, 1863-03-03


so much so that at 4 point four miles below
the fort by river, we were only mile from 1t
by land. The batteries are entirely concealed
from sight BY dense forests untii,wc approach
within 400 yards Of them, or until the nose Of
the steamer begins to show around the Tolnt
upon which the negro cabins arc built.
THE ATTACK UPON TIE QUEEN or THE WEST.
We moved slowly up the channel, making
the bend With considerable difficulty, until we
reached the point below the negro quarters
where the land is cleared, when wc dscov-
cred long line Of dense black smoke moving
up the river beyond the fort, indicating the
hasty departure Of transport. Onr gun
uronthe bow was Immediately placed in posi-
tion, and two percussion shells were sent in
that direction. These exploding In the vi
cinity of tho transport, which We afterwards
learned was the Doub1oon coming down the
river With corn, caused her to disappear to-
wards Alexandria.
The land makes out into the river on the
point, lraying an extremely shallow place
which pilots are careful to avoid. Our pilot,
whether designedly OF otherwise, know not,
ran the Queen aground, and at the same 1n-
stant the batteries opcned fire upon us. Re-
collect, We were not four hundred yards from
the fort, and i1nmovablc. The pilots tried in
an inch Shot were flying, shell we're burst
ing, and worse than all NC could not reply.
The enemy had our exact range and every ex-
plosion told with fearful effect. Tour cores
pondcnt sought the pilot house, and thus be-
came an unwilling, witness Of the te,rible
upon the deck and between the smoke
stacks, not twenty feet from our heads.
THE EXPLOSION.
The air was filled with fragments aud OK
p}udipg shells which few before, behind aud
all about Us. Soon VIC heard a crush among
tie machinery below. Word WIS passed up
that The lever which regulates the engines was
the escape pipe was gone. Still another and
the steam chest was fractured. The whole
boat shook with the rush Of the escaping
steam which penetrated every nook aud
Granny. The engine room was crowded with
engineers, tremen, negroes and prisoners,
sion that It WAS the safest. All this time.
while we supposed wo were blown up, and
looked every moment to be launched into
eternity, the batteries played upon the uufor-
tunate vessel, and pierced her through and
through. Men crowded to the after part Of
the vessel. Some tumb1cd cotton bales into
the river and getting astridc of them sought
to reach the De Soto mile below. The yawl
WAS tied to the stern, aud man stood there
With loaded pistol threatening to shoot the
for Col. Elicit, and men were sent forward to
look after him. The negroes IN their friGh.
jumped overheard and many Of the poor crea-
lures were drowned. Some Of our men we're
scaldcd. Word WAS soon to the De Soto to
como along side to remove us. She came as
near as she dare and sent her yaw1. but before
It returned she herself was compelled to move
down the river ont Of range.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.
As have before stated Was In the pilot
house when the explosion occurred, and took
the prccautton to close the trap door, thus
keeping ont quantity Of steam. There was
still enough TO make breathing almost impos-
| sible that came through tho windows In front
cram the tail Of my coat into 1ay mouth, and
| thus avoid scalding. Shortly We discovered
that to ren1aln would induce sutfocatiou, and
/ we opened the trap door aud blinded By steam
| sought the stern Of the vessel. Cropping
| groes, sought my berth. seized an overcoat,
| leaving an entire suit of clothes. my hayer.
/ sack and some valuable papers behind, and
emerged upon the hurricane deck. The shell
were flying over my hcad, and here was obyi
ously no p1ace for me to remain. Looking
jccting over the stern below me, aud calling
| 10 him to catch my coat sEnng myself ovei
by a rope aud landed directly upon the rndder
1t this time 1t was suggested that boat bs
sent to hurry up, the Dc Soto, and among
those who entered 1t was Jour correspon
| We reached it In about ten minutes, passing
on the wav several men on cotton bales
among them Col El1et and McCullogh Of The
| Cu4nnerriaI, Almost exhausted, the occu
pants remained behind, while another crew
was sent up to pick up survivors.
BOARDING TIE QUEEN.
Tho yawl had reached the boat and WAS bus
lily engaged in picking up the crew, "hc1
tilree boat loads Of Confederate soldiers eau
tioue1y approached the Tessel and ooa1de'