EXPLOITS OF THE CONFEDERATE RAM ARKANSAS.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1741, 12 November 1862, Page 5

EXPLOITS OF THE CONFEDERATE RAM ARKANSAS.

[From the “ Chicago Tribune.”] United States’ Gunboat Flotilla, Wednesday, July 15. About 3'50 am. the gunboats Carondclet and Tyler and the rani Queen of the West got under way, steamed up tbc river a short distance, turned, and beaded up the Yazoo. Humours bad been rife for several days that tbc Arkansas was preparing to conic out, but a large majority booted it down and scoffed at the bare idea. It seems, however, that those in authority placed some credence in the report, and consequently the two gunboats and ram were sent to lookup matters. Upon entering the river the Queen shot up ahead of the rest, the Carondclet following, while the Tyler brought up the rear.

They had proceeded about five miles only when those in the gunboats were startled by the appearance of the Queen coming full speed down the river, with evidently every pound of steam she could make at work on her shaft. She flow by the Carondclet with the words, “The Arkansas is coming,” and shortly alter a long, low, mud-coloured craft, with a short, thick, black smoke-stack in her middle, puffing out huge volumes of black smoke, came swiftly around the point and made for the Carondclet. The river was too narrow to turn back, even if Captain Walker had so wished ; but the Captain is one who knows no such words as “ back out,” and, swinging around broadside, to avoid raking shots, the Carondclet belched forth a whole broadside on to the rapidly advancing craft. Imagine the consternation produced when the balls were seen to strike and fall harmlessly in the water ! “ At him again,” was the cry, and another broadside was poured into the monster at 50 yards’range, but with no more effect than if so many peas hud been dis-

charged. The Arkansas now ran into the Carondclet’s starboard quarter with a fearful crash, pouring broadside after broadside into the gunboat, which, passing through the wooden casemate, raked the vessel from stem to stern. The Arkansas showed no intention of leaving her victim, but, remaining along her starboard quarter, raked her fore and aft with pointed shot. The Carondolct’s stern and after division of. .arboard batteries kept up an incessant fire, but the huge solid shot flew oil'like indiarubber balls. There was no tangible snot to be seen ; a very small round hole, just large enough to admit the gun, constituted her ports, and on elevating or depressing the porthole moved with the gun. Finding his guns were doing no service, Captain Walker had his hoarders called away, and into the rebel craft they poured ; but not a man or a passage could be found. The boarders now returned and the guns set to work, but it was so much powder wasted. The Carondelet’s stern was now perfect riddled, all the officers’ quarters shotaway, and evcryniing literally torn to pieces. At length a shot cut away the steam pipe, and the scalding vapour spread to every part of the boat. Many of the men jumped overboard. At this juncture of affairs Captain Walker led a boarding party on the rebel’s deck, but could find no possible way of getting below. The hatches were all secured underneath, and the smallest kind of aperture or hole was nowhere to be found. This discovered, the party returned to give up their boat only when the bottom of the river called for her. The flag which still floated from her stern was never to be struck to the rebels as long as one hoard floated to hold it up. What men wore left stood by what guns could be brought to bear, and worked them until the Arkansas, thinking she had about finished her victim, pushed along past her and stood for the Tyler, which had stood by the Carondelet throughout the whole fight. The Tyler discovered her motive, and knowing her thin frame would stand no chance when brought into contact with the enemy’s invulnerable sides, headed down the stream, keeping just clear of the Arkansas and firing her stern battery. This chase was kept up until the mouth of the river was reached, when the Tyler, her boats shot away and badly cut up otherwise, came into view of the whole fleet. Not a vessel in the whole fleet, from some strange fatality, had steam enough to move. The Louisiana shore was lined with our transports, ordnance boats, &e., while directly opposite them, three or four abreast, lay Farragnt's and .Davis’s licet, scarcely two of which could fire without pouring their broadsides into some of their own vessels. All eyes were strained to see the cause of the Tyler’s commotion. The ram fleet which lay near the mouth of the Yazoo, arc scattering in every direction. A moment more and the long-dreaded Aarkansas steams into full view, and heads right for the centre of our fleet, Bang ! goes a gun at the ordnance boat Great Western, while one from her port battery at the rams, who arc leaving in every direction. Bhc now passes the Richmond, whose splendid battery of 9-inch Dahlgrcns is held quiet by the J. 11. Dickey, who lies just opposite. Bang ! bang ! go two more guns at the ordnance boat. I’assing down, she puts two balls into the Champion, while in the meantime her port battery is busy with Farragnt’s fleet. Steadily she pursues her way, nothing daunted, nothing checked. She is now more than half-way down. She passes the Hartford ; but the noble old flagship is situated like the Richmond, for the same broadside which would have hailed on the Arkansas would have annihilated the splendid hospital boat Red Rover, with her cargo of human freight. The Oneida hits her with her li-inch, but the ponderous missile produces no effect. The Wenona and Wissahicou engage her, but she passes their ‘tire unscathed, unharmed, Can nothing burst the rebel monster ? A dubious shake of the head is the only response, as ball after ball drops from her sides into the water. Steadily but surely she keeps on her way, firing one broadside at the transports, and the other at some vessel on the other side. She has nearly run the gauntlet. One more boat only to dispute her progress, and that the Cincinnati, which, far below the rest of the fleet is doing picket duty near the point. All eyes are upon her, and a repetition of her experience seems inevitable. On comes the Arkansas, seemingly like Anteus of old, picking up new strength at every step. She is sure of her prey, and is making right for it. The Cincinnati had not steam sufficient to tack on her or even hardly enough to hold her head up stream. She slipped her cable, however, and beaded for the Mississippi shore, drifting down stream all the time, her own motive power being insufficient to stem the current. The Arkansas, discovering her intention, heads for her, when the gunboat opened a brisk and galling fire on the advancing rebel at short range, the rifled Barrets apparently piercing her, the other shots dropping harmlessly oil'. The ram fires heavily as she advances, and as rapidly gaining on her opponent. When just as all were expecting a collison the Arkansas suddenly checks up, heads the other way, fires a parting broadside, and rapidly leaves die Cincinnati behind her. The gunboat had drawn her into too shallow water, which she had no intention of being caught in. The Cincinnati, assisted by the Wenona, kept up an incessant tire until she rounded the point and was in the arms of her friends. This unparalleled audacity and boldness elicit unqualified admiration of all. Such a thing never took place before, and will probably never take place again. In broad daylight, in the very teeth ol a hundred guns, this craft slowly and deliberately made her way, selecting her own victims, and hurling the glove of defiance at the combined fleet. It is an example of cool, daring courage unexampled, and the name of “ Catcsby Jones,” her commander, will be awarded by all men as deserving a place among the list of those “ who know no fear.” The fact of her success is undoubtedly owing to the circumstances under which she caught us. Uur position and everything worked against us. The Fssex had discovered a burnt boiler the night before, and a new one was being inserted at the time. The Louisville was lying at the blacksmith boat repairing. The Sumter had her waste pipe out and a new one being inserted. Everything worked in her favour. Those boats that were ail ready could not use their guns for fear of doing more damage to their friends than their foes. I will leave comments cm this singular transaction for other pens than mine. Different persons will, of course, have different opinions. All that is left us is to say what might have been, and resolutions what we will do. The Arkansas is safe for a time. 1 won’t answer for her being so long. Killed. Wounded. Missing. Tyler in •• 33 •• 10 Carondelet ■ • ■ ■ a • • Si) • ■ 13 Lancaster •• 13 Id Ueuton 1 3 at tw is Lancashire shot in her boilers ; Dickey struck three times ; Champion struck three times ; Great Western struck once.