Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-07-11
CORRESPONDENTS.
OK BbARr STEAMER Jacob STRADER. Miss.
RIVER. above Vicksburg, June %, 90.

RIVER. above Vicksburg, June %, 90.
Friend Lutte Here we are floating over
the muddy waters Of the :. Father of Wa
iers,' approaching the memorable city of
Vicksburg at the rate OF ten or twelve miles
per hour, and at present rate of speed, some
eight hours ride from Young's Point, La.
Since my promise towrite you, have been
on the look out for something to "turn up"
that might be worth while to write. This
morning the desired something made its ap-
pearance. But let me go back to the day !
left you. and give a brief account Of my ex-
perience on the way thus far.
Leaving Prescott on board the good steam
or Mcclellan, "on time," there was every
prospect that we would reach La Crosse in
time for The morning train to Milwaukee
But alas for human expectations. The sand
bars were high, and although the powerful
boat succeeded in scaling few during the af-
ternoon, and safely watered on the lower side;
after dark the task became more difficult, un-
til at last, about 10 2. M. we landed safely on
bar, few miles above Wenona. Hour af
ter hour did the boatmen work to get her
afioat, but not until the next morning, about
8 O'Clock, did they succeed in doing So
What peculiar pleasure there is in being
stuck on a sand bar. TO man subject TO mill
tary rule, ami to return to duty at just such
time or be disgraced. Everything must have
an end. and our trip 10 La Crosse was no ex-
ception to the rule. In passing. let me say
to our friends Of the St. Croix Valley, that
this continued low water is arousing business
men to the f ct that Railroad TO connect the
st. Croix Valley with the Southern part Of
State is necessity, and that it must De britt
soon. This remark I heard made Ivy Rail-
road men from Chicago and Milwaukee.
From La Crosse via Milwaukee and Chic
ago to Cairo. H., was bat short journey at
least it was performed in less time than il
takes TO go from Prescott to Milwaukee,
Nothing occurred on this Part of the route
worthy Of note. After having for so many
months seen nothing to denb'e civilization
but desolated cities and deserted plantations
of the rebel South, it wa. cheering to see the
broad fields of waving grain. the white school
house and snug cottage of the country. and
the crowded streets and busy thousands Of
the n Northern cities. This war will ut least
have one heneficial efsoot upon our boys who
have come down South to fight. hci; cxpe-
rience las dissipated the prevalent idea
that here the sun shone more brightly. and
flowers had more beauty. In the expressive
language of the soldiers. 1.-THE sunny South
has played out
Arrived in Cairo last Wednesday and en-
barkcd on board the Jacob Srader, one of
the largest and best river boats ] ever saw.
bound for Memphis and Nicksburg. She
was loading with ammunition for our troops
at Vicksburg. and has now on board about
three hundred thousand dollars worth Of shot
shell and powder. There was so much of this
last named article that the hole could not con-
tain it all, and few kegs were stored on the
boiler deck. AS the rebs. were firing into
nearly every boat that passed below Helena.
this was an accession to our cargo not rartic
larlv desirable TO tinid man. but IS war
measure, had to be endured. There has been
several transports with us every day, besides
convoy of two gunboats and an ord
nance boat with three guns she could bring to
bear on an enemy. The noted Little Peb-
81" has been near ever since we left Columbus.
Yesterday morn ng we left Memphis, and
came along without trouble. Last night tied
up to the Arkansas shore. near the boats of
another fleet, in all numbering nhout twenty
boats, Just above the mouth of White River.
At sunrise this morning our fleet was again
moving down; the Jacob Strader with gun
boot Signal No. 8 tied to her larboard side, in
advance, the ordnance l oat Gen. Lyon, trans
port Prima Donna, Little Rebel, and after
these came other transports. While rounding
Cypress Beud, the liver being quite narrow
and our boat running within $50 yards of
the Arkansas shore, the rebels opened upon
us from battery of six and twelve-pounders.
and also with rifles and shot guns. The first
round riddled us with more than thirty bull
let holes. four cannon balls went crashing
through. One shot went obliquely through
the saloon and lodged against one of the boil
ers The Strader was soon out of range, and
Fortunate it was for us that no shot penetrated
to our ammunition. The gun-boat was cut
loose and fell back the Gen. Lyon rounded
to, and from her bow guns poured in shot
the Little Rebel came down, and then com
menced such fight as | never expect TO see
again. While the Signal ard Little Rebel
were getting into position the Kentucky No.
2, (transport,) and Prima Donna had endeav-
ored to pass. The No. was successful, but
the Prima Donna was disabled, having re-
ceived shot through her boiler, and she float
ed to the opposite side and struck bar. The
rebels were boisterous over this success, and
called loudly for them to surrender. which
was answered With shout of defiance by
our BOYS. In the meantime the gun-baats
were paying their respects to the battery with
shot and shell at the rate of three to six per
minute. As the Strader rounded too, we
could see every shot fred BY either side, and
see the shells burst over and among the reb.
els. Could also sec the rebel shot 60 crash
ing through the Prima Donna, and we feared
they must have many killed and Wounded
The action lasted about thirty minutes, when
the rsbels withdrew their battery and inglori-
ously left the scence. As they went away