The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-25

ter Of mile Of rebel Qualifications and stands just
within tho edge Of the timber the OF Cayton's
slough having perfect range directly up the neck on
which the enemy stand, and sweeping their entire line
built OF two tiers Of cotton bales, covered the
side with earth. single thirty pound Parrot rifle,
taken from the gunboat Rather mounted In this
work. and temporary magazine well stocked with
munion that at daylight this morning the battery
was in complete readiness for work. Az day
light approached brush was thrown on the outside Of
the battery 70 conceal IL from the enemy. The bat
terry located and its construction superinendcd
by Lieutenant Colonel Wilson. Of General Grants staff
engineer In chief Of this expedition The gun manned
by from the gunboas, and is supported by General
the ATTACK rosrpoSgp
II Intended TO commence the assault ON the enemy
daylight this morning but the arrival Of
our ncot together with the mpleencss OF
tain preparations the gunboats made u advisable 10
postpone the attack and the day has been passed without
the occurrence OF thing Of interest The
arrived during the forenoon and the gunboats
protected that will be almost impossible TO hurt them
unless another chance shot should find way
one Of their ports. 10 morning win doubtless
bring about decisive engagement
Lieut. Col Wilson ~ busy tonight with large force
putting another parrott rifle in position on the shore
Whether he will construct an entirely new battery, or
enlarge the one built last night accommodate
Another gnn will be determined by him after inspecting
MARCH 49, 1863
BArTfTy--rnE GrsRoArs PROTECTED.
This morning opened most gloriously. II was like a
June morning In the Northern states Everything in
ture was fresh beaatu and the men, parakng the
was morning upon for the na assault upon the
enemys position which descent Of the
During night Lieut. Col Wilson and his working par
busy and had extended hs shore battery
SO as 70 accommodate another Parrot gun which was
procured from the gunboat Forest Rose and placed IN
position before midnight During the night the Chilli
Gothic and Dekab mad both been covered with cotton
bales, make that they should not be hurt They
are mainstays OF this expedition should lore
one Of them would probably be required TO abandon
the whole movement Hence the precautions that
q their
PREPARATIONS yoR ras FIGHT
The engagement have been commenced NJ day
light this morning. but at that hour the Commodore
not ready and the light was 70 be wholly naval our
army commanders had nothing TO say 10 the matter The
past O'Clock declared himself perfectly ready give
the eaemy trial of strength. had been determined TO
range q the batteries and 70 bring mortar and land
battery into play ~ the same tina. The mortar was
manned by select , crew rI m%ss sunnsrs,
officer Of tho flagship Rather. The laid battery
placed charge Of Acting Lisatenanr Domiss, Of the
Signal and manned BY force Of practiced gners,
taken chiefly from that boat, under the command q
Masters Mao sloan. The light draught gunboats, with
the rams we're ordered TO keep back range ais
remained about threequartsrs OF mile above the rebel
Notifications projected by bond in the river, which
threw the range OF the eneys guns far To the right q
them
The ball was opened by Lieutenant Domino with his
that had been nxed upon. the same moment the Chi
cothc let her fastennee and turned her head down
stream IN readiness 70 proceed 70 work Hero little
ting the mortar boat INTO position, which prevented the
Dckalb from moving, compelling the thiliicothe
10 wait for her. The delay u nearly twenty
minutes duration, and resulted i the enemy
training all their guns upon Battery Wilson,
the name given 70 our land battery 10 compliment IL
Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, the engineer buit H. No
thing occurred 10 the battery fortunately
during the short tune was alone exposed 20 such
fearful Are than the knocking Od OF couple of bales o.
cotton when were quickly replaced The battery had
both ts guns directed iul upn The cnemys red sixty
-four FOUNDER and the emorasure Ia which that piece
stood was terribly mutated by the SPICY shells q those
Parrot guns.
But soon the dversian came that ~ relieve our
little battery little before eleven O'Clock tho two
gunboats got under weigh together and proceeded down
the 70 within six hundred yards The rebel works
Thoy bad hardly nrncs the bend Obtained glanc.
the rebe' Notifications when they both opened THIS
Ore quickly drew tho rebc IRE from the Land battery,
which MAS left the tender mcroics q bali a dozen
small pieces placed N position ON the rebel Qualifications
ARMAMENT rRxstars.
Allow me here 10 dlgress " that tha1nost
liable Information yet received NJ the q tbs
expedition, the snemys fort mounts but 1--WE guns q any
preicnsioDs These ri1ed sixty FOUNDER ian
thirty two FOUNDER altered ono thirty FOUNDER Par
ro,t said 70 have bcen captured shoh) and three
they probably have one full ned battery which ~ used
whom and how u may be most convenient. These guna
mosn.ed behind paxapet composed q seven tiers q
bales, covered On the csnsde with eight feet q
earth. To penctrsis such wall 10 small matter.
gs-tirr % vis wSaAgmnxST
We have tried 70 day NEST desperately 70 reduce this
forslncas,on We have brought heaviest artillery 10
bear upon nj close range, and have kept NJ pay
long possibe 10 do W; stii we made but
slight impression. To be sure ccmIesd them stop
nring wo poured such and deadly lotto
thu embrasurcs IN which their guns located
that their gunncrs could stand Il hal yet the
fort holds out We Gred the last shot indeed
nrcd for three hours AFTER tbs enemy had cnssei.
Yet suETrees they have given or tho cJnIcat
They psacky, and Will fight 70 tie a
officers fancy Disabled somc 81 their guns there "
evsdeoos Of th~ further than their sence. Ny own
opfnkn m that their rfleDee ~ deep game They dr.
covered defects IN DE Iocaicn a their guns and ~
remedy them. Thsy ceased arng, slpp.elF that 10
would follow their example We am Shaken or IRE
when thsy oGassd but stu We kept hammertng them
nntl dark. ! fancy that ~h~a cal, 20 tnsn "a Tho