Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-03

0mcfaI FEeporf Of the H.nte HeppI.a ~
Eors D~Oneseon-Hhc Sunbsata save the
The Philadelphin Iaqaiyer contains the official
report Of the fepulfs 81 Fort Douelson
UNITED sTsres GB0BoAr FAIR PtAY.3
OFF D9YEEi HENNEssEE, February 4 1853.
SIRs I have the honor 30 ranort that on the
81 insfsut left smithland, Kepfucky, with 3
fsel Of transports and g@unhoafs Lexington, Fair
Pley, 81 Clair, Brllians, Robb aud Silver Lake.
as convoy, mp the Com etlaud river.
When about twantv-fonr miles below D9var
i met he steamer Wild Cat, with 3 mestaga
from Colonel Harding. commandant az The post
ai Dover informing me that his pickles had
been d@rvenin, aud ihat he ives attacked IN farce
7 Immediately ieit Che transports, and maIe sir-
nal to she gNnboRts 70 follow on mp rs fHt az
possible. A short distance below the town
me- smother steamer, Bringing intelligence that
the place was entirely surrounded.
Pushing on up with an possible speed. j ar
rived here at 3 g. az GHd found Colonel HaT-
ding's force out eff ammunition and entirely
surrounded by the rebels in overwhelming mum
bers, but stu holding them in check.
Tho enemy not expecting guubosts, hsd IN
wisely posted che main body Of bis army in line
Of battle in tho graveyard st the west end Of
the town, with his left wing resting in q raviae
that Jed down % tbe river, giving US a chance
to throw q Fa'Sing fire along his lines.
simultaneously the g%unbasss opened Ere mp
this ravine, into the graveyard, and over into
tho thu valley beyond, where tho enemy had
horses hitched, and most probably kept his re-
serve
The rebels were 50 much taken by surprise
that they did not even Ere q shot, but immedi-
atsly commenced retrestiHg. s. well directed
was our Ere on them, that they could not even
carry off a caissou that they bad captured fran
orr forces, bat wers compelled to abandon g.
after two @fruitlegs attempts 70 destroy il by ere
After having %dispersed the main body of the
enemy, / stationed the Robert and Silver Lake
below the town, 20 throw she'll up the rayine and
prevent the rebels from returning to carry eff
tue wounded, while the Lexington, Fair Play,
St. Clair and Brilliant went above aud shelled
the roeds leading cut to the eastward.
Supposing the retreating forces would follow
the river for a short distance, I sent the Licking
ton and St Clair on up to shell the woods, har-
rass and annoy them as much as possible, while
this boat aud the Brilliant leg opposite the upper
~ravine, and threw shells MP the roads
About 10 O'Clock p 81 we cessed firing, with
the exception Of now and then a random she'll
up the roads. At IL O'clock p. NJ, learning from
Colonel Harding that the enemy had entirely
disappeared, we ceased firing, and toek position
to guard the roads approaching town.
Although much Of our firing was at random,
I Ne 4IFu AAc = AattAAlaattA ~ RAHNAAE Ltiat etAilH-
" s prciectile went amiss, snd that out Of the
40 buried to-day ths gunb3ass can claim their
share.
Even when the Lexington aud ST. Clair went
above, many OF their shells fell right in the
midst oftbe Tetyeatipg rebels, killing and wound
ing many.
It is reported thatthe attacking force num-
berea soma 1900, with eight pieces of a7tilery,
under command of Mai tr-Gsnersl Wheeler,
Brigsdier-Genersl Wharton and Forrest. It is
certainly very gratifying to rs to know thst this
entire force was cut up, routed aud despoiled Of
its prey by The timely arrivsl Of the gunboats,
and that Col Harding and his gallant little band
were spared TO wear the honor5 they had SO
fairly won
at first I regretted thstI was not here with
the gunboats sooner, but upon reflection. do
not think l could better hsVe arranged tho time
had il been in my power.
Had We been here before Wheeler he would
not have made the attack, but most probably
would have marched on Fort Henry.
Had We arrived during the day he would have
seen our strength, and would have retreaied
with but little loss. Arriving IS we did, after
dsTlC, and when he least expected us, and was
so sargUine of success, We caught his forces
arranged 10 the mos favorable position to re-
ceive q rsking FIRE from our guns.
The officers and men were very glad to have
q shot st those river inlesters, aud only regret
that they did not remain within reach Of our
guns a little longer. As it is, they claim the
hoHor Of dispensing them, end saving Fort
Dnnelson.
Very respectfully, yonr nbadisut servaut,
Leroy FITCH Lieut. Comd'e.
Fleet Captein A NJ Psanock, u. S. Il Com,
msndant Of Naval Station, Cairo, Illinois.