New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-22

many places nearer. The enemy nao, no"e'oi'
still held position within half mile OF our army
his skrmisbers approaching much nearer. iho troops
| of O. A. Smith. Hovey, Thayer, and Black were
necularly EXPOSED, from the circumstance that tney
u,ere rostsa in an open field, only separated from
,ho ononv nv n ravine and thin belt of timber.
Tbs omen space, by the way. was partially occupied
", Tho deserted barracks of the Arkansas and Texas
hovs and capable Of accommodating ten or dozen
r.ciments. The position on the river was also very
mich EXPOSED, because in full view and range from
the fort, although, will appear ii suffered much
less. At about l2i in the morning. word was passed
from one command to another that the gunboats
would shortly push their way up the river and EN-
gage the enemy, when the ball was to open in
grand chorus from all Sides During the morning
there had been lu. interrupted only by the shots
Of the skirnishers and occasional firing from the field
batteries. The battle to open in all ie fury,
according to the programme, at about l. AT
the hour appointed the guuboats began to
move slowly up stream, the De kalb in
'front.' the Louisville behind, the Cincinnati
bringing up the rear. No sound could be heard but
the faint putting Of the engines and the slow revou-
ton Of the psddle-wheels. The multitude Of strag-
glers and boatmen which lined the river banks for
miles were bresthless. Spy-glasses were employed
in vain to see what the enemy were doing. Within
the range of the fort the shore deserted except
by few venturOus ones, who peered out from
behind trees The minutes Of painful suspense are
heightened. Still no sound. The gunboats keep
pushing forward, with pennons at foremast. The
flag Of treason flaps lazily over the garrison. When
will they openl At last volume of sulphurous
smoke leaps from the bows Of the De Kalb. In a
moment the earth shakes again. The shell has gone
too high, too far. There are no indications that
the works are hit. Then the Louisville opens upon
them, but it will evidently take number OF shots to
get the range. In short time the Cincinnati rings
ont note Of defiance, and the AdInirals boat, and
the Monarch who have been following the IRON
clads begin TO fire at long range. Now they all
fairly at work. Volley follows volley till sluggish
cloud Of smoke begins to envelop the boat. The air
about the fort IL filed with the white puis of the
shells. The embankment is powed with them, and
volumes Of dust and fragments Of timber are dashed
into the air. The discharge Of the immense guns en-
barbeite the fort mingles, scarcely distinguish.
ably, with the explosion Of our shells. But still,
strange enough, the heavy oasemated guns dumb
as the grave. Meanwhile the action from the d.
recton of our lGnd forces has evidently commenced.
The booming of batteries and the "splutter.
ing Of musketry can be beard in the inter-
walls Of the firing on the river. We soon
convinced that the monster guns in the classmates
have been senced by the action of last night. And
after an hours fight, the enormous Dahlpen, Which
lop 49, t,iiug III alriIl dav;liah
the heavier noise Of the gunboss almost without in.
Permission, Is silent too. But the Rebels are now
turning their attention principally TO our right.
Sherman is trying TO get their flank, and they are
doing Lheir best 70 prevent 1t. Reader Were you
ever in full hearing Of the Pandemonium Of bat
te-feld If you have been, you may comprehend
the awful excitement Of The scene. Not otherwise.
The shouting and cheering Of the combstantsi the
continued roll Of muskeuy, now subdued, now
bursting into volleysi and, above all, the hosrse
roar Of cannon; horses, with and without riders,
dasbing at full speed in all directions; the wounded
borne on itters the smoke settling over the hill.
tops-all combine to produce an effect the most
Fascinating the most awful Life and death are
strangely blended together
Such as the scene Of yesterday.
At "a o'clock, tho white flag was run up on tho
earhworks Of Arkansas Post. The work was ours
Cheer upon cheer passing from one regiment to
another echoed along the shore from the fort TO tho
gunboats. The delight AT seeing that bit Of white
rag was almost enough TO Offset the disappointment
al Vieksburg
Little more remains to be said. We had captured
about 5000 prisoners. They embraced portions Of
the 9th Texas dismounted cavalry, under Col.
Wilkes; Ilsrs AfksDsas Battery Of six pieces,
Gariands 9th Regiment of Texas infantry, Giles
pies 25th dismoun,ed cavalry, COL Tayors Resi-
Inent Of Texas infantry, the 18th Regiment dis
mounted cavalry, commanded by Col. Sweet.
Our killed aud wounded will not exceed 900.
That Of the enemy, 80 killed; number Of wounded
unknown. We have three heavy siege guns, large
amount of artillery and ordnance stores, and several
thousand stand of small arms. Among the prisoners
is Gen. Churchill, Commander Of the Post. The
prisoners have been sent up the river 10 Cairo.
There are other Notifications at Pine Bluff, at
Little Rock, and at several points on White River;
bot no doubt il entertained that they can be reduced
without great difficulty, aud that the Capital Of
Arkansas will soon be ours.
The Rebel Privnteer RetributioB.