Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-01-23

stern there were nearly four fathoms. Size
Immediately signalcd for assistance. and the
Clifton went to Der and tried t. haul her of.
Simultaneously. two rebel gunboats bore
down upon the Harriet Lane, and She in
stantly opened rapid fire on them. The
Owasco, too, chimcd IN, and the combined
fire between them and the rebel boats, to-
gether with the Hattie ON shorc-all In the
thickest darkness of night-forined a scene
that surTasecs the most brilliant powers OF
Imagination.
The Clifton found it impossible Ia haul of
the Westiied, and leaving her, started TO the
aid of the Harriet Lane. Thi, latter vessel
was in the centre of the FIRE at the upper
end of the town. As the Clifton was passing
the lar. the relels opened Ere ON her from
Fort Point, where they had mounted two
guns during the night. During this time two
more rebel gunbuats were lust across Pelican
Spit, which is mere sand bar, and at that
place only about twenty feet wide. They
were apparently watching the performance.
As the gTav dawn began 10 appear two more
smoke-stacks were seen in the distant haze,
betokening more Of the nondescript rebel
craft. Troops were still pouring across the
bridge. and a rebel battery was stationed at
EdKlt uTDNt. on the HDulDtIH thu vi AlAt
bridge, and two others were on the main
land Just at the other end. They evidently
meant TO destroy the bridge rather than allow
it TO he retaken by the federals, and their
troops crossed without restraint. The town
seemed full of rebel infantry and cannon, and
there must have been 5000 engaged on land
alone. The Lane unfortunately WAS aground
when attacked, and therefore unable 10 use
herself to any great advantage nevertheless,
she succeeded in getting several well directed
shots into one of the steamers, causing her
t. sink in few minutes. BY this time the
third steamer had run alongside OF the Lane,
and the shaTpsh0oters opened on the gun
ners. all Of whom were killed in a snort time,
together with the commander, Captain
VAIN v INT. ~ soon as Captain Wainwright
fell the Texans boarded the vessel, and after
a heroic defence by the Union officers and
men, captured her.
The boarders from the cotton boats were
crazy with rum. and il was with the greatest
difficulty that the rebel commanders could re-
strain them from numbering all the prisoners.
As il was. out Of Il gallant crew Of one hund'
dred and thirty only about ten escaped. The
rest were nearly all shot, stabbed or thrown
overheard. mercilesly and without quarter
The two rebel boats had .rappled her Ur
each side. and while their sharpshooters shot
the gunners. hundreds Of the Infatuated ant
drunken solllerv had boarded her. and fought
her brave crew 10 death. Il i, related Of he
noble c1mminier, Captain Wainwright
that he killed two rebels with his sword ius
before he wac shot through the head bvanoth
or. The COnirderates next taTned their al
,eniion T. the nited States Steamer West
field. acting commander Rrn7haw. living
short dietau, bland which was still acrcun,
After an ina4. ciUal attempt l. get his vcsse
clear Commodore Rcn-hsw held brief con
sulyation with III, oihc,ls thc result ~ whicl
was a unanimous determination to blow th'
Wcstfeld up. The crew was transferred t
the Mary BJardman. and the WestGeld WA
set on frc The last boat lay under II,
Westfield's bow, just ready L. move off con
tanning the Commodore bim7elf. 1T Lieut.
Zimmerman. Chief ENGINEER Greene and
crew Of -iN men For some reason the flame
achel the Magazine at once.S the whole f,r
Iar; of the gunhlat was whirlci in the cir il
thousands Of fragments. IH">tHr> and stripe
were floating NJ the bows wlon the explosion
took place. There we've about hundrc'
,adod she'll un the dork. for the action whiri
had been expected. AMI some of ths-y -ho
into the air with the explosion. bursting hi.l
up. almost anon. tie clouds TIE vc~sc
was wholly split hack to the ~m'ke-stlek .an'
one end was blown AWAY t. the water s-lge
Nothin. morr wa- ever >oon of the t,uluo-
dorc Nothin. more was ever seen af HI
/ gigs crew.
The other federal vessels Immediately lef
/ the Bay, the rebels following them Is far a
possible with their artillery and steamed FL
New Orleans The rebel cotton steamer fol
lowed. and when near the lar the Clifton
turned and sent shell, which had the e1ec
Of turning her hack 70 Galveston. Will,
coming out the Honduras was met with
part Of the troops on bard. She headed
again for New Orleans on learning the news
The Harriet Lane was one OF the best anC
most efficient vessels Of her class in the Navy
The Westfeld was originally New Yorl
ferry boat armed and iron plated. ami Ia,
/ proved herselfa very -crviceable vessel.