, 1862-05-15

unarmcd and rather peacab1y than otherwise |
inclined, VIC concluded not to contest tbs
point with the gent1emanly officer who inform
ed us Of the fact that we were contraband:
and We withdrew to respectful distance aud
obtained nn the Information we could from par
ties who participated actively in the firht T
dare say that the incidents were as trutnful1Y
told as they would hare been had NC scaled
the iron sides Of the 1as ship and sought the
saaetusa sanctoraan of the Lieutenant command
ing.
| gunboat Who're turn it vas to guard the NOR
tar boats, and had not long been moored at
| the usual point when the rebels came swiftly
around the point, evidently with the intention
| "gobbling up" the devoted shell boat THIS
| steamer was soon followed by seven othcrs Of
| the rebel class. The first named Was found to
be the revenue cutter McRae, carrying one
large pivot gun at the bow, beak Of iron
like that Of . sword-dsh and : large arna-
| nent Of Marines If she had other ordnance
it was not apparent, the ports being closed.
The Cincinnati opened fire upon the McRle,
which Was returned promptly It waa then,
after goodly number Of Drpadsides, that the
| McRae retired, badly disabled, and, as an off
Ger Of the Cincinnati stated, pierced with
ball from Parrot gun from stem to stern.
The ram Sumter then eane in, rushed n1adly
et the Cincinnati, and IN the face Of deadly
fire, which must have raked her tore and att
most efectua.l5, ran her prov upon her, Gre
s1iug breach below the walter line and c.us-
ing her to fill to the knuck1es The Cincin-
nali began to sink But Captain ssembel did
thu cowardly assault his vessel had been tho
recipient of, he sefzed revolver, aimed at the
pilot Of the ram and fired. The pilot fell,
pierced by the ball. This WAS reeiprocated
nusket or rifle, took deliberate aim at his op-
| ponent and pnlttd the trigger Captain Stem
bel fell upon the deck, tho bullet having taken
effect IN bis neck, passing obl'quely down sard
shoulder blade. He Was picked up, kindly
/ cared for, and subsequently, carried TO the au-
R1pition boat, by Captain sandford, where he
, ! still remains.
l | first gunboat to come to the aid OF the Ciacln-
, pati She bore brayely up and opened upon
the second ram with good effect, aad the
Sumter having received dose which either
q | exploded her boiler or act her on tre, ma1e
her exit from the scene a. fast as possible
The general opinion Is to har fats seems to ha
that she sunk, carrying hcr crew With hrr, just
j of the point Be this IS it may, the ram Van
a Dom then came up aud attacked tho Mound
City. the Cairo and conessogs beine:
3 Benton within range There WA:
= eecond shock-the Mound City was also
struck by the iron-pofnted PROV Of the rcoe
< and commenced to settle. Not satisfied witt
|
70 aware Of the extent OF the da mage tue Mound
ia City had rect ived-the Van Dorm spun around
" her larger and more cumbersome fos. receives
her fre from the bog gums, vent to the sid
9 and took broadside, and kept on to thu
I'd stern and receiEed the oonteota Of the heavy
u guns there before abe could get assy. 0
o1 course she Eas riddled most completely, ant
- rounded the point In a state equallng that o
her aeeompaIee, the Sumter. II she did no
If eink, sha Vac forever useless. The Aouns
City was ably fought, as we're the Cincinnati
Pc after receiving the hole in her side Which wv
IN fast disabling her. Paymaster Guan of fhi
=. boat, G, eing that some cannon near tho ward
OF room, where be was stationed, were not beia
10 worked. had them loaded as the Van Dor
xas passing, and fred TWO shots, both q
which took effect. serving An excellent pu,
rs purpoee in finishing tho Vork SO ably begun
~, the first experience Of &r. Gum IN aeing sue
- large guns.
af r. Tho men Oh the mortar boat, not willing t
remain Idle where all were So busy, leysle