The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-06-17
seventy five feet Of water.
A TERRIBLE SCENE.

culated to appall the stoutest heart. The
current of the river at Memphis sets close
TO the Tennessee side and rushes bv like
gives from seventy five TO one hundred
feet of water. The Lowell being in the
middle Of the current took in the gurr
ling. whlrling waters through her torn
sides. Down, down, down she eettled
like lump of lead. Her crew became
terror-stricken. They rushed hither and
thither, bereft of reason. One poor fell
low with his left arm torn by a cannon
shot. with unspeakable horror in his
countenance was seen beckoning now to
those on shore and to those on the gun
boats, and now looking up to heaven 20
the Great Father Of us all, for help -
Unavailing the cry. A moment later
and the boat with lurch gave way be.
meath his feet, and drew him down in ,hs
eddyng whirlpool
A wall OF agony went up from the
water and from tie land Fifty human
beings were buffetng the current cras-
ping at sticks and sraws and pieces of
the boat, and such movable things as
floa.ed By them.
" Help help! help :" was the cry
which rose upon the air; and reached the
ears of thousands, amid the intervals of
the still roaring thunder of the cannon.
ade There was no help for them Oh
shore. No pen can describe the agony
OF that mo,1ent 10 thousands. There
were their friends, defeated, crushed, hu-
drowning, and they powerless
to help No wonder that tears were
shed on shore. No wonder that women
wept. They had been invited to a diff.
erent eatertainment--to the annihilation
of the "hireling Yankees" They had
been promised an exhibition of chivalry
and proves which should redeem all the
ground lost in the war Aside from the
pain and agony of the hour, prompted
by human sympathy, was the bite erness
OF umlliation-terrible 10 behold by
those who have ridden rough shod over
all who did not choose TO accent sece-s.
ion.
GALLASTRY AND HUMANITY OF OUR FLEET.
No sooner was the cry for help heard
than by natural impulse, there was a
rush made by the men OF the Benton to
render assistance. The yawl was launch
ed in moment, and so eager was the
crew to save the drowning that it was
swamped in the rush. and two Of the no.
be hearted men were barely saved from
waterv graves. Other boats put off from
the fleet and several were saved when
nearly exhausted. Some by their own
efforts reached the shore and craw,ed up
the bank, more dead than alive, and we're
kindly cared for by the crews of the
Monarch and Queen Of the West.
Brave, noble hearted men are the
sailors of the western feet Theirs all
power 10 crush. theirs all effort TO save
to crush an enemy, TO save when crush.
I'D How glorious such conduct when
'onirasted with that which the poor
sailors of the Cumberland re-
'eived At Hampton Roads from those on
board the Merrimac. Their rifle shots.
here help J Bright amid all the distress
Ill the horrors, all the iniamy of this re.
oe!iion will shine forever. like the stars
't heaven, these acts of humanity
THE LITTLE REBEL
The Little Rebel. seeing that three Of
he best boats were disabled, ran down
Q the Beauregard. which lay helpless in
he stream, took on board a portion OF
he officers and crew, and made for the
shore. The bow of the boa,
vas run high aud dry upon the bank. in
he eagerness of The crew TO escape.
They left their flag still flying at the
tern-a large beautiful silk flag. which
vas captured by Capt Mayrad,er of the
mortar fleet
The rebels went into the woods sou,h
# Hopedaie upon the double quick By
his time the Cairo had passed round
lie point. She opened her broadside
lpon them. treating them 10 score OF
'srting farewels.
FLIGHT OF THE kEBEL FLEET.
One half Of the fleet had been dispos.
d OF, and the remaining vessels now AT
empted 10 flee. The Federal fleet WAS
weeping on the while, its cannon thun.
lering and riddling the enemy's boats.
While these appalling scenes were going
n while men were leaving in Scores
While q portion OF The fleet were securing
he enemy's. there WAS no cessation in
he efforts TO crush cut completely all
rmed resistance.
A short distance below The Little Reb
] the Jeh. Thompson was run ashore
nd abandoned. She was repeatedly
truck by shot, with what damage will
Iever be known Again the broadsides
Il the boats were ,arned upon the panic.
trivken crew. fleeing towards the Ar.
,ansas swamp.
Further along, the Sumter was run
shore, and still further down. opposite
residents Island. the General Bragg.
Soth suffered severely in the fight. The
ienersl Bragg had the ,imbers forward
{ her wheel house. and the bull, much
plintered by ten-inch shot. A shell
xploded among The cotton packing OF
er sides. The cotton WAS set on IRE.
Ut by tho timely exellions OF Lieut..
bishop and boats crew from the Ben,
'n. II was eSnnguished Both vessels