Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-13


days without intermission, throwing shell into
all parts of the city even reaching the works
in the rear Of Vicksburg, and in front Of our
troops, distant three miles. Three heavy
/ guns were placed ON sCows, Il 9-inch, I0-inch,
and l00-poundcr rife, and placed in posi-
ton a mile from the town, and commanding
all the water batteries
| They have kept up an accurate and inces-
SAINT fire for fourteen days, doing all the dam
age that could be done by guns under such
circumstances. Five S.inch, two 9-inch, two
52-pOund riled, and four 32- pound shell guns
have been landed at the request of the differ
ent generals commanding corps, from the
gunboats and mounted in the rear of Vicks-
burg, and whenever | could spare the officers
and men from our small complement, they
were sent to manage the guns-wih what
ability leave to the general commanding to
say.
In the meantime stationed the small class
of gunboats to keep the shores of the Misss-
sippi clear of guerrillas, who were assembling
in force with large number of cannon to
block up the river and cut off the transports
bringing down supplies, and ammunition for
the army.
Though the rebels on several occasions built
batteries, and with a large force attempted to
sink or capture the transports, they never sue
ceeded, but were defeated by the gunboats
with some loss on all occasions. Without
watchiul care of the Mississippi river the OPP
eratons of the army w0nld have been much
inlerfered with, and can say no estly, that
officers never did their duty better than
those who patroled the river from Cairo TO
Vlcksburg One steamer only was badly
disabled since our operations commenced,
and some six or seven men were killed and
wounded.
While the army have had trouble with some
of the enemy in front and behind them, the
gunboats and marine brigade, under General
Ellet, and asmall force of troops under Gems.
Dennis and Mower, have kept at bay a large
force of rebels over 1900 strong, accompanied
by large quantity of artillery, and though
they offered battle several times and engaged,
they invariably fled and satisfied themselves
by assaulting half disciplined and unarmed
blacks.
The capture of Vicksburg leaves us large
army and our naval forces free to act all
along the river, and hope soon to add to my
department the vessels which have temporarily
been lost to the service, viz the Indanola
and Cincinnati. The effect of this blow will
be felt tar up the tributaries of the MISSISSIPPI
pi river. The timid and doubtful will take
heed, and the wicked, hope, cease to trouble
us, for fear. of the. punishment which will
sooner or later overtake them.
There has been large expenditure of am.
munition during the siege. The mortars have
fred 1000 mortar shells, and the gunboats
1900 shells and 1900 shots have been fred
from naval guns on shore. We have also
supplied over 5000 to the different army
corps.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your Obedient servant,
DAVID ID. PORTER,
Act'y Rear Admiral Cong Miss. Squadron.
Reports from Admiral Farragut.
FLAGSHIP PENSACOLA, Nelo Orleans, June
29.-To Hon. Gideon Wells, Sir Il have to
inform the department that while / was at
Port Hudson received dispatch stating that
the rebels were in force on the west bank of
the river, threatening Plaquemine and DON
aldsonville' | started Immediately for the
first named place; but, on my arrival at Baton
Rouge, l found dispatch from 1t. COmman-
mander Weaver, to the effect that the rebels,
about $50 Texans, had made raid into Pla-
quemina three hours before his arrival, and
had burned three steamers that were lying
there. 1t. Commander Weaver shelled the
place, driving the enemy out of the
town and following them down to Dom
adsonville, which place he reached in
advance of them by dark. l was also there,
and found that the Kineo had also beensent up
up Commodore Morris. The enemy, finding
us in such strong force, gave out that they
would not attack Donaldsonville, but go by
railroad to Brashear City | then ordered the
Winona, Lieut.. Com. Weaver, to cruise up
and down the river; and he, seeing the enemy
on two occasions, shelled them. As l had
much to attend to, dropped down, placing
the gunboats to the best advantage above and
below. Lieut.. Com. Weaver volunteered to
assist the volunteer officer commanding
the fort in the drilling of his men
at the guns. | paid them ID visit and gave
them my advice in case OF an attack, which l
looked for sooner or later. | left Com. VOL
sey in the Princess Royal, in command at
Donadsonvile, and sent the Winona to Pla-
quemine, and placed the Kineo at a place be-
low where the railroad ran near the river,
distant about twentythree miles from New
Orleans. On the 18th inst, the enemy
reached the La FOurche crossing, and attacked
our pickets, who repulsed them, causing them
a heavy loss. On the 18th, they had a second
fight, and were again repulsed On the 23d,
the enemy, under Gems Greene and Morton,
attacked and captured Brashear City. Our
force there was very small. | had only
tiers, which | purchased as tug boat. |
regret to say that her commander is not rep
resented as having been any more vigilant
than the rest.
Mr.. Rider says, however, that he could not
fire into the enemy without firing into our own
people, so he Withdrew and retired to New
Orleans, leaving Brashear city in possession Of
the enemy, On the 27th Com. Wolsey in
formed me by telegraph, and Brig. Gen. En-
cry personally, that Gen. Green of Texas had
notified the women and children to leave
Donaldson, as he intended to make an attack,
| Immediately ordered the Kneo up to the as
sistance of the Princess Royal, and Lieut..
Com'r Weaver in the Winona being on the
alert was also in Donaldsonville in time to
take part in repulsing the enemy. | enclose
herewith commander Woolsey's report.
AT 1.20 A. NJ. on the 2Sth the enemy made
the attack, and their storming party got into
the fort, but the gunbOats opened Il thanking
| fire above and below the fort, hurting de-
struction into the rebel ranks and driving back
the supporting party, so that they broke and
1ed and the l20 who entered the fort were
| captured AT 400 A NJ the rebel Texans
| fell back in great rage, vowing vengeance.
! l had in the meantime ordered up the Mo-
nongahela, commander Read, and Gen. Emo
| ry first, and then Gen. Banks, sent forward
| reintorcemcnts. Gen. Stone is now in COM
mand there, and the place is perfectly Sc
cure. The prisoners have arrived from DON
jacksonville, one hundred and twenty four in
number. Among them are one lieutenant
| poloDpl tUO D,aiOrS and five 6outpnontc