The first seven of those are coasting steamers, which 
have been converted into gunboats, ami in two in¬ 
stances their boilers protected by railroad iron. They | 
carry from two to twelve heavy guns, the greater 
part of which are not under casemates, but are 
worked (en barbette) on gun carriages. The 
Beauregard was formerly the steamship Mexico, 
plying from New Orleans. The Little Rebel was a 
powerful tug, used some time since to tow cotton 
ships to sea from that port. The Bragg, formerly 
the Marquis de 1'llahana, captured, and in our pos¬ 
session, is a stout Ocean steamer carrying three 
guns, and protected by layers of timber and com¬ 
pressed cotton. All of these boats were fitted to act 
as rams, ami had engines of great power. 
Our own flotilla has been so often and so minutely 
described as to need only a genera! notice. The 
fleet present at the engagement consisted of five iron 
olad gunboats under command of Capt. C. H. Davis: 
The Benton, (flag ship,) Lieutenant Commanding 
1'hotps: Louisville, Capt. Dove; Cairo, Lieut. Com. 
Bryant; St. Louis, Lieut, Com. MoGnnnigle; Car- 
ondolet, Capt. Walke. These boats, though not 
furnished with great motive power, are roomy, com¬ 
modious, and of immense weight. They carry 13 
guns in casemate, and the Benton fifteen. Added 
to these were four rums, the Queen of the West, 
Monarch, Lancaster, and Switzerland, constructed 
ot two boats strengthened and shod with iron prows. 
They are eminently the things for river warfare. 
They were under command of Col. Ellet. 
The enemy evidently had the advantage in local¬ 
ity and in the number of gunboats. He was inti¬ 
mately acquainted with the course of the shifting 
channel, and had eight gunboats to our five. Only 
two of our rams went Info action. Owing to an 
accident, the Lancaster was unable to take part in 
the light, and the Switzerland took her in tow. The 
current was strong and the river narrow, and the 
enemy, fighting up stream, had the advantage of 
steerage way. The forces, estimating only material 
constituents, were nearly balanced, we having a few 
more guns and they the most boats. The rebels hud 
desperation, and truly limy fought well for a time, 
but, as the result proves, they were easily overcome 
in an hour. 
Capt. Davis, perceiving the disposition of the fleet, 
ordered signals to be made to advance. Meanwhile 
the two rams. Monarch and Queen of the West, 
which lmd glided down close along shore, shot, out 
and rounded the fleet, raising steam all the while, 
and in a lew minutes were ahead of the gunboats, 
the other two remaining behind the gunboats. A 
sharp exchange of shots had by this time become 
general throughout the tleet, the Cairo and Benton 
on the right, and left giving blow for blow. So soon 
as the rebel tleet discovered the rams steaming at 
them so furiously, they slackened their pace and 
backed water. The appearance of the Queen as she 
took the lead in her furious rush down the interven¬ 
ing space, between the two parties, was singularly 
exciting, and the shots from the rebel boats had 
already brought hundreds of residents to the bluff 
to witness the stirring scene. The little ram looked 
so frail that it seemed as though she would be 
crushed to pieces by the shock. 
The lire was rapid and well sustained on our part, 
the boats giving broadsides as they swung round in 
the stream so as tu have the head on. The firing of 
the rebels was wild and faulty, as is evidenced by 
the fact that not, one of our gunboats was struck. 
The firing slackened as the Queen approached the 
boat nearest, the Tennessee shore, the Beauregard, 
’ and all eyes were cast, upon the two vessels as the 
ram rushed upon the gunboat. The captain o’f the 
‘ Beauregard skillfully parried the blow, so that the 
Queen narrowly missed, while her assailant, tired 
‘ ten shots at her, one of which passed through tier, 
could be nothing less than the deteat of my own 
command, or its possible capture by occupying 
Winchester; and by this movement intercepting 
supplies or re-enforcemenls and cutting off all possi¬ 
bility of retreat. It was also apparent, from the 
reports of fugitives, prisoners, Union men, and our 
own reconnoilering parties, that all the three divis¬ 
ions ot the enemy's troops known to lie in the 
valley, and embracing at, least twenty-five thousand 
men, were united and close upon us, in some enter¬ 
prise not yet developed. 
