, 1863-04-28
FROM p0RTER'S FLEET,
How the Vicksl,urg Batteries
we're Passed by Admiral
Pofter's Vessels.
Eight Gunboats and Two Trans.
ports Below Ready for
Service.
Especial Correspondence Of tho Chicago Tribune ]
ToCSG's POINT L.

Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune,
YoCSGs Po1sr, La.
Friday Noon, april II, 1868.
Ever since the Investment Of Vickeburg BY
the Union blockading squadron, those who
know best about ouch things have been loud
est in their demand that the iron-clads should
"do something" These ignorant clamorer:
have at last had an opportunity to SEQ "some
thing" done. Admiral Porter has demon.
strated that he has the skill, courage, and
capacity to be equal to any naval emergency,
and that in point Of doing the right thing at
the right time he is not behind any command
crin the Union service.
Itwas generally understood that an attempt
would be made to run the blockade, but Inc
extent Of the enterprise WAS kept eecret
until q day or two before it was carried out.
Extensive preparations in the mouth of the
Yazoo, where the fleet lay, indicated that Ad-
mira1 Porter would take at least eight or nine
Of the iron.clAd vessels, comprising the
gcater part of his fleet, below, and that from
the character OF those preparations, nothing
would be left undone to ensure the safety Of
the lives aboard, and the vessels themselves.
The decks, over the boilers, we're coEered with
sand bags and the other part5 Of the boats
were covered with hay and cotton bales, rem
dered more impervious By compression,
Seven boats were thus prepared, some nc.
counts say eight, but the eighth vessel Was
only tug. The Benton, with the Admiral
aboard, took the lead, followed in line by the
lafayette, Garondellct, st; Louis, Sterling
followed by tic steamers Henry Clay, Forrest
Queen and Silver Wave, each with two bargcs
in tow, loaded with supplies for the troops at
Carthage.
Thu hight was not at all favorable, for the
ky was spanglcd with stars and
ing, which Of course carried the
least noise to the ears Of the rebel sentrles.
Admiral Porter, knowing this full well, ord
cred *'1ightE out" and the vessels to drift
down and not attempt to turn wheel until
the batteries commenced firing. The fleet
started at ten O'Clock and disappeared around
the point ut eleven, aud soon after the batter
leg opened. The Flagship reached the front
Of the city before the first shot was fred,
when the gallant little craft replied at once.
Tie Benton is the bfayest Of our irou-clads,
hat ehe is at the SAME time one Of the most
unfortunate, for she never goes into an en-
gngement hut she gets struck, and has some
Of her crew killed and wounded.
At ha1fpast eleven the bombardmcnt WIS
~ i
broke out or was kindled In the city, which
Illuminated thc scene, now at the height o1
its dreadful interest. Tho feet was between
the upper and the lower batteries. and every
gun Of the enemy was dcliyeringits fire. The
impression here is thas the rebels did not fire
as rapidly nor with half the vigor that they
have on former occasions, and this
would seem probable on account Of the es.
cape OF the iron-clads from any material dam
age. They we're struck pretty often, but,
thanks to the ucans uEEt f,r their protection
they got down IN safety, with the single losi
of one man OH the Benton, and the woundina
Of two others by 4 shot which entered one d
her ports.
At twelve o'clocl; The transport Henry Clay
Was struck By shot under her water-1inc,
and at tho same time shell exploded among
the cotton bales used to protect her sides,
setting fire to the boat, which enabled the
rebel gunners to see to batter advantage. II
is affirmed that the rebels set fire to houses in
III. city to cid them. but this ut best is ouly
conjecture. The crew Of the consuming
craft sought refuge from the dcvonrins cle-
nle.te III yaw]s, md i'll the barges alongside,
and escaped in safety. The battery in front
Of The rebel hospital DID the heaviest firing
md Kept it ul' longer. The rebels e,.
