The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-09
From the Lower AIississfppi.

From the Lower Mississippi.
CAMP AT THE Mourn OF GILBERT BAY
on, La, April 26.-Gen. Grant is evidently
doing all in his power to open the Missis-
.sippi and to take Vicksburg. His present
plan, SO far as it reveals itself to an ontsid-
er, appears to be practicable, and it is
thought viii be complete success.
A portion of Gen. Netherlands COM
mand is now before Grand Gulf, to coop
crate with our gunboats in the reduction OF
that place, and other divisions are moving
as fast as possible to the banks of the Mis-
sissippi at and below Carthage. A militia
ny road is being constructed from Mill
ken's bend to Carthage, via Richmond,
which win be the line of communication
for future operations at least until Vicks-
burg is reduced or evacuated. There are
several formidable bayous intervening, the
bridging of which has somewhat retarded
activity all along our lines. Working par
ties are busily employed in every direction,
and doubtless in a few days there will be a
good road, enabling Gen. Grant to concen-
trate any force he desires upon the river
below Vicksburg. / think that the reduc-
ton of Grand Gulf will be followed by an
immediate movement upon Port Hudson.
The activity everywhere manifest to the
most careless observer clearly evinces the
sible ofthe tremendous responsibilities now
resting upon him, and Of the necessity of
speedy, prompt and decisiUe action. In short
insignificant maneuvering and experiment.
ing are evidently at an end. A plan, and an
aggressive one, has been decided upon, and
is now being carried into execution with an
energy and a will which, feel confiden
will ensure great success. ..
Gen. Grants headquarters are now at
Carthage, thirty miles below Vicksburg.-
Adjutant General Thomas is also there.
On Friday morning, the Oath inst, it
was the intention of General Grant to at
tack the Notifications of the enemy at
Grand Gulf, thirty miles below Vicksburg.
Generals Osterhaus and Carr, with their
to assault by land, while at the same time
the navy was to assault from the river.
On Friday Osterhaus and Carr had sue
ceeded in getting to the river, and in cross
ing to the opposite shore on barges and in
the transports which ran the blockade, but
up to this Sunday morning. no attack had
been made. 1t is reported that the delay
is the result of a reconnaissance, which re-
vealed the enemy to be in larger force than
was anticipated by Gen. Grant, and in view
of this fact, in order to insure success, he
determined to await the arrival of rein
forcements, which have been ordered for
ward, before commencing the attack. Tho
the delay has somewhat disappointed us,
there is still perfect confidence that Grand
Gulf will be in our possession within few
hours. II. any event, there is to be bat
tie and desperate struggle before the enc
my will be permitted to retain and COM
p1ete the Notifications at Grand Gulf. The
character of the Notifications at Vicksburg
and Port Hudson has made US a little wary
of their repetition at other points along the
river. "
On last evening your correspondent had
the privilege of descending the river to
within sight of Vicksburg, to witness the
steam-tug Rumsey run the gauntlet of the
enemy's batteries, with two barges of hay
i'll tow. l am sorry to add that, owing to
some failure in the preparatory arrange
meats, the performance was postponed
On last Wednesday evening, the following
boats, in the order as follows, succeeded
i'll running the blockade; (the regular Off
GERS and crews, for the most part, abandon
ed their boats, and they were commanded
Tigress, commanded by Col. Oliver of the
9TH Missouri Volunteers. She passed the
Nicksburg batteries safely, but before
reaching Warrenton, it was discovered that
her hold was filling with water, and that
she was rapidly sinking. She was there
upon run ashore on the Louisiana side,-
She is partially sunk, but it is expected that
made available. -...s r.e ..E. -t,.r ..5.
She was followed by the Empire City,
commanded by Capt. Harrison. One of the
regular pilots of this steamer, A. Evans,
from Fayette county, Penn, remained on
board. lie was assisted by a Mr.. Marsh, a
private of the I'D Illinois Volunteers
Marsh, while at the wheel, was cut nearly
ly. He was from Chicago, and leaves a
wife and children .-. -.--. a. & ..g. 81. a.. --;
Many of our friends at home doubtless
become impatient in view of the slowness
of our movements against the enemy; who,
perhaps, suppose that the army has moth
ing to do but to march across the country,
thirty miles to Carthage, descend the river
same distance to Grand Gulf and storm It.
But it must be remembered that artillery
and ammunition are a part of the army, or
at least q necessary accompaniment, and
that, therefore, the swamps, creeks and
swift bayous must he bridged, which re-
quires time and labor. Very little camp
equipage is allowed in the present move
ment. General Hovey's division is with
out tents or baggage, all being left behind
at Milliken's Bend. Everything indicates
that there is fighting to be done soon.
The Empire City passed Vicksburg, but
there being two or three feet OF water in
her hole-the effect Of the knocks which
she received in her transit of the batteries
the officers deserted her, refusing to at
tempt the gauntlet at Warrenton. There
upon she was taken in tow by the Cheese
man, and carried safely through to Garth
age. She is little damaged. ea q.
The Moderator next followed. Her
steam-pipe was cut in two by ball, but
she fioated on safely. There was one in
jured by the escape of the steam.
The Cheeseman followed the Moderator.
She had her wheel broken, but was other
wise she was little damaged.
The Anglo-Saxon came next, and passed
both Vicksburg and Warrenton, compare
lively uninjured.
Lastly, the Moderator followed, with the
same success. o.. r-.ru -...r.
There were several men wounded, but
have not heard of any loss Of life, except in
the instance above mentioned. .ns
When it is remembered that these boats
were compelled to run before the fearful
batteries Of Vicksburg and then at Warren
ton, twelve miles below, and that their pro-
lection by cotton bales was imperfect and
utterly inadequate, it is most wonderful
that SO little damage was done. Few lives
are lost, and all the boats, except the Ii
qresS are TODAY in running condition The