Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-15
be entland Aerala.
THURSDAY, MAY Is, 1862.
kuARKS OF HON. JAMES w
1 GRIMES, OF IOWA.
L,,d in the Senate Of the United States,
March IS, 1862.

Committee of the Whole, the joint reso-
IS No. 64 expressive Of the thanks of
res to Captain A. II. Foote, of the
4 States Navy, aud to the officers and
bpder his commandin the western fotilla,
GRIMES said:
PRESIDENT l conceive it TO be my
and it certainly is great pleasure to
call the special attention of the Senate
achievements Of the newly-created
6otlla on our western waters, and TO
alIant part borue by ~ officers and men
], armed rtteis IN Kcu'urkv and Tenn
Sur5ly 10 OUT eouln more properly
ood OF the deeds OF our Army ia that
.r than a Senate from Iowa. Yet, |
hat whatever adds TO the glory of our
in the recent conAlcrs in he West, adds
the glory OF the Army, and that the
branches Of the service have been and
eOnjoined that no rivalry ought to exist
Zen them, except virtuous emulation in
erformance OF patriotic duty. No exam
Eau be found in the history OF any coun-
more mpoItant results, attained in an
time, in an untried field of naval enter
than those we have lately witnessed on
ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cum
pd rivers; and feel assured that the
fses which have thus far been achieved,
surpassed by the same forces wherever
fan find an enemy with whome to cope
len Cairo and New Orleans.
the 10th day Of May last, Commander
Rogers was ordered by the Secretary
Navy to proceed to Cincinnati, and
chase or commence the construction of
gunboats for service on the western
Under bi. auspicies the three boats,
Lexington, and Coneslega, were pur-
and fitted up for war purposes. They
ut in commission, aud reached Cairo.
ONE delay arising from the low stage
er in the Ohio river, on the 18th of
Commander Rodgers taking charge
Taylor, and assigning Commander
NO the Lexington, and Lieutenant
totne Conestoga. The Taylor carried
guns, of large calibre, the Lexington
hd the Cones,oga four. Here was the
ming of the western fotilla. We all
hber the uniavorable criticisms indulge d
ZEN these three stern wheel steamers, wi b
asings, arrived at that military post
said they would be shaken to pieces by
coil of their own guns others that they
be speedily sunk by the shore guns OF
fbels while not few were alarmed by
of Hollin's ram butting them to pieces
hpunity. From the day they reached
destination TO the present no rebel Graf
own itself ten miles above Columbus
10 rebel force, OF any description, ba:
Fed on the two rivers in proximity
could be deemed threatening to theil
etion, or to the two cities of St. Loui:
alro A few experimental trips dis
all doubts of their efficiency; and when
FOple became assured that they would
work they were intended for, all fears
ebel incursion into any of the north,
fn States, other than Missouri, were al
pel!ed, A band of Jefferson Thomp
OTHERS did, indeed, make demonstra
s'ng the Mississippi liver, in Angus
rom the town OF Commerce, Missouri
tue first intimation that the gunboat
coming, they fled, with what booty they
lay their hands on, pillaged impartial.
friends and foes on the Missouri shore
poon of security to the people Of tn,
western States is debt due, in no small
G, TO those wooden gunboats; for, how
numerous and brave our armies, j
have been impossible, with them alon
Ne guarded all points on our river line
cur people we're not only protects
aanger OF invasion, but they were ena
% give all their time and energies t
ralons for those offensive movement
nave reclaimed SO much important tel
rom the domination of the enemy.
the 2Sd of September, Commando
efS was detached from service in tb
and Captain A. H. Foote was ordere
.e command as flag officer. Since thu
tue following boats, with iron-clad bow
Usen built or prepared for service, an
" the fotilla under his command: 5
,nifteen guns, Lieutenant Pauldine
nuelet, thirteen guns, Commando
~, fittsburg, thirteen guns, Lieutenal
-sOn ~ Louisville, thirteen guns, Con
VI Dove; Cincinnati, thirteen gun
uauI er Stemble; Essex, five gun
"'nd er Porter. Mound City, thirtee
n. nis' engagement of the gun boats wi
r'Iiy took place on the 9th of Septeu
y, Lacass a Bend, in the Mississippi rive
i Instance above, and in full view
oan nOei stronghold at Columbus. In tn
baI ieht the Lexington, Command
Il ' -, and the Conestoga, Lleutena
r. y Shenced two shore batteries, dlsperst
Il H. ooay of rebel cavalry, and so d
,oo" u0 reoel gunboat Yankee that she b
zen heard Of since.
tou we 18th of October, the Conestoc
nsn; ,,nant Phelps, proceeded, with tbr
M o. Illinois volunteers, sixty-t,
prp 'he tennessee river to Eddyvil
Id "here they jointly attacked al
bo,aseo eoei eneampement, bringing awi
Is. . arms, camp equipage, and neg
r. e :, could hardly have been an occasi
bor. ue presence OF an efficient nav
3elm'0a.s was more necessary than at the bat
len I, Isa., fought on the 7th day of Nc
last and there has beenvno conf,