March 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
(The following despatch gives some further details of the intelligence published in our issue of last Thursday morning.)
VICKSBURG, March 25. – At five o’clock this morning four Yankee gunboats were seen advancing towards our upper batteries. A vigorous fire was opened upon them, driving two of them back. The other two passed under a concentrated fire, almost every shot taking effect. One of the boats received a shot in her steam chest, compelling her crew to abandon her. In fifteen minutes she filled and sank. Part of the crew escaped to the opposite shore. The boat that succeeded in getting past our batteries is supposed to be the Benton. She was badly crippled. One of our shots penetrated her steam drum, disabling her, so that the Albatross had to come up from below to tow her out of danger of our gunboats.
(Official Despatch)
JACKSON, MARCH 25. – To General S. Cooper, Adjutant General: The following telegram was received this morning from General STEVENSON: ‘Four boats came to the turn at sunrise; two attempted to pass; one was sunk with all on board, the other lies at the mouth of the canal apparently disabled. (Signed)J.C. PEMBERTON,
‘Lieutenant General Commanding.’