The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-05-07

Naval Operations on Red River.
MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON FLAd-SaIP CR1cK-
Ell, of Grand Ecore, La, April IA, 1864
SIR: / had the honor of reporting to YOU
the movements of the squadron as far as
Alexandria, and the intention Of General
Banks to move at once to Shreveport. He
deemed the cooperation Of the gunb0ats SO
essential to success, that / had to run some
them over the falls. The army started on
the appointed day, and I pushed up the
gunboats to cover them III there should be
NEEDY a. fast ~ they got oyer the falls the
vessels arrived at Grand Ecore without ac-
cident, and had good water, the river an.
parently about to reach its usual stage at
this season. lts.H ."e
The Cricket, Passport, Mound Cty. Chill.
licothe, Carondolet, Pittsburgh, Ozark, Ne
osho. Usage, Lexington, Fort Hindman.
and Louisville, were the vessels sent up.
and . heet Of thirty transports followed
them up. .t Fa4 tse 3. gsi4&.s3 er6
Grand Ecore was occupied by our forces
without opposition, the works having been
deserted. Lieut.. Com. Phelps captured
one 32-pounder on the river below Grand
Ecore, which he destrOyed-making 70
guns captured from the enemy since we
entered the river. The army had arrived
at Natchitoohee, near Grand Ecore, when
arrived here, and were preparing for an inn
mediate march. Az the river was rising
very slowly, would not risk the larger
vessels by taking them higher up, but
with the Cricket, Fort Hindman, Lexine-
ton. Usage, Neosho, and Chillicothe, with
the hope Of getting the rest of the vessels
along when the usual rise came. Twenty
transports were cent along filled with army
stores, and with q portion Of Gen. A. ].
Smiths division on board. It was intend
ed that the fleet ehould reach Springfield
Landing on the third day, and then COM
municaie with the army, portion of which
expected to be at Springfield at that time.
found the difficulties Of navigation very
great, but we reached the point specified
within an hour of the time appointed. At
this point we we're brought to q stop. The
enemy had sunk very large steamer, the
New Falls City, right across the river, her
ends resting on each bank, and her hull
broken in the middle, resting on the bot
tom. This was serious obstruction, but
went to work to removeit. Before COM
menced operations, however, a courier
came in from Gen. Banks, bringing the un-
pleasant and most unexpected news, 'tour
army has met with . reverse and was
falling back to Pleasant Hill, some sixty
miles in our rear. Orders also came 10 Gen.
A. J. Smith, to return to Grand Ecore, with
the transports and the troops he had with
him. Here was an end to our expedition
for the present, and we reluctantly turned
back after having nearly reached the object
we we're aiming At.
The information we received was of a ve-
ry unsatisfactory kind, and we did not
know really what was the exact state of af-
fairs, no letters having been sent by post
courier.
1t would be very difficult to describe the
return passage of the feet through this mar
row and shaggy river. AZ long as our ar
my could advance triunphantly, it was not
so bad; but we had every reason to suppose
that our return would be interrupted in
every way, and at every point, by the enc
my's land forces; and we were not disap-
pointed. They commenced on US from the
high banks, from place called Conshatta,
and kept up fire Of Musketry whenever
an opportunity was offered them. By a
proper distribution of the gunboats had
no trouble in driving them away, though
from the high banks they could tire on our
decks almost with impunity. As we pro-
ceeded down the river they increased in
numbers nd, as we only made thirty miles
day, they could cross from point TO point
and be ready to meet us on our arrival. On
the LETT bank ofthe river man by the name
of Harrison, with 900 cavalry and four or
five pieces of artillery, was appointed to
follow MS down and annoy Us. 1t was very
fortunate for US that this person and his
command were lately severely handled by
| u gunb0at Ia few weeks ago. which made
them careful about coming within range.
On the evening Of the lAh inst, We were
attacked from the right bank OF the river
by . detachment of men Of quite another
character. They were q part OF the army
4 which two or three daysprevious had gain.
ed success over our army, and, flushed
with victory, or under the excitement OF
liquor, they appeared suddenly upon the
right bank, and fearlessiy opened IRE on
the Usage, Lieutenant-C Commander F. o.
Sslfridge (iron-clad, )she beinghardagroupd
at the tune, with transport (the Black
Hawk alongside of her, towing her off,
The Rebels opened with 1000 muskets, and
Il soon drove every one out Of the Black
Hawk to the safe classmates of the monitor
Lieutenant Bache had just come from his
vessel tthe Lexington and fortunately was
, enabled to pull up to her again, Keeping
J close up to the bank, while the Usage open
, ed destructive fire on these poor, delude<
J wretches, who, maddened by liquor and lee
on by their officers, were vainly attempting
, to capture an iron vessel.
] ann told that their hOoting and action
battle description; force after force scenes
) to be brought up to the edge of the bank
f where they confronted the guns Of the iro,
, vessels only to be moved down by grape
5 shot and canister. In the meantime Lieut.
Bache had reached his vessel, and widen
Z ling the distance between him and the Osag
: he opened cross fire on the Infatuated reb
{ els, who fought with such desperation an,
; courage against certain destruction thai
! could only be accounted for In one way
: Our opinions were verified on inspection 9
/ some Of The slain, the men actually smell
{ 4 Ing Of Louiaiana rum. This adatr laste
: two hours before the rebels fed. The
I brought mp two pieces Of artillery, one .
r which was quickly knocked over BY th
> I.exington's gums the other they manage
: TO carry OF. The cross-dre Of the Lexing
4 ton finally decided this curious affair.
81 The rebels were moved down by her can
!. lister, and finally retreated In ~ quick bast
!. g they had come to the attack, leaving th
: SPACE Of mile covered with the dead an
D wounded, fnuskets and knapsacks. A dy
y ing rebel informed our men that 0eners
I'll Green had his head blown of, which d
Oh hot vouch for ~ true; If true, 1t b u
al tious loss 10 the rebels. Night coming OF