New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-27
How the Gunboais Got Safely Out OF Red
River.

Special Dispatch to The Chicago Tribune.
CAIRO, May q, le6i
The Nor ORLEANS Era of the 18th has the fol-
lowing interesting particulars Of the late successful
withdrawal Of our army and gunbOas from AleKandTIa
On the 18th inst. the gunboais Lexington ana Mound
City passed below both falls where they were ordered
remain until they should be joined by the rest oil the
Cunb0ats and transports. -
on the morning Of the 18th the dam az the lower Tails
gave way. which nccessiated the building OF another
between the two. This completed on the evening
OF the same day when al the gnnboais with transports
passed down. When they arrived at Alexandria they
found that some person had set fire Ia buildns on
Front street. and the whole town in flames. The
women and children running franticaly up and
down the river bank in great distress
There were great many shell and large quantities OF
powder grape Sc, on the bank near the fire Orders
were given 10 all men 70 assist in removing them 90
Mace Of safety Gems Banks and Smith were both
present; and did everything they could 70 check the
progress of the fire. but without avail. After time
The heat from the burning building became 20 intense
that all the boats were obliged 10 drop distance
down the river, whore they awaited orders -.
At ; O'Clock the order came 10 get under wis. We
passed down the river a distance II about eight miles
In accordance with an order from Rear Admiral u. ID
Porter lie ordered a line increment. setting of each
gunboat convoy its number Of Transports The gun
boat Fort Hindnan taking lead followed by the Ozark
Mound City, Carondeei. Chicothe. Usage Neosbo,
Louisville Lexington. The transports placed alter
naiely with these the Grocsbeck, W. l.. Ewing.
Southwestern, Emerald. Clara Bell Dcs Mones. Chateau
MARI Sioux City Thomas +. Tut The Lioncss. Red
Cllcl Belle Creole, Rob Roy Bella Donna, Mile
Diadem. Liberty.
The last eight took tho middle u the convoy II at
led ahead they 90 drop hack AMI let tie ~ ain
gunboats pass on 20 the bIticIlcs.
At O'Clock on TIE morning Of the lith They again
started down the river Saw nothing Of gueITilas TIL
about u o'clock, when they fired into from he cn
bank Of the river. They returned the Ere bEsky' and
succeeded "A driving them Oh.
They were then about - miles from Alexandria, and
had proceeded about ten miles frer when they were
again opened upon, and firing kept up or ten OF hfcn
minutes; IL was replied 10 promptly but I'D not she
coed in driving them Of Two L..os bc.0E the whistle
sounded 20 tie up for tie night
At a o'clock steautlg came up with orders % get
under way al daylight Nonday the 18Th. Fearing
tolpcdoos might have been placed IN way 'hc gun
boats Clioudeet Louisylc and Lexington went down
some distance "a reconnnifcr which detained them
that they did not get under way III about neon.
Prom Shaggy Point down for distance Of sixteen
miles they subjected 20 continuous Bnd destruc
ilve Ere n muskeiry nom the enemy. Who were CON
ccacd BOO the bushes \ bout I'VE miles below Shaggy
Point they hTcd into by about lOO gucrI fFc
balls passed through the Hattie stephens ono man VAS
Killed and several wounded
They were not again molcsicd gu They were about
miles above Fort De Iussy. when they subjected
CALLING FIRE for upwards of half an hour. but we're
fired upon from any batteries some gunhoats we're
lci M Fort DE Kussy, and some came down ns iar az
tie mouth of Black River.