Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-05-12
DESPERATION OF DRUNKEN REBELS.

DESPERATION OF DRUNKEN REBELS.
am told that their hootings and ac-
tions battle description; force after force
seemed to be brought up to the edge of the
bank where they confronted the guns Of
the ironvessels, only to be moved down
by grape shot and canister. In the
meantime Lieut.. Bache had reached his
vessel, and widening the distance be-
tween him and the Usage, he opened a
cross fire on the infuriated rebels, who
fought with such desperation and cour-
age against certain destruction that 1t
could only be accounted for in one way.
Our opinions were verified on inspection
of some of the slain, the men actually
smelling of Louisiana rum. This affair
lasted nearly two hours before the reb-
els fed. They brought up two pieces of
artillery, one of which was quickly
knocked over by the Lexington's guns;
the other they managed to carry off,
The cross fire of the Lexington finally
decided this curious affair, or fight be-
tween infantry and gunboats. The reb-
els were moved down by her canister
and finally retreated in as quick haste
as they had come to the attack, leaving
a space of mile covered with dead and
wounded, muskets and knapsacks. A
dying rebel informed our men that Gen
Green had his head blown of, which
do not vouch for as true; if true it is
serious loss to the rebels. Night coming
on we had no means of ascertaining the
damage done to the rebels.
THE FLEET sAPE.
We were troubled no more from the
right bank of the river and party of
five thousand men, who were marching
to cut us off were persuaded to change
their minds after hearing OF the unfortu-
nate termination of the first expedition.
The same night I ordered the transports
to proceed, and having placed the gun
boats at point where the rebels had
battery, all the transports were passed
safely, and the rebels not firing shot in
return to the many that were bursting
over the hill. The next morning, (the
13th) followed down myself and find
ing at Canette-six miles from Grand
Ecore-that they had got aground, and
would be some time getting through, I
proceeded down in this vessel to Grand
Ecore and got Gen. Banks to send up
troops enough to keep the guerrillas
away from the river We were fired on
as usual, after we started down; but
when | had the troops sent up, the
transports came along without any
trouble
RETURN TO GRAND ECoRB--Low WATER.
This has been an expedition where
great deal of labor has been expended, a
great deal of individual bravery shown,
and on such occasions the Commander
in-Chief is apt to find out the metal of
which his officers are made, and on such
occasions it will enable him to select
those who will not likely to fail him in
the time ofneed To Lieut. Commander 7.
%. Selfridge, commanding Usage, and
Lieut.. George M. Bache, commanding
Lexington, am particularly indebted
for the gallant manner in which they
defended their vessels, and for their man
agement during the expedition, always
anticipating and intelligently carrying
out my wishes and orders. 4IQ4
/ found the feet at Grand Ecore some
what in an unpleasant situation, two of
them being above the bar, and not likely
to get away again this season, unless
there is rise of foot. / could not pro-
vide against this when over a hundred
miles up the river. If nature does not
change her laws, there will no doubt be
a rise of water; but there was one year
Q846) when there was no rise in the
Red river-and it may happen again
The rebels are cutting off. the supplies,
by diverting different sources Of water
into other channels, all of which would
have been stopped had our army arrived
as far as Shreveport. have done my
best land SO have the officers and men
under my command) to make the expe-
dition a success throughout, and do not
know that we have failed in anything
we have undertaken.
,a REFLECTIONS ON THE CAMPAIGN. -
Had we not heard of the retreat of the
army, should have gone on to the end.
A wise Providence, which rules and di-
rects all things, has thought proper to
stay our progress and throw impedi-
ments in the way, for some good rea-
son. 5 A afs3s sp
We have nothing left but to try it
again, and hold on to this country with
all the force we can raise. 1t is just as
valuable to us, and important to the
cause, as any other portion of the I'M
ion. Those who have interests here and
are faithful to the Government, have a
right to expect our protection; and when
this part of Louisiana is conquered, we
hold Arkansas and all the right bank of
the Mississippi, without firing gun.
There is class of men who have du-
ring this war shown great deal Of bra
very and patriotism, and who have sell
dom met with any notice from those |
whose duty it is to report such matters.
I speak of the pilots on the Western wa
tiers Without any hope Of future re-
ward through fame or in a pecuniary
way, they enter into the business ofpilot-
ing the transports through danger that
would make q faint-hearted man quail.
Occupying the most exposed positions,
fair mark for sharp-shooter, they are
continuously fred at, and often hit,
without so much as mention being
made of their gallantry. On this expe-
dition they have been much exposed,
and shown great gallantry in managing
their vessels while under fire in this, to
them, unknown river. beg leave to