The Portland daily press., 1863-02-12
BY TELEGRAPH.
TO THE
Portland Daily Press.
Attempt to Sink the Rebel steamer City of
Vicksburg.
Running Of the Batteries by the ram
Queen of the West.
A most Gallant Exploit.

WASHINGTON, Feb. IL.
Acting Rear Admiral Porter i'm terms OF
| commentator, communicates to the Navy
| Department the report of COL Elet, CON-
manding United States steam ram Queen of
the West, giving an account of her passage of
the batteries at Vicksburg. The following is
the report:
U. s. steam ram Queen Of the West, belop
Ficksburg, FEB. 2d.-Admiral-In compli-
ance with your instructions, | started on the
Queen OF the West at halipast four this MORN
ing to pass the batteries at Vicksburo and
sink the rebel steamer lying before that city.
discovered Immediately on starting that the
change of the wheel from its former position
to the narrow space behind the bulwarks did
not permit the boat to be handled with suf-
ficient accuracy. An hour or more was spent
in rearranging the apparatus, and when we
finally rounded the point the sun had risen,
and any advantage which would have result
ed from it was lost to us. The rebels opened
heavy fire upon us as we neared the city,
but we were only struck three times before
reaching the steamer. She was lying in near
ly the same position that the Arkansas occu-
pied when Gen. Ellet ran the Queen into her
on a former occasion. The same causes which
prevented the destruction of the Arkansas
then saved the City of Vicksburg this morn
ing. Her position was such that if we had
run obliquely into her as we came down, the
bow of the Queen would Inevitably have
glanced. We were compelled to partially
round, in order to strike. The consequence
was that at the very moment of the collision
the current, which is very rapid and strong at
this point, caught the stern Of my boat, and
acting on her bow as pivot, swung her round
so rapidly that nearly all her momentum was
lost. had anticipated this, and, therefore,
caused the starboard bow gun to be shotted
with three of the incendiary projectiles rec
commended in your orders. As we swung
around, Sergt j. H. Campbell, detailed for the
purpose, fired this gun. A 64-pound shell
crushed through tho barricade just before he
reached the spot. but he did not hesitate. The
discharge took place at exactly the right mo-
ment, and set the rebel steamer ia flames,
which they subsequently succeeded in extin-
gushing.
AT this moment one OF the enemy's shells
set the cotton near the starboard wheel on
fire, while the discharge of our own gun ig-
nited that portion which was on our bow
The flames spread rapidly, and the dense
smoke rolling into the engine room sutFocated
the engineer. saw that if attempted TO
run into the City of Vicksburg again my boat
would certainly be burnt, i ordered her to be
headed down stream, and sent every man to
extinguish the flames. After much exertion
we finally put the fire out by cutting the burn
ing bales loose. The enemy Of course were
not idle. We were struck twelve times, and
though the cabin door was knocked to pieces
no material injury to the boat or to any of
those on board, was inflicted. About two reg
iments of rebel sharpshooters in rife pits kept
up continual fire, but did no damage. The
Queen was struck twice in the hull but above
the water line. One Of our guns was dis
mounted and ruined.
can only speak In the highest terms of ey-
cry man on board. All behaved with cool,
determined courage.
remain, very respectfully,
tSigned) CHARLES RIVERS ELLEr.