The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-31
Tbo capture Of Fort ne Ras.y.


FoRr De RUssY, RED RIVER, La, March
Is, via CAIRO, March 24.-This fort was cap
tured to-day by the United States forces I'M
der Gen. A. j. Smith. The expedition left
Vicksburg on the 10th, landed at Semmes-
port on the 18th, and marched to Bayou
Glace, where Gen. Scurry's rebel brigade had
been encamped, but which fled on the APP
approach of our transports, leaving considera-
bic camp equipage and commissary stores.
Gen. Smith pressed forward to Yellow Ba-
you, where a strong ratification had been
erected, but the rebels again fled as we came
up. The enemy was pressed, and some Skin
mishing occurred, resulting in the capture Of
several prisoners and small wagon train.
At daylight, yesterday, the entire command
started for Fort De Russy, twenty eight miles
distant, and at four o'clock p. IN. the ID and
9th Indiana batteries opened on the IorI
which replied vigorously with three OF its
heaviest guns. The caDnonade continued an
bour when Gen. Smith ordered the LIST and
ID Illinois, 18th Corps, under Gen. Mower,
to charge the eneny's rifle pits and storm the
fort. The 58th, 10th and 89th Indiana, and
oath Missouri regiments, charged over deep
bitches and thick abattis, amid CALLING fire
and within twenty minutes after the order
was issued the color sergeant of the 9th IL
linois planted the American flag upon the en-,
emy's works. Our victory was complete and
resulted in the capture of 325 prisoners, IN
Guiding twenty-four commissioned officers,
two 9-inch Dahlgren guns (24-pounders1 1our
32-pounders, two 6-pounders, lot OF small
arms, 1000 bales of fine cotton, an immense
quantity Of assorted ammunition, and seVe-
raj thousand dollars worth Of coInmlssary
stores.
Fort De Russy is most formidable work,
quadrangular in shape, with bastions aud
boomproofs covered with railroad iron. a
powerful water battery connects with the
fort, the easements Of which are capable OF
resisting shot and shell of the heaviest cali
bre.
The position Of the guns was capital for a
rapid and effective fire on all boats attempt
ing to go up or down the river. About 500
negroes were employed for a year IN con-
structing the earthworks.
Gen. Smith will superintend the thorough
de struction of the Notifications tomorrow.
1t will take three thousand men two or three
days to destroy them.
Glorious news may be expected from Cen
rails Banks and Smith within two weeks
Their designs, as to strength and position, are
contraband at present.
Among the artillery captured are two guns
belonging to the schooner Morning Light
two rifled guns from the Harriet Lane, cap
tured last spring off Sabine Pass; one heavy
gun from the Indianola, sunk in the Missis-
sippi last year by the rebel ram Webb.
The rebels boast that their iron-plated ram
Missouri, now in the river, can sink any
gunboat in our navy. The Webb and Mary
Jane are also considered impregnable to any
of our flotilla
Admiral Porter has been busily engaged
for the last three days, in removing obstruc-
tions from the Red River, consisting Of RATS,
and piles driven into the channel. Trans
ports are now proceeding up the river with
out interruption