The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-03-07

hhN GSH-f 49, 'e' ouVN X tat tFtfkN uuu
professional skin; aud, by his gallant
bearing on that occasion, while directing
the operations of the day under my or,
ders, hsd justly earned For himself high
distinction. His death was q serious loss
TO the service, and was source OF no lit
tle embarrassment in our Interpretations
On the 18th we had quiet, but we saw
the smoke OF a large number Of gunboat.
and steamboats, at short distance below,
We alse received reliable information oI
the arrival OF a large number of fresh
troops, greatly increasing the strength oi
the encmy's forces, already said to he
from $1,000 TO 80. 900 strong.
On the 18th these reiniorcements were
seen advancing TO their position In the
line OF Investment; and, while this was
being Gone, six Of the enemy's iron-cased
gunbos,s we're seen advancing up the riv-
or. fiyas; ws,ssA ~~s~ sbteast and in line
Of battle, and the sixth some distance to
the rear. When the gunboats arrived
within mile and half of the fort, tLey
opened fire on the batteries. My orders
to the officers, Capts. Shuster and Stank-
oyitch, who commanded the lower battery,
Of eight gurs, and Capt. Ross, the upper
battery, Of four guns, were to hold their
fire until tie enemy's gunboats should
come within point blank range. This
they did, though the ordeal of holding
their fire while the enemy's shot and shell
fell thick gound their position, was a Sc
we're restraint upon their patriotic impuls.
es. But, nevertheless, our batteries made
no response till the gunboats got within
range of their guns. Our entire line Of
batteries then opened fire. The guns of
both parties were well served. The enemy
constantlyadyanced, delivering direct fire
against our batteries ifom his line of FIVE
in the rear kept the air filled with shells,
which fell thick and close all around the
position OF our batteries. The fight con.
tinued, the enemy steadily advancing
slowly up the river and the shot aud
shell from fifteen heavy rihed guns, tear
ing our parapets and plungng deep into
the earth around and over our batteries
! for nearly TWO nours, and until his boats
had reached within the distance of one
hundred and fifty yards of our batteries.
Having come in such close conflict,
Cuuld ulNtIhttil otC tut tlltttN VI but Shot
upon his iron cased boats. We had given
two or three well.directed shots from our
heavy gunsto one of his boats, when she
instantly shrunk back and drifted help
less below the line. Several shot struck
another boat, tearing her iron case and
making her timbcrs crack, and splinter
ing them as by a stroke of lightning, when
the two fell back. Then third received
several shocks, making her metal ring
and timbers crack, when the whole line
gave way and fell rapidly back from our
fire until they passed out Of range. Thus
ended the first severe and close conflict
of our heavy guns and the encmys gun.
boats tr@Aias .i.si- st.AsstsAl. sssd aha pow
er Of h6ayy guns TO resist them. The shot
from our.32pound guns produced but lit
tie effect, they struck and rebounded,
apparently doing but little damage; but !
am satisfied from close observation that
the timbers of the framework did not, and
could not, withstand the shock from the
10 inch columbiad or 32.pound ri1cd
guns. These gunboats never renewed the
attack. learn from citizens living on
the river below that one OF the injured
boats was sunk, and that others had to be
towed to Cairo. This information may or
may not be true, but IL is certain that all
OF the boats were repu!sed and driven
back after most vigorous and dctormin-
cd attack, and that two Of the boats were
badly damaged, and that third was more
or less injured.
II is difficult TO estimate the gallant
bearing and heroic conduct of the officers
and men Of our batteries, who so well and
so persstently fought our guns until the
enemy's determined advance brought his
boats and guns into such close and des-
perate conflict. Where all did their duty
so well, it is almost impossible to discrim.
mate. The captains already named, and
their lie,henants, Whose names for want
of official reports ] cannot give) all de.
serve the highest commentator.
Lieut.. g. s. Martin, (whose company
is now at Columbus, KY, but who was
ordered TO that post by Major.General
Polk, commanded one OF the guns, and
particular attracted my attention BY his
energy and the judgment with which he
handled his gun. The wadding having
given out, he pulled Off his coat and
rammcd it down AS wadding. and thus
kept up the fire till the enemy were final.
ly repused.
On the evening Of this day we receiv-
ed information Of the arrival Of addition
al reiniorcements of infantry, cavalry
and light artillery, by steamboat, all Of
which were dsembarked short distance
below our position.
On the Nth inst, the enemy were busy
throwing bis forces of every arm around
us, extending his line OF investment en-
tirely around our position. and complete.
ly enveloping us. On the evening OF
this day we ascertained that tho enemy
had received additional Icinforcemonts
by steamboat. We were now surround.
ed by an immense force, said 10y prison.
ers TO amount to iilty.two regiments, and
every road and possible avenue Of de.
parture were cut OIL, with the certainty
that our sources of supply by the river
would soon DO cut of 10y the encmy's
batteries placed upon the river above us.
Ata council of the general officers,
called by Gen. Floyd, il was unanimously
determined TO give the enemy battle
next day at daylight, 20 rs 10 cut open
route of exit for our troops 10 the inte-
rior Of the country, and thus save our
army. We had knowledge that the prin.
cipnl portion of tho cnelnys forces were
masscd in. cncampment in front Of our
extreme left, commanding the two roads
leading into the interior, one Of which
we must take in leaving our POSITION
We knew that he had massed In enoamp.
ment another largo force on the Union
Ferry road, opposite the center Of our
left wing. and another in front Of the
left Of our right wing. His fresh arrival
of troops being enoamped on the bank
Of tho river, two and half miles below
us, from which latter cncampmcpt q
stream Of fresh troops was continually
pouring around US on his line Of invest