The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-23
THE GLORIOUS ADVANCE OF THE FLEET
EIGHTEEN MILES BELOW New ORLEANS
April oath 1862.

THE GLORIOUS ADVANCE OF THE FLEET
EIGHTEEN MILES BELOW New ORLEANS
April oath, 1862.
closed my letter last evening at seven
O'Clock, not knowing that should ever have
an opportunity again to put pen to pa
per. In vain l attempted to obtain some
sleep so as to be physically prepared for the
contest which was to come off in few
hours. All hands seemed cheerful, but
there was marked feeling OF awe and res
0lution manifest in every countenance. |
will not attempt to describe the feelings of
any one whose face showed the inward work.
ings of their mind. We all felt that most
terrible battle was before us, and how we
were to escape being terribly cut up was to
US mystery not easily explained. Two
heavy works, something in the neighbor
hood of two hundred pieces, chain cable,
half dozen hulks, dozen or more steam>
ers we'll armed, a ram or two. fire RATS
without number, swift current, and
desperate foe, were among the number Of
things against which we knew We were to
contend. An accident to engines or SEE
rious collision, and we must all be lost.
GU cannot imagine how formidable each
of these things were in themselves, but,
combined, the odds against US seemed over
whelming. But trusting in our leaders,
and more than al, in that wise and over
ruling Providence who tavors the cause OF
right and justice, We felt almost sure Of
winning the contest.
THE CHAIN CLEAR-TuE sIGNAL FOR AD-
VANCE.
At about eleven O'Clock the Itasca sig
nalized that the chain was clear and that
we could go ahead when ready,
Everything was quiet around the feet,
save the Kissing sound Of the steam escap>
ing from the boilers. The night was mod
eratey dark and 4 gentle southerly wind
made the weather rather hazy. The NOR
tar vessels kept up an incessant roar, ard
bright globes assembled high alot to again
descend in fury at the forts. The second
division under Captain BaiIy of the Colora
do, formed On the left bank of the river,
while the third division was in centre OF the
lines, the first division lying on the right
bank OF the river.
AT one O'Clock all hands were called ham
mocks slowed, and everything put in read
mess to weigh anchor at two o'clock.
1t was a solemn time, assure you. The
hour seemed but few moments. The
memories of score of years fitted through
the mind, and all the courage We possessed
was screwed up Tor the event.
THE BATTLE SIGNAL.
At two o'clock two red lights at our
peak announced the time to get under
weigh. had the honor to hoist the signal
with my own hands. Owing to some I'M
foreseen delays the second division did rot
start at the signal, and as they had the
longest road to travel, it was necessary for
Us to wait until they started. At three
o'clock the moon rose, and a si!very path
was marked out on the swift waters Of the
river, so soon to be the stage on which the
greatest naval fight has ever transpired.
The moon had lifted itself above the hori>
ION just thirty minutes when away we went
for the battle ground. In the dim distance
could be seen the signal fires of the enemy,
built to light up the river and reveal our
position TO him. On we steamed with
hearts big with expectation.
THE REBELS OPEN FIRE.
~ plAS!cSiJ NHSuIJ iI'ihutSS W ioGA
o'clock the enemy opened fire FROM Fort St.
Philip. At that moment | hoisted our
largest Star Gpangled Banner at the peak,
and then Fastening forward, decked the
fore and main each with an emblem OF
power and justice. lhree American en-
signs were floating il q gentle breeze. Full
speed was given to the ship, the engineers
did their duty molly, and Oh we went as
it were into the jaws OF death At the
time tie enemy opened fire the mortar YES.
sells went to WORK, aud the rapidity with
which they threw shells at the rebels was
truly wonderful.
THE FLAG SHIP JOINS IN THE FIGHT.
At five minutes of four o'clock our bOw
gun belched forth fire and smoke and a
Messenger in shape OF a nine inch shell, was
sent TO fort Jackson-tha work, by the
way, which we were to attend to, Ia q
few minutes mere the broad side firing wao
commenced Both forts were replying as
fast as they could Broadsida after broad
side w0S being delivered to them 10 rapid
succession, while the mortar vessels were
adding to the dreadful noise.
THE HEIGHT OF THE BATTLE.
SnOt, smell, grape ana c mister H!ied me
air With deadly missiles 1t was like The
breaking up of thousand worlds--crash
--teaE- whiz Such another scene was
never witnessed by mortal man. Steadily
we steamed on, giving them shell, the forts
firing rifle shot ard shell, ten inch coiumbi-
ads, forty two, thirty.two and twenty-four
pounder balls; and, to add to this state @!
otIaiIs, thirteen steamers and The floating
battery Louisiana, Of the enemy, were
pouring into and around as hai! storm of
iron perfectly indescrloable. Not satisfied
with their firing, fire raft after fire raft was
lit and set adriit to do their work of burn
ing The Ram was busy at work trying
to shove them under the bows of our vess
sci.
THE BARBETTE GUNS sILENCED.
AS we drew near abeam Of the forts we
intermingled grape with shell, which
had the effect to silence in a measure the
barbette guns. The shot from the enemy,
which for some time had gone over US, now
began to cut US through.
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE FLAG OFFICER.
While In the port mizzen rigging the
H.. nf1oor ,,,rrouclu ooooo ho:,o h;t