The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-01

srlyer q few miles above New Madrid
aIhe river here changes its course from
sthe south TO the northwest, following
sthis direction to New Madrid where i
sagain turns southwark The main chan
snel is south of the island which is ap
sparently very strongly fortified The
estimates of the number Of guns vary
considerably, but there are probably
sirom seventy to one hundred, some Of
(which are OF very large calibre. There
ais also battery on the main land just al
the bend, commanding the river north
award.
The naval fleet consists Of seven gun,
I boats and nine mortar floats, the latter
carrying each one immense thirteen inch
smor!ar. Soon after making our landing
sunder cover Of the woods on the point
sthe mortar floats took their position al
alntervals below us, covered also by the
Number, but still within range of the enc
amy. A few shells had been thrown on
sthe evening previous without eliciting
sany reply. We all expected a brisk
a ombardment on Sunday, but not gun
was fired till nine o'clock, when three
shells We're pitched into the enemy's
scamp. At eleven the mortars again
Spoke, and continued so to do till dark
sBut we had it all to ourselves. The reb.
sels received our shells with apparently
sthe most stoica Indifference.
This morning, at daylight, the gun
boats, having taken positions at the point
sand on the opposite side of the river,
sopened fire on the fort at the bend. It's
3exact locality could not at first be deter
smined, but one of the little saucy, puffy,
Chicago tugs, which accompany the ex-
spedition, ran down SO boldly right into
stheir very teeth, that they could not re !
ssist the temptation to fire into it. They
.thus revealed themselves without dam
!aging us. Thenceforth they replied
slowly with heavy guns, but most of
their shots fell short, only one taking
'efiect during the day. The heavy boom
ling of the mortars, and the short, plump
reports from the gunboats, have bee
lechoing through the woods all day long );
still, little seems to have been accom- !
lplshed We have dismounted two or
three guns, and have no doubt killed and
wounded a few of the enemy, but the
rebel flag still floats deiantly, as nighd
puts an end to the firing. This after
noon one of our guns burst, killing two
men, MORALLY wounding two, and slight
fly woundlng several others. We are at
II very safe distance from the enemy, and
They are evidently saving their powder.
The novelty Of our situation has entire
fly worn off. Time passes duly, We
occasionally amuse ourselves with watch
ling the effect of our shots, which some
] times strike the water and sometimes the
.enemy's forts and camp. The mortars
spay their respects chiefly to the island,
perhaps one shot in four or FIVE taking
effect. We can easily see the huge
shells as they take their curyilinear
flight through the air, and burst, some
times just over their victims heads
'showering their fragments on every side,
often after burying themselves deep in
sand. This may be a very heavy bonn
sbardment, but it does seem rather slow.
1t is all very safe for us, though possibly
u little tantalizng to the enemy.
The infantry force of this expedition
consists of the eth, and 49d H., and
he 18th Wisconsin regiments. A com
lpany of cavalry is attached to the 9th,
land ,nere are two batteries OF artillery
slhe whole under the command of Col.
sBufort, of the 9th. We have today
"a pleasant story of the Colonel. 1t is
stated as fact. though / do not believe
lit, that he last night entered the enemy's
camp in disguise, and acquitted him
] self thoroughly with their strength and
/ position, returning safely just at break Of
slay. He is brave enough to perform
such a feat, and is certainly safe to-day.
j. l.. LOOMS