The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-15
.lU IL ~ tilH u a'ls Ls itsf1 GOA own
OPERATIONS ON THE MISSIS-
3d. e.a IN SIPPI. rq r43ea
TIE OFFICIAL REPORTS OF RUNNING THE
..-. VICKSBURG BATTERIES.

The detailed reports of Admiral Porter s
passage of the Vicksburg batteries have
been received at the Navy Department.
The vessels comprising the expedition
started in the following order, so yards
apart: Benton, Lieut.. Commander Green
Lafayette, Capt. Walker, with the Gen.
Price lashed on the starboard side; Louis
vile, Lieut.. Commander Owen; Mound
City, Lieut.. Wilson; Pittsburg, Lieut..
Hall; Carondolet, Lieut.. Murphy, and the
Tuscumbia, Lieut. Commander Shirk, with
the Day, which was dashed to the Benton.
The three army transports were in the
rear OF these vessels, and the Tuscumbia
was placed astern of all to see that the
transports did not turn back Two of the
transports, when the firing became heavy,
attempted to run up stream, but Lieut..
Commander Shirk drove them back and
staid behind them until the Forest Queen
was disabled. He then took her in tow
and placed her out of reach of the enemy s
shot. All the vessels except the Benton
took coal barges in tow, and all except
the Lafayette brought them safely past
the batteries. Having the Price alongside,
the Lafayette did not manage very well,
and the coal barge got adrift, but was
picked up at Carthage The Louisville,
Lieut.. Commander Owen, lost hers in
the melee, but picked it up again. While
under fire, the Benton was beautifully
handled by her pilot, Mr.. Williams, who
was in the Essex when she ran the bat
teries. He kept the vessels guns bearing
on the town and water batteries all the
time while drifting down. The guns of
the Benton fired over SO shell, well di-
rected into the town and batteries. The
Pittsburgh, Mount City and Tuscumbia
were more fortunate than the others in not
turning round as they came by, although
no i'll results happened to those vessels
which did turn. The pilots were deceived
by large fire started on the side opposite
Vicksburg by the rebels, for the purpose
of showing the vessels more plainly. Fires
being started on both sides of the river at
once, the vessels had some narrow escapes,
but were saved in most instances by the
precautions taken to protect them. They
were covered with heavy logs and bales of
wet hay, which was found to be an excel
lent defence. Admiral Porter speaks in
terms Of the highest praise respecting the
conduct of the Commanders, saying:
They carried out my orders to the best of
their ability, having great difficulties to con-
tend with-strong currents and dangerous ed
dies, glazing fires in every direction, that both
cred the pilots; smoke almost envelOpinG the
squadron, and very heavy fire son the vessels
that were fair targets for the enemy. l have no
cause to be dissatisfied with the result. No
one was killed. Only one or two were badly
wounded, and there were only twelve casual
ties in all. The enemys shot were Of the hea-
West calibre, and some were of excellent pat
terms. No material damage was done by those
coming on board, beyond smashing the bull
warks. No lives were lost on the Henry Clay,
which was burnt and sunk while passing the
batteries. Most OF the crew were picked up
and others got away in the yawl.
The reports from the commanders of
the different vessels, accompanying Adj
miral Porter'S dispatch, all testify to the
extreme difficulties experienced in this
hazardous, though eminently successful
expedition. The Benton, bearing Admi-
raj Porter's flag, passed within forty yards
of the town; and those on board could
hear the rafting OF falling walls after our
fires. Her acting Ensign, Edward G. Ben
nan, was wounded and three others. The
Lafayette received nine effective round
and cannon shots through her classmates,
while closely engaged with the rebel bat
teries. The Pittsburg received no mate
rial damage, though struck seven times
No casualties occurred On board. The
Mound City proved splendid target for
the enemy, in consequence OF the bon
fires which were kindled opposite the Point,
and who availed himselfof the opportunity
by sending ten-inch shot through both
classmates, passing out through the iron on
the starboard side, and wounded four men.
Besides this she was struck four times
while abreast these batteries, but sustain
ed no injury from them. The Tuscumbia
which had charge of the transports, men
toned in Admiral Porter's report, expert
enced considerable difficulty. For when
the two transports turned up the stream,
the Tuscumbia stopped under the very
heavy fire of the formidable enemy TN
til the splendid vessel Henry Clay was set
on fire and the Forest Queen turned
around. After this, and while the Tus-
cumbia was drifting in order to keep her
proper place in the line, she struck the
Louisiana bank of the river but soon got
off without damage. In backing down to
get her bow down the stream, she got foul
of the transport Forest Queen, and the
two vessels remained together several min
utes. This collision seemed to cause the
rebels great joy, and her commander says,
for few moments the fire from the shore
seemed to be concentrated upon the Tus-
cumbia and Forest Queen, but, providen-
TALLY, none of the shot did much damage.
She was here struck below the water line,
starting seven planks and causing the yes
sci to leak freely; but, by the use of
syphon pumps, she was soon brought un-
der control. The Tuscumbia also, when
the Forest Queen became disabled, took
her in tow, and landed her on the Louisi-
ana shore. Notwithstanding the trials she
experienced, no casualties occurred On
board. The Louisiana was struck four
times. No damage was sustained.
The Department has also received Off
cial information of the destruction of the
n go bo "o,% -, n