The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-03-25

Tho Admiral came down on tho after.
noon of tho 20li OF February, and, truo to
my prediction, he has furnished us with
something to do. Wo are on an expedition
up tho Ouichifaw. pronounce that Washi-
taw.) There arc six vessels in tho fleet.
carrying 20 guns. The Ouichitaw rises in
Arkansas, aud omptios into tho Rod, about
10 miles from tho mouth of tho latter. Tho
last 60 miles OF tho course of the Ouichi,aw
is sometimes called tho Black River.
We started ut noon on tho LIST of March,
and, during tho first day, met no opposition.
To-day we were also unopposed, until with.
in 4 miles of our present position, when
about 100 men, concealed bohind n levoc,
opened on US with musketry. Tho fire was
replied to by tho neot, aud wo kept on our
course until we were directly in front Of tho
town. Trinity is n little town on the west
bank OF the rivcr,nnd contains, pcrhaps,about
800 inhabitants. When directly in front
Of this place, the rebels opened on us With
two pieces OF artillery, planted in tho CEN
ter of tho town. 1t was tho most atrocious
piece OF folly ever committed, and, il they
had counted on our not firing on tho town,
they were worry soon undeceipod. OF our
20 pieces of artillery, we could bring to
bear about 40, and they were discharged al
most simultaneously. Tho shock may be
imagined, but cannot bo described. For
about 2O minutes, tho war of artillery was
almost continuous, and tho smoke hid evcry-
thing from view, Finding that wo elected
no reply, wo ceased firing. When tho smoke
cleared away, we found that their guns were
dismountcd nearly every house riddIcd, and,
huddlod down close 10 tho water, under tho
bank, were