Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-02-24
BY TELEGRAPH.
Capture OF the Yankee Gunb0at sQueen Of
the West,,, and Destruction of the Trans
mort DesOtO.

PVAs DOSVsO'
PoRr HUDsoN, Feb. l7.-Captain Cannot, from
Red River, brings information of the capture OF
the Federal steamer Queen of the West, at Gor-
dons's Landing, Fort Taylor, on the Red River.
The Queen of the West captured the Confederate
| transport Eva, No. 5, forced her pilot, John
Burke, to take the wheel, and ordered MIN 70
take the boat to our batteries. Burke felgned
fear, but fin ally took the wheel under a YANKEE
guard. Upon nearing the batteries, ne told tne
Yankees they were fifteen miles from them. im-
m ediately putting close in, when she received
shot, which broke the steampipe. disabling the
boat, the Yankees being wholly unprepared for a
| fight and suspecting no danger Burke jumped
overheard and drifted ashore.
/ The boat drifted to the opposite shore, when
her crew made their escape, with the exception
Of eighteen, who fell into our hands The crew
subsequently, got aboard the Yankee boat Desoto,
and, with two hundred stolen negroes, effected
their escape.
The Queen of the West is now in possession
Of the Confederates, and will be toWed to place
of safety for repairs. 1t is reported that the
Yankee gunboat Indianola has gone up Red rlv-
er to recapture her.
The conduct of Burke ELECTS the highest en-
comiums.
| Later intelligence states that the Confederate
steamer Webb closely pursued and captured the
Eva. The Evais disabled in one wheel. The
Queen Of the West is but slightly injured and
will soon be in fighting trim under confederate
colors. We have positive Information that the
transport Desots was burned by the Yankees to
prevent her falling into the hands of the Confed-
crates
| IsEcoND DIsPATCH
/ PORT HUDSON, Feb. IS.-The Alexandria (La)
ssDemocrat,'' extra, received here, contains the
official report of the capture OF the Queen OF the
West by Capt. J. Ke.so, commanding the forth
| fications on Red river. lie says:
| Two gunboats made their appearance in front
| of this position, at O'Clock, last evening. At
| ter brisk cannonade, the leading gunboat,
Queen of the West, struck her colors. lmme-
diately ordered Captain Hutton Of the Crescent
Artillery, and Lieut.. DeLahunty to go board
and demand the surrender These officers report
| but thirteen of the officers and crew on board
| The others escaped under cover of the night
The visible results of the capture consist OF one
thirty-two FOUNDER rifle Parrot gun, one twenty
four FOUNDER, three twelve Founders, one ditto
slightly damaged, besides large supply OF ord
rance stores, large supply OF quinine, two Ca
SEES of amputating instruments, clothing, flour,
| bacon, beef, pork, lard, bread and other stores
| in proportion.
The ssDemocrat'' says that the victory was
scompete,'' grand and decided, and we are
ready to capture all such craft as Vicksburg al
lows to pass
MOBILE, Feb 20.-A despatch from Jackson
to the Advertiser and Register dated the 10th
says that as the out freight train from Meridian
came to Chunky Bridge last night, it gave way,
precpitating the engine and four cars into the
river. A large number of passengers were on the
train, and from so to 100 are reported drowned.
The bridge cannot be repaired until the water
falls.
CHARLESTON, Feb l9.-The French war steam
er Milan arrived here to-day, and now lies an
chored, with the British steamer Petrol, within
the harbor.