February 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
PORT HUDSON, February 17.—Captain CANNON, from Red River, brings information of the capture of the Yankee ram steamer Queen of the West at GORDON’S Landing, Fort Taylor, on Red River. It appears that the Queen of the West had captured the Confederate transport Era No. 5, and forced her pilot, JOHN BURKE, to take the gunboat to our batteries. BURKE at first feigned fear, but finally took the wheel under a Yankee guard. Upon nearing our batteries, he told the Yankees that they were still 15 miles below them. He then put the boat close in to the batteries, when she received a shot which broke her steampipe, thus disabling the boat. The Yankees at the time were quite unprepared for a fight, and suspected no danger. BURKE jumped overboard and swam ashore. The Queen of the West then drifted to the opposite bank, when her crew, with the exception of 18, who fell into our hands, ran off. The crew subsequently got on board the Yankee steamer DeSoto, and with 200 stolen negros, effected their escape. The Queen of the West is now in the possession of the Confederates and will be towed to a place of safety for repairs. It is reported that the Yankee gunboat Indianola has gone up Red River to recapture her. The conduct of BURKE elicits the highest encomiums.
Later intelligence states that the C. S. steamer Webb had closely pursued and captured the Era. The Era is disabled in one wheel. The Queen of the West is but slightly damaged, and will soon be fighting trim under Confederate colors. We have positive information that the transport DeSoto was burned to prevent her falling into the hands of the Confederates.
The Latest.
PORT HUDSON, February 18.
The Alexandra (La.) Democrat, extra, received here, contains the official report of the capture of the Queen of the West by Capt. J. KELSO, commanding the fortifications on Red River. He says: ‘Two gunboats made their appearance in front of this position at 5 o’clock last evening. After a brief cannonade, the leading gunboat, Queen of the West, struck her colors. I immediately ordered Capt. UTTON, of the Crescent Artillery, and Lieut. DE LA HUNTY, to go aboard and demand a surrender. These officers report that but 13 of the officers and crew remained on board, the others having escaped under cover of the night. The visible results of the capture consists of one 32 pounder rifle parrott gun, one 24 pounder, three 12 pounders and one 12 pounder, slightly damaged, besides a large supply of ordnance stores, a large amount of quinine, five cases of amputating instruments and one case of dental instruments, clothing, flour, bacon, pork, hard bread and other stores in proportion.’ The Democrat says ‘The victory was complete, grand and decided, and we are ready to capture all such crafts as Vicksburg allows to pass.’