12.10 o'clock. The United States side-wheel steamer Susquehanna moved up, passing the Seminole and San Jacinto. In the mean time, the Dacotah and the Monitor had reached the channel, and taken possession of Sewell's Point, and the Dacotah fired a shot towards Craney Island, which fell short. A second shot from the Dacotah struck on the beach at Sewell's Point. A third also fell short. are moving along again slowly up the Elizabeth River, and a dense black smoke has commenced to rise from Sewell's Point, indicating that some of the incendiary shells thrown have fired their barracks. The Dacotah continues to throw her shells direct into the Point, the explosions of which can be distinctly seen. The shells from the Point mostly fall short, and splash along in the water or explode in the air, the constant changing of the positions of the vessels destroyhowever, making quite a determined fight from their works, giving the fleet almost shell for shell and shot for shot. Sewell's Point is almost enveloped in smoke, the constant explosion of shells and the smoke from its own guns and the fire raging in the vicinity, making it a most hot place for suffering humanity. 12.20 o'clock. The Susquehanna moves up, and takes the lead of the San Jacinto and Semi-ing the range of the rebel gunners. They are, nole. There was no return from either of the rebel forts, and the Dacotah and Monitor are steaming up the Elizabeth River, the Naugatuck laying off towards the mouth of James River. 12.30 o'clock.-The Dacotah and Monitor are moving up abreast, and are approaching Craney Island and Sewell's Point. The Dacotah stops and fires every few minutes, alternately at Sew- 2.30 o'clock.-The Monitor has lain out of acell's Point and Craney Island, the enemy making tion for nearly an hour, whilst the four larger no reply, although the balls all reach their in-vessels throw an occasional shot, all of which entended destination. The Monitor is now taking the lead, but has not fired. In the mean time the Seminole and Susquehanna open fire on Sewell's Point, and two shots are fired from the Point, all of which fall short of the Monitor, which is now a mile above the other vessels. 12.40 o'clock. The rebels are firing rapidly from Sewell's Point, principally at the Monitor, whilst a continual succession of shells are being poured in from the Susquehanna, Dacotah, Seminole and San Jacinto, broadside after broadside. The Rip Raps also threw an occasional shell into Sewell's Point. 12.50 o'clock. The Susquehanna, Dacotah, San Jacinto and Seminole are pouring in shells, and the Monitor threw her first two shells from a point full a mile and a half ahead of the vessels. The guns from Sewell's Point fall short of the regular fleet, and many of them explode high in the air at half the distance. The Monitor is still moving forward, firing an occasional shot, whilst the Rip Raps and the fleet, lying off in line of battle, are still firing steadily. 1 o'clock.-The Monitor is now within a mile of Sewell's Point, moving slowly forward and firing. The enemy is firing briskly from Sewell's Point at the Monitor, and the shells are falling briskly around her. Craney Island is also joining in the fight, and has just thrown several shells at the Monitor, one of which has just exploded directly over her. 1.10 o'clock.-The Monitor is moving steadily forward, occasionally firing, and receiving the shells and shot from the rebel batteries with perfect nonchalance. 2 o'clock. During the past hour there has been but little if any change in the progress of the bombardment. The Monitor has fallen back, and lies alongside of the Susquehanna, probably for the purpose of communicating with her. The Naugatuck, in the mean time, has been throwing shells into the Pig Point battery, and the fleet have also thrown a number of shell in the same direction. 2.15 o'clock.-The Monitor and the Dacotah ter the works of the enemy, or explode within the woods. The Rip Raps also keep up a constant cross-fire, throwing a large number of shells in the rear of the Point batteries, giving them the benefit of a cross-fire. The Rip Rap battery has the range from Sewell's Point most perfectly. 2.45 o'clock.-The rebel monster Merrimac has just passed out from behind Sewell's Point, and is moving down slowly towards the Federal fleet. Her black hull can be seen moving slowly along the shore, in front of the Craney Island batteries. Simultaneously with the appearance of the Merrimac, the Monitor started up from behind the wooden vessels, and moved up to meet the enemy. Dense volumes of smoke rolled from the pipes of the Merrimac, and the Monitor, with only a puff of white steam escaping from her, looked in the distance an infinitesimal atom on the surface of the water. The larger vessels drew on one side, and left the Monitor and the Naugatuck in the path of the approaching enemy, the contestants being now fully two miles apart. 3 o'clock.