The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-04-25

Tennessee shore. The firing was very ac-
curate and from very heavy guns. The st.
Louis Carondolet, and Cairo, stationed at
picket ships near the extremity of the point,
were obliged to move up the river several
times to get out of range. a skiff attached
to mortarboat was hit by shell and
dashed to pieces. The shells flew thick and
fast all about the gunboats, but none were
hit.
On Thursday night the mortars COM
menced firing at eight o'clock, the enemy
replying Immediately, and the fire was kept
up until midnight. A rebel shell exploded
directly above the stern awnings Of the ST.
Louis, slightly injuring one man in the
wrist. Another shell struck the broadside
casemate of the Carlo, but did no damage.
The firing ceased at midnight. Yesterday
but little was done except few shots We're
fired by the mortars in the morning. In
the evening the mortars were shifted from
the Arkansas to the Tennessee shore for
their great protection. In their past local
ity they have been in great danger from
bands of rebel scouts prowling through the
woods. These scouts have already cut the
levees in two or three places, to embarrass
the operations of the mortars.
Deserters are being rapidly taken both
from the rebel gunboats and from their bat
teries. They say that nearly all the crews
of the gunboats have been impressed, and
so great is the fear of the officers lest they
desert, that they frequently muster them
every hour in the day. The batteries now
mount about forty guns, very heavy. They
have sixty more guns, which they have been
( rapidly putting in position within the last
few days.
Bragg has arrived, and succeeds Gen.
| Villipigue, hitherto in command.
There are about 5000 troops there
Both troops and guns are from Pensacola.
There are but four gunboats in the river
the Maripan, Macray, Pontchartrain, and
Livingston, mounting total oftwenty four
guns. The Ivy has gone to New Orleans,
with Hollins on board. The Gen. Polk is
at Memphis, repairing. Captain Engee is
acting Commodore in Hollins' absence. An
independent company at Memphis has five
boats below Fort Pillow, intended to Crap
pie on to our fleet and take it down to
Dixie. There are four rams at New Or
leans; among them the Manassas.
I Active operations are not expected at
present. Com. Foote suffers severely from
his wound received at Donelson.
CAMP NEAR SPARTA, April 20.
Every thing is quiet in front of us.
Yesterday cavalry reconnaissance pene-
trated the valley for several miles towards
! ! Harrisonburg, and report that there are
large quantities of forage and provisions
there.
Deserters report Jackson's advance at
McGuaghristown, east OF Harrisonburg, and
still retreating.
Ashby's command still forms the rear
guard.
Signal officers report that the cavalry of
the enemy was in sight yesterday after
noon. Deserters believe that Jackson
means to cross the Blue Ridge and reach
Gordonsville. Others think he intends
making detour to attack our left flank
| YORKTOWN, April II.
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of
War:
| During Tuesday and Wednesday the gun
boats amused themselves by shelling the
woods below Gloucester. One Of them ap-
preached within two miles Of Yorktown yes
terday morning, when the rebels opened
from new battery concealed in the woods
The boat having obtained the position Of
their guns, returned to her position without
receiving any damage.
, The firing to day was renewed at long
intervals.
! The rebels yesterday morning, with one
! thousand men, commenced to strengthen ;
battery located about three miles to the let
e of Yorktown, when a battery was broush
] to bear. causing them to beat hasty re
e treat. The rebels opened with their Eeav,
guns, when second battery was brcugh
forward. A brisk fire was now kept up 70
about four hours, during which three Ct th
enemy's guns were dismounted, when boil
parties ceased for while, but was resumed
on our part late in the afternoon, and con
Il tinued till daylight this morning, effectuall.
g preventing the rebels from repairing tn
0 damage they had sustained.
S The loss of the enemy must have beel
S considerable, as the firing Of our artiller
y was very accurate.
n Our loss was, Sergeant Barker, Secon
l. Michigan, killed, and F. Page, Company Z
Third Michigan regiment, both feet she
T off; also four horses which were killed;
y Yesterday Richard Painter, of Berdan
sharpshooters was probably fatally she
while on picket.
Other engagements took place yesterda
further to the left and near James river,
which our troops showed very great galan
ry. The results have not yet been fully a
l. certained.
N Terrible Scenes on the Battlefield {
A. Pittsburg.
as The Pittsburg correspondent of the S
Louis Democrat writes:
For half mile pressed on through tt
forest, which covered the entire surroundr
q Il 81