Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-09-23


Port Hudson, Sebastopol, and many other
places to be attacked, we had to feel our
vay, and am sorry to say it cost US some
thing in valuable lives and property; but
no more to affect us-ss to the ultimate re-
sult-than q rain. drop affects the duck on
which it falls.
On arriving st the spot on which our
troops were destined to land, it was soon
found to be impossible TO attempt anything
of the kind, owing to the marshy nature of
the ground and the excessively shallow
water. Ii soon, therefore. becsme evident
that upon our gunbosts would devolve the
whole task Of attacking; and CALAMITY
did some Of them 90 into an engagement
that is pronounced by all who saw it, one
Of he most desperately contested Of the
whole war.
THE NAVAL ACTION.
The attack was commenced about half
psst o'clock on the afternoon of the 9Th,
by the gunboat Clifton, Captain CrOcker
commanding, carrying nine heavy guns,
two Of Which-one at the bow and other at
the stern-Were 9inch pivots.
Captain Crocker opened fire at distance
of abou. two miles from his bow pivot, and
after an experimental shot or two, acquired
the range, pouring in upon the enemy q
continuous stream of fire, the bursting
shells knocking huge holes in their works,
and throwing the debris up in enormous
quantities. The reports Of the huge mon
ster was absolutely desfeniDg, and the
ground fairly shoOk from the conoussion.
The Sachem, Captain Johnston COM
=, ~ foob m mai
ton where she could pour 3 rsking cross
fire, and also opened with her broadside Of
rifed pieces, which we're served with equal
precision and effect.
About the same time the powerful bat
terry Of the Arizona, Captain Tibbetts, from
4 position at the stern Of the lSachem, also
opened upon the enemy with screaming
shell and Kissing round shot-eVery one Of
which could be plainly seen blowing up
the interior Of the fort and crashing
through the stRorks.
This continued for some time before the
enemy replied, the ships gradually near
ing the fort ana increasing the rsPidity of
their FIRE, until they were within point
blank rage, and the Sschem bad nearly
passed BY the Works--on the right hand
side of the oyster reefs fronting them
when the enemy suddenly opened terri
fe fire from his entire battery.
THE REBEL WORKS.
The fort 8 situated some distance below
Sabine City-as shown by the map send
you. The FIRST and main work consisted OF
a powerful earthwork Of great length,
mounted with six heavy guns, and garFi-
soned By a large number of men. To the
left Of this was 8 second work Of similar
character, mounting from three to FIVE
heavy guns, one or more Of which was
rifed. In addition TO these two forts, the
enemy had in sight and rendering vslua-
BILE assistancelto the defense, three large
ootton-clad river steamers, armed with one
or more guns, and schooner armed with
one bow gun-probably of very large cali
bre, as she lay off at distance ofover two
miles, and deliberately fred at the ap-
preaching fleet
The firing now continued hot and fierce,
the enemy's shot being generally aimed
too high, passing over the tops Of the ves-
sells and striking beyond them; while, on
the other hand, nearly all the shots from
the vessels we're effective, searching every
portion of the larger work, and, at times,
with such effect that every man was driven
from the guns.
AN ACCIDENT AND ITS RESULTS.
But just at this moment when every
thing appeared most favorable, and the for
tunes of war seemed about to assign the
need of victory to the gallant little yes
sells, the Sachem unfortunately grounded,
broadside on, exposing her most vulnera-
BILE part to the concentrated fire of the en-
emy's largest work, the steamers and the
sailing craft.
FURIOUS BATTLE OF THE eUEBoATs.
This was speedily taken advantage of By
them, and perfect storm of shot and shell
fell upon, over, and around her, making
the water hiss and foam like boiling
cauldron. Soon heavy rifed shot struck
her fair in the side, crushing in the iron
plating and woodwork, snd, striking her
machinery, exploded her steam chest FILL
ing the vessel with the sealding vapor and
leaving her helpless wreck, with no hope
Of getting off the shore. Poor little Sa-
chem Ia saucier craft never foated on
the water nor bolder man than her COM
maDder, johnson We all remember the
noble part she took in the affair at Calves
ton; one Of the few bright spots In that
otherwise dark and hideOus piece of bust
ness.
The enemy now ceased their FIRE on the
Sschem and turned their attention to the
remaining two boats; the crews Of which,
realizing the position Of their brave com
rades, redoubled their exertions.
The Arizona, unfortunately, drew 100
much water TO get to close quarters, and it
devolved upon the Clifton alone to under
take the periloUs task ef silencing the
works. task that might have daunted
the stoHtest hearts.
But the Clifton was manned by brave
men, and most nobly did the gallant Crock
er and his crew respond to the call upon
them. Putting on full head of steam, the
devoted little craft ran down directly to-
ward the largest fort, keeping up hot Ere
all the time from her pivot guns, and as
che neared the works, loading with double
charges Of grape, sweeping the parspet at
every discharge.
The Clifton had now approached to
within about five hundred yards, and after
giving the enemy last discharge Of grape
from her pivot attempted to throw her
bow around, and take up a broadside posi-
ton. But she had gone a few yards too
near, and as she lightly swung around,
her bow struok,-the velocity with which
she was running driving her far upon the
shore. She instantly commenced backing
keeping up q constant fire from her bow
and port broadside guns, the former keep
ing the main psrspet entirely clear Of the
enemy, while the latter played on the Sec
ond battery.
This continued for some time, and faint
hopes we're entertained thst the gallant
Captain would succeed in extriesting his
boat from her terrible position. But this
was not to be; for, at last, shot from the
battery at the leftpenetrated her boiler, in