New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-12
She Sinks Three Rebel Steamer Loaded with
Provisions. "'' .
TAKES IS PRISONERS, WITH 4 COLONEL
She Draws the Fire Of Port Hudson
Battery. u ,s io''
Official Report Of Her First Passage Of
tho Vicksburg Batteries.

CHICAGO, Wednesday. Feb II. 1869.
A special dispatch from Cairo to-day says that
news has been received from Vicksburg TO Sstur-
day. -.....,
The ram Queen has returned from below. Her
trip down the river was most successsul. She met
three steamers with provisions for the Rebels al
vicksburg and succeeded in sinking them. She took
Sc prisoners, one Of whom was Colonel The
Queen went near enough to Port Hudson to draw
the fire from the upper battery.
OFFICIAL REPORT or THE TRIP DOWNWARD
wAsHiysros. Wednesday. Feb. II. 1858.
Acting Rear.Admiral Porter, In terms Of CONNER
dation, communicates to the Navy Department tho
report Of Col. Elicit, commanding the U. s. steam
ram Queen Of the West, giving an account Of her
passage Of the batteries at vicksburg The follow
ing 10 the report:
us srrAu.RAn QunKs o. ris wssr.
BnIov vicKssuRs, Mondsy. Feb. .. ls6a
ADMIRAL: In compliance with your instr notions
I started on the Queen Of the West at 3, o'clock
this morning to pass the batteries at Vcksburg and
sink the Rebel steamer lying before that city. dis
covered Immediately on starting that the change Of
the wheel from its former position TO the narrow
space behind the Queens bulwarks did not permit
the boat TO DO hauled with sufficient accuracy. An
bonr more was spent in re-srrnnging the apIa-
ratus, aud when we finally rounded the roint, the
have resulted from the dai kness was lost to us.
The Rebels opened heavy Ave upon ne M We
neared the city, but we were only struck three
lirurs before reaching the steamer. Shc was lying
IN nearly the same position that he Arkansas
pied when Gen. Ellct the QteeD into her on u
former On casion. The which prevented
the destruction Of the Arkansas then -aved the City
OF Vbcxsburg this morning. Her rosition was sueh
that If we had run obliqely into Der ne We came
down. the bow Of tha Queen woad Inevitably have
glanced. We were'ocmpeled 20 partially round in
order 10 strike. The consequence was that at the
very moment OF collision. The current, very rapid
and strong at this point. cehght tho stern q my
boat and, acting on brr bow - pivot swung her
round 20 rapidly that nearly MI her momentum war
Lost.
/ had anticipated this, and therefore caused the
stu board bow pun 10 be shot'sd with three OF The
ncendiary prolectee recommended In your ordeTs.
AZ we ung around SER l.~Rnt j. II. Cam pbel de-
tailed for that purJosr, fired tbi. gun. A Gi-pound
sh ell crushed through the bar,cadc inst before h.
cached the spot bat he did not hesitate. The dis
Charge took place 81 exactly the right moment, aud
ne the Rebel steamer IN iarn,s, which they slbse-
queutly succeeds IN eItinguishng. At this mouent
one OF the encmy'r thells ~, the cotton neag lie
t,arboad wheel OF FIRE, while the disc aasge OF our
own gun gited that portion Which was the bow
The flames pread rapidly and the dense smoke rolled
into the enpne-room suiiocated tho engiueers.
saw that If ! ATTEMPTED 10 run into TIE City VI
V,cksburg again my boat would certainly be burned
ordered heI 10 be headed down stream ana ordered
every mau TO extiugush tie flames. After much
exerlon We fuHlly PIT the FIRE ont By cutting tie
burning bales loo-o. The enemy Of course were not
idle. We were struck twelve times, and though
tho cabin door koocked to pieces no material
injury 70 the boat 10 those board was infi1ted.
Dout two regiments Of Rebel sharpshoot.rs Ia
rife rita kept up continual tire, bat dld 10 damage
bThe Queen was struck twice III Tue Iull, but above
the waller line. One OF our guns was dismouhted
and ruined. i can only speak IN the highest terms
OF the conduct OF every man on board. All behaved
with cool, determined courage.
l remain, very respectfully
CuAkLks RIVERS ELLFTr,
Commanding Ram Fleet 4.
DAVID PorTBs Acting ResI AaEliIal Commanding Mis-
sisippi Squadron
CAIRO, Wednesday Feb H. 1859
Vicksburg letters say she brill ant achievement Of
the Queen running the gauntlet Of the Rebel batter
les has had most beneficial eAcc. on the spirits Of
our troops before Vieksburg.
A correspondent Of The Jack,on APpeai says that
It is possible Gen. Grant will make tue canal a cue
cess and suggests that Grand Gulf Por; Gideon and
other points between Vicksburg and Port Hudson
be fortified.
Later information shows that the ram Queen did
not damage the steamer Vieksburg reported. 1t
is supposed the a,ters guards prevented the bow of
the Qneen reaching her hull.
Gen. Hurlburt at Memphis has issued an order
prohibiting the circulation Of The Ch,cago Times in
lis district.