“ The suggestion that had their object been.a sur¬ 
prise, they would not have given notice of their 
approach by au attack on Front Royal, was an¬ 
swered by the fact that on the only remaining point 
of attack, the Staunton road, our outposts were five 
miles in advance, and daily reconnoissaucesmade 
for a distance of twelve miles toward \\ oodstock. 
‘‘Under this interpretation of the enemy's plans, 
our position demanded instant decision and action. 
Three courses were open to 11 s: First, a retreat 
across the Little North Mountain to the Potomac 
river on the west; second, an attack upon the 
enemy's flunk on the Front, Royal road: third, a 
rapid movement direct, upon Winchester, with a 
view to anticipate his occupation of the town by 
seizing if ourselves —thus placing my command in 
communication with its original base of operations, 
in the line of re-enforcements by Harper’s Ferry 
and Marlinsbiirg. and securing a safe retreat in case 
of disaster. To remain at, Strasbnrg was to be sur¬ 
rounded: to move over the mountains was to aban¬ 
don our train at the outset, and to subject my com¬ 
mand to flank attacks without possibility of succor; 
and to attack, the enemy being in such overwhelm¬ 
ing force, could only result in certain destruction. 
It was therefore determined to enter the lists with 
the enemy in a race or a battle — as he should 
choose—for the possession of Winchester, the key 
of the valley, and for us the position of safety.” 
The General then gives a report of the combats 
which occurred during the retreat, and says of the 
battle of Winchester: 
“ The forces engaged were greatly unequal. In¬ 
disposed to accept the early rumors concerning the 
enemy's strength, I reported to the Department that 
it was about, fifteen thousand. Jt is now conclu- 
Ovk bravo mountain caglo sweeps from the eyrie, 
Our littie panther leaps from forest to plain, 
Out of the West Hash the flames of the prairie, 
Out of the East roll the waves of the main! 
1 tow n from the Northern shores, 
l.oud us Niag'ra pours. 
They march, and tlieir tread wakes the earth with its jar. 
Under the Stripes and Stars, 
Each with the soul of Mars, 
Grasping the bolts of the thunders of War.” 
ROCHESTER, N. Y., JUNE 21. 18G2, 
THE WAR’S PROGRESS 
The Rebel Commissioner in Spain. 
A very - interesting document lias reached the 
State Department, at Washington, though il was 
originally designed for the Confederate Rebel head¬ 
quarters at Richmond. It is no less than an official 
dispatch from P. J. Rost, sent, out as a Southern 
Commissioner to Spain. He lias bad an interview 
with M. Calderon Collantes, the Spanish Secretary 
of Foreign Affairs, and recounts its results in an 
epistle to R. M. T. Hunter. Esq, under, date of 
March 21- He arrived there just as the news of 
Somerset and Forts Henry and Douelson reached 
the Spanish Court, lie states that, the Spanish 
Minister graciously admitted that the canse of the 
South was right, but could not, see how they could 
lay claim to being a de facto government in the face 
of such heavy reverses. Mr. Rost, then showed the 
Minister, from the map, the impossibility of the 
Federal forces ever advancing far within the Con¬ 
federate lines, as throughout the distance from the 
Tennessee to Texas “there were no roads upon 
which the transport of the materiel of au army could 
be effected, while we had nearly three thousand 
leagues of railway which could lie used for purposes 
of defense, and destroyed as the enemy advanced; 
anti that, besides, the Northern troops could stand 
neither the heat of our summer nor the maladies 
incident to the climate.'' The Commissioner then 
reiterated the determination of the rebel chivalry 
to “die in the last ditch,” A r ,c.; and attempted to 
convince the Honorable Minister of the great ad¬ 
vantages to be derived by Spain from tin alliance 
with the South, more especially in depriving En¬ 
gland of the cotton monopoly, lie denounced the 
present Administration of that country as being 
composed to a great extent of Abolitionists, and her 
counsels as being “ tainted with Puritan fanaticism.” 
lie said: 
Spain was our natural ally and friend, aud her 
paramount interest was that we should become an 
independent power. When we were recognized, 
similarity of institutions, ideas anti social habits 
would form between its a more cordial friendship 
and alliance titan had ever existed between two 
people. 
