Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-02
The Easssss Rsalasat sna shesSs Of tta YkiEtSsata
Army Corps we're also sLp i0ysd. I'D ND4 tE

Tue Easl0ess Rsaltaent snd onecSs 81 Ma fhistosnsh
iss that have aoas but issbs ases 10 the work
the persons engaged niDsng severely indspossd feel
myself unable to into further details trust fu
hstoren will treat this matter il deserves TO be
treated because it is subject in which the whole country
should feel interest," and the noble men who succeeded
admirably in this arduous task should not lose atom
of credit 80 justly due them. 500
The Mississippi Squadron will forget the obiga-
tons is under to Lieut. Col Bailey, Acting Military En-
gineer of the Nineteenth Army Corps
Previous to passing the vessels over the falls had nearly
all the guns ammunition provisions chain cables, anchors
and every thing that could affect their draft taken out Of
them.
The Commanders were ndeatigabe in their exertions
TO accomplish the object before them and happier set OF
men than when their vessels were once
more in fighting trim
If this expedition has not been successful as the coun-
try hoped for 1t has exhibited the ndomtabe spirit OF
Eastern and Western to obstacles deemed
by most people nsurmountabe 1t has presented new
feature in the war, nothing like which has ever been
compsbed before
regret inform you amongst the msfortunes Of this
expedition Of the loss of two small light draft gunboas, the
Signal and Covug ton: sent them down from Alexandria
to convoy boat the Warner, loaded with
cotton and four hundred troops board not knowing
that the enemy had any artillery on the river below any
thing than wandering of guerras armed with
mukets which these vessels competent to drive off
1t appears however, that the rebels enabled TO pass
our advance force at night with ak thousand and
twenty five pieces of artillery With these they established
series Of batteries at place called Dunns Bayou thirty
uiles below Alexandria, very commanding position.
These batteries masked that they could not be
seen In passing even by the closest observation.
The first notice the vessels received of the battery
furious fire which opened the quatermasters boat
the Warner piercing her boilers and completely disabling
her At the time six thousand infantry opened witch
musketry killing aud wounding half the soldiers thus
vessel She drfted into the opposite bank where number
managed to make their escape the bushes though many
we're killed in attempting to do
The Signal and Covington immediately rounded to and
opened their the batteries and pushed endeavo
ing to rescue the Warner from her perous position They
had however much they could do to take Of
themselves the fire of the three batteries cutting
them up In terrible Their steam pipes
cut and their boilers perforated with shot notwithstand
ing which they fought The batteries for five long hours the
vessels being cut all tn pieces and many killed and wounded
on board. Is ts.as a
Acting Vol. Lieut. Geo. Lord, commanding the Gov
ngton having expended all hs shot, spiked his guns set
fire to his vessel and escaped with what left of his
crew to the shore, and his vessel blew up
The Signal Act VOL Lieut. Edward Morgan still fought
her guns for half hour the destruction of the
ngon He found it impossible to destroy his vessel by
burning, her decks being covered with wounded and
humanity forbade him sacrificing the lives of the noble fell
lows who had defended their vessel so calamity He
gave permission to all those who wished to escape to
doso Some of them attempted to get off by climbing up
the bank. Many killed while dong 80, by the muir
derous fire OF muketry poured in from the opposite eide
The Captain remained by the vessel and captured,
If he remained alive but have information regarding
him. The rebels took the guns off of her, and placed her
across the chanue as an obstruction Sunk her.
Gen Banks, hearing the news sent out cavalry to
hunt for the unfortunate men, many of whom picked
up and brought into AeIaUdra. A number escaped
down rlver and went aboard some light draft gunboas
that were coming up at the time to the of action
but were driven back by the superior artillery of the
enemy.
feel very much for the poor fellows who fell into the
rebels hands, the latter have been very mercess to
some Of the prisoners they have TAKEN and committed
outrsges at which humanity shudders
The vessels will all return to their stations in few days.
as there prospect under present circumstances Of
renewing operations this part Of louisiana the
having passed for operating with any chance OF success
au sorry to see that the rebel guerrlas have become
quite troublesome the Mississippi since left all of
which will be rectifed within the coming week.
have the honor to be- very respectfully your obedent
servant
DAVID d. PORTER, Rear Admiral
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs Secretary Of Navy,
Washington, ID. c.