New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-31
resched the point drsc,ly oppollte .hs town, and

reached the point directly opposite the town, ant
her officers were cOngrstulatieg themselves upon
having nassed through the greater danger the ship
up to il time no, having sustained single casu-
atty. Toe MOnoDgebela not beng IN sight, orders
were given 10 increase The speed in order TO close
up th@ space bstween the ships. The atmosphere
osing humid. the smoke hanging cl0fe to the sur
face Of the nver nothing beng dscernable but the
hashes Of our own and the ensinys pieces, the
snip, which had acquired rapid Roadway, grounded
on the right bank 81 the river, directly opposite
the terminus OF the Port Hudson and Clinton Rail-
road.
Her engines were immediately reversed, and Or
iers were given by Capt. Smith for the men to flre
WIN all possible rapidity. their safety depended
upon Seepng the enemy from their guns. The men
responded with alacuty, and 10 the short space OF
W minutes they fired too huudred and ftty shots.
DurhiS TINS time Engineer Rutherford made every
exertion TO get the ship afoat but without
Capt, Smith, finding il impossible to save his vessel
gave orders 10 make instant preparations TO destroy
the ship aud save the crew. Orders were also given
10 the Chief Eogineer TO destroy the engines and
cut the outward connecting pipes. This being done,
the water flowed rapidly into the ship The sick
and wounded were conveyed on board of the IRON
clad ram Essex, and the remainder Of the crew were
conveyed TO the right bank of the river, which had
been cleared bv the QunbOas of rebel sharpsooters
Before the crew Left the ship every preparation
made to destroy her by collecting combustibles
in the forward and after parts OF the ship Unfortu
natey che was fired forward before the order was
given This becoming known to the crew, and
there being but three small boats which they could
use, many Jumped overheard, and IL is feared were
drowned in attempting 10 escape. Some Others,
seven in all, including Msrine-Cspt Fontene, As
sisrant Engineer Brown aud Masters Mate Francis,
fell into the hands Of the enemy.
Just before the order WIS given TO abandon the
ship shot from the enemy entered forward OF tho
wheel, killing AetiBg-N1ster Kelly, commanding "a
division, also killing and wouDding all but four men
at one Of his guns.
After seeing that the survivors Of bis crew were
fairly clear OF the ship, and every preparation made
10 ensure hsr distrnc on, Commander Smith, accom-
panied by Lieut.. Dewey, his Executive officer, En-
sign Bachelor, and LIST Assistant Engineer Tower,
left the ship and abandoned her to tie flames, after
having with his own hands spiked most OF the gnns-
AS an evidence Of the GOODNESS which Capt. Smith
displayed this OCCASION IL 10 related that in the
midst OF the death and obstruction which surrounded
him. while cOolly lighting bs cigar with steel and
flint he remarked to Lieut. rewey II is not like
ly that we shall escape, and we must make every
prep ration TO insure the destruction OF the ship.'
As soon az Capt. Caldwell of the Essex discov-
cred the flames bursting from the Mississippi, not.
withdrawing she was within 500 yards Of the prin
cpsl Rebel baiteres he steamed up the river and
succeeded in taking off from the shore many OF the
men who had escaped, aud in saving many who
were still struggling with the current for their lives
The fire having full possession of tue ship, ragged
through her for an hour, greatly tightening her
while the weter flowing aft, settled Der stern and
rte gradually > off into the current. BY SEEM
ing act of Providence the ship was swung round oy
the force of rhe current and headed down stream.
The guns of her port battery, which had not been
fired becoming heated. the venerable Old frigate
rad e parting salute TO the Rebels at the same time
that she fired the minute guns her own grave.
Had tie ship floated down stream stern foremost,
il is impossible to conjecture what would have been
the result lnasmnch as her guns would have been
f;sal rad on lfr
bank She Aoated down the stream, her guns dis
charging, and shells on deck exploding in every d.
tion, until at 5! o'clock, when, having reached
point near which The Rebel ran Arkansas was de-
stroycd, she blew mp With a conclusion which shook
the country ;or miles around. Fragments Of the
ship drfea past Baton Rouge, and one OF the wheel.
houses WAS taken ashore at thut point.
1t is estimated thst only 65 officers and men be-
longing to the Mississippi Were killed, wounded,
anu taken prisoners. The officers and crew lost
everything except what they stood In.
They sayrd nothing, and left nothing in the hands
OF tie Rebels.