Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-08-04
From the Mississippi Squadren-A Change {
Base-An Expedition up White River.
'rrespondence Of the State Journsl.
Miss. SQUADRON. July II. l

Q. S. S. MOUND C1TY,
Miss. SQUADRON, July II, 1864. (
MEssRs. EDIroRs: Since nv last we have
changed our base and left old Hurricane,
perhaps forever, and it was not without feel
lngs Of regret either, as all had become quite
attached 10 the locality, and the fruits and
vegetables will be sadly missed By our mess
We had made great calculations OF a feast on
Jeff.,s figs, pears, peaches, &c. but the or
der came TO make all haste to White River.
some $50 miles above. As the emergency
seemed TO demand, we hailed the first boat
for assistance, which proved to be the JfolEe
Able, large, new and frst-class packet. and
very fast. They disliked, very much, to be
detained by towing US, and plead a large
Northern mail, dispatches, &c. But there
was no such thing as avoiding Us, so we were
taken alongside. At Vicksburg we over
took the steamer Lamiaarv, another large
boat, running opposition to the NoHe Abe
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 a
good rate of speed, the parties of either boat
consoling themselves with the reflection that
neither one could get ahead; and so the
Hound City, although always considered a
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 &C.
casonally to do job for the navy, as 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 Coronde2et, TYLER, Ler-
i'gton, Mound City, 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 Tyler, a reconnaissance was
made up the river as far as Prairie Landing,
some thirty miles where we found no enemy,
but shoal water to such an extent that the
heavy iron-clads could not get up. We then
returned to the mouth. of the river and came
to anchor.
The Tyler and CaTondelet proceeded up the
Mississippi. The next day, as all the feet
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 Duvalrs
Bluff, and three gunboats, the Lexington be-
ing left at the mouth. We anchored at night
some fifty miles from the mouth, and started
early the next morning. During the night
the monitor Neosho came up and joined the
feet The Neosho 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
camp-kettle full of bullets, and III 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 Ox-bows, Scrub-grass Bend, &c. We got
along very nicely until the morning of the
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
Hound 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 heavy battery some twen-
ty miles below DuvalPs Bluff. The tin-clad
Queen City, while lying at anchor, was sur
prised one morning few days since by hav-
ing heavy fire opened upon her from a bat
terry which had been planted during the night.
After 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 no farther up, al
though this stream has been very unlucky
one for the Hound City, as you will recollect
that at St. Charles her boilers were shot into
and one hundred and fifty out of a crew of
one hundred and seventy-fve 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.
1t 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
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 habitation, and dense
forests on either side. Occasionally a deer
would start and look at US from the bank I'M
til very close, then bound away. The woods
are said to abound in game of all kinds.
J. B.
THE BATTLE AT ATLANTA on FRDAY-The
Washington Republican extra says
"Dispatches to the Government represent
that great battle was fought in Atlanta on
Friday, resulting in horrible slaughter, and a
complete repulse Of the enemy at every point.
The rebels, holding the largest part OF the
city, assaulted our works on that day with
great fury, evidently expecting to drive our
forces out of the city The 18th Corps, COM
manded by Gen. Frank Blair, seemed to be
the special object of rebel wrath, as they
massed against it in overwhelming force
The 18th received the shock CALAMITY, and
held its own until Gen. Dodge, with the 10th
Corps, came up, when the rebels were hurled
back with great slaughter Gen. Logan, at
the head of the 18th Corps, went into battle
with the rallying cry of Remember McPher-
SON. This Corps, as well as Blair's, both