The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-27
The White River Expedition.
ANOTHER GUNBoAr ENGAGEMENT
One of our aunboats Blown UP.

MnPnrs, TESS., June 10.
An expedition, composed Of the gunboits
st. Louis, Lexington. Couestoga and Mound
City, accompanied by transports carrying
the 43d and 10th Indiana regiments, under
Col. Fitch, was sent from here some days
since, for the purpose OF removing the OBJ
structions in White river.
On the 18th the expedition reached st.
Charles, IS miles above the mouth Of the
river, where the rebels had erected bat
terry. An engagement cnsued, lasting an
hour and half.
While the gunboats engaged the battery,
the troops under Col. Fitch landed a short
distance below, and proceeded To storm the
place.
During the cannonading a ball entered
the boiler Of the Mound City. causing a fear
full explosion and loss OF life. The crew
consisted Of LIS men, Of whom nearly ID
were killed and wounded.
Capt. Kelly. dag officer, was badly scald'
ed, but il Is thought that he will recover.
Col. Fitch's charge upon the battery wa:
. perfect success, driving the enemy out al
the point OF the bayOnet.
The rebel loss is l25 killed and wounded
and 80 taken prisoners. Col. Fitch's loss is
small.
Gen. Hileck has occupied Holly Springs
WASHINGTON, June 81.
The following dispatch was received it the
Navy Department:
U. 5. FLAG STEAMER BENTON,
Mnruls, via CAIRo, June 81.
Hon. Gideon Wslles, Sc. Of The Nary.
The gunboat COrestoga, while returning
from the White river. reports the capture OF
two batteries, mounting seven guns, at ST.
Charles, IS miles from the mouth.
The attack was commenced by Col. Kelly
in the gunboats, who silenced the first bat
terry. The second battery was calamity car
rird by Col. G. n. Fitch, at the head Of the
10th Indiana volunteers. A shot caused the
explosion Of the steam draw Of the Mound
City. by which the greater part OF her OH.
cers and rev were killed and wounded.
write by to-day's mail.
q. II. DAVIS. Flag Officer.
The following was received at the Wal
Department to-day;
ST. CuaRlEs. wuIrE RIVER, Ark,
June IL, via CAIRO, June 81.
To Hon. E. VI. SGnton, SC. Of Var:
On arriving eight miles below here last ev,
eniny. we asccrtaIned that the enemy had
twu batteries here, supported by force o.
infantry, number unknown.
A combined attack was made at "A. NJ.
to-day. The regiment under my command
(l6th Indianal landed two and half miles
below the battery, and skirnishers wer'
thrown out, who drove IN the enemy's pick
cts. The gunboats then moved up andoPep
ed ON their battiries.
A riAed shot from one Of the batteries
penetrated ;he steam-draw Of the Mound
City, disabling by scaldips mos,o Of her crew
Apprehensiye that some similar acciden,
might happen TO the other gunboats, and
thus leave my small force without their sup.
port, signalled the gunboats to cease firing
and We would storm the battery.
They ceased at exactly the right moment
and nv men carried the battery gallantly.-
The infantry were driven ffom the support
Of the guns, the gunners shot at their posts
their commanding ofhcer Freye formerly o
the U. 5. Navy) wounded and captured, an,
eight bnlss and iron guns, with ammunition
captured. 49,
The enemy's loss Is unknown. We hay
buried seven or eight Of their dead, and 9th
or dead and wounded are being brought in
The casualties among my own command AZ
small, the only real loss being from the escap
ing steam in the Mound City.
She will probably be repaired and read.