The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-21

the had been wholly barren Of results About this
time shell directed either from the louisville Or
Deialb, though which point in dispute both
sells fired almost simultaneously which exploded directly
over and close to Parrot gum mounted
the southern parspe Of the rebel fort and which had
given vessels the greatest anxiety and trouble disa
bling every man engaged in working the gun With Held
glasses could plainly that less than OF
the poor fellows literally blown to pieces, their
limbs being asunder and their bodies severed into
shapecss masses and sottered throughout their works
Nine others, either engaged In working tho gun or
standing by It., counted among the wounded,
who were borne from the spot by THOSE who rushed 70
their rescue discovered dragging their crippled limbs
over the ground 10 place Of refuge Not man was left
TO work the and throughout the rest Of the engage
rnent II was not again fred
sIAcHKSs.
With the sencng Of this immense piece, which seems
10 have been their main reliance, the lire OF the enemy
began TO slacken, If their forces bad become dis
hcarten But sl their other guns worked with
some animation, while ali the batteries OF gunboats
poured In upon them most damaging fire. As yet not
single shot had struck any OF vessels since tho ac
tion commenced although many fell IN close proximity,
and fire did slacken in the least We had attained
perfect ranges, and each shot nred WAS becoming
and more close unit, Il was with the utmost hazard
their gunners but obstnatey they put others their
places We silenced one, and finally two Of Their guns
but sti the remaining two kept iearlefsly a. work u
was desperation on their part, and they manifested de-
termination TO fight TO the last
ABANDONED.
Finally the last came The ground became too hot Tor
them One OF the remaining guns on the eastern para
pet was abandoned the gunners dying 10 confusion The
example speedily followed by those employed on the
south parapet, and the fort was silenccd.
GusHoArs WITHDRAW.
just at this juncturo signals made by the army
firing, boats dropped back out OF
action
ruRIous ASSAULT ARMY.
Then commenced a most furious assault by the land
forces. Those upon the left, comprising, am inform
the divisions Of Generals Steele and David stewart
formerly Morgan l. smith crossed the ensmys aoais,
10 utter rout driving them out 10 the direction Of the
read Leading 10 Little Rock Here they were headed OF
by the division that had crossed from the White river
and desperate engagement ensued. or this engagement
have but little Information ms was not present 70 wit
IT, and have bad opportunity Of conyersing with
~. 1HR EsGAcsHKNf THE
lam informed that, emerging from the Gre Of our
attempted break right wing with Wow Of cscap
ing but being repused, after heavy slaughter cessn
ton Of hosIiities occurred During this cessation rein
round from left TO tho right 10
such that when the enemy again attempted the
Of breaking through which they did at three r NJ
hey again repured alter very brief engagement
their forces breaking and utter demoraza
ton Soon the rebel commander scnt out flag OF
truce proposing captua.,on Inc answer rsarned was
based unconditional surrender. This reply was
doubtless expected for after short delay II was accept
NOUS position with ito heavy armament, all Its garrison,
light artillery, small arms, camp squipagc. ammunition
stores &C Colonel Illumination ste o. me United states
the navy, and Admiral Porter received his sword.
SKETCH COLONEL DrsSIsoT0y.
The rebel Colonel John W. Huntington II native and
citizen Of Kontucky, from which state he was appointed
10 the United Navy the 10th Of April 1919 On
the 18th Of October 1856 he was promoted icuten
service Of his country and loned that q the rsbek 90
his last voyage be sailed IN company with LentonantJ
Pembroke Jones on TIE steamer Mobican then stationed
the coast u Africa when lac resigned he had been
twelve years In the service 81 his country
eight Of which had been spent al nearly three years
lieutenant about twenty months on shore and Other
duty and the remainder OF the time be had been uncm
ployed either being absent on leave OF awaiting orders
Notw outstanding he had proved 'rarous 70 his country
80 great respect the service he had deserted
tina, he requested 20 surrender his s~ord 70 tho chief
officer OF that branch TO which be had formerly belonged
ON sorrH BASs.
The division that landed the suuth bank o. the river
the mouth n Red Fork, moved out on tho road ~
the direction Of the landing, opposite the Poet From
this landing " single road, leading 70 tbs wachiia
river, through region ~ sxamps and low lands. The
irsn latter place the crossing o. small creek
This bridge occupied at early hour by battalion
of our cavalry which encountered small force OF rebel
infantry The latter disodged alter few rounds Of
musketry, and ficd IN the direction q the tort.
nosrlSs A BsIfSE
The bridge beng fairly IN our hands the rebel retreat
IN that direction rendered hopeloss. Tho divnion
for med IN line u battle and after seversl hours mla
tent Itenng 10 the cannonading moved forward tie
direction o. The river They had advanced but single
mile before night upon them and they bvouackcd
the held Around them was the dense cypres forest
with ia thick brvshwood. The gloom - the night
rendred still mre intense By thick fog which over
hung the forest N that vicinity strong picket was
thrown and during the night and there were constant
alarms from stfagglcrs from the fort coming upon
lines before they aware Of ~ and several pr
made IN this way one Of our moo sN
wounded by sbot from the bushes but his wound
not considered serious
During the night there but little sleep In the hi
yonac being snxiuus for the coming Java, aud
fervcuty desiring opportunity 10 retrieve tie Dis
grace o their failure before vicgHburg under ~hef
Had not this been sufficient for slccpo-s night,
there would been Tor wskenipess 10 the
casioua looming Of the artillery from the gunboau N
front 81 the Post.
MOVING o. SUNDAY.
in the morning they moved forward ~ within two
mites u the river meeting and capturing small squads
OF the enemy There engagement q importance,
~ the had learned run the guard 49, the bridge ~
force ready " uIJDse then and did bot At
tempt 10 retreat ny way Of the waoh'a When tho
battle the number a prisoners on this SIDE w@
tar from hundred, consisting entirely " stfsg
gers from ihe fOd All 81 them told pitily tse u
their garrieon lie and tie scarcity Il Itovtstans.
CA%rsITiAe
have not, from the circumstance ~ wtirb an sur
rounded able r make out 1T M me osssa Va the
various div engaged these VII doubtless 30 ssut
~ your rnrfefwndsut wAo asrAlted the iAnd forces
haze heard several Cstnaies q the eaent Har e8fsr
ug ~ them parirs the sief snd wounded "a les
ttah tLree hundred ssvoft fefEus Ae ~ 0pniou that