New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-20
with the Brooklyn, Wes,field, Clinton, jackson and

with the Brooklyn, " estheId, Cinton jackson ana
Scotia.
Ihsd sent the Cayuga up before, agreeable to a
request of Gen. Butler, Ill consequence Of the guer
| rillas firing into some of his transports.
! On nv arrival / was Informed by Commander w.
d. Porter, that yesterday morning AZ o'clock, the
enemy forces under Gen. Breckinridge attacked
Ten Vi illama, and drove in his pick,ts, etc. Gen.
Williams having had ample warning, all was pre-
pared for him.
The fight was continued with great energy on
Doth sides until 10 a M, by which time the enemy
iad been driven back two or rec miles, but uuor-
lunately the gallant Gen. Williams, while cheering
IN lis men, received Minnie ball through the
hear.
I Gen. Williams had informed Lieut. Commanding
Ransom the evening before of his plans and eauest
ed him not 10 fire IA gun un ii he notified him; aud
when he did 70 our gunboats the kiueo and Kaiah-
DIN opened with fine effect, throwing their shells d.
rec'ly in the midst OF the enemy, producing great
dlsmay and confusion among them.
Lieut.. Ransom had an officer on the State House,
which overlooked the adjacent country, whOconld
direct the fire OF every shell.
As soon as the enemy was repnlsed Commander
Porter, with the gunboats, WEI up stream after the
ram ARKANSAS, which was lying about five miles
above, apparently afraid TO take her share in the
conflict.
According to the preconcerted plan, ~ be came
within gun-shot he opened on her and probably soon
disabled some OF her machinery or steering appara-
tus, for she became unnanageabe, continuing how
ever TO fire her guns ut The Essex.
Commander Porter says he took advantage OF her
preventing weak point toward him and loaded
with ncendisry shells. After his first discharge OF
this prnjectile gush of fire came out OF her side,
and from tina! moment it was discovered that she
fire, which lie continued his exertl0ns to pre-
vent from being eXt!aguished,
They backed her ashore and made line fast,
which soon burnt and she swung off into the river,
where she continued 10 burn until she blew up with
.xs
the last iron-cad ram Of the Mississippi There
were many persons on the banks OF the river wit
Messing the tight, in which they anticipated II
triumph for Secessis but the return OF the Essex
not soul was to be seen.
will leave n sufficient force Of gunboats here TO
snprort the army, and Will return tomorrow 10
New Orleans, and depart Immediately for Ship
Island with light heart that | have left no bug.
tear 10 torment the communities OF the Mississippi
Ia Iny absence.
Very respectfully your obeiient servant.
ID. q. fAKKAGCr, Flag Officer,
Commanding ". g. Bloct idng Squadron.
10 Hon. GIDEON WALES Secretary Navy, Wellington.
Commander w. ID. Porter's dispatch TO Admiral
Fsrragus is thus given:
Sin: This morning at eight ! steamed up the
river. and at 10 q. IN. attacked the Rebel ram
Arkansas and blew her up. There is not fragment
Of her left.
The following Rebel account Of the Arkansas is
submitted TO the Secretary OF the Navy by Admiral
Fsrragut:
FL.G.sHP HiHryoEp, New -Orean,, Ang TO- la62
SIR: Since forwarding the reports Of Lieus. Fair
fax Ransom and Roe, we have picked up "A number
OF prisoners from the ram Arkansas, all OF whom
have caiechised very closely. They agree very well
respecting her exit FROM the Yazoo, and her pasing
the fleets, and they aiso agree TO the number OF
killed and wounded on each Of these occisions, max
ing in all eighteen Killed and "a large number Oh
wounded.
AZ Vicksburg thew plated the deck with iron, and
fortified her with cotton inslde. She then came down
in command Of Lieut. H. X. Ste sens, Lieut.. Brown
having been taken sick at Nicksbnrg with the liz
tertion of making combined attack with Gen.
Breckenridge upon Baton Rouge but her port engine
broke down. They repaired il in the cOurse of the
day, and went out 70 meet the Essex.
The next morning when!they saw her coming up,
the st,rboard engine gave way, and they ran her
ar bore, she being perfectly manageable. They
ray that when our gunboats were seen coming ny,
and the Essex commenced firing, the Captain Get the
ran on fire and told the crew 10 run adore
They also state that the guDbaais Webb and
Music were cent for to tow her up The rVer, but that
they did not arrive, and neither of them had been
seen.
Admiral Farragut, under date Of the 10th August,
thus addresses the Secretary of the Navy;
SIR: / regret 10 inform the Department that at
the town Of Donsldsonville they have pursued ID
uniform practice Of firing upon our steamers pass
ing up and down the river. sent a message 10 the
lnDdbthNts lUal, III ticl hot uih'ph'iuuo tinn
practice, would destroy their town. The last time
passed up to Baton Rouge to the support of the
army, anchored about Elk miles above Donaldson
Vile, and heard them fire upon the vessels coming
up, first upon the Sallie Robinson, and next upon
the Brooklyn. In the latter case they made a mis-
take and il was 40 quickly returned that they ran
away The next night they fired again upon the 81.
Charles. j therefore ordered them TO send their
omen and children ont Of town, as certainly In
tended 10 destroy it my way down the river; and
fulfilled my promise to a certain extent.
burned down the hotels and wharf buildings;
also the dwellinghouse and other buildings of Mr..
Philippe Sandy, who is said to be a Captain OF guer-
rllas He fired uDon men, but they chased him
OF.
We also brought Oft some ten or twelve of his ne
proes, and supplied ourselves with cattle and sheep
from his place.
Commander Wainwright died on the 10th inst,
after an illness OF two weeks.
THE WAR IN THE SOUTH-WRST.