Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/19

 Story of the Confederate Armored Ram Arkansas. 15

" Carondalet " and chased two other boats down the Yazoo to the fleet; 8 to 9 A. M., ran through fleet of nearly forty armored vessels of safety to Vicksburg; caused burning of a mortar boat; 9 to 10 P. M., received fire of fleet passing from above to combine with lower fleet, and repelled attack by the ram " Sumter."

22d July, repelled attacks by rams, the "Essex" retreating down the river, and " Queen of the West ! ' retreating up the river.

Before the end of July, the seige of Vicksburg had been raised by the departure of one fleet up the river, and of the other down the river.

The "Arkansas" was master of the situation.