Tlte Spanish Minister, however, could not view 
the subject in that light, according to the following 
reply: 
He said he hoped it might be so, but he would 
not conceal the tact that Mr. Seward was taking 
great pains to convince Him that the North had 
always been friendly, while the South was ever 
hostile to Spain; that while the North was their 
best customer lor the sugar of their colonies, ami 
supplied them with all they wanted in exchange, 
no private expeditions had ever sailed hum their 
ports lor the invasion of Cuba, but invariably from 
those of the South, and that if the Confederate 
States became hereafter a strong government, their 
upon the coast of Africa, the duty of his ship being 
to watch for slavers. He was re-called from that 
post, aud was shortly sent to China, where be was 
stationed during the war which was waged between 
that power anil the allied forces of England and 
France. It was while lying off Canton, in the ship 
Portsmouth, that he was enabled to render most 
signal service to bis countrymen, and secure high 
praise for his efficient gallantry. 
The American factories were in great danger; 
every hour disclosed new evidences of Chinese hos¬ 
tility; and the residents deeming a longer stay 
unwise, appealed to Lieutenant, Foote for protec¬ 
tion. He at once went on shore with a body of 
marines and afforded such aid as rendered the 
abandonment of the factories by their owners un¬ 
necessary. and was about half-way back to the ship, 
having with him a missionary, whan the Chinese 
batteries tired upon him. Somewhat suirprised at 
this, but supposing it to be a mistake, he raised the 
stars and stripes, a proceeding which rather stim¬ 
ulated than detracted from the accuracy of the hos¬ 
tile range. Lieut. Foote at onco reported the affair 
eating a strength equal to that l have stated. 
“ My own command consisted of two brigades of 
less than four thousand men, all told, with nine 
hundred cavalry, ten Parrot guns, aud one battery 
of U-poUnder Stoootli-bore cannon. To this should 
be added the 10th Maine regiment of infantry* and 
five companies of Maryland cavalry, stationed at 
Winchester, which were engaged in the action. The 
loss of the enemy was treble that of ours in killed 
and wounded. 
“ Officers whoso words I cannot doubt have stated, 
as the result of their own observation, that our men 
were tired upon from private dwellings in passing 
through Winchester; but I am credibly informed, 
and gludly believe, that the atrocities said to have 
been perpetrated upon our wounded soldiers by the 
rebels are greatly exaggerated or entirely untrue.” 
Of our losses he says: 
“The whole number of killed is thirty-eight; 
wounded, one hundred and fifty-five; missing, seven 
hundred and eleven. Total loss, nine hundred and 
live. It is undoubtedly true that many of the miss¬ 
ing will yet return, and the entire loss may be 
assumed as not exceeding seven hundred. It is 
also probable that the number of killed and wound¬ 
ed may bo larger than that above stated, but the 
aggregate loss will not lie changed thereby. 
•‘All our guns were saved. Our wagon train 
consisted of nearly five hundred wagons. Of this 
number fifty-five were lost. They were not, with 
but lew exceptions, abandoned to the enemy; but 
were burned upon the road. Nearly all ot our 
supplies were thus saved.” 
of time the Mongolian banner fell. He at once 
occupied the fort, and having convinced the hasty j 
belligerents that, so long as he was in command of a 
ship, neither American missionaries nor the United 
States llag could be insulted with impunity, he 
made terms, and returned to his vessel. 
With the title of commander, he was placed in 
charge ot the Brooklyn Navy Yard—a position 
invariably bestowed upon officers whoso services 
entitle them to marked honor and regard. During 
his residence at the yard I 10 uutde a most favorable 
impression upon all who came in contact with him, 
professionally or socially. As a business man, ho 
was prompt, reliable, and efficient; as an executive 
officer, capable and exact; while as a companion he 
was, as always, most instructively entertaining. 
