The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-16

the rebels constructed line OF powerful works about
three.fourths Of . milo in length The glacis 10
at tho highest possible angle for earth 70 be placed and
could be assembled only places whore the had dug
small steps or fooholes Al regular intervals along the
whole distance the work was properly bastioned mos Of
the bastions being built Of sandbags, pankng and RAM
med clay. Some OF them were designed for mounting
two guns, but most Of them for but All OF the gans
were protested by embrasarcs though Of them
casemated. The walls OF the emprasures were con
structed In the strongest possible, Of them
and In fact the entire bason, being OF granite chiseed
and built up with great aud neanees. The guns
were mounted on arm plank noorings and commanded
tho entire river between the fort and Craighead Point
on the opposite shore The batteries were built ON
bench al the base OF the cliff, upwards or half
. mile in length by 1fty yards In width.
Several springs gush from the base Of the
bun, and afforded clear water TO the within
the fort -Four bombproof and well constructed mage
Zines wero placed az intervals In OF the batteries
tho least exposed positions Near Of the guns
holes in which the could retire whenever threatened
by the bursting shells from the Union gunboas operating
against tho fort The slope OF the face OF the bluffs forms
angle OF fifty 6fty i've degrees. On bench shelf
about hair way up the bluffs there work mounting
two guns, which swept the river IN their front On the
summit OF tho bluffs there series Of extensive field
works, extending in the aggregate from five TO seyen
miles, and ali provided with ditch in front. These
works followed zgzag series OF ridges aud
hills that stretch back from the river into tho Interior
AMI they extended from Coal creek The northern point
OF tho huH, TO point below the lowest OF the water
batteries. A few batteries were constructed
the summit OF the blur, one overlooking tho
river and mounting six guns; OF them
hundred and twenty OF recent manufacture Tho
road from The river the top of the elevation cut
n hae a tnadv nofa
ascent throughout Steps for ootmen had been cut in
the blur at various points. The for half mile
In the rear OF the works had been cut down,oy the
rebels 20 destroy all chance OF shelter approach
ing enemy.
EVACUATION BY THE REBELS IN 1862. -
Fort Pillow the third fortified point the Fsss
sipp river descending from Cairo which yielded to the
advance OF the uulon After retiring from Coum.
bus in February 1862 the rebels halted Island No. TO-
and for time stayed progress toward the Gulf 81
simultaneously with the battle OF Ptsburg Landing this
second stronghold aken and the nsurgent forces
fell back 10 the first Chickasaw Bluffs nearly hundred
miles below, and completed those powerful works de-
scrbed above which had already been begun and
Fort Pillow On the 4th Ct June this place evacuated
also, and the grand highway OF the great valley OF the
Wcsi was again open from ST Louis TO Memphis after
fourteen mouths blockade.
feet Of Union gunboats had been stationed IN the
river sbo d. snce above Fort Pillow apxiously await
ing propltlot moment for moving upon the works.
on the 10Th Of May, 1862 the rebel gunboas past
The fort sid attacked the Union feet desperate naval
engagement ensIsd. which both sides sustained con-
sid fable damage. BIT finally the rebel gunboats we're
driven OF, and oars justly claimed the victory. Affairs
then assumed quescent state, and another mouth
passed in idcnees with an almost daily that the
position was being evacuated On sunday Jnns ], a de.
~tl.,
terry being die aned and tina, the land pieces
soon 10 be moved away. was currently believed in
the fort hat the destruction would be completed by
evening, an1 that the whole garrison would leave by
thor Transports, under Of the night. The story
was generally credited throughout the feet, and Commo
dore laws prepared fall upon the OF the
ing rebels andfal ,nelate possession OF the works
On Monday Reconnaissance was made by one OF tho
tugs 10 within short distance Of the fort but, though
shots we're fred It thought that considerable
force still In possession, and prepared dispute any
advance that might be made against IL.
on Tuesday afternoon threeoc the rams were sent down
reconnoIre and nearing the were fred into by
tnc rcpc' gunDoas They shoa rAirnsd and about I'm
hours time followed by the rebel boat Jen Ihomp
son The latter passed around Craighead Point, and
came speedily within range OF the Cairo, the foremost
hos, Of the Union feet Six eight shots fred at
the JEFF thompson, clicng no reply from the stter,
which turned and went back 10 the fort 0bsers:
tons made by tie convinced Commodore Davis
that the tort nearly, bur cutie deserted tuesday
night passed in listening for eIposlons but not
sound was heard
Next morning little tug proceeded down close TO the
fort and returning NJ dark reported that the works
evidently evacuated. As II then too late to reach
the until long after Dghfail the movement dc
layed tii morning. About O'Clock =. NJ. two OK
plosone we're heard Ia quick succession Two three
like explosions were beard previous 10 ten O'Clock r NJ
AM several others morning Several fires
through the trees on Craghead Point. They were evil
DENLY in the neigbborhood or the fort. The copmalder
the Infantry forces the southern shore Of Craqhead
Point word TO Commodore Davis IN the afternoon
OF Wednesday that the Notifications were deserted and
tho fires and explosions during the nigh. confirmed the
opinion 81 all that Fort Pillow evacga,sd. On Thurs
day morning the Union gunboals moved down past
Crssbcld Point and then outward towards the fowning
cid their front. The landing reached and
party Of soldiers sprngng Shore climbed tho parapet
the works and unfureo the Onion Gag for the first time
from Fort Pillow cheer from the advancing gun
and transports, and 10 short time the rebel orta
cations were olive with Upon soldisrs.
PAR 1AYray sAeNnN