Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-03-26
nor.nera view or On. Ysaoo pass.


inquiry will be excited at the date of communication
from Moon Lake. Maps will be hunted in vain to Ind
it. True, the lake appears good maps OF the Mis-
sssippl river aud of the State OF MISSISSIPPI, but no
name is given It, The map makers never dreamed that
this little sheet of would rise to importance
in the history of country yet 1t - destined to have
notcrety hereafter the rendezvous of the Ya7oo
[nass expedition Moon Lake is small luuated sheet Of
water about eight miles in length. with an average
width of halfor two-thirds of mile and bearing IN
rstskable indications OF having at some past time,
been section Of the bed OF the Mississippi river. II
lies directly east OF the Mssssipp aud is reached hro
very narrow and difficult pass shout mile in length
forming the western end Of the Yazoo pass To speak
as ineiigenty as possible should say that the Yszoo
pass through this lake. 1t it from the Mis-
sssppl at the northern ell and leaves it sgsin about
the centre 10 passing from the river into the paes
there is ridge bar to lie crossed, imInedi
atly beyond which, the paes makes short right angu
lar bend the left. The water flows over this ridge
with wonderful velocity, almost resembling cataract,
and steamer has TO be nicely handled to prevent It's
beisg thrown into the woods just beyond the ridge AID
turning the bend 10 the lett the Oh anpel OF the lake is
very straight and easy Of navigation, having uniform
depth Of ab tut three fathoms with current at the
present time Of not far from four miles our. The
only trouble is the of the stream which a
fords OppOrt unity for vessels moving ID opposite d.
rections to pass other and requires sktui plotting
10 keep them Out OF the woods that line It's edges it
has banks. The wild between the timber scarcely
exceeds seveny-fve feet, though occasionally may be
tOund places OF short length where il wdeDs hun
ded ,et About midway of this pass is the great Mis-
sespP evee built by the State in 1885, TO shut up this
channel and reclaim large tracts of land in the interior
Of the State tina: had formerly been annually inundated
by the water Of the Mississippi river flowing OF through
this outlet. This We is OF the largest and finest
be in the Mississippi valley. Il was built at
great Expense al outlay Of vast amount of labor.
Its dst uctian al the point whre it crosses the chan
mel Of this pass but the work of day by email
attachment Of our troops. They had OILY TO cut a
small hole IN it TO start the water, when the rapid cur
reDt and vast Volume of water tore the making
The gap OF equal " ,dth with the pass ise!t.
After reaching the lake there is further trouble
until again enter the pass leading to Coldwater
river The lake, as have said above hiss about the
width the Mississippi river, and has uni
orm depth over lis whole sufficient to feat the
largest class of steam 1t is very picturesque and
tauul sheet Of water, the entrance to and exit from
which, both being very narrow end through
thick wo2ds, scarcely be hundred yards away
from their mouths. The shores are high and dry. OJ
the eastern bank there two three fine pantatOns
but with these exceptions the surroundings
broken forest Its isolation and consequent quiet have
made it great resort for aquatic birds of all kinds
" lid ducks and geese abound here in profession. Oc
casionaly is seem Pelcaus and gulls fly about
over it's surface with the utmost freedom The water
being dean, COOL and comparatively clear, abounds with
hh OF all kinds. In iact, the place is very paradise
for sp0rsmen-Or rather. should have said, was, pri
or 10 the advent Of this feet into its quiet waters So
unusual sight large steamers, putting AID snorting
about has frightened the game away, and the fish
manifest ShyneSS now IS II they, too had become
alarmed BY the disturbance Of the water.
Such is tie rendezvous for this expedton 1t il but
about eight miles from Helena, from which place YES
scls be sent at any time they may be got ready
ard avoid exposure to the Investigations and obaerva
tiCn Of spies. casual observer at Hslsna form
possible idea OF the character magnitude OF this
expedition, as be see but Or two boats at a
time, and then left to guess whether they in
tended for this movement not And on this base
my strongest hopes for tie success Of tbs MOVEMENT.
lie enemy, through our reckessLess, treaUheTy
have had timely iLf ration Of intention to eend
expedition down this pass but, yet, have everj
10 b@lcve that they ID total ignorance OF he
magnitude aud formidable character CT The Cxped!ton
do ret give them credit for safcieD; guolllty to BE-
levG that contemplate SEEDING heavy lTonclad gun
hOats-sOnG OF the largest OF our feetdown this
row and toEtucus pGsP nor do believe they will DC
prepared 10 us APT roach With any great numoer OF
! gurbcats CT any kind. Nor yet can they be expected
to anticipate the approach OF large steamers, loaded
with soldiers and artillery through this route, which
has before been gated by anything but fat
boats propelled By the force Of the current and guided
By hand Readesvouslng, therefore, IN tile secluded
spot, where there is likelihood OF being seen by the
eneny there is every to anticipate that, when
we move forward in body and conc upon them We
shall take them completely by sur pr 81 at east hope SO
| If We do not take tha enemy by sUrprise-It they
aha chance to be fully informed OF the nature and eX
tent OF preparations and shall be fully prepared to
nset us-God help us! There will be 10 escare for
any of Us. When we advance beyond this rendezvous
there Is return for The pass from here 10 Cold
wat r is much narrower and Infinitely togtuoGa,
with more rapid current, than that leading the
Mississippi into the lake. Once through that, car
never get these boats back agaio through it. The
rent Itself would be sufficient impeachment to re-
turn did none other eX:sa Oar CLi cnance then, Is
10 fight CTR way through to Vicksburs. Tbs Oaly
wachword we can have will be to fight or die.
1t in the stretch beyond this lake, leading to the
CodWaer river that the enemy sought to obstruct the
chenDel prevent boats fr getting through
The distance is not far from fifteen miles by The
of the pass Throughout this distance they flied ths
channel with logs, trees stumps and all manner OF OBJ
staCles. Our troops have been at work nearly three
weeks in clearing out these distractions, and In cut
ting away the timber that overhapgs the They
are through with this labor yet, though just ho~
far they have got unable to say They have been
much annoyed in their abors by small partits OF rebels
who hover about in the woods and fire upon them S.
great did this annoyance become, that battalion O
The 9Th Illinois cavalry was finally sent down to scouT
the hanks AID drive back the eEcmy. A detachment
of this cavalry had quite brisk sklrmsA ol Friday
with company o. about sixty mounted rebels, finally
dispensing them, after kllliIg six Of their number
Gou ding several more, and capturing tweDtysx pris
oners. Oar loss but triflng, only five siz
being wo nded.
A EervfIe lrsurrse:iOn ia South CsroIisa Mediate
by Y1nkscs.
The New York Tribune, IN its editorial column
says:
I'VE have from special correspondent at Por
Royal the startling announcement that force OF 5000
negroes led by whites ard supported by regular troops
lie TN 0f fha mr.