Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-08-03
.spenasnce I'd the 60 Iorrns!
y O : = : . : JVI- II >
c. 5. 5. MoCSD CiTf,
Mss. SorsDRoS JuIv II Is.

49, MISS, SQUADRON, July Il, 1861 ]
MEssRs EDIroRs Since my last We have
changed our base and left old Hurricane
perhaps forever, and it was not without feel
Ings OF regret either, as all nod become quite
attached TO the locality and the fruits and
vegetables wiu be sadly missed BIZ our mess
We had made great calculations Of feast on
Jef.'s figs, pears, peaches, &c; but the or
der came TO make all haste to White River
some ESQ miles above. As the emergency
seemed TO demand, we hailed the first boat
for assistance, which proved 10 be the Motto
45le, large, new and frst-class packet, and
very fast. They disliked, very much, 10 be
detained by towing US, and plead a large
Northern mail, dispatches, sc. But there
was no such thing as avoiding Us, so we were
taken alongside. At Nicksburg we over
took the steamer L,ami.a,,y, another large
boat, running opposition TO the Ioilie Abie.
Suspecting, no doubt our intentions towards
her, she steamed away from the landing in
great haste, and although we whistled re-
peatedly for her TO stop, she held steadily on
but when we threw a twelve pound shot
across her bow, she hove TO instantly. She
made fast to the other side OF US, and the
three vessels plowed the Mississippi at
good rate Of speed, the parties of either boat
consoling themselves with the reflection that
neither one could get ahead and so the
Ios1,d CITY, although always considered
slow boat, managed to keep up with the oest
of them. l think it i'll behooves the masters
of steamboats, TO demur when called upon oc-
casionally to do job for the navy, these
same gunboats are the only means by which
navigation is made practicable at all on the
lower river
Arriving at the mouth of the White River,
we found quite an expedition ready to start
up that stream. The Carondelet, Tyler, Ler.
itgtoa Mound Cjtu, Peri and Hastings, the
whole under command of Commander Phelps,
an old, experienced and most excellent Off
Ger, who makes the Hastings his flag ship.
The next morning after we arrived, in com
pany with the IgleT, a reconnaissance
made up the river as far as Prairie Landing,
some thirty miles where we found no enemy,
but shoal water to such an extent shat the
heavy iron-clads could not get up. We then
returned to the mouth Of the river and came
TO anchor.
The Tqler and Carondelet proceeded up the
Mississippi. The next day. all the fleet
of transports had arrived, we started again
up White river. The entire fleet, consisted
Of nine large transports laden with stores
and stock for Gen. Steeles army at DuvalPs
Bluff, and three gunboats, the lexington be
ing left at the mouth. We anchored ut night
some fifty miles from the mouth, and started
early the next morning. During the night
the monitor Neosho came up and joined the
fleet The Ne0Sho is one of the most serv-
iceable boats in the squadron. She runs well,
draws only four feet of water, and carries
guns that throw shell containing about a
camp-kettle full of bullets and L Red river
the rebels learned TO their cost that they
were very bitter dose of pills for any squad
of men to take at once.
White river is very much like Red river in
point of width and its tortuOus course. The
names of points also resemble those of the
last named river in their meaning-such as
the 0X-bows, Scrub-grass Bend &c. " e got
along very nicely until the morning Q. tie
10th when we arrived at Little Island, about
ninety miles from the Mississippi when we
came to dead stop, as the bottom OF the
river had got to be so near the top OF the
water that it was impossible for boats of the
Mound City's draught to proceed any farther,
and after severe DAYS work the NeOSho and
four transports succeeded in getting over
Pilots say, however, that once past this bar
there is no more difficulty to the bluffs
There is no doubt a heavy battery some TWEEN
ty miles below Duvali's Bluff The tin-clad
Qetesn Citg, while lying at anchor, was sur
prised one morning few days since by hay
ing a heavy fire opened upon her from bat
terry which had been planted during the night.
After a short fight she was taken, burned and
sunk, but the Lexington arrived in time to
save her guns. We are all very much disap
pointed that we can get 10 farther up, al
though this stream has been a very unlucky
one for the Mound City, as you will recollect
that at St Charles her boilers were shot into
and one hundred and fifty out Of q crew of
one hundred and Seyanty-fye were scalded
to death We did not anticipate any such a
catastrophe this time. The Red river affair
has most beautifully developed the weak
points Of our tin-clads, and the rebels fear
them no longer. They still, however, have a
wholesome dread of the iron-clads The wa
ter in White river is quite clear and not I'M
healthy, as was that Of the Red river, which
is no small consideration this sweltering
weather.
IL is said that Marmaduke, who has been
quite successful of late in making captures,
has sent word that he has got all the mules
he wants now and prefers horses hereafter.
On the morning of the 18th, by means OF
unloading the horses, the remaining trans
ports got over with the exception of one, the
Monsoon which still proved too heavy and
returned with Us to the mouth Some FIVE
hundred rebels came in with felonious intent
towards the horses; but were too late, as they
were all loaded again before they reached
them.
We arrived at the mouth in the evening in
time for the regular dispatch boat with our
mail, and our hearts were made glad by good
news from the loved ones at home.
There is scarcely any town here, only few
miserable shanties and some two or three
fat boats used as hotel, store, etc. We are
to keep the river clear to the bar above men
toned by going up every other day or so
while the feet Is absent. As far as We went
there was not sign of babitation, and dense
forests on either side. Occasionally a deer
would start and look at US from the bank IN
Ill very close, then bound away. The woods
are said TO abound in game of all kinds.
J. B.
THE BATTLE AT ATLANTA oN FRIDAY-The
Washington Republican extra says:
dispatches to the Government represent
that great battle was fought in Atlanta on