Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-02-20

channel, we could count sixteen sunken
vessels, and long rows of piles were driven
to obstruct our passage. Just to the right,
toward the Island shore, is wide space
suspiciously left open-the whole looking
as if it were arranged as trap to decoy
us within range of their batteries. Com
modore Goldsborough hoisted the signal
This day our country expects every man
to do his duty"
DRAWING TILL REBEL FIRE-BoMBARDMENT
OF PORK POINT BATTERY
In order TO draw the fire OF the enemy
and thus be enabled to determine the
precise location of their batteries, the Un-
derwriter strikes out from the rest of :he
feet and steers boldly toward the shore.
On projecting poin. about two miles west
of the middle of Roanoke Island, some
thing like earlhworks are discovered, and
dinly visible against the backgrounds
of grey forest is some kind of color fly
ing at the top of a twenty-foot flagstaff.
The presence near and on each side of it
two steamers indicate the spot as the loca-
ton of battery. At 11.42 the Under
writer fired gun, which was Immediately
followed bv one from the commodore on
the Souihfield, and several of the naval
fleet followed suit. Five of the steamers
steer near the shore, while the bulk of
the fleet keep more respectful distance.
At 1l.50 two heavy guns followed each
other in quick succession from the rebel
steamers lying near. Before the smeke
from these guns has cleared away, the
naval gunboats led by the Stars and Stripes
the Southfeld and Delaware give them
two for one all round. Commodore Colds
borough sends them lis compliments, in
the shape of a 100-pound shell, which
bursts at the very foot of the works, throw
ing dozen jets fspray high in the air.
Solid shot plow up the sand and scatter
the sod on their parapets while shells
burst over and around the fort in quick sue
cession. At II o'clock the majority of
vessels were fairly-engaged, and the heavy
booming of canneu from the fort showed
that the contest had begun in earnest.
The rebels. used only two of their guns,
which seemed to be protected by case
mates or deep embrazures, Our shells
went over their paripets and burst in the
swamp behind the fort, apparently taking
little effect on the works. Occasionally n
shot would strike the curtain of the fort,
and for an instant cloud of sand would
hide the ramparts from view. The Pick
ct went close to the works, and discharged
several effective shots from her Wizard ard
Parrott guns. Mr.. Hitler did some excel
lent practice, and a shot directed by him
or by Capt. Ives, is said to have set the
barracks on fire in the rear of the works.
Before the bombardment had continued
an hour dense volumes of black smoke
were seen rising from behind the parapets
of the rebel batteries, and for time their
position looked discourageing indeed. Red
flames, cleaning through the pitcIly vol
umcs of smoke, were curling about their
dwellings, and sweeping all before them.
1t was vision of Sumter, with change
of scene; and while the kissing flames,
like the tongues of fry serpents encircled
their habilations, was it strange that each
one thought of the 10Th of April-of
the brave Anderson and his devoted band
and in his heart uttered deep "Amen"
to this instance ofretributive justice.
Th, confagration, however was not near
enough to the rebel gunners 10 interfere
materially with their operations, the build
ings being situated some two hundred
yards in their rear. The firing still went
on, though with gradually decreasing ac
livity, showing that the rebel strength was
fast giving out under the terrible orderal.
Yet it seemed surprising that anything
but demons could live under such a tenn
pest of bursting frey projectiles. Their fire
was not well directed, many of their shots
falling short, or going wide of the mark
The propeller gunboats did excellentser-
vice, going into the very face oftbe battery
at times to deliver the fire. The fire Of
the naval vessels and of the fcrryboats was
also terrific, though i! was observed that
many of their shells did not burst. The
sloop Granite, which had been anchored
outside the fleet, as soon as breeze sprang
up, literally ''saied in" and with provo
king GOODNESS kept tacking in the very
front Of the rebel battery. delivered her
compliments from her large thirty>two
FOUNDER, and then wearing or tacking
again to repeat the operation.
Mr.. HAswELL REscUEs THE RANGER.
During her efforts to get uear the fort,
the Ranger got aground, and for a few mo.
ments was in great danger, being sta
tionary target for the rebel guns. Mr.
Charles Haswell, Eugineer-in chief of the
fleet who was in command of the steamer
Tempest, at this critical juncture went to
the rescue, and taking her hawser, towed
the Ranger out of danger into deep water
again. The act was greatly applauded.
by O'Clock p. m, all the rebel barracks |
in the rear of the battery had been con-
sumed; his parapets badly damaged; the
flag staff shot away, and the guns Only an
swered those of the feet at long intervals.
As twilight came on the interest of tie
scene was heightened by the flash of the
bursting bombs, and of the myriad shot
and shell whose fiery course could be
easily traced against the sky. The fort
was evidently holding out for effect merely,
and, as if fully conscious Of the fruitfulness
of the contest, they gave out gun at in
tervals of ten or fifteen minutes.
LANDING OF THE TROOPS.
While this bombardment was going on,
Gen. Burnside aided by Gems. Foster,
Rene and Parke, were completing their