Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-11
lion and Burning Of Alexandria.
Passage Down Red River


MISSISSIPPI souApKox STEAMER MOUND CRY I
Red River, May, 1864
Since nv last we Lave been having rather
rough times of il on Red River. The Benefit
was the last boat out, and since that time our
communication has been cut off. The ques-
ton was how long could we hold out here
waiting for a rise in the river when there
was not the slightest prospect of such good
fortune. Gen. Banks was in great hurry to
get out, but without the gunbOats his pas
sage out was not altogether safe, and should
the army leave the place the fate OF the
gunbOats was sealed. The rebels were con-
stantly attacking us on all sides, Pliognac on
the north side but the greater force still on
the south side The indOmitable Smith was
constantly heard of fighting them, first in
one place, then in another, until his praises
were the theme of every tongue and petit
ton was put in circulation n the feet recon-
mending him for promotion, which was signed
by nearly every officer.
Meantime the project was started OF DAM
ing the river at point nearly below the low
er rapids, and the work was given in charge
of Col Bailey, of the Engineer corps, and
hundreds of men went TO work with will to
accomplish the task. Capt. LangthOrn of the
hound City most ably seconded the efforts of
Col. Bailey, leaving his ship every morning
at sunrise and only returning at or o'clock
at night, and by dint of working day and
night for FIVE DAYS, the water was backed up
on the rapids so that the two little monitors,
the Fort HindmaR and Lexington got over.
But il was still too low to admit of the heavi-
er vessels. The same night, from the i'm
mense pressure of water, a portion OF the
dam gave way, it being almost impossible to
hold il with such means as were at hand.
To add to our discontinue, we learned that
Lot
on their way out. From one of the engi-
ueers of the latter boat learned the follow
ing particulars: The two gunboats we're con-
vOying the transport Warner out, loaded with
troops. They encountered a battery some
forty miles below mere and commenced action
instantly They could have both run the
battery without much damage, but the Var
ler getting aground, caused them to be de-
tanned until the batteries on shore were rein
forced, and the CogiHgt0H, becoming disabled,
was blown up. The Signal still kept up the
fight, and her commander gave orders for all
the unemployed men to get ashore, as the
steam pipe was cut and the boat unmanagea-
BILE. Owing TO the number of sharpshOoters
this business of getting up the bank was ex-
tremely hazardous. The men succeeded how
ever, in joining party of the CoUington'S men
and proceeded up the river on foot. They
were scattered once in the woods by rebel
cavalry, but finally arrived here after IA
tiguing march of fOrty-eight hours without
food.
From a scout we learn that several of our
vessels were at Fort DeRussy, but our
troubles all lie between here and there. On
the Sth the Chllicotte got over the upper falls
into the basin below. 1t being found impos-
sibIe to make the dam hold to raise the wa
ter any higher, the order was given to light
en- the vessels as much as possible. Accord
ing everything of weight was taken off with
due regard to still leaving the boats in
defensible condition. Part of each battery,
old iron anchors and the iron plating on our
sides were taken of, and on the 18th the
C.rondeIet started over the shoals and got
hard and fast and nearly out of the channel.
The Mound City started over, and of course
she got aground. The soldiers started two
wing DAMS one from each side of the river, |
to throw the body of water into the channel |
| never saw soldiers work with such a will. |
II was amusing to see with what alacrity
they would lay hold of a line when brought
to the shore. Sometimes as many as two
thousand were on one line, and often saw a
IA inch hawser broke in twain by sheer
strength. Happily, on the 18th, we got over
and into the basin of back-water caused by
the dam below, and the Cdrondelet soon fol-
ing, and as the wing dams were now of great
service the rest got over the same night
But now our trouble was only half over. We
had vet before US the final leap TO safety or
destruction. The main dam was stretched
across the river from the north side, only a
short portion of it projecting from the Oppo-
site side, leaving space of about sixty feet
through which the water was rushing with
lightning rapidity, and in a short distance
descending some ten feet, with a surface as
smooth as glass, then breaking into huge
rollers which tumbled about with deafening
noise. Truly it was a wild looking place to
run a large gunbOat into. The Lexington,
Fort HindmGH, NeoSdO and Usage went over
also the AdmiraIs tug Dallia. But they
were lighter draft vessels and the breach at
that time was wider and the current less
swift, although man was washed overheard
from the Neosho and drowned. One man was
also lost from the tug. II was with many
misgivings that we surveyed the prospect.
As the Mound City was the first to get over
the shoals above and being the heaviest vessel
in the fOtilla, she had the honor of leading
of the race and at about six p NJ we cast
of eur lines and prepared to take the shoot
Port holes were closed up, matches battoued
down, trunks and articles of wardrobe were
brought on deck from the rooms below, and
everything put IN as safe a cOnultlOn as
possible. The old boat seemed 10th to en-
counter the ordeal and refused to turn
her bow to it for some time. At last she
pointed directly for it some three hundred
yards above. / think every heart beat a
trife quicker as she approached the fearful
leap.
The scene was of much too thrilling inter-
est for me truly to describe. Every noise
was hushed on board the vessel except the
orders of Capt. Lnagthorn, given in a firm,
distinct tone to the Pilots at the Wheel
Thousands of our anxious soldiers were on
either bank to witness a success or a catas-
trophy. Brass bands had marched up on
both sides and were playing, one the 'Star
Spangled Banner" the other the "Battle cry
of Freedom" Your correspondent was never
in such painful suspense as during the few
seconds before taking this tremendous slide
He tried to execute a few steps of horn
pipe, but the effort proved miserable fail
ure. In less time than it takes you to read
this, our bow struck the head of the vortex
and a cheer rose from every throat of our
men, which was voeiferously responded to by
the men on shore, but was instantly hushed.
With the velocity of locomotive we took
the fearful plunge. The steamer struck
the breakers and threw the water quite over
her. But seel She strikes She grOans -
Her bow rises high out of the water, then
sinks again, while her motion is checked and
her timbers crack with an ominous sound to
a sailor. For an instant she is motiOnless.
and the water rolled furiously over her stern
and every one felt that WOod and iron would