place between the rams before the flotilla, led by the Benton, moving at a slower rate, could arrive at the closest quarters. In the mean time, hovever, the firing from our gunboats was continuous and exceedingly well directed. The General Beauregard and the Little Rebel were struck in the boilers and blown up.

The ram Queen of the West, which Col. Ellet commanded in person, encountered with full power the rebel steamer General Lovell and sunk her, but in doing so sustained some serious damage.

Up to this time the rebel fleet had maintained its position and used its guns with great spirit; these disasters, however, compelled the remaining vessels to resort to their superiority in speed as the only means of safety. A running fight took place, which lasted nearly an hour, and carried us ten miles below the city. It ended in the capture or destruction of four or five of the remaining vessels of the enemy; one only, supposed to be the Van Dorn, having escaped. Two of the rams, the Monarch and Lancaster Number Three, pursued her, without success; they brought back, however, another prize.

The names and fate of the vessels composing the rebel fleet are as follows:

The General Lovell, sunk in the beginning of the action by the Queen of the West; she went down in deep water, in the middle of the river, altogether out of sight. Some of her crew escaped by swimming; how many went down in her, I have not been able to ascertain.

The General Beauregard, biown up by her boilers and otherwise injured by shot, went down

near shore.

The Little Rebel, injured in a similar manner, made for the Arkansas shore, where she was abandoned by her crew.

The Jeff. Thompson, set on fire by our shells, was run on the river-bank and abandoned by her crew. She burnt to the water's edge and blew up by her magazine.

the part of the enemy. One of the vessels, going in deep water, carried a part of her crew with her; another, the General Beauregard, having been blown up with steam, many of her crew were frightfully scalded. I doubt whether it will ever be in my power to furnish an accurate statement of these results of the engagement.

The attack made by the two rams under Col. Ellet, which took place before the flotilla closed in with the enemy, was bold and successful.

Capt. Maynardier, commanding the mortarfleet, accompanied the squadron in a tug and took possession of the Beauregard, and made her crew prisoners. He captured also other prisoners during the action, and received many persons of the rebel fleet who returned and delivered themselves up after their vessels had been deserted. It is with pleasure that I call the attention of the Department to his personal zeal and activity, the more conspicuous because displayed while the mortar-boats under his command could take no part in the action.

The officers and men of the flotilla performed their duty. Three men only of the flotilla were wounded, and those slightly; but one ship was struck by shot.

I transmit herewith copies of my correspondence with the Mayor of Memphis, leading to the surrender of the city.

At eleven o'clock A.M. Col. Fitch, commanding the Indiana brigade, arrived and took military possession of the place.

There are several prizes here, among them four large river-steamers, which will be brought at once into the service of the Government. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

C. H. DAVIS,
Flag-Officer,
Commanding Western Flotilla, Mississippi River, pro tem.

DESPATCHES FROM COLONEL ELLETT.

OPPOSITE MEMPHIS, June 6, 1862.

The Sumter is somewhat cut up, but is still afloat.

The fine steamer General Bragg is also above water, though a good deal shattered in her upper works and hull.

The Van Dorn escaped.

Of the above-named vessels, the Sumter, General Bragg, and Little Rebel, will admit of being repaired. I have not received the reports of the engineers and carpenters, and cannot yet determine whether it will be necessary to send them to Cairo, or whether they can be repaired here. The pump of the Champion Number Three will be applied to raise the General Price. No other vessels of the rebel flotilla will, I fear, be saved. I have not received such information as will enable me to make an approximate statement of the number of killed, wounded, and prisoners on

with equal spirit.

I ordered the Queen, my flag-ship, to pass between the gunboats, and run down ahead of them upon the two rams of the enemy, which first boldly stood their ground. Col. Ellett, in the Monarch, of which Capt. Dryden is First Master, followed gallantly. The rebel rams endeavored to back down-stream, and then to turn and run, but the movement was fatal to them. The Queen struck one of them fairly, and for a few minutes was fast to the wreck. After separating, the rebel steamer sunk. My steamer, the Queen, was then herself struck by another rebel steamer, and disabled, but though damaged, can be saved. pistol-shot wound in the leg deprived me of the power to witness the remainder of the fight. The Monarch also passed ahead of our gunboats and went most gallantly into action. She first struck the rebel boat that struck my flag-ship, and sunk

A

UNITED STATES FLAG STEAMER BENTON,
MEMPHIS, TENN., June 7, 1862.

To his Excellency David Tod, Governor of Ohio: SIR: I have sent to you for presentation to my native State, the flag which was flying from the peak of the rebel gunboat and ram, the Gen. Bragg, when captured in the naval action off this city yesterday morning.

The Gen. Bragg is one of the rebel steamers saved, and is now being prepared for the use of the Government as a war vessel.

