Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-08-20
FLAGSHIP HARTFORD,
BAT0N RouoE. Anouat z

oATON hoUcE, August T.
srR: Il is2one of the happiest moments Of my
life that am enabled TO inform the Department
Of the destruction of the ram Arkansas, not be,
cause held this iron clad 10 such terror, but
because the community did. On the 4th inst.
| sent the Tennessee up to Baton Rouge with
provisions for Commodore Porter and the gun
boats stationed at that place.
On the night of the 5th, she returned with
information that the enemy had made com
bined attack upon Baton Rouge by the ram and
two gun boats, the Webb and Music; and cali
log for assistance, at daylight the Hartford
was under weigh for this place, with orders ior
the other vessels to follow as fast as ready.
arrived here to-day at IL M In company
with the Brooklyn, Westfeld. Clinton, Jackson
and scioto. had sent the Cayuga up Ogreea.
bly, TO a request OF Gen. Butler, In consequence
OF the guerrillas firing into some of bis trans
ports.
0n my arrival, was informed BY Com. ".
d. Porter that yesterday morning at 2 O'Clock
the enemy's forces under Gen. BfeckinrIdge at
tackled Gen. Williams, and drove IN his pckets
Gen. Williams having had ample warning, ell
was prepared for him.
The fight was continued with great entrgy
on both sides till 10 O'Clock A. NJ, by which
time the enemy had been driven two or three
miles; but unfortunately the gallant General
Williams was killed. Fortunately he had in
formed Lieutenaut-C Commsrdlng Ransom the
evening before, Of his plane, and requested him
not TO fire gun until he notified him; and
when he did 80 our gunboats opened with fine
effect, throwing their shells directly In the
midst of the enemy, producing great dismsy
aud confusion among them. Lieut.. Ransom
had an officer on the State House, which over
looked the adjacent country, and could direct
the Are of our sbells.
As soon as the enemy were repulsed, Com.
modore Porter, with the gunboats, went up the
stream after the ram Arkansas, which was ly-
log about FIVE miles above, apparently afraid to
take share In the confios. According to the
preconcerted plan, as he came within gun shot
be opened on her, aud probably coon disabled
some of her machinery or steering apparatus,
for she became unmanageable, continuing, how.
ever, to fire her guns at the Essex. e.s
Commodore Porter says be took advantage
Of her presenting weak point toward him, and
loadel with incendiAFy shells. After his first
discharge of this projectile, gush of FIRE came
out Of her side, and from that moment IL was
discovered that she was on FIRE, which he con-
tlDued his exertions to prevent being extin
guished.
They backed her ashore and made line fast,
which soon burnt, and she swung of into the
river, where che continued to burn until she
blew up with tremendous explosion, thus end.
Ing the career of the laet iron-clad on the Mis-
sissippi.
There were many persons on the banks of
the river witnessing the fight, in which thcy
anticipated 9 triumph. BAa
| will leave q sufficient force of gunbOats
here to support the army, and will return to-
morrow to New Orleans and depart immediate
ly for Ship Island, With light heart that
have left no bugbear to torment the communi-
ties Of the Mississippi in my absence.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
d. G. FARRAGUT,
Flag officer Commanding.
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary OF the
Navy,
Com. w. D. Porters dispatch to Admiral
Farragut ls thus giyen ~
SIR-Thls morning at O'Clock, steamed
up the river, and at 10 A. M. attacked the rebel
ram Arkansas, and blew her up There is not
fragment OF her left. Lieuts. Ransom and
Roe, and alec Com. W D. Porter, each Rives q
circumstantial account Of the affair. Lieut..
Roe says the enemy are still heyerinR In the
rear Of Baton Rouge, and that information Is
received that 10 addition to the ak thousand
already in the vicinity, four thousand more are
approaching from Wanchaca, and others from
Vicksburg. &&fAs M sss
keep In constant commuhlcation With the
commaudeF-in chief Of the troops here, ready
to open are when and BheFehe may desire.
Commodore Porter says the Arkansas had q
crew Of one hundred and eighty men, and
mounted ten guna--slx 6-inch and four 50.pound