The New York herald., 1864-12-08

thereby 81 the entrance % ana possss-
o Charles hsroor, so that Monitor vessel GOULD
inside blockade ceased almost eutev IN
that quarter and was transferred ~ aud vigorously prose-
cuted al Wilmington.
blockado which the rebes have added others
10 the way OF esrthvorks with powerful gums 70 cover
they come within range. These shore oattofies
made command the several channels and the nu
ihs difficulties of closing ths port entirely while rebel
ors command he chsnAes and which none OF our ships
with heavy broadsie batteries approach by reason
or the shalo OF the wstsr can be rightly
appreciated by those ouly who are familiar win me
locality aud have hsd experience on thai staton VITA
operating land force II 10 mol expected mat We
could close the post Of Wilmington There has been
time within the last two years when the navy . nos
bee ana m 10 cps Ts.
river Is necessity % atop entirely all ngrsss ss
TO ssress from that place. Running the blockade
business by foreign capitalists, as well IS by the
rebels. such has been aud is tho strngency OF the
prices throughout the whole nsurreciionary region,
the eby stimulating tho cupdity OF reckless neutras
sds a not Sees violate With imoasi,y. Heavy losses
have beallen most OF those who have been eng ged 10
tue Illicit trade Sxtyave Steamers the aggregate value
OF which, with their cargoes will scarcely ia snort o.
thirteen millions Of dollars, have besn captured de-
sroyci endeavorihg 70 enter escape from Whining
ton Over fity such results have occurred ence Rear
Admiral Dahlgrsn anchored hs Monitor feet inside OF
Charleston bar and closed tnst port TO commerce.
some IDEA OF the difficulty OF closing the main entrances
to Cape Fear river which are nearly forty mes apart,
be formed when Il s coUsdcred that with dty or our
steamers some them the fastest in tho servics,
toned and distributed by naval officers OF Intelligence
experience or those entrances, blockade runners
watchns their Opportunity and avaling themselves OF
ceed in getting into and out OF Wilmington. ...
Acting X ar Admiral g. r. Los who for two years has
duous with intelligence and ndeiiy, was relieved
by Roar Admiral Porter, who took command OF the
MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON.
The events Of the year have furnished additional PROOF
Of the wisdom Of the policy which dictated the organza
on OF powerful and eceut squadron on the rivers OF
the interior. Its usefulness has boon demonstrated ON
many occasions and in various ways. Whether In n.
voyng transports laden with soldiers or supplies des-
tined for the army merchandise and produce OF the
people, in assisting In repelng attacks upon weak mill
tary posts 10 rendering safe the navigation OF tho
streams to commerce and travel In independent naval
expeditions or In cooperating IN extensive military
movements, It's Importance has been manifested:
patrol that great stream from Cairo to New Oresns s IN
itself work Of vast msgnituda BY it the rebel com.
severed, as II we're, by an impossible gulf The OHIO.
Tennessee and Cumberland rivers have likewise been
patroled. Thus loyal citizens 10 their vicinity have
been protected refuge afforded TO those escap
Ing from anarchy and oppression, and partisan oands
To insure systematic aud vigorous execution Of the
duties devolvpg tho squadro the waters traversed
by have been divided into ten naval districts zach
under the command OF experienced officer While the
vessels each district have their appropriate eld OF
duty they bold ready TO support each other whom
occasion requires and can bo readily concentrated Wnen
en- emergency demands It.
The squadron s con- posed to great extent, OF boats
BEEN and i;sd for
purposes They are necessarily inferior 70 naval built
vessels in strength they sre lightly armed and
inferior 70 that OF iron clad vessels or those Of heavy
structure for The most extensive opers
tons Of the Mississippi squadron during the year have
been in connection with tho military expedition on the
RED river which, with tho attending Incidents form an
this coujoint expedition % accomplish the important
s e..ss: ss:''s Beyond sf ss. and y &:
Concerned the expedition Va. chiefly one Of ooopsrsion
sismenss q success under osdsary ofcumsancss and
had not natural obstacles interviewed ~ history might
have been mot ees brilliant than the record Of other
On the 7th OF March Rear Admiral Porter had assem-.
bed at the mouth Of Red r or formidable feet Of iron
Glad vessels and OF light draugh wooden boats Tor CO.
operation with shs army, there Joined by por
ton Major General shermans force 10 ansports un
The Joint forces moved up the river the 18th Of
March 70 form junction With Major General Banks a
brsnchsa on into the Aschsisya. while the main por
tion continued up Red river The rebels were driven 10
ing again Into our possession win il guns and muni
tons q war and few prisoners some Of the neetess
cutting OH the rebels in their retreat. bus without
cess That place was occupied BY our forces aud about
ss . sSs
the naval forco could proceed further up the river than
ALEXANDRIA,, ana ~ was Win 0lnculty t0oy roocneQ
that point. But the assistance OF the gunboass was
essential TO that risks had to be taksn
and extraordinary exertions were made 70 pass tho
vessels the falls 70 give the required coepera
ton Main force had to be used 10 haul tho gunbQets.
But Grand Ecore reached without accident, and cu
tons OF the usual rise OF the In the and
everything promised success. Tweutyhree heavy guns
had been captured from the rebels since the entry
that river. springfield landing was designated as tbe
point for the next junction OF the cooperating forces and
was reached a the appointed iime three days after
win Inv aiy honv Uo.
ports Here they learned that the army under General
Banks had REVERSE aud falling back to Plea
sant Hill, some distance below. Read Admiral Porter
therefore compelled 10 turn back with the full
knowledge that In reracing his steps he would be inter
rupted at every assalabe point The rebels, flushed
with their against the army avaed themseiv
Of every opportunity which offered for harassng the
Their cavalry and artillery, taking advantage OF the
winding stream, moved rapidly from point TO point,
attacking every available occasion But the gunboats
successfully fought their way and from time TO time
repeled their assaants with terrible slaughter.
On l4h Of April Rear Admiral Porter got back to
Grand Ecore where he found the vessels whch he had
lett at that point stu detained above the bar. The river
instead Of rsDg as customary at this season. had fallen
during his absence. The army preparing to move
back upon Alexandria, the having receded there
was little hope getting the vessels OUT and destruction
apparently awaited best portion OF the squadron.
But, In the Of the Admiral 'sProvdence provided
a for the occaslou.n Lieutenant Colinel Joseph
Bailey Acting En ineer OF the Nineteenth army corps,
intelligent and efficient officer, devised plan for the
stucton OF ies OF dams the rocks at the falls
by artificial means supply that which nature with
ueld-o buuCiout uepln OF water paesd8o VI tnc
vessels. Extraordinary the and received
with increduty the mind that conceived II was enabled
carry into successful execution. Men were set 10
work woodcutters collected quarres opened and ter
some weeks, the undertaking was accomplished. The
dams built the vessels plssed safely the falls
TO delight OF the assembled army aud navy who had
mutually participated In the work, and on the 10th OF
May Rear Admiral Porter had the satisfaction OF aunounc.
ing that the feet relieved from danger. There Is
probably naval history other instance OF such peril
and difficulty successfully and skully surmounted.
Congress very appropriately acknowledged the merto
OF Lieutenant Colonel Bailey this
sion and they have been s further recognized BY his
promotion.
Washa, Arkansas Black and Yazoo rivers, will found
in the official appendix to this report
Rear Admiral Porter having boon for nearly two years
on arduous and exhausting duty In this command
received leave TO return east In the summer and was
subsequently, detached 10 order TO take Of the
North Atlantic squadron. Captain A. N. Pennock senior
officer on the station, LETT charge On the lst Of