Of the eight vessels of the enemy in this action, but one escaped; three lie buried in the depths of the Mississippi, another is a wreck on the Arkansas shore, and three damaged by our shot, are saved.

I feel great satisfaction in being able to present to the State of Ohio this trophy, taken in an action which terminated so disastrously to the

rebel cause.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obeS. L. PHELPS,

dient servant. Lieutenant Commanding Benton, and Acting "Fleet Captain."

CINCINNATI "COMMERCIAL" ACCOUNT.

FOOTE'S FLOTILLA, MISSISSIPPI River, off MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,

Friday, June 6, 1862, 6 P.M.

This morning, at forty-five minutes past twelve, all our fleet, (except the Pittsburgh,) under Commodore Davis, U.S.N., together with the ordnance steamers Great Western, and Judge Torrence, and naval supply steamer J. H. Dickey, was under way and steaming down the Mississippi for Memphis, seventy-six miles below. We pass Hatchie Landing, where we found some eight houses, besides the warehouse, three of the tenements being unoccupied, perhaps deserted. At one P.M., the "ram" Queen of the West appears in sight ascending, and passes up during the next ten minutes. In the mean time we pass the town of Fulton, which, like nearly all the small towns on landings along the Mississippi presents an antiquated appearance. Here we obtained a fine view of the entire fleet. It was a brilliant and imposing spectacle. The flag-ship Benton led off handsomely, followed by the Commodore's tug, Jessie, and two others, the Terror and Spiteful. Next came, at a respectful distance, four of the "iron-clads," followed by the two ordnance and one supply steamer. Old Sol blazes out in all VOL. V.--Doc. 12

his glory, fast dispelling the dark murky clouds that betokened rain during the morning.

At half-past one P.M. we pass the Lanier Farm. The huge black gunboats, followed by the tugs, in grand array, dance gracefully through the water, while their quick and loud escapement of steam, furnishes music for the grand occasion. The gunboats are the St. Louis, Louisville, Carondelet, Cairo, and Mound City. Here, one gunboat passes another, giving all the life and interest of a Mississippi steamboat race. The spectacle is grand and imposing. The Star-Spangled Banner floats gracefully and free to the breeze from each craft. In the distance, with the aid of the glass, over the head of Island No. Thirtyfour, is seen the transports with Col. Fitch's command, steaming along in order, their white steam and white paint contrasting widely with the black coal clouds of smoke, pouring out voluminously from the chimneys of the dark "iron-clads."

2 P.M. We are passing Widow Craighead's place, which appears to have suffered materially since the rebellion commenced. Here may be seen large quantities of cotton, loose and in bales, floating down the river. Near this point we find the rams Lancaster, No. Three and Monarch, tied to shore, steaming, and apparently waiting for something to turn up in their line. They lay opposite the foot of Island No. Thirty-four, when Captain Dave Dryden, of the Monarch, sings out loudly, "You can go on down. The Stars and Stripes wave over Fort Randolph. We put 'em up." Five minutes elapse, and we are in full view of Randolph, and can see the left wing of our fleet approaching from above and around the foot of Island No. Thirty-four.. The spy-glass being freely used, Lieut. Bishop says: There's the Stars and Stripes." Capt. Phelps-"There's a wharf-boat they have left. See"-looking in the direction of Randolph. During all this time, Commodore Davis, with a quick, almost impatient step, quietly paces the quarter-deck. Now the "old flag" is visible with the naked eye. See, it waves gracefully from the upper corner of the warehouse, on the right, and lowest down.

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In fifteen minutes more, we pass Randolph in full review. The gunboats Louisville and St. Louis are alongside on our port. Along the Bluff at and below Randolph we observe four deserted batteries, with from one to two guns mounted, which we leave to the care of Col. Fitch, who is in our rear.

2.40 P.M.-We pass Shawl's plantation, at the foot of the last of the Chickasaw Bluffs in this vicinity. The plantation is deserted, the only smoke visible being from the chimneys of one of the negro houses. Here, and all along the river, we find loose cotton abundant, having been washed in to the shores.

The distance from Fort Pillow to Randolph is twelve miles-and no signs of the enemy yet. We hear they are only one hour ahead with their fleet of gunboats, and are stopping at all the plantations and burning cotton. The smoke of bales in flames proves our information correct.

Here Lieut. Phelps elevates his "martin-box"

aft. Our officers and men are lovers of all that is gay, grand, natural, and beautiful in life, and in their professional duties, do not even overlook the comforts of the migrating bird. The scenery alongshore we will not describe, as it is very familiar to the majority of your readers.

2.50 P.M.-The Benton runs around Island No. Thirty-five-the main river-while the Louisville and St. Louis go down the chute. They occupy both channels in order to open the Mississippi effectually, and teach the rebel gunboats the art of naval warfare.

