Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-08-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Naval Engagement at Yicks-
burg---The Ram g Arkansas" and
the Federal Fleet.

the Federal Fleet.
The jackson Mississippian, Of the 10th
ult, publishes graphic description of
the late dash" of the ram Arkansas
into the Federal foeC bombarding Vicks-
burg. We extract the following
The Arkansas moved down the avenue
of death as quietly as ever pleasure boat
foated on the bosom of placid lake.
Her entrance was signaled by more
furious tempest Of terrible missiles than
ever descended upon single vessel,
From thirty to forty Of the most power
full gunboats and rams, including the
famous Benton, the pride and the boast
of the Federal navy, exhausted their
magazines and ordnance of immense cali
bre in the vain attempt to engulph her.
But " forward, still forward" she went,
pouring into this one = broadside, and
rushing furiously against that one. until
two struck their flags aud rushed ashore
to escape the murderous fire. Turning
suddenly, amid the lcadon storm which
was descending upon her louder than the
bolts OF heaven, she dashed impetuously
and with all the power she could com
mand, against the Benton, giving her
thrust in the side which is believed to
have broken sereral Of her ribs, if not to
have inflicted a n}Ortat wound. The bat
tie continued to rage with undated vo-
leuce. the Arkansas still moving forward
majestically, amidst death-shots falling
thick and fast, and yet, with the excep-
ton OF the smoke stack being riddled,
not casualty had occurred on board
Had not the smoke and heat become
so sitting as to compel the opening of
one of the port-h holes, we should have
been spared recording a single misfor-
tune That circumstance, however, ena-
hled the enemy to effect an entrance,
and the losses noticed in our dispatch of
yesterday were produced by ball pass
ing through tho port-hole. Aud now
the gauntlet was run, the terrible ordeal
escaped, and the noble Arkansas having
passed through the avenue of death,
nothing remained but to wave her adieus,
which she did in the most gallant, feel
ing manner, from the two sons of Mars
who preside in the rear of her court
Aud then the red field was won, and
Neptune 0lowned her the Queen Of his
realm.
As she took leave of the formidable
feet, aud rounded the point above the
city, turning her bow to port, her noble
flag seemed instinct with life as the
gentle breeze displayed its glittering
folds Had nothing else been doue dur
ing the war, this single feat would have
written immortality, in characters Of liy-
ing light, all over those broad aud ample
folds.
The scene which followed the land
ing of the Arkansas was Of the most
thrilling character. The crowd rushed
to the wharf frantic with joy. AS the
immortal hero, Commodore Brown, pre-
scented himself to view, the warm, fresh
blood still trickling down his furrowod
cheeks from his wounded head, the en-
thusiasm became irreprcssible All felt
that a debt Of gratitude was due to him,
aud his brave officers and crew, which
could never be repaid.
When the circumstances are consider
cd, is it too much to say that the victor y
is more signal and glorious than any one
recorded in naval history? In the case
Of the Merrimac (Virginia) there were
these points of difference She was a
vessel of vastly greater Dimensions. She
probably cost five times as much as the
Arkansas Every facility was enjoyed
in her construction which money or ma.
terial could furnish She was attended
by several other superior vessels She
engaged only some eight Or ten of the
enemys feet. In the case of the Ar
kansas, she went unattended No aid
could reach her Failing in her expedi-
ton. escape was hopeless. She met in
deadly combat about forty or fifty Of the
best cannon proof vessels belonging to
the enemy's navy The world win ac-
cord to her the greatest victory ever
achieved on the watcry realm.