The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-23

We get the following from the Memphis
Avalonche of the 18th inst:
Gen. JEFF. Thompson, who is in command of
the gunboat fleet at Fort Pillow, on hearing
that it was the intention Of the enemy to come
down to attack that place on Saturday, con-
Guided he would 60 up and anticipate their
movements Accordingly about s o'clock on
Saturday morning, the feet was put in readi-
ness, and about o'clock the fight commenced.
The steamer Bragg, Capt VIM. Leonard, led
in the attack. She steamed up amid shower
of balls to the St. Louis gunboat which was
coming down, and struck her on the starboard
side; the Sumter, Capt. Wallace Lamb, follow
ep next, and also butted the St. Louis near the
stern: the Gen. Price, capt. Henthrone, follow
ed next, and also butted the St. Louis in the
stern, knocking away her rudde., and stern
post. The Van Dorm, Capt. Fulkerson, came
last.
The Bragg had her chain shot away, and
dropped back; the Sumter was surrounded by
three gunboats, which: for the space of fifteen
minutes, poured deadly fire upon her. Some
of the enemy's boats were almost alongside the
Sumter in the engagement yet she wee nc.
seriously disabled, though her cabin was almost
riddled. The Van Dorm had a special engage.
ment with the mortar boat, and, it is believed,
seriously damaged her. Indeed, it is reported
that the mortar boat has since sunk. Some of
the enemy's balls penetrated as much as six
feet into our boats, yet far as their servicabe
capacity is concerned, they were uninjured
The Van Dorn's upper works were almost rid
died. Aspy glass was shot out of the hands
other captain. There was no damage done to
the hulls or machinery of our boats. General
Thompson was on board the Bragg which
made the first attack. All did their duty no.
bly,, though special attention is made of Capt.
Fulkerson of the Van Dorm.
The ST. Louisiwas seriously damaged, and
was run on bar opposite Plumb Point. Yes
terday, at noon, she was still on the bar, with
transport alongside, supposed to be in sink
ing condition.
The fight was brought to close by the Fed
eral gunboats withdrawing into shoal water,
where ours could not 60. They then opened
broadside after broadside at us, throwing some
three hundred shot, but with no damage
The Benton gunboat Com. Foote'S flagship
did not leave the shore, but all the time poured
a most destructive fire upon our boats.
The Federals made an attempt to board the
Sumter, but the boarding party were all dis
persed BY shower of balls and hot water.
Several of the Federals were killed at their
guns, and others at their forecastle. We fred
from our big gnn not exceeding twenty shots
mostly from the JEFF. Thompson.
Our loss in the engagement isl two the cook
on the Bragg, and the steward on the Van
Dorn.-The former had his leg shot off at the
thigh, and the latter had his head shot of.
We also had four slightly injured. The Fed
eral loss is known to be at least twenty-five.
The engagement took place at Plumb Point,
and lasted an hour and halt, when our boats
returned to the fort.
The impregnability Of our cotton clad feet
is considered now to be fully demonstrated -
the enemy's shot penetrating into the cotton
only few inches and none passing through.
Therefore there is now no danger ofthe enemy
reaching Memphis via Fort Pillow. .