Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-26
From the Mississippian of May 9th.
Crauk Rattle - AEa.n-R,sz

From the Mississippian of May 9th.
Great Battle Memphis.
Our Gunboats OuerpoOered- -Memphis an the hands of
the Ememy-The Federal Flag on the Poaeffee-
Particulars of the Battle by eye-witness
We are indebted to W. q. Reeder, First Assistant
Engineer of the flagship Rebel for the following state
ment of facts which come under his observation d.
ring the short bat sangunary conflict in front OF Mem
phis On Friday morning last
Between FIVE and six O'Clock Friday morning tie
JEFF. Thompson, commanded by Captain Burke, made
the attack the Yankee gunboats at the point above
Memphis the Colo el Lowell. Capt. Delaney, follow
ed then the Sumter, Capt Wallace Lamb then the
Beauregard Capt Hurt The Rebel, being the flag
ship, Capt. Fowler, she piled among ships giving
the commands of Commodore Montgomery. The gun
boat General Price, according TO orders, remained il
the bend below. The General Bragg, with the above
boats, comprised all the Confederate feet
The Benton, st. Louis Louisville, Cairo and four
more gunboats the Queen of the West, Monarch,
Lancaster Dick Fuller, Aleck Scott, and two more
rams, names not known and six tugboats, with num-
Der of transports with troops composed the Yankee
feet.
We opened fire on the enemy, and after exchanging
some twenty shots the Queen Of the West at
tempted to into the Thompson, but missing struck
the Lowell amdships, which sunk out of sight in about
ten minutes the Sumter struck the Queen of the West
before she could extricate herse from the Lowell,
tirey destroying her, when she went to the bank The
Federal ram Monarch then made pass at the Flag
ship Rebel which the Rebel eluded and she passed on
striking the Thompson. The Rebel was then attacked
by the shot of the Benton, completely riddlipg her
Here the engagement became general, and the Rebel
making for the Arkansas shore, owing to the in
jury received to her engines, when the Monarch
struck her and she the bottom in shoal water.
he battle lasted about 80 minutes when the Earl
Van Dorm and the Gen. Bragg started down the
stream, it being evident to their brave commanders
that it was use 81 to contend with such overwhelming
odds.
nh Dr. a.
came up and made dash at the stern of the Mon
arch and at the same time the Beauregard made lick
at the Monarch both striking her glancing lick which
threw the bow of the Beauregard into the wheel of the
Price thus she disabled by her friend, the Beau
regard and went to the bank.
The fatality the Beauregard must have been very
great thinks Informant, the enemys shot passed
completely through her bukhead into her boilers, and
the steam rushed the full Ienghth OF the boat
There were troops in Memphis at the time OF the
engagement.
Our informant left On the last train about o'clock
A. M, which Gen. RuggleS took his departure for
Grenada When this train passed TIE bridge the
city, it burnt by bis order.
Captain Gordon sent out by Commander Mont
gomery with the first boat to pick up the wounded
and those who were attempting to escape by swim
ming from the sinking boats and our informant with
the second beat, when he was shelled and graped
tearing away the stern OF his boat which did not how
ever, rehder it unnavgable.
Mt. hetOeT mas no uOuDI OF the safety OI Tue COm
modore as he him take water when the Monarch
struck the Rebel.
| Oar informant speaks of miraculous case of pre-
seryaton among the of the Rebel. AS tht
Monarch rassed her, her shsrpshooters CURED mos
des ruc.ive fire upon the decks Of the R riCding bel
IL shocking manrcr, yet strange to sdy, not a mar
was nlured.
We learn from the Avalanche OF Saturday morning
that in attempting to raise the flag OF Lincoln Tn
| Postofice, the party greeted with groans ant
hisses and cheers for JEFF Davis and with pistol shot
which did 20 execution.
| In short time alter the return Of portion OF th
Federal fleet from the OF action OF the Fedora
boats approached tb7 wharf with flag of truce, ant
one of the rtficers and three men proceeded to tb
Mayors Office where the following demand fot the sur
render of the city made:
U. g. FLAG STEAMER BENTON,
/ Of Memphis, June 6, 1862.
To HIS Honor the Mayor OF the city of Memphis:
Sir Il have respectfully to request that you will
der the city of Memphis to the authorities of the United
States, which have the honor 10 represent am, Ir
Mayor, with high respect most ooedent servant,
! Flag Officer Commanding ETC.
Mayor Parks replied follows, not surrendeTing tn
MAYORS OFFICE,
Memphis, June 9th, 1852. {
G. II. Dauis, Flag Officer Commanding, &c
Sir note OF this date is received AID contents
ted.
In reply have only to say that the civil auhoritie
have Of defence by the Of circumstance
the city Is 10 your A'n'' AsSpsSny JOHN PARK, Mayor
During the afternoon Mayor Park received communca
tion from Federal Com. Davis, announcing that he ha
placed the city under military authority and that he woui
be pleased to have as cooperation We subjon the
respondence:
UNITED STATES FLAG STEAMER BENTON, |
eff Memphis June 6, 1862. I
To His Honor the Mayor of tie ctty of Memphis
Sir The Undersigned, commanding the military and ne
in front of Memphis have the beDor say tn
Mayor Of the city, that COL Fitch, commanding the Indian
brigade will take military possession of the city immed
ately.
Col Fitch will be happy to receive the cooperation
ETio fhoo o7fE0 oiotoi
ng peace and order and to this end he will be pleased
confer with His Honor q. the military headquarters at
l O'Clock this afternoon.
The undersigned have the honor to be,
With high respects,
Your n Ost ob't sVts,
G. II. DAVIS,
Flag Officer Commanding afoat.
g. n. FITCH,
Colonel Commanding Indiana Brigade.
MAYORS OFFICE. !
l. Memphis, June g. 1852
, IT. n u NJ