Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-27
WOrtester Dailp Spp.
THE DAILY SPY.
NEWS FROM THE WAR, &c
NEW WAY TO TIE YAzOO.

connolsSances and inquiries, continued for the
last few weeks, the admiral became satisfied
that there was practicable passage beyond
Haine's Bluff, so as to avoid that rebel strong
hold and reach Yazoo City, where the rebel
transports were known to be lying and pre-
pairing for descent of the Yazoo So tortu-
Gus and untrequented was this route, that few
even OF the residents of these parts knew of
Its existence, and the rebel authorities proba-
bly, never dreamed that we should ever find
out way to cyade and avoid their batteries
at HalneS Bluff, where they had made the
most extensive arrangements to oppose our
passage.
The Carondelet, Capt John McLeon Muir
ply, on Friday, and the Louisville, Can't.
Jones; the Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Tyler and
Mound City were dispatched up the Yazoo,
passing on through Cypress bayou on Sun
day, accompanied by the Champion, and sew
eral of the troop transports, besides tugs and
tenders. Capt. Murphy having satisfied him
self that the passage was practicable, was
joined by the latter vcssels-the Admiral TAX
ing the Gen. Price, and accompanying the
fleet Passing from the Yazoo river, the gun.
boats slowly but steadily made their way to
the left Of Haine's bluff some twenty miles
through into Blackwater bayou, thence into
Lake Sun Flower, and soon into the Yazoo
again, distance of 80 miles. They found
the water very deep, and few or no obstruc-
tons from snagS. There was, however A
great amount of cutting of trees necessary.
Having reached the lake they found and
took on board a confederate engineer with his
family who had pass from II. S. Taylor, pro-
vost marshal of Yazoo City. This person re-
ported there were thirty transports of large
size lying at Yazoo City, including the Mag
noha; and rebel iron-clad nearly finished:
lt,tb r.,, 1t /. 1
of iron. There are, he says, COCO troops
there, and six mounted guns. The Magnolia
Is the largest river boat ever built in these wa
tiers, carrying nearly 5000 bales of cotton. 1t
is probably the intention to surprise the reb-
els by night attack, and capture or DESTROY
the transports and unfinished gunboats. This
achievement places the rebel communications
between Vicksburg and their rear wholly in
our power and, if successfully executed, must
be telling blow against that rebel strong.
hold
Gen. Grant returned late last night, and has
already put in mntinn a large force for that
destnation-among which is the Sth Mlssou-
ri, the famous fighting regiment Of Morgan
L. Smith, and large party Of engineers and
pioneers. Among the latter are several hun
dred blacks, who are under the direction of
white officers, and intended for clearing the
way to Yazoo City, The admiral went on
board the Gen. Price, and is personally SUI
perntending the expedition, with the cooper
alton of Gen. Grant.
THE DEFENCEs OF CHARLESTON.
From the Boston Herald, March &C.
We had an interview last evening with Mr..
James NJ. Thompson of Webster, this state,
who has recently escaped from the rebel army
His statement is as follows He went from
the north in August prior to the breaking out
80 AZ oy,A
until that time. When there was call for
troops, he with others was impressed into the
ranks of the fifth South Carolina regiment,
and was one of the party who manned the bat
terry at Cummings Point during the lombard
ment of fort Sumter, having been previously
stationed in fort Moultrie. After the capture
of Sumter the regiment went into Virginia,
and participated in the Bull Run fight and
other engagements, after which he returned to
Charleston. detachment of two hundred
and one men were then put aboard the IRON
clad Palmetto State, and were afterwards put
into fort Sumter, where they remained until
recently. Our informant says this fort mounts
two hundred and five guns, all in working or
der; that new barracks have been construct
ed of iron and stone, which are spacious, airy
and fire proof He seemed to be we'll ac-
quaintcd with the Notifications around the har-
Dor, and describes them as follows On Nor
ris Island, near Cummings Point, and bear
ing upon the channel where our vessels .: ust
necessarily come up in order to reach
the city. are mounted seven heavy Armstrong
guns. From tins paint are constructed heavy
batteries extending eastward to the light
house. mounting forty-fve guns, ranging in
weight Of metal from 80 to 6S-pounders.
Near the light house is a bomb proof mortar
battery, constructed Of palmetto logs and rail
road iron which
besides as many more guns OF heavy calibre.
Some of the mortars are fifteen inches.
To the fire of all these fleet coming up
the channel would he exposed before coming
in range of the guns of Sumter and Moultrie
Fort Moultrie has SO guns, most of them quite
heavy, and is protected by over a thousand
sand bags. Above and near Moutrie is the
celebrated floating battery which took prom
inent part in the bombardment of Sumter in
1861. 1t carries 10 guns. The old U. S.
light.ship is also in fighting trim, and has
been named the "Rattlesnake Shoal." This
is moored near by. From Moultrie to Sum-
ter, the distance of a mile, is extended aniron
cable, to which are attached torpedoes and a
work of RATS, constructed in a manner which
1t Is hoped by the rebels will enable them to
entangle any of our fleet who ventured there,
and prevent their escape. They are then to
be drawn to point where it is believed the
concentrated fire of the forts will quickly de-
mollsh them. From fort Johnston, which
lies somewhat to the west of fort Sumter,
to Castle Pinkney, and extended across the
channel leading to the city, is a raft of some
twenty gunboots, each mounting two Sc and
one 32-pounder rited guns. They are strong.
ly linked together, and vessel entanpled
among them would be exposed to raking fire
from many guns. These constitute the CHIEF
fOrtiication of Charleston harbor, but when
ever an available point has been discovered,
our informant assures us there has been
mounted gun; and in his opinion, based on
careful observation, there are mounted at least
thousand guns, none of which are lighter
than 32-pounders. To prevent ar attack from
the land side he says there are, at point two
or more miles west of the city, known as the
Magnolia House, entertainments mounting
about 100 guns. In fact, every means OF de-
fence which the genius and experience o
Beauregard could devise, have been made
available. He further says the rebels have
dread of the Monitors, and fear they will ge
past the forts without sustaining much in Jury
in which case the latter will be blown up, thu
city burned, and the troops retreat to the in
terror. That our forces will eventually tax,
the city there seems to be but little or no doub
among its defenders, but they declare it will b.
good months work that will accomplish it
General Johnston and General Lee were a
Charleston recently, and viewed the defences
OH