The fact, that from early life he has been not only 
a professing, but a working Christian, is not the 
least interesting one in the history oi his career, 
lie was, while a boy, truth fill, ingenuous, and hon¬ 
orable; as a youth, lie maintained ever an upright 
bearing, an unsullied reputation, and a clear, un¬ 
stained record; as a man, he is noted for his unob- 
piety, his unaffected and tempered zeal in 
Tin* l.ate Battle before Richmond. 
The following extracts from a private letter to 
a gentleman in New York city, from his neighbor, 
who is a member of Battery A, New York Artillery, 
generally known as the “ Na- 
they would fall. The Beauregard was close be¬ 
hind, and coming down upon the Queen, and the 
Monarch, a quarter of a mile behind, anxious for 
the fate of his Queen, was crowding the spray before 
him, bearing down upon the three. The Beaure¬ 
gard dashed on to the Queen, striking her in the 
wheel house, and disabling her engine. The full 
force of the blow was however reserved for the 
Beauregard’s consort, the Price, who was endeavor¬ 
ing to butt the Queen from the opposite side. The 
Queen slipped down between them, and the Price 
was ripped right along her side, taking her wheel 
completely off This, with the blow previously 
given, was enough for the Price, and she hoisted a 
white flag, and was left to the tide with the Queen, 
which was also crippled and sinking. 
The Monarch was soon up and gave the Beaure¬ 
gard a tremendous butt in the bow, which had the 
effect of sinking her by the head. She also ran up 
the white flag soon after, and the Little Rebel came 
along side and took oft' her crew, who afterwards 
escaped with the crew of that boat. 
The steamer Lovell was now the uppermost boat 
of the rebel tlotilla, aud to her the Benton paid her 
most serious addresses. Lieuts. Phelps and Bishop 
sighting,the bowgnns—fl-incli shell and 50-pounder 
Parrott.—were poured in. in a lively manner. The 
bolts of tbe Benton just raked her tore and aft, 
the whole fleet coming down upon her. Several 
shot 3 took effect. After about five minutes her 
boilers were exploded. Her guns had ceased firing. 
Presently she began to till rapidly, and the poor 
wounded and scalded sufferers came to the deck, 
agony and filling the air 
in Casey’s Division, 
poleon gun battery,” describes very graphically the 
terrible slaughter of the rebels by our Artillery. It 
is dated Bottom Bridge, on the first of June: 
About 11 o’clock on Saturday, May 31, the enemy 
sent a couple of six pound balls over into onreamp, 
and immediately commenced the attack by driving 
in our pickets. Our division was quickly formed in 
line of battle; a strong force was sent to support the 
pickets, and a rifted battery of four guns was or¬ 
dered up to the right aud opened fire. We were all 
ready for anything that might come, but not for a 
moment did we dream that we had on our hands 
one of the mostly fiercely fought battles that has 
taken place during the rebellion. 
Tlte pickets soon began to fire rapidly and came 
running in, while the infantry posted behind a fence 
to support them blazed away into the woods. The 
artillery on our right opened fire and mingled their 
thunder with the sharp roll of the musketry. Soon 
our Napoleon guns (three of which were posted in 
an unfinished redoubt, and three on the left near a 
rifie pit,) opened with case shot, which went whiz¬ 
zing through the air, over the heads of our own 
men, right into the midst of the enemy, and there 
exploding, scattered death through their ranks. On 
the left, the rebels were seen coming through the 
woods to Hank us, and wheeling three of our guns 
trusiv 
holy things, and a constant desire to be recognized 
and known as a servant in the cause of the 
Redeemer. His total-abstinence principles have 
subjected him to some ridicule, but have been the 
subject of more commendation, and the seed from 
which results most beneficial to companions and 
inferiors have sprung. While iu command of the 
Navy Yard he took an active part in religions meet¬ 
ings, attended and conducted prayer-meetings, aud 
was always a welcome speaker at the Union gather¬ 
ings for prayer during 1857-8. 
