Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-01-08
THE yICkSBrRG AFFAIR

From correspondence OF he New York Her
oId we elean the following interesting details
OF the siege OF Nicksbnrg: On the morning OF
December %, grand council v-as held between
the army and naval officers, and details %: The
movement were agreed upon. On the way
down the soldiers on the shore committed uany
acts of vandalism; wantonly burned the town
ofGsinesyille Landing, and DESTROYED rlanta-
tions. among them one belonging 10 an out
spoken Union man. They also destroyed a
large quantity of corded wood. This wood
was needed by The transports, ana because vf
its destruction they will now b. compelled 10
send all hands ashore and chop th-ir wool az
hey need IL The ssilors, however, were not
permitted 10 go On shor., and therefore were
prevented from committing sGoh disgraceful
sc.s.
Al SfllIkrn's Bead he ral-els were cut OF
from supplies from Arkansas. The uer.n
correspondent, anaer dstc OF Deeeinber o.
says:
From MIllkens Bend tack TO the shr~re.
port and NiCksburs Railroad il about twenty
mile. ANY reiniorcenents for Sicks5urS from
Arkansas wCnld come over this road, and as
il was likely that the rebel army in Arkansss
would be- sent 10 Nicksburg soon ss IL was
known that the bulk of the Union force had
bst n Withdrawn from Helena, il was deemed
prudent 10 make thorough work of the de-
ST. nction Of this railroad. IL was TO ae COM
plish this purpose that the force debarked at
Milliken's Bend. From thai point by march
ig twenty miles inland. they will strike the
raIlroad about twenty-five OF thirty miles from
hicksburg Their orders are 10 tear up the
track, blow up The culveris, burn the bridges,
destroy the water stations, and generally make
such a complete wreck OF The road that 10 can
not be speedily repaired. similar e1 1ppdition
lefi from opposite the mouth OF the Yazoo, on
z like erraDd, last night. They struck the rail-
rosd some ten or twelve miles from vicfs-
burg, and completely destroyed IL for the dis
tanoe Of mile or more, burning one quite
large bridge. This expedition reiurned In safe
~ this morning.
While ascending the lazoo river our boats
encountered numbers OF rebel guerillas and
sharpshocters, who annoyed our msn very
much. "a
On December 27th the feet was ordered 10
move up the river aud attack the rebel battery
al Hains' Bluff, with a view OF attracting AZ
trntion from the army movements In the rear.
The morning and much Of the afternoon were
consumed in feeling the way mp the stream, %
avoid tOrpe6oes. Five Of the submarine IN
& rnals Were found and removed without scci-
dent The lroI-clads then got under weigh
again and moved up TO the bend in the river
fScing the rebel position, and about half mile
distant, and opened the engagement ~ four
o'clock p. N. precisely. The Benton had the
lead, and secnrea q good position directly IN
th" bend. The Baron De Ralb, Cincinnati and
Louisville got into position under the stern of
IN" Benton. Hiring meantime across the point
fire uron the enemy, making very briek
cannonading and doing fine execution. The
Lexington alSo made fast 10 the south bank and
made herself useful. To all this cannonsding
the enemy kept up vigorous response, reveal
ing seven guns, alllccated in separate batteries
upon the bluffs and in its face. no two guns be-
ing within three hundred yards Of each other.
Their firing showed three very heavy rifed
guns and Others cflighter calibre.
The engagement. lasted an hour and qu&rtsr.
The Benton lay in q very exposed position, and
ike enerny's missiles fell about her hike hail.
She was strnck twenty five times, twelve shots
passing through hnr decks, ports and upper
works. doing considerable execution None
OF them penetrated her armor.
Capt. Gwin, commanding the Benton, while
Standing upon the spsr deck. watching tbs
eEemy through marine glass. was struck by
/ shell on has right breast, and very severely, AZ
not morally, wounded The usclee Of the
shoulder Were all cut away, and MS rlSht lung
badly injured. be hss considerable bemorrhsee
tins evening, and but little hopes entertained
for his recovery. lie was one of The most
gallant and brave officers OF the squadron, and
his misfortune has awakened very general
sympathy and sorrow. .-a
The Cincinnati WAS struck onca; but wRs not
in iurCd AT all. No casualties occurred on sny
OF ia" other tsEs'ls.
Mr. Re.se, executive ON cer OF the Marynora
was on ths Bnton at the time Of the engage
m-nt, ard was injured quite badly. though not
seriously. in I've arm and breast by q splinter.
Night approaching. the vessels Withdrew
from tbr action, closing The engagement NJ
clock and ~ minutes. .-
We have no meins Of Knowing what damage
we inflicted upon the enemy, but are confident
OF injuring them quite as seriously they did
u. Our guns were admirably aimed, and our
shot could be seen falling very i,kly all about
clouds. The rebel position ~ v-ry etrong
one.
Nothing has Vet been heard from Admiral
faTragut or Gen. Banks.