3.30 P.M.-We pass Pecan Point. Here we find more cotton floating by the bale, and both negroes and whites busily engaged in gathering it up as fast as the current drifts it ashore. It is picked up in skiffs, and packed off by horses, wagons and men. At almost every plantation the advance of our flotilla is greeted by the waving of hats, bonnets and handkerchiefs, by both sexes, as well as the masters and slaves.

3.45 P.M.- -We are at McGaffic's plantation on Pecan Point. The gunboats Louisville and Mound City are in sight-half a mile distant-descending the chute of Island No. Thirty-five.

4.05 P.M.-We are in the bend above Island No. Thirty-seven, where a large side-wheel steamer, bound up, appears in sight. It is Capt. Ben. Hutchinson's old boat the Sovereign. Five minutes elapse as she nears us, when an eighty-two pounder (rifled) is fired over her. The Sovereign fails to come to, but, on the contrary, rounds down. The Commodore observes: "Fire again, Capt. Phelps, bring her to." Accordingly the Benton lets slip another, another, and another, until she fires nine shots, the Carondelet eight, and the Cairo four shots, all of which either fall short, go over, or scatter around the Sovereign's decks. Here, owing to a bend in the river, she disappears from our view.

4.20 P.M.-The tug Spitfire, a little, wee craft tender, seventy-five feet long, with a twelve-pound Dahlgren howitzer on her bow, under Lieutenant Bishop, Pilot Bixby, and a boat's crew, starts after her. The race is exciting, of course. The tug gains, and when in range gives the Sovereign five shots.

Here the smoke of burning cotton is plainly visible on the left-hand shore. We are also hailed from the right-hand shore by two men in a "dugout," who are brought in by the tug Terror, and prove to be our pilots Sam. Williamson, of the Louisville, and John Tennyson, of the Pittsburgh, who have been on an important reconnoissance. The Benton now descends the Tennessee side of Island No. Thirty-seven. The Louisville and Cairo take the other chute.

4.40 P.M.-We overtake the tug Spitfire in the chute, with her prize, the Sovereign, alongside, landed. The rams Monarch and Lancaster No. Three are also in pursuit of the prize, but arrive too late, the tug having already nailed her. It appears that the captain, as soon as he landed the boat, together with several others of the crew, jumped ashore, and made tracks for the tall timber. One of the pilots, who says his name

is Lewis, after going on shore at his own request was permitted to return to the boat. Lewis says he resides near Memphis. The engineer is E. A. Honness, formerly of Cincinnati. He was found at his engines, assisted by a negro, and pumping water into the boilers. His conduct indicating he was all right, he was permitted to remain in charge of the machinery. After a few minutes' detention, in placing George P. Lord, one of the Benton's Masters in charge, the Sovereign was rounded out and proceeded with our flotilla down the Mississippi. Honness was formerly engineer on the Acacia. Capt. Baird, formerly of the Admiral, Republic, and old Sultana, was in charge of the boat, but escaped. A large Star-Spangled Banner (but no confederate flag) was found on board. The colors of our little tug were elevated from her flag-staff. The engineer and pilot stated they were not aware the Federal fleet had started down from Plum Point, and that the Sovereign had been sent, and was on her way, to Fort Pillow and Randolph to convey confederate troops to Memphis. Coming up during the night previous, she had collided with the rebel gunboat General Beauregard, tweve miles above Memphis, breaking in her bow, and carrying away a portion of her stem. She had been badly used in the transportation of rebel troops, and is much out of repair. It will cost over one thousand dollars to repair her. She is capacious and roomy, and will make a first-rate naval hospital or supply-steamer. We are also hailed by men, women and children on Island No. Thirty-seven, their camp indicating they are refugees. We did not stop, however, our mission being of too much importance to relieve them.

Messrs. Williamson and Tennyson, while descending the river in a canoe, met several of the rebel gunboats, but evaded them by dodging into the willows and cotton-wood. They were badly used by the mosquitoes during the night previous, having slept in the woods. These gentlemen were destined for Farragut's fleet, with despatches from our flotilla. They also report seeing the Sovereign, and that she was engaged in burning all the cotton she could find along the shores. The engineer says the Captain intended to surrender the Sovereign as soon as he came in sight of our gunboats, but that his heart failed him as he approached us with his steamer. Her cargo only consisted of six bales of rope and cotton. The capture of this large steamer by so diminutive a tug, is a new era in gunboat warfare. We regret that we cannot give you the names of the crew, as they deserve especial notice.

We glide along smoothly, until 8.20 P.M., when we pass Fort Harris, only six miles above Memphis. The night is clear and mild, and pale Cynthia beams out in all her glory. All eyes and glasses are closely observing both shores, in the vicinity of "Paddy's Hen and Chickens”—a cluster of islands-and on the look-out for the first glimpse of Memphis. "There's Memphis! Don't you see the lights on the Bluff?" says First Master Bates, who is on watch. Sure enough, the