History of the United States of America (1874) (14592771959)

Identifier: historyofuniteds00spenv4 (find matches)
Title: History of the United States of America
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Spencer, J. A. (Jesse Ames), 1816-1898 Lossing, Benson John, 1813-1891
Subjects:
Publisher: New York : Johnson, Wilson
Contributing Library: Brigham Young University-Idaho, David O. McKay Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University-Idaho



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ntymiles above Memphis. A combinedattack was purposed to be made byFoote with Popes aid, but the latterwas called away, as we have seen (p.178) to assist in operations againstCorinth. The fleet remained, however,watching the enemy, with almost dailyfiring on and from the fort; CommodoreFoote, who was suffering from a severewound received at Donelson, was re-lieved of his command, May 9th, byCaptain C. H. Davis. On the following morning, the rebelgun boats and ram made an attackupon our flotilla, lying at the time tiedup to the bank, three on the easternand four on the western side of theriver. The ram advanced to run downthe gun boat Cincinnati, Capt. R. N.Stembel, giving her a severe blow onthe starboard quarter, and apparentlyuninjured by the broadsides of the gunboat. The engagement became general.The ram succeeded in damaging theCincinnati so greatly that she soon aftersunk. The other vessels did excellentservice. After an hour at close quar-ters, one of the rebel boats bein^ sunk
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. 1 3 S> 3 ■ Ch. XVI.) CAPTURE OF MEMPHIS. 181 1862. and two being blown up, the enemy re-tired hastily and in bad condition underthe guns of the fort. Capt. Sternbelwas dangerously wounded, our totalloss consisting in four wounded. The fleet now took a nearer position,and were preparing to make a vigorousattack upon Fort Pillow, when it wasfound that, on the night of the 4th ofJune, the fort was evacuated.The operations of Halleck be-fore Corinth, and the evacuation ofthat place, had compelled the with-drawal of the rebel forces from theiradvantageous position at Fort Pillow.The works here were of the most for-midable and extensive character; butthe rebels had left nothing which theycould destroy, when they fled down theriver towards Memphis. Lieut.-Col. Ellet, with a fleet oframs, led the advance, in pursuit of theenemy. At Fort Randolph, twelve milesbelow, he caused the Union flag to beraised, the place being entirely aban-doned, guns dismantled, etc. Every-where cotton was se