The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-13

It's position Is commanding while It's peculiar
structon renders quite from attack Az far ~
we are now able 70 judge. ~ work havns sx Irregular
bsstions, which placed avcrses, which
protect its IL said that each Of them contains
mile distant from the works II contains nine and
m rtar, placed In dem.une or detached work. Their
gunnery exceeds anything witnessed, and shows
careful attention 10 target practice.
THE suctEss AoNrAUK
Az 70 this vessel am FREQ TO confess and happy TO re-
cord that in her various workings she far exceeded
aDticipatiens Tho heavy guns worked with won
derful ease and celebrity The turret rcvolves Ike
charm always steady and roable tho blowers rapidly
clear tho smoke, and the conclusion 70 slight that
after working the guns an day III effects
erienced. In tho pothouso tho concussion
does not affect US in tho least Tho smoke that enters
there from tho outside os the when the
arc fred and as the fifteen inch does not burn all Der
powder some VI the grains are drawn in well quite
body Of the smoke but by the aid Of the lookout clos
ing much Of this 10 readily obviated The compressors
on the guns work like charm, holding them al all times
10 the most perfect suoect'on.
ouR GALLANT CREW.
All hands In the tmrret as black ~ negroes when
the firing ceased they presented curious spectacle
II s hard work TO handtour heavy projecfies AZ M
teen inch shell weighs 3S6 pounds, and cored shot
$50 pounds SO win readily be that the man have
weigh, Of metal 70 handle in tho course OF
We bear some scars which viii show on well. Ouraas
has nine shell holes in II, and, tabular state
Of number Of times we we're struck il does not
need any more mention.
The kunboais and the mortar schooner supported US
well throwing their shells finely; bst, Ike they
short OF ammunition and Obliged towards the latter
part OF tho action 70 nre sparngly. Tho particular
experiences board OF each Or these vessels have
u ascertaining. heard that the c. r. Williams
grounded. the little DAnodl lowed her or The
simes doing some execution left this afternoon with
dispatches 70 the Admiral Every did well; in
own vessel 10 man each seemed inspired TO do all their
duty promptly and with pleasure
Tho fifteen inch normally In charge Of Lieutenant
CommaDder Cushman, formerly Of the rembina and the
eleven inch In charge OF Acting Master Pierre Graud Mr.
CuBhmRn attended 10 the filling shells and various
other duties leaving Mr. Graud In charge OF both guns
His practice the subject of many compliments he
threw shell with great precision Assistant Engineer
Potts worked the turret finely, while other officers
we're stationed 10 different parts Of inc vessel doing all
she again goes into action things will work with more
ease than ever With all our knowledge Of iron eads,
there many things yet TO learn, and many minor de-
ects will have to be remeded but for our purposes they
nave equal
pleasant. After cleaning up all sought rest.
After the hammocks were ppcd down our boys were
soon wrap, in sound siumber.
"WEDNESDAY. Jan. IS, 1863.
Il has been very cold all night, and this morning i
showed for few minutes. Wo have boen clearing up
and await supply Of ammunition II We had hat
few moro shells Tuesday would have driven then
| out fair and square,
This evening several deserters In but they LEFT
the fort before the firing commenced Tho rebels
here sunday. We have their pilot and
possession much valuable information IL has
been blowing gale Of wind all day.
a DEsERDNo pnOr.
Since writing the above have obtained the following
statement william Walker pilot
left the FONT about midnight Mon.
day NY or James King who pilot
he lett river about months ago,
bios kade Tunucr pilot and have been In the
Columbus this river for over The Tug draws ten
feet oil The employed between Genesis Point
and tho railroad BRIDGE which In twenty seven miles from
ths fo,t
The Nashville now lies miles below the bridge
wss board 81 her about eight She has
mamrnt OF -four small gune-twelvc pounders She has
TON slowed around her machinery, 10 protect IT, She 10
taking In roon now Bhe has no coal, and Is taking IN
wood fuel.
The fort guns una mortar There is one
ten nch coombiad. eight Inch colnnba ride and
! six thirty.two ponpdsrs.
The sphng conm~poes about hundred yards below
the fort place where the Iad mile
and sxends 70 the oppose shore Tho orpedoes ada
fsse - the sse ~ ihchsapsl M Lnwood then
4 d,svs Two unoatk~ ago.
The garrison conslsied eighty men, belonging 70 the
Blues and sstyuve OF the Emuet Rnes but
Eunbsts discovered In the were ssnt
In all probability regiment Of sharp~Looters were s1ni
down. and he ying artillery OF -four pieces brought
down 70 prevent a landing.
They have been looking for the Fings Friday last
Walker s great acquisition our nse and be IL by
far the most Intelligent conrabandf conyefsed with
His story councced. aad no W undoubtedly sincere
DIS staiemenh Walker was accompanied by three other
men and two women. They arc board tho wissa-
hck0p. When engage tho fort again win send lie
women on board toc G. r. Williams