The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-06-14

first beat through from Memphis, arrived
this morning.
Our forces have possession of Memphis
Our f1otilla left Fort Pillow at CLOCK,
Thursday afternoon, consisting of the gun
boats Benton flag ship-Cairo, Caronds-
let, st. Louis, Louisville, and the rams
Monarch, Switzerland, Lancaster, Queen of
the West, Fulton, Mingo, Sampson and
/ Hornet. Finding no Instructions at Fort
Randolph, the fotlla passed, and at g
O'Clock Thursday evening, the gunboats
anchored two miles above Memphis, the
rams remaining short distance above.
A reconnaissance discovered the enemv's
feet lying near Memphis. consisting of the
! following vessels The Gen. Van Dom
flag ship-Gen. Price, Gen. Bragg, Gen.
Lowell, Jeff. Thompson, Gen. Beauregard,
Sumter and Little Rebel, all rams, under
command of Capt. Ed. Montgomery.
During the night, the rebels moved down
i the river, and at early dawn were out of
sight, but in about half an hour were OBJ
served coming up, formed in line of battle
Our gunboats had in the mean time weigh
ed anchor, and followed by several rams,
moved slowly towards the rebel feet, when
a shot from the Little Rebels long range
rifle gun fell within short distance of the
gunboat Cairo, which was in advance The
Cairo replied with broadside, and soon
the engagement became general at long
range. The rams had in the meantime ad-
vanced, and the rebel boat Beauregard, being
some distance ahead, was sought out by the
Monarch, and the Queen of the West, each
striving to be the first to strike the rebel
craft. The Monarch succeeded in striking
the Beauregard amidship, almost cutting
her in two, causing her to fill and sink i'm
mediately in the channel of the river oppo.
site the city.
At this juncture the ram, Little Rebel,
made dash for the Monarch, which was
By this time in the midst of the rebel fleet,
but by skillful movement of the pilot of
the latter, she dropped out of the way, and
the blow intended for Der struck the rebel
boat Gen. Price, taking her wheel house,
and making it necessary for her to run
ashore, when she sunk.
A shot entering the side OF the Gen.
Lowell, rendered her unmanagable, and i'm
mediately after she was run down by the
Queen of the West.
A broadside from the Benton took effect
in the sides of the JEFF. Thompson, and she
was run ashore, and soon after was in
flames, burning to the waters edge.
-Four of the rebel gunboats having been
disabled. the remainder of their feet re-
treated down the river, pursued by our
gunboats, firing as they advanced, result
ing IN the capture of the Sumter, Bragg
and Little Rebel, which had been abandon
ed by most of their crews. The latter was
run ashore.
Capt. Montgomery and most of his off
GERS and men succeeded IN making their es
cape in the woods on the Arkansas shore.
The Federal ram, Lancaster, was struck
by the Beauregard early in the engagement, |
slightly disabling the former.
Col. Elicit, in command of the rams, was |
struck in the breast by a splinter, stunning |
him temporarily; but he soon recovered, and
remained on deck throughout the actio n. |
This was the only casualty on our side.
Our rams were armed with sharpshooters
mostly from Illinois who did good execu-
ton picking off the enemy's guuners at ev-
cry opportunity.
The rebel loss in killed, wounded and
prisoners is heavy, but has not yet been
fully aseertained. Our tugs were busily
engaged in picking up the crews of their
disabled boats.
After the return of the gunboats which
had gone down in pursuit of the rebels.
Com. Davis sent boat from the flagship
Benton with the following note to the May
or of the city:
U. s. FLAG STEAMER BENroH,)
OFF Memphis. June 9Th.
Str Il have respectfully to request that
You will surrender the city of Memphis to
the authority of the United States, which I
have the honor to represent.
I am, Mr.. Mayor with hiph resnect.
G. H. DAVIS,
Flag Officer Commanding.
To his Honor, tie Mayor Of the City of
Memphis.
In about an hour a tugboat put out from
the Levee bearing the following message:
MAYoR's OFFICE. MEMPHIS. June 6.
C. Il. Davis. Flag Officer COm'd'g. dc.
SIR Your note of this date IS received
and contents noted.
In reply have only to say that. as the
civil authorities have no means of defense by
force of circumstances, the city is in your
hands,
Respectfully, JOHN PARK, Mayor.
Immediately after, boats crew landed
and the National flag was hoisted over teh
Post Office. The party were followed by an
excited crowd, but was not molested
The 43d ana 46th Indiana regiments now
occupy Memphis, Col. Fitch in command.
The city is quiet. No demonstrations
whatever have been made. and it is even as
serted that twill not be necessary to de-
clare martial law. Five of our gunboats lie
abreast of the city.
We captured five large steamers which
were moored TO the levee. The rebels burn