Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-20

| pzd iOOO worm DAY.
Governor Andrews telegraphs to Sena-
tor Sumner that Massachusetts has six
more regiments ready for the field
Rumors are current to-day that Jackson
is coming up! the valley to outhank Pope
and attack Washington. There is proba-
bly, no foundation for the report.
The Navy Department is in receipt of
voluminous dispatches from Admiral Far
ragut and among them is the following:
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD,
BATON RoUGE, Aug. 7th
SIR:-It is one Of the highest moments of
my life that am enabled toinform the De-
partment of the destruction of the ram Ar
kansas, not because held the iron clad in
such terror, but because the community
did. On the fourth inst sent the Tennes-
see up to Baton Rouge with provisions for
commander Porter and the gunbosts sta
toned at that place.
On the night of the 9th she returned
with information that the enemy had made
combined attack on Baton Rouge by the
ram and two gunboats, the Webb and Mu-
sic. At daylight the Hartford was under
weigh for this place, with orders for the
other vessels to follow me as fast as ready.
| arrived here to-day at u NJ, in company
with the Brooklyn, Westfeld, Clinton,
jackson and SciOta. had sent the Cay
uga up agreeable to a request Of Gen. But
Ter, in consequence of some of the guer-
rillas firing into some of his TRANSPORTS.
On my arrival I was informed by Com. W.
D. Porter, that yesterday morning at two
o'clock, the enemy's forces under General
Breckenridge attacked Gen. Williams and
d,-n- drrh hfo saI~o L
ing had ample warning, all was prepared
for him.
The fight was continued with great en-
ergy on both sides until 10 A. NJ, by which
time the enemy had been driven two or
three miles, but unfortunately the gallant
Gen. Williams was killed He had inform
ed Lieutenant Commanding Ransom the
evening before of his plans, and requested
him not to fire a gun until he notified
him, and when he did so our gunboats
opened with fine effect, throwing their
shells directly in the midst of the enemy,
prnducinn nraat diana mAu-azaa-aa-.g.,s g.,s;lls.-
among Them. Lieut.. Ransom had an Off
Ger on the State House. and could direct
our shells. As soon as the enemy was re-
pulsed, Com. Porter went up the stream
after the ram Arkansas, which was lying,
apparently afraid to take q 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 apparatus, for she
became unmanagable, continuing, however,
to fire her guns at the Essex.
Commander Porter says he took adVan-
tage of her presenting a weak point to-
81 III
shells. After his first discharge of this
projectile gush of fire came out of her
side, and from that moment it was discov-
cred that she was on fire, upon which he
continued his exertions to prevent it being
extinguished. They backed her ashore
and then made line fast which soon burnt
and she swung off into the river where she
blew up with tremendous explosion, thus
ending the career Of the last iron clad on
the Mississippi.
There were many persons on the banks
of the river Witnessing the fight, in which
they anticipated a triumph.
will leave sufficient force of gunboats
here to support the army and return to-
morrow to New Orleans and depart imme-
dialely for Ship Island with light heart
that l have left mo bugbear TO torment
the COM munities Of the Mississippi in
my absence.
Very respectfully your obt serv,t
D. G. FARRAGUT Flag Officer
To Hon. G. Welles, Secretary of the
Navy.
Commander POrter's despatch to Ad-
miral Farragut is thus given;
s1R:-This morning, at eight o'clock, I
steamed up the river, and at 10 O'Clock A.
N. attacked the rebel ram Arkansas, and
blew her up. There is not a fragment of
her left.
Lieuts. Ransom and Roe, and also Com
mander W. D. Porter, each give circum-
stantial account Of the affair Lieut.. Roe
says the enemy is still lowering in the rear
Of Baton Rouge, and that information is
received that to the 5000 already in the
vicinity, 4000I more are approaching from
| Manehac and others from Vicksburg.
l keep in constant communication with
the chief of the troops here,
ready to open fire when and where he may
desire.
Commodore Porter says the Arkansas
had crew of lS0 men, and mounted 10
guns, six 8-inch and four 50-pounaer rifles.
The gunboat Essex, commanded by him,
mounted guns, and had only 40 men on
duty at the time Of our going into action
The following rebel account Of the Arkan-
sas is submitted to the Secretary Of the
Navy by Admiral Farragut:
NEW ORLEANS, Aug, l0.-SIR; Since for
warding the reports Of Lieutenants Fair
fax, Ransom and Roe, we have picked up
number Of prisoners from the ram Arkan
sas, ell Of whom ] have catechised very
closely. They agree very well respecting
her exit from the YazoO, and her passage
of the feet; and they also agree as to tbs
number of killed and wounded on each o.
these occasions, making in all IL killed
aud large number Of wounded.
At Vicksburg they plated her deck with
iron and fortified her with cotton inside
She then came down in command Of Lieut.
H. K. Stevens Lieut. Brown being sick q
Yicksburg, and with the intention o
making a combined attack with Genera
Breckinridge on Baton Rouge, but her por
engine broke down. They repaired it il
! the course of the day and went out to NEE
! the Essex. The next morning when theJ
) saw her coming up the starboard engln'
l gave way and they ran her ashore, she be
. ing perfectly unmanaegable. They say
g that when our gunbOats were seen eomini
= up and the Essex commenced firing, tn
Captain set the ram on IRE and told tn
: crew to run ashore. They also state tina
J. the gunboats Webb and Music were sen
1 for to tow her up the river, but that the
did not arrive, and neither Of them ha
bsan oaan r-a. -