The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-14
Running the Blockade.
Correspondents OF the Cincinnati Commercial ]
NEAR VIcKsBURG, Feb. ., 1868.

ram Queen of the West, Capt Sutherland,
should attempt TO run the blockade at
daybreak this morning. She was then
lying in the river about four miles above
Vicksburg. 1t was thought by naval Of
flcers that the feat could be accomplished
better in the obscurity of early dawn than
under cover of dark night. Besides,
the moon has been shining so brightly
for two or three nights past, that steam
boat would attract more attention from
the shore at midnight than at midday, or
equally as much, and would present a
much better mark for the rebel cannon
iers.
The Queen of the West will be remem-
bered as the vessel which, under command
OF Colonel Ellet, since deceased, achieved
such brilliant results in the naval engage
ment opposite Memphis, and afterward
under command of Colonel Ellet ir., son
Of her originA commander, attacked the
Confederate gunboat Arkansas, at Vicks-
burg, and would have succeeded in de-
stroying her had she been properly sup
ported by the gunboats. In the hazard
Gus exploit of this morning she was un-
der command of Captain Sutherland,
Colonel Ellet was also on board.
The intention being to get below the
batteries at Vicksburg with as little dam
age to herself and as little loss Of life to
her crew as possible, the greater number
of soldiers and sailors belonging to her
were transferred to another boat, and
only twenty. five or thirty left on board
just enough TO work her machinery and,
if necessary, to keep one or two of her
brass guns in operation to prevent any
attempt at boarding by the enemy.
She did not raise steam as soon as was
expected. 1t was nearly seven o'clock
when her anchor was weighed. The re-
bells, since our arrival here, have kept a
lookout constantly stationed on the Gu
pola of the Courthouse, at Vicksburg, a
position which commands an excellent
view Of the Mississippi foT several miles
up and down. When a steamboat arrives
at our feet from above, the fact is duly
signaled at the Courthouse when gum
boat or steamer leaves for Memphis, Con-
federate headquarters are informed of the
movement Through the same instrument
tality. This morning, while the Queen Of
the West was raising steam, the look out
waved signals Of all colors, shapes and
sizes until it seemed as if he were try ing
! 10 shake the Court house itself in his eff
fort to awake the rebels TO a sense oi
some thing about TO be done. He sue
ceeded in giving the alarm l am sure, for
the valiant Queen, before getting within
anything likerange Of the re bel batteries,
was fired at several times. She approach
ed the town under full head of steam
The first dozen shots fell short, harm
lessly dropping into the water between
the ram and the Vicksburg shore. The
first shot that touched her, struck one OF
her brassguns on her port side. IL was {
ten or eleven inch she'll, but did not ex-
plode. Striking the howitzer near the
trunions, il created heavy indentatior
about the size of a tea saucer, and glanc
ing off, fell into the river. 1t is believed
by Colonel Ellet, that had the progress o
THO shot not been impeded as it was by
the gun, it would have done great deal
of damage to the vessel.
Nothing daunted, the Queen KEEP
steadily on her way Southwark. Sh,
was soon struck by seven n-inch shell
which entered her cabin and lodged ther,
without exploding. A few minutes af
terwards she was struck three times il
succession but was not damaged TO an
considerable extent. Her wood -wOrl
was fractured little, but nothing NOR
serious was done to her, Arriving jus
below the town, Colonel Ellet determin
ed to have tilt at the steamboat Vicks
burg-a heavy, large, and powerful boa
which the rebels have been plating wit
iron, with view of converting into a gun
boat. The Vicksburg was lying at th
wharf, with a large number Of mechanic
on board indutriously working on hei
The Queen took a good sweep in th
river, turned halfway round, and plung
ed at the embroyotic Confederate navy
with such force as TO run into her abou
twenty feet, on her port quarter, cuttiu
away her cook house and destroying he
: cabin. While in this position, the Quee
poured a heavy volley of shot and she
into the Vicksburg with such effect as I
set fire 20 the cotton bales designed fC
r the protection of her boilers. While th
attention OF Colonel Ellet was directe
: TO the demolition OF the Vicksburg, th
, land batteries OF the rebels were vigorous
, ly bent on his destruction, and shot at
ter shot was aimed al his vessel, but f,
five minutes with no other result than
raise a muddy foam on the water in hi
immediate neighborhood.
At the expiration of about five mir
utes, however, il became evident that Il
d Confederates were improving in the
5 efforts TO get the range Of the QueeI
D.. Three or four successive shots were lodge
in close proximity 10 the boilers of Go
Ellers vessel. The last--a nine. inc
shell--exploded after having penetrate
a bale of cottsn TO the depth Of three
:, four inches. Ia an instant after this Il
u cotton was on fire, and il became app
!; rent TO Col Ellst that there was nothir
: left for him but TO Withdraw from n
Ia contest with the Nicks burg, txtinguii
the flames on his vessel, and drop dow
to his appointed place Of anchorage. 4
order to this effect was given-the Que
nobly responded TO her helm, and W
swept down by the current into safe q
m chorage, while every available man
$, board lent helping hand to putting o
a. the flames.
The results Of the expedition Of Il
, morning are, that the Queen Of the We
'e accomplished all that was expected
her OF asked of her commander, with,
ee the loss Of a single life, sustaining on
\. a damage which can be repaired at
" expense Of q few hundred dollars.
is now below the Vicksburg batte-i
and il is believed she will succeed