Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-07-07
From White RiEer---Particulars of
the Capture Of the Queen Ctr.

From the Mo. Democrat Of Monday1
We learn from Colonel Fem, who ar.
rived last night on the steamer Platte
Valley direct from Duvalfs Bluff, the
following facts: The rebel General Shell
by attacked the gunboat Queen City, No.
20, on the morning of the 9th inst,
while lying of Clarendon, on White river,
at anchor. The attack was made be-
tween three and four clock A. H., with
q battery of fou: guns, two ten and two
twelve pouaders, at a range of about
one hundred yards. The combat was
terrific for short time. The machinery
Of the Queen City was soon disabled, and
the commander, Capt Hickey, COM
nenced dropping with the current, with
8 view to get range for his guns, which
it was difficult to do owing to the high
banks aud marrow stream.
After contest OF nearly one hour be
Was compelled TO surrender, previous to
which he informed his men, and gave
them the privilege Of trying the only
means Of escape (swimming to the shsre
on the opposite bank), if they preferred
that to snrrendsr.
Many of them took to the water, m0st
of them reaching the shore in safety. A
few were shot in the water. The boat
was surrendered to Shelby in a shattered
condition, together with about thirty Of
fcers and men. Most of the men we're
eelorsd seamen, and of their fate there
is no reliable intelligence. The officers
were divided into three squads and sent
in different directions under Gags of
trace; one to Duvalfs Bluff with Capt
Hickey, his pilot and cabin boy, anoth-
er to Helena, which had been there two
days when the Platte Valley passed; the
third not heard from. Upon getting
possession Of the Queen City, Shelby i'm
proved his time by taking her effects
ashore as quickly as possible The pay-
master is supposed to have had about
six thousand dollars in money. She had
a good supply of clothing, which was ap-
propriated by Shelby's men, as was evi-
dent from the amount of rags left on the
bank He also got twelve pound how,
itzer, mounted on two wheels, which
gave him five guns to hold the point
with. At about nine clock the aams
morning be was apprised of the approach
i of the gnnboats, Tyor, Fawn and Naum
| keg, in convoy of a feet of ten transports
in command Of Capt. Bache, of the Ty
i lor. He having learned of the disaster
to the Queen City through the refugees
from her, had ordered the transports
back to the Bluff and proceeded viii
dispatch to Clarendon. On his approach
to the Bluff, Shelby fired her to make hi
work ofdestruction more complete. Thl
explosion was heard many miles, ant
; the Queen City was thing Of the past
Before the smoke had cleared away
Capt Bashe, OF the Tylor, Capt Grscs
of the Fawn, and Capt Rogers, of tn
Naunkeag "a noble trio) approached
Gen. Shelby had chosen . position Z
give him battle, and with bravery wor
thy a better cause the rebel Genera
with his men, worked their batteries
Well did they stand the repeated broad
sides of the boats, as they run the bal
teriss, nor was there any apparent fincl
ing on the part of the rebels until th
; gunboats rounded to, after having ru
/ past
81 Then came the enHlading fire from
range that gave Shelbys men more tha
was eongenial, and he preeipitately d.
camped to the woods, leaving his pri2
gun and a considerable of the capture
ordnance on the bank to be retaken
our brave sailor boys.
Il The Tyler received eleven shot
Eight or ten men we're wounded, all d
ing we'll The Fawn received eleve
shots. The pilot was seriously wounde
in the head. Hopes are entertained f
his recovery. It is thought that the
r was no one mortally wounded in th
engagement on our side, nor do .
know the casualties on the enemy
They must have been severely punish'
when they abandoned . good lz-pour
gun on light carriage that ceuld ha'
been drawn by fenr men out of the reas
/, of the gunboats- General Shelby haviE
rstired from the river, Captain Bacl
collected the wounded and straggle
y and brought them 20 Duvalrs Bluff q