, 1862-04-19

~ A.
B.-Fedcral mortar boats
D.-Rchel gunboate.
Early this morning, the Silver Wsye went
down the river with Il accommodating party.
At nine o'clock the mortars were to wed do IN,
under protection Of the Pittsburg. Eight
were also stationed along the Arkansas shore
within half . mile Of the apex OF the poiut and
under heavy timber, which entirely conc:a1s
them from the view Of the enemy. The rule,
however, works both ways. It is equally din
cult for the mortar men to ascertain the elect
o1 i1tir shots, and as soon as Reconnaissance
shall determine the practicability and
safety Of it, the mortars will undoubtedly
occupy Localities where thei. practice will be
more effective. When they are fairly moorcd
very valuable arm Of the service in reducing
Fort Pillow. The extent Of the works and
their peculiar location aud elevation, render
Them Il much more eligible mark than the
ls1ro" strip ard dead level Of Island No. 10.
The Cincinnati, Cairo aud ST. Louis are at
present protecting these n1oriars. Further
up tl;e river, on thc slnc shore, tho CoDesto-
ga guards the ammunition bouts, and squad
! Of pickets thrown out through the woods.
Halfa mile above and behind some willow
that the steamer Bulletin some years since
ran high and dry upon them, Gen. Pope's
transIprts;are lying. Directly opposite, the lug
| ships, Mound City and Carondelet, are 1noored
| in front of the mortar ones. These positions
were all attained about two o'elock. From
the position Of the st. Louis, which lies in the
| streanl opposite the cleared field running back
nearly to the opposite shore Of the point,
can distinctly make out the rebel encamp.
ments, one Of them located upon the crown Of
| the bluff and the other midway down the
| bluff. From the appearance Of them, however.
| l should Judge there WAS but q small force up
on the bluff, about enough to man the works.
| about three O'Clock, We could sec from the
smoke that the rebel boats had returned and
| were slowly making their way up the river in
| our direction. Nearer and nearer they came
until they were just behind the head of the
point and only about half mile distant. The
| 1t. Louis and Cincinnati, the only boats nigh
at hand, the others being about mile distant,
went to quarters, and we eagerly watched for
the appearance OF the rebel craft around the
| point. We Ind made up our minds this time
that they had surely come up to attack US.
The old sailors were spelling for the fight,
aud watched the distant point with eager
eyes, put in vain Il q few minutes, mortar
No. 36 thundered forth its first welcome to
Fort Pillow. Seven Others in rapid success.
sion followed, making beautiful Shots At
the very first explosion, the rebel boats put
back for the Fort, and another chance for a
tight was lost. The mortar bombardment
Was kept up for three hours with great spirit
and apparently with good effect At sunset
they ceased firing, and splendid night closed
ID upon the landscape, Hooded With moon,
Light, and the feet retaining tteIr positions al
anchor.
About SIX O'Clock this evening the tug Ere
bus, lying near Gen. Pope's transports, tooA
fire and burned to the waters edge. Tht
! cause have not learned
Rumors are current in the feet, brought Ut
by refugees, that Memphis has been burned
The report, however, hardly seems credible
, unless some new turn in affairs favorable t,
! us has taken place at Corinth, of which VI
are Ignorant It would seem probable that
the rebels had ineane1y determined to bur
r The city, they would at least have awaited th
4, issue at Fort Pillow Although the positio
: has not the natural strength Of Island No. II
nor the same amount Of defence, still wit
: seeolute men, and the aid OF their gunboat.
they might make long and desperate rcsis
l ance. Time, however, will show. Rebel Ia
+ tics Of late on the Mississippi River are 4 pm
zle to me, and have done ProphecSlng:
, Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gazette.]
Z MISSISSIPPI ELoTnLA, EEAR FT. Pillow,
Tuesday Morning. April 1s, 1852.
!" 4 Tenneseean, residing near where tt
, feet ie now anchored, says there are stro1
intrcnchments short distance below US {
the Tennessee shore, called Fort Oceola, al
| that we vii meet NTH stubborn resiatan