The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-04-14
FROM THE WEST.

The following statements from the enemy show
that the Yankee boats getting badly worsted
on the Western waters.
Cincinnati April 2.-Despatchcs received here
state that the expedition through Steele's and
Black Bayous into the Upper Yazoo is failure
Admiral Porter succeeded in getting through both
bayous with the gun boats, and proceeded twenty
five thirty miles further in Deer and Rolling
Forks, when he encountered sma force of rebels
who SO annoyed him with sharp-shooters and OBJ
structons in the channel, that further progress
was impossible, without the cooperation of infan-
try, which came up next day.
The enemy had in the meantime put trees into
the stream, making it impossible They annoyed
the gun boats otherwise, and seemed to be gather
ing in considerable force
Reinforcemcnts Of infantry were marched to the
assistance of the gun boats on Monday, and COM
ing up with the be.eagued boats, found them hem
med completely by Instructions in front and rear
Sklrmishing continued all day, when the rebels
being reinforced, the gun-boats were Withdrawn,
and commenced to retreat, the whole force having
embarked on" transports near the head of Black
Bayou, for their return to Young's Point.
April 3.-Ihe news from Vicksburg is not en-
couraelng. The Steee's Bayou expedition had
returned to Ioung's Point, and the troops were
being dsembarked. The works on the cutoff
rebel canon commanded two-thiris of its length.
The rebels took the Inlanola to Alexandria. La,
on the Red river, and repaired her sufficiently to
make her servicable Fears are entertained for
the safety of the Hartford and Albatross, as the
rebels have the Queen of the West the W. II.
Webb and the lndianola-a feet sufficient to give
Admiral Farragut some trouble
From PicksJurg-A,tfn,ptt to Run the Bate
ries.-Ihe following is the Federal account of the
affair:
Mouth of the Canal above Vicksburg, March
25.-Admlrai Farragut requested the aid of an
lron-clsd and two rams, ahtie pating danger from
below. The rams Lancaster and Switzerland we're
ordered down by Gen. Elicit, and with picked
crews. The rams started to run the Vicksburg
batteries at five this morning, but were unavoida-
bly, delayed. The Switzerland took the lead and
Kept on her course, defying the batteries until her
steam drum was struck BY a 6tpounder, render
ing her totally helpless. She 1oated down below
the city batteries, which beched forth shot and
she'll, and striking her repeatedly The Albatross.
OF Admiral Farragut's fleet, ran along side the
Switzerland, and took her in tow in crevasse inst
below the mouth of the canal, where she was living
when our informant left.
The loss of life on the Switzerland was not
known.
The Lancaster was less fortunate. She was
struck soon after passing the first battery. one
shot almost splitting her hull in twain, several
passing through her boilers and cutting her steam
pipe She soon commenced to sink but fearinno
she might fall into the hands Of the Rebels, Lieut
Colonel Eet discharged his revolver into the
cotton around the boilers and set her on FIRE Her
bow went under, however, and in a few. seconds
the vessel disappeared beneath the encul6ng
waves.