The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-08-29
STORY OF THE ARIZONA.
How She Carried Dispatches to Admiral
E.rr,,nt

How She Carried Dispatches to Admiral
Farragut.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: wonder
how many of your readers have heard the
story of the trips of the gunboat Arizona, of
the West Gulf hlockading squadron
In the Spring of 1862 the Arizona came
out from Philadelphia 10 New Orleans to
join the West Gulf blockading squadron.
She was short handed, and this was just after
the battle of Port Hudson, La, and the loss of
ship-of-war Mississippi at that place. So
those that were left of the Mississippi crew
went TO make up the crew of the Arizona,
and she was selected to carry the mail and
dispatches to Admiral Farragut, then lying
at the mouth of the Red River. ID. 2. Up
ton was her commander.
From New Orleans to the mouth Of the
Red River by way of the Mississippi was
but us miles By that route there was the
rebel stronghold, Port Hudson. Hence the
roundabout way the Arizona took.
With the orders and dispatches on board
we weighed anchor and steamed up the river
short distance about ship and came down
under full head of steam, dipped our colors
to the feet, and was headed for the Gulf.
In due time we went out of the South
west pass of the Mississippi into the Gulf,
and shaped our course for Burrick's Bay.
We arrived at Brazos City to coal ship and
get everythi in fighting trim,
About the 1st of April, 1862, we sailed
from Brazos City, and headed to Grand
Lake; at that time the troops under Gen.
Banks were marching toward Franklin, La.
The first night we anchored at Indian Head,
a high bank on the southwest shore Of
Grand Lake, and at daylight the next
morning the Quartermaster reported a
black object about 10 miles out on the lake.
Our Captain took in the situation and put
the ship in readiness for action. AS the day
grew brighter we could see we had no little
TO deal with. Our only chance was to play
long ball with our enemy.
After about two hours firing, as luck
would have it, shot from our 32-pound
PARROT gun went into her steam drum and
set the hostile vessel afire. When we saw
the steam escaping We put on full head
and went to help her.
She proved to be the ram Queen of the
West, taken from Col. Elicit on the Red
River sometime before. ! saw paper some
time ago by one of the crew Of the ram
Queen of the West, to the effect that she was
merely burnt on Grand Lake He did not
say that the destruction was caused by the
guns of the Arizona.
When we got to her we fourd about 35 or
40 of her crew badly scalded. OF course
this sent us back to Brazos City with the
prisoners. We left the ram 10 cool down, to
pay her another visit in few days We
transferred the prisoners to the hospital, and
proceeded to carry out our orders.
We again set sail, and when we came to
the Inflated ram relieved her of her guns
and all that would not burn, and left her at
the bottom of Grand Lake.
We took our course for the mouth Of the
Atchalalaya River, on the north shore of the
lake. AT 2 p. m. the next day we hove in
sight of Burton, and here we started under
a full head of steam to run the batteries.
We succeeded in gaining the uppermost side
and raked them from a point that they were
not prepared for.
We captured the guns, destroyed the
breastworks, and remained for the night.
The next day we started again, and about i
p. m. came to the plantation of the late Capt.
Sempes, of the Alabama aud helped our
selves to beef and sheep at his expense.
This place is a short distance below the town
of Simmesport.
Being late we now got under way, and
after passing Simmesport picked up an old
man. We asked him If he knew anything
of Admiral Fariagut He said he did not,
but did know that his men were hell on
sheep" We put him on shore.
Soon we were coming close TO our desH4
nation. The Admiral had n pcket-boat ont
10 watch for the rams Webb and Queen of
the West, not knowing that we had de-
troyed the latter On Grand Lake. The
picket-boat was 10 send up two rockets for
an enemy; and we sent up the two rockets;
so the pcket-boat lay still. We not know
ing that the two rockets was q signal for an
enemy, kept under full head of steam
down the river, and shot around point
Of land into the troubled waters of the
Mississippi. Behind this point the Hart
ford and Albatross lay waiting for the
enemy. We heard The sudden beat to quar-
tiers, and realized that we were in danger of
broadside; but in a moment came hail
from Old Farragut himself. and all was we'll
&C. ii. SUTTON, Sac and Fox Agency, Okla
homa.