New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-26

and gallant act WAS eirs, ihongh In this instance
yaor did not obtain its reward.
How violent were the mprecations OF the sailors
when thew discovered they could not reach their
enemies. for whose lives they thrsted, burning to
avenre their companions They went back with
detected faces and terrible rage that longod to wreak
itself upon the heads of the Rebels But in vain,
for the Arkansas steamed off from her Antagonist,
though not before one of her shot had burst steam
pine on the Carondelet causing 40 80 Of her
crew TO Jump overheard, and as few Of them are
missing, there is little doubt they were drowned.
Fortunately, no one was scaded, snd the poor
fellows who were lost were victims Of their own
apprehensions.
FORTUNATE ESCAPE OF THE QUEEN OF THE
WEST.
The steam ram Queen of the West, Capt. Joseph
Ford. which was behind the Tyler when the Arkan-
sas WAS rst discovered perceived from the action Of
the Rebel stranger and the rerea of her companion,
that she could be of no service. Being over,
under the gunboats orders it proper enough for
her TO follow Ter example, and she did 70. The
hostile craft frequently fired at the ranthe enemy
has had q particular luminosity agains' the rams,
since they perfor med gallant part before Mem
phis;-on the way down he Yszoo, and struck her
several times, though without doing any serious III
jury or causing any loss of life or limb.
The Arkansas has very heavy and sharp wrought
iron Prov; its weight s reported at ten tuns though
think this is much exaggerated; and she conld run
down the Queen, or any boat in the ram heet, rs
easily as she could an egg-shelI. Had the Queen
attempted TO meet Der formidable adversary, she
must have experienced great loss of life without
obtaining Any advantage.
APPEARANCE OF TIE ARKANSAS.
The Arkansas, Which is a ram q well as gun.
boat is not more tlan half large as of Dsviss
gunbcais is low and fiat, covered with double
railway-ron Trail; built with slaiting Sides with
out decks any openings or apertures savc The
ports carries II large gurs, three each side. two
forward and two aft; hss one chimney; and looks
almost if not quite, invulnersbe. She is Of liyhs
brown or reddish brown hue, much Ike the banks
OF the Mississippi and at distance could not well
be distlne uisheG tLeretrom
20 human being was visible ON or about her. as
she passed down the river, though her guns were
promptly and accurately fired, and her unseen
sharpshooters directed their pieces at every man
they could zee within range. The sha'pshoO,ers
were very industrons and energetic, and their balls
were constantly whistling through the air, though
their sharp note was generally swallowed up in the
deep or loud thriek Of the heavy guns.
TIE EFFECT OF THE FIRING ON THE FLEET.
The heavy firing up the Yazoo was plainly heard
ON the feet, and it supposed the TYLER was
Smelling the woods; but when, about O'Clock, the
reports grew louder and louder, donoting the ap-
prosch Of the vessels, il generally surmsed the
Union boats must have net an enemy in the river.
SPECULATE N grew rife. ard anxiety and curiosity
large and many wislful eyes were turned mp the
Mississippi.
EXPLANATION OF TIE MYSTERY.
The eyes Were not long strained. Just before
O'Clock, the ram Queen Of the Wet WAS Observed
coming at high rate Of speed around the bend, and
two OF three shots struck near her almost rs
she came in sight.
That the Queen was holly pursued by an enemy,
there could be 10 longer any reasonable doubt. II
there had been the appearance of the Tyler in tie
wake Of the rum would have removed the lingering
skeriicisn.
4" 1t must be the Arkansas" said many; and In
deed the Arkansas it was.
la less than two minutes more, the formidable foe
was perceived steaning down after her sdversaries-
the sole sign of life about her being thick, heavy
column of black smoke proceeding from her solitary
chimney.
She soon diminished her speed, and it was gen.
orally supposed she would reascend the Yazoo. No
one believed she would dare TO come down TO the
feet, where it seemed certain she must be over.
powered by the vastly superior force.
The iron monster did not stop, however, but con.
tinued her course steadily and slowly toward our
vessels, keeping in the channel without turning 10
the right left but firing her guns every few Sec
onds at The nearest vessels.
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET.
That was formidable gauntlet TO run, Fifteen
war vessels and seven rama. Would she contend
with them alone? Could she hope to escape them
au7 Did she dare TO rush upon her own destruc-
ton? From her movements she evidently did.
There were the Hartford and the Richmond, with
their huge batteries Of 70 guns each; the Oneida,
the Iriquos, Wissahickon, Scoto, DE Soto, and Wy
oming of Farraguts feet and the iron-clad Benton,
Essex Cincinnati, Louisville, Sumter, and General
Bragg, of Dayiss fotla, with the rams Switzerland
Queen of the West, Lancaster. hlingo, Loness, hoI'
net and Fulton. This formidable array had no TEL
rors for the Arkansas She moved on as If they had
not been there and many Of the officers OF the feet
were for a moment lost in wonderment at the ex'
IRENE bodness Of her most perilons attempt
As she moved down, one Of Fagragufs gunboais
opened fro upon her; then another and another.
Whether they struck her or not could not pei
ceive but their shot could not have harmed her.
She replied promptly, and the fire soon grew warm.
The hot Summer morning thrilled with tie roar OF
battle; ard the shells went Kissing through the AR