1";,;;;an 1sDa;sa nnt vast a1aou.t o ,,.,} Of am am
pose, for despite the loss OF the Henry Clay,
Admr:tl Porter deserves credit for his brave
md successful .t;fc Of stor:niny and running
past tie Ficksburg batteries.
is soon rs the Admiral reached WaErenton
the pop guns Of that sink-lole opened upon
his inynlncIable fleet, bur he replied in such
unmistakcablc terms. that the guns were not
cEly silepccd, but the works were totally tacs
troyed, They were two cascnlated batteries
covered will rli]road iron, int ended for saver
guns; but only field pieces, OF 1T least small
seise guns. had been mounted. I forgot tc
st:lie lhat the Forest Queen lad her scaDt
pipes cut, IN tlc boilcr-rooH1, which complete
II disallcd her, and might have resulted it
her total loss to us, but for the bravery Of the
CAPTAIN Of the Tu:cumbia, who ordered Iii
boat back and took the transport in tow.
All glory to our brave fellows who under
toch tlls hazardous enterprise; all credit tc
Admiral Porter forthc prominent part he tool
in its plan and execution.
The flee las gone to Carthage, to cooperate
with whatever plans arc now af,ot, for tj,
last. and whicl, is hoped will be tic success
1ul attack GA Ficksbur5. Bod.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Last night {Thureday) everything WAS i:
ccnll1.tc readiness before dark. Tie pl:l!
d. cided upon was that the irol-clads shoult
pass do" II in single file. with intervals be
TWEEN Tic boats Of 4 few hundred yards, am
that when in front Of tny batteries they sl,oui6
engage them with their broad .idc guns, max
in. rs much smoke rs possible. under cove
of which the transports should endelyor tt
pass them.
4 warm, cloudlcEs day WIS succeeded by :
clear twilight, beneath which hoats from al
s'lowcr Lantling'' place about four miles il
direct line from Vicksburg, and which il
da slight atlur;s an extended and detailed view
Of the city and its fortitlcationE. Tie "a,
l2p', having on board Gen. Grant and wife
Gen McCler1land and wife, together will
several other military officials md 1adic
also came down from b1illikcn's Bend
and took o position just at the head Of tn,
canal, where her passengers had a most excel
lent view Of the Whole operation. TIL,
Ioeket, with Gen. Thomas, made its appe,r
ancc near The canal, and landed the General
who proceeded further down In a slsiff. aut
took position where he could speak the cuu
boats after passing the main batteries. Ofhc
parties Proceeded down in esiifs. yaw,s. tnns
1Sc., and placed themselves wherever tie,
imagined the best view Of the coming snecti
Gle could he obtained, In short. by min,
o'clock the audience was all seated, and wait
Ing imraticntly for the oDcniue Of The mr.
formnnce.
There were in all per1,aps thirty hoafs at tht
landing, each Of wlicl. was black viii snsct, f.
tors, Of whom not a few were ladies'. these
and the stars. were thc w;tnrasns mi cnrs+;
TUT d an audience at onre IaTrc ard rrsn,cIa
bic. am bound to saT that Tho st,1a 49,.
tie more srrious and quiet portion Of RI, M
pattcrin.r. thc h,'anca rasse4 4 ~ 49, - ~
SGnt;no T. ;rIcs 1amn,,tor ea ~ nuufs ~ .
nnki1S--Thich toRc.hn, W,t5 ",.u r',,a;n; ru4s
fi,silnde If ciannac5c cor,,s sra,"o+ad A,u. nn..
t1;n~ hni m n-,4cs3at;on ~ ~ otGu ~ H. "us
raa ahont ta nncn ,r,'s - tr",d ic; .as ~
a rna,int1 farce Wv" . ''''eus tns'c'a o.
I;Thts +I;nt1oa ,,.;,r f. -. ~n,..,.
1;IlsFi,"s unt;, ohn,,t "a nofno1 o 1ne tleAspus!
d;san1,e,rcJ and nho,,t ~ tvosn, ~" "usn anc3
eon1 I'M ,,,,rhtr hnu ~ eo. nr s;a ~ sae noE3ch
sia,less ,Saes ~ ~ .eha+ iaea nG'G a
f1snuent ~ Jss.,,e" " "1rt H.. igGheu a.Se gtea
n,,Is.1ess Sar. 10 r. r1or "'' tlseeiru ~. 4oai.us
-. Puseeo ,uu uIs"plitaleu IL lNt ulGnt, ant