The Portland daily press., 1862-07-23

the 18th Regiment, to his mother i'm this city,
which we are permitted to copy, gives graph
ic and interesting account of an affair in which
portion of that Regiment participated.
New ORLEANS, La, June 20th, 1862.
wrote you last Monday from Lakeport, to
inform you that l was bound for parts un-
known, and not knowing as you would hear
from me again, for at that time things looked
dark; on account of our delay which gave the
rebels plenty of time to receive information,
and reinforce. But we have accomplished all
that we undertook and have returned without
losing man. Shortly after writing you we
were ordered to embark on board of the steam
er J. Morgan, Brown, after which two compa-
nies were transferred to the steamer Grey
Cloud, and also squad of sailors with two
heavy guns. Our boat carriedone section of the
4th Mass, Battery, consisting of two lbs. pieces
rifed. 1t being late in the evening when we
got every thing aboard, we spread our blankets
on the deck and slept until A. NJ, when we
cast our lines from the wharf and started on
our expedition, accompanied by the gunboat
New London, and river boat, Grey Cloud. We
had pleasant passage across Lake Ponchar-
train, and arrived at the mouth of Pass Man-
chac, where we formed in a line, the Cloud tax
ing the lead, the N. l.. next and we last, we
sailed about half mile when we came to the
Island, and proceeded up the north pass which
is very narrow, and CT ooked as snake. The
scenery was wild, and romantic, it being an
impenetrable swamp on the Island, and main
land, with heavy growth of trees, wild flow
ers and palm-leaf We proceeded slowly ex-
pecting every minute to run afoul of some
masked battery. After we had gone part way
up, we came to place just wide enough for
the N. l.. TO pass. She carries heavy guns;
everything went on smoothly for a short time,
when We were saluted with large rifed shell
which passed through the n. London's rigging,
cutting off one OF the chains which supports
her smoke stack, and exploded the other side
ofus. Each boat then opened fire, ignorant
of the position ofthe Battery, which was splen-
didly located to fire on us, as we came round
the bend, but we came to fight, and not to run
So we kept right on as though nothing had
happened until we came in sight of the Bat
terry when the N. l.. gave them salute with
her largest gun which passed over one of their
guns and struck the Railroad Bridge, making
the wood and iron fly in every direction; at
the same time we gave them two II lbs. pills
which started them in double quick time on
the retreat, which they executed handsomely.
The boats then run into the Bridge, bow on
the N. London striking first, her officers and
crew started for the Battery armed to the
teeth, and planted the American Flag on it.
The two companies from the Cloud keeping in
pursuit, and firing on the run. The rebels
took to the Swamp, and our boys returned to
the Battery spiked, dismounted the guns, (of
which there were two so lbs) burned the
wheels and carriages, brought all of their
camp equipage, and then demolished the bridge
by ripping up the track and burning the wood
work.
During that time, two companies from our
boat were sent across the island TO find the
other batteries, and take them from the rear on
the railroad, which is built in canal through
the swamp, and rather dangerous walking over
the sleepers for and a halt miles. After they
had started, l was ordered to take a man with
L.
loaded my pockets with bandages, &C., and
started, armed with my sword, which ground
before leaving home. overlook them about
half way across, and went in advance with
Capts. Appleton and Winter, with the skir-
mishers. When we got most to the bridge.
which was boarded, the order was given to fix
bayonet and charge, which was done in good
order. But they were too smart for u.s. When
we got in at one end, they were leaving at the
other, and making tracks for the woods Our
boys gave them one round but did not stop
them, the bridge being 100 feet long. We
then took possession of the first battery, spiked
the guns, crossed the bridge, seized the second
and did likewise, after which we proceeded to
inspect their quarters which were on the
bridge. We found lots of commissary stores,
muskets, ammunition, tents (made of table
cloths), silk flag, two prisoners, and various
other articles too numerous to mention. |
then jumped on to hand car with Lieut.. Wal
ton and started for the North Pass, where the
boats were lying We reported to COL KIM
ball, and he and the doctor started up. After
staying about two hours the Colonel returned.
While they were gone, the n. L. and Cloud
started down the river, and went round the
island up the South Pass to the upper batter