Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-25
From the DIississlppi Squadron.

Present position of Porte's Fleet-AfairS on
the River-Trou6le on GoJernnlent Planta
tions-A Compliment to the ,Jol9nGl-AdpaHt.
ages Of the Gu,sbodt Service.
Correspondence of the State Journal.
MISS. SQUADRON, q. S. S. MOUND CITY,
OFF HURRICANE PLANTATION,
MISS, June Sth, 1864.
There is very little news to write about
since my last, which was written while we
were in the Atchafalaya. We came out the
next day and parted company with the de-
feated army with as good an opinion Of the
men as ever, but not of their commander,
We stopped but one day at the mouth of Red
River and proceeded up to this place, our old
anchorage. The imposing flag steamer Black
Hack left the same evening for Cairo. The
Mound City is stationed here, the PtttSburyd
Grand Gulf, Benton at Natchez, and so on, a.
the iron clads taking up their old positions
and our life has Gained down to the quiei
monotony of former "piping times OF peace
There has been scarcely any change here
since we left. The negro troops have been
considerably augmented, and vegetation Is at
its heights about all the difference notice
able.
The hull of the I,dianolG still remains b
the same condition as when we left, lying hare
and fast on the bank. Natchez (where Ss
remained three days,) appears to be dong
considerable business but the secesh bad
commenced system of setting fires, Whlc'
threatened to be the utter destruction OF lne
town. Several large buildings have veryre
Gently been burned, and fire was of MIGHTY
occurrence there when we left. At visit %
headquarters there learned that those per-
sons who were endeavoring to work the Coz
eminent plantations were being annoyedi
great deal by guerrillas who win make ralds
upon them, stealing their stock, and In mar!
| instances burning them out. 1t is almost IN
possible to protect them all from these ms
rauding bands, as they come and go, no one
knows when their next visit will be paid, anl
| unless the Government can place force Of
hundred men on each plantation, don't e
| how the matter can be effectually remedled
Your last batch of papers we're eager
read, and the numerous correspondent
Banks division gave universal satstaeu~
and were reliable as far as we could know
Every one was glad to know that the trul
would have an airing, and that the people
| home could have an opportunity of judgg
as to who were the ones to blame. The Ass
| Orleans papers and also the New York Hsraa
gave anything but fair and truthful aecoEa
of things up Red river in their first deseHP
tions of the affair The former were se1
and the latter lauded Banks until reads
who was acquainted with the facts Voc.
throw down the paper in disgust.
The weather is delightful, and we are iui.
rating on greens, lettuce, blackberries, a.
green peas, Notwithstanding the many pr
| tests of weak stomaohs.
Quite number of three years men 81
leaving, as their term Of service expires, all
they are promptly allowed to return home
/ can't see why there are not more reeTHs
| coming in, as the gunboat service is manlis':
| ly the most easy and comfortable service
| fered, and although no bounty is offered y.
the prize money any year yet of the pressD
war has amounted to more than any bOuI.
ever given in the land service, and could
person step on board in the evening and g
the merry cotillion, (no ladies of counsel a.
hear the old violin, he would think gunOO'
life anything but dull. just now our ME
ests are chiefly centered in the training,
Heenan and King, of two fighting cocks =
to Judge from the conversation, all are
much Interested in the result as though y
safety of the country depended on It. ~
conflict viii take place the day after tore
row, but as hardly think the excitensg
will extend as far north as Wisconsin, snb
not take the trouble to report the rouna
first blood, sc.
will not claim your attention again snn
something 'takespiace worth relating out'iN
of our ordinary routine of life. b. A.