Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-05-13
RATTLR OF the GUNBOATs.

bow and pressed cotton for defense at thel
sides The old salts Of the regular navy,
We're of opinion that boats so built would be
utterly unable to resist the powerful guns and
conical shot of the enemy, and that the feet
would therefore fail to effect anything for the de-
tense of the river, for which service hey were
especially built To carry out their design OF
defending the river, and to test the power of cot
ton lining as a defensive amor, an attack on the
boats of the enemy-lying five miles above Fort
Pillow-was resolved upon.
Accordingly, on Saturday morning last at ten
o'clock, the boats of the expedition started from
below Fort Pillow to attack the gunboats of the
enemy, including the formidable Benton. The
gunboat Gen. Bragg led the advance, followed
by the Sumter, then the Gen Earl Van Dom,
the Sterling Pree bringing up the rear. On
rounding the point that brought the enemy's
! feet into view, the officers of the expedition
were surprised to ind seven irOn-clad boats on
their way down the river, as if they had known
| of the intended attack, and were on their way
to meet them. Since the battle, information has
been received that the FederaIs had set out with
the intention of making their grand attack upon
Fort Pillow. The enemy was therefore in every
way prepared for battle, and the question of the
vuluerabilty or iuvulnerability of the cotton Lin
ing, was to be subjected to as strong a test as
was to be expected under any circumstances.
The Gen. Bragg made the first attack, but by
some means, after doing some good service, her
tiller rope got out of order she became, for the
moment unmanageable and driited down the
stream. This was, OF course, discouraging to
the remainder of our fleet, who, of course, con-
sidered that she had received some serious injury,
and that the test, as far rs she was concerned,
was unfavorable in It's results The Sumter and
Van Dom were next desperately engaged, butt
ing vigorously at the eHemy's boats, stunning
no FIRE, but rushing TO close quarters and boldly
running, prov on, directly into the opposing
boats, having tvs or three each to deal with.
While thus hOtly engaged, the Van Dom swung
in shore in the bend, when a shore battery, !
located there, opened fire upon her, in addition !
to what she was receiving iron two Of the |
enemy's gunboats that were close beside her, |
within pistol shot range.
In this state of things, with one Of the best of
the four boats actually engaged, apparently in
where escape was impossible, the |
commander, Capt. E. J. MONTGOMERY, ordered
the signal to withdraw from action to be hoisted.
The boats obeyed the signal, aud to their agreea-
bic surprise the Van Dorm, which had appeared |
hopelessly lost, butted her way out from the at
tack of boats aud batteries, and Joined them.
Our boats stopped their engines and foated leis-
urely down, with their bows up the stream, but
the enemy contented himself with keeping up a
heavy and noisy firing, without, however, follow
ng the retiring boats.
During the action our boats confined them
selves almost wholly to dashing their iron prows
nto the enemy's boats, the sharp shooters on
BOARD meantime picking off the men from their
guns aud decks. The Sterling Price, the Bragg
md the Van Dom all by tuns butted one of the
principal opposing boats The marks on the
'uce showed that her bow had made breach
n which it had entered a lerth Of i've feet; this ,
vas near the bow Of the boat she attacked It ,
7as next to impossible IN the thick smoke of the
ring to read the names Of the opposing boats,
ut this boat whichever she might be, ran on a i
ar and appeared to be sinking. As the boats a
-eTe built in compartments, it is not easy to say
srtainly what was the extent of her damage q
mother boat cleared off soon after the com 4
of the action, and a third showed 1
gns OF being very seriously injured. t
On reaching the landing place below the fort, v
} the surprise Of all, not only were the other O
oats free from any material injury, but the Van b
'orn, which had been exposed to a raking fire of n
he most furious charac er had her hull tight and
Jund from stem to stern She had received, Y
owever, the severest shot that had struck any 4
our boats; 1t was a finch conical shell that
uttered three feet above the water line near the
ern, aud exploded inside Even this shot had
ltsiled no serious result Each of the four
oats bad received shot that had passed into the
'ttoH lining, but in no case had it passed "
trough. The great fact, to test which was one
the principal objects of the expedition, con-
aTy to the pTopheses which had been so freely
lade, was amply established The cotton .
roved an adequate and complete defense, entire
: obsuucting the passage OF the balls, and that
ithout the strain aud jar attending the imping.
lg Of the balls upon plates Of iron. The Sum- U
II had been shot at the water line, but she is
cry sOlidly built at the spot where the shot :, :
Tuck, and no serious damage was done.
The only lives lost were those of a cook and
steward. Six persons were wounded, none of u
lem seriously. The loss Of the enemy from g
le guns of cur sharpshooters is believed to be 'e
savy. The action lasted from twenty 10 thirty g
ruutes the time Of leaving and returning to c'
lie landing was an hour ami a half We re-
ember to have heard that cotton lining was =
great service in saving garment, but it II
nained for the Montgomery Aeet to demon G.
rato that cotton lining eau elIectually save a in
ar vessel is
OIL. w. &. FALKNEE, OF MIssIs-
SIPPI. -
We met this gentleman in the city yesterday -
4 route for his home, having just arrived from II
ichmond It's with regret we find that in the
of his regiment-the I'd Mississip- er
which be had rendered SO efficient through hi
s own untiring exertions, he has been thrown Sc
1t of the service. Col. FELKNER served twelve
onths in the Mexican war, where he was Sc \,
rely wounded, having three fingers shot from !,
S left band and receiving an injury in the an :.
e. In one OF the Mexican battles, be also lost
berse,, which was shot under him.
Col FAIKNER has served for the last twelve n,