Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-04-29
LETTER ER0m vICKsBURO.
Special Correspondence Of tie Memphis Appeal
YIcKsRuRG. April %, 1863

VICKSBURG, April -, 1858.
On Sunday night as The alarm was given Of
the approach of . bost from above; a general
movement was expected. During the day pre-
vious there were indications of considerable
cemmotion in the feet behind the point above,
and toward nigbtil was observed that the differ
snt columns Of smoke were slewly drawing
down tho river toward Young's point, and somo
Of our most vigilant artillery officers who no.
tced this movement, expressed their belief that
something would t~rsnspire during the night.
Having been on q visit to Major Hoadley's bat
teries an hour or two before shutdown, 1 had a
fair view of the prospects for the night, AID
came away with the conviction that the Yam
KEGS would pay US a visit in some shape before
morning.
Whenever an alarm is given ell hands hasten
to their pos;s, and the officers and men belong
ing to the batteries nearer the city and below,
all have plenty of tune to prepare and be in
readiness for the boats. Besides this, they
have the additional advantage of the illumina
ton on the river, because by the tine the yes
sells come in range Of the guns from the city the
whole scene is brilliantly lighted up before
them. These advantages Asjsr HoAdley's bat
tsries do not possess, as they have to give the
alsrm, and. have no way of sscertainirg the
presence Of the enemy until they are imme
diately abreast of his guns, and having no time
to wait for lighting up the river, he is compelled
to work in the dark at q time when Eight is
most needed.
But Notwithstanding sl this, some Of the
most effective work has been done by these bat
teries. Nearly svery boat that has been dis
abled or destroyed, received her first wounds
from these gunsi aud such as have escaped, re-
port that their greatest danger was from this
battery. The crew of the Qaeen of the West,
on her passage down, acknowledged that she
came near to destruction by a shell from one Of
these guns and a correspondent from the crew
of the Indianola, also reported hsr machinery as
disabled ct the same place. The transport
Henry Clay was sunk in front of the battery,
while the Silver Wave received 8 shell that set
her on FIRE from the came. Considering the dig
advantage under which they lsbor, and the exc
cution they bave done, this battery is deserving
of al Prsiss.
But little excitement was occssioned by the
passage of the tug on Sunday night. Oar ar
tillery officers are satisfied that q craft of
t5ss description could run the gauntlet even
If tie number Of guns were doubled. The
manipulating of heavy artillery is quite a differ
est thing from what many might suppose The
loading Of gun requires time. and if she fails
to strike frs tbs first trial, she must be repointed
and aimed at The otjoct, which is all the time
getting further and further distant as fast as
SCAM can prcpel It. Handspikss and levers
are required to move tho gun, and it is slow and
heavy work, and the darkness of the night ren-
dsrs the work still more slow and tedious.
Tie criticisms passed upon our artillerists are
not only unfouaded and wrong, but highly IN
Just. No enc who has any knowledge of heavy
pieces, would for q moment hesitate to say that
our batteries were manned by capable and e-
feient officers and men. Due allowances must
be made for the tina required to losd and aim
the piece, for tbs darkness in which they have
TO operate, and for the sWiftness with which TIE
target passes along beyond the range. Of
course no man Of sense will ind fsuls with our
-cannoneers, but some beardlsss, unsophisti-
Gated bipeds, who have no sense, and who never
will get any, are awfully shocked at the bad
shooting of our guns.
Yesterday was apparently too Indictment fer
any military movements, and nothing occurred
d.fsresi fsm the ordinary course in this vicin-
ity. Toward night there were indications Of
activity .merg TIE boats above, and it was net
known bat another run would be attempted
dzring h. night. The night also seemed favor
able, IS It was dark and cloudy, but the enemy
manifested no disposition to disturb as, and this
morning ali is suiet. NESTOR.