-The Minnesota fires her signal-gun, and the long roll is being beat in the fort. The Minnesota is also coming up slowly from her anchorage below the fort. The fleet had been all lying quietly at anchor for the past half-hour, when a signal from the flag-ship ordered them all to return. The Susquehanna leads the way, followed by the San Jacinto, the Seminole and the Dacotah, the Monitor bringing up the rear, all apparently using their greatest speed towards the fort. To the spectators this seemed rather mortifying; but as they moved down in line, the Monitor was observed to halt, and the San Jacinto and the Dacotah also followed her example, leav ing the Susquehanna and the Seminole moving ahead. The four steamers and the Monitor hav ing taken their positions, the Merrimac also halted, and the five vessels stood not more than a mile and a half apart, the rebel monster not apparently willing to come further down, and the Monitor unwilling to go further up. The Minnesota had also steamed up in front of the Fortress wharf, followed slowly by the Vanderbilt, when both stopped. After lying in this position, the Minnesota turned around and steamed back, and the Vanderbilt, without turning, backed water slowly down the river. Whilst all this manoeuvring was going on, the firing had entirely ceased from all points. 3.40 o'clock.The Merrimac now turns around and steams back towards Norfolk, with the rebel flag flying from her stern. The Baltimore steamer Georgiana has lain out in the stream with steam up all the afternoon, ready to escape from danger at the earliest practicable moment. The Minnesota and Vanderbilt have gone back to their anchorage ground. The Dacotah wheels around, and again proceeds up towards the Merrimac, and the Monitor also stands off towards the mouth of the Elizabeth River. The Dacotah is now within easy range of Sewell's Point, the batteries of which do not open on her. She and the Monitor have both stopped, and the Merrimac is lying stationary, about a mile in advance of the Craney Island battery. The Vanderbilt and the Arago have also steamed up in front of the wharf, and have again backed. The Merrimac has run back under the guns of Craney Island, and the Monitor is steaming off towards her at full speed. The Minnesota is also coming up again at full speed, the effort being to draw the rebel out again. 5.45 o'clock. For the past hour, the fleet has been moving back and forward, but the Merrimac still lies under the guns of Craney Island. The Monitor is lying about a mile and a half from the Merrimac, and the Dacotah, Susquehanna and Seminole are still in her rear. The Naugatuck is also running up towards the Monitor. The Minnesota, Arago and Vanderbilt have gone back to their anchorage, and there is no prospect of any fight to-night. 5 o'clock. The war-vessels, including the Monitor, have all returned to their anchorage. The Merrimac, in the mean time, is moving slowly behind Sewell's Point. The President has witnessed the whole action from a tug-boat lying about a mile in the rear of the fleet. He has just returned, and as he passed up the wharf was vociferously cheered by the troops. 5.15 o'clock. -Our fleet having retired, the Merrimac is again steaming out. The Monitor, Dacotah and Naugatuck are, however, lying in position off Sewell's Point. I just learn from an officer of the Seminole that the flag-staff at Sewell's Point was twice shot away during the bombardment. The first time it fell it was picked up, and a rebel in a red shirt jumped on the ramparts with the stump of the staff and flag, and waved it, when a second shell struck him and cut him in two, and, it is ed, killed a number of others who were near him. Of the many shots fired from Sewell's Point and Craney Island, not one struck any of the vessels. One or two went over their masts, but the balance fell short. The rebels could be distinctly seen carrying off their dead and wounded, the suppos shells at times raining in among them with such fury that it was impossible to escape. Doc. 27. PROCLAMATION OF GOV. JOHNSON. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, NASHVILLE, TENN., May 9, 1862. tile to the Government of the United States, have WHEREAS, certain persons, unfriendly and hosbanded themselves together, and are now going at large through many of the counties of this State, arresting, maltreating and plundering Union citizens wherever found: Now therefore, I, Andrew Johnson, Governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, do hereby proclaim that in every instance in which a Union man is arrested and maltreated by the marauding bands aforesaid, five or more rebels, from the most prominent in the immediate neighborhood, shall be arrested, imprisoned, and otherwise dealt with as the nature of the case may require; and further, to the Government of the United States is taken in all cases where the property of citizens loyal or destroyed, full and ample remuneration shall be made to them out of the property of such rebels in the vicinity as have sympathized with, and given aid, comfort, information or encouragement to the parties committing such depredations. This order will be executed in letter and spirit. All citizens are hereby warned, under heavy penalties, from entertaining, receiving or encouraging persons so banded together, or in any wise connected therewith. By the Governor, such EDWARD H. EAST, Secretary of State. Doc. 28. ANDREW JOHNSON. EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES. GENERAL HUNTER'S PROCLAMATION, MAY 9. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, GENERAL Orders, No. 11. The three States of Georgia, Florida and SouthCarolina, comprising the military department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having taken up arms against the said United States, it becomes a military necessity to declare them under marThis was accordingly done on the twenty-fifth day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law, in a free country, are altogether incompatible. The persons in these three StatesGeorgia, Florida and South-Carolina-heretofore held as slaves, are therefore declared forever free. DAVID HUNTER, Major-General Commanding. tial law. ED. W. SMITH, Acting Adjutant-General. Doc. 29. THE DESTITUTION OF NEW-ORLEANS. GENERAL BUTLER'S PROCLAMATION. