Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-23

ST. CHARLES, WHITE RIVER, ARK, June
Ito Hon. E. N. Stanton, SecretaYv of
MARION arriving eight miles below here,
last evening, we ascertained that the enemy
had two batteries here, supported by force
of infantry, number unknown. A combined
attack was made at seven A. NJ. to-day. The
regiment under my command, the 46th Indi-
ana landed two and a half miles below the
battery, and skirmishers were thrown out,
who drove in the enemy's pickets. The gun
boats then moved up and opened on their bat
teries. A rifled shot from one of the batteries
penetrated the steam draw of the Mound City,
which disabled by scalding most of her crew.
Apprehensive that some similar accident
might happen to the other gunboats, and
thence leave my small force without their
support, l signalled the gunboats to cease
firing and we would storm the battery. They
ceased exactly at the right moment, and my
men carried the battery calamity. The rebel
infantry were driven from the support of the
guns, and the gunners shot at their posts
Their commanding officer, Freze, formerly of
the United States navy, was wounded and
captured, and eight brass and iron guns with
ammunition were captured.
The enemy's loss is unknown. We have
buried seven or eight of their dead, and other
dead and wounded are being brought in. The
casualties among my own command are small,
the only real loss being from the escaping
steam in the Mound City. She will probably
be repaired and ready to proceed with us up
the river tomorrow. A full report will be
made as early as possible.
Very respectfully, G. N. FITCH,
Colonel commanding 10Th Ind vols.
UNITED STATES FLAG STEAMER BENTON,
MEMPHIS, June 1910 Hon. Gideon WelleS,
secretary Of the Macy: The gunboat Conesto-
ga, returning from the White river, reports
the capture of two batteries, mounting seven
guns, at st. Charles eighty miles from the
mouth. The attack was commenced by Capt.
Kelly in the gunboats, which silenced the first
battery. The second battery was CALAMITY
carried by Col. G. n. Fitch, at the head of the
46th Indiana volunteers A shot caused the
explosion of the steam draw Of the Mound
City, by which the greater part of her officers
and crew were killed and wounded. l write
by to-day's mail G. H. DAVIS, flag officer.
CHICAGO, June 21.-The following fuller
account of the fight with the rebel batteries on
White River has just been received here =
MEMPHIS, June 19.-The gunboat Cones
toga has arrived with dispatches containing
the particulars of the engagement at the rebel
Notifications below st. Charles, So miles up
White River, on the 18th. The gunboats St.
Louis, Mound City, Lexington, and Conesto-
ga, and the transport New National having on
board the Goth Indiana regiment, Col. Fitch,
which left here week ago to open communi-
cation with Gen. Curtis army, and remove
distractions from White River, assembled that
stream.
When the gunboat Mound City, Capt.
Kelley commanding, was about a mile and a
halt in advance in a bend of the river near
ST. Charles, two concealed batteries opened
on the Mound City. Her decks were imme
diately cleared for action, and as soon as the
range of the works was obtained, the guns
opened fire. Capt. Kelley Signalled Col
Fitch to land his force below the fort which
was successfully accomplished The Lexing-
ton and st. Louis shelled the works under
cover of which Col. Fitch gained the rear of
the rebel position.
AT this iuncture ball from siege gun on
the bluff struck the forward and port side of
the Mound City, penetrated her casemate and
passing through the steam drum. The YES
sci was filled with escaping vapor and nearly
ty-three of the officers and crew out of one
hundred and seventy-five escaped injury. The
scene which ensued was horrible. Many of
the crew, frantic with pain, jumped overheard,
and some were drowned. Boats from the
Conestoga, which was coming up at the time
to support the Mound City, were sent to their
relief; but the rebels fred on the men in
the water with grape and canister from their
field pieces, numbering most of those who
were attempting to escape.
Being appraised of the state of affairs on the
river, Col Fitch's regiment pushed forward
and carried the fort by storm at the point of
the bayOnet. The rebel works consisted of
two batteries, the lower one mounting six field
pieces and the upper one three heavy siege
guns, managed by from 400 to 500 men, under
command of Colonel Frye, late of the United
States navy. About 200 Of the rebels are said
to have escaped. Over $50 are reported killed
and wounded, and 30 taken prisoners. Among
the prisoners is Col. Frye, who was wounded
in the shoulder, and brought here by the Con-
estoga.
Captain Kelly of the Mound City, was Sc
yerely scaded about the face and hands, but
will recover. Second master Hearte, third
master Kinsey fourth master Scoville, mas
ter's mate H. r. Browne, the paymaster, chief
engineer John Cox, and assistant engineers
John McAfee and Hollingsworth, were killed.
Pilot Charles Young was severely scalded and
is reported since dead. Surgeons Jones and
Manning are slightly scalded From 80 to
100 of our sailors have already been buried,
and over 20 are missing.
Col. Fitch reports but few of his men
wounded and none killed. and but for the
unfortunate accident on the Mound City the
rebel works would have been carried without
loss on our side. She can easily be repaired.
The flag officer has sent to Cairo for an
other crew. The rebels have INSTRUCTED the
channel above by sinking two large steam
boats and a gunboat, believed to be the May
Pole.
War GaZette-OhciRl.