Naval Fight at Memphis, June 6, 1862.
| 1 | Federal Gunboats. | 7,7 | General Thompson. |
| 2,2 | General Beauregard. | 8,8 | General Bragg. |
| 3,3 | Little Rebel. | 9, | General Van Dorn. |
| 4,4 | 4,4 General Price. | Q | Queen City. |
| 5,5 | Sumter. | M | Monarch. |
| 6,6 | General Lovell. |
The accompanying diagram will show you the position of both fleets at the beginning and at the close of the engagement.
Slowly and steadily they came into line. The Little Rebel moved through the fleet, and Commodore Montgomery issued his orders to each captain in person.
The Benton and St. Louis dropped down towards the city, to protect the tug. A signal brought us back, and the boats moved up-stream again, to the original position.
There was another signal from the flag-ship, and then on board all the boats there was a shrill whistle. It was the boatswain piping all hands to quarters. The drummer beat his roll, and the marines seized their muskets. The sailors threw open the ports, ran out the guns, brought up shot and shells, stowed away furniture, took down rammers and sponges, seized their handspikes, stripped off their coats, rolled up their sleeves, loaded the cannon, and stood by their pieces. Cutlasses and boarding-pikes were distributed. Last words were said. They waited for orders.
“Let the men have their breakfasts,” was the order from the flag-ship.
Commodore Davis believed in fighting on full stomachs. Hot coffee, bread, and beef were carried round to the men.