The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-05-13

CAIRO, May 1.-THE desperation of the
rebel cause en- the Mississippi, eliminated
yesterday in an attack on our Hotilla.-
Early Friday morning eight of their gun
boats came round the point above the Fort,
and boldly advanced towards the Cincin-
natl, which wss stationed at point where
the rebels came up on Friday, and did not
attract their attention until the feet had
passed above her. As soon as she was aeen,
simultaneous attack by the whole of their
gunboats was made upon her, with but lit
tie effect, as the guns were poorly aimed.
In the meantime, the Cincinnati hauled up
the stream, where an iron~clad ram, sup
posed to be the Mallory, advanced under
the broadsides of the Cincinnati, until
within 40 yards, and being faster sailer
than the Cincinnati, succeeded in getting
between the Cincinnati and the right shore,
when men appeared on shore with Crap
nells thrown out, which design was frus-
trated by throwing hot water from the
steam batteries of the Cincinnati. Ia the
meantime, the rest of our gunboats had ar
rived at the scene of action, and engaged
the rebel feet.
The Mallory, undaunted by the failure in
the attempt to board, crowded on a whole
head of steam and came toward the Gin
cinnsti, evidently intending to run her
down. Capt. Stsmble, in commans of the
latter, waited until the rebel monster was
within twenty yards, when he sent broad
side into her from his Parrot guns, which
did fearful execution, The boats were 80
close together by this time that it was i'm
possible for the gunners of the Cincinnati
to swab out their guns, and it was only by
bringing the steam battery to bear on her
again that the Mallory was compelled to
haul off. Capt. StembIe shot her pilot with
his revolver, and was himself wounded by
a pistol shot fred By the pilots mate of the
Mallory.
While the engagement between the NAL
lory and Cincinnati was in progress, our
shots had exploded the boilers of one of the
gsnboats and setting fire to another, burn
ing her to the waters edge.
The air was very heavy, and under cover
of the dense smoke which hung over the
reSs, the rebel feet retired, and was pur-
sued until they gained shelter under the
guns Of Fort Wright.
None of our boats were Injured except
the Cincinnati, and her damages are SO
slight that they can be repaired in %
hours. Four men on board were wounded,
including the Masters mate. No other cas-
ualties were mentioned. When the smoke
cleared away q broadside from the Flag
ship Benton was sent after the Mallory
Shorts after, she was seen to careen, and
went down with all on board.
The steamers Courier and City of Alton
arrived from Pittsburg Landing, bringing
news up to noon of that day. No engage
ment bad taken place. On Thursday the
Fad Battalion of the 7th Illinois cavalry,
under command of Col. Appleton, accom-
panied Gen. Paine from Pennington, on q
of the rebels position. When
about miles out our scouts, which had
been sent in advance, come back and re-
ported force of rebel infantry in ambush
on both sides of the road leading from Farm
ington to Corinth. After consultation, the
federal forces advanced to ascertain the
rebel strength and were surrounded but cut
their way through. The rebels who had
formed on the road made their way back,
bringing off the body of Major who was
killed.
Four of their men were wounded. De-
serters who came in subsequently reported
40 killed, wounded and missing, of whom
8 Lieut.. Col and captain were killed. On
Friday the rebel Gen. Bragg's division at
tackled Gen. Paine in his position two miles
from Pennington. a sharp engagement
followed, our men fighting bravely, max
ing several ,bayonet charges on the enemy
who were repulsed with slaughter. d. Our
troops returned to Pennington. We lost
certainly 200 killed, wounded and pris-
oners. eEzl &C.