The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-05-27

4
fly I. few vrlI-directed shells aud DROP
back again. Their appearance was . sure
signal for the forts TO open fire on them
with all the guns they can bring to bear
/, was marvel how they ever escaped
with the shot dropping around them like
hail-stones.
The enemy used to amnse themselves
by sending down fire raits upon us. We
were always treated with at last one a
night, They evidently had high opin-
ion OF their efficiency ever since the
..Pope,s Run" affair, when they didsueh
good service, but with us they were a
signal failure. We would call away al
our boats at signal, make fast to them,
and tow them ashore, where they could
burn with impunity. Our men rather
liked the fun. One of the fire RATS they
actually boarded and extinguished the
flames before it reached the feet.
Of course it became necessary to cut
the chain before we could proceed up the
river. This it was first intended to do
BY means Of boats. Accordingly on the
night of the goth an expedition Of three
boats, manned entirely by volunteers
from this ship, was organised to accom-
plish the hazardous undertaking. This
plan was, however, abandoned and only
one boat was sent up that light to recon-
noitre. They found that the hulks sup
porting the chain were strongly guarded.
SO it was well the boats did not 60 up, for
We would probably have been repulsed.-
The following nigh. the chain was cut BY
three of our gunboats. This was accom-
plishcd without any loss on our side.
On the night Of the 22d we went to
sleep with the fullest expectation Of be-
ing called up at two or three o'clock in
the morning TO attack. On the afternoon
before, the Flag Officer had assembled all
| the commanders of vessels on board his
| ship, gave them their instructions, and
announced his intention of going up the
next morning. but for some reason he
changed his mind and the night passed
with no more eventful incident than visit
from gre raft. We were all disappoint-
ed At the delay, but it was only post
ponement for twenty-four hours. At E
o'clock on the morning Of the Gath, !
memorable day for Us, al hands were
called. and 1t 8 o'clock VIC got under way,
took our position in line, and the whole
feet moved slowly and silently up the
river. Soon the forts discovered our ap
pro.ch and opened with al their guns
upon our foremost vessel. either the
Brooklyn or the Hartford, do not know
which. She replied with her whole
broadside, the fash lighting up her hull
and rigging for moment with startling
distinctness, and then all relapsing into
darkness again; but other vessels began
to come within range and the flashes and
reports became more and more frequent
until the crash Of artillery was almost
deafening. The ramparts Of the forts
seemed but lines Of FIRE. The flashes
from the broadsidcs Of our vessels were
almost incsssant. The mortar boats had
increased their fire until seven or eight
shells were constantly in the air. / think
without doubt it was the most magnificent
| spectacle that the war has produced
But we had little time for observation,
for We, too, soon entered the storm Of
shot and she'll and were engaged in the
thickest Of the fight.
During the rest Of the fight can only
speak Of our ship, my attention being
fully occupied with my own guns. W.
passed Close under the guns of the forts
pouring broAdside after bsoadsids into it
At one time thought we must surely b
aground. It seemed as though ! man
could jump ashore from the deck. Fol
an hour and half VIC were exposed Il
this heavy IRE from 500 guns, The sharp
hiss Of the she'll passing over and about
us and the heavy thump Of shot striking
the ship we're simost incsssant. 1t seemed
impossible that we should escape with
such slight loss through SO tremendou,
. fire, but most Of their sholl passsd
! through tAe rigging.
i Two men we're killed near me-one
Master Nate and former classmate d
mine at the Academy, by rife ball, and
one man by fragment Of shell. -Four