Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-01
Another AcCOunG Of Ihe Fight Oa Whit
River.

SiYer.
D.spa ch t. the Associated Press North
MEMPHIS June l9.-The gunbOst Conrstogs
has arrived with dispatches cont9ing the partic
ulas Of the engagement at tue rebel fortihc alton
below St Charl,s, eighty-fiVe miles from White
river Cutoff, on the l7th. The gunboats st
Louis, Mound City, Lexington and COnestog2,
and transport New National having on board
the 18th Indiana Col. Fitch, which left here
week ago to open communication with Gen.
Curtis' army and remove obstTgctiOns from
White river, assembled that stream, the gunbO8t
Mound City, Capt. Kelly commanding, about
mile and a half IN advance. Iu the nd of the
river, near St. Charles, two concealed batteries
epened en- the Mound City. Her decks were
Immediately cleared for action, and as soon as a
range of the works was obtained her guns
opened fire. Capt. Kelly signaled Col, Fitch to
land lis force a mile below the fort, which was
successfully accomplished, the Lexington and
St. Louis shelling the woods, under cover of
which Col. Fitch gsiacd a position in rear Of
the rebels.
At this iuuc.ure plunging shot from siege
gun, mogn:ed on the bluff, struck the forward
aud port side Of the Mound City easemates,
penetrating it, passed through the steam drum,
filled the vessel with escaping vGpOr, scalding
nearly every one on board. Twenty-three Off
cgrs and crsw, cut of one hpnd!ed aud seventy
was horrible; many of the crew were frantic
from injuries, and jumped overheard. Some
were drowned. Boats from the COnestcga,
which was coming up at the time to support the
Mound City, sent to their relief but the rebels
fred on the men in the water with grape and
cannister, from held pieces, numbering most Of
those attempting to escape.
Apprised Of the position Of affairs at the river,
Col Fitch drew up regiment, pushed forward
snd Carried the fart By storm at the point of the
bayonet
The rebel works consisted of two batteries,
the lower one mounting six field pieces and the
upper one three heavy siege guns, and were
manned by from four to six hundred men, under
commspd Of Col Fry, late Of the United States
navy.
About two hundred rebels are said to have
escaped aud over hundred and fifty are re-
ported killed and wounded. Thirty prisoners,
among them Col Fry, who was wounded in the
shoulder were brought up on the Conestogs.
Capt kelly was severely scaided about the
face and hanls, but will recover. Second Mas
ter Hearlt, Third Master Kinzie, Fourth Master
Scoville, Masters Mate II. r. Browne, Paymas-
| ter Gum, Chief Engineer John Cox, Assistant
| Engineers John McAlee and - HolingsWorth
vefs killed Pilot Charles Young. who vas re-
| ported severely scalded has been reported since
| dead. Surgeon Jones and Carpenter Manning
were scaldsl slightly. From eighty to one hun
dred of cur sailors have beJn already buried
and over twenty missing
Col Fitch reports few men wounded, none
| killed But for the unfortunate accident of the
Mound City, the rebel works would have been
carried without loss On oqr side. She can easily
| be repaired.
The flag officer has sent TO Cairo for another
GREW. The rebels haye obstructed the channel
above by siuking two large steamboatS and
! gunbost, believed to be the haypole.
The News FROM JAMES IsLAND.-Nothing
of Importance has occurred on the lines since
Saturday, although it is not known at what mo-
ment fight may take place Out troops are
s0nG dent Of favorable result, our batteries IN
good hghting trim and ready for action.
From twelve to fOuiteen vessels az, reported
outside, and one of them had the boldness to run
close in shore and opened fire on Morris Island.
Fort Sumpter replied and e ed two shots, whep
the eRsmyls gAnbOat put back.
The French war vessel 6enaudin was still
, lying off the bar Sunday afternoon.
Another flag tf truce came from the enemy
on Sunday morning. It's object we could not
learn, bat suppose it was TO bring clothing and
medicines for the prisoners in our hand
| Charleston Courier, JBRe 23d.