Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-06-13
EVENING STAR.
THE NAVAL COMBAT AT MEMPHIS.
Affairs In that CITY
From the Memphis Avalanche, June


From the Memphis Avalanche, June7l
IL weS announced in the last issue OF the Ava
ianchs that the Federal gunboats were In the river
'uSt shove the citY, and that our feet was at the
wharf, prepared TO dispute their passage down.
About = o'clock yesterday morning the Federal
ieet made its Appearance just above The city, and
Immediately our feet, under the gallant Commo-
dore Ed Montgomery, prepared for action The
feet was composed Of the General Ven Dorm alag
ship, General Price, General 81 agg, JEFF Thomp-
son, General Lowell, General Beauregard, sum-
ter. and Little Rebel-all rams -..
The steamer Van Dorm, Commodore Monteom-
cry, opened the ball by Advancing up ss far as
Noi river, and commenced fire up3n the Fed
sral feet. Several rounds were fred from the
Confederate feet before any reply was made, the
Federal fleet still advancing. soon, however, the
Federal feet opened a brisk Gre, which was con-
tlnued on noth sides for perhaps hour; the
shots Of beth sides falling wide Of the mark and
NO damage done either side.
In the. mean time several more OF the Federal
deet arrived in sight, when Com. Montgomery
ordered his heettO fall back. Two Federal rama
queen OF the West and Monarch-now came
down under a full head of steam. the Queen Of
the West in the lead. Tho Confederate fleet pre-
pared to meet them. TIE Queen of the West
made for the Beauregard, just opposite Beale
street, but the latter evaded the blow and in
To former forward Of the wheel-house. The
damage appeared TO be serious, and the Queen
of the West made for the Arkansas shore,
where she remained during the remainder of the
day The Federal ram Moaerch made directly
for the Confederate feet, and passed down rapid
Monarch, ali three coming rapidly together: but,
unfortunately, the blow aimed by the Beauregard
al the Monarch missed the object and struck the
Prince on the wheel house, which was entirely
torn OF, and from which injuries abe subsequently
sank In shoal wster ON the Arkansas side. Her
hull II still visible.
While these collisions were occurring the Fed
Gral IRON clad beats. which had rema ned near
WoH river, COntenti1g themselves with shooting
At our hoats, came down in line of battle pour
ssg constant cannonsde upon our boats, which
hrrn fnrw daNU~rN to Nhn Dat
cotton press As they drew near, and the can
nVGade became heavier, il was discovered that
the Gen. Lowell had been struck, and was I'm a
sinking condition. Ste neaTsd the shore Just
below the cotton pre.s, and gradually Careened
over into deep water, while few Of those aboard
escaped by swimming ashore and floating OF on
a ran.
The fighting was now at cIo,r quarters and
the frequent discharges OF small arms was heard
a. the Contssiing boats came along within short
distance Of each o:heT. IL Is supposed that many
OF cur men were SHOT by the enemy's sharpshoOt-
Grs- Among these were Cart CabelI Of the
Lowell, who was shot through the forehead and
DIED instantly. He was an old Mississippi
s;samboatman; and have and gallant gentle
man. II ssafd tbat,sn on board the lowell, ex-
Ccpt one wounded bay, escaped.
-Theldule Rebel. which was moving all abou,
In the midst Of the f7ng balls, was struck VIII lie
going towards the lowell, aud she Immediately
made for the Arkansas shore, Just out OF rang 2
from ouT 6luf, and her officers and men are said
20 have escaped, and soon after the waves closed
over her forever.
About this time H was obvious that the Beau.
seGaIds which kept up constant fire while re-
srealng, had been disabled. The enemy's boats
C!esfd In On her, pouring most destructive hre
upon her She was rsked fore and ar and grad
.Ialiy sank opposite the mound In Fort Picker.
ing. a Federal tug boat went TO her assistance
In time, and her officers and men were taken
prisoners
The remaining boats of the Confederate fleet
the Van Dorm, JEFF Thompson Sumter and
Bragg-lOw moved down the river and rounded
VA m hA,..
the Nsn Dorm had been Injured Seriously She
Is reported to have ashore on the Arkansas
SIDE, when her men escaped, and flames were
seen issuing from her decks. She burnt down to
her magazine By 20 O'Clock, when a most i'm
posing sight was afforded in a grand explosion.
TIE pursuit OF the Bragg, Sumter, aud Jeif
Thompson sui continued, the enemy keeping I'd
vigorous canOnade and our boats replyinr az in
Iervals In about an hour afterwards the Federal
ram Monarch and two iron-cIad boats returned 70
s sIs cty tne othef 1oas Continuing the fight,
was late m the afternoon before the remainder OF
the Feet returned. having captured the Gen.
6iagg ana tse sumter, and we supposS, though
We nave not heard, sunk the Jeff Thompson.
nus the eneIny seems to have captured or de-
stroyed our whole feet -
The Federsl Heei Is now in front Of the city.
u ne loss OF men on our feet was undou btedly de
suuctive, but we have no means Of finding out
the numDer or the names Of those brave and gal
aant men. IL 10 reported that the Federals lost
only one man and took about one hundred pris
0ners, e.. .--- - = : - r.
After mentioning the circumstances attendi no
The surrender CT the city, the Avalanche adds, IN
CONCLUSION: -' "
In the exchange Of one militia nv rule for another
however different The merits Of the Central Gov
ernmsnts which the officers serve, the munich
AFFAIRS Of the city wall be little affected Many Of
tne strongest advocates Of the Confectionery he v,
LETT US here their circumstances were such an &c
permittnef leaving. Hundreds have left Meu.
pms Tor more southern localities in advance o.
the approach of the Federal feet; among thes,
" Mt n fnHi
revulsiOns, feared the coming power. and smonc
those were many Of the best and most useful citf
1ens OF Memphis. All the banking institutions
"ltn presidents, tellers, cashiers, and aceoant
lions The men with whom the duties and In
Sll9aaoas o. donesticity have rendered business
ncne, aRd pursuits Of literature and art para
tnounl 70 The more boisterous attractions Of mill
Aiy disineiion-Hen civilian Ia taste an in occu
Npoh-torm now the population of Memphis,