The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-04-20

although a very old boat. was handled
very finely, and the Captain proved him
self an excellent pilot. I'VE could not
get q pilot before leaving Helena. I To-
ward evening, lst April, our boat was
snagged, and soon after, was found to be
in sinking condition, and was at once
headed toward land. Providsn,ialIy, We
we're just opposite plantation, and the
bank Afforded fine landing. AS soon as
she struck, the Captain sprang ashore
and assisted in getting out head line
While this was being done. the men who,
up 10 that time, had behaved very well
indeed, crowded to the larbord side, which
was next the lapd causing the boat 10
careen so much that she was in danger Of
sinking Immediately. Seeing the peril,
the Captain came running back, shouting
to Col. Hiliis-"C Colonel. for Gods sake
get the men of, Immediately, at the
stern." At that time the stern was close
to the shore, while the bow was swung
out some distance. The men heard the
order Of the Captain. and scene Of ad-
mira BILE confusion snsued. Almost all
rushed aft. Those on the hurricane deck
commenced crowding down the little
hatchway abaft the wheelhouss. Those
on the cabin deck began to Chamber over
the guards, and down the staunchions--
oil crowding ashore pell-mell; while their
progress was impeded. and their safety
endangered by rolls Of blankets, carpet
sacks, valises. aud even loaded guns with
bsyonets fixed, which were hurled ashore
by those who were still on board.
/ BY the strenuous efforts Of Col Hills,
1t. Col. Weaver, and other officers, this
hesdlong rush was stopped, and order re.
stored to good degree-especislly as
the boat, relieved by SO many having got
ashore, righted considerably, and it be-
came evident that there was little danger
now of her sinking Immediately.
i Staging was now run out, and the dig
embarkation was effected in good order.
Relieved of her loading, her pumps at
length gained on the leak, and | was
awakened the next morning from sound
sleep TO find that they had succeeded 10
stopping the leak. and that the work Of
reloading wss going rapidly on.
Well, our boat did not actually sink
but had We been delayed but little long
er in getting to shore, she must have gone
, down.
!, During the remainer of our voyage,
nothing occurred worth mentioning, ex.
cept that some 80 or 40 miles above this
place, we were fred into by guerriilas -
, No harm Was done on our boat; bu, un.
derstand that the 10th Mo- had two men
badly wounded, and the Seth Ills. had
one man killed and three wounded; Will.
the "Ad. Hine" dispatch hoa.,) which
, came down shortly after, received som.
. sixty shots, but with what effect die
{ not learn.
: We arrived here yesterday noon. W.
( are supposed to be about miles from
!, Gen Quimby's Division is encamped
on the left bank OF the Tallahatchi, and
! Gen. Ross on the right.
, The Tallahatchie below us describes .
} . wide circuit, in outline something re-
Q sembling mans head.
. About the middle of the bend the Yal.
I abusha comes In, forming with the Tai.
, latcLie, the Yaxoo Pass. On the SOU th
J side is Greenwood. In the neck, but
nearer the Tallahatchie than the Paxoo,
is the rebel fort. 1t was supposed that
our batteries would open upon It last
night or this morning, but the indications
at present are that we Ars going to fall
back up the river-perhaps to defeat some
| fanking movement on the part Of the reb-
els to get in our rear.
4 cannot send this OF at present. and
viii keep it open for farther develop
monts.
i APRII l0.---Just landed few minutes
ago, three miles below Helena. Were
between five and six days making our re-
turn up the Pass. Know nothing farther
ia reference to our future movemel4 nor
of the reason of our return. 1t is ru-
mored, however, that gunboats from be-
low passed up 10 the rear of vicksburg,
and that they had taken "Haines Bluff.
and perhaps the object intended by the
"Yazoo expedition" has been attained. !
cannot add more without losing an oppor-
tnnity that now offers of mailing this.
w. Fl. w.
Nfw a0pfrtisfmfnts.
. YylJTND