New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-14
FROM vICKsRURG.
The Adventures Of Our Correspondents
Running tho Hlocknde-The Vessel
Blown Up-Grcnt Loss Of Lifc-Grnnt
ON the High Rond 10 Vicksburg.


NEAR VIcKsBuRe Miss, May s, 1869.
As both Of your correspondents in all proba-
bility prisoners, shall endeavor TO inform you OF
the manner thereof.
Messrs. Richardson and Brown were readyto leave
here for the front on Saturday, but could not get
transportation. 1t was impossible to get horse or
mule. On Monday, May 3, it was arranged to run
the batteries with small tugthe Sturgess Of Chi
csgo-psnniered between two barges loaded with
commssary stores and hay. After the comparative
safety with which unprotected boats had passed, it
seemed but a small risk. Your correspondents
were offered passage, which they accepted. There
about thirty soldiers on board to repel Rebels
if they should attempt to board and capture them.
At lOi o'clock she started on the fatal trip. All
were in good spirits. The sat upon the bales Of
hay, smoking their pipes though there was no
death before them. When volunteers were called
for, thousand were as easy to get as thirty.
The moon shone with the same cold splcndor az
upon the garden where ran the river GhCn. The
small steamer crept and noated upon the silent
waters, as though she were frightened, and foresaw
Der doom. We followed her at about mile distance
until she reached the first batteries, when drum
plainly as though it were broad day. Up sped a
signal rocket, snd all the batteries sstr. The
upper ones opened sixty-three times in one minute
bad it been a skif it seemed the shell and shot must
sink her. On she sped through the fiery ordeal
until half the guns were passed. Just them an ex.
poson, the tug split asunder, fire was thrown upon
the hay, and the men lesped in the water. Only
one reached the Louisiana shore. All the rest were
killed or captured. The reporters were last seen
upon bales of hay in the river.
The cause Of tie disaster was said to be she'll
Ny own opinion is that abe was carrying too much
steam, and exploded from caree,sness. The en-
gneer not the regular one, aud bad been drink
ing. When we bear from your reporters, think it
will appear that they were upon tho hay, and
Rebel tkiIs were near. / think We shall hear from
them.
The barges, after burning until they reached the
Union lookout were landed, and tie meat and
coffee but little injured.
Five hundred and twenty-four prisoners reached
here from Grand Gulf this morning, on their way
North.
Communication overland is kept open between
here and carthage. Trains Of wagons leave here
daily laden with supplies Grant seems TO be
on tho right road ct last to tbs Of Yicksburg
lie 10 said to be the railway bridge over Black
water River. II true, i. sewers them from Rebel.
dom.
The gupboats were repulsed with considerable in
Jury 1T Grand Gulf. The thot used steel
pointed, that penetrated the iron-clads with ease.
When Grant reached their rear the place was eVHcu-
ated. Our loss was about 500 killed and wounded,
the Rebel loss not half that
There are no batteries now between this and Port
Hudson. The upper river is said to be infested with
guerrillas Several boats have been fred upon. 1t
will be very difficult to keep them from mischief.
Nearly all the plantations are taken b Union men.
The negroes seem willing TO labor, and think will
eventually prove capable Of self support The de-
sructon Of cotton has not been as great as Rebel
papers have led US TO believe. A.T.w.