Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-16
Canfnr. OF = Indianola.

lOuuE : IOlul, ABOVE hiChSout . Va AtN't O'N'
ing at 5 o'clock, arrived at the wharf yesterday
morning. She brings intelligence of the most
exciting character, c%onirmatory OF a potion of
the rumors circulated throughout the city,on Sat
urday afternoon and Sunday.
Alter the news of the capture of the Queen of
the Vest reached her by the captured Era No D,
the lndianola remained at the mouth OF Red river
for four days, awaiting the appearance OF the
Queen, which, it was believed, 1t not badly M
jured ia the fight al Font Taylor, would be max
ing her way down the Mississippi on a Cenled-
crate accommodating exp dition.
Patiently she remained at her post. with steam
up, guns shotted, and all hands ready for a fight
at a moments notice. In vain were the watch
full ewes turned up the narrow, crooked river.
down which the Queen and probably other boats
might, at any time. be coming. Nothing came;
tue ram had evidently either been too roughly
handled before the fort when captured. TO soon
get ready for action, or was billing her time,
hoping to elude the Indianola's vigilanceb by com
ing out unawares, and depending upon her SUI
perior power of speed to leave the gunboat far be
hind in a race. At ali events. she refused to ven
ture, and at the close of the fourth days sentinel
ing, Capt. Brown, the commander OF the lndianola,
ordered her to proceed up the river.
The Indianola is not remarkable for speed; in
! deed, river men inform US that she is very slow.
/ and we presume, as the necessity was not press
ing. she took her time leisurely on her upward
trip. She met with no adventure worth record
ing until reaching a point thirty five miles below
Vicksburg. Here she put in for a short time. for
what reason we lave not been advised. This was
on Tuesday afternoon. the 24th ult. She had
not been there long before the outlines of two or
three boats were discovered. as far as the eve
could reach, below. 1t was evident that they
had on "a full head of steam. and Capt. Brown at
once OWNED their character and purpose They
were none other than the long expected rams,
and b I'd fighting was to be the order of the next
few hours.
The IndianOla at once put on steam, aud was
soon out ia the channel. She started up stream
l~eisurely, it may be said with Truth, for, at her
highest rate of speed, her movements were snail
like compared to theirs-but so well in hand as to
be brought into action at a moments warning.
The rams advanced rapidly. the Queen OF the
West naturally in the lead the Webb, Grand Duke,
and another whose name could not be obtained
following close in her wake.
The " ebb was formerly a lower river towboat,
and is noted for her speed and great powers of
endurance. She carries "A number of guns OF
heavy caliber, is OF wooden material, but has her
machinery and boilers guarded 10y heavy. iron
plates. We believe she can be used as IA ram
having an iron prov. but in this instance de
pended upon her batteries, leaving the Others to
come to close quarters.
The lndianola's heaviest and best guns are on
her bow. or this fact the advancing rams were
evidently aware, for they sheered off To right and
left as often ms she changed position to get them
in range, and managed, by the greater ease with
which they could be handled. to give her no OPP
%portunity to use them with effect.
OF course the Indianola was clumsy; iron can
MOI be US easily moved as wood, and one large
man is seldom able to gain material advantage
Ia a ron,h and fupbla huhf ovar thrao "a,
four small ones who act in concert and deter
minedly.
The ball opened. A shot from the Webb came
w~histling in the air. 1t passed over the Indian
ola and went down with Il splash Il few hundred
feet beyond. Another came. with similar effect
The rams darted here and there, advancing ahd
retreating, endeavoring to get near enough TO try
their iron prows against the sunboat's sides, but
by no means anxious to receive IA shot from one
OF her heavy guns.
Had she been able to get fair range, she would
doubtless have crippled either OF her assailants by
one well directed shot; but this she obtained ne
opportunity of dring.
The firing proceeded rapidly. The available
guns ON the lndianola were run out and fired as
rapidly as circumstances would admit, while the
Webb and Queen of the West kept up a lively
cannonading from their bull dogs.
This did not seem to produce material results
But the fight, once started, speedily waxed
warmer, and became very hot and heavy on botl
sides.
Those who witnessed the gunboat and ram
fight opposite Memphis have some idea of thu
manner in which the latter do their work. TIL,
Webb, although gradually advancing. kept at
RESPECTFUL distance, but so engaged the Indiana
la's attention that the latter had little time to de
vote TO the rams, which fairly danced in the wa
tiers on all sides, watching an opportunity to Civ,
her a poke with their iron noses. With nothin.
but the Webb before her, the Indianola woul,
have had little work on her hands. She would
doubtless have made short work OF her in "A little
time, and proceeded on her way comparativel,
unframed
The experience of this war on the Mississippi
has shown that, Notwithstanding the labor ant
treasure expended in bringing gunboats to tina
point known as invuluerable, common steam
boats, with iron prows, and vital portions wei
protected, have been able, in the hands of fear
less commanders, to perform exploits which thu
iron-clads dare not attempt. The experience
held good in this instance. While the ebb wa:
pouring in the shots, the rams managed to nearl,
surround the %gunbOat, and one of them soOi
found an opportunity TO use her PROV with fore,
on one of the lndianola's sides. Another close,
with equal success. They ran back, then for
ward, meeting squarely and glancing off, sinkin;
I w. ~ oAA Will NhC IN hH0 III Wv
and, incredible rs it may appear. succeeded il
eluding all her shots.
Every engagement must have n termination
and this one was soon over. The Webb and In
dianola briskly kept up their firing, the rams thei
butting, and presently the contestants were il
close quarters. The Indianola had made a gal
liant fight, but was literally overpOwered. Sh
had sustained many hard blows from the rams
and her commander received information tina
/ a. 80 .. -, .,t. -. t..ll u,..
ut the conclusion that she was in a sinking cOndi
ton. and that iurIhei resistance was useless.
He accordingly went on deck and waved
white handkerchief in token Of surrender. Thi
was evidently REGARDED at once VA the light il
which il was inteEded, and the firing ceased Of
the Webb.
As sonn as communication had been established
Capt Brown was ordered To run the boat &
the Louisiana shore. He complied, the Confed
crate feet came over. and the boats officers an,
crew. with the exception of one man, becaD
prisoners OF war.
One man. ~ the boat nesred the bunk. jumpe
overheard. and swan ashore and escaped. HI
name we did nor earn, De made his way throag
the woods. wandering about, but did not reac
Gen. Grant, headquarters until Friday morning
Ii was from him the first intelligence reached tb
General commanding OF, the disaster to the lldi
anola. The firing had been distinctly heard. bu
was thought TO be the batteries firing on her u
she was passing the batteries at Carthage. Sh
had been expected at headquarters for two o
three days.
Our informant was Mt headquarters when th
first intelligence arrived. During the morning
Lieut.. Colonel, in command OF the pickets ad
vanced nearest to .Warrenton, sent in a dispatc
announcing the Indianola's capture, and advise
discrediting any reports that the boat had bee
as severely Injured as rumOred, believing th
statement incorrect.
About noon on Friday the little steamer Froiic