The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-30


the 22d instant and troops as going out 70 meet
them.
Our total loss In the battles foots up four thousand
Our army Is believed 20 be securely intrenched 1t
Grand Ecore, on both sides Of tho rivor
Operations or the Naval Fieet.
OFFICIAL DESPATCH FROM ADMIRAL PORrER.
Missis IrPI SQUADRON, FLAGSHIP CRIcKEr,
Orr GRAND EcoRE, La april IA. 1854. !
SrR-I had the honor OF reporting to yon the move.
ents OF the squadron far Alexandria, and the In
tentons Of General Banks 10 on at once to Shrevs
essential 10 success that had to some risks, and
made unusual exertons to get them over the falls The
gunboas them there should be needy as fast
they got the falls The vessels arrivedat Grand
apparently about to reach lis usual stage this
The Cricket Eastpor, Mound City, Chilicone Caron.
sOd he u
fleet OF thirty transports followed them.
Grand Ecore occupied by our forces without oppo.
stion the works having deserted. Lieutenant Com
mander Phelps captured ono thiry-twopounder en- the
river below Grand Ecore which he destroyed making
entered the river The army had arrived
Grand Ecore when got up here, and were prepar
"ss Rising an very slowly would not risk
larger vessels BY taking them higher up; bu.
the Cricket Fort Hndnan lexington sage Neosho and
Chcohe with the hope Of getting the rest Of the yes
sells along when the usual rise came Twenty transpors
zion Of General A. J. Smiths division board u was
Intended that the feet should reach Springfield landing on
portion OF which expected to be at Springfield at that
found the difficulties OF navigation very great; but
reached the point specified within hour or the time ap
pointed. At this point were brought to stop the
City. right across the river, her ends resting. on
each o,nk, and her hull broken in the middle,
DESTRUCTION: but / wen. to work to remove
IL. Before commenced operations however, courier
game in from General Banks bringing the unpleasant and
mos
verse;" aud falling back to Pleasant HILL some sixty
smith TO return to Grand Ecore transports and
the troops he had with him Here was an end to our
sxpediti Tor the present, and we reluctantly turned
back after having nearly reached tho object we
The information we received was Of very unsatisrac
tory kind. and did not know really what was the
exac, state OF affairs no letters having been sent BY post
Il would 10 very difficult to describe tho return passage
OF fleet through this and shaggy river. AS
long army could advance trumphautly il not
return would be interrupted IN every way ana at
every point, by the enemys land forces aud we
banks from place called Conslatta, and kept up Ore
Of musketry Whenever an opportunity was offered them
n dvns sm the SS
banks they could fire decks almost with impun
~. As We proceeded down the river they increased
+ In numbers, and only made thirty mics . day,
NEE, our arrival On the lett bank Of the river
man by the name OF Harrison, with nineteen hundred
cavalry and five pieces OF artillery appointed
20 follow US down and annoy us. It was very fortunate
veroy handled By guhboat "a few weeks ago., which
made them care I'll about ming within range.
from the right bank Of the river by detachment
5 or men OF quite another character They q
vous had gained success over our army, and
flushed with victory or UNDER the excitement Of
bSuH and soaresIy oponed re o. The Usage suensns
Commander f. o. Selfridge sircn cad) she being hard
lOnQ q ff h0r tOW nv
thousand muskets ami soon drove every out of
lieutenant Bachc had just come from his vessel (hc Lex
ngton) and enabled to pull to her again
keeping close under the bank while the Usage opened
destructive fire these poor, deuded wretches, who,
maddened by liquor and led by their officers,
vainly attempting 10 capture an iron vessel
am told that their hoJt nes and actions bafhe de-.
script after force seemed 10 be brought up to
the edge Of the bank where they confronted the OF
che vessels, only to be moved down by Rrapesho
and canister In the meantime Lieutenant, Roche d
reached his vessel and widening the distance between
him and the Usage, he opened fire on the nfuri
ated rebels who fought with such desperation and
certain destruction that II could only be
specon Of s,me Of the slain, The men actually smelling
OF Louisiana This affair lasted nearly two hours
before the rebels 81 fed they o0nEh up sI0 pieces
by the Lexngton's gums the other they managed TO
ry or. The cross IRE Of the Lexington finally decided
this curious affair Of fght between infantry and gun
boats. The rebels were moved down by her canister,
and finally retreated in quick haste they had come
dead and wounded, muskots and knapsacks dying
rebel that General Green had his head
blown or. which do not vouch for as true; II true
II is a seritus loss TO tho rebels Night coming on,
we had no means OF entertaining the damage done
right bank Of the river party Of Ave thousand
who marching 10 cnt us or were persuaded 70
mnasion Of the first expedition. that same night
ordered the transports TO proceed, and having placed
che sunDo'ss at rOns where the rebels had p,,
rebels not firing shot In return TO the many that
the son ns mex: I'm %otnsE gu:
Gazette, six miles from Grand Ec re BY land, chat
they han got aground, and would b. some time get
Grand Ecoie. and got General Banks 10 send up
ssoeps enough to keep the guerillas away from the
down but when had the troops sent up The transports
along without any trouble Thishas been expe
great deal Of individual bravery shown and on such oc
casions Commanderin Chief Is apt 10 find out the
GASEOUS viii enable him % select those VINO win no,
likely fail In the time o. need To Lieutenant Commander
sI oSs 9ss and
lArly indebted for the gallant IN which they
Tended their vessels and for their management during
: vying out my wishes and orders.
found tho feet a Grand Ecors somewhat M an I'm.
Else Of foot. could NOT provide against ths when over
her laws ihos viii no doubt 30 rsc o. water but there
Was year 84o) when there was no rise ID the Red
on the supply 81 diyersg Inherent sources o. water
Into other chanucs ell Of which would have been stopped
had army arrived far Shreveport. have done
my bcst land % have the officers and men under my
rommsnd) make this expedition throughout,
and do MOI know that We have failed In anything We have
undertaken.
Had we not hoard Of the retreat OF the army should
havo gone 20 the end wise ovidence which rules
and drccts all things has thought proper 70 stay
gess and throw impcdimcnts In the way for some good
reason.
We have nothing LEFT but 70 try again. and bold
sn country with all tho force raise. IL Ii just
70 U.S. aud important 70 the cause 40 any other
portion Of the Unou Those who have interests here and
are atnlr 70 the government have right 70 expect
pfoiecton and when this part Of Louisiana conquered
sippi without 6ripg another gun.
There 70 a 0,as0 OF men who have duv,ne this vav
shown good deal OF bravery and patriotism and who
have seldom met with any notice from those vhosa