The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-30
BOmbardment Of Port Hudson.

BATON ROUGE, May IL, 1S63.-On the 18th
inst, a portion of the mortar fleet, which
has been lying at Baton Rouge for some
time past, was quietly towed up the river.
On the next day others followed, leaving
but one at the city. They were placed in
position opposite the head of Prophet ISL
and. The iron-clad Essex was already in
position within close range of the lower
Rebel batteries. The mortar fleet was
ranged in line along the shore, little way
to the rear.
Capt. Caldwell, of the Essex, was in
command of the mortar fleet. Between
the Essex and the batteries there were no
distractions, only swampy field contain
ing numerous stumps intervening.
At first, the "bummers'' were located be-
hind a corner of thick woods, where they
were not visible from the batteries.
The Richmond, Capt. Alden, was in the
| main stream, a few rods farther south
than the mortar boats, and to the left of
them.
About midnight on the Sth inst, a red
| light was hung out astern of the Essex.
Its appearance ignalled to the fleet to COM
mence firing. The lookout on the Rich
mond had hardly passed the word below
that the firing was to commence when
many fastened from their snug berths to
witness theexciting scene. Quickly broad
flash of brilliant flame leaped 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 twinkling of star,
marks the course of a huge shell as it seeks
the zenith, curves far onward toward the
enemy's works, and then drops rapidly
like a hawk upon it's prey.
AS this 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 a
circuit OF twenty miles.
Last of all comes the dull thud of the
exploding shell as it strikes, destroying a
casemate, dsmounting cannon, tearing
up the embankment, and scattering death
among the men at the guns.
a little more than an hour of this inces-
SAINT bombardment was kept up by our
mortar fleet. But no response was made
by the enemy on the first night. On the
next day, at noon, trials were made to Sc
cure an accurate range. Elevated at an
angle of 45o. by a few shots the mortars
were brought to bear upon the lower bate
ries 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 10 o'clock, the plumbers
again opened upon the batteries. Ranged
y IL
the Essex, in full sight and easy range of
the lower earthworks, for an hour they
rained 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 enemys silence it was
evident that he was waiting at the upper
and main batteries in expectation that
some boats were to attempt to pass, or that
an attack was to be made from unexpect-
| ed quarter. Moreover, it is certain that
ammunition is not over abundant in this
beleaguered stronghold, and so it was care
fully reserved to meet any sudden emer-
gency. When the bombardment ceased at
IL O'Clock, no demonstrations whatever
had been made by the rebels. But they
had no sleep for the rest of that night.
| As soon as the mortar boats ceased firing,
they at once commenced dragging their
flying artillery into position on the lower
earthworks. A little jut Of lake near the
margin of the river, covered in the rear
with thick growth of trees, was sur
mounted by two "a pound rifed guns,
whence they could rake an approaching
vessel fore and aft.
To the right of this hill, a ridge of rapid
slope on its southern face, running three
eighths of mile east, and backed by a
thick grove, was surmounted by ten 20
pound rifed guns.
At 8 clock on the morning Of the 10th
inst, the red light reappeared at the stern
| of the Essex. 1t was well understood
throughout the fleet that this time the enc
my would have to take severe chastise-
ment. All but the Richmond We're within
point blank range of the rebel position.
Your correspondent, together with Lieut..
81. B. Skinner, of Gen. Dudley's staff, was
on board of the Richmond, whence the best
possible view Of the engagement could be
had.
1t was bright starlight night, with the
air so clear as to transmit the roar of the
cannon through the forest recesses with the
utmost velocity.
Being reused up, according to the prom
Use Of q sentinel, who had agreed to awak
en- me at the first signal from the Essex, 1
| took an elevated position above the fore