Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-07-30

A. r. Admiral Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
Hon GIDEON WELLEs,
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington
u S. IRoN-cLAD RAM EAsTPoRT,
Helena, (Arkansas,) July >, 1863
A. r. Admiral DAVID ID. PORTER, u. s. Navy,
Commanding Mississippi Squadron
SIR: Gen. Holmes, with reported force of eighteen
thousand rebels attacked this place at daylight on the
morning Of the 4th instant aud rpulsed after hard
contested fight of several hours duration.
The enemy attacked the centre Of the defnces and
ried the leps and battery upon the crest of the bills
in the rear, which commanded not ouy Helena ITSELF but
aso all the other defensive works. including Fort Curtis
After possessing mse Of that position he pushed large
forces down the slope Of the ridge into the goges aud his
sharpshooters began the work Of driving the artierss
from tie guns in the main fort Rebel guns, both above
and below the town. had been planted upon commanding
positions aud opened fire upon the line Of defensive works
across the river bottom, about thousand yards in
width and his troops in force them TO secure
the advantages the capture of tho works upon The hills
would offer for closing upon the town from both directions
along the river bottom. The Tyler had been covering
the approach by the old town road but Capt Pritchett
discovered the enemy pressing down the hill side after the
capture OF the battery the CENTRE and took up such
position that while his badsids guns poured destruc
tive FIRE upon the slopes and enfaded the ravines, his
stern gurs e.cusy silenced the rebel battery below.
and his bow guns played simultaneously upon the upper
one The slaughter of the enemy at this time terri
ble and all ue in de scrbDg the horrors of that hillside
and the after the battle battling description the
killed being literally torn to pieces by SHE'LL and the aveng
ing fire Of The guuboat pursued the enemy two or three
miles bis forces, creating panic there which
added not little to the end of victory.
The enemys loss very heavy Our forces have buried
three hundred and eighty of bis killed. and many places
have been found where he had himself buried his dead
His wounded number eleven hundred and the prisoners
are also eleven hundred Oar cavalry forces hourly
discovering dead and wounded the surrounding
passing the river for two days after the battle were
tnuay hsel by deserters from the rebel ranks wishing
to get on board to escape.
An examination Of the field and the reports hear
vince that the Tyler contributed greatly to the de-
feat OF the enemy and the terrible slaughter his ranks
is largely hers is due to Capt Pritchett to add that he
took up admirable position and used his battery in
manner alike c.editable to himself aud to his officers
an men.
Fret at Belmont, then at Pittsburg Landing and
bere the Tyler has been of oestnabs value and has
saved the fortunes of the day The garrison numbering
but three thousand three hundred men, with lines entirely
too extensive for such force evidently fought with
courpge and determination without superior example
this
Our loss in killed and wounded is about one hundred
and eighty.
am respectfully, your obedent servant
s. l.. PHELPS Lient. Commander, Commanding
Second Division Mississippi Squadron