Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-04-09

tDrce UoW SuuS DeSefteFS VINO nave SluCe
come into our lines say that the effect on
the batteries was terrible. For one hour
and quarter the fight continued in fear
full earnest, the feet and batteries keeping
up one incessant roar the darkness of the
night, and the thick smoke-clouds hanging
to the rivers surface, being lit up by the
red glare of artillery.
The flagship Hartford and her little
protege, the Albatross, passed safely by
the forts. The Richmond had got up as
far as the upper battery, when she rcceiv-
ed shot which carried away her safety
valve, compelling her to blow off steam,
and thus completely disabling her. The
Genesee then towed her down again past
the batteries, when she had to run Sec
ond time the gauntlet. The Monongahela
had also got very near the upper battery,
aud had every chance of passing, when
her crauk pin became heated, compelling
her to slow her engine, and not having
power to stem the current, she also was
compelled to repass the forts second time,
with her companion, the Keneo.
! While this was going on, the Nassis-
sppi had reached the sharp point or bend
Immediately opposite the heaviest battery
in front of Port Hudson, and about five
hundred yards from the opposite shore,
where she grounded. The enemy having
lit up fire behind her, on the opposite
shore. she at once became a target for
them, and having once obtained her ex-
act range, the firing upon her became mur-
derous. Imagine this devoted vessel the
center of third of circle of only five
hundred yards radius--this arc, compris-
ing length of three and half miles,
bristling with batteries and cannon, and
all converging their fire upon one vessel
from her starboard bow to her starboard
quarter. Think of this noble craft stay
ing in that position for nearly an hour,
firing off her 296 guns-her port holes
knocked two into one-her foretop blown
away, rudder disabled rigging and bull
warks completely gone, and her starboard
SO careened over as to prcseut full broad
side to the enemy, while it prevented her
from using her guns up the sloping deck
Except in the case of the Cumberland and
7 Congress, the annals of naval warfare
present no such instance of human BRAY.
cry and endurance.
Capt. Smith, who had said beforehand
) that he would never surrender his ship
, was true to mis- word He never lowered
his flag, but when he found that his yes.
sci could not possibly be saved, gave or.
der for his men to leave The order had
to be repeated three times by the officers
of divisions before they would comply oil
, leave their guns.
The sick and wounded we're then taker
to the surrounding vessels, and after max
preparation for firing the Mississippi, thu
men saved themselves some in boats
some by jumping overheard, &c. The
{ ship burnt until she became sufficiently
t lightened to float herself off, and then sh,
went down the stream by herself. Thos,
who watched her from the other side, 60
ing OH this strange voyage, one mass O
fire, say that she moved as rrettily as il
t she was being stecrcd AS she moved
: down the stream she kept firing off he can
e mons and other arms. She hoated onward
e until she reached point about five mile.
S above Baton Rouge, near where the Ar
e kansas was blown up, and there, at 5 O.
clock a. m, on Sunday, her after maga
: zine, containing twenty tons of powder
ignited, blew her to atoms and shook tn,
q earth for miles around.
] During the engagement very awk
p ward and painful accident is said to hav,
| occurred, which some few deny, but tn,
: majority Of officers and men insist upor
: as correct. 1t appears that while th'
Richmond was passing the Mississippi, OF
0 the return Of the former down the river
;. she mistook the Mississippi for shor
e battery. and the Mississippi mistakins
: her for some rebel craft, both fred int
Q each other. 1t was one Of those painful
n mishaps which all the officers declar
|. there was no possjbilitv of avoiding n