The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-06-23
BY TEL z c r A p n .
FROM THE RIVER FLEET.
Particulars OF Engagement on
White River.
Rebels Whipped Out /!


The gunboat Gonesioga has arrived
here with dispatches containing an ac-
count of The fight at the rebel forti6cs-
tons below ST. Charles, about S. miles
from White river cutoff, on Thursday,
l7th.
The gunboats Conestoga, st. Louis,
Mound City, and transport New National,
having Oh board 468 of Indiana regi-
ment, Col Fitch, which left here week
ago, to opeu communication with Gen.
Curtis army. and to remove any obstruc-
tions which might exist 10 White river,
assembled the stream, gunbeats Mound
City, Capt. Kelly commanding. about a
mile and half in advance. On . bend
OF the river, near ST. Charles, two con-
cealed rebel batteries opened on the
Mound City. She was Immediately cleared
for action, and as soon rs the range Of
the rebel works could be obtained, her
guns opened FIRE upon them. Capt. kel-
~ signalIed Col. Fitch to land his force
about mile below. which was successful
IL accomplished. The Lexington then
shelled the woods, under cover Of which
Col. Fitch gained the rear Of the rebel
position. At this juncture q plunging
shot from gun. mounted ON blut,
struck forward of the port side of the
Mound City easemaiey passing through
the steam drum, filling the vessel with
escaping yapor, and scalding nearly every
ooe on board. But % of her officers and
crew. out of lis on board escaped un-
injured. The scene which ensued was
horrible. Many of the crew, frantic from
injuries which they had received, jumped
into the river and were drowned
A boat from the Conestoga, which was
coming up at the time to the support of
the Mound City. was sent to their relief,
but the rebels fred upon our men in the
water with grape and canister from their
field pieces, numbering most of those who
thus attempted to escape. Col. Fitch
drew up his regiment and rushing his
men forward, carried the fort by
storm At the point Of the bayonst. The
rebel works consisted of TWO batteries, the
lower one mounting six field pieces, and
the upper one, on the bluff, three heavy
siege guns, manned by from 400 to 600
men, under command Of COL. Fry, late
Lieutenant in the u. s. Navy. About
200 rebels are said to have made their
escape. Over $50 are reported killed
and wounded, and 80 taken prisoners;
among them Col. Fry, who was wounded
in the shoulder, and brought up on the
Conestoga.
Capt. Kelly was severely scalded
about the face and hands, but will recover.
"a Master Hart, Sd Master j. H. Kingin,
4th Master j. A. Scovill, Masters Mate
4. p. Brown Chief Engineer Cox erd
ID Assistant Engineer John sMoAfee
wsrs killed. Pilot Chas. Young was ss
yerely scsided, reported since dead; Sur.
geon Jones and Carpenter Manning
slightly. lst Master @. Dswping,, Mas.
| ter's Mate S. Z. Brown, Pilot Canada and
lst Assistant Engineer D. Cleaning, e.
4 capped unframed. From 80 to 100 Of on,
sailors have already been buried, and oysl
4 20 are missing Col. Fitch reports foul
men wounded, mono killed. Had II
not been for tho unfortunate accident Il
the Mound City, the rebol works would
have bsen taken without loss on our side
| She can sAsily 10 repaired. The Hal
officer haa sent q receiving ship It 0airt