Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-06-09
MISSISSIPPI SQUAnRoS, FLAGSHIP BLACK HAWK, |
Mourn RED RIVER, May 10, 1894.

Mourn RED RIVER, May 10, iesi
Sir: have the honor to inform you that !
the vessels lately caught by low water above
tho falls at Alexandria have been released
from their unpleasant position. The water
had fallen 50 low that had no hspn or ex-
pectation of getting the vessels out this sea-
SON and, as the army had made arrange
ments to evacuate the country, | saw moth
ing before me but the destruction OF the
best part Of the Mississippi squadron.
LIEUT.. col. BAILEY's PROPOSITION.
There seems to have been an especial
Psovidenco looking out for US in providing
o man equal to the emergency. Lieut., Col.
Bailey, Acting Engineer of the 10th Army
Corps, proposed a plan Of building series
of dams across the rocks ut the falls, and
raising the water high enough to let the
vessels pass over. This proportion looked
like madness, and the best engineers ridi
culed it; but Col. Bailey was so sanguine OF
success that | requested Gen. Banks to
have it done, and he entered heartily into
the work. Provisions were short, and for
age was almost out, and the dam was prom
ised to be finished in ten days or the army
would have to leave us. was doubtful
about the tine, but had no doubt about the
ultimate success, if time would only permit.
Gen. Banks placed at the disposal Of Col.
B iiley all the force he required, consisting
of some 5000 men aud 2OJ or 800 wagons.
All the neighboring steam-mills were torn
down for material; two or three regiments ni
Maine men were set at work telling trees,
and on the second day after my arrival III
Alexandria from Grand Ecorc the work had
fairly begun.
Trees wcrc falling with great rapidity,
teams were moving in all directions, bring
ing in brick and stone; quarrlcs were open
ed; hatbcats were built TO bring stene down
from above, and every man seemed to be
working with vigor have seldom seen
equaled, while perhaps not one 10 fifty be-
lieved in the success OF the undertaking.
These falls are about a mile in length, filled
with rugged rocks, over which, at the pres
ent stage Of water, it seemed to bo impos'
bible to make channel.
WONDERFUL woRK-THE TREE DAM.
The work was commenced by running
out from the left bank OF tho river tree
dam, made the bodies of very large trees
brush, brick and stone, cross.tied with
heavy timber, and strengthened in every
way which ingenuity could devise. This
was run out about 300 feet into the river;
four large coal barecs were then filled with
brick and sunk at the end OF it, FROM the
right bank Of the river, cribs fillej with
stone wero built out 10 meet the barcs', all
of which was successfully accomp p!i-hcd,
notwithstanding there was current run
ming Of nine miles nm hour, which threaten
ed to sweep everything bcforeit
twill take too much time to enter into
the details Of this truly wonderful! work;
suffice it to say that the dam had nearly
reached completion in eight days working
time, and the water had ris' sufficiently on
the upper falls to allow the Fort liindman,
tn ~
ready to pass the dam. In another day it
would have been high enough to enable all
the other vessels to pass the upper falls. -
Unfortunately, on tho morning OF the 9Th
inst, the pressure of water became 20 great
that it swept away two OF tho stone barges
which swung in below the dam on one side.
Seeing this unfortunate accident, | jumped
on n horse and rode up to where tho upper
vessels were anchored, and ordered the Lex
ington to pass the upper falls it possible,
and Immediately attempt to go through the
dam. | thought might be able to savo
the four vessels below, not knowing whether
the persons employed on the work would ev-
er have the heart 10 renew the enterprise.
APART OF THE FLEET GET OVER THE FALLS.
The Lexington succeeded in getting over
the upper falls just in time, tho water rap
Idly falling as she was passing over. She
then steered directly far the opening in the
dam, through which tho water was rushing
so furicusly that it seemed as If nothing but
destruction awaited her. Thousands OF
beating hearts looked on, anxious for the
result.
The silence was so great as the Lexington
approached tho dam that pin might al
most have been heard to fall She entered
the gap with full head Of steam on, pitched
down the roaring torrent, and made two OF
three spasmodic rolls, hung for a momsn
on the rocks below, was then swept int
deep water by the current, and rounded t
safely into the bank.
Thirty thousand voices rose in one deaf
ening cheer. and universal Joy seemed t.
pervads the face Of every man present -
The Neosho followed next-all her hatcho'
battened down, and every precaution takcr
against accident. She did not fare rs wei
as the Lexington, her pilot having becom,
frightened as he approached the abyss, anc
Stopped her engine, when particularly or
dered full head Of steam TO he carried. -
The result was that Tor moment her hui
disappeared from sight, under the water
Every one thought she was lost. She rose
however, swept along over tho rocks will
the current, aud fortunately escaped witt
only one hole in her bottom, which wa
stopped in the course of an hour, Tn
Hindman and Usage both came throug
beautifully without touching a thing, and
thought il was only fortunate enough |
get my large vessels as well over tho fall
my feet once more would dog good service Q
tho Mississippi.
COL BAILEY NOT DIsHEARrENED.
The accident to tho dam, instead Of di
heartening Col. Bailey, only induced him
renew his exertions, after he had seen if
success Of getting four vessels through.
The noble. hearted soldiers, seeing their Il
Dor OF tho last eight days swept away in
moment, cheerfully went to work to repa
damages, being confident now that all tli
Funboats would be finally brought over.
The men had been working for eight da,
and nights, up to their necks in water. j
the broiling sun, cutting trees and whecliu
bricks. and nothing but good humor preva
ed among them. On the whole, il was vel
fortunate the dam was carried away as Il
two baTges that were swept away from Il
center swung around against some rocks
The left and made fine cushion for thevs