much praise to the conduct o
the pilots and engineers, and military guard o
the Monarch and Queen, the brave conduct O
Capt Dryden, or the heroic conduct of Lieut.
Col. Elicit. will name all praises in a speco
report. | am myself the only person in IN
fleet who was disabled.
CHARLES ELLETT, JR.,
Colonel Commanding the Ram fleet