The National tribune., 1888-09-20
THE RAM ARKANSAS.
PASSING Throuch the Union Fleet In Safetr.

Passing Through the Union Fleet In saIety'
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The hull of
this famous and formidable craft was built at
Memphis, Tenn, and in June, 1862, on the APP
proach of our gunboats, aud in an unfinished
state, was towed by steamer down the hIssis-
sippi to the mouth of the Yaz0O, thence up that
river to Yazoo City, where it was completed,
armed and manned for its perilous voyage down
the river, through the Federal feet to the city
of Ycksburg. The hull of the mate 10 this craft,
not being so far advanced as to allow 1t to be
launched, was burnt on the ground where It's
keel was laid.
The fact that this boat was in course of con-
struction at the city of Memphis and had been
taken down the Mississippi and up the YazOo,
after the fall Of Fort Pillow, was pretty gener-
ally known to all Immediately after we destroy
ed the Confederate feet of gunboats at Memphis
and the surrender of that city to Commodore
Davis. 1t was known that this vessel had been
taken to Yazoo City for completion and that
soon it would come forth from its hiding place
and attempt to reach Vicksburg. These facts
were talked ofamong the men. In making these
statements l do not do so for the purpose of
provoking controversy over matter which
happened more than q quarter of century
ago, but after | have stated a few leading facts
l think it will appear that it was through
lack of vigilance GA the part of the two emil
nent officers in command of the Federal fleet
that enabled this vessel to reach in safety the
batteries of Vicksburg
TWenty-six years have passed since the writer
first looked upon that low, mud col0red craft,
its sides and ends sloping upward at an angle
of about 40 degrees, the iron plating on the side
extending down into the water as it came
down the river under full head of steam Com
rade Michael says: ION July Is, 1862, the
Tyler Car0ndelet and the ram Queen of the
West were sent up the Yazoo to look after her."
/ think the date is correct. The boats left
their anchorage some time during the night,
and when daylight dawned it revealed the
fact that the boats had left the Mississippi and
were IN strange waters. The Carondclet, the
only ironclad of the three, was in the advance,
with all hands at quarters. About a. m. the
ram hove in sight and fired the first shot.
The river was narrow and crooked, hence the
firing was at short range. The second or third
shet fred by the ram passed through one Of the
forward portfolios of the Carondelet, killing
and wounding some of the crew and some MEN,
bers of a squad of infantry from a Wisconsin
regiment who had been taken on board as
sharpshooters. The shot also carried away
section of pipe which connected the steam
drum with the engines and the Kissing noise
made by the escaping steam, and its rapid &C
emulation in the gun-room, somewhat con-
fused the men and the firing ceased.
By this time the two boats were together,
and drifted with the current down the river,
During this time there was no firing, except q
few shots from smalIsarms. The Tyler could
not use her guns on account of the close
proxi nifty of the two ironelads and as soon as
the Carondelet grounded the ram proceeded
down the river, placing itself between the Ca
rondelet and the Tyler aud Queen of the West
The Tyler and Queen Of the West were both
wooden boats, and dared not engage the ram at
close quarters, so they Immediately turned and
fled down the river, followed by the ram. In
q few minutes after the Carondelct grounded
the disabled pipe was repaired, and she gave
chase to the rebel ram. Heavy firing was en-
gagged in, which was distinctly heard at the
fleet, when the river was sufficiently wide to
get sight of the ram.
While this combat was going on the COM
bined fleet of Commodores Davis and Farragut
lay quietly at anchor, just far enough above
Vicksburg to be out of range of the enemy's
batteries. The Mississippi fotlla, composed
Of all boats except the sea-going vessels were
anchored in line on the left of the channel
near the left bank of the river, the flagship
Benton farthest down the river and closest to
the enemy's batteries. The sea-going vessels,
commanded by Farragut, were anchored in line
on the right of the channel, and within 300
feet Of the right bank of the river; the Hart
ford farthest down the river and closest to the
enemys guns. Between the lines thus formed
lay the hospital boat Red Rover, the ram Ian
caster, and perhaps one or two transports. This
was the condition of affairs when the heavy
firing was heard, something like an hour before
the ram was seen, at distance Of three miles,
coming down the river toward the feet and
yet not a vessel moved from its anchorage or
made any preparation to meet the crisis.
The ram came down under full head of steam,
flying the Confederate flag, passed through the
fleet between the right bank of the river and
the sea going vessels, and was under fire for a
distance Of 400 yards at no greater range than
200 feet The guns Of the boat replied TO those
of the feet, and sent shot and shell among the
troops camped in the woods on the right bank
Of the river, and finally landed under the guns
at Vicksburg unhurt The Federal ram Lam
caster in attempting to dispute the passage of
this beat, received shot which disabled her
and wounded and killed some Of her crew. No
other vessel had sufficient steam up to run from
its anchorage. After the ram had passed
through, and before it reached Yicksburg the
flagship Benton slipped her anchor and get
under way, but with scarcely enough steam to
be manageable.
On that memorable morning the two COM
manders were holding some sort Of council
on the Benton, and Farragut did not leave for
his own ship until this ram came in sight 1t
seems that the two commanders were surprised
| by the bold dash of this boat, and were wholly
unprepared for the onset But why they al
| lowed themselves to be thus surprised, or il
not surprised, so completely uuprepared to
grapple with this vessel is a difficult question
to ansWer.-L II. Coon, Fort Scott, Kan.