Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-02-20
THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT
Zen .r. 81 HENRY. aaa

The New York Herald contains an in
teresting letter from correspondent who
witnessed the bombardment of Fort Hen
~, giving graphic account of that bril-
liant action. After giving list of the
gun boats engaged, and the order of their
sailing, and of their approach to a posi-
ton within range of the Fort, the writer
proceeds: '' ,.
But, as ifby preconcerted arrangement,
when all hands beat to quarters, there
came silence interrupted only by the
laborious putting of the steamers. On
moved the fleet; not word was spoken.
The silence was suggestive, almost OPP
pressive but it was of short duration,
In short time the head of Panther Is
land was reached by the first four boats,
and the rebel Notifications, with rebellion
in brilliant colors floating over them, were
in full view The boats moved into line
of battle, and at thirty-six minutes past
twelve the flag ship opened fire, throwing
an eight inch shell, the Carondelet anoth-
err and the st. Louis and Essex on the
instant hurting eighty-pound rife shells
straight into the Notifications As the
sound of our guns reached the troops on
shore, they burst into the widest cheers
and involuntarily broke into double
quick. The rebel batteries replied with
all the guns they could bring to bear,
The battle was now fairly opened. The
rebels used eleven guns, including a riAed
twenty-four, and monster throwing one
hundred and twenty-eight pound shot.
The gun boats, using only the bow guns.
had in the action the same number OF
eight-inch Dahlgrsn and six and seven
inch rifles. The action was commenced
at range of one and a half miles, using
fifteen second fuses. The cannonade was
| now almost incessant, the guns on both
sides being remarkably we'll served. Our
gun boats kept steadily on their course,
firing as fast as the pieces could be
charged. Without checking their speed
an instant, they continued, with their bows
on, straight for the fort, every moment
indicating fixed, Interchangeable deter
mination to run straight TO the rebel bat
teries. As soon as the three rear boats.
Conestoga, Lexington and Tyler-reached
the head of the island, they opened with
their heaviest guns, throwing shell over
the other boats. About fifty minutes after
| the engagement commenced, forty-two
pound shot struck the Essex just above
the port, on her port bow, killing instantly
S. B. Britton, Masters Mate, cutting hi
head completely of-passing through th,
bulwark, and stove in one of the Aues O
the starboard boiler. The boat was in
{ stantly filled with steam. The pilo.s-
Marsh Ford, Of Pittsburg, and Jane Nc
. Bride, Of Cincinnati-were scalded SO ths
they died instantly. Ford was found wit
one hand on the wheel and the other O
, the bell rope.
Twenty-six of the officers and men wer
3 killed and wounded, but one by shot,
? The Essex, being completely disable,
e dropped down the stream, and was towe
1 by a tug to Camp Halleck. At this tin
: the rebels, encouraged by the disabling
/ the Essex, redoublcd their fire, raining
f storm OF shot and shell upon the remain
v ing three boats. Our boats still kept q
4 up to within three hundred yards OF Il
e fort, never ceasing their fire until, at fort
- - "a s.rs.-.. -. =. 49, y