The New York herald., 1862-02-08

the east shore or the rivsr stands the for6cations
and keeping out OF range tiI q. the head Of
the island and within a mile Of the enemy
passing tho island in full view Of the rebel
guns. We steadily advanced, every man at quarters.
every strained catch the flag officers signal gun
for the of tho action Our line Of battle
was on the left Of the St. Louis the Carondee next
the Cincinnati or the time being the flagship, having on
board Flag Onncer Foots) and the next the Essex.
We advanced in line, the Cincinnati boats length
ahead when, at halfpast eleven, the Cincinnati opened
the ball. and Immediately the three accompanying boats
followed suit
The enemy was not backward and gave an admirable
hour. We steadily advanced, receiving and re-
turning the storms Of shot and shell, when, getting
within three hundred yards Of the snemys works, we
came to stand and poured into him right and left In
the meantime thc Essex had been disabled and drted
away from the OF action, leaving the Cincinnati
Carondeet and st. Louis alone engaged.
At precisely forty minutes past O'Clock the enemy
struck his colors and such cheering such wild excite
ment seized the throats. caps Of the four or
five hundred sailors Of the gunboats be imagined
After the surrender, which made to Flag
Officer Foote by General Lloyd Tilghman, who
defended his fort in a most determined manner,
we found that the rebel Infantry, encanpsd outside
the fort, numbering -four or Eve thousand, had cut
and rum leaving the rebel artillery company in command
Of tbe'fort.
The fort mounted seventeen guns, Of them thirty
two and thirty -four Founders, being magnificent
ten inch columbad Our shots dismountcd two Of their
guns, driving the enemy into the embrasures One Of
their rned thrtytwo Founders burst during the engage
msnt, wounding some Of their gunners. Tho rebels
claimed to have but eleven effective guns, worked by
City four men-the number all told Of prisoners.
They lost FIVE killed and ten badly wounded.
Tho infantry left everything in their fight. vast
deal Of plunder has fallen into hands, including .
large and valuable quantity of ordnance stores.
Cen Tighman dishearened. He thinks il one Of the
most damaging blows OF the war. In surrendsring to
Flag on'cer Foote the rebel General remarked al am
glad 10 surrender to gallant officer" Flag ofcer
Foote replied, You do perfectly right SIR in surrender
ing but should have blown my boats out Of the wa
ter before would have surrendered to YOU"
In the engagement the Cincinnati was in tho lead aud
flying the Gag officers pennant, was the chief mark
Flag Officer Foote and Captain stembe crowded her de-
family into tae teeth of the enemy's guns She rot
thirty Shots Of them going completely through
her Tho Essex was badly crippled when about han
through the fight, and crowdbg steadily against tho
ercny ball went into her side forward port through
her heavy bukhesd, and squarey through one Of her
boilers the escaping steam scadInr and killing several
Of she crew. Captain Porter, his Aid c. r. Britton
Jr, and Paymss,cr Lewis were standing In Q direct
line Of the balls passing Mr.. Brhton being in the
centre OF the group. shot struck Mr. Britton on
the top Of his head, scattering his brains in
every direction The escaping ssam weRt into the pilot
house. instantly killing Messrs. Ford and Bride, pilots
May Of the sodiers the rush OF steam jumped over
board and were drowned.
The Cincinnati bad one killed and wounded. The
Essox had six season and two officers killed. seventeen
men wounded and Hve missing There were casualties
on the ST. Louis Carnodelet though the shot and shell
fell upon them like Tho st. Louis was commanded
by Leonard Pauldips who stood upou .he gunboa, and
worked the guns 10 the last.
Not q man 8nched, ADD with cheer upon cheer sent
the shot and she'll among the eneny.