The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-04

Fry, formerly OF the United States navy.
The gunbOats did great execution, while
Colonel Fitch's gallant and daring Indiana
boys faced the iron sleet of the enemy 3
batteries most gloriously, storming and
capturing eight brass and iron pieces-ri-
fled PARROTS and l2,pounders their larg-
est cannon being couple Of 42>pounders,
rified. The two largest guns were spiked
and the balance shipped for Memphis on
the Conestoga. The st. LOUIS, Lexington
and Couestoga were within three hundred
yards of the lower rebel battery when the
accident occurred to the Mound City.
The enemy occupied formidable position
on "a bluff, just below the town of st. Charles
some fifty feet above and commanding the
river. There being short turn or bend in
the river at this point, our gunboats were
necessarily compelled to make the turn
directly in full range, under and within 200
yards of their position, before our fire could
possibly prove effective.
First master Downing, chief gunner
Thomas McElroy, and masters mate
Symmes Browne, were the only three officers
belonging to the Mound City unipjured.
Mr.. Browne, although slightly wounded,
! and having a brother who died from the
effects of bis wounds, rendered very efficient
service in nursing the wounded. McElroy,
during the excitement, was pushed into the
river and swan ashore.
! The Mound City's crew numbered It's
officers and men. Sad to relate, only from
twenty to twenty-five including the three
officers above named, escaped unipjured-
leaving one hundred and fifty men killed,
drowned, missing, and wounded The NOR.
tally is fearful. AT the present writing
Thursday, June 10th, 10 A. NJ, on gunboat
Conestoga, in sight of Memphis-one hun.
dred have died, while the recovery of the
remaining fifty is considered doubtful. We
left forty.th dead bodies on the Mound
City, awaiting interment at Fort St. Charles.
Since leaving there, thirty.four have died on
the Oonestoga and Musselman, while Master
Downing and all who witnessed the poor
men struggling and crying out in the water
for help are positive that from thirty to for.
ty were drowned before assistance could
possibly be rendered them. As before sta.
ted, q number were cruelty shot in the water
by the enemy's sharpshooters from both
shores, and from the other boats were seen
to sink to rise no more.
In the excitement and confusion attends
ing the sudden and unexpected accident, the
muster and descriptive rolls were left on the
Mound City. Therefore, we are not able
to give the names of one-tenth of the forty
three dead left on the gunboat. Below we
give the names of all we could possibly
learn. An official list could not reach your
readers for week or ten days.
Third Master John Kinzie, of Chicago,
Illinois, badly scalded jumped overheard
and was picked up by the Lexington's
small boat. While In the water he was shot
twice in the arm and hips. He was taken
on board the Mussulman, where he was sen.
sible to the last. His last words were,
"We've taken the fort. I'm ready to die
now. My dear Emma" His remains were
sent home by First Master Dominy.
Fourth Master James A. ScoviIle, of
Chicago, scalded, and died on the Oonesto-
ga. Buried at Fort st. Charles. After
giving his watch to Master Dominy, he ex-
pired, saying. "Tell my mother 1 died a
Christian"
COL. FIrCH's REPORT.
The following Is Col. Fitch's first official
report to Gen. Quimby:
ST. CHARLES (WHITE RIvER), ARK.,1
June II, 1862.
To Brigadier General Quimby, Commanding
District of the Mississippi:
SIR-On arriving eight miles below here
last evening, we ascertained that the enemy
had two batteries here, supported by a
force (number unknown) of infantry. A
combined attack was made at Z A. NJ. today
The regiment under my command (46th In.
dlana) landed two and a half miles below
the batteries. Skirmishers were thrown
out, who drove in the enemy's pickets. The
gunboats then moved up and opened or
their batteries. A rifled shot from one OF
the batteries penetrated the steam drum Of
the Mound City, disabling, by scaldipg
most of her crew. Apprehensive some sim.
liar accident might happen other of the gun
boats, and thence leave my small force with.
out their support, signalled the gunboats
to cease firing, and we would storm the
batteries. They ceased at exactly the right
moment, and my men carried the batteries
CALAMITY. The infantry were driven from
support of the guns-the gunners shot at
their posts-their commanding officer, Fry,
formerly of the United States Navy, woun~
ded and captured, and eight brass and iron
guns, with ammunition, captured. The
enemy's loss is unknown. We have buried
seven or eight of their dead. Others, dead
and wounded, are being brought in. The
casualties among my command are few and
simple, the only real loss being from the es-
Gaping steam in the Mound City. She will
probably be repaired, ready to proceed up
the river tomorrow.
A full report will be made as early as
| possible.
Very respectfully, truly,
G. N. FITCH,
Col. Commanding 46th Ind. Volunteers.
MIR. James Gallatin, in long letter to
the Chairman of the Finance Committee
reasons against doubling the issue of Treas
rug paper in less than four months from the
or;r;ooI ;,ero NJ Go1Iotsu lo,Jo.,o Ill