Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-04-08
The Carondolet Runs the Block.
ade at Island No. 10.
IMPORTANCE OF HER ESCAPE.
Especial to the Chicago Times

Luz uVct 0ACIttuS cv00t VI su0 SseSe
occurred on Friday night. At s O'Clock
2. NJ. the gunboat Carondalet, unde,
command Of Capt. Walker, ran the
blockade and escaped safely the fire
Of the enemy's batteries, and arrived a,
New Madrid at day.break. She was
prepared for the event by mooring
alongside on the side towards the bate
ries, abarge laden withbales Of hay,
which were arranged SO as to protect
her from shot.
The night was excessively dark and
a storm of wind and rain arose, accom-
panied with vivid and incessant light,
ming. The wind was not very strong
but the darkness and the lightning were
intense.
The Carondolet passed the frst bat
terry before she was discovered. The
second opened up fire on her as soon
as her guns could be brought to tear, blu,
owing to the darkness and the speed
" IL which she moved the fire was total.
ly harmless. The third battery con.
centrated its fire upon her, but not q
shot struck the boat. The effect oi
the terrific and vivid Lightning
was binding to the gunners, and the
speed Of her movement rendered an aim
extremely difficult.
She continued her course unchecked,
and ran by the fourth and fifth batter
les With the same fortunate result. Fiji
ty-three shots we're fired at her, but not
one struck her.
The battery on the head OF the island
was the most formidable, but none gifts
guns took effect.
About three miles below the island
the rebel floating battery opened on her,
and delivered her fire as long as she con-
tinued within range. Not a single shot
took effect, however.
A continuous FIRE of mu.kctry was
kept up from the shore, and many bull
lets struck the boat, but all hands we're
below, and nobody was bit.
This FIRE is described 40 very hot and
lasting. All the troops on the line of
the shore poured in their fire as fast a.
they could load aud discharge.
The Carondolet did not discharge
gun during the entire passage. She
pursued her way in silence, and with
ports closed she passed the last bal ttery
abont An hour after she left the fleet.
The cannonading was distinctly audi
be, and all awaited with intense anxiety
for her signal Of safety and success.
1t came finally in the form Of three
guns fired at intervals of five minutes,
followed by q repetition Of the same
after the lapse Of ten minutes. The
sound Of the signal was received with
Wild enthusiasm throughout the fleet,
and shouts went up which walked the
echoes Of the night. The euccess of the
attempt was thus established, and the
details were looked for with the greatest
interest.
Yesterday Col. Phelps returned and
communicated the cheering fact that the
Carondolet was unipjured, and is now
safely moored At New Madrid. She
laid BY, after running by the batteries,
and waited for daylight, for fear of our
batteries at New Madrid, which, not
knowing what she was, would have
fired into her. She was received It
New Madrid with the greatest rejoic.
ing, and congratulations we're rendered
to her brave officers for their successful
achievement.
Gen. Pope and Mr.. Scott, Assistant.
Secretary Of War, visited Capt. Walker
on board his boat, and escorted him
ashore, where be was received at head.
quarters with many choruses. The sail
ors were welcomed by the army with
extravagant demonstrations. Exciting
news may be expected soon. The enc.
my seem to be very much annoyed aud
irr'tated ct the several successes that
nave beiallen our cause within the past
week. The spiking Of the guns Of thsir
s upper battesy has not jet been removed.
'Ihe battery seems to b effectively