Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-04-11


Point advanced yesterday morning in the
direction of Yorktown, A miles disant.
The right was assigned to General Nor
rill's brigade of Gen. Porter's division; two
companies of the Sd Pennsylvania cavalry,
and portion of Berdan's sharp shooters,
acting as skirmishers.
Nothing of interest took place until their
arrival at Big Bethal, twelve miles distant,
where they met the outer pickets of the
rebels. The troops were delayed there for
two hours, constructing a bridge which
has been destroyed.
The rebels retreated before the advance
of our skirmishers to Howard's Greek,
where they had some abandoned earth
works Shots were fred here by the reb-
els from two field pieces, which were soon
silenced by the 4th Rhode Island battery,
when the rebels beat hasty retreat, tax
ing their pieces with them.
The main body of the army rested here
for the night, while Morril's brigade ad-
vanced three miles to CucklevIle, six miles
from Yorktown. By seven O'Clock this
Saturday morning the column was again
in motion, and by ten O'Clock was in front
OF the enemy's works at Yorktown.
The first shot fired was by the rebels,
the shell passed over the heads of Gen.
Porter and staff without exp loding. The
| batteries of Griffin, Sd and 4th Rhode Is
land, and 9Th Massachusetts, were placed
in position, replying at every shot sent by
the Rebels
The commanding continued with but
slight intermission until dark. About four
hundred shots were fired by both parties
dnring the day. The loss on our side was
three killed and about five wounded.
! The position of the enemy is a strong
one From present indications therfortif
cations extend some two miles in length,
and mount heavy guns. The ground in
front OF their guns is low and swampy.
On BOARD THE o. GUNBoAT, Ca
RoNDoLEr. New MADRID. April Sat
last the blockade is passed-the gauntlet
is run. The navigation al the Mississip-
pi is proved possible in spite OF rebel guns
and rebel Notifications. The u S. gun
boat Carondolet, Capt. H. Walker, arrived
this morning at one o'clock. having passed
the Notifications at Island No 10, and
the batteries on the main land opposite
and now lies safely moored to the shore
under the guns of the upper fort at New
| Madrid.
The Carondolet left the fleet last eve
ming at ten o'clock, during terrific thun-
der storm, and having taken a barge in tow
laden with hay and coal, to serve as a pro-
lection from the enemy's balls, extinguish-
ed her lights, put on steam and rapidly
sailed down the river. The first inLima-
lion the rebels had of the attempt to run
the blockade, was the fir which issued
from the burning chimney of the gunboat,
and Immediately thereafter it was greeted
with a shower of balls from infantry sta
toned at the upper battery, the same which
was so effectually spiked few days since
| by Col. Roberts.
A signal rocket was then sent up, and
in an Instant the entire line of batteries
were blaze of fame. Four batteries on
the Kentucky shore and one on the point
Of the Island fred in quick succession, but
the Carondolet passed them all in safety,
and unninduI Of the leaden and iron hail
which fell around, passed through the fiery
ordeal unhurt, Not man VS. injured,
and, excepting few musket balls which
struck the iron plated sides ofthe gunboat,
she was untouched. The floating battery
is located three miles below the Island,
and bestowed parting shower of blazing
compliments as the CorondoEet glided qui-
city by.
The Hollins ram Mana ssas did not OPEN
Officers and men acquitted themselves
with admi able courage and fidelity.
Owing to the intense darkness, the officers
could not make an extensive and satsfac-
tory reconnaissance of The batteries, but
the enemy probably did his best The
fire was tremendous.
Mr.. 0. L. Fishback, of the Missouri
Democrat, was on the Carondolet while
running the blockade. and to him we are
mainly indebted for the above particulars.
New MADRID. April 5, 3 P NM.
Scott. AssIs ant Secretary of War, visited
the Carondotet to -day with General Pope
to congratulate Captain Walker upon his
achievement 10 running the blockade
The Captain visited the camp, dined and
was escorted to the gunboat by a company
of cavalry
CAMP NEAR New MADRID, April 5, 10
Z. M.-Fhere Is nothing further from the
fleet since he CarondoLet ran the block
ade. Nothing has TRANSFERRED, so lar as
we can learn. The cannonading has en-
tirely ceased there.
Prof Steiner arrived this evening with
his balloon to make a reconnaissance of
the enemy's position along the river.
The Government telegraph between this
camp and CAIRO is now In operation.
The steamer IT, c. .SaVan arrived to dav
from St. Louis, bringing two batteries of
artillery, part of the First Illinois and
Sixth Ohio-desLination contraband.
Some sailors from the receiving ship
Maria Deming, ran the whisky blockade
to-day, and getting boisterous, the pro-
yosl's guard, in making arrests, found it
necessary to shoot one of the sailors. The
ball also injured acitizen, but it is thought
the wounds of neither are serious.
A rumor reached this city TO- day, from
Pittsburg, Tenn, via Paducah, that the
rebels have attacked our lines. The ru-