The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-05-06

instant, when the flag was snatched
down. The firing was Immediately
resumed, and Bells sharpshooters al
once brought into requisition, fired in
cessantly, with vigorous effect. The
Confederates proving too formidable,
the Undine dropped down behind the
bend in the river, out Of range, but
presently coming under cover of the
batteries at Fort Holman, she hesita.
ted to pass, and withdrew with the
Venus above and behind the bend of
the river, from which position she be-
gan a noisy Smelling of the Paris Land.
ing battery, while repairing damages
in the hull and machinery, which
could be distinctly heard by Bells
sharpshooters.
1t was subsequently ascertained
that the white flag was raised by the
wife of the captain of the gun boat,
who had been killed, and was snatched
down by the second officer in com,
maud.
The men at Earrings guns having
a commanding position, fought contin.
ually for over an hour, and advanced
their pieces by hand for nearly mile.
Although on chilling October day,
with the sun obscured by hanging
clouds, the men becoming exhausted
from hard physical effort, would drop
for moment from their posts and
crawl to the rivers edge to battle their
burning brows and quench their thirst
with the muddy water of the turbid
stream. This was, certainly, re-
markable contest, when we consider
the CONSERVATION and panic usually
produced amongst troops upon the
appearance of Federal gun boats, and
especially with those unaccustome1 to
gunboat warfare.
Lieut.. S. w. Watkins. the Artil
lery Battalion Quartermaster, who
was an efficient artillery officer, vol.
unteered his services with Earrings
section and rendered conspicuous and
effective service in this novel charge
with artillery. Orderly Sergeant
Frank Z. Reid, of Morton's battery,
whose place was with the caissons in
protected situation, was, rs usual,
at the front and ever ready to assume
any position around the guns in which
he could be most serviceable.
Meanwhile, / received an order
from Gen. Buford to move one sec.
ton of artillery from Paris Landing
down to the bend of the river and ops
posite to where the gun boat I'm.
dine and transport Venus were an.
chored and dislodge them or force IA
surrender.
Orderly Sergeant Reid was direc.
ted to hastily proceed down the river
and carefully reconnoiter the position
where the Undine and Venus were
lying. At this time, on looking up
the river, discovered "more game"
in sight. A steamboat was seen APP
preaching very slowly and cautiously
some two miles away. | directed the
guns to be withdrawn from the imme-
diate river front and the men to lie
down. The steamer, which proved
to be the j. W. Chessman, approached
slowly, in fact, at one time checking
up as if to return. She evidently ap>
pretended danger. No troops being
observed Oh the shore, and possibly
seeing the Undine and Venus below,
she was emboldened to proceed on her
way. As.she passed Crozier a volley
from his ten FOUNDER PARROTS"
crashed through her cabins, causing
the greatest confusion and hustle on
board. She FASTENED up her speed,
but instantly, Earring ran his three
inch "Rodmans" in position and
drove two shots through her from
stem to stern. Other unerring shots
followed in quick succession from both
sections, and precipitated most
exciting race.
Earring was ordered to follow with
his section the receding boat. The
guns were moved "by hand to the
front" and fired at rapid intervals.
A most remarkable feature to be no.
ted was, that although the boat was
constantly in motion, and the guns
changing position at every discharge,
hardly a shot failed to strike its mark.
She was irreparably injured, and
drifted ashore. Gen. Chalmers ar.
irving about this time with Fuckers
brigade, and Il section of Rice's bat
terry, Lieut.. w. II. Briggs command
ing, the General took charge of the
Chessman, and in company with him
and staff, and few other officers, we