The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-11
UNITED STATES GUNBoAr CAIRO, I
AT MEMPHIS, June 6-10 A. M.


The Narai Engagement at Memphis
This morning at about half past four O'Clock. as you1
correspondent was performing those additions which
are said to be SO necessary the heahof the sailor in
these waters he interrupted by tie boats messen
ger, who reported to Capt. Bryant that the snemys
vessels steaming up the river. Tho captain gave
the necessary orders prepare for action and to watch
and follow the Of the flagship. Everything was
progressing steadily and quietly when at quarter past
five, the report Of gun was heard. The Cairo ut tha
time was some distance below the other ships and Of
course the to the enemy The captain and my
self in the pilot house when the ocer Of the decs
reported that the advance rebel had thrown
shell at us.
sReply to that shot, Mr.. Burns" said Captain b.
"and keep firing as long thore 10 anything left u
them.n
Thus the battle fairly opened, and = warm morn
ing's work seemed imminent Shots exchanged
with commendab celebrity for quarter Of an hour the
United States boats advancing all the while and the
enemy changing position continually and otherwise en-.
dcavoring to avoid the deadly aim Of our guns, when
three Of the much decried ramshe Queen Of the West
the Lancaster and the Monarch-ran down directly into
the midst Of the rebel feet Of all exhibitions Of in
trepdity that have witnessed during my six monhs'
connection with the Western army and navy this bore %
the palm Tho Queen and Monarch made dash nrst at the
rebol steamer General Beauregard, vessel combining
the qualities Of gunboa and and having struck her
almost simultaneously withdrew, with no damage to
themselves, and looked about them for other foemsn
worthy OF their steel prows The Bsauregard lies now.
very quietly and comfortably sunk on nice sandy bot
TOM three fathoms Of water, and doing well a.
could expected under the circumstances The loss o.
this vessel the unexpected appear and power
the rams seemed throw the rebel feet into confusion,
md qiii pes tho only order which obeyed
among them Having this disposed Of the Beaureg ard
A~oh fcr fka tNlo abnt htrh
dcxtrously avoided by her who In turn atten pts6
to sink the Monarch. This vessel awaited the approach
yards Of each other, when the Monarch made sudden
rsrograde and the whole force OF tho attacking
boa. was spent the a
doing any more mischief. Soon after this OCCUR
renee the Little Rebel was struck by shot
could be seen she down holding up their arms.
porinr tha. mercy which could not DO shown them
Soon the waters Of the great river closed over
them and their peous cries were hushcd in that sleep
which knows no waking Tho battle had now ragged
nearly hour and the entire rebel fleet, with the ex
cepon Of the General Van Dorm had either surrendered
been destroyed. The Efforts OF fotila now
concentrated upon this boat and shot after shot WAC
after her. But she was already out OF range,
and our boats too slow to overtake her. Thus
she effected her escape, and has gone below perhaps
with the intention Of Joining Commodore Farraguts fleet.
except the Van Dorm and were sgnaIed by the Benton
to return to our mornings anchors &C. The boats which
foil priZe to the national feet or werc destroyed by IL,
were the Beaurogard, Gen. Price, Gen. Lowell Jen.
Thompson Gen. Bragg, Little Rebel and Sumter. The
engaged side the Benton Cairo Carond let,
Lonsv and st. Louis and the rams mentioned above.
We lost no men far Is at this moment aud
cannot give you any information just TO the
On the return Of the fleet the flagship Benton landed
the evee probably with view towards the surrender
Of the city to Commodore Paws.
desire TO acknowledge the courtesy shown the He
RAID through its representative by the officers Of the
Cairo.
Contrabnnds Forbidden To Come into the
Union Lines at Memphis.
CHICAGO, June 10, 1862.
A special despatch from Memphis, dated tho sth.
says
Il has been decided BY the Union authorities not 70
allow runaway negroes TO into lines under any
circumstances and that they have control them
outside the lines.
The Postmaster for Memphis.
CAIRO, June 10, 1852.
A. H. MARYLAND tho special agent OF the Post ONCE
Department left hcre to-day for Memphis to open the
Post ofce In that place
Reopening Of Trade ON the Mississippi.
CINCINNATI, June 10, 1852
The Secretary Of Treasury teegraphs to the Prssi
dent OF the Chamber Of Commerce that shipments can
DO made to Memphis and New Orleans as soon as the
Mississippi river is cleared subject to the regulations
OF tho commanders OF tho ports OF destination.
Aid for the Starving Women and Chff-
dren In the Southwest.
ST. LOUIS, June 10, 1852.
James +. Yestmann President Of the Western Sanitary
Commission, this morning received despatch from
General Halleck stating that hundreds Of and
children in that vicinity are in starving condition
her husbands and brothers have all boon pressed into
the rebel service and robbed Of everyhng-and appeal
hc citi NJ Ioui for alief Gor I'm
sufferers. Mr.. Ycstmann laid General Haeck's
despatch before the Union Chamber Of Commerce,