The Portland daily press., 1862-07-08

The situation at Vicksburg is very like that
at Fort Pillow and Columbus. Located on the
east branch of the river. on Il bluff ut least a
hundred feet high, the river makes a huge
curve round and sweeps under the bluff On
the Louisiana shore opposite is low neck of
land answering very closely to the description
of Craighead Point, except perhaps that it is
lower.
From the deck of the Fulton the tops of the
spires could be clearly seen, as also the upper
fort, with sentinels pacing on the parapet.
Even the glistening of his gun in the sun could
be discerned. OF course the smoke of the boat
could be seen by the enemy.
ANXIETY FOR THE MESSENGERS.
June Is, we went to the appointed rendez-
vous with the Fulton in the morning at eight
o'clock. No one there! Nine o'clock-not
here! Ten, eleven, twelve came, but not our
friends. In vain did we cruise up and down
for the signal of their coming! About ten VIC
saw a skiff on the Mississippi above with two
men in it, made chase and took them on board
One of them said that he lived three miles
above, and was on the way to Vicksburg for
physician to attend his wife, who was in the
pains of labor.
Thinking this might be an ingenious ruse
the colonel told the husband he would allow
him to go down, and retain his neighbor as a
hostage for his good behavior. He charged
him with the duty of ascertaining whether any
prisoners had been brought into Vicksburg
and what they were like, promising that if he
brought true report back, his friend should 60
free.
We were in a state of great trepidaton for
the safety of our friends, and feared greatly
they had been taken. About three, our hus-
band, with a doctor and nurse, came Juggling
up the river; we ran across, and heard that no
prisoners had arrived in Vicksburg, and the
whole party was sent on up the river. This
gave us some hope. But as four O'Clock came
and five passed, our spirits began to sink. We
were thinking of a hundred ways of rescuing
our friends, when we discovered a large body
of armed men in the woods Our sharpshoot-
ers were posted behind bulwarks for we did
not know but they would open upon us with
field artillery at any moment At length the
welcome signal was seen, white flag waving
from the shore; halfpast five, and every heart
was gladdened. We ran and took them aboard,
and bid the escort adieu.
ADVENTURES IN CROSSING.
The eagerness with which we welcomed
them, and listened to the story of their adven-
lures, may be imagined. The first thing, of
course, was the glad tidings of having brought
word from the fleet below. They had not
proceeded more than mile, the previous af-
ternoon, it appears, before they saw planter
coming on HORSEBACK, when they lodged into
W
had gotten by, however, a squad of rebel cav
airy came up, and they had the pleasure of
listening to several minutes conversation
about their own and the lower feet, quite I'M
noticed That danger over, they made their
way further on, and saw presently a detail of
pickets coming in along the line Of the vicks-
burg, Shreveport, and Texas railroad. They
had no alternative but to crawl back into
swamp knee deep in water, where they lay for
half N bnur ppyprpd ~ mo- NTH
being able to stir hand, or move head
They finally reached the opposite Shore and
walked down opposite the advanced vessels. In
order to attract attention they fired three bar
rels of a revolver, and showed white flag.
Soon after boats crew put out toward
shore, heavily armed, and at the distance of a
few yards parleyed with our party. After
much hesitation on their part. they came in.
ard took the five on board. They evidently
distrusted the character of the whole of them.
On being taken ON board the flagship they
found Com. Farragut was absent, but would
return the next day. They refused to give up
their dispatches, therefore. till he should come.
and were put under strong guard during the
night.
COM. FARRAGUT SENDS DISPATCHES NORTH.
Farragut came in the morning and read
their dispatches. Although unacquainted with
their signature, and even the existence of 1t
Col. Ellet, he did not doubt of the authentici-
~ of the mission. He emphatically expressed
his commentator Of the bravery OF the young
men who had undertaken the perilous bust
ness, as it was understood the rebels had the
point of land strongly guarded.
He spent some hours in writing dispatches
and letters in return, and then sent the mis-
sion ashore, with an escort of hundred well
armed men, as much to assure himself of the
truth OF the statements made by Lieut.. Ellet,
as to shield them from the rebels Strange to
say, we are informed that Com. Fdrragut had
not heard positively that Memphis ,cds in our
hands until so informed By young E1iet-
When the escort saw that the Stars and Stripes
were floating from the nondescript Fulton
they were satisfied of the genuineness OF the
news, and received it very thankfully Civil
ties were hastily exchanged, and both parties
made their way back to their respective rem
devious Cores. N. Y. World