Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-08-07
Great Ram Fightoff Vicksburg


cape Of an Adrentur0us Crc,o.
MISSISSIPPI FLoTILLA. vIcKssuRo,(
MONDAY EVENING, July 2lst is62.
Correspondence N. Y. Tribune, Of Saturday.
LIEUT.. col. ELLETs PROPOSITION.
SO patent has been the demoralizing effect
of the late achievement Of the Arkansas,
and so greatly had fear diffused itself, as
day by day went by without her capture or
destruction, that Lieut.. Col. Ellet deemed
it necessary to call Commodore Davis's at
tention to the matter, and renew his propo-
sition- the execution of which was attended
with so much hazard made to him imme-
diately after the Rebel vessel reached Vicks-
burg.
The note of the Colonel which is charac.
terized by modesty and determination that
are highly commendable, reads ~ follows
STEAM RAM SWITZERLAND. orF VrcKssuRs,t
Sunday moriling, July ~. is62. !
cH.s u. DAVIS, Flng-Oihcrr Guiboar fioulla;
Permit me to say, Commodore, that npprchend the
continued existence OF the Rebel gunboat Arkansas
near u.s. Is exercising very pcnicious influence upon
tho confidence OF our crews, aud even upon the COM
manders OF boats nnd In view OF this stnic o facts,
IL does seem ~ that risk should be encountered
to iusore her destruction. aud reesablish own pres
tge OH the Mississippi River.
hope you have given my proposition your careful
considenliop, and that you mny conclude that the
risk OF failure is great attempt its
feel gr.u confdeure that with united action will
| be made complete success.
will myself command boat that shall select To run
the Arkansas down, with a very small but carefully
lectcd crew. while, II you aud Com Farratut will viz
orousy attack the batteries shnl feel thai will
Hoping to hear from you favorobly rs to the ntcnpt
to destroy the Rebel guboai Arkansas, aud that You
will excuse the freedom Of these suggestions from
whose experience is so slight as compared with your
own, relnain, with feelings Of grent respect,
| Your obcdcmt servant,
| Licut-Col ALFRED w. EILET,
| Commanding steam. Ram Fleet
THE COVENANT MADE.
This note was answered in person by
both Commodore Farragut and Davis 1.-THE
former little gentleman having walked ovcl
the peninsula soon after sunrise to confer
with his naval associate on the subject), who
called upon the Colonel the following this
Monday morning, aud after a private con
versation it was agreed that Davis SHOULD
engage the upper and Farragut the lOwe
} batteries while Col. Ellet should suddenl,
} dart upon the Rebel gunboat and strike he
on the side with the full force Of his ram, tn,
Colonel having every confidence that ht
could sink herif he could hit hor fairly, ant
prevent his boat from being disabled befor,
he could reach the enemy.
PREPARATION FOR THE EXPEDITION.
The expedition is to start at daylight; tn,
Louisville having come down from the moutl
Of the Old River to take part in it, and al
this afternoon and evening, preparation
have been making on the Cincinnati, Essex
Benton, and Bragg, for the hazardous en-
terprise.
The Queen of the West has been selecte,
by Lieut. Col Elet for the expedition, as il
all respect best adapted for the enterprise
and crew chosen who are not only williu
| but anxious to Join in the very perilous un
i dertaking. While write, there is an al
Of business and activity on tho Flotlla, an
though very few are aware Of the movemen
a at to morrow's dawn, it is evident to tn
dullest observer that something important
. on the naval tapis.
= The Benton, Essex, Louisville, and Cir
: cinnati alone can take any prominent pal
i. in the action, since the Cnrondolet Is nearl
:. nifty to be towed North for repairs Will
:, the Bragg has too few guns to be of servic,
y aud the Sumter is below with Farratut
n vessels. Another reason for prompt actio
:, is that Farragut has been ordered to anotl
~ y er station, Mobile probably and will leay
y lorthwith-the lowness of the water admol
y ishing him not to delay.
O OFFIcEns AND CREW OF THE RAM.
n Lieut. Col. Ellet has selected, as he sal
3 he would, as few men as possible to manal
e the ram, but has been careful to choose til
> best material he could obtain. The me
y who have volunteered are entitled to ii
d highest credit for their patriotism aud cou
II age for few enterprises could be more hal
D. ardous, as will be seen when the sequel q
n Of the affair is made known The Office
y "n n.',. go u s' .a'" ,i "o 40 % 'o',o"' ,''
the expedition Lieut., James s' NJ ilaner % S9d'ns Gd IiSsn
y Al,,nsder Ford, pilot I,eninmin F. Res, pilot, Rol
Sna Po Snyinsrp .srpe SS,Is I%hn II S e. John
!, Peter Brown Isl mate Martin Trrmp, ID mate ToT
son neutrality-suspicious. James & Kerr gseoscr
Geo a Jas Johnston ' Geo wiiums oir%" TD,oSv sT II,
i veS John Wilson,;
"a D'N ''.NnS-" % !" N'S'"' 'o'n Montague
i 1oseph Taylor, refugee, G GGranvlRe no
- berts, engineer. and H. y; Ellet, corporal
y the 3gth Illinois, son Of Lieut.. Col, Afr!
il w, EIlet, volunteered their ser.vlces--tl
last taxing an active ana q prominent pa
n IN the engagement, and displaying extrao
- d,nary coolness and courage in the midst
y tho most imminent danger.
:, Orr V'cnsprno' Tuesday Evening, July D. lsaa
y Two hours before dawn, the crews Of Il
:, gunboats were up and preparing themselv
:, for the action, The Benton, Capt. w.
y Phelps Essex, Capt. w. ID. Porter; Lou