The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1863-05-01

lS1eohtlf shah 'his way tue ni8nt HNed
for the expedition - stt,mpt this hazard
Gus undertaking, proceeded on board Of
steamer Tycoon, and h1ated down the
river as close to the city as any OF the
steamboats, not belonging to the expedi-
tod, dared venture. This was a point 4
miles distant from Vioksburg, but owing
to the wiUiugs OF the river at this poi 1t,
one could SIC all points for miles along
the high bluffs on the Mississippi side
whese the enemy's batteries are4ocated.
Tne river bends around ut this point in
the form Of no sc shoe T; the concav ity
Of the same being towards the Louis ana
side. in this hollow Of the shoe extend
inc from one side, is narrow neck Of
land lcnthening out into the bend, until
the distance between its end aud the op-
poste sh IRE, Is less than one mile aud
around this point QUE boats must pass ex-
pos,d d to the fire of many of the enemy's
heaviest batteries. Now imagine YOUR
self occupying position on the hurricane
deck of one of the largest steamers in the
1eet--lho John Dickey-gazing iuteutly
in ths direction OF this dangerous point.
1t is now II O'Clock all is quiet, except
an occasional sound Of an animal on some
boat, clItlerng on the solid panks on tho
lower deck. This is the hour set for the
bjals to start from their position, miles
above. Presently. all eyes are turned in
that direction, aud in the distance you
behold black object floating tow arus
you which proves to be one Of the DOOM
ed voss Is which are to run through th is
shower of irOn-hail, or rather iron lamp
posts as the cJnical shot are often called.
presently comes anuth r, aud 50 they
CO .e in SUCCESSION until eleven in all
hive passcd-eight Gun Boats and three
Transports. NV tney are all below US,
ana ia line OF battle. The distance b.
tween each boat being about 800 yards.
The following is the position as they ar
rived:
lst The Aag ship Benton, on which
Admiral Porter has his headquarters
th n comes some of the turtle shaped
gunboats, mehum SIZE in the centre
rides along the large and splendid gun
boat Lafayette then cOmS the trans
ports, and a the rear of all another fine
large gunboat--thc TaSeumbid. Now,
they are all in line below us--the signal
is given, aud they commence moving of
quietly aud slowly towards the place
where that monster cannon is in position,
and no doubt aware of their movements,
awaiting the proper distance when they
will concentrate the fire Of these monster
guns, loaded with missiles of diatN and
destruction Now IS moment Of deep
silence aud intense anxiety among the
crowd, aud fitness of death Sc ,tns to
overhang ALL On the heights above the |
city there appears bright vivid fash as
OF distant lightning, only more volumni-
Gus, and very soon thtre is sound audi
bl ., but only indistinctly as Of very dis
tant thunder the terrific fire now belch-
ed forth from mlny points, indicating
that us many as five batteries are now
plungng their shot at our fleet as ii
comes in sight. AT this moment light
springs up on the reb i side OF the river
and in front Of their batteries. All eyes
are now intently turned upon the light,
aud all minds are busy conf ,cturing what
caused il my hope was that our gun
boats had set one OF the buildings on FIRE
in the city, und mIny were fearful il was
the burning Of tn, transports that was
soon given up, as the light remain'd in
the same place. | learned the rebels set
Il on fire to light up th.' river, to bring the
boats more distinctly into view. The fir
ing now became terrific, and many bouts
in the river trembed from the loud con-
ca sions producing revcrberations, max
ing the earth lremble as by an earthquake
THIS was one of the grand
ast, yet at the same time awful in its
Yet at the same time there
was some feelings aroused in the minds
Df many, that removed great deal of
he novelty or curiosity of the case. The
Harry Cay (transporD was ignited by
she'll from the enemy's guns and nJated
lown she river, lighting up oil around for
/ long distance. The crew OF the boat
vas saved with one or two exceptions.--
rhe only casualty | could learn, was
hat shot entered the port hole OF the
Benton, killing one and wuunding two
'thers This was a splendid achievement
or our navy, and is one Of the most dar-
ng on record in the ma al annals of this
" any other country. The bravery and
laring of our early naval victories, is yet
abroad among our people, and | defy any
,cople to show more cool bravery and
airing courage This is consid red by
'ur military critics as n decided success,
nd the comm lnders claim this as u very
important part Of the grand combination
IT mo, cments soon to take place upon
he military chess board of the South
vest. What the next move will be In
his army, know not. We have now
en- ficent gunboats below the city, and
hink tn they will make the position OF
h. enemy at Vlcksburg and Warrenton
90 hot and untenable, Our land battery
pen on the city this morning on the
'oint oppOsitr the city, ubIu Que aud
Iilf miles. The result not yet known.
witnessed our gunners throwing shells
nto the town, and seen them explode
round their Temple If Justins { was
lmewhat DISAPPOINTED IN not seeing the
,ity take fire and burn to the ground. |
IN confident that Vicksburg will be in
'ur posse ssion b fore the lst OF June. -
There is a plan laid, and il our & nsraIs
re the right stamp, our success is certain.
RIcHaoSD.