The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-10-17
Our Military Correspondence.
FROM THE MISSISSIPPI FLorGLLA.

"WEsrERN GUNBoAT FLoTlLLA,"
Mississippi River, Sept. 90 |, 1869,
Near Vcksburgh, Miss.
FRIEND CONVERSE Il have to express
10 you my slncsre thanks for your paper,
numerous copies OF which have received,
since last parted from you, in the quiet,
good old village of Chardon, in the Bon
ME Buckeye State; and need not assure
you that they have been read with nearly
all the pleasure OF letters from friends in
that dear old spot OF earth. They are
Most gladly would | return TO you, in The
shape OF letters, at least a part of the in
terest and pleasure which have derived
from the peiusal Of your paper; but |
know that could bur fail, even in the
more lively times Of war, aad how much
more so when there is so little, or nothing,
doing in this Fleet, owing, suppose, to
the low stage OF water. However, | will
try TO give you an account of the late em-
ployment Of this ship, as well as the
whereabouts Of the remainder Of the Fleet.
We left Cairo on the llth inst, 10 convoy
Of seven transports conveying Rebel pris'
oners to Vicksburgh, who were there tc
be exchanged, Al Helena, Arkansas, we
found the Flag Ship Eastport, Gunboats
Benton and Bargg all "bar. locked" " and
unable TO move upon the Father OF Waters
Tor the space OF more than mile or two
The Cairo. Louisville, Mound City and
Tyler. The Conestoga WAS joined al
Helena by the Cairo, under the command
ofCapt. SelIridge, who is young and en-
tefpriaing officer. ,.. ....
We proceeded down the river, the Cairo
leading, and the Conestoga bringing VI
the rear, without anything ia particular oc
curing, and reached our old anchorage
Two miles above Vicksburgh, on Sunday
morning, the 2lst inst, where we founC
the steamer John Doan at anchor, will
Capt. Lazelle, the Government Agent 70
the exchange OF prisoners, on board.-
After few pielminaries were gone over
and, upon signal being made and an
swered by the Rebels at Vcssburg, thei
officials came up, and The final arrange
ments were then made. Day before yes
terdsy. the 22d inst, Rebel steamer, th
|
took their sick from the Hospital boa
and others of our transports proceeded
the bank, and unloaded their living cal
goes. Last night we were clear OF them
and no doubt but that they were snugl
i hived by their Rebel brethren in the
camps at Jackson. Miss, as the cars hsv
been running constantly, day and nigh
| - LII IL
their town is rebuilt. as good as new
From my own personal observation,
can say nothing OF the truth Of this. n
one being allowed 10 land. They. how
!, ever, did allow an unarmed burial part
|, TO land with white Aag. for the purpo:
Is ofinterring one Of our poor fellows bsSic
% his five companions, who here found the
= graves last summer.
Mssissippi's banks are the last restin
places OF many brave ones who have 10
their lives In the suppression Of this R,
y bellion, and how many more will follow
is their tracks ere our work is done, On
70 Impotence alone can tell. Certainly it W
not be ended. till there is more pure, sci
denying patriotism in the North, in Il
: loyal portion of our country, than hi
g been displayed yet. Our greatest ours
,e aye, and weakness,--l am fully pc
If suaded has been our Bounty Volunte
B. system giving volunteers from one hu
e. dred to one hundred and fifty dollar
"a varying in the differen. States, when a
even TO a man, ought to be ready to ri
the money 10 the Government, and th,