Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-08-19

KAN ARKANSAS.
OPERATIONS OF COMMODORE FARRa.
CUTS FLEET, &c.
The Navy Department this forenoon received
the following interesting oficisl dispatches:
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD,
BARON RousE, August z, 1854
SIR 1T 10 one Of the hsppiest moments Of nv
LIE that am enabled to inform the Department
OF the destruction Of the ram Arkansas, not be-
cause held the iron-clad in such terror but be-
csuse the community did.
On the 4th inst :, I sent the Tennessee up 70 Ba
ton Rouge with provisions for Com Porter and
the gunboats stationed at that place On the
night OF the 5th she returned with information
that the enemy had made a combined attack upon
Baton Rouge by the ram and two gunboats the
Webb and Music, and calling for assistance. At
daylight the Hartford was under weigh for this
place, with orders for tie other vessels to follow
me as fast as ready.
arrived here to-day at u m, In company with
the Brooklyn, Westneld, Clinton, Jackson and
Sciota: had sent the Cayuga up before me-
agreeable to request Of Gen. Butler, in conse-
quence Of the guerilias firing into some of his
transports. On my arrival 4 was informed by
Com. w. d. Porter that yesterday morning at Z
O'Clock the enemyh forces, under Gen Breckin.
cts, &c. Gen Williams, having had ample warn
Ing, was all prepared for him. The fight was
continued with great energy on both sides until
III a. m, by which time the enemy had been
nately, the gallant Gen. Williams, while cheer
Ing on his men, received MIME ball through
the heart.
General williams had informed Lieut. Comdg
Ransom the evening before of his plans, and re-
quested him not TO fire gun until he notified
him. and when be did 30, our gunbosts-the
kineo and Katahdin opened with fine effect,
throwing their shells directly in the midst Of the
enemy, producing great dismay and confusion
among them. Lieut.. Ransom had an otacer on
the State House, which overlOoks the adjacent
country, and could direct the FIRE Of every shell.
AS soon as the enemy was Iepulsed, Com. Por-
Ter, with the gunboats, went up stream after the
ram Arkansas, which was lying about Eve miles
above, apparently afraid TO take her share In the
conflict, according TO the preconcerted plan. As
he came within gunshot he opened on her, and
probably soon disabled some OF her machinery or
steering ,pparatus, for she became unmanage-
Essex.
Com. Porter says he took advantage of her pre-
| sentng weak point towards him, and loaded
with incendiary shells. After his first discharge
OF this projectile gush Of fre came ont OF her
side, and from that moment 1t was discovered
that she was on hre, which he continued mis- ex-
ertions to prevent from being extipguished. They
backed her ashore and made a line fast, which
soon burnt, and she swung of into the river,
where she continued to burn until she blew up
with tremendous explosion, thus ending the
career Of the last iron cad ram Of the Mississippi
There were many persons on the banks Of the
river witnessing the fight, in which they antici.
pated a triumph for Secessia," but on the re.
! turn OF the " Essex - not a soul was 10 be seen
4 will leave sufficient force Of gunboats here
| TO support the army, and will return tomorrow
| To New Orleans, and depart Immediately for ship
Island, with light he5rt that have left no bug
bear to torment tue Of the Mississippi
| In my absence.
Very respectfully, your obcdient servant,
ID. 6. FARRAGUr,
Flag oncer Coming w G. Block'g So.
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
On GuNBoAr Essex
OF Baton Rouge, August 8, 1862. (
Rear Admiral ID. 6 Fsrrsgut-Sir: This morn.
Ing, at a. IN i steamed up the river, and at IL
| a. N attacked the rebel ram Arkansas and blew
| her up-there is not now a fragment Of her left.
Very respectfully, your obedien, servant,
CONG DivIsion Of Flotilla in Western Waters
U. s. GuHBoAr RINEo,
| of Baton Rouge, La, August 6, 1864 :
Sir: 4 have to report that Wig orous attack Wal
made upon our forces at this place yesterday morn
Ing, at about O'CLOCK, BY a strong rebel force
The kineo and Katahdin were placed imme
| diately in position previously indicated 10 me
| by Gen. Williams, to protect his right flank, but
| his lines were so much extended, and so com
pletely covered the enemyS approach, that oul
guns could not be made available with safety q
| our troops at any time during the morning. In
| the afternoon, however, We were notified Of such
/
| that we were enabled to open with tremendou,
effect we are informed) upon the enemy's lef
wing, which caused him to withdraw In much
| haste, aud fall back several miles.
Early In the morning soon after the attack had
been commenced, the smoke OF a steamer, sup
posed, from information received the previous
evening to be the ram Arkansas" was observed
| moving rapidly down the river towards the benz
| Just above this place. II stopped about mile
| above the bend, and remained there, sometime
| apparently moving up little, then down again
\ during the day and night.
Late In the afternoon she was Joined, apparent
| ly, by two other steamers, Judging by smoke
| which separated from her this morning movin,
i up the river. The Essex, accompanied by thu
Cayuga and Sumter then moved up TO
wards the bend, finally general signal wa
made by the former, agreeably to which tn
Kineo and Katahdin followed. Upol
drawing near to the bend, however, some line
Of white smoke having been observed in tn,
rear Of the city, 1t was deemed advisable 70
the two latter 10 return to their station for tn
protection Of the troops.
| By this time IL had been discovered that the
Arkansas was on fre-sussequently 10 had
been ascertafned, believe, that she had sudden
| Iy become helpIe,, there by some failure Of be
| engines, and seeing our approach so formidable
to her In her crippled condition, doubtless they
| her on FIRE and abandoned her About o'clocl
her magazine exploded, and the ram Arkansa
| was extinct.
have tie honor TO be, sir,
| Very respectfully your obj serv't,
| 6Ko. NJ. RANSOM, Lieut.. CONG.
Flag OHicer ID. G. FARRAsuT, Commanding w
| 6. Blockading squadron.
| U.S. GuNBoAr KATAHpIN,
OFF Baron Rover, La August 6, 1862.
| Sir: The anticipated attack Of the enemy oil
| this place, OF which made mention In my lette
| Of the 4th instant, took place on the morning o
| the 5th. In consequence Of the line Of our troop
| being SO extended, the Kstahdln could render n,
assistance to the place until afternoon
| During yesterday afternoon The Kineo and