The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-08-27
CADlZ OHIO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 81 1862
from Com. FarragIrt.

Dispatches from Com. Farragut'
WAsHINGToN, Agust 9.-The Navy De
pratment is in receipt Of Voluminous dis,
patches from Admiral Farragut, which read
as follows:
OFFICIAL REPORT.
BARON ROUGE, Aug. IL Steamship Hart
tord.--It is one of the happiest moments o
my life, that | am enabled to INFORM the
| Department OF the destruction Of the ram
Arkansas; not because held the iron clad in
terror, but because the community did.
On the 4th inst, sent the Tennessee up
to Baton Rruge, with provisions for Com,
Porter and the gunboats stationed at that
point. On the night Of the 9Th she returned
with information that the enemy had made
combined attack upon Baton Rouge, by
the ram and TWO punboats, the Webb and
Music, ard calling for assistance.
AT daylight, the Hartford was under way
Tor this place, with orders for tie other
vessels to follow as fast as they got ready.
| | arrived here to day at II, in company
with the Brooklyn, Westfeld, Clinton, Jack
son and Sciota. had sent the Cayuga up
before me, agreeably TO Gen. Buffers requ-
sition, in consequence Of the guerillas having
fired into some Of his transports.
On my arrival, was informed by the com.
mander at that point, that yesterday morn-
ing at one o'clock, the enemy's force under
Gen. Breckenridge, attacked Gen. Williams
drove in his pickets, etc. Gen. Williams,
having had ample warning, was prepared for
him.
The fight was continued with energy on
both sides, until about 10 o'clock A. NJ, by
which time, the enemy had been driven back
two or three miles, but unfortunately the
gallant General, while cheering on his men,
received minnie ball through the heart.
Gen. Williams had informed Lieut.. com.
mandirg Ransom OF the plans, and requested
him not to fire a gun until he notified him,
aud when be did so our gunboats, the Kineo
and Katahdin, opened with ine effect throw
ing their shells directly in the midst Of the
enemy producing the greatest disInay and
and CONFUSION amongst them.
Lieut.. Rawson had a man on the State
House, which overlooked the adjacent coun.
try, and could direct the firing of every
she'll.
As soon as the enemy was repulSed, Com.
mander Porter went up the stream after the
Arkansas, which was lying about five miles
above, apparently to take her share in the
conflict, according to the preconcerted
scheme.
AS he came within gnnshot, he opened
upon her, and probably disabled some Of her
machinery, or apparatus, for she became un-
manageable, continuing, however, to fire her
guns at the Essex,
Com. Porter says he took advantage Of her
presenting a weak point towards him, and
loading gun with an incendiary Shell after
his first discharge oil their projectiles, a gush
Of fire came out OF her side.
From that moment it was discovered that
she was on fire, which be used his exertons
to prevent being extnguished. They back.
ed her ashore, and made line fast, which
soon burnt, aud she swung off into the river
where she continued to burn until she blew
up with tremendous explosion, thus ending
the career Of the last Confederate ram of the
Mlssiss ipp.
There were many persons on the bar ks of
the river watching the fight, in which they
anticipated a triumph. Twill leave sufti-
cent number Of gunboats here to support
the army, and will return to morrow to it,
and depart Immediately for Ship Island with
light heart.
n (r FARPTGI-T