Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-06-04
NAVAL OPERATIONS AT vIcKsBURa
TO THE SECRETARY OF NAVY.

Il.
MISSISSIPPI SoUApRoN.
Flag Ship Black Hapk, May 90, 1863.
Hon GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of Navy.
SIR On the evening of the 2lst received communi
cation from Gen. Grant Informing that he intended
attack the whole Of the rebel works at 10 M the next
day. and asking to shell the batteries from 80 until
1890 A. M. to annoy the garrison.
kept six mortars playing rapidly on the works and
town all night; sent the Benton, Mound City, and Caron-
dele to shell the water batteries and other places where
troops might be resting during the night.
AT seven o'clock in the morning the Mound City pro-
ceeded across the river and made attack the bill bat
tsries opposite the canal At o'clock Joined with the
Benton, Tuscumba, and Carondeet. All these vessels
opened on the hill batteries and ioally senced them
though the main work Con the battery containing the heavy
nfed gum was done by the Mound City, Lieut. Com By
ron Wilson.
then pushed the Benton Mound City, and Carondelet
up to the water batteries leaving the Tuscumba which
still out OF repair to keep the hill batteries from firing
our vessels after they had passed by.
The three gunbOats passed up slowly, owing to the
strong current the Mound City leading the Benton follow
ing and the Carondele sstern The water batteries open
ed rousy supported by hill battery on the
beam of the vessels The vessels advanced to within four
hundred and forty yards by and returned the
fire for two hours without cessaton-he enemys fire be
ing very accurate and incessant.
Finding that the hill batteries behind silenced
ordered up the Tuscumbia to within eight hundred
yards OF the Ddtteres but her turret made
tenabe, not standing the enemys shot, and made her
drop down.
had been engaged with the forts an hour longer than
Gen. Grant asked the vessels had all shots
under water, which could not stop while in motion
and not knowing what might have delayed the movements
OF the army ordered the vessels drop of fire. which
they did in COOL handsome manner
This was the hottest fire the gunboats have ever been
under but owing to the water being level with
them than usual the gunboat threw in their shell 80 fast
that the aim of the enemy not very good The enemy
hit the vessels number OF times but fighting bow on the
shot did but little damage-not man killed and only
few wounded. had only enough ammunition for a few
our depot below.
After dropping back found that the enemy had taken
possession again of Of the lower hill bateres and was
endeavorng TO remount his guns and had mounted twelve
FOUNDER field piece to fire at Gen. McArthurs troops
which had landed a short time before at Warrenton
sent the Mound City and Carondelet to drive him off
which they did in a few moments
beg leave to enclose letter from Gen. Macarthur en-
planning why be did not Ito bis expresson) take
advantage OF the results gained by the gunboats have
since learned through Gen. Grant that the army did as
saut at the right time vigorously In the noise and smoke
we could not hear it, The gunboats were there
FORE still fighting when the assault had proved unsuc
cesstul
The army had terrible work before them and are fight
ing as well soldiers fought before but the works
stronger than any Of dreamed Of Gen Grant and
his soldiers confident that the brave and energetic
Generals in the army will overcome all obstacles and
carry the works
DAVID ID. PORTER
Acting X. A., Com. Mssissip Squadron