, 1863-03-05
FROM VlcKSBUR6.
THE NEWS TO THE 24th ULT.
The Situation-Fu1l Details Of In
dianola's Disaster.

tspccial Dispatch to the Chicago Trlbune-1
NEAR y1cksHuno, Feb q, via CAIRO, March 4
The heavy rain for the past twenty-four
nours has made the roads impossible and the
river rising. Fears are entertained that the
army will have to rc.cmbark. The Queen Of
the West came up to Warrenton day before
yesterday with 4 rebel flag flying. She au-
chorcd under the batteries and remained un-
til yesterday, when she started south
Fears wero entertained last night that the
rebel ram {eet would attack our transports,
and steam was Kept up on every vessel.
4 loud explosion occurred in Vicksburg or
vicinity, last night, but we have no idea what
it meant.
The work Of pumping out the canal for the
purpose Of widening it, progresses slowly,
on account of the late heavy raina, and our
fatigue parties cannot work, the soil is SO
wet.
Especial Dispatch 10 the Chicago Tslbunc.l
CA1no, March 4, 1858
Several boats are due here from Memphis,
but only the Tycoon has arrived. The Belle
Memphis, Era, and several others have been
chartered by the Government for the purpose
Of moving troops: The tycoon brings Mem
phis papers of tho afternoon of the second.
Some hoats lately arrived at Memphis from
Lake Providence. Some particulars Of the
! capture Of the Indianola are giycn. 1tseems the
Indianola was lying thir:y-hve miles below
Vicksburg on Tuesday Inst, when the rams
Queen and Webb approached, and IN active
engagement occurred. The rams had the
advantage on their side, the 1ndiano1a
moving very slowly rs compared
| With them. They butted her In broadside
! and stern. The Indianola continued tc
change guns from side to side, but the assail
ants us quickly gainct the opposite side 0,
her and buttcd again and again. The coal
baSses on each side Of the 1ndianola quickly
sunk. At last Capt. Brown appeared, au.
nouncing that his ship was sinking and sur.
rendered. The boat was ordered ashore, and
she WAS landed. All Of the crew were taken
but one man, who jumped upon land and
made his way to the Federal lines, and made
known the catastrophe. The action lasted
fifteen minutes. Since the loss Of the Indian,
ola the Frolic, in charge Of Major Hays, asked
permission to approach Vlcksburg with pris
oneTB for exchange. He stated that the In
dianola vas sunk, but many seemed to doubt
the statement, thinking 1t only a ruse, and
that the 1ndianola and Queen may yet bt
used against us.
When the last boat came up from Young's
Point the Queen Of West was lying under tht
guns Of the Confederate battery at Wurrentou
below Vicksburg
The West Wind aud Sunshine had arrived
with dredecs, to be used on the canal
The river was rising but all was quiet OF
| Its banks
The fiat boat sent down the canal was fret
upon by the batteries, and although 1t arrived
at the end 1T sunk from ssaot holes.
! = = ccsal,al barge with propeller had got int
Lake Providence from the Mississippi.
was pushed overland on slides; to be used il
exploring the Lake and neighhoring bayous
and assisting in the progress Of the canal a
Lake Providence.
It is believed that the crew Of the Indianol
had sunk her before her capture.