The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-05-22
s Sssisssr--wILLlAM ROBINSON, once Public
THE NEW ORLEANS ExPE.
,.;;'':., -, ., .'st g. DITIoN. 80. .;s
EaHrEEx MrIEs BELow New ORLEANS. |
10. $50 April 81, 1862. s.,,f-n1


7Iclosed my letter yesterday evening
al, seven clock, mot knowing that l sho'd
ever have an opportunity 10 again put "a
pen on paper. In vain T. attempted to
obtain some sleep, 80 as to be physically
prepared Tor the contest which was to
c,me, OF in The course OF q few hours
An hands eeemec cheerful, Tut there was
u marked feeling Of awe and resolution
manifested in ea,.h countenance. will
not attempt TO describe the feelings OF
any one whose. face showed the inward
workings of their mind. We all felt that
a most terrible battle was before US, and
how We were to escape being terribly cut
up was to US mystery not easily solved.
Two heavy works. mounting in tie
neiphborhood Of two hundred pieces, a
chain cable, half a dozen hulks, and a
dozen or more steamers, we'll armed. a
ram or Two, FIRE RATS without number q
swift current and desperate foe, were a
mopg the number pfthings sgaiust which
we knew we were to contend. An accl'
dent to engines or serious collision and
we mus, al be lost. You cannot imagine
how formidable each one Of these things
were in themselves, but, combined, the
odds against US seemed overwhelming, =
But trusting in our leaders. and, more
than aliin tlst wise and oyerrullng Prov
idence who fayoIs the cause Of right ant
Justice, we felt almost sure OF winning
the contest. r-''.
At about eleven o'clock the ltascu sig
ualized that the chain was clear and ths
we could 90 ahead when ready, Every
thing was quiet around the feet, save tn
kissing sound Of the steam escaping iron
tie boilers. The night was modera'et
dark, and gentle southerly wind mad
tie weather rather hazy. The moria
vessels kept up an incessant roar, IN
bright tglobules assembled high aloit
aysih descend in fury at the forts. . I'll
second division, tfcder Captain Bale
formed on the left bank Of the river. .wbi
tue, third division was 10 the center
the lines, the fist division lying on Il
right bank If the Tiver. ~ '..''
The feet wore to. sail in the followiu
order: .t,5., ;,... ...I .5,4 B. g.s.
rir.t Diyision Flag oaheer Second Division Ca
Paragut Commanding. Bailey Commahqh
Hartford, Gayuga,,
RiIsSSalsSii RIsSnssaii,sys y s4p lS.:is;ipp, S.'ssSi9l
Oneida,
.ls-t!r atsyNHslIe "'-,- Veruua,
,3.gAr s,aueB 81 -. fs'" Katchdin,
et ts,sv'c sa' ~ H.'7" .7'' KinOo
.ss,. ..o;s-o-i 81 f-r 80 q % da' Wissahicken
..i4, - a'sis h1s tiaFf'H' Z Wv Portsmouth,
ta-, 80 -. , t-7r' '.To~ed by ], P, Jackson
'fes TkSId Ditision-captatnl
eUt rfA y Bell, commandipg, l, st-
a'a'i scs'.t ~ Sciota, "a o.. b.. e.
aEN ffN''" p itoquois, ',t .... a....
ug, El.f '-rf Pinoln, .r.,.. ..rs.
4t'A y Iasca, srl,. .-.-st -.
- sN l-Hf''' " ihona, .
vtss., 90 ''. 2'u Ksunebec, . %. y, .
t1At ons O'clock all hands were call'
hsmmocks slowed, and everything put
readiness 10 weigh anchor a. two oiclo
1T was solemn lime. l assure "
The hour seemed "a few moments. !
memories Of score Of years fitted tb
the mind, aud all the courage we poss
sed was senwedsup1or thelesent!S W
At,two o'clock two red lights at
peak announced the time 10 get IN
weigh. I1had the honor to hoist tbe /
nall nth my own hands. Owing 10 SO
unforeseen delays the second division
not start ut the signal, aud as they
the longest road TO travel. Il was necet
ry for us 10 wait until they started.
three o'clock the moon rose. aud sily
path was marked out on the swift wa
Of the river, 50 soon 10 be the stage
which the greatest naval fight has {
trauspired. The moon had lifted i,ssl
bove the horizon just thirty minutes "
We went for the battle ground. ln
dim distance could be seen the sil
firss Of the enemy, built to light UP
river and reveal our position to hin
On We steamed, with hearts big with
pectatioDs.
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