The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-27
THE W AR.
Gallant Fight in Arkansas.
TWO REBEL BATTERIES CAPTURED.


st Louis, Lexington, Conestoga and Mound
City, with tran sports carrying tn. 43d and
10th Indiana regiments. under Colonel Fitch
were sent from Memphis. some days since to
remove Instructions from White river. On
the 18th the expedition reached St Charles.
Sc miles above the mouth, where the rebels
had erected a battery. An engagement en-
sued, lasting an ho1r and half. While .he
gunboats engaged the batteries, troops I'M
der Col Fitch landed a short distance below
and proceeded to storm the place. During
/ the cannonading a ball entered the boiler o.
the Mound City, causing a fearful explosion
and loss of life. The crew consisted of l.J
of whom l2j were killed and Wounded
/ Capt Kelley, the flag officer. was badly scald
ed. but il is thought he will recover. Col
Fitch's charge upon the batteries was a per-
feet success. driving the enemy out at the
point of the bayonet. The rebel loss was
l25 killed and wounded, and 80 prisoners
4 DETAILED ACCOUNT.
the following fuller account of the fight
with the rebel batteries on White river, was
received at Memphis on the 18th BY the gun
boat Conestoga, which arrived with dispatch
es containing particulars of the engagement
On the 18th, the gunboats St Louis, Mound
CITY, Lexington and Conesioga, and the
transport New National, having on board
the 10th Indiana regiment, Col Fitch, which
left Memphis week ago to open communl-
cation with Gen Curtis army. and remove
instructions from the White river. assembled
, that stream. The gunboat Mound City,
Capt Kelly commanding, was about a mile
and half in advance, in the bend of the nv
[ er, nesr ST Charles, when two concealed bat
teries opened on the Mound City. Her
) decks were Immediately cleared for action,
and as soon as range was obtained the guns
opened fire. Capt Kelly signalled Col Fitch
to land his force below the fort, which was
5 successfully accomplished. The Lexington
and ST Louis sheled the works, and under
y cover of their fire Col Fitch gained the rear
Il of the rebel position. AT this juncture, Z
1t ball from the siege gun on the bluff struck
t forward on The port side of the Mound City
penetrating the classmates, passing through
If the steam DRUM. The vessel filled with tht
lie escaping vapor. and nearly every one OF
&c Loard was scalded. only y; of the officer:
and crew out of l1J escaping from injuries
The scene which ensueJ was horrible; manl
IN of the crew. frantic with pain. jumped over
n board. and some were drowned. The boat
IS from the Conestoga, which was coming u.
c. a: the time TO support the Mound City. wer
r sent to their relief, but the rebels fired al Ia
n, men in the water with grape and cannisie
S from their field pieces, numbering most u
IN those who were attempting to escape. lie
an ing appraised of the state of affairs in the riy
i'd er, Col Fitch's regiment pushed forward All
ne carried the fort by storm at the point Of III
ls bayonet. The rebel works consisted of
r batteries, the lower one mounting field II,
v ces. and the upper : heavy siege guns. MAJ
aged bv 100 to I0a me;l, under command {
C. Col FRYE, late intel States navy. Abou
lie 200 rebels are said to have escaped, over Ii
t. reported killed and wounded. and 80 take
"a prisoners. Among the prisoners IS Il
nd FRYE, who was wounded in the shoulder, al.
ID, brought to Memphis by the Cnnestoga.
rs Capt Kelly of the Mound City. was sever
lrs ly scalded about the face and hands. but VI
recover; ID Master Hearth, Sd Master HI
els sic. 18th Master Scoville. masters male. |
I'm K. Browne. the paymaster, Chief Engine,
We John Cox, and Assistant Engineers John Vi
DIS Afee, and Hollingsworth. were killed; pic
ca Charles Young was severely scaiLed, AID I,
Ii ported since dead; Surgeon Jones nd cal
ak penter Manning were slightly scalded. Ffol
IA so TO 100 of cur sailors have already bee
re- buried, and over 20 are missing. Col Fitc
M reports but few of his men wounded. az
en- none killed; and bat for the unfortunate q
in cident to the Mound City. the rebel WORT
at would have been carried without loss on og
an side. She can easily be repaired. \ fla
officer mas been sent to Cairo fog anotls
3D. crew. The rebels have obstructed the chal
tn mel above, by sinking two large steamboat
'ur and gunboat.