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, GENERAL ORDers, No. 25. The deplorable state of destitution and hunger of the mechanics and working classes in this city has been brought to the knowledge of the Commanding General. He has yielded to every suggestion made by the city government, and ordered every method of furnishing food to the people of New-Orleans that that government desired. No relief by those officials has yet been afforded. This hunger does not pinch the wealthy and influential, the leaders of the rebellion, who have gotten up this war, and are now endeavoring to prosecute it, without regard to the starving poor, the working man, his wife and child. Unmindful of their suffering fellow-citizens at home, they have caused or suffered provisions to be carried out of the city for the confederate service since the occupation by the United States forces. Lafayette square, their home of affluence, was made the depot of stores and munitions of war for the rebel armies, and not of provisions for their poor neighbors. Striking hands with the vile, the gambler, the idler and the ruffian, they have destroyed the sugar and cotton which might have been exchanged for food for the industrious and good, and regrated the price of that which is left, by discrediting the very currency they had furnished while they eloped with the specie, as well that stolen from the United States as the banks, the property of the good people of New-Orleans, thus leaving them to ruin and starvation. The United States has sent land and naval forces here to fight and subdue rebellious armies in array against her authority. We find, substantially, only fugitive masses, runaway property-owners, a whisky-drinking mob and starving citizens with their wives and children. It is our duty to call back the first, to punish the second, root out the third, feed and protect the last. Ready only for what we had not prepared our selves, to feed the hungry and relieve the dis tressed with provisions. But to the extent possible within the power of the Commanding General it shall be done. He has captured a quantity of beef and sugar intended for the rebels in the field. A thousand barrels of those stores will be distributed among the deserving poor of this city from whom the rebels had plundered it; even although some of the food will go to supply the craving wants of the wives and children of those now herding at Camp Moore and elsewhere, in arms against the United States. Captain John Clark, Acting Chief Commissary of Subsistence, will be charged with the execu tion of this order, and will give public notice of the place and manner of distribution, which will be arranged as far as possible so that the unworthy and dissolute will not share its benefits. By command of Major-General BUTLER, GEO. C. STRONG, Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff. Doc. 30. NAVAL FIGHT AT FORT PILLOW. OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPTAIN DAVIS. U. S. FLAG-STEAMER BENTON, OFF FORT PILLOW, May 11. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Nary: SIR: I have the honor to inform the Depart Fugitives from justice many of them, and others, their associates, staying because too puerile and insignificant to be objects of punishment that yesterday morning, a little after seven ment by the clement government of the United States. They have betrayed their country. They have been false to every trust. They have shown themselves incapable of defending the State they have seized upon, although they have forced every poor man's child into their service as soldiers for that purpose, while they made their sons and nephews officers. They cannot protect those whom they have ruined, but have left them to the mercies and assassinations of a chronic mob. They will not feed those whom they are starving. o'clock, the rebel squadron, consisting of eight iron-clad steamers-four of them, I believe, fitted as rams-came round the point at the bend above Fort Pillow, and steamed gallantly up the river, fully prepared for a regular engagement. The vessels of this squadron were lying at the time tied up to the bank of the river-three on the eastern and four on the western side-and (as they were transferred to me by Flag-Officer Foote) ready for action. Most of the vessels were prompt in obeying the signal to follow the motions of the commander-in chief. The leading vessels of the rebel squadron made directly for mortar-boat No. Sixteen, which was Mostly without property themselves, they have for a moment unprotected. Acting-Master Gregplundered, stolen and destroyed the means of ory and his crew behaved with great spirit durthose who had property, leaving children penni-ing the action; he fired his mortar eleven times less and old age hopeless. at the enemy, reducing the charge and diminishing the elevation. Men of Louisiana, workingmen, propertyholders, merchants and citizens of the United States, of whatever nation you may have had birth, how long will you uphold those flagrant wrongs, and by inaction suffer yourselves to be made the serfs of these leaders ? Commander Stembel, in the gunboat Cincinnati, which was the leading vessel in the line on that side of the river, followed immediately by Commander Kilty, in the Mound City, hastened to the support of the mortar-boats, and were re peatedly struck by the enemy's rams, at