The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-30
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAWK.EY]

WEEKLY HAWK,EYE
: castle of the Richmond. The first shell
nom the mortar feet was fred soon after
3 O'Clock. ~.
i The example was followed by the other
Doats, each sending forth, mot asingle flash,
: but q great volume of smoke ~ the non,
derous missile was hurled alOft, kissing
and screaming like mad demon.
: twenty pounds Of powder was used at
every discharge so that the shell rose to an
immense hight, and took o long curve be-
: fore 1t plunged down amid the batteries.
The course of every shell could be traced
J by the burning fuse, and it was well known,
as some OF the Rebels afterward acknowl-
edged, that splendid shots were made, in
fiicting serious injury upon the enemy.
The "bummers" had it all their own way
9 until half-past four O'Clock, when flash
was seen on the crest of the hill. It was
9 not bursting shell. 1t was Enthusiastically
the Hash OF the enemv's cannon. Proof
positive soon came hurting over the Essex,
IN the shape of a percussion shell, which
/. touched the levee, burst, and hurled its
, Jagged fragments against her iron sides,
and then fell harmless into the water.
Three flashes, three clouds of lightsmoke
then boom-bOOm-boom the peal
OF their cannon, announcing the coming of
three more messengers of death. They all
splashed into the water, whirled up a splen-
did jet d eou then sank quietly beneath the
surface.
! The Essex now showed signs of life
Hitherto not shot had been fired from her
. ports. Taking sure aim she opened fire
with her 9-inch guns, and kept up rapid
!, cannonading during the rest Of the engage
!; ment.
!, She was struck fairly only once during
the action, although twelve times in all by
| fragments of nlnlipo sha11 1xyoS
, tlced by all on board when large shell
exploded just as it touched her bows. The
= only effect was slight indentation less
. than an inch in depth in the iron plate.
; Later the rebels commenced firing from
0 their lower earthworks, the firing on both
}; sides was VERT rapid. it was nothing but
) a succession of flashes running along the
, crest of the hill, while the Essex and the
"bummers" were Lit up at rapid intervals
Q by the discharge of their pieces.
1 The scene had now attracted most of the
Q Richmond's crew from their slumbers.-
l The forecastle, poop-deck, rigging, and
fore and main tops were covered with
spectators, who watched with eager inter-
0 est the thrilling sight, and commented on
:; the Workmanship displayed on either
side.
= The dawn of day now rendered fainter
and fainter the light of the flashes, and
! gave better opportunity for distinguish
. ing the enemy's position.
Suddenly the drum beat to quarters
= Down the rigging, off the forcastle, up the
v matches came the crew, who leaped with
;. marvellous alacrity to their posts at the
I guns. Silently they stood with animated
faces, awaiting orders from their captain.
: care you going into action?" asked one
of the men. "Guess you won't catch old
t. Jimmy without a finger" was the prompt
h response of of the gallant ue-jacket, in
h allusion to the rough and ready qualities
q of his. Capt Alden was standing on the
;. bridge, near where Cummings lately met
:, his fate
Orders were given to slip the cable, the
: engines were set in motion, and the Rich
, mond was headed for the enemys batteries
The starboard guns were trained two
: points forward of the beam. All was now
' quiet on board. The range of the lower
n shell We're now flying thickly about the
n Essex and the "bummers," while an occa-
n sional shell plunged in the water near the
= Richmond. Suddenly loud report thun-
ders from her bow. The 1OO-pound ritied
: Parrot send a huge shell whirling end
v over end with noise like the puff OF
a locomotive. The 9-inch guns along
q the starboard side quickly followed,
h making excellent shots. They tore up the
# breastworks, and burst their shells over
the heads Of the rebels at their cannon
Il One of the batteries near the river now
took the range of the Richmond, and sol.
!. id shot came ricochetting close by her port
: side. Another passed near her maintop
v through the rigging. One went over the
n forecastle, and another Immediately over
o the quarterback, where Lieut.. Skinner and
d myself were standing.
n The Richmond steamed steadily up the
q stream until within point blank range Of
q the enemy's position, when she turned her
II head a little and sent full broadside
into the rebel works.
. The effect was electrical. Not man was
q to be seen, not gun fired from the hill
" afterwards, 1t was too much for their
comfort, and the frightened stockholders
s betook themselves to the woods. THIS
ended the action. 1t lasted nearly three
e hours. The only damage done on our side
was that to the mortar boats, 0. II. Lee
r. and Sarah Bruin. The former was struck
e in the bow and the latter by fragment OF
a shell on her quarter. Not dollars
damage was done to either. Not q man
q was touched.
a 1t is not proper to state the object of this
o. mighty bombardment of the Port Hudson
+ batteries, but it may be safely said that is
not a fruitless waste Of ammunition.
j. On the 5th negro gave information that
r the enemy had stacked 1900 bushels OF
q corn, ready for transportation, at short
q distance around the point, opposite Port
: Hudson. It was made known to Admiral
N Farragut, and all of the corn was destroy
$ ed.-COTreSpOndence N. Y. Tribune.
t VERY LATEST BY THE CHINA.-CRACow,
}, May 5. 1S63.-Numbers of persons of all
e ages, well armed and equipped, daily pro-
y coed to the Polish frontier to join the revo-
d lutionists.
If All Polish subjects on this, as well as on
# the other side of the frontier, speak openly
v of the events which are occurring in Po-
q land and express the greatest confidence
in the ultimate success of the movement.
:, Sacrifices are made by all classes and
: creeds for the great canse, of which history
S furnishes us but few examples.
r The Jews in the Kingdom deserve par
It ticular mention for the part they have TAX
t en- in the insurrection. Not only have
]. thau hronrht into the field q very resnecta-