Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-25

leaving but one at the city. They were
placed in position opposite the head Of
Prophet Island. The iron-clad Essex wat
already in position within close range OF
the lower rebel batteries. The mortar fleet
was ranged in line along the shore, a little
way to the rear.
Captain Caldwell, Of the Essex, was in
command Of the mortar feet. Between the
Essex and the batteries there were no OBJ
structions, only q swamp field containing
numerous stumps intervening.
At first the Hbummers were located
behind the corner Of thick woods, where
they we're not visible from the rebel bat
teries.
The Richmond, Captain Allen, was in the
main stream, a few rods further South
than the mortar boats, and to the left OF
them.
About midnight IN the 9Th inst. g red
light was hung out astern Of the Essex
Its appearance signslled to the feet 10
| commence firing. The lookout Of the
Richmond had hardly passed the word
that the firing was to commence, when
many fastened from their snug berths to
witness the exciting scene. Quickly q
broad fash of brilliant flame leaps forth
into the deep gloom. Thick clouds of
smoke roll slowly up, or float gracefully
above the vessel in circling wreaths. A
small light, looking like the twinkle of a
/ star, marks the course Of q huge shell as
it seeks the zenith, curves far onward to-
ward the enemy's works, and then drops
rapidly like q hawk upon its prey.
As the little light Of the burning fuse is
apparently poised far up in the calm ether;
the stunning report and the buzz Of the
ascending missile reach the Richmond.
Then the loud reverberations thunder
through the surrounding country and are
distinctly heard as they sound along for q
circuit Of twenty miles.
Last Of all comes the dull thunder Of the
exploding shell as it strikes, destroying q
easement, d~ismounting 8 cannon, tearing
up the embankment and scattering death
among the men at the guns.
A little more than an hour Of this in
eessant bombardment was kept up by our
mortar feet. But no response was made
by the enemy on the first night. On the
next day, at noon, trials were made to Sc
cute an accurate range. Elevated at an
angle Of 45o, by a few shots the mortsrs
were brought to bear upon the lower bat
teries so that in the darkness Of the night
It was certain where the shot would strike,
although no object could be seen. On the
next night, at ten o'clock the "bummers"
again opened upon the batteries. Ranged
along the shore, not forty yards astern Of
the Essex, in full sight and easy range Of
the lower esrthworks for an hour they
rained a perfect storm of huge shell upon
them.
On the right and left, and far to the rear
they were continually scattering destruc-
ton; but from the eneny's silence it was
evident he was waiting ct the upper and
main batteries in expectation that some
boats were to attempt to pass, or that an
attack was to be made from some unex-
pected quarter. Moreover, it is certain
that ammunition is not o~Versbundant in
this beleaguered stronghold, and so it was
carefully reserved TO meet any sudden
emergency. When the bOmbardment ceas-
ed at IL o'clock, no demonstrations what
ever had been made by the rebels. But
they had no sleep for the rest Of that
night.
As soon as the mortar boats ceased fir
ing, they at once commenced dragging
their lying artillery into position on the
lower earthworks. A little jut Of land
near the margin Of the river, covered in
the Q q with a thick growth Of trees,
was s%urmounted by two 24-pound riied
guns, whence they could rake IN sp-
preaching vessel fore and aft.
To the right Of this hill, a ridge of rapid
slope on its southern face, running three
Fights of q mile east, and backed by a
thick grove, was surmounted by ten 90
pound riied guns.
At three o'clock on the morning of the
10th inst, the red light appeared at the
stern of the Essex. It was well under
stood throughout the feet that this time
the enemy would have to take a severe
chastisement. All but the Richmond were
within point blank range of the rebel po-
sition. The first shell from the mortar feet
was fred soon after three o'clock.
The example was followed by the other
boats, each sending forth, not q single
fash, but a great volume Of smoke as the
pOnderous missile was hurled aioft, hiss
ing and streaming like a mad demon.
Twenty pounds Of powder was used at eV-
cry discharge, so that the shell rose to an
immense hight, and took a long curve be-
fore it plunged down amid the batteries.
The oourse Of every shell could be
traced by the burning fuse, and it was
well known, as som Of the Rebels after
ward acknowledged, that splendid shots
were made, inhioting serious injury upon
the enemy.
The "bummers" had it all their own
way until half past four o'clock, when
a fash was seen on the crest of the hill.
It was Enthusiastically the fash Of the enc
my's cannon. Proof positive soon came
hurting over the Essex, in the shape Of a
percussion shell, which touched the leVee,
burst, and hurled its jagged fragments
| against her iron sides, and then fell harm
less into the water. .
Three flashes, three clouds of light
smoke, then observation-disclosures
the peal of heir cannon, announcing the
coming of three more messengers of death.
They all splashed into the water, whirled
up a splendid jet d'eau, then sank quietly
beneath the surface.
The Essex now showed signs Of lie.
Hitherto not a shot had been fired from
her ports. Taking sure aim she opened
fire with her 9-inch guns, and kept up a
rapid oannOnading during the rest of the
engagement.
Orders were given to slip the cable, the
/ engines wore set in motion, and the Rich
mond was headed for the enemy's batter
les. The starbOsrd guns we're trained
two points forward Of the beam. All was
now quiet on board. The range Of the
lower works were carefully taken. The
shot and shell were now flying thickly
about the Essex and the "bummers,"
while an occasional shell plunged up the
water near the Richmond. Suddenly a
loud report thunders from her bow. The
lO0.pound rifed Parrot sent a huge shell
whirling end over end with q noise like
the Puff Of a locomotive. The 9-inch guns
slong the starbOard side quickly followed,
making excellent shots. They tore up the
breastWorks, and burst their shells over
the heads of the Rebels at their cannon.
One Of the batteries near the river now
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