The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1901-10-12
THE ARKANSAS.
Thrilling War Experience on the va
ZOO Rivers

The Macon tMiss) Herald.
Mr.. Chas. ID. Paul, a printer of
nearly fifty years experience, was
in Macon Monday and while In
town paid d brief visit to our
office. Mr.. Paul was soldier of
the civil war and had most,thriI-
ling record while in service. The
story of the intensely, dramatic
encounter between the Confede-
rate Ram, Arkansas, and the COM
bined feet of the FederaIs ls per-
hhps not familiar to many of our
readers. Mr.. Paul was u partici-
pant in the engagement and while
here related the account to us.
On July 18th, 1862, the Arkan-
sas, under command of Com. Isaac
N. Brown, was ordered to leave
Manchester, on the Yazoo river,
proceed to Vicksburg. The yes
sci at once started on it's journey
and met with no resistance until
il reached the mouth OF the va
zoo, when 1t encountered five Ee-
deral gunboats---the Lexington,
Carondelet, Essex. Tyler and
Cenestoga. IL Immediately joined
them In battle, the engagement
lasting bat fifteen minutes. Dur
ing that short time, however, the
vessel not only succeeded in pass
ing the blockade, but for a time
actually assumed the aggressive,
disabling one vessel, the Caronde-
let, causing il to strike jts colors.
II also succeeded in cutting off
the Essex from the rest Of the
feet and chased It fourteen miles
down the Mississippi. y =. The en-
counter just mentfoneds however,
was not the only experience fate
had in store. ,.As if FIVE vessels
were not enough to fight, the in
trepid Arkansas suddenly ran in
to the entire Union heet which
was then patroling the Mississippi
and with which the Essex had
sought refuge. .@ 4"
There were in all forty4four
vessels composed of Farragut's
feet of eight vessels and large
number of RAMS, mortar boats and
gunboats commanded by Commo-
dore Porter, Davis aud Elicit.
The fleet carried altogether up
wards of four hundred guns,
while opposed to them was one
dauntless little boat protected by
an exterior of railroad rails and
carrying but ten guns in all---two
forward two aft and three on
each sidei We doubt IL history
ever recorded a more, unequal
contest. But the brave Isaac
Brown was not tho man to yield
in purpose. Ordered to bring bis
boat TO Vicksburg, he would do so
however hazardous che attempt.
He commanded the vessel to adj.
vance and the command WIS ex-
ecuted. The flag which the ram
was flying WAS soon shot down,
but like the gallant Sergeant JAS
per,of revolutionary fame, Ensing
Dapney M. SalesIbraved the storm
Of battle and replaced the flag
In positions Amid The fearful
fame ofbattle which lasted two
hours, the Arkansas succeeded in
cutting its way through the OPP
posing feet aud with colors flying
steamed on to Vicksburg.E Both
pilots were mortally wounded DUR
ing the action and Ia all eighteen
were killed and twenty-five
wounded.
The much boasted battle of Ma
Mia pales into insign;ficance
when compared to this--the most
wonderful naval battle ON record.
Only three of those who partici-
pated in the engagement on the
Southern side are now liying--Mr
Paul, and Mr.. Moran, q contrac-
tor now residing in Birmingham
auI E.t,f nahnay NJ Gaalaa "a