Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-04-10
PORT HUDSON.

ne New OrlcanS correspondent OF the
Boston Journal gives the following sketch of
the modern Sebastopol aud its approaches:
Port Hudson, or 4" Hickey's Landing" as
it was called thirty years ago, is situated on
bend in the Mississippi rlv,r about twenty,
five miles above Baton Rouge, and one hun
,lIcd and forty seven miles above New Or
leans. A little more than five miles below
Port Hudson, is Profit Island. The main
channel Of the river flows to the west of this
Island, and on the east is also channel,
called Profit Chute An attempt was
made by the rebels to ob>truct this eastern
channel by means Of a bridge placed upon
piles, and they expected to be able to throw
light batteries across this bridge TO the lower
end Of the Island, with which to dispute the
passage Of our gunboats. This attempt
however, is an undoubted fDilure. The chan
mel is SO rapid that any permanent obstruc-
ton is quite impossible, and Profit Island is
so low that it is probably now overf1own by
the river. BY passing up" Profit Chute T"
the gunboats will be enabled to hug the
eastern shore, and will be less exposed to tue
enemy's fire on the high bluffs, than they
would if compelled to 50 up the main chan.
| mel. s.. ........ ......
Approaching Port Hudson the gunboats
| will first encounter the fire Of batteries stu.
ated upon high bluff, which is full forty
feet above the highest water mark of the
river. From this point, which is about two
and half miles below Port Hudson, they
must contend with series of batteries ex-
tending along the river above Port Hudson
TO point on Thompson's creek, making a
continuous line Of fire of at least three and
a half miles in extent. Above Thompson s
creek, which emptes into the Mississippi at
point about mile above Port Hudson, is
an impossible marsh, forming natural de-
fensc. From the point of the lower battery
begins line Of land fortifcations Ct semi
circular form about zen miles in extent, with
Thompsons creek for its natural terminus
above. This line is built mainly beyond the
range Of our guEboatS and can only be car
RED by vigorous land attack. 1t is said that
the enemy has a double line Of intrench.
ments, with wide bitches and extensive abattis
and that thousands of acres of woods have
been fellcd to obstruct the app oach Of an
attacking force. Outside of these lines are
smaller works and the fortifcatious are GOV.
cred with guns Of heavy calibe in addition
to which the enemy has light batteries which
may 6e easily taken to any part Of the line
where they may be most needed.
! The country in the rear Of Port Hudson
is rolling and possesses many natural advan-
tages in favor Of the enemy. Between Baton
Rouge and Port Uud on is long stretch OF
territory difficult OF access at all times, and
perhaps impassabe in he present stage ol
the water except by roads and bridges II
is mainly covered by dense woods aud un
ergrowth, and abounds in baynus and i'm
passahe marshes, which are particularly dif
li"ult at this seas n of the year. Port Hud
bly, place of great strength, aud its captur,
will undoubtedly involve a great sacrifice o
life. Its reduction is indispensable to the
opening of the Mississippi aud il accomplish
ed will excitua feeling OF patriotic joy, which
vi kshurg. have faith III the sagaci,y ant
military skill of Gen. Banks, and believe tha,
he will not undertake it without assurance OF
success. His army is in exc. llent condition
and his Officers, many OF them arc men nj
ried courage, and We may rest ssured tina,
i this great enterprise is undertaken, it cal
only Iail Tor want Of ad. quate force
1t is believed by many well informed mer
that the rebels will be Obliged to abandon
Part Hudson before the fist of May, on ac
count of scarcity of provisions, all the able
bodied men in Texas, whence the cnem,
dr.. W their supplies, having been drafted into
tn rebel army, in compliance with the mer
Gil IS co,Scription, leaving the production o
grain and other cereals to the sovenly ant
careless hands Of the negroes who have beer
sent to Texas in great numbers. IS.
| Por, Hudson is in command Of Col. Franz
Gardner, who singular as it may appear, was
a chuin OF our Gen. Grover ut West Point
lie has the reputation OF being an able Off
Ger, and was badly wounded in the Mexican
! war;. ... ... .....t
! -<