The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-05

insanity or was 1t desporntion7 II the
latter, then the navy boys couid be re-.
lied upon, for they dearly loved their
flag, and no danger could stop thcnl,
in defending It. SO alone she COM
1t ended I Will let. Lieutenant Read
toll you:
"Thol Arkansas loft vlcksburg at 9
O'clock Sunday morning, August Sd,
ana steamed lelaurely down the river,
having ample tlmo to reach Baton
Rouge at the appointed hour. When
she arrived within fifteen miles Of
Baton Rouge llor starboard engine
broke down. Repairs were Immediate
ly commenced. and at 8 o'clock were
partially completed. though slio was
not IN condition to engage many Of
the Yankee vessels on account OF the
injury received. At 4 o'clock, almost
to g minute. General Breckinridge
opened the attack on Baton Rouge. "A
messenger was dispatched at 8 O'clock
to ascertain the strength Of tho
enemys fleet. and tho Arkansas pros
Baton Rouge, when she was cleared
for action.
I'VE leatned from the gucrrillas on
shore that there were only three gun
boats. On rounding the point the
starboard engine again broke down.
and the ship drlfted ashore in sight
OF Baton Rouge on the Arkansas side.
Repairs wero Immediately commenced,
and the ship got again afloat. At s.
o'clock the same evening the engineers
reported that the engines were unre-
liable. It was determined to mako
another trial trip UP the river to as
certain the strength OF the engines.
Proceeded some 500 yards up the river,
when the engines broke moro seriously
than ever. The crew were engaged
all night in repairs. Next morning at
s o'clock the lookout reported the Fed
eral fleet coming up. The ship was
moored head down stream and cleared
for action. and In this condition was
determined to fight to the last. At
O'clock the Essex camo round the point
ana opened fire. AT this moment the
engineers reported the engine ready and
that they would last half day Tho
lines were cut and the Arkansas start
ed for the Essex with tho Intention Of
running her down. Proceeding about
500 yards in the direction Of the Es-
sex, ana the larboard engine suddenly
stopped. She then made for the bank
stern down. tho Essex pouring hot
fire into her.
I'm this condition we opened fire. with
our stern guns. The Essex continued
to advance, and when within 400 yards.
the crew Of the Arkansas were or
dered ashore, and the vessel fired.
"After all hands were ashore the
Essex fired upon tho disabled vessel
most furiously. In an hour after her
abandonment the fire communicated to
her magazine, and all that. remained.
OF the noble Arkansas was blown up.
An extract from telegram OF General
Van Dorm, to Secretary OF War, Rich
mond:
Arkansas ordered to cooperate with
General BreckinrIdge, broke machinery
Ave miles above Baton Rouge. On way
down was attacked by the enemy; In
this condition fought well, inflicting
great damage on gunboats. and was
then blown up by crew. all OF whom
escaped. Breckenridge drove the enemy
from town to cover Of boats; burned
camp and large amount Of stores; cap
tured some prisoners and several
colors.''
The Arkansas and Essex were ves-
sells Of about the same size and model.
The Arkansas carried ten guns, the
Essex seven. but in build. plating ard
engines the Essex was superior, and
In the fleet that the Arkansas engaged
above Vicksburg, were at least three.
IL not four. lronclads her superior. Had
what she might have ACCOMPLISHED.