The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-09

then The rebel feet consisting OF the following
vesssls-ths Gen. Van DORM flagship, Gen. Bragg Gen.
Lowell, JEFF Thompson, Beauregard, Little Rebel and
Sumter-were discovered lying near Memphis
During the night the rebel fleet moved dswn the river
and ut daylight were seen coming up In line Of battle
Our gunbosts had in the meantime weighed anchor and
followed by several rams, moved slowly towards the
rebel feet when shot from tho Little Rebel, from
rife gun, At long range, fell within short distance Of
the Cairo, which n advance Tho Cairo replied with
broadside and soon the engagement became general
at al long range. The rams had in the meantime, ad-
vanced and the rebel Beaursgard being In the ad
vance, singled out by the federal Monarch and
Queen Of the west each striving TO be rst to strike
the rebel craft. The Monarch succeeded In striking
her amnshps almost cutting her in two causing her to
al and sink Immediately in the chanss directly oppo-
site the city At this juncture the Little Rebel made
dash at the Monarch, which by this time was in the
midst Of the rebel feet, but by skful movement Of
the pilot Of the latter she dropped out Of tho way and
the blow intended for her struck the rebel boat General
Price, taking away hor Wheel making II necessary for
her 10 run ashore, whom she sent shot which,
unfortunately for the rebels struck their boat, tho
General Sewell, rendering her unmanageabls Immed
atey after she was run down by the Queen Of the West
broadsids from the Benton took effect In the sides Of
the JEFF Thompson when she ashore, and after
In flames and burned TO the waters edge Four Of
the rebel boats having been disabled the remainder
Of their feet retreated down the river pursued by
boats firing they advanced resulting in the capture
Of the Sumter Bragg and Little Rebel, which had been
abandoned BY most Of their crews.
Captain Montgomery, tho Flag Ofhcer, with most OF
the officers and men, succeeded in making their escape
in the woods on the Arkansas shore.
Tho Union ram Lancaster was struck BY the Beaurs-
0nrd in thA doiic ylv
Colonel Elicit, in command Of the Union rams, was
struck in the breast by splinter and stunned tempo
rarily, but soon recovered, and continued deck
through the engagement This is the only casualty
our side
Our rams were MANNED by sharp shooters, mostly
from Illinois, who did good execution in picking of the
rebel gunners At every opportunity.
The enemys loss in killed, wounded and prisoners il
heavy, but not yet fully ascertained Our tugs are
busiy engaged picking up the crews Of their disabled
boats.
After the return Of gunboats from the pursuit,
Commander Davis sent the following note 70 the Mayor
OF the city Of Memphis
UNITED STATES FLAG STEAMER BENTON !
Orr MEMPHIS, June 9, 1862
have respectfully to request that you will surrender
tho city OF Memphis to the authoaty Of the United
States, which have the honor to represent am Mr..
Mayor, with high respect, your obedient servant,
G. N. DAVIS, Flag Officer.
In reply. the Mayor says
Your note received, and in reply. have only to say
% the civil authorities have Of defence by the
force OF the circumstances, the city 10 in your hands.
Immediately after, our boats crews landed and the
national flag hoissd the Post ONCE. The party
was followed by excited crowd, but were not inter-
fered with Tho Forty third and Fortysixth Indiana
gmsnts occupy tho place. Colonel Fitch is in COM
mand.
The city is quiet. No demons rations whatever have
been made 1t is asserted II will not be necss
sary to declare martial law. Five OF our gunboas now
lie abreast Of the city We captured i've large steamers
which were moored at the levoe. The rebels burned
new gunboat, which nearly ready to launch.
CArRo, June 8, 1862
The Union feet engaged eight rebel boats before
Memphis Friday morning. sinking two, burning one,
and capturning four.
One Of the Union rams was disabled. No person killed
on our side.
Memphis was occupied At eleven O'Clock on the fore
noon Of Saturday.
The Gunboats are before the city. No disturbance
took place at the time or occupation.
AIths cotton in the city was burned and much sugar
destroyed.
Tho Union soldiers cut down the rebel dag which was
nailed to the stan, amid the cheering Of the people
The departing trains crowded with refugees. The
Rebel Account or the Fight.
CHICAGO, June 8, 1862
The Memphis Argus Of the 9th gives an account OF
the naval engagement, and says three shots were fred
from the rebel fleet before any reply was made by the
federal After the firing the shots for some
time fell wide Of the mark both Sides when on the
arrival Of several more OF the snsmys gunboats Com
mandsr Montgomery ordered the feet fall back which
DONE Firing was, however kept up very vigorously
The rebel feet retired 10 opposite Bear street. but
no longer in line OF battle, when one OF the
federal rams shot ahsad OF the remainder
Of their feet. Tho Boaursgard prepared to
receive her. After "a contest OF short duration tho
Beaursgard avoided blow intended for her. and struck
her adversary forward or tho whselhouse. Tho blow
placed the federal boat hovs du combat she hauled or
and made for the Arkansas Shore where she remained
during the engagement In the meantime another fsde
raj ram, the Monarch, 70 his assistance At nrst
the Bsaursgard attempted 10 her down. bus missed
her and struck the General Price on the wheel
house, making complete wreck Of the
boat, which made for the Arkansas shore
aud sunk. A number Of persons on board were
killed and wounded by The Union sharpshssters At this
period four roncad gunboas which had taken no part
In the action except firing a. long range up Upon
their arrval the cannonadnR nercsy renewed. In
short time the General Lovsu was pierced by large
shot aud sunk The Little Rebel was soon Afterwards
struck by federal shot, and a started for the
Arkansas shore The Bsauregard, nothing dauntsd
BY the disasters which had bsfssn the others
continued vigorously firing s she rotrsaied
towards the point. Two three Of the enc
my's large boats closed upon her, pouring broadsids
after broadsie her She struck several times and
rskcd fore and Aft. Union coming up, also dean
her blow, when she sank rapidly in deop water op
posts jackson Mound The remaining rebel boats moved
rapidly down the river. One OF them was discovered
In flames. Pursuit made by the Unsn boats which
soon after returned. The conclusion was that
the remainder Of the feet shared the fate d
the others. The loss Of life in this engagement
cannot BE- estimated with any degree Of certainty.
A number are known TO have fallen BY the snsmy's
sharpshooters is supposed that great number went
down with the sinking vessels. The loss Of the enemy
other than the ram mentioned, is not known. Their
boats we're altogether superior every respect
49, t~m-