April 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
VICKSBURG, April 17. – Some eight of the enemy’s boats came down at 11 o’clock last night. A heavy fire was opened upon them by our batteries, which was briskly replied to by some of the boats. One boat was fired by our batteries and burned to the water’s edge in front of the city. The others, including two transports, passed down, two or three of them being in a disabled condition. None are now in sight below, but the two transports are lying at BROWN and JOHNSTON’S Landing.
The guns of the Yankee battery on the Peninsula opened on the city at 9 o’clock this morning, and are still firing.
Later. – Four prisoners from the boat sunk last night were brought in today. They say that it was the transport Henry Clay which was burned and sunk. The ram Lafayette was also sunk by our batteries last night. They also report that the remainder of PORTER’S expedition will attempt to come down tonight. The Yankee battery opposite the city ceased firing late this afternoon, having done no damage.