But while aid was coming the _Cincinnati_ was run into shoal water, and there she sank. The _Mound City_ had meantime been firing at the Confederates, and the _Van Dorn_ turned to ram her. She avoided the full strength of the blow by a skilful use of the helm, but she was cut into, nevertheless, and had to be run ashore on the Arkansas side to keep her from sinking. The _Pittsburg_ had been obliged to go to the assistance of the _Cincinnati_ to get her into shoal water, and the _Cairo_ rendered the same service to the _Mound City_. This left only the flagship _Benton_, the _Carondelet_, and the _St. Louis_ to continue the battle with the six remaining Confederate gunboats, though it must be said that the guns of both the _Pittsburg_ and the _Cairo_ were still firing at the Confederates. But the Confederates retreated as soon as the belated _Benton_ and _St. Louis_ got fairly into the fight. Flag Officer Montgomery said he retreated because the government boats all went into water too shoal for his rams, while their guns were far heavier as well as much more numerous than his. As to the guns, he had only thirty-two-pounders, but it is certain that neither the _Benton_, the _Carondelet_, or the _St. Louis_ went into shoal water. In fact, the _Benton_ drew more water than any of the Confederate “River Defence Squadron,” as it was called, and the other two government boats quite as much as any. The fact is, Montgomery’s force was a lot of militia afloat. They made a most brilliant dash at the government forces, sank two gunboats, and then, militia fashion, got out of it when they were really just ready to begin to fight. Not one of their boats was seriously hurt. The _Bragg_ had lost her tiller ropes, and the _Price_ was aleak, but both might have continued the fight after a few minutes devoted to repairs. The whole force was, so far as hurts were concerned, “ready for action at Memphis a month later.” As to the government force, it may be said that Stembel, on the _Cincinnati_, made a brilliant defence, and Walke and Kilty, of the _Carondelet_ and _Mound City_, seemed to fully appreciate what was required under the circumstances. The unprotected mortar boat, Acting Master Gregory, kept up a steady fire on the Confederates throughout the conflict, and Gregory was promoted for his bravery. Soon after this fight the government flotilla was reinforced by seven river steamers that had been converted into rams along the Ohio River by Col. Charles Ellet, Jr. Part of them were stern-wheelers and part side-wheelers. They were strengthened with fore-and-aft bulkheads, and the boilers were protected with two feet of oak. Ellet had independent charge of them, with instructions to coöperate with the gunboats under Flag Officer Davis.