Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-06-18

ell were the Queen Of the West, Monarch,
Switzerland, Lancaster No. 3, Mingo,
Lioness and several others, the names Of
which have escaped me. Their bows were
greatly strengthened by boiling on solid
timbers, and strapping the timbers with
iron rails. The boilers and engines -the
entire space between decks was built up
with timbers three feet in thickness. The
upper works were also protected by tim
bers all around, with loop boes Tor the
sharpshooters. The pilot houses were
plated with boiler iron.
POWER AND WEAKNESS.
Looking at this brilliant engagement,
which for bravery and daring will rank
with the fight at Forts Phillip and Jack
son, we sec a fair exhibition Of tho relative
power Of the Union to that Of the Confed-
eracy. For many months we have heard
great stories as to the ipyincible fleet Which
was to sweep Commodore Foote'S boats
from the river and lay st. Louis under
contribution, but in The hour Of trial the
rebel fleet was cleaned out in an hour just
as a New England farmer cleans his barn
stalls on a winters morning. The fleet
under Commodore Davis had not time to
get into action. The gallant officer did
his best to get at close quarters, but the
rebels were fleet footed. lit would indeed
have been a grand exhibition of power il
the fleet could have got in where all its
guns could have had play. But how inn
potent and peurile the attack Of the en-
my, after the believing braggadocio Of the
New Orleans and Memphis papers The
rebel fleet was Menphian projoct-orig
inal there--the boats built there-annihia-
ted therel 1t must have beeu a humiia-
ting sight to behold the much-yaunted
mail-clad boats crushed up, as You would
crumple tissue paper-knoeked about, rid
died and pat to rout.
OCCUPATION OF THE PLACE..
At ten o'clock the fleet was ut the city.
The Benton took position fronting Union
street, and let 90 her anchors. A skiil
put out from the shore, in which was a
well dressed, sobcr-looking, middle-aged
gentleman holding up white handkerchief.
lie came on board the flagship and an-
nounced himself as DIR. Dickerson-sent
out by some Of the influential citizens to
talk about the occupation of the place.
After q brief interview, he returned to the
city accompanied by Capt Phelps and G.
w. Reed, masters mate Some in the
crowd hurrahed for JEFF. Davis, a few ut
tered derisiye and insulting epithets, call
ing the gallant Captain, who had sunk the
Lowell by his excellent aim, "a blue-belHed
Yankee and "son of a bitch, " and other
equally damnabIe expressions. A large
portion Of the crowd followed him to the
Mayors Office, but no violence was offered
Official correspondence followed, which has
already been transmitted. And 50 Mem
phis was ouEs with no last rebel ditch t
die in.
seENEs ON TIM SHORE.
While the SIGHT was in progress, tho
Ieyee, esplapade and roofs Of the houses
we're crowded with the spectators-mer
| women, and children-anong whom Wer,
great many Of the colored population
There was no hostile demonstration from
the shore. Any hostilites from that
quarter and tie broadsilo Of the fleet would
have been heard from. There stood the
thousands and saw their pets 90 down.
There stool the Union men-those who
had suffered at tho hands Of tyranny
who had been prosecuted, robbed and
threatened with death--watching the
course Of events. Occasionally shot
from the fleet strayed downward, produeinQ
a general stampede for tho r1oment. For
tunateIy no spectator was injured, althougl
there were several narrow escapes.
When the transports arrived there werC
those on shore who seized the rope anC
made the vessels fast. Immediately there
was determination. Newsboys drove 3
thriving business. AT first they were puz
zied about the sh;aplasters, but by q happy
thought took them at reduced value, intend
ING to realize on them at the North selling
them as souvenirs.
TRADE.
Trade follows the LAG. lhe steSinei
Platte Valley, one Of the St. Louis and
Memphis line Of steamers, one Of the last
steamers which was permitted to leave
! Memphis FOR the North last year, followed
the fleet to to city to let them know Z 1t
the old line ofeTeamers was ready to open
trade. Capt Wilcox Of the Plstte Valley
informed his old friends that he would b
ready in day or two to take freight and
passengers North. lie could have had a
| full cargo had The provost marshall been
ready to grant permits In few days
| trade will be in fill blast, and the suffer
ings and priyations Of thousands Of people
relieved provided they have ny.hine
which can be received as currency. There
! i dark future for thousands. You can
! fill your pockets with shin plasters and not
have the value of a dollar. The stuff
which they have called money j. Of nc
more value than tue alam-shell currency
which the Indians used when New YorA
was little Dutch village. This will Is
the great draw back 10 trade.