The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-18

doubtless much amazed withdrawing to find that she
had suffered damage herself than she had inflicted
Her nose was badly jammed while the solid iron sides
the Benton showed signs whatever Of the assault 1t
signal discontinue, rendered doubly annoying by
mist that compelled her get of the way with the
least possible delay.
THE REBELS WITHDRAW.
BY this time II apparent that the enemy must
withdraw quickly or be wholly destroyed They had en-
terod the contest with live gunboais and three
eight in all. Three Of their guuboats were totally de-
stroyed. The remaining two, also the rams, were
rddled through and through and all appeared TO be
leaking badly. On the contrary. boats excepting
the Cincinnati appeared wholly unnjursd and were in
condition to continue the action all day If necessary
Under thess the rebels had alternative
and at twenty minutes past sovsn-just hour and
twenty minutes after the commencement Of the battle
tho last Of them disappeared around Craighead Point
the heavy cannonadng ceased the smoke cleared away
our boats returned 10 their mornings and the battle
ended
It viii scarcely be left TO dispute in this instance
which side the battle. The gallant Hollins will
hardly have the ardacity TO claim victory over
Hcet however much he may boast OF having psppcred'
theni. The Union has not met with a mere
glorious and complete triumph since the commenced
have DATA upon which TO base even an estimate OF
the epcmys loss but could have beon less than
three hundred, and possibly much more than that
Der. Besides, their whole feet is destroyed Those
beats which were withdrawn SO badly damaged
that unless with extensive repairs they cannot again
meet our feet.
We lost not single in the engagement. The four
casualties mentioned above, occurring on the Cncn
NATL complete the list OF wounded throughout the
entire Within hour after the close Of the baltic
every beat in complete readiness to meet fresh
enemy Of even double the strength OF that
incredible that boats were not injured. Their
cape, under so CALLING fire. is almost miraculous and
adds fresh testimony 70 the efficiency and superiority Of
iron clad vessels.
shall not attempt to bsstow credit upon individuals
in this lee further than TO mention Captain Davis, who
mas estab she'd reput,tioa in this feet and, II mis-
take not, tltoughout tho country by his GOODNESS,
courage and efficiency displayed in this action that will
last him longer than q lifetime. And II would mani
fpStl urxue lpt o
Stembcl Of The Cincinnati, than whom = drawer man
mover trud quarterback. His action this morning
speaks for ITSELF might easily extend this list by in
Guiding the commander OF all the boats each cf whom
discharged his da.y without fa,erng but this would be
u.eess. They are all brave men, and all entitled TO
am compelled to write this letter hastily. AMI without
obtaining I'll tho particulars ! would like, but viii
promise tho rest TO morrow.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER FIonIIA, May IL, 1862.
Iacideas Of the Con,et-Th. Wounded7he Bo'daess and
Dasng Bya,vry Of ne RebelsThs Departure Of CoD,mo
dose Foote--Afect;ng Scenes, de-
Iwrote you hurried account this morning Of the fight
between our fleet and that Of tho rebels which was
close and severe for about threcquartsrs OF hour
oar boats engaged the sgboat Benton; Cincinnati,
Captain sembel Mound City, Captain Kitty Carondeet,
Captain Wake; Pittsburg, Lieutenant Commanding d.
~ wes,cott, and Cairo, Lieutenant Commanding Bry.
an,-ths three former being most closely engaged.
viii not repeat what wrote this morning, bu add such
incidents ss escaped my memory or were learned after
my letter was sent.
After the sumter had run into the Cincinnati she ran
for the Ca-ondels when the Benton by bold
between them giving tho ram the contents Of her for
ward and sarboard broadsds batteries amid the cheers
1, the Carondssts The Sumter and the third
then paid their attention 90 The flagship; but SO well
she handled that thsy nescd hitting her, though
coming within forty yards OF her at times, and
receiv ing tho contents Of her entire battery gun after
gun az they would bear The first ram which struck
the Cincinnati Is supposed TO have been disabled by the
Gro OF the latter as she Immediately backed down the
river One OF the s said to be the steamer
Mexico, formerly running cut OF New Orleans The only
CAPTAIN stenbsl Fourth Master Reynolds and two msa
al OF the Cincinnati. The rebel gunboas remained
respectable distance, though their shell and shot few
a ound feet
our mortar boat had opened fire upon Fort Wright be-
fore the appearance OF the rebels aud as they hove in
sigh, she gave them several shel hope II il needless
c say that every and officer Ia the feet did his duty
A. Forts Henry Donclsen and Island No. 10. Our
tl boat eissl two shots from the rebel rams, and
ared upon BY their sharpshootsrs, but no one was
injured.
farragut no doubt, is pressing them from below and
tsy trust to be able TO destroy our ups feet and
proreeu up che river but il takes two 10 make
GAIN and ono pasty demurs at this course, why, dont
think they do u.
other wise they have been sunk al by the
heavy Are OF our fleet, and they commanded like
~ise by daring and ddshing IL wdf q bold move,
worthy ~ better The rams had guns forward
AID al. hi exposed aud no man dared show himself
load or discharge them. BY to morrow all gunbaais
viii he provided with additional projections against tie
a,,acSs " ans The nature Of these, however viii
uos n tnt,n
sec mention iradc IN several papers that ollins and
Nc(re1 have gone u Nsv orleans, sc. Tie Mctrcs
epoten as y gliboat ami was cofninaD1y by Thomas
liussr lste d lieutenant ~ the United states Navy.
ysstcIaay Captain Charles Merry Davis arrived to re-
eve Fac OCller feoc. tcnpofsiy in eOninand II tho
feet comm pore Foute Lad been confined 70 bs bid
several aayr rcyUus sl:i very feeble. The wound
IN , Il a. has ,rnvta panial. serious and tedious,
veroy .njur l. 1cl aal health The country hss not
~ are gsnai any devoted defender iviug tlial our
q fnmedme aud 10 It's bc9tufolt prayer Of ell who
hnve creed nser m that hs may speedily recover aud
N,bfe"p n. h. TO leave " The officers il bodg
ON e main dccl, hy bis sbn introducing ,he new Fag
,rire. are tayiag ht compliment " liin esi.
liant scertBc AMI acclnlia u.s. ac.f every w1v Nied
il coed Vi ID The comm ~ 80 iy tiu'i " Urn
lro1tr in his hest tay8 Coz Nuf'Fe fo-'e ,Hfu made
nv rom iSs 70 hts onieors an me-, an'l wi Ne
vaF stcr3, tn - al.a.t ! ~ tvl.s.
AiurF 81 he took his lt4ve IA 80 ndt4or H. soto,
whrh bad scse songsids Vie rench 'cr me r'ilcsss