Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-07

delet and Pittsburg started in succession to pass
the dam, oil their matches battened down and
every precaution taken to prevent accident.
The passage Of these vessels was most beau
tifnl sight, only to be realized when seem They
passed over without an accident, except the un-
shipping of one or two rudders. This was wit
messed by all the troops, and the vessels were
heartily cheered when they passed over. Next
morning, at ten o'clock, the Louisville Chilli
cothe, Ozark, and two tugs passed over without
any accident except the loss Of man, who was
swept off the deck Of one of the tugs. By three
O'Clock that afternoon, the vessels were all coaled
ammunition replaced, and all steamed down the
river with the convoy Of transports in company.
good deal of difficulty was anticipated in get
ting over the bars in lower Red riyer-depth Of
water reported only five feet guuboats were
drawing six. Providentially, we had rise from
the back-water Of the Mississippi--th river
being very high at that time-the back-water
extending to Alexandria. 150 miles distant, en-
abling us to pass all the bars and distractions
with safety.
Words are inadequate to express the admira-
ton feel for the ability Of Lieut. Col. Bailey.
This is without doubt the best engineering feat
ever performed. Under the best circumstances,
private company would not have completed
this work under one year, and to an ordinary
mind the whole thing would have appeared an
entire impossibilty. Leaving out his ability as
| an engineer--the credit he has conferred upon
the country-he has saved the Union valuable
feei worth nearly $2,000000 more, he has
deprived the enemy of triumph which would
have emboldened them to carry on this war
year or two longer, for the intended departure
of the army was fixed fact, and there was
nothing left for me to do in case that event oc-
= inl 20 destroy every part Of the vessels,
i ~ the Rebels could make nothing of them.
The highest honors the Government can bestow
on Col. Bailey can never repay him for the ser
vice he has rendered the country.
To Gen. Banks, personally, am much indebt-
ed for the happy manner in which he has for
warded this enrerprze, giving it his whole
attention night and day scarcely sleeping while
the work was going on attending personally to
sec that all the requirements Of Col. Bailey were
complied with on the instant.
/ do not believe there ever was case where
such difficulties were overcome in such short
space of time, and without any preparation.
l beg leave to mention the names of some of
the persons engaged in this work, as think that
credit should be given TO every man employed
on it. am unable to give the names of all, but
sincerely trust that General Banks will do full
justice to every officer engaged in this under
taking when he makes his report. only regret
that TING did not enable me to get the names of
| all concerned.
The following are the names of the most
| prominent persons: Lieut.. Col. Bailey, Acting
Military Engineer, 18th Army Corps in charge
of the works Lieut.. Col. Pearcall, Assistant !;
Col. Dwight Acting Assistant Inspector General !
Lieut.. Col. W. B. Kinney, 10th New York VOL
unteers Aieut. Col. Hubbard, Both Maine Vol.
unteers Major Suatele, Provost Marshal and
Lieut. Williamson, Ordnance Officer.
The following were a portion Of the regiments
employed: 29th Maine, commanded by Lieut..
Col. Emerson 116th New York, Col George
NJ. Love; 16lst New York, Capt. Prentiss; 1884
New York, Col. Currie.
The engineer regiments and officers of the 18th
Army Corps were also employed.
feel that have done but feeble Justice to the
work or the persons engaged in it. Being Sc
verely indisposed l feel myself unable to 20 into
further details. l trust some future Historian
will treat this matter it deserves to be treated
because 1t is subject in which the whole coun-
try should feel ah interest, and the noble meu
who succeeded so admirably in this arduous task
should not lose one atom of credit so justly Jue
them.
! The Mississippi squadron will never forget the
obligations it is under to Lieut. Col Bailey, act
ing military engineer of the 18th Army Corps.
Previous to passing the vessels over the 1alls,
had nearly all the guns, ammunitou,p u,provisions,
chain cables, anchors and everything that could
affect their draft, taken out of them.
The commanders were indetatigable in thelr
exertions to accomplish the object before them,
and o happier set of men were never seen than
when their vessels were once more in fighting
trim.
If this expedition has not been 60 successful
as the country hoped for, it has exhibited the
indomituble spirit Of Eastern and Western men
to overcome obstacles deemed by most people
insurmountable. 1t has presented new feature
in the war, nothing like which has ever been ac-
complished before.
LOSS OF THE GUNBoATs SIGNAL AND covIKoToN
: regret to inform you among the misfortunes
nf nf llnt aF ff.rt.t
draft gunboats, the Signal and Covington.
] sent them down from Alexandria to convoy a
: quartermaster's boa'-the Warren-loaded with
D cottonf and some 400 troops on board, not know
ing that the enemy had any artillery on the river
r below us, or anything more than wandering
D gangs Of guerillas, armed with muskets, which
0 these vessels were competent to drive off.
r 1t appears, however, that the Rebels were en-.
i abled to pass our advance force, at night, witt
6000 men and some % pieces of artillery
With these they established series of batteries
at place called Dunn's Bayou, 80 miles elov
Alexandria, very commanding position. Thes,
batteries were so masked that they could lot b'
! seen in passing even by the closest observation
! The fret notice the vessel received of the bat
= terry was furious fire which opened on th
: quartermaster's boat the Warner, piercing he
. boilers, aud completely disabling her. At thu
same time 5000 infantry opened with musketry
= killing aud wounding half the soldiers on tn
: vessel She drifted into the opposite bank
where a number managed to make their escap
= in the bushes, though many were killed in at
y tempting to do So
= The Signal and Covington Immediately round
~ ed to and opened their guns on the batteries, an
pushed up, endeavoring to secure the Wafne
y from her perilous position. They had however
~ as much as they could do to take care of them
y selves, the cr0ss-fre of the three batteries cut
y ting them up in terrible manner. Their steal
W pipes were soon cut and their boilers perforate
ie with shot, Notwithstanding which they fougl
II, the batteries for five long hours, the vesse
~ being cut all to pieces and many killed al
ne wounded on board. Acting Volunteer Lieu
7 George p Lord, commanding the Covingto
~ having expended all his shot, spiked his gun
~ set fire to his vessel, and escaped with what
o., leftof his crew to the shore, and his vessel Bile
~ ~ up. The Signal. Acting Volunteer Lieut.. Id
VI VI ward Morgan, still fought his guns for half
me hour after the destruction of the CoVington. Il
~ found ii impossible to destroy his vessel by bur-
" ing her decks being covered with wounded, aI
my humanity forbade him sacrificing the lives Of Il
lhe noble fellows who had defended their vessel
gallantly. ,.,
an. eseape 10 do so; some Of them attempted to {
his away by climbing up the bank; many WI
,at killed while doing so by the murderous fire
Ted musketry poured in from the opposite side.
avs The captain remained by the vessel, and v
10 captured, if he remained alive, but have
row information regarding him. The Rebels to
ght the guns off her, and, placing her across
avs channel as an obstruction, sunk her.
the General Banks, on hearing the news, sent
ks, cavalry 10 hunt for the unfortunate men, ma
ong Of whom were picked up and brought into Ale
the andria. number escaped down the river 0
that went aboard some light draught gunboats q
| Al, -, faN Nksa nnf