New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-07

b,s.s,Iyyt FlorILLA, Nav FoKT Putov, IS Murl
lsoys MKxriu., Saturday, Midnight, May 81, ivol }
During tn. pa., three four days the hiring Of our
nortars bias been quite regular and Plum Poui Bend
has TO certain degree, presented the appearance Of
carrying on q siege.
CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT ~ our MORTAR
FIRING.
Our m0riars are much better managed than they
were and as the gunners spprised by signals from
toais lying of Cragbead Point Of the bearing and
range Of the shells, our bombs, for the most part,
explode where they ere liable to do damage.
The angle at which our noriafs are now dscbafg.
ing, is generally fortyyo degrees, and the quantity
OF powder used averages twenty pounds; seven
pounds being the charge OF the bombs, which 81
themselves weigh 2lj pounds. After various ex-
perments, this elevation and amount of powder aP-
pears the best calculated 10 throw shells directly into
the eneInys works.
| number Of bombs have been placed there within
the past TWO days, and from the manner in which the
earth he's been thrown up, it is fair to suppose some
| injury % the enemy has been wrought.
ANOTHER MARROW ESCAPE OF GIN. vIi.LIPIGUK.
An intelligent deserter from the For; says one Of
our bombs burst, on Thursday, over the camp occu-
pied By the managers of the va'erbatieres and thai
large fragment fell into Villipgues tent, while he
was smoking and reading a work on Artillery Prac-
tioe; tho m-clievous metal buryiug iiself in he
earth at distance Of not more than four feet from
| the Creole chief.
| The General instinc,ivcy jumped 20 the other sde
OF the tent, and number OF soIdiors outside who
saw the shell burst and the huge rent Il had made in
the canyas ran into the officers headquarters, ex-
pecting 20 find him killed, or al least severely
wounded. They supposed their fears were realized
when they behed Villipigue, OF little pig p. many
OF bis men WHO cannoi pronounce bis French name
call him--cOyefsd with dust and lying AZ corner
where his sudden and. extraordinary saltation bad
thrown him.
The Confederate eorrpheus looked dul enough
when he roso, remsIkiDg tia. thoss ID iankrr
bombs appeared TO have particular aniDc,iiy
against him, as this was The third time they lsd
come near HIN that lie could smell sh- sulphur Of
Ill
Villirigne kGs had reveal narrow escanes and
though Rebel. seems 10 entertain usl idea ~ hi-
future sate--if the Calyinsiic creed BE- correct
however defective his con presenslon may te of tie
present crisis ard its results.
FIRING on THE REBfJs--sIIiDOws OF DrayH.
the Rebels Use their moitars nimo-! altogether IT,
firing al us and usually the shots are well made
heir shells have burst aguin and again over and
near our mortar-boats without nln;ing any one.
4 quarter oi a second more occupied IA she bum.
INK OF The fufo or The VARIATION 81 the melted Irac
ton Of an inch in the elevation, would lave SOME
Tines transferred mOfe than OF our brave fcllo "
to lets troablous state OF eNisteDce.
Though but very few lives have been To-, AZ Plum
Point Bend during this siege or nearly seven woehs
the marrow escapes have been inun cradle; some of
them almost suliceni 20 convince ono oi tie nib o
\ ecez-it;IlaIlsiu.
Tnoss WHO have no, Witesaed b;.tll.s would be-
sstODished 10 perceIv. hOw much ieid ani iron ana
steel is required 10 kill . NAN. In al engagsmeat
where, peihaps not DiVre than twenty are lost hun
dIeds escape 10y what is popularity called a miracle
De-th is poor marksman with Ill hi cruelty
lie throws thousand darts before he eau strike lis
victim once.
DESPERATE CHARACTERS IN TN MORTAR
FLEET.
The officers OF the mortar fleet have had a Qrear
dead Of difficulty with thcr mon, eoupoacd Of thc
worst and most desperate characters from tie amy
OF the Potomac, since the iOiil'l LETT llaAi No H.
/ nc men are brave "a BelisariUs and reckless M
bon Carlos, and, WHEN sober, can gcueraliv be
managed; but, under the influence Of iipuor, they
are capable OF any excess crime. aud are iaiiiy
ncnioniZcd.
They have, according to report, committed va,i-
Gus 0GtIaaes at different times, and PATTY oi then
ia one instance actually drove OF The crew oil a
transport and took Possession Of tho boat. They
have had qusrrcs, lights, aud rows without number,
and macy Of them are constantly under arrest
Ibs,r officers sie rarely among tism without being