Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2)

by Ann S. Stephens

All obstructions to the navigation of the river having been now removed, the National fleet, on the morning after the Federals had taken possession of the heights, descended the river to Memphis, and cast anchor, about two miles above the city. The fleet consisted of the five gunboats, Benson, Saint Louis, Carondelet, Cairo, and Louisville; and the four rams, Lancaster, Monarch, Number Three, and Queen of the West—the rams being under command of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr. The rebel gunboats had also assembled at that point, from above and below—to dispute the further passage of the stream—making a formidable fleet, which consisted of the iron-clads, Little Rebel, Jeff Thompson, Sumter, Beauregard, Bragg, Price, Lovell, and Van Dorn. The rebel fleet was under the command of Commodore E. Montgomery.

It was late in the evening when the Federal fleet anchored for the night; and some of the most eager of the officers, seeing there were no batteries to pass, were anxious to push on to Memphis at once, and were clamorous in asking why they must remain simply within view of the wished-for haven during the whole night.

But the prudence of Captain Davis (in command of the whole National fleet) was amply justified, when the morning came. The whole rebel fleet, under full head of steam, was then discovered by two Federal vessels which were lying close to the shore. These two Union gunboats had steamed cautiously down the river, to reconnoitre the enemy’s position; and having been satisfied with regard to it, had, as cautiously, but with all possible speed, steamed back again to rejoin the fleet. The rebels having seen them, and perceived the haste they made to return, supposed them fleeing in terror, and sent some shots after them, which passed harmlessly, falling into the water beyond. Captain Davis lost no time in preparing his advance to meet the foe. He immediately signalled all his gunboats. In such a case as this transports and mortar-boats were utterly useless. The rams, ready, of course, to render all possible assistance, constituted an independent fleet; and were, therefore, left solely to the command of Colonel Ellet, who was in no way subject to orders from Captain Davis, but was required to report himself only to the Navy Department.

Then began one of the most exciting as well as fearful fights that can be witnessed in warfare. Majestically the Union and the rebel fleets approached in line of battle. When within a mile of each other, the combatants opened fire; and for an hour, the thunder of cannon, the flash of fire, and clouds of smoke filled the air. Each moment the two fleets approached nearer and nearer, till, in a brief time they were but a few hundred yards apart, while broadside after broadside, following in rapid succession, was poured in from the black-mouthed cannon upon either side. The combat had begun at a very early hour of the morning, and while it continued to rage the sun of a glorious day in June broke slowly through the crimson splendor of the eastern sky, and looked warmly down upon a scene, the like of which had long been too familiar to his gaze.

The river, like a sheet of molten silver, lay smiling beneath the summer sky, placidly reflecting its hues and colors and changes, while the sweet morning air rapidly grew thick, dense, and sulphurous with the smoke that hung like a great dark cloud, growing darker and darker, and shutting out the sun.

An incessant roar of cannon, with flash and smoke, followed in rapid succession, and with deafening effect, while the shot and shell that rattled and clattered against the armed ships’ sides rebounded again, and breaking the face of the smooth river sank beneath its quiet waters.

The guns had long since awakened the people of the city, who now crowded in a vast throng down to the edge of the bluffs, upon which Memphis is built. The levee was literally swarming, and black with human beings, straining their sight to peer through the dense overhanging clouds of smoke that was shutting the combatants out of view.

A momentary lull now occurred in the fierce thunder of the battle. Intense anxiety was felt, on both sides, the Union men being hopeful in the strength of their own heroism, as they always were. In this case even from the first, they had been encouraged, by seeing the rebel gunboats, gradually, and almost imperceptibly, fall back, as the Union vessels closely pressed upon them. Suddenly, a strange looking craft steamed around a bend in the river, and with extraordinary speed came up to the assistance of the Union gunboats. Soon another similar looking vessel followed, and as the rebels caught sight of them, alarm and surprise seem to paralyze their efforts. For a moment they hesitated. Then turning slowly they began to fall back on the current of the river. Onward, with almost lightning-like rapidity, steamed the Monarch and the Queen of the West. Their gallant commanders had needed no stronger summons than the booming of the cannon to bring them into the heart of the combat. With extraordinary speed the Queen of the West plunged between the National gunboats, and having previously selected her victim, rushed into the midst of the rebel rams, and drove furiously upon the Beauregard. The pilot of the Beauregard adroitly avoided the coming foe, swung round, and so escaped the collision. But the Queen, determined not to lose the power she had crowded on for the destruction of the Beauregard, plunged forward upon the rebel ram Price, which received the advance with a well-directed fire. But the apparently invulnerable Union vessel, which shook shot and shell from her armed sides as though they had been drops of water, struck her opponent amidships with such a crushing, fatal blow as immediately stove in the Price’s wheel-house, splintered her ribs of iron and oak, like glass, and crushed her side. All was thus over with the Price, which, barely able to reach the margin of the shore, sunk beneath the waves, a complete wreck. Again the Queen of the West challenged the Beauregard; and, head to head, these tremendous iron-clads drove furiously against each other. Again the rebel avoided the death-stroke, and avenged himself by a heavy blow against the Queen’s side, which stove in a gaping hole, that speedily disabled the brave ship for further contest. But, scorning to draw away, the dismantled Queen still held her place, to view the combat, and to watch the avenger of her injuries. She had not long to wait. The Monarch, furious at the disaster of her consort, plunged directly into the Beauregard, and stove in the rebel’s bows. The rushing flood of the mighty river poured in; and, in another moment, the crushed vessel sank beneath the waters of the Mississippi.

In the mean time the gunboat Benton had dealt destruction upon the rebel vessel Lovell: as the wreck settled down, the waters opened to receive their prey, and then rolled calmly over the spot where it had disappeared forever. Many of the wretched crew sank in the wreck; some fifty or more, wounded and scalded, plunged into the river; and a few of them were rescued by boats sent by the Union flotilla to their relief, as they struggled in the waters. The greater number of the unfortunate beings were swept by the rapid current to the same watery grave which had engulfed so many of their fellows. One after another the enemy’s boats were crippled. The Jeff. Thompson was forced to run ashore; and her crew escaping over her bows disappeared in the woods. Hardly had they escaped, when a shell was thrown on board, and exploding, set the ship on fire. For the wounded there was no escape; and they writhed in maddening agony, till a spark at length reached the magazine, and the ship, with a terrific explosion, was blown into innumerable fragments. The Bragg and the Sumter were also forced ashore, crippled and disabled. Their crews escaped into the woods. Of all the rebel fleet the Van Dorn alone escaped, being so swift in her speed down the river, that the fastest runners could not overtake her and so relinquished the hopeless pursuit. The Union fleet now came to anchor in front of the city of Memphis, and sent in a demand for its surrender. The city, having no means of defense, was at once occupied by the Federal troops.

Immediately upon the surrender of the city, the stars and stripes were placed over the post-office by order of Colonel Ellet.