Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-10-01

DaLaklAlE II AltL M441A1 G4AAF ls@ 4-1AtAaLalu III
their wake, aud knocking great holss IN the par
spst, which appeared Of sufi ,isns sizs to admit
the passage Of a carriage and horses.
The enemy acted with great bravery, and If
their Ere slseksned an instant after one of those
terrific explosions, which seemed ID shake ths
very earth around them, il was instantly re-
sgmed with increased rather than Diminished
determination. Gradually bat surely the little
sschea Vas gaining her desired position. A
Ro@aat more snd she would pass cut OF range,
and the day woRld be won. All eyes were bent
upon the noble little craft, when Suddenly q shot
vas seen to strike her amidships, crushing il
her sides and tearing their iron plating for TIE
protection Of shsrpshoo:ers ss a piece Of paper,
and causing her to careen and tremble from
stem to stern. An Instant more and she was
enveloped in the s~esldiog vap0r of escaping
steam, ard ley = helpless wreck, at the marcy Of
the eneny. The flag wss lowered, and
the enemy easing their fire on her, now turned
their entire attention to the Clifton, probaaly
aware Of the fact that the dFaughs Of the Arr
zoRa, wo1ld not permit her 10 advance near
eE0ugh 70 become q very formidable antagonist.
The disabling of the Sachcm at the instant
when victory was within her gresp YVES the
second Of those unfortunate accidents referred
to, and Uss, Of course, of so serious a character
&c 70 ImpeTll the success Of the entire affair.
The Clifton was now the only effective boat en-
gaged. she was called upon 10 do double duty,
and net fer one breath did her gallant com
msndeE ard brave crew hesitate, bat with three
rousiRg cheers, which were heard above the din
of battle, they poured in their FIRE, running in
closer and closer to the batteries, in face Of the
concentrated FIRE of the entire rebsl fertilization.
THE HIR ACCIDEST.
Putting on e full head Of steam the Clifton
ran swiftly down directly toward the battery,
with Tia intention, doubtless, Of delivering her
bEssdsides, giving shsrpshOoters AZ opportunity
Of picking of the ensmy's gunneTs, aud thus
sileAeiBg the works. At tie same time the
Granite City and the General Banks gradually
followed il her wake, for the purpos5 of reach
ing tae point Of debsrka;ion as soon as the CliE-
ton had eascted her object, although the heavy
solid shot and Kissing shells which were in.
tended for the Clifton, but which passed her,
came riehochetting slorg on the water, almost
reaching them. Just as the Clifton gained the
point she aimed at r~eschiug, sGd IS her bow
was thrown round slightly, in the act Of turn-
ing, she struck, the velocity With which
she was running, driving her a long
distances into tho thin nUd at ths bottom Of the
pass. At the lame time a hitherto undiscoverei
battery to the left Of the main work, and in easy
range, opened upoa her IS she lay, har broad
side offering a target Of which the enemy took
ANeAl 1&HGAaHHkNH Xix EaAl4AAa kLEEEGL hbDa ~
s constant Ere from bow and brosdside guns.
the quick rifles, loaded with double charges Of
grape being pouredfhtO the main work, sweep
iEg tbs. peTapet clean at every discharge, and
killing the enemy IL scores, while with his
bT0adside guns he administered dose after dose
Of shell and selid shotto the battery on the lefs.
Lying as he did he would probably have sue
coded in s~ilaHeing the main work, thus enabl-
ing the troops 0 -IsHd, had it not been for the
broadside work for IT was fTom that his boat
was disabled.
Up TO this time she had sustained no material
damage. The shets which had struck her had
been harmless to the ship, and but very few of
bis crew were Injured. Bat fate was against
bim, and he was obliged to succumb. A shot
from the small battery struck his boat about The
center, passing through her side and entirely
through the boiler, leaving hor g stranded wreck
at the eRemy's mercy. The dsZ was instantly
lowered, bat the firing still continued, both from
he beat and tee batteries. L must havs been
lowered without the captains knowledge, Or he
may have been killed and the crew left without q
lesdsT. An instant nore, and Just after & shower
OF Crane from the enemy wss poured into she
noble little craft, the white Sag was run up aud
the firing ceased. The engagement vVss con
cludad. Brave hearts and manly forms had
Been sacrificed up0n the altar Of their countrv,
but without success. There was but one avail
able guHsoas uninjuTed, the Arizona, sad she
was incapable of offensive operEtians against
works of such strength. She was Immediately
from the unequal contest, and the
order reluctantly issued to the fset to withdraw.
THE RESULTS.
Considering the number Of the force ENGAGED
il Is doubtful If any affair Of the whole war can
sith the battle Of Sabine pass in obsfi
ascy Of fighting, loss of life and the suount NJ
interest involved. To the enemy It was q MAJ
Ter Of lie and death, and to the Union f9rcag il
the opening battle Of & most brilliant cam
palgB. The enemy retained their paize. but
less has been undoubtedly without Drses-
Dent in the annals OF war, and they viii, Ia the
nidst OF their rejoicing, tTemble At the tbougbt
q repetition OF the attack. Thare were on
beard Of the Clifton, besides her crew, 8 partyo #
ETe shaTp-sh0oters, and three oftne sig-
corps, and on the Saehem a detachment of
shsrpshoOters. OF he Clifton's crew 1--WE
= sailor and a signal man escaped down
ne beach, and were taken oh by q boat from the
lset. Tne number of killed and wounded must
lave been large, particularly on the Clifton, As
he was not only exposed to cross fire, but vas
aked lren stem to stern by grape. As to the
dlod and wounded on the Ssehem nothing is !
Known; but the loss is supposed to be light
nd mostly from the escaping steam, IS but he
80 EAVs was hAOHA " HbFS bLEuek her. IEC ]
oss Of the enemy wss undoubtedly enormous.
5 tho huge 9inch shell apparently searched
very nook azd corner of tho esrthwork; and
the Clifton vas aground the same guns
cured IA a murderou5 fire of grape, sweeping
10 pRrapet from end to end. Their loss. how
yer, viii probably never be known.
Where the blame is to rest in this sffsir Il is
imcu-t 70 determine, as the arrangement an
cared to be Of the NEST perfect character
sToughout, and the action Of al engaged ungur-
assed ia determination. There appeared 70 be
failure IN some respects IN the qaartermastef's
apartment; but the result Of ths entire affair
al probably, and with Justice, be sscribsd to
l0se Accidents which so often determine the
.Ie of armies as well as nations.
ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN, LIGHTS Gen.
om Ford, of Ohio, madsA speech before the
yal league Of Washington, recently, in which
Q sail:
l an d Union man; I am for the Consultation
tits and tia Union IS 1t was, with the Das
# off Yoa nsed not be
raid Of this country; we could stand a warIike
is Tor nifty years, without hurting us.
three years Of war we are Just begin
ng to see our purses inflated; Jet they say we
reconstruct before they come backint0 the
mon. The rebels must leave of that aceursedi