Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/8

 4 Southern Historical Society Papers.

which she could repel boarders a novelty first introduced in naval warfare." * * Gen. Van Dorn reported thirty-seven vessels of the enemy were in sight from Vicksburg. * * * He there- fore commanded Lieut Brown to take his vessel through the raft at Haine's Bluff, * * * and attack the upper fleet of the enemy to the cover of the Vicksburg batteries. The Yazoo empties into an old channel of the Mississippi, twelve miles above the city of Vicksburg; and this old channel runs into the main river three miles below the mouth of the Yazoo. In order to reach the landing at Vicksburgh it was necessary for Lieut Commander Brown to pass his vessel by no less than forty of the most formidable sloops, gun, boats, rams and transports then in the service of the United States navy." Scharf.

THE FIRST ACTION OF THE ARKANSAS.

" On the morning of July 15, 1862, the 'Arkansas' arrived at the mouth of Old River, and seeing three Federal gunboats lying off a point below, she was headed for them, and opened fire with her bow guns. (7 A. M.) They replied, one shot shattering the pilot house of the 'Arkansas,' mortally mounding Pilot John Hodges and slightly injuring by splinters Commander Brown and Pilot Shacklett ; Midshipman Tyler, acting aid, was also shot in the fore- arm. Throughout the engagement of this day Commander Brown occupied a position on the wheel platform, (with his pilots,) situated forward on the gun deck, from whence he directed the movements of the vessel. Lieuts. Grimball and Gift commanded the two bow guns, and Lieut. Read the two stern 6-inch rifles, whilst the broad- side guns were in charge, respectively, of Lieuts. Wharton and Barbot, Midshipmen Bacot, Scales and Talbott and Master's Mate Wilson. Two of the enemy, consisting of the wooden gunboat 'Tyler' and iron-clad ram 'Queen of the West,' wore round and steamed down for the main fleet below, fighting their stern guns as they retreated. The third the iron-clad ' Carondelet,' fought her bow guns until the ' Arkansas ' approached her at close quarters, when she also turned to follow her consorts. The ' Ar- kansas ' ranged up alongside her and, pouring a broadside into her with her port guns, compelled the ' Carondelet ' to strike her colors and run ashore in a sinking and crippled condition." John A. Wilson.

Lieut Gift (in his interesting " story of the Arkansas"), furnishes