The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-07

With muffled oars and under cover 81
the friendly darkness, tho boats advanced
cautiously along the edge Of the hank -
Owing 70 the furious violence of the storm
and the darkness, thcy passed the bend
unperceived, until they were within few
rods of the battery. For an instant blind
ing fash Of lightning glared across the
water revealing to the rebel sentinels dark
objects approaching them. The next in
slant the impenetrable darkness closed in.
The sentinels fred wildly three or four
times, the shots passing over the boats
without doing any damage, and then In
continently fed to their tents, which were
pitched npon high ridge some distance
hack from thu battery, evidently inpress-
ID with the alarming idea that the whole
Lincoln feet was upon them, and that
immediate humiliation stared them 10 the
face. Our boats made no reply. Not a
word was spoken. In two or three min
utes they touched the slope Of the earth
wefks. The boys sprang over the para
pet, slcdges and files we're busy, and !
few vigorous strokes told the tale. In
less than three minutes time all the guns
in the battery were spiked completely
and thoroughly. They were six 10 NUN
Der, III Of large .calibre-two sixty -fours,
three eight :. ard one Of them splendid
nine-inch pivot gun with cushion lock,
which received the personal attentions Of
Col. Roberts's brawny arm. II was un-
doubted the Lady Davis. In an incon-
ceivnbly short time the boats were on their
way back, blowing path through the
sarging waves at the imminent risk OF
submersion, as the current was washing
against them with fearful velocity. All
arrived safely, however, at the gun boats,
exulting over the glorious accomplishment
Of their important and dangerous mission.
The extreme darkns prevented learn
ing the plan Of defense. 1t was found,
however, that the entertainments were very
high, affording good protection. There
were no classmates, however, nor any pro-
lection against shell.
The news Of this daring and courage
Gus exploit passed through the feet like
wildfre this morning and caused the most
enthusiastic expressions upon every hand
Col Buford was in ecstacies. Assistant
Secretary Scott's usually placid and i'm.
perturbable face was lit up with smile
Of secret satisfaction, and the Flag Officer
found no terms too ardent with which 10
express his praise Of the gallant fellows
feat. It was in it's every phase, one d
the most daring exploits Of tho war. The
Oldest pilots upon the river say that they
cannot remember in theirrivcr experience,
so terrible storm of the same duratios
upon the Mississippi, and can scarce',
credit che fact that boat could live IL
the raging waters and furious current o
last night.
The rebel gunboat Grampus wa.
lying some distance from the battery with
steam down. As som NJ the sentinels
fred she commenced getting up steam
but owing TO the darkness of the nigh
and fury Of the storm, she did not ven.
ture out, deemins prudence the better
part of valor, and ignorant of how many
Of our gunboats were in the immediate
neighborhood.
One can imagine the vexation and rage
Of the rebel chiefs over their coffee thi.
morning, at this latest Yankee trick o
walking into their stronghold and spi
king their guns before their very eyes
and with their vAunted Grampus lying
alopgside Thus one of their most po
tent auxiliaries and most formidable OBJ
stacls 10 oar path has boon quietly clear
ed away.