The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-10


daylight next morning. ..t..rb ST..
A few days before our embarkation,
Admiral Porter and Gen. Grant had made
a personal reconnaissance of proposed
route to the Yazoo above Haines' Bluff.
Seven miles from the Mississippi, Steele's
bayou empties into the Yazoo. Entering
this bayou in light dra1ght gunboats and
tugs, they explored it up to Black bayou,
about fifty miles, and some distance up the
latter. Being satisfied that the route was
practicable, they returned. The Admiral
sent five iron-clads, and Gen.Sherman was
ordered by Gen. Grant to take charge of
the opening Of the route. Gen. Sherman,
with the pioneer corps of Stuart's division
and the 9Th Missouri, left at once with the
steamer Diligent. In the evening, Gen.
Grant received dispatches from Admiral
Porter, announcing that his gunboats were
meeting with great success, and asking
that the laud forces be sent at once
Grant as stated, Immediately ordered Gen.
Stuart to proceed with his division.
The expedition consisted of the Louis
vile, Mound City, Carondelet, Cincinnati
and Pittsbnrg, iron-clad "turtles," four
mortar boats, the ram Prince, and mus
quito Linden, and the infantry of the I'd
division of the 18th army corps, Gen. Da-
vid Stuart's except the 18Th Illinois, and a
section of Woods battery, Lieut. McCagg,
the transports Silverware, Dilligent, Eagle,
Champion, Pocahontas and Monongahela.
Going up the Yazoo river seven miles,
thence up Steeles bayous twelve miles, the
feet came to Muddy bayou, which runs
across from the Mississippi into Steele's
bayou. At this point the troops came
over on floating bridges from the Missis-
sippi, and embarked. We proceeded up
Steele's and Black bayou about twenty
miles to Hills plantation, and marched
thence twenty-one miles on a levee north
along Deer creek, nearly to Rolling Fork.
1t was proposed at that point to embark
the troops again on transports and proceed
to that creek distance of seven miles,
until we reach the Sunfower. Once upon
the SunfiOwer, stream Of considerable
width, we could reach the Yazoo, between
Haines' Bluff and Yazoo city, and would
be in position to operate against the enc
my at various points with great effect.
But the Sun1ower was never reached.
During the three succeeding days the
boats which we had were used with all
dispatch possible in transporting the troops
to the rendezvous. At the mouth of Black
bayou they were transported from steam
ers to coal barge, which was lowed by a
tug up Black bayou. In the meantime
the gunboats had gone through Black
bayou into Deer creek. The great might
and strength of the iron-clads enables
them to ride over almost any ordinary
growth of willow and cypress in the creek
the water was deep and they moved
slowly and surely along up Deer creek
some fifteen miles, without much labor
and without any obstruction from the en-
envy On the goth the rebels commenced
annoying them with sharp-shooters, and
by falling trees in the creek. The boats
were obliged to lay by at night. and on
the morning of the 21st, the Admiral
found considerable distractions in the
river, and an enemy some 600 strong,
with field battery of rifles, disputing his
passage. This was hear some old Indian
mounds, and for the greater part OF the
day they were kept quite busy. making
but half mile progress. .-...
Large bodies were kept good distance
from the fleet, but sharpsnooters would
come up behind trees and fire, taking de-
liberate aim at our men. The Admiral
sent dispatch boat to Gen. Sherman,
stating the condition of affairs, and the 9th
and Sth Missouri and 10th Illinois, under
Col. Giles "A. Smith, were at once sent to
the relief Of the gunboats, and to assist in
getting them through. They made forced
march, skirmishing part of the way, aid
reaching the gunboats before the night of
the 22d, a distance of twenty-one miles,
over terrible road. During the day the
enemy had been reinforced from the va
zoo, and now unmarked some 5000 men
infantry, cavalry and artillery. The boats
were surrounded with rebels, who had
felled trees behind them, and were moving
up artillery, and making every exertion to
cut Off retreat and capture the fleet. Col.
Smith at once established patrol for a
distance of seven miles along Deer Creek,
behind the boats, with chain of sentinels
outside Of them to prevent the telling of
trees. Further progress was impossible.
For mile and halt, to Rolling Fork, the
creek was full of distractions. Heavy bat
teries were on its bank, supported by large
force. To advance was impossible; to re-,
treat seemed almost hopeless. The gun
boats had their ports all closed, and prepa-
rations made to resist boarders. The NOR
tar boats were all ready for fire and ex-
plosion. Our lines were so close to each
other that rebel officers wandered into
our lines in the dark, and were cap
tured. 1t was the second fight without
sleep aboard ship, and the infantry had
marched twenty-one miles without rest.
But the faithful force, with their energetic
leader, kept successful watch and ward
over the boats and their valuable artillery.
Att o'clock that morning (the 22d) Gen
eral Sherman received dispatch from the
admiral, by the hands Of contraband,
who came along through the rebel lines at
night, stating his perilOus condition. Leav-
ing dispatch for General Stuart, who was
bringing up Ewing's brigade, to follow him
with the remainder of the division, Gen
eral Sherman at once marched with the
I'd brigade, the 18th regulars and 18th
Illinois Of the 1st brigade. Our gunboats
at that time were in bend of the creek,
the three regiments of the LIST brigade had