Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-06-10
LATEST NEWS
By TELEG RAPH. +
THE WAR NEWS.
Rebel Account of the Engage
ment at Memphis.
NEWS FROM FORT CRAIG.
The Federal cun-boats Before
Charleston.
Rebel Account of the t:un.Boat Fight
at MemnhiS

Rebel Account of the t:un.BOat Fight
at Memphis.
CAIRO, June s.
The Memphis Argue Of the 9Th, gives the fol-
lowing account Of the engagement:
Three shets were fred from the Confederate
feet before any reply was made by the enemy,
who, however, coEtinued advancing. A short
time afterwards, fire was opened by the advancing
boats Of the Federal feet, and brisk intercb ange
Of canncnading was kept up for some tine. the
shots from both sides generally falling wide Of
the mark. Several more Of tho enemy's gun
boats now came in sight. Com. Montgomery or
dered the feet to fall back. The order was 70
luctantly obeyed, the firing, however, being kept
mp vigorously. Our feet retired to the opposite
side of Beal street, no longer in line Of battle,
when one Of ths Federal rams shot ahead OF the
remainder of the feet in pursuit. Upon reaching
the vci atty Of the feet, tho Beauregard at once
prepared to strike, and they both bore down on
each other in gallant style. The contest Was Of
short duration, as the Beauregard, avoiding the
blow intended for her, struck her adversary for
ward or her wheelhouse. The blow plae cd the
Federal adventurer hors du combat, and she hauled
of and m5de for the Arkansas shore, where sh c
remained during the remainder Of the engage
ment. In the meantime, another Federal ram, the
Monarch, started to the frsts assistance, rapidly
passing the city under full head Of steam. The
Beauregard having disabled her first adversary,
turns about to run into the Monarch. The Price
IL
idly coming together. A heavy blow aimed BY
the Beauregard, at the Monarch missed. and struck
the Price, which was unable to get out Of the
the way. She was struck fairly On the W wheel-
house, which was torn completely of, leaving t.e
boat nearly q wreck. She at once made for the
Arkansas shore, and sunk as deeply as the shall
low water would allow. A number of PERSONS on
board were killed and wounded by the enemy's
sharpshooters. Just at this period, four iron clad
gun-boats Of tho enemy, none Of which had yet
taken any other part in the engagement, then fir
ing at lorg range as they slowly advanced, moved
down for the scene Of action. The cannonading
their arrival was fercely renewed, and in a
short time, the General Lovcl! was pierced by a
large shot, which caused her to fill rapidly and
settle down. The Little Rebel was soon after
wards struck by one Of the Federal shots, and she
At Once started for the Arkansas side. The Beau
regard, nothing daunted by the disaster which had
befallen the others, still continued vigorously Ey-
ing. AS she retired towards tae point, two CT
three Of the enemy's large boat. closed in on her,
pouring in broadside. After she was struck
several times by shot which raked her fore and
aft, Federal ram coming UP, also dealt her a
blow, and she commenced sinking rapidly in deep
water OPT osite Jackson Mound. The remaining
Sumter and Bragg, now rapidly moved down the
river. A pursuit was made by the Federal feet
to the foot of Presidents Island, the gun-boats
rapidly firing they went, shot
occasionally being returned from our neet. In a
short time two of the Federal iron clad boats were
observed steanng back accompanied by the
Monarch. The conclusion arrived at was that the
remainder Of our fleet had met the fate OF the
others.
The loss Of life in this engagement cannot be
estimated with any degree of accuracy. 1t is
supposed that quito Lumber went down with
the sinking vessels. The loss OF the enemy other
than the damage to the ram has not been ascer-
tained His boats were altogether superior to ours,
in every respect, and therefore sustained small
loss. save in hand to hand encounters.
Tho bluffs in front of the city were crowded
with spectators, many Of whom never witnessed
anything of the kind before. Many ladies were
seen with the tears trckliug down their cheeks,
humiliated at the triumph of the Federal boats.
III tho stores, with few exceptions, were closed,
business Of every kind being suspended. Not
less than 5000 persons were on tho wharf. The
train which left on the Tennessee & Mississippi
railroad was jammed and crowded by our citizens,
many Of whom hal remained until the last op-
portuaity to get away.