Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-08-20
8g Telegraph,
AFTERNOON DISPATCHES.

nASaISGE0Ar Aug. IS--I0G Navy Lee
partment is in receipt of 7olum,nous dis
patches from Admiral Farragut, among
which are the following:
FLAG SHIP HARTEoRO.
BAToH RoUGB, Aug. 18th, 1862 !
Sra It is one of the happtest moments
of my life that am enabled to inform the
Department of the destruction of the ran
Arkansas, not that held the iron clad in
such terror, but because the community
did.
On the 4th inst 1 sent the Tennessee up
to Baton Rouge with provisions for Com
mauder Porter aud the guuboats stationed
AT that place. On the night of the 18th she
returned with information that the enemy
had made a combined attack on Baton
Rouge by the ram aud two guuboats, the
Webb and Music. aud calling for assistance.
A: daylight the Hartford was under weigh
FOR this place, with orders for the other
vessels to follow me as fast as they got
ready
arrived here to-day at II O'Clock. ",
in company with the Brooklyn, Westfeld,
! Clinton, Jackson and Scioto. I had sent
the Cayuga up before me, agreeable to a
request of Gen. Butler, in consequence of
the guerrillas firing into some of his trans
I ports.
| On my arrival, was informed by Com
mander ". D. Porter, that yesterday morn
( ing at o'clock the enemys force under
( Gen. Breckenridge attacked Gen. Williams
and drove in his pickets, &c. Gen Will
liams having had ample warning, all was
/ prepared for him. The tight was continued
/ with great energy on both sides until 10
o'clock, A NJ, by which time the enemy
had beed driven back two or three miles.
But unfortunately the gallant Gen. Will
liams, while cheering on his men, received
a minie ball through the heart.
| Gen. Williams had informed Lieutenant
| commanding Ransom the evening before
| of the plans, and requested him not to fire
gun Until be notified him, aad when he
did 40 our gunooats Kineo and Katahdin
opened with fine effect, throwing their
shells directly in the midst OF the enemy,
| producing great dismay aud confusion
among them.
Lieut.. Ransom had an officer on the
! State House, which Overlooked the ada
cent country, aud could direct the Ere of
every shell.
As soon as the enemy was repulsed,
Commander Porter went up the stream
after the ram Arkansas, which was lying
about Eve miles above, apparently afraid
to take her share in the conflict. Accor-
ding to the precoucerted plan, as he came
within gunshot he opened on her and
probably disabled some of her machinery or
steering apparatus. for she became uumau-
ageabe, continuing however to fire her
| guns at the Essex.
Commander Porter says he took advaut-
age of her presenting weak point towards
him, and loaded gun with incendiaEy
shells. After his first discharge of this
projectile gush of FIRE came out of her
side, aud from that moment it was discov-
hat a6a ho
tiuued his exertious to prevent the FIRE
from being extinguished. They backed
her ashore and made a line fast, watch
soon burnt aud she swung off into the river,
| where she continued to burn until she blew
no with a tremendous explosion, thus end
| ing the career of the last iron-clad ram of
| the Mississippi.
There were many persons on the hanks
of the river witnessing the fight, in which
they anticipated u triumph for secession,
but on the return Of the Essex not soul
was to be seen.
1 will leave a sufficient. force of gun
boats here to support the army, aud will
return tomorrow to New Orleans, and de-
part Immediately for Ship Island with
| light heart that have left no bug-bear to
torment the communities of the Mississippi
| in my absence.
Very respectfully, your oh.t ser'vt
fSigned. D. G. FARRGUr,
| Flag Officer Com'dg, &c.
To hon. GIDEON WsLLEs, Secretary OF the
Navy.
Com. Porter's dispatch to Com. Farra-
gut is thus given:
Sir, this morning at 3 I steamed up the
| river and at ID A. ". attacked the relief
ram Arkansas aud blew her up, there is not
now a fragment of her left.
| Lieuts. Ransom and Rae aud also Com
| mander W. D. Parker each gave circum-
| stautial account of the affair. Rae says the
enemy are still lowering IN the rear of Ba-
| ton Rouge.