3-008-705 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Federal gun-boat, 1862. American Civil War. 'We learned that the Southern fleet had preceded us but a few hours, and that their crews had landed and searched every plantation they came to for cotton, which they either burnt or threw into the river, despite the protestations of the owners. One of their transports we overtook and captured while engaged in this vandalism...Two vessels under a full head of steam came from our rear and passed swiftly through our line, each seeking an antagonist in the Confederate fleet. They mounted no guns, and had but a crew of twelve riflemen stationed behind a massive loopholed bulkhead. A few weeks since they were ordinary river steamers, but, having been thoroughly strengthened and protected by massive timbers and a solid iron-topped prow placed on each, it was determined to try them as rams...the Monarch bore down towards the General Lovell, and, striking her amidships, cut her down to the water's edge, and in three minutes afterwards she sunk in one hundred feet of water, taking with her most of her crew...To sum up the whole affair, one Confederate vessel alone escaped...three were destroyed, and four were captured after a running fight of one hour and a half'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.