Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-06-04
.pril 18th, 1868.

April 10th, 1858.
CAPT. FILgY
Many thanks to you and youl noble
to my command know would be so glad to have
with ne
May you havs happy aud successful you
respectfully,
Mai nt General
The following account of fight Suffolk, Va
in which this company engaged is taken from the
correspondence of the Petersburg Express of the 9Th
inst.
Last Thursday evening, the 30th, come four or FIVE
Of the ankee gunboats attempted to pass up TO Sui
folk. They might have done 80 but for slight " OBJ
stTuction in he shape OF fac battery of rfed guns
under that splendid off and gallant gentlenaR. Capt
Riley. Appearing with all due torDallty, they first
served on him very imp ratlve writ OF eJeetment
but finding that tie Captain dtnled the authority Of
the writ they attempted enforce custer de main.
Finding the authority OF the judgment also disputed
they eded forthwith TO try the by wager Of
battle. The gage gladly accepted, and now in
knghtly style the champions prepared to do their de-
voir
The f sht as d some tao hours, and go handsomely
it maintained on our side that the Yankees were
forced a. last utter the base and horrible word
craven and took 10 their heels incODneny, leaving
az report SAYS one of their blast old b1sagoats y
sunk 10 the water and another to retire the best II
could in a crippled condition" fancy they left
pretty thoroughly rtIed.
ADMIRAL POINTERS OFFICIAL DEsPATcH-THE CAPTURE
HAINEs BLUFF, ETC
The following is Admiral POrter's ofical despatch
to the Secretary of the Navy from Hanes's Bluff, va
zoo River, May 20th
Ga the morning of the 18th | came over to the va
to be ready 10 cooperate with Gen. Grant LfaV-
ing two OF the clads at Red River, at Grand
Gulf at Carthage, three at Warrenton and two in
the Yaz1o lett sma force. Still disposed of them
| TO the Rest advantage
GA tie 18Th, at Meridian, firing was heard 10 rear
OF Vicksburg which assured me Gen Grant ap-
| oHhJ rho PljU q npQ m
furiousy foF some time when by the aid OF glasses,
discovered company Of our artillery advancing, taking
position ard CrivIng the reb"ls before them imme-
diaely Sherman div's had come to the left
OF Suyders Bluff that the rebels at that place had been
cut off from joining the FOR 2es in the city.
| / despatched the D Kab, Chocaw, Romer, Petrol,
and Forest Rose all under command Of Lieut.. Breese,
the Yazoe to open communication in that way with
| Grant and Sherman. This succeeded in doing, and
in three hours received letters from Grant Sherman and
Steele informing Of their vast and asking
! TO send up provisions, which at DONE
Meantime Lieut.. Walker, in the DeK alb, pushed on
to Haynes Bluff which the enemy commenced evacua-
ting the day before, and party renamed behind 10
hopes of destroying or taking away large amount of
ammunition on hand. When they the guaboat
they out, leaving everything 10 good order-guns,
forts tents and equpage of all kinds, which fell into
our HANDS.
As soon as the capture OF Haynes Buff and fourteen
forts reported me, showed up the gunboat5 from
below to Vicksburg to fire at the Hill batteries which
fire kept up two three hours. A midnight they
moved up to the town and opened it for an hour,
end contiaucd ct intervals during the night to annoy
the garrison.
On the 9th, placed six m0rtar5 in position with
orders fire night and day rapidly they could
Tie works at Haines' Bluff very formidable-
lele fourteen OF the heaviest kird of mounted
eight and tenuCh and seven and hal inch ri2d guns
with ammunition enough to last long siege. As the
gun carriages ght again ta uto the hands OF the
enemy had them burned, blew up the magaz ne, and
destroyed he works generally. | a,so burned up the
encalnpments which permanently and remarkably
well constructed, locking il tic rebels intended TO
stay for time. / nese works and encampments
ma9y OF ground and the notifications and
the rife ps proper of ilanes'S Bluff EXTENDED mile
and quarter. such n network OF deltnces | never
SAW. thc rebels were year IN COUs rdCting them and
all were rendered US lees iii an hour
AS | got through with the obstruction of the
magazines and Other works, started Lieut.. Walker up
the 1fz River with sufficient force destroy eli the
enem75 property in that direction with orders to re-
turn with all dispatch ana ony to proceed as far as
Yszoo City where the rebels have navy yard and
store houses.
Ia tHe meantime General Grant mas closely Invested
Vicksiurg, and has possession OF the best commanding
points. Ia very short time general assault will take
place, when | hope to announce that Vicksburg has
fallen, after series of the most brilliant successes that
ever attended an army.
There has never been case during the war where
the rebels have been successfully beaten all points,
and the patience and endurance OF army and navy
for many months about being rewarded. 1t is
quest lou of few hours, and then, with the ex-
ceptiol Of Port Hudson, which will follow Vicksburg
the Mississippi will be open its entire length
In exile