Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-09-30

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Gunboats Repulsed and Destroyed
Failure of the Expedition.
The. great Texas expedition, so often
hihted at in the Yankee papers, has been
repulsed, with the loss of two gurboats
composing it. The 10Th Army corps, un-
der Gen. Franklin, left New Orleans on the
4th instant, in transports, accompanied by
four gunboats, to capture Sabine City, a
point of great st-ategetic value on the line
dividing Louisiana from Texas. They ar
rived off the city on the 9th. A CORES
pondent of the New York Tribune says:
:; In the course Of Monday night the entire
feet gatheredin the vicinity of the Sabine.
The eunboats und vessels of'lighterdIaught
crossed the bar, and preparations were made
for the attack Captain Grocker, Of the
Clifton, was to feel the enemy, uncover the
batteries, and ascertain his strength and
position. Generals Franklin and Weitzel
examined the shore of the Pass to find the
most eligible point for landing the forces
The Clifton steamed up the Pass, occasion
ally throwing shell from her rife guns at
the only work visible--an earthwork of six
large guns. No reply was made. She
steamed within easy range of the tort, and
received no response, She then returned
to her former position without drawing the
fire of the enemy. .s..
When the Clifton returned, the order Of
battle was Immediately arranged. Thegun-
boats Clifton, Arizona, and Saohem, were
to engage the enemy's works, while the
Granite City was to cover the landing OF a
force Of 500 men of Gen. WeitzePs diVi-
sion, selected from the Port Hudson heroes,
and composed oftwo companies Of the l65th
New York, four companies of the l6lst N
York, and o detachment of the 10Th New
York regiment, under command of Captain
Fitch, of the latter regiment
The Clifton opened the engagementwith
o she'll from one Of her large pivot guns,
which burst inside the enemy's works, rails
ing cloud Of dust and dirt; instantly an
other shot followed; thenthe Sachem open
ed a broadside from her guns; next the
Arizona followed. The firing vas excellent !;
from thirty to forty shells had exploded In
the fort Of the enemy. Not q shot had been
fred in return-not soldier, nor civilian
could be seen-the only evidence that the
neighborhood was not deserted was the
movement of couple of steamers vibrating
between the city and the fort.
Presently heavy shot was fired at the
Arizona, passing over her; soon another was
directed at the Sachem and at the Clifton,
but without effect.
Soon the conflict became general and
stormy, the shot and shell from our vessels
making terrible havoc in the parapet. Just
as the Sachem was passing out of range
and victory seemed about to perch on our
flag, shot struck her amidships, render
ing her useless, her flag was lowered, and
the enemy concentrated his fire upon the
Clifton, whose gallant officers and men
fought bravely until shot passed through
her boiler, and she was compelled to raise
the white flag. The Clifton had besides
her crew, 70 sharpshooters on board. The
Sachem had detachment of 80 sharpshoot-
ers. Five soldiers, one sailor, and one sig
nal man, escaped down the beach from the
Clifton. The number of killed and wound
ed is not known.
The Arizona, being unequal to the con-
test, fell back, and the order was issued to
the feet to withdraw. The expedition re-
turned to New Orleans, September II, with
its designs Frustrated at the feet of adverse
circumstances. ...s
Another letter thus sums up the disaster
Just as soon, however, as an attempt was
made to land, the rebels poured in sho
thick and fast, which they sent through
and through our gupboats, and very soor
! sunk one-the Sachem-and blew up an
other. All our sharpshooters on one of the
boats were captured, and it was only BY
prompt and rapid movements that the Com
handing General, Franklin, managed te
get away. .. ..>
ncSSS