New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-28
Reported Destruction Of the Rebel Gunboat
Webb.


Mr.. Eastwick, Third Assistant Engineer Of The
war steamer Monongahels, assures The NeH. Or
I,ans Era that Gs they were aground under the
Pou Hudson batteries on the 18th ultmo, the boat
bwain, who had charge OF the two email howitzers
on tho starbosrd bow, discovered craft resembling
rum or iron-olad not more than nifty feet ahead
He al once passed the word aft, "A ram on the
,tarboard bow, about fifty feet of, when The gun
ners were ordered TO train their pieces on the object
ss soon az il came IN range. Our informant went 10
one OF the portfolios, from which lie says he could
zee her plainly. As the ram, or whatever IL was,
came opposite the Monongahels, the order was gwen
10 fire and eight pieces OF greater or less CALDER,
were discharged at point blank range, nearly stimuli
tsneou,ly. Mr.. Eestwick could distinctly hear the
iron shot crushing In the sides Of the unknown, and
presently cry arose from great number Oh peo-
Die on the disabled boat" We are nnkingi sehd us
boats." Bnt tho Monongahea was aground, and
the other vessel was descending with full head Of
,tesm. mad In very few moments nothing WAS
heard Of her or her crew. -
He SAVE there were large number Of men on
board and expresses the belief that It was the ram
Webb. coming down with the intention OF boarolhg
acme one of Admiral FRrraguts feet. This state
ment of Mr.. L. 10 corroborated by one OF our prs
oners who Wac q -sytive at Port Hudson nj the
,;ms If the bomb.l dment. Another circumstance
which goes TO stfeug nen this supposon Is The isc'
that we huye not heard anything oil the heDei sun.
boat Webb since the 18th. IL II shall turn OUT tua'
the NtDD Huu thhi hho Noo o""ei a
belong. TO the Monon gaheis Of having accomplished
mosG desirable objsct-disposing Of very formld-
able Rebel ram, with broadsde, IN her urs' en-
gagement.
AcrISG.MAsTKR ROBERT l.. KELLf.-Among
those brave men who persisted in the attack on roi1
Hudson, none was more conspicuous for his deVo.eu
LOYALTY aud unflinchng courage than ActinB-N,sso o
Robert l.. Kelly late Of the United States sio0p MS
ss,ippl naive Of the State of Rhode Island hf'
Kelly's career in the navy was bIlef but Dni,an''
During the early part OF the war, ne performed in'
portant services in the Northern Atlantic squadrop
after which he WAS transferred TO the western oui
Bloekading Squadron, where he was IN ac'i'e ger.
vice on board the United States sloop Mississippi ior
more than year. He held sn important post u, az,
officer of that snip during the most brilliant par u
her career this station, and IN her last engage
ment fought his division nobiy and courag' Uu'ly'
amid tbs iron shower Of shot and shell hurlt Iion
The enemy's batteries, until fatal shaft felled MS
mabged body 70 the deck, another martyr III our
righteous cause. lie leaves young wife and ebii'
dren TO mourn his loss, together with large cfcle
of friends, 10 whom he was endeared by hls kno,
genial disposition aud estimable qualities us a man
fNtw.OIi.sBs Ina, March lSo1
Acting Master Robert j. Kelly The youngest son oil 'he
late Capt WILDER Kslly Of Providence L. bat for several
eas previous the Commencement Of the wal W" ehsAsa
in bushes. in this city vhsre he well known sss sepsr
sss vnm bsSted Isa bspsIaDs psAss