American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-07-04
tFFoFn TIE Vitks51Fy WEI
MORE OF THE EorDARDNErT.

morning. the shells we're falling in svery
part of the city. and We were therefore
compelled TO close our paper without any
particulars OF the unparalleled scene thea
being enacted before our eyes
A little before four O'Clock. about tea
of the enemy's vessels commenced nov
ing up the river towards our guns. As
soon as they came in range. our Iower
batteries opened upon them. when they
commenced replying with all possible
slacrity. The mortar fleet below the
point, and on the opposite shore At Bur-
ney's. opened upon Us and sent the mes
seogers of destruction with lightning
speed in all directions. The gunbOats
and frigates steamed on up the river.
throwing broadside after broad>ide Of
every species of shot. she'll. grape. can
lister and scharpnal. in rapid succession.
Our lower batteries replied as rapidly as
possible, with shot shell and grape but
.oon the fleet came in range of the guns
above the haSou. whea Col Jackson
opened his dahlgren. parrot. ride ami CO.
lumbiads on the boats. and then was
such scene a has never before been
witnessed. The STRAIN and Two mortar
fleets appeared To belch forth with re-
newed rapidItv. until the heavens were
covered With burning flames and the air
filled with bursting iron hail.
Our men continued At their guns. and
fired into the boats steadily. Two # the
boats were observed dropping back from
the lower batteries. supposed To be- Grip
Piled. but the others CONTINUED on. and
soon five of the fleet came no in front of
The upper batteries and passed nv. under
a terrific fire from Onr guns Our men
could hear the shots sS thew uent tearing
through the boats. and when the f-.t
got up in the bend one of their vessel.
was 80 disabled that ano.he boat hal
to take her in tow and carry her around
the point. They all passed out Of range
about seven O'Clock. and then the tirinr
ceased above. but the mortar feet blow
continued to Oh the air with shells for an
hour afterwards when the dreadful noise
ceased. the bright golb.s stopped filing
The air with fury. and all was quiet again.
None of our guns were damaged IN he
least. and oar loss was only tw' killed
and about three woanded-One If whom
has since died The men at the euns
fought bravely. and never hinchrd from
the iron hail that was falling aTolni
them. they certainly deserve universal
praise for their perseverance, indOmisa-
wilt and hero.Sm.
While this grand but hear rpnling
sight was being enacted on th, river. the
scene IN the city beggrreti all description.
many families were still living In th,. city
some 10th TO leave their homes. hers
" no could not find houses To 20 to and
many who were Too poor Ia move. All
were aroused form th-IT Slnmttr~ abs.us
four O'Clock. by the >hn, and ,hs;l -hi-t-
ing and bursting around III. m Nm.
women and children. bob black AMI
white. went screaming through The
'treets. seeking a place of safrty--0ruz
dressed and others almost nude Moth
RS we're running. with little b9brs u
heir arms. CRYING where will ga.''
md some would stop and couch under
he first bill while the shells were bnrSf-
NJ above them. We noticed one man.
With his wife in his armS-she havin.r-
ainted with fri ht at the explosion Of a
hell within few feet 1T her A she'll
urst IN the midst of several children xho.
Fere making their way out of danger. aud
he dirt thrown up by the explosion knock
d three of them down. but fortunately
one no injury. The little ones picked
'emselses up a. quick a. possible and wi
ing the dust from their eyes. hasGeaed
n.
In a short time the hills. three or four
lilies east nf The city. were covered with
eople who had fed from danger. When
IL firing was over, some few returned
; the city. bur the majority sought quar-
RS respectable distance from toSn.
zen the stock. and every living thing
the city, was panic stricken and fed.
orses. mules. COWS. dogs. DE. could
2 seen speeding through town, out
reach OF the msSelS. Such scene
e have never before Witnessed. and sc
bpe We never shall again.
The damage done in the city vas pref
seyere-a great many OF the houses
aintr stTnPk and mora or l.Ss srsuw4