New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-24

al the upper end Of the line of tents 'i' -
rosa n flout of white seoke which suuue'y
10 blue. apd Was followed by report :"
saoo,1s =, r;aodsbot came glanoing alons 'io '''O'
Al, .o,,.;re. 49,, tho water; but 1t was i~l " -
- e, en- sbor. al least three-fourtns VI "ii'e
mn: 80 1o,.ss setted the question that the enemy
a -, there and as we had now dfoPlcu
,...,'..o.or ,ys could count its seven guns, WIN
,,.orrs of men Standing about them' IL was ."o
80 oud a quarter below us, and we now pi'eucu
.ho,, into the woods, far over their heads, ny way
90 chewing them thst our range was the greater'
The Gre OF the Iaortars was Immediately turned TO-
,yorl them, and our guns sent their missiles ID INC
same direction. After each explosion, we stood on
tiptoe. with strained eyes, 70 strike. The IN
terval was not more than fifteen scconds but TO our
eager senses il seemed five mnutes. The shells from
our nortars fell with good deal Of accuracy, ana
were watched with great interest, az 1t Is the hrst
mortar practice in this country, with Projeetes OF
that size.
THE BATTERY slLENCED.
The enemy soon replied again, with shot rom
one OF his other guns but it fell as wild and as l
short as the firs. He tried third gun, with the
came result; and afterward fourth, when "Se
little better, but the shot fell fully half mile from
us. Our shells bad been falling IN the WOODS anu
water. about the battery; but now one OF 'hein
struck the ernbarkmeni, and filed the ar WIN 'io
fyine dirt. We could see the men running away
and a moment after no one remained there eAcept
solitary Rebel, wrapped in a white blanket. for
the rest Of the day the battery slenced ana he
enemy did not re az US from any of bis other WORKS.
We DID not drop much nearer 10 it, however, ~ we
could now zee two more batteries below, among Tie
tents and barracks, with yellow hospital flag tying
between s,en snd they both commanded IL
CLOSING FOR THE NIGHT.
We continued 70 throw occasional experiments"
shells at the leland and the Transports to obtain the
range. but only fired about forty during the whole
afternoon. Before dark the rata were in tow by
,ransport. and We all moved half mile Up stream,
and tied to the Missouri shore for The night.
The experience Of the DAY shows that the enemy b
position is very strong; and though bis worhe arc
much lower than those at Columbus, il Is more d'i
cult 10 approach them, and to find good cover Tor
the iuortar-rafs. We have already do'ecied nearly
forty of his guns including those Of the floating Rat
terry. and how many more he h0s we can only SUE
mise. Jud1 ne from the long array Of tents and bar
rscbs, he must also be very strong ID numbers.
i Commodore Fooe hae been upon deck from daylight
until dark. notwithstanding his wound and feeh'e
health. The Benton IL 70 large, aud so deep in TIE
water that the Airing Of her heavy guns produces but
eight jar. IL has not broken single pane Of gl.ss
to-day, nor in,efered as much with writing as The
shaking of an ordinary steamboat. But ing the
firing of tbs stern guns curious spectators standing
upon the wheelbouse, which is the highest point on
, the boat, and almos, directly over 'hen, r.c.ye
heavy shocks; several Of then. tonight complain OF
headache and general soreness to degree which is
paying high price for their sightseeing.
1 SUNDAY, March 10.
SECOND DAY.
Eight mortar RATS were brought down this morn
ing and made fart 10 tie Missouri shore, several
hundred ysrds lower than the two yentured yesie'
dav. One or two Rebel transports came boldly up
an front OF their second battery on the Tennessee
shore. We sent I. couple Of Tihed shells in parsut
{ and. though We could not quite reach diem, they
took the sar, turned about and made The best pos
sibie time behind the point.
FLAG OF TRUCE---A nC>E.
The men ct ,he upper Rebel battery, which ~
silenccd yesterday were again at their posi' this
morning. At O'Clock, they exhibited white flag,
essily dstinguishabe from tho Benton aud waved IL
for fifteen minutes IN if endeayoring 10 attract our
a attention a white flag ia answer was difpla! ed
from our staff, and Lieut.. Bshop, upon one Of the
+ tu,s, went down 10 zee what was wanted. A. soon
G "a we answered il, the Rebel white Gag became III
visible Lieut.. Bihop bis tug down to she shore
III front of fher battery, where he could sec 'ba
consisted OF ssven 3.-pounders from the NofoiE
Nsvy-Yard, altogether unprotected and could detect
n great aperture in the bank, where our shell ex-
ploded Yesterday. The officer in commando tai,
well-proportcned Prussiau the only in the party
who wore 4 uufora,-receiyed him, and this blief
colloquy occurred;
\ Lieut. BishOp-Do We understand your signal
right, that you wish 70 communicate with ne 2
! Re5el OGctr-No, Sir !. 10 ~ mistake.
| Lieut.. Bishop--'rhen why did yon display white
flag
Rebel OGcer-J acknowledge that j. is our fault;
! myself was deceived by IL; have only just arrived
here, and learn tina, it merely signal to for
t6catons below. regret ne mistake.
! Lieut.. Bshop-Good morning. Sir.
Reja OGeer-Good morning
And the little propeller started back. The Rebel
gunboat Grampus now appeared in sight around the
bend, with a white tag flying, to Induce Lieut..
Bishop come 10 her; hut after this he wac
convinced that il merely 10 gain time for
some purpose; so he returned Immediately to the
Benton, leaving the GFempus to follow if she had
any contamination 20 make. She came on for
short distance, and then turned back around the
point.
THE COMMANDMENT RESUMED.
Three p. M.-Soon after Lieut.: Bishops return
our mortars opened upon the Rebel works, and have
kept up slow, steady fire ever since. At the upper