Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-04-30
The Passage of the vioksburg Bat.
teries.

b6Ti6b.
A correspondent of the N Y. Tribune
gives the following graphic description Of
the passage of Porter's gunboats and trans
ports by the rebel batteries at Vicksburg
A sort of apprehensive shudder ran
through the collected gazers when il was
announced that the first boat destined to
pass the batteries was approaching. Somber
and silent it Aoated down, near the Louisi.
ana shore scarcely were its dark sides to
be distinguished from the foliage lining the
bank. Stealing slowly on it passed us, and
at point below took All oblique course,
steering for the Mississippi side of the
river; and in the gloom it was soon con.
founded with the dark shadow Of the trees
beyond.
Before this boat was lost sight Of another
succeeded, and to that another and another,
until before midnight the whole had gained
the Mississippi side Of the river and were
swallowed up in the dim obscurity. With
ed BY all of us on the boats of the feet,
whose position little above the entrance
of the first canal brought the rough nights
Of vicksburg within our sphere Of vision,
though the town lay for the present buried
the twlnkling OF a starry light was SEEN
As the boats, with lights out and fires
carefully hidden, foated past. indistinct as
the ghosts Of Ossian in the mountain mists,
it was curious to note tho effect upon the
spectators. Before they appeared, the hum
Of conversation was heard all around. All
were busy with speculations as to the pro-
liabilities of success The desponding pro-
gnostcated unmitgated disaster. The
hopeful INDUCED in confident expectations.
All were contented to endure some loss pro-
vided suficency arrived at the destined
point to accomplish the object contempla.
ted.
| As the various boats came slowly into
view, stole past with noiseless noton, then
vanished into the recesses Of the shadowy
shore, each voice was hushcd only in sub
dued and smothered tones were persons ut
intervals heard to ask aquestion, or venture
an observation. 1t seemed as if each one
felt that his silence was due to the impress
sive scene as il an indiscreet utterance ON
his part might raise the vail of secrecy 80
necessary to bo preserved in the presence OF
a watchiul foe.
A painful expectation weighed on every
spirit. The boats must now be near the
poiHt opposite the belcagucred city. Will
they be discovered at the first approach ?
or will kindly fortune give them easy pas
sage by? Suddenly flame starts up An
other and another leaps into the darkness
Of the night The enemy has seen the
passing boats and is sending across the
river his death dealing messengers. Rapid
now darts the momentary fires the iron
rain of the remorseless cannon hurtles
upon the dim and gliding boats. Dull upon
the heavy air, scarce moved by the night
wind, which blows in direction unfavor
able for our hearing reverberatcs the heavy
hud of the cannon.
As the time passes the batteries lower
and still lower down come into action. W.
can trace the course of our feet by new
hames that each moment startlo the strain
ed sight and cannon for miles along the
hazy shore are hurting their destructive
missiles.
\ And now new accessory added its in
fuence to the exciting scene. While W,
had been engaged in watching the vivid
flames leaping from cannon mouths, ant
exploding shells, gleam Of light, first pal,
aud soft, then red and lurid and at las
glaring and refulgeni, stole up into th'
heavens above the opposing city. For tht
first time the silence was broken by th
gazing crowds upon the steamboats, Of th
Heet. "Vicksburg is on fire!' was uttered il
excited tones. But it was not so Steady
and with wonderful briliancy, upon the hil
on which the city stands, the fire assumed
, circular outline on the upper edge, muct
like third part of the full moon when ap
parently magnified it is rising above tn,
horizon. The flames glowed brilliant an,
|, beautiful no smoke was visible to dim it
splendor. 1t was beacon light, placed il
position TO throw its beams along eacl
arm Of the bend of the river, the convex
, side Of which is turned toward Vicksburg
SO powerful was the light, that at the pon
/ where our fleet was moored, the shadow o
] hand held foot from the boats side VIA
/ distinctly thrown upon it. This beacon will
treacherous fidelity, showed to tho foe th,
, now last disappearing boats but, happil.
{ it was fired too late. The sight Of the boat
: appeared to add new rage to the enemy
who could not fail to count the cost to hin
, Of such feet joining Farragut's 5 three gun
| boats already between Vicksburg and Por
l Hudson. The firing became more rapid. =
, From the upper batteries to the last one
down ut Warrcnton leaped flame on fame
The dull echo Of the cannon and the whir
and shrek of the flying shells started tn,
iuluuisht ulI. Dut HUW CutuoS u TOaT WHICH
tells that our boys are awake and lively l.
r The light that showed the boats to tn,
/ enemy revealed to our men the outlines o
; the batteries, and the roar which deafcne,
the ear to every other sound is the peal O
, the heavy pieces on our gunboats.
/ After an interval of maddest rage tho up
t per guns Of the enemy almost cease thei
: fire. 1t is evident our boats have rasse,
D the first reached batteries--all that hav
/ escaped tho deadly onset, That no larg
/ portion of them is missing is evident fron
the activity of the forts at Warrenton, an,
tho answering thunders of our own guns.
By this time the might was burne,
|, down, and ceased to render its cruel aid
t just AZ the gathering darkness aud the ye
, longer and longer intervals Of silence eav
intimation thar the exciting scene was near
, ly over, another startling incident wok
} anew the emotions Of the time. Midwa
{ between the extinct beacon in the cit
and the lower batteries at Warrenton ney
glow Of light, soft as the dawn but rapid
! blushing into deeper intensity, climbe
gently toward the sky. "They are lightin
another beacon" shouted many voices; bu
, again tho speakers were mistaken. Tn
light grew stronger every moment; it want
The mellow, vivid, space, piercing brillianc,
: s( a. II. =. III