Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-13
From the nIs.is.ippi River.

CAIRO. May 1.-THE desperation of the rebel
cause In the Mississippi river eliminated yester
day in attack our fotilla.
Early Saturday morning eight of their gun
boats came around the point above the fort and
boldly advanced toward our feet. The Cincin
natl which was stationed at point where the
rebels came up on Friday, did not attract their
attention until the feet had passed above her.
As soon as she was seen simultaneous attack
from the whole Of their gunbOatS was made upon
her with but little effect, the guns poorly
aimed.
The Cincinnati in the meantime had hauled
into the stream, when iron clad ram, supposed
to be the Mallory, advanced in fierce and con-
tnued broadsides from the former until within
forty Yards Being faster sailer she succeeded
in moving between the Cincinnati and the right
hand shore. when the men appeared upon her
decks preparing to board with grapnels thrown
out, which design was frustrated by throwing hot
water from the steam batteries of the Cincinnati.
In the meantime the rest of our gunboats had
arrived ut the scene of action and engaged the
rebel feet. The Mallory, undaunted by failure
the attempt to board, crowded a full head
of steam and came towards the Cincinnati, eyi
IDENTIFY intending to run her down. Capt. Stem
bel, in command of the latter. waited until the
rebel monster was within twenty yards, when he
sent brOadside into her from his Parrott guns
which did fearful execution.
The two boats were so close together bv this
time that it was impossible TO swab guns, and the
Mallory was compelled to haul off. Captain
Stembe shot her pilot with his revolver, and was
himself wounded by pistol shot fired by one of
the pilots of the Mallory
While the engagement between the Mallory
and Cincinnati was in progress our shots had ex-
ploded the boilers of one of the rebel gunboats
and set fire to another, burning her to the water
edge. The air was very heavy, and under cover
of the dense smoke which hung over the river
the rebel feet retired and was pursued until they
gained shelter under the guns of Fort Wright.
None of our boats were injured except the Gin
cinnati, and she damaged so slight that she eau
be repaired in twenty -four hours. Four men OH
her were wounded, including Masters Mate. No
other casualties mentioned
When the smoke cleared away a broadside was
sent after the Mallory from the flag ship Benton
Shortly after she was seen to careen and went
down with all on board.
The steamers Courier and City of Alton arriv-
ed this afternoon from Pittsburg Landing with
news to noon Saturday; up to which time no gen
eral engagement had taken place.
On Thursday the ID battalion, eth Illinois cav
airy, under command of Major Appngton, ac-
companied Gen. Paine from Pennington on re-
connossance of the enemy's position. and when
aoOuS t"O uiiico Ous, tliC stVuIc, WIZ Hdu Dttl
sent in ADVANCE, came back and reported force
of rebel infantry in ambush in the woods on both
sides Of the road leading from Pennington to
Corinth
After consultation the Federal force advanced
for the purpose OF ascertaning rebel strength
They were surrounded but cut their way through
The rebels formed on the road and made then
way back to camp carrying with them the body
of Major, who was killed, and four of their
! wounded
A deserter. who came in subsequently, says thu
rebels lost 49 in killed, wounded and missing
On Friday rebel Gen. Bragg's division attacked
Gen. Paine in bis position two miles beyond
Pennington. sharp engagement followed, ou
men fighting bravely, making several bayone
charges upon the enemy, who were repulsed with
great slaughter. Large reinforcements of rebels
having arrived, our troops retired to Pennington
We lost nearly 300, killed, wounded and prison
ers. No particulars received.