Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-05-15
Defeat of the Rebel Flotilla.

/
NAHAL VICTORY ON THE MISSISSIPPI
Defeat of the Rebel Flotilla.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-The following has
been received
FLAG SHIP BENTON, ABOVE FoRT P1GLow.)
Mississippi River May 10,
via Cairo, It'll.
To Hon. Gideon Wells, Secretary of The Nary:
The naval engagement for which the rebels
have Teen preparing took place this morning.
The rebel fleet, consisting of eight iron.ciad
gunboats, four of which were fitted with rams,
came up handsomely. The action lasted enc
hour. Two of the rebel gunbouts were blown
up and one sunk, when the enemy retired pre-
cipitatey under the guns of the fort. Only six
vessels of my squadron were engaged. The
Cincinnati sustained some injury from the rams,
but will be in fighting condition tomorrow.
Cap. Stemblc distinguished himself, and he is
seriously wounded. The Benton is unnjured.
Mortar boat No. 16, in charge of Second Mas
ter Gregory, behaved with great spirit. The
rebel equadron is supposed to be commanded
by Commodore Hollins.
(Signed) &. II. DAVIS,
Captain Commanding Western Flotilla, Missis-
sippi River, pro TEN.
CAIRO, May 1.-THE desperation Of rebel
cause on the Mississippi eliminated Yesterday
in an attack on the fota. Early Saturday
morning eight of their gunboats came around
the point above the fort, and boldly advanced
towards the fleet. The Cincinnati, which was
stationed at the point where the rebels came up
to on Friday, did not attack them until a fleet
had passed above her. AS soon as she was
seen, simultaneous attack from the whole of
their gunboats was made upon her with little
effect. as the guns were poorly aimed. The
Cincinnati, in the meantime. had hauled into
the stream where an ron-clad ram, supposed to
be the Mallory, advanced in the face of the con-
tinued broadsides from the former, until within
forty yards, and, being faster sailer, succeed
ed in mooring between the Cincinnati and their
right when men appeared on her decks,
preparing to board, with grapnels thrown out,
which design was frustrated by throwing hot
water from the steam batteries of the Cincin-
natl.
In the meantime the rest of our gunboats
had arrived at the scene of action and engaged
the rebel fleet. The Mallory, undaunted by her
failure, crowded on q full head of steam and
came toward the Cincinnati, evidently intending
to run her down. Capt. Stembe in command
of the latter waited until the rebel monster was
within twenty yards, when he sent broadside
into her from his. Parrot guns which did fear
full execution.
time that it was impossible for the gunners of
the Cincinnati to swab out the guns and it was
only by bringing the steam batteries to bear
upon her again that the Mallory was compelled
to haul off. Captain Stembel shot her pilot with
his revolver, and was himself wounded by a
; pistol shot, fired by the pilots mate of the
Mallory.
While the engagement between the Mallory
7 and Cincinnati was in progress, our shots ex-
! ploded the boilors of one of the rebel gunboats
and set fire TO another, burning her to the
waters edge. The air was very heavy, and un-
= der cover of the dense smoke which hung over
a the river, the rebel fleet retired, but was pur-
sued until they gained shelter under the guns
: of Fort Wright. None of our boats were in
iured except the Cincinnati. The damage to
her is slight that she can be repaired in twen-
ty-four hours. Four men were wounded on
her. including the Masters Mate. No other
I casualties are mentioned.
When the smoke cleared away, broadside
: from the flagship Benton was sent after the
Mallory and shortly after she was seen to careen
7 and went down with all on board.
Brilliant Naval Fight on the Mississippi.
= THE REBEL FLEET ALL WHIPPED OUT.
: The following has been received at the navy
e department Flag ship Benton, above Fort
t Pillow Mississippi river, May 10th, via Cairo,
: May 18th. To Hon. Gideon Weles, Secretary
# of the Navy: The naval engagement for which
s the rebels have been preparing, took place this
v morning. The rebel feet, consisting of eight
ron-clad boats, four of which were fitted with
rams came up handsomely. The action lasted
one hour. Two of the rebel gunboats were
blown up and one sunk, when the enemy re-
tired precptately under the guns of the fort.
Only six vessels of my squadron were engaged.
l. The Cincinnati sustained some injury from the
rams. but will be in fighting condition to-mor-
row. Can't Stemble distinguished himself and
he is seriously wounded. The Benton is I'M
u injured. Mortar boat No. 4, in charge of Sec
; ond Master Gregory, behaved with great spirit.
If The rebel squadron is supposed to be comman-
IS ned by Com. Hollins. c. H. DAVIS, Captain
/ commanding the Western hotilla, Mississippi
, river, pro TEN.
IS The Coming Battle at Corinth.
n The steamer Meteor from Pittsburg Landing,
: Sunday morning, reports no general engage
g ment, although the situation of the armies il
. much more threatening than at any previous
J. time There have been several severe skr-
s mshes, which served to show that the inten-
J, ton of the contesing forces was definitely as
/ certained and that so far from the reports
a about evacuation icing true, the enemy is
strengthening all his deienses, instead of aband-
y oning his entertainments. An innumerabe
force of negroes is at work telling trees form
y ing abatts and strengthening earthworks. It
+ is now known that Lowell has reached Corinth
ie with thirty thousand men. 1t can no longer be
d a matter of doubt that Beauregard is prepar-
/ ing his army for desperate struggle. Oui
Of accommodating parties invariably, meet the enc
Il my, go where they will, and on hills, IN woods
y along roads, the rebels seem present IN over
ar powering strength. Preparations for the bat
g lie are being made on grand scale. Road
of are being cut through the woods to facilitate
v the movements of defIrent divisions. Sleg'
as guns are mounted in great numbers, and moth
ne ing will be wanting on our part TO win the con
ry test.
g. -. 80.