Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-18

the top Of the broad side portfolios and would ha,
been VI very much service had the batteries 10 be pa,sed
been on parallel With the gunboat bot such not tho
case here for both the mainland and head Of the is
land they stand upon bank twenty thirty feet high,
and in firing into passing boat becomes necessary ~
was subsequently demonstrated, for them depfess
her guns IN which event the barge alongside was an i'm
perfect shield.
TUB HOUR APPROACHES.
Al ten O'Clock the moon had gone down the storm
which had been hickcning aud gathering for several
h'urs now about 10 burst upon US aud greatly
aged by so opportune period for starting the captain
sent ashore to loosen the lines In few minutes We
were under way. and after little difficulty in rounding
with the cumbersome barges, fairly stood
NEw MADRID.
The machinery adjusted TO permit the Is
cape Of steam through the wheel house. and thus avoid
the putting which results from It's passage through the
pipes So silently did proceed that Il was scarcely
known abroad that the boat was under way and we
though, some Of the officers we're almost unbeleyers
when ,ssy asked the engineer, through the speaking
pipes, II he was going ahead on her"
CHiMNrYs OF FiHB.
For the first half mile everything still and smooth
beyond even the most seuguino Anticipation and the
probability Of getting by the batteries unohsor,cd was
being remarked by some when the in the chimney
caught FIRE, and blaze Ave feet high saped out from
their tops lighting brightly the upper deck Of the vessel
and everything around.
THE REBELS TAKE THE ALARM.
The boat presented hroadsidc to tho upper fort
and the sentes there had failed 10 discover the boat
by This last accident and alarmed The guards II the fort
below by dschargug their muskct. Immediately after
ward hve rockets we're sent up from The mainland aud
the isand and were followed by "a cannon shot from
Fort No 2 The stiffness the upper Tor. satisfied ADD
those aboard that iis guns had been cectuay dis
abled Wy the spkiug party. Had mo- been so the re-
bells would have first opened upon with cannon from
shat point since 1t was first alarmed aud afforded an easy
range
rHE CRISIS.
just At this iunoture while vivid flashes Of lightning
lit up he hurried preparations Of the rebels as they
charged and trained their guns, while peal AFTER peal q
thunder revebcraed along the river and the rain pour.
ed down ia torrents, the crisis Nov was tho
time for GOODNESS and hsrosm Capt Wake was IN the
pilot house deliberately giving orders. Capt Hocl stood
Net balls which now launched upon u.s. and a. h,
discovered the outlines Of the banks the course Of tho
channel, by the aid Of the flashing lightning his clear
voice rang out his commands to the pilots who steadily
held ht wheel But once, believe, during the peril
Gus passage did the watchu eyes of the captain suffer
the boat 90 gain precarous position, and then It was
when lengthy uermisson between the flashes Of light.
ming completely 0bscured course. aud the current
striking the cumbersome barge sheercd the vessel and
carried IL toward neighborng bar. The first glare OF
light however, disclosed situation and the current
and rapid commands. "Hard a. port" Hard a. DO L.
admouished Of danger The boat nevertheless soon
regained the channel and fears dispced By
marks on deck that all was going we'll" aud the anxi
ousy awaited reports as they came up from the orecaste
" No bottoen."
OUR EMULATION.
When we got well out Of range Of the enemy's main
land batteries passed the first shock which greeted
north bank the emulation began and the most dspar
aging comments were made upon the enemy's wild
firing.
OUT OF DANoER.
Being out Of all danger from the enemy, the fact
made known the sailors who were relieved from a
rigid silence and permitted join in the jubant con
gtatulations that passed around the boat