New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-01
ADMIRAL pORTER's PASSAGE OF
THE yICKsBURG BATTERIEs'
Detailed Report Of the Feat.

.f' W.sHxeroy Thursday. April 20. 1855 |
The detailed reports Of Admiral Porters passage
of the ycksburg batteries has been received ~ 'no
Navv Department. The vessels comprising the ex'
pedition started in the following order, oo yaros
anart, Benton, Lieut.. .Comdr. Green; Lafsyet.e'
Cant. Walker. with the Gen. Price lashed on 'ns
,tsrboard side; Louisville, Lient..Comdr. Owen
Mound City, Lieut.. Wilson; Pittsburg, Lieut.. nan
Carondelet, Lieut.. Murphy, and Tuscumbis' Lieut.,
Comdr. Shiek, with the ting Day, which was iasnea
to the Benton.
The three army transports were in the rear OF
,b.ae ves.els. and the Tuscumba was placed astern
of all, TO see that the transports dio MOI 'uin DA
Two of the transports, when tho hrng became
heavy. attempted to run up stream, but Lieut. 'Com
mandsr Sbisk drove them back and staid oehIno
them until the Forest Queen was disabled. we
then took her into tow and placed her out OF reach
Of the enemy's shot
All the vessels except the Benton took coal
baroes in tow, and all except the Lafayette brought
them safely psst the batteries. Having the frce
alopp,ide. the Lafayette did not manage very we'll
and the coal barge got sdri, but was picked up a.
Carthage. The Louisville. Lieut.. Commander owen
los, hers in the melee, but picked 1t up again.
While under fire, the Benton was beautifully ham
died by her pilot, Mr.. Williams, who was in the
Essex when she ran the batteries. He kept the
vessels guns bearing on the town and wafer bat
teries all the time while drifting down. ihe guns
Of the Benton fired over so shell, well directed, into
the town and batteries. ....J.
The Pittsburgh, Mound City and Tuscumbia
were more fortunate than the others in not turning
round as they came by, although no i'll results hap
pened to those vessels which did turn. ,e
The pilots were deceived by large fire started on
the side opposite 10 vicksburg BY the Rebels, for
tho purpose Of showing the vessels more plainly.
Fires being started on both sides Of the river at once
the vessels had some narrow escapes, but were
saved in most instances by the precautions taken 20
protect them. They were covered with heavy logs
and bales Of wet hay, which was found to be an ex.
cellent defense.
Admiral Porter speaks in terms Of the highest
,raise respeaipe the conduct Of oil Commanders,
saying:
ability, bavipg great difficulties TO contend with
strong and dangerous eddies; glariDa hres
in every direction, that bothered the piots, almost
enveloping the squadron, and very heavy hre 90
the vessels that fair targets for the enemy
have no eause to DO dissatisfied with the result No
one was killed. Oaly one or two were badly
wounded, aud there were only twelve casualties In
Ill. The sneuy's shot were OF the heaviest caloer,
and come were d s1csl!sa' p.nei 40 n hSs -,
smasIing tho bsiwafds. No i've wsr. Iess on Aha
Henry Clay, which was burnt and sunk while pass
ing the batteries. Most Of the crew were picked up,
and Others got away 10 the yswi."
The reports from the commanders Of the different
vessels, accompanying Admiral Porters dispatch,
all testify to the extreme difficulties experienced in
this hazardous, though emiuenty successful expedi-
ton. The Benton, bearing Admiral Porter's flag,
passed within 40 yards Of the town; and those on
oard could hear the rafting of falling walls after
our fires. Her acting Ensign, Edward Z. Brennan,
was wounded and three Others
The Lafayette received nine effective round and
cannon shots through her classmates which closely
engaged with the Rebel batteries.
The Pittsburg received no material damage.
though struck seven tines No casualties occurred on
board.
The Mound City proved splendid target for the
enemy, in consequence Of the bonhres which were
kindled opposite the point and who ayaed himself
of toe opportunity by sending teninch shot through
both casemates passing out through the iron on the
cardboard side, and woundiDg four men. Beside this
she was struck four tmes while abreast these bat
ttTles but bukthIIcu no ibJuiy h"W
The Tuscumbia, which had charge Of the trans
DORIS AZ mentioned in Admiral Porters report, ex-
perisnced considerable difficulty. For when the
two transports turned up the steam, the Tuscumbia
stopped under the very heavy ilTo Of the enemy
until the Henry Clsy was set on fire, and the For
rest Queen turned around.
After this, and while the Tuscumbia was drifting,
in order TO keep her proper place In the hne' She
struck the Louisiana bank of the river but soon got
off without damage. In backing, however, to get
her bow down the stream she got foul Of the trand'
port Forest Queen, and the two vessels remained
opetb.r several minItes. This collision seemed 10
cause the Rebels great joy, and her commander says
for few moments the fire from the shore concentrated
on the Tuscumbia aud Forest Queen. ButProviden-
TALLY none Of the shot did much damage. She was
here struck below the water line, starting seven
psuka and causing the vessel TO leak freely but oy
the use Of syphon pumps she WA soon brought under
control. The Tufcumbia also, when tho fo'ss'
Queen became disabled, took her in tow and lsndeo
her On the Louisiana shore. Notwithstanding the
trials she experienced, no casualties occurred oh
board.
The Iouisana was struck four times. No damage
was sustained.
u.,,or,.a. CAPTURE by Admiral Farrag"t-
supply Of Cattle Cor Rebels Cat on.
WA,uisGros, Thursday, April ~. isoa
Rear.AdIniral Farragut reports W 'no NA'y ~