The New York herald., 1862-03-26

leaving NO balloon Reconnaissance mas yes Deen made on
account Of high winds.
Our n1ississipPi River Correspondencc.
NEAR ISLAND No, 10. I
MIsszssrPr1 RIVER, March co. 1852.
TIE OssatoR Of tke Bobdrdsen AccosH Of TIE Raging
Elemens-TAe Storm Fduors the Ememy, oho conssnues
His Fsrins-He "Aims at the Hop" but Does Little
Dama0e-A Reconnaissance Of the Enemys Works and
Its Results-TAree New Forts Erected in Siuty Howrs-
The Rebels Scarce Of Guns, in Splendid Position
The Confederate 7hermopyo" Describsd-7he Spirited
Engagement at Point Pleasant-Daring Espsoi Of an
Officer Of the Illinois TDenty seventh Regiment on
Account of High Water, Gc., dc.
Comparative quiet has reigned in this vicinity since
the closing of the bombardment Tuesday-ony an oc
casiona report from m0rtars and the flying about OF
the little steam tenders giving any signs Of life or
activity This silence has been owing to the fact that
since twelve O'Clock Tuesday night strong south
wind has been raging which has transformed the
usually placid river into miniature ocean, tho
surgng the feet Of gunboats and mortar RATS so lively
preclude the possibility Of firing from them with
any degree Of accuracy This feature in the elements has
been especial favor to the enemy for their batteries
being land, and not affected by the action OF the
waters could play upon better than II tho day
had been clear and the air motonloss the wind blow
ing as did, directly OF the ensmys works, added dig
the range their guns Several Of the shots from
their batteries few completely the island and
the point the land and struck in the river right
In the midst Of feet. Their fire, however, did not
seem to be directed to any particular boat or locality
but choice expression Of the Western classics,
they "Ared at the heap and derned the difference" Our
people took advantage Of the necessity which compelled
their hostile inacton and devoted the day TO coang the
steamers shifting the positions Of the mortars and put.
ting the whole dsst in the best possible fighting cond
tion.
~ ~ tko Henf and
your correspondent made thorough reconnaissance OF
the enemys works. from the Missouri shore opposite the
results of which are advantageous to though
takcn Of their forts. We went down the river
bank point about half milo below their lower bat
terry and close their works that we could easily dis
cover the number and position or their guns and the
strength of their earthworks. We found no less than
| three new forts, which had been erected during
tho preceding sixty hOurs-one pierced for seven,
| and tho other two for ton guns each Tho
| pieces ready for mounting lay upon tho shore
near by, and mon were busy putting them in
their places. These, when mounted, will mako sixty
eight guns with whicn will have to contend, and
think tho ond Of their defensive preparations not yo
reached. There many other points upon the island
and shore which be easily fortified each one Of
which would be advantageous either Of tho others
The only difficulty in the of their being 80 fortified is
tho scarcity Of guns and 1t by no means certain that
| they have not abundance and considering the de-
fences already completed and IN OF construction
It evident that the enemy determined to hold the
place at all hazards. They boast that they will make
| this tho "Confedorate Thormopyl9."
To give your readers better idea OF the ensmy's
strength aud position let say that the river at this
point makes a short like the in the letter
U, and the rebel forts and encampmcns upon its
radius. The first fort. mounting eight large guns
is built just at the commencement Of the first curvo
where the leaves its southwark and bends
of to the westward and commands tho whole channel
above within range Of its artillery. This fort low
down upon tho rivers 0auk and at present entirely sur
rounded by water being protected in its rear by strong
dykes. The channel OF the river here sets in close TO
tho Kontucy shore. and sand bar extending out from
'tho pont the Missouri shore. nearly across tho
river fleet into the very portfolios OF the
| enemy's works. lhrec-quarters OF : milo below this
and further around 1.-THE bend stands the second fort,
mounting guns, two Of which at least arc ried sixty
rours. This like the other Is Guilt low down upon ths
shore but II is just at the base OF the blu requires
no land side works TO protect from nundation The
| guns of this fort command tho first one well
| IS the river, but those Of the first are SO ar
ranged that they cannot be readily brought
| to bear upon anything below them. should
that the upper fort has extra defence s
upper flank the existence of deep bayou lagoon,
| which extends up into tho country, and prevents
land force from attacking it from above Back from the
second fort, and parallel with IT, just ut the top OF
the bluff which here Is perhaps twenty feet above tho
surface the river the third fort mounting eight
guns with casemaies for four From where
boats lie in the river thcse two orncatons present the
|
but from the Missouri shore, where stood yesterday,
| fort No. would seem TO be about throc hundred
| yards in the rear Of No. . Extending along the
| main shore below No. fort, are a line OF fonts
sufficient should judge, to accommodate three or four
regiments Of infantry. About quarter OF mile below
| No g. and lust opposite tho head of the island,
stands the fourth fort mounting sovon guns upon its
front This fort also upon the bui at about the
same attitude OF the third one and line with
| at right angles the island. That on the island
Is small concern, mounting only three guns. About
six hundred yards below the fourth fort Is the main fort
of the enemy This Is also upon high ground and
an about four with bastions aud aud side
decnces The number OF guns IN this work Is unknown,
as the willows upon the island obstruct our view; but
Inside in the OF this fort Is the principal rebel
encampmcn. This work term fort No. q, the small
ono the island being No. s. Below No. are two un-
finished (Nos and ~ whichare intended to mount
ton guns each spoken OF In the first part OF this letter.
These are the last oarthwoks until arrive ut point
opposite the foot OF the island, where We find No 3,
mounting six guns Opposite to this on the island and
ranging the main channel OF tho river Is fort No.
o. the same that play ing upon us yesterday can
count but four guns in this battery, though should
Judge that from tho Importance OF Its position, its art
ery strength much greater In the rvcr at the foot
Of this last lies tho great oatng battery constructed
from the Algers Dry Dock, which mounts upon its deck
| o less than ten huge guns which report says are
rined -four pounders It's guns stand out boldly
upon deck the water ne and the gunners have
no protection whatever while Mt work, though large
bombproof retreat Is erected about ldsbps 10 cover
| the when not Ia action
The and location Of these works evidence
that rebels have not only engineers OF the highest
order OF genius but they have also tho most perfect
knowledge Of the machinery OF our totilla and have
erected their ortcatons with especial reference to our