the same time that they disabled the enemy and drove him away. The two leading vessels of the enemy's line were successively encountered by this ship. The boilers or steam-chest of one of them was exploded by our shot, and both of them were disabled. They, as well as the first vessel encountered by the Cincinnati, drifted down the river. Commander Walke informs me that he fired a fifty-pound rifle-shot through the boilers of the third of the enemy's gunboats, of the western line, and rendered her for the time being helpless. The action lasted during the better part of an hour, and took place at the closest quarters. The enemy finally retreated with haste below the guns of Fort Pillow. I have to call the especial attention of the Department to the gallantry and good conduct exhibited by Commanders Stembel and Kilty, and Lieut. Commanding S. L. Phelps. I regret to say that Commander Stembel, Fourth Master Reynolds, and one of the seamen of the Cincinnati and one of the Mound City were severely Wounded. The other accidents of the day were slight. I have the honor to be, Your most obedient servant, COMMANDER PENNOCK'S DESPATCH. CAIRO, May 18, 1862. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy: News from the fleet is just received. The Mound City was injured on the starboard bow by a ram, and is now on her way to Cairo for repairs. The Cincinnati was injured on her starboard bow and sunk in twelve feet of water. She will be raised and sent here for repairs, which will be done with all possible despatch. Commander Stembel is here at the Naval Depot, doing well. Fourth Master Reynolds of the Cincinnati was mortally wounded. Two of the Cincinnati's crew were slightly wounded. There were no other casualties. Commander Stembel fought his ship gallantly. (Signed) A. W. PENNOCK, Commanding and Fleet Captain. CHICAGO "TIMES" REPORT. OFF FORT PILLOW, May 10. At last the monotony is broken. We have had a fight and a glorious one too, purely naval, with nearly an equal number of boats on each side, and have sent the rebels back down the river badly crippled. They attacked us this morning at six o'clock, and before eight they were so badly whipped that they will never again attempt such a job. Yesterday morning they sent a boat up with a flag of truce, ostensibly to arrange an exchange of two surgeons, captured at the battle of Belmont, but, as now appears, simply to ascertain definitely the position of our fleet. Early this morning, as usual, our mortar-boats were towed down to their position for firing, it being a point on the Arkansas shore about one mile from the end of Craigshead Point. The gunboat Cincinnati ran down as a convoy. Scarcely had the mortars been moored in their position, when the rebel ram Louisiana appeared coming around the point, accompanied by four other gunboats. The ram immediately opened fire on the Cincinnati, to which the latter replied with interest. The rebel boats were all held in check by the Cincinnati alone, when the rest of the Federal fleet got under way and came to her assistance. In the mean time the rebel ram, finding her guns ineffectual against the iron armor of the Cincinnati, approached her with the evident intention of running her down. Capt. Stembel, of the latter, prepared to meet the assault of the ram by opening his steam batteries and putting them in readiness for use. As the rebel craft approached within close range, the Cincinnati turned her head about, causing the ram to run along close beside her, when Capt. Stembel drew his pistol and very coolly shot the pilot, killing him instantly; but a second afterwards, a musket-ball struck the gallant Captain in his left shoulder, inflicting a painful though not serious wound. At this time the contest between the two boats was most intensely exciting. The crews of each were armed with carbines, cutlasses and boarding-pikes, and were discharging volley after volley in quick succession at each other; while the ram was also endeavoring to get her head about so as to run into, and, if possible, sink her antagonist. Just then the steam batteries of the Cincinnati were opened with terrific effect, throwing heavy volumes of steam and scalding water into the midst of the rebel crew, placing all who appeared on deck hors du combat instantly, and causing the craft to withdraw with all haste. She In the mean time the rebel fleet had been reënforced by three other vessels, and among them the new iron-clad gunboat Mallory, lately built at Memphis. These three ran immediately up to the Cincinnati and engaged her at once. withstood the assault most nobly, the shot of the enemy glancing off from her iron plating without causing the slightest damage, while her own guns were raining shot and shell with fearful effect upon the enemy. Capt. Stembel, though badly wounded, remained at his post and directed every movement with the coolness and deliberation for which he is noted. During the engagement the Mallory approached the Cincinnati with the design of accomplishing that which the ram had failed in doing. As she came in close proximity, the Federal boat St. Louis bore down upon her, and coming with a full head of steam on, struck her amidships, cutting her nearly in two, and causing her to sink in a very few minutes. Numbers of her crew escaped by clinging to the St. Louis, and others were picked up by the Cincinnati; but the larger injured, though to what extent has not been proportion went down with the boat. learned. While this work was in progress the other boats of our fleet had