Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-06-28
MORE MEN TO DE HUNG.
Expedition TO White River, Arltin-

Engagement 1t Charles Chy-Ezplosion cJ'Mc
BoUer Of the lbuRa CITY, Terrible Loss Ct
Life Totm Dtteat Of the Re6els.
CHICAGO, June 21.--The following fuller
account OF the fight with the Rebel batteries
on White River has Just been received.
MEMPHIS, June 10. The gun-boat Con-
cstoga has arrived with dispatches contain
ing the particulars of the engagement at the
Rebel Notifications below St Charles.
On the 18th, the gun-boats st. Louis,
Mound City, Lexington. and Concstoga,
and transport New National, having ON
board the Forty-sixth Indiana Regiment,
Col. Fitch, which left here a week ago to
open communication with General Curtis
army, and remove the distractions from
White River, assembled that stream. The
gun-boat Mound City, Captain Kelty com
manding, was about Il mile and half in
advance. In a bend of the river near st.
Charles, two concealed batteries opened on
the Mound City. Her decks We're immedi-
ately cleared for action, and us soon as the
range of the works was obtained, the guns
opened fire.
Captain Kelly signalcd TO Col. Fitch to
| land his force below the fort, which was
successfully accomplished. The Lexington
and st. Louis shelled the woods, under cover
of which Col. Fitch gained the rear of the
Rebel position.
At this iuncturc ball from siege gur
on the bluff struck the forward and port
side of the Mound City, penetrating tn,
easements and passing through the steam
drum. The vessel was filled with the es
Gaping yapor, and nearly every one on boarC
was scaldcd; only twenty-three of the Off
| aar nt hundred
scventy-tive, escaped from injuries. TIL,
scene which ensued was horrible. Many o
the crew, frantic with pain, jumped over
board, and some of them were drowned
Boats from the Conestoga, which was comm:
up at the time to support the Mound City
were sent to their relief; but the Rebels free
on the men in the water with grape anC
canister from their tield-pieCes, murderin:
most of those who were attempting to cs
cape.
Being apprised of the state of affairs il
the river, Colonel Fitch's regiment pushe,
forward and carried the fort by storm ut TIA
point OF the bayonet. The Rebel works con
sisted of two batteries, the lower one mount
ing six field pieces, and the upper one thre
heavy siege guns, manned by from 400 +
500 men, under command of Colonel Frye
late of the United States Navy. About 20
Rebels are said to have escaped, over 10
are reported killed and wounded, and thirt
taken prisoners.
Among the prisoners is Colonel Frye, VIII
was wounded in the shoulder. He has bee
brought to Memphis by the Conestoga.
Captain Kelly, of the Mound City, wa
severely scalded about the face and hands
He will recover, Second Master Heartl
Third Master Kinze, Fourth Master Sec
/, vile, Masters Mate Ii. r. Browne, Pay
master -, Chief Engineer John Cox, an
Assistant Engineers John McAffee and Ho
lingsworth were killed. Pilot Chas. Youn
was severely scalded, and is reported to hay
since died. Surgeon Jones and Carpento
Manning were slightly scalded. From eight
D to one hundred Of our sailors have alread
> been buried, and over twenty are missing.
. Colonel Fitch reports that but few of hi
q men were wounded and none killed, and bu
! for the unfortunate accident on the Noun
! City, the Rebel works would have bee
!, carried without loss on our side. She ca
easily be repaired. The Flag Officer hi
1 sent to Cairo for another crew. The Rebe
have obstructed the channel above, 10y sinh
| ing two large steamboats,, and Q gun-boa
! believed to be the Maypol.