Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-04-23

INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE or THE GUN-
BOAT D1ANA-1hs Slaughter on Board--The Yam
kee account of the capture of the Federal gunboat D
ana has been published. She cut stealing sugar,
an occupation which made her the terror of the plan
teTs along the river. Two battaons of Confederates
and battery of artillery posted the river
bag her. which was done just after her commander had
finished robbDg the plantation of Mrs. Cochrane,
widow. The Franklin (La.) Banner, gives the follow
account of the speedy retribution which visited her
AT about O'Clock, P. M, Saturday, the Diana
came within about fifty yards of our battery which
waiting and ready for them he Diana, suddenly dis
covering our forces opened fire upon them, killing nine
cavalry horses, but doing other damage Then
menced scene on the Yankee gunboat which beggars
description Our sharpshooers and the Valvadere bat.
terry opened fire fatal than anything this fated
tgunboat had ever witnessed before. The gunners on
the boat swept away they had all been struck
by lightning. Those who not slain Grip.
Piled On the spot fed, terror stricken, behind the
FASCINATING that protected the engines and great
numbers jumped into the hold of the boat The off
GERS attempted to rally them, aud all but swept
away by the death dealing guns of impetuous and
terrible foe. The gunnerss pilots and officers 81
eDced at dash terror dismay and confusion reigned
among those who secreted behind the casematiDg
and beneath the lower deck. The drtted down
the stream with her rudder disabled and only managed
by half disabled engineers But while this was the
state Of things below who can describe the terror thai
relgned in the cabin The Vavadere battery and The
sharpshooers threw storm of iron aud lea len hail
through this that was terrific beyond description
Doors, windows looking glasses, tables, chairs SOFAS
trunks cro keyWare, the contents OF feather BEDS the
pantry, store and the surgeons Shelves looked
as though they had been struck by lightning and then
given up to the tender mercies of a hurricane. The
floor may almost be said have been knee deep in the
wreck OF matter which but few mtnts before
arranged in perfect order
But the worst is yet to be said. Amid all this wreck
and ruin the dead and the dying lay in their gore shot
to pieces and their bodies terribly acerated and
by cannon balls shells, and smaller shot PiIloW-ca8es
were seized and sheets torn in the agony of the moment
and used to staunch the wounds which had not resulted
In DEATH and these the next day. with floors be8maared
with blood added to the horrors of the Some of the
balls of the Valverde bat cry went eni'ey through
the casematng, which consisted Of slabs OF iron one
and halt inch thick and seven inches in width. One
cannon ball passed through the boat just of the
engine and another splintered the timber the star
board bearings OF the main shaft
AS the boat hoated down the stream, section Of
the Vaverde battery was alternately pouring its
derous shots into the crippled gunboat while the other
section took position below and wates for their prey
to DRIFT within the range OF their guns. OhDg could
have been managed more admirably than the two sec.
tons OF this battery Col. Walters men dismounted
and did great execution, in company. with the sharp
shooters OF the Arizona BATTALION and the gallant
of the 29th Grey's) regiment. Thus she drfted
for about two miles shot at and struck from almost
every imaginable point on this side OF the river from
Skeggs's to Monses Those who still controlled the
boat doubtessy hoped she would float down far euough
to be relieved by the Yankee gunboats from BerwCk's
Bay. But at length they despared of relief, white
flag was hung out, and the boat surrendered.