engaged the remainder of the rebel fleet, and a most terrific battle was raging, the like of which the usually peaceful waters of the Mississippi have never before witnessed. Report followed upon report, like the continuous rattle of musketry. The rebels fought bravely and with determination, but they were met by greater bravery, skill and metal, and were being badly worsted. Capt. Davis, on the flag-ship Benton, directed every movement of our fleet with the sagacity and style of a veteran in naval warfare. He made no mistakes. Not a boat was moved but with fearful effect upon the enemy. Did the Carondolet put her bows up-stream, it was to let fly her stern guns; did the Cairo turn about, it was that a broadside might give its destruction to the foe. The Mound City, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and the old war-horse Benton were each and all diligent and effective, while the Conestoga (wooden) lay off at a safe distance and made good use of her long-range guns. The cannonading was fearful and its reverberations most grand and terrible. The noise was almost like one continuous report, while the broad river was covered with a dense volume of smoke that for a time completely enveloped both fleets and hid them from view. It was at this time that a report, louder and more distant than that of a gun, attracted the general attention, and when the smoke lifted a little, it was found that one of the enemy's boats was blown to atoms. I have no means of knowing the loss of life by this terrible casualty, but it must have been very great. A few lucky fellows were seen floating about on fragments of the wreck, and were picked up by the rebel boats, but the majority of the rebel crew perished miserably. Our gunboats behaved most admirably, and all of them came out of the action without any serious damage. The Cincinnati was in the thickest of the fight throughout, and bore the brunt of the attack, but was not injured enough to prevent her from immediately going into action again. The report that she was badly disabled or sunk is erroneous. The St. Louis, which run down the rebel Mallory, was but slightly damaged herself, and is ready again for duty. When the engagement closed the gunboats returned to their several positions, and their crews prepared their breakfasts as though nothing unusual had happened. To do justice in the way of credit to our officers engaged in this affair, would require the mention of all, but I cannot forbear speaking of the efficiency and signal abilities of Capt. Davis, the Acting Flag-Officer, nor of the coolness and determined bravery of Capt. Stembel. REBEL OFFICIAL REPORT. FLAG-BOAT "LITTLE REBEL," I have the honor to report an engagement with the Federal gunboats at Plum Point Bend, four miles above Fort Pillow, May tenth, 1862. Having previously arranged with my officers the order of attack, our boats left their moorings at six o'clock A.M., and proceeding up the river, passed round a sharp point, which brought us in full view of the enemy's fleet, numbering eight gunboats and twelve mortar-boats. The Federal boat Carondelet was lying nearest us, guarding a mortar-boat that was shelling the Fort. The General Bragg, Capt. W. H. H. Leonard, dashed at her; the Carondelet, firing her heavy guns, retreated toward a bar, where the depth of water would not be sufficient for our boats to follow. Scarcely had the excitement caused by this The Bragg continued boldly on under fire fearful and unlooked - for event passed away, of nearly their whole fleet, and struck her a vio when a second report startled all ears, and an- lent blow that stopped her further flight, then other rebel boat with its crew had disappeared. rounded down the river under a broadside fire, Both vessels were blown up by the explosion of and drifted until her tiller-rope that had got out shells from our guns in their magazines. All of order, could be reädjusted. A few moments this time our boats continued to pour their dead- after the Bragg struck her blow, the General ly rounds into the enemy, crippling such of their Sterling Price ran into the same boat aft, a little craft as were not wholly destroyed, and carrying starboard of her midships, carrying away her death to hundreds of their crews. While them-rudder, stern-post, and a large piece of her stern. selves unhurt, they proudly defied the heaviest This threw the Carondelet's stern to the Sumter, missiles of the rebel guns, their invulnerable ar- who struck her running at the utmost speed of mor, sloping sides, repelling both shot and shell his boat. with perfect success. No enemy could stand against such extreme and destructive fire as our boats continued to give, while their own guns were impotent for mischief, much less in their crippled condition, with three of their boats destroyed, could the rebels maintain their ground. At twenty minutes past seven they withdrew to the shelter of their batteries. The casualties on our side were scarcely worth mentioning. Capt. Stembel was slightly wounded in his left shoulder, and two seamen were The General Earl Van Dorn, Capt. Fulkerson, running according to orders in the rear of the Price and Sumter, directed his attention to the Mound City, at the time pouring broadsides into the Price and Sumter. As the Van Dorn proceeded, the Mound City sheered, and the Van Dorn struck her a glancing blow, making a hole four feet deep in her starboard forward quarter, evidenced by splinters left on the iron bow of the Van Dorn. As our remaining boats, the General M. Jeff. |