Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-04-17
A DARING FEAT!
The CarOndelet Runs the Blockade.
SURRENDER OF ISLAND No. 10.

The navigation of the Mississippiis
proved possible in spite of rebel bat
teries and rebel blockades. The U. S.
gunboat Carondelet ran the entiro
blockade of rebel batteries and boats
at Island No. 10, on the night of the
4th inst, and next morning was found
safely moored at New Madrid, having
received no damage whatever.
1t appears that, on Thusday night,
Sd inst, a conference Of our officers
was held, when it was decided that
some daring act must be performed in
order to relieve Gen. Pope's transports
from the dangers threatening them
by new battery erected by the reb-
els. 1t was decided that one of tho
gunboats must run the blockade, and
it is a matter Of credit, and finely re-
flccting the gallantry of our officers,
that each of them claimed the honor.
The Carondelct, however, being tho
fastest, to her was awarded the per-
formance of this hazardous and des-
perate enterprise. The sides of the
boat were protected by bales of hay
lashed firmly together and placed up
on scows, and the brave old Carondc-
let resembled farmers teams coming
into market. The portfolios were clos
ed, all lights extinguished, and the
strictest silence enioincd.
At eleven o'clock, the hour for start
ing, a furious thunder storm set in,
rendering the night intensely dark.
Nature was evidently with us, and
was throwing her dark cloak around
the solitary boat and her brave crew
for protection. The Carondelet, in the
midst of the storm, steamed slowly
out from the point, and passed down
towards the Kentucky battery. The
decks of the gunboats and transports
she was leaving were crowded with
anxious hearts, eagerly waiting for
her signal gun, which should announce
her safe arrival below the Island.
The wind was not very strong, but
the darkness and the lightning were
intense. The Carondelet passed the
first battery before she was discovered.
The second opened upon her as soon
as its guns could be brought to bear
but owing to the darkness, and tho
speed with which she moved, the fire
was totally harmless. The third bat
terry concentrated it's fire upon her,
but not shot struck the boat. The
effect of the vivid lightning was blind
ing, and this, with the speed Of her
movements, rendered an aim extreme
ly difficult to the gunners. She con-
tinued her course unchecked, and ran
by the fourth and fifth batteries with
the same fortunate result. Fifty-thrcc
shots were fired at her. The battery
on the head of the Island was the
most formidable, but none of its guns
took effect. About three miles below
the Island, the rebel floating battery
opened upon her, and delivered her
fire as long as she continued within
range. Not single shot took effect,
however. Acontinued fire of muskctry
was kept up from the shore, and bull
lets struck the boat, but all hands
were below and nobody was hit. This
fire is described as very hot and last
ing. All the troops on the line of the
shore poured in their fire as fast as
they could load and discharge.
The Carondelct did not fire a single
gun the entire passage. She pursued
her way in silence and with ports
closed. She passed the last battery
about an hour after she left the fleet.
The cannonading was perfectly audi
bic, and all awaited with intense anx.
iety for her signal of safety and sue
cess. 1t came finally in the form of
three guns, fred at intervals Of five
minutes, followed by repetition of
the same after a lapse of ten minutes.
The sound of the signal was received
with wild enthusiasm throughout tho
fleet, and shouts went up which walk
cd the echoes Of the night. The sue
cess of the attempt was thus cstab-
lished, and the details were looked for
with the greatest interest.
She was received at New Madrid
| with the greatest rejoicing, and con-