The blows he has dealt the rebellion are so recent 
that we need not recount them,—upon the Missis¬ 
sippi, Cumberland and Tennessee are the trophies 
of Lis perseverance, vigor and dauntless courage. 
closed up and came steadily on, never halting or 
wavering, right through the woods, over the fence, 
through the field, right up to our guns, and sweep¬ 
ing everything before them captured every piece. 
When we delivered our last fire, they were within 
fifteen or twenty paces of us, and as all our horses 
had been kilted or wounded, we could not carry off 
a gun. Our whole division was cut to pieces, with 
what loss I do not know. We fell back to a second 
line ot entrenchments, and there held the enemy in 
check till re-enforcements arrived, and then we kept 
our position till night, put an end to the battle. 
When they got within four hundred yards, we 
closed our case shot and opened on them with can- 
nister, and such destruction I never elsewhere wit¬ 
nessed. At each discharge great gaps were made 
in their ranks—indeed, whole companies went down 
before that murderous lire; but they closed up with 
an order and discipline that was awe-inspiring. 
They seemed to be animated with the courage of 
despair blended with the hope of a speedy victory 
if they could by au overwhelming rush drive us 
from our position. 
It was awful to see their ranks torn and shat tered 
by every discharge of cannistor that we poured right 
into their faces; and while their dead and dying lay 
iu piles close up, they still kept advancing right in 
the face of that fire, At one time three lines, one 
behind another, were steadily advancing, and three 
of their flags were brought in range of one of our 
guns shotted with cannister. 
“ Fire!” shouted the gunner, and down went those 
three flags, and a gap was opened through those 
three lines as if a thunderbolt had torn through 
them, and the dead lay in swaths. But they at once 
wringing their hands in 
with prayers and imprecations. 
The sight of the poor crew who came to the deck 
scalded by the bursting ot the boilers was painful 
in the extreme. Men clinging to the wreck, others 
holding up their arms in despair, uttering lrantic 
prayers and imprecations, are described by the eye¬ 
witnesses on the bluff opposite her to have been 
awful beyond all description. The Benton put out 
a yawl 10 take off the sufferers, and had just, reached 
the wreck and taken off' a few of them when she 
went down in a hundred feet of water with all that 
was helpless of her crew on board, and alter a 
momentary seething atid bubbling ot the current 
over her, all was lost of the gunboat Gen. Lovell. 
Two or three inou swam ashore, but it is not known 
how many went down with the wreck into the grave 
of De Soto. 
The crew of the Gen. Price escaped to the woods 
on the Arkansas shore, and she settled in shallow 
water. 
Bank's Retreat —Official Report. 
Gen. Banks has sent the War Department his 
official report of the retreat from Western Virginia. 
He received information of the advance of the 
enemy on the evening of the 23d of May, and 
immediately sent re-enforcements to Colonel Ken- 
ly. of the 1st Maryland regiment, who guarded 
Front. Royal. Later in the evening, however, addi¬ 
tional information was received, to the effect that 
Kenly’s forces had been overpowered, aud that the 
rebels were advancing on Winchester, whereupon 
the re-enforcements were recalled, and detachments 
were sent to explore the roads and ascertain the 
strength of the hostile forces. The General says of 
the result of this reconnoissance: 
“ The extraordinary force of the enemy could no 
longer be doubted. It was apparent, also, that they 
bad a more extended purpose than the capture of 
the brave little band at Front Royal. The purpose 
The Great Naval Victory at Meinpliis. 
We extract the following from the New York 
World's correspondent’s accouut of the great naval 
victory of the Federal forces before Memphis last 
Friday: 
The rebel flotilla consisted of eight gunboats, 
under command of Capt. Ed. Montgomery, formerly 
a St. Louis pilot. The vessels are the Gen. Yan 
Dorn, (flag ship,) Gen. Price, Gen. Bragg, Gen. 
Lovell, Gen. Thompson, Sumter, and Little Rebel 
