Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-22

coolly informed they were signalling tier bal
terieS
The firing was resumed from the two stern
guns of the Benton, aud about ten O'Clock
commenced also by eight II urar boats, and
continued steadily through the day with some
effect The Benton fired fortyone shell wet,
so as to have the force of solid proiectiles, and
the mortars discharged about $50 shells dur.
ing the day. The shortest range was upwards
of two miles from the shore batteries, which
replied Intellectually, not shot reaching the
Benton or boats.
There are ten guns mounted on the island,
and the dry dock craft Grampus lies on.the
north side, mounting sixteen guns, but the
Benton aud mortar boats were ont of range of
all these. There are upon the shore FIVE
batteries, the lower one of which is nearly
opp 'siie the head of the island. The upper
one, which is near the water. mounts six
thirty two Founders, smooth and one old
forty FOUNDER, rifled The next below,
which is also near the water, mounts three
guns. Three others are upon the bluffs, along
the curve OF the Tennessee shore, extending
towards the island. The ground is such that
landing is difficult, if not impossible, on
account of the swamps. At about six o'clock
the Benton and mortar boats returned 10 their
moorng, a mile and a half up the river. The
works on the island are of little account, the
most important being those upon the Tennes.
see Shore"
Several rebel transports were lying behind
the island-the Ohio Belle, Mars, Yazoo, Gros
Tete. The Red Rover was sunk by the rebels
near the Missouri shore and opposite the head
Of the island
Mr.. Van Duzer thinks the rebels were
evacuating their positions as fast as possible
during the whole day. From a point on the
tennessee shore, opposite the island, there is
good road direct across the neck of the land
IN the lower bend of the river, striking the
Mississippi at erriweather's, some ten miles
below Point Pleasant. Transports from below
could receive the fugitives here and take
them TO Randolph aud Memphis 1t is prob.
able that more Of them will make their escape
by this route.
Commodore Foote intended to resume the
attack on Monday morning at shorter range. =,
Thus far we have not elected a single re-
Spouse from the enemy. He is evidently de-
termlned to expend no ammunition at long
ranges. We shall gradually work down to
close quarters tomorrow and hear from him.
He is in great force, his tents whitening the
shore and the islands for miles, and as far as
we can discern, numbering forty seven heavy
guns. His steamboats, are plying all the time
between the shores and island, while his float.
Ing battery, with sixteen guns, is moored be-
tween the island and the Missouri shore.
The distance from our position to the island
IS between two and three miles. The mortar
fleet is doing admirably. The effects of the
coneussion are much less than that at the ex-
pertinent at Cairo, and Capt. Maynadier says
he can work with one set of hands all day on
them, They have as yet been firing at long
range and rather uncertainty. The distance
VIII be lessened to morrow. No gunboat but
the Benton has done any work to day. The
transports are all lying above.