Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-25

noon to throw she'll into the fort, which has
been successful in many instances. The rebels
do not reply.
rwo REBEL GUNBoATs SUNK.
On Tuesday night, six rebel gunbsats at
tempted to run up. Two were sunk, and four
are now cOOped between New Madrid and
Island No. TO-
STRENGTH OF THE REBEL WORKS.
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette
writes March IS:
The forti6eations on the island are not the
work of a week, perhaps not Of q month. There
is every evidence that the ground was selected
with aview to making desperate struggle,
and that the works were not erected to be
abandoned on the approach of our forces. How
many batteries there are, it seems impossible
to find out. Every different position our fleet
assumes reveals new defenses. We are now
confident that we will have not less than fifty
guns to silence-a majority of them very heavy
ealiber too.
THE PELICAN FLOATING BATTERY. 2
In company with a number Of army officers
l crossed the mainland on the Missouri eide,
yesterday, distance of about three miles, to
point directly opposite the foot of the island
Wo were not more than three-quarters of a
mile distant from the southern extreme of the
rebel Notifications. By tho aid of glass VIC
could see distinctly the operations of the enemy
Vast numbers of uniformed men wore Assem-.
blcd on the shore. A few regim ents were on
parade. marching and countcrmsrching to the
tune OF Dixie, dealt out by sable drummer
and scaly-loOkins fifer. What most attracted
our attention was floating battery, the most
formidable-looking object of offense or defense
yet presented to the Federal eve.
Those who have visited New Orleans within
few years past, will remember the Pelican
Dry Dock upon which river steamboats, were
constantly being repaired. The battery
allude to is mounted upon this dock, which is
not less than 200 feet in length The guns are
about six feet above the water. In the center
Of the battery there is a large iron apartment,
shaped Ike one of our gunboats, covered with
heavy iron, and designed for a protection to
the mon. think it mounts ten guns, certain
iy not less than eight, and none Of them small
er than 32-poupaers. | might mention en-
paSSaRt, that while we were scanning the
enemy's ranks, we saw a great smoke, heard a
loud noise followed by an atmospheric ''whizz"
which we interpreted as an earnest admoni-
going, but go at once; and almost simultaneous
ly with this, We saw the earth fly in miscella-
neous directions.
DETERMINATION OF THE REBELS
During the entire day the rebels displayed
great determination to hold out to the last
At half-past one o'clock their flag was cut
down by a shot from the Mound City. In the
midst OF the heaviest oannOnading, they plant
ed it on It's former site; and. that we might
take notice of the fact. one of their sOldiers
waved it with his hand for a quarter of an
hour.
Il is impossible for us to tell what amount Of
execution was done to the rebel Fort yester-
day. L am confident we dismounted no guns
but believe We killed a number of their men,
because at intervals we could see men carried
out of the Fort on hospital.
During last night they removed their tents
from The river bank, probably, back from tho
range Of our shell.