IMPORTANT FROM VICKSBURGH: Another Great Achievement by the Fleet; Six Iron-Clads and Three Transports Run by the Rebel Batteries (4/22/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 4/22/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

CHICAGO, Tuesday, April 21.

A special dispatch from Memphis, dated the 19th inst., states that the steamer Silver Moon, from Vicksburgh on Friday, had arrived, bringing the following intelligence:

On Thursday night, the 16th inst., the Federal gunboats Benton, Tuscumbia, Lafayette, Pittsburgh, Carondelet, Gen. Price, and three transports ran the rebel batteries at Vicksburgh, all safely except the transport Henry Clay, which caught fire opposite the city and was burned. The Benton was the only boat struck. She had one man killed and two wounded. The transport Forest Queen had her drum-head injured by coming in contact with one of the gunboats; but this can be easily repaired. From the time of starting until the first shot was heard from the rebel batteries, was nearly an hour and a quarter, by which time nearly all the vessels got past.

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, April 21

The following information has been received here in two days from Milliken's Bend on the Mississippi, near Vicksburgh:

On the night of the 16th, Admiral PORTER succeeded in running the Vicksburgh batteries with seven fine gunboats of his squadron, and three transports. The Benton, his flagship, got opposite the upper battery, leading the line of vessels, before the rebels opened fire. The rebels then continued firing from 11 P.M. until 2 A.M. upon each succeeding vessel as it passed. The only damage done us was the firing of the Henry Clay, one of the transports, and the temporary disabling of the Forrest City, another transport, and also a shot through the Benton's hull. Our loss was but one man killed and two or three wounded. The rebel fire was far less effective than was anticipated. They burned two or three houses in the town,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4147195/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Important from Vicksburgh: Another Great Achievement by the Fleet – 2
Important from North Carolina: The Siege of Little Washington Raised by the Rebels – 2
News from Fortress Monroe: Gov. Wise Deprived of His Command at Williamsburgh – 2
Important from Eastern Virginia: Retreat of the Enemy from Suffolk – 2
Severe Fight near Corinth: The Rebels Defeated – 2-3
Important from New-Orleans: Heavy Movement Against the Enemy up the Bayou Teche – 3
News from Washington: The Admission of West Virginia as a State – 3-4
Arrest of an Alleged Rebel Officer – 4
The War in the Cotton States – 4
Minor Operations – 4
Editorial: Gallant Work at Vicksburgh – 4
A Long War – 4-5
Editorial: The French in Mexico – The Reported Battle – 5
A New Phase of the Broadway Railroad Question – 5
Amusements – 5
From San Francisco – 5
The Ice-Blockade at Montreal, &c. – 5
Marine Disaster – 5
Launch of a Gunboat – 5
Visit of Gov. Coburn, of Maine – 5