The Big blue union. [volume] (Marysville, Kan.) 1862-1866, 1862-04-19

would have first opened upon us with c.n-
non from that point, since il v.s frat
alarmed and afforded an easy raoge
But one course remained to he nur.r.a
by the officers ofthe Carodelet. That WA.
to let on full head of steam and make The
greatest possible haste by the rebel batter.
les, which were now momentarily expected
to open fire from all of their guns. To
this end orders we're hurriedly passed be-
low to heengineer, and the speed of the
boat was soon much accelerated. Mr..
Wilson, one Of b boatsvain's mates, was
stationed on the forecastle with lead and
line, to give the soundinge. Mr. Gillmers.
one of the masters mates. vas placed for.
ward on the upper deck to repeat them to
Capt. Hoel, who also stood upon deck to di.
rect the pilots how to steer the boat. p
just at this junctars while vivid flashes .
Of lightning lit up the hurried prepara-
tions Of the rebels as they charged and
trained their guns while peal after peal of
thunder reverberated along the river and
the rain poured down in torrents, came
on the crisis. Now was the time for COOL
ness and heroism. Captain Wake was in
the pilot house deliberately giving orders.
Captain Hoel stood firmly on deck in
perfect shower of cannon and musEet halls
which we're now launched upon us, and as
he discovered the outlines of the banks. %
the course OF the channel by the aid of the
flashing lightning, his clear voice rang out
HE commands to the pilots who steadly
held the wheel. But once. we believe dur
ing the perilous passage did the ya,cbfnl
eyes of the Captain suffer the beat,o gain
precarious position, and then it was
when lengthy interMissios be:wsen the
flashes Of lightning completely sbscure9
our course, ane the current stirling the
cumbersome barge sheefed the vessel. and
carriedit towards neighboring bar.
The frst glare Of light, howeves, aisesase
ed our situation. and the current ssa sapid
commands, "Hard a poss." Is Hssd .
port," admsnished Us Of dsnsee. The
boat nevertheless soon regained the shaas
mel, and our fears were dispelled By re
marks on deck that all vas going WE'LL
and the anxiously awaited reports % sksy
came up from the foreeastis, ''So bosaosa.s
! Just d this time the Reasen, PistshaFs
and several mortars opened spon the rebels
who were so indus,rioualy ssoesnias che Cas
rondcle,, and il gave AZ CREST sAsisfaesisa
to know that our friends warc returning o
fire which we could not.
When we got we'll cat Of range of tks
enemy's man land batiesiss, passed shs
first shock which greeted a. ffem the head
of the Island, ana we're gliding deun .hs
nol til bank, the exultsticn began. .na tAs
most tispsraging comments wsfe msds aFs
on the enemy's wild firing. This skomgh.
we think vas accurate, when she eifcuss
stances under which j. vss ,asds sss fakea
into consideration, and we doubt uhethss
our own gunpers could hsvs excelied g
during such furious hurricane 10 was
IL On rsging, and with a. impeaetraAts
; darkness precluding knowledge N aGs
position, which sserF tafn of Ne skesl
changed.
Our boat vss not very aess. snd tke
barge in tow hnpededs s,sed whieA mishe
otherwise have been made With tAe eusrsne
in our favor. The eonseeuenoe was an
exposure for thirty n,in.ses TO an uni3ters
rupted fire from .souf bstteries on the Ken
tuuky shore, ard oAe az the head of the
Island. The judgment which we we're en-
abled to form from the shrieking of their
shot eas that they few from FIVE to thitry
ysrds over our heads A few were hea rd
to plunge in the water. One cause o9their
Wild shooting was in .overes,imating the
distance Of our boat II was close along
the bank under their guns, and had this
been fully understood, the rebels would
have found it difficult todepress their guns
to such degree as 10 bear uponus without
having them dismeuated by an angular
recoil. -
\ Having in the above sissn fAs mose iae
tcresting part of the 1iasEstivs, We hsrx cue
it short Their arrival a KewMaarid sfseP
this narrow escape. theis aid vitAsf@ lard
forces in the attack four days afss, ine
surrender Of the Island, etc, ere aH kness
to oar readers. All this aeconpl;ssd ssd
mot man los" How the Assfss, hayea
and homes Of anxious thoussnas thsiisss %
this iovous sentence