Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-10-01


Mississippi is two hundred and eighty miles. Tie STRAIT
egc Importance ofthe place thus be comprehended
glance, and It's occupation doubtless intended
as the first step ID campaign, the results of which
promised to be OF the most brilliant and. lasting
character.
OPERATIONS.
Accompanying the land force was naval force of
four light draught gunboats, consisting Of The Clifton
ArzoDa, Granite City and Sachem, aud the plan was
for these to silence the batteries drive back the enemy
aud the landing of the troops. How CALAMITY
and noby they strove to carry out successfully their
part of the programme, how they failed, and how the
many brave hearts within sight and hearing OF the
ict witnessed that failure with liter feelings OF anger
and greet that they could not be relieved may
become portions OF history, but will remain inde
bly, recorded he hearts OF all who present. and
them still greater exertions in the glorious
cause OF rtdeeullng their country.
THE FIRST ACCIDENT.
the last place of rendezvous of Berwick Bay, it
was determined that the entire feet should endeavo to
reach the point of destination oy midnight Of the 7tb
and the attack take place at three four o'clock
Oh the morning OF the 8h. With this understanding
tie long line of vessels moved their way, plloed by
the guuboat Arizona, Capt. Ihibbets, which was fol-
lowed by the transport Beyidere Capt Fisher, having
on board the veteran Brig. Gen Godfrey Weze, COM
manding the First division of the corps, and the gal
liant members ct his staff the General beng assigned to
that pest Of honor and Of danger which be not only vii
ngly accepted, but modesty requests the command OF
the advance. The bockadng vessel stationed of Sa-
bne Pass the object, and the feet steamed
swiftly On, while bright lookout continually kept
discover the vessel Hour after hour passed. and 10
vessel appearing up to three O'Clock the morning OF
the 8th the 3et hove to, and upon examination 1t
became apparent that the feet had by the desgna
ted point quite distance consequence OF the absence
OF the bockader 1t was OF course too late IN the day
to carry out The original pan and the consequence was
delay OF entire day necesstated, thus giving
the enemy, if advised of the expedition, opportunity
OF receiving ren1orcements aud making all necessary
preparations either for evacuation more vigorous
defence. would add In this connection that the block
ad6r absent cruise, from which she returned
before the battle.
FEELING THE ENEMY.
Daring Monday night, therefore, the entire feet
collected the neghborhood OF Sabine The gunboats
ghtest draught vessels of the transport fleet
ed the bar and immediate preparations made Tor
the attack the unavoidable delay necessitaDg some
changes in the mode Captain Crocker, OF the Clifton
as gallant sailor ever fought ship was to inau-
gurate the action by feeling and uucoverng the enemys
batteries ascertainng the number and disposition of
the opposing force aud drawngtheir fire. while Gener
ais Franklin and Wetze personally examined the shore
OF the pass and ascertaned the eligible point for
disembarkng the land forces. Accordingly the Clifton
steamed up the pass, throwing shell now and then
from her huge rided guns at the only work visible ian
earthwork containing six heavy guns) making care
Jul reconnaissance OF the surrounding locality. She re-
ceived response her Shots and with dar
ing bravery steamed within easy range of the FORT turn
ing about and lesuey returned to her former position
The face OF the enemy s work was from one hundred
to one hundred aud fifty yards in LENGTH and sup
posed 10 be open at the
PLAN BATTLE.
Ga the return al the Clifton the order Of battle was
immediately arranged and rapidly perfected The gun
boats Clifton Arizona and Sachem were to engage the
enemys work, while the Granite City, which carried
only broadside OF small brass guns to the
landing of advance force OF five hundred men, of Gen
Weza's division, selected from the heroes of Port
Hudson, and composed OF two companies of the One
nj
the One Hundred and Sixtyfr New York. and de-
tachment from the Seventy.fitth New York regiments
under command OF Captain Fitch, OF the last named
regiment. The General himself came board at the
last moment to euperntend personally the operation OF
Olsen barking his troops.
THE BALL OPENS.
"All ready was the signal and about four o'clock
p. ~, the gunboas steamed slowly forward, the Clifton
advancing directly toward the tort, followed by the
Granite City, and she in by the transport General
Banks having board the advance of the army. The
Sachem and the Arizona steamed eft to the right and
ran up nearly opposite the battery The Clifton open
ed the ball with sl.I from OF her nine inch pivot
guns, which exploded inside the rebel works, throwing
up perfect shower OF debris, and instantly followed it
with second shot of the kind Soon the little
Sachem commanded by Captain johnson, opened Ter
broedside thirtytwo FOUNDER guns On the work, and
the next moment the rIz0na paid her compliments to
the foe. The gunnery was magnificent, a few OF the
shells exploding prenaurey and the pieces dropping in
the water. Up to this time, and until from thirty to
been returned by the enemy An omnous silence per-
va1ed the fort and many OF the opinion that the
works had been abandoned. Neither soldiers ill.,
haDltants made their appearance and the only signs OF
life apparent the movements of small steamer in
the river, which had up above the city and down
far the fort twice during the forenoon,
and which joined by second steamer about the |
time the action commenced.
Bold Feat
Thrty-niDe oeserters from Virginia regiment in
Braggs army passed through this place last Sunday
week all m0uDted and armed with the Mississippi |
rife. They represented themselves belonging to
" iliams' Virginia Cavalry, and their way to that
command, aud thus succeeded in passing through this
place. On Monday, however, suspicion was aroused
that all was not right, and Maj. John W. Woodfn with
IS men put of on the track. The deserters it seems
went to Alexander II Burnett's, ten miles below here
and the direct road to Tennessee, when from
cause they changed their route and struck the
country, through Yancy county. This fact Maj Wood
fin learned before starting and shaped his
dinghy He pressed after them with his handful OF men,
riding two entire days and nights without resting and
at daylight on Thursday morning overlook them en-
camped en- Watauga river, in Watauga county, some
eighty miles from this place. Some of his had fall
len behind their horses having broke down nnder the
long andapd march 80 that when he ur with them
he had but Is men, He surrounded their camp almost
before they of bis presence, and demanded
surrender, which after parey, complied with
He captured &c. two making their escape and one being
absent from the camp at the time When they found
they had surrendered to one half of their number
their modification was extreme.
Maj WoOdhn returned to this place on Friday eve
when his were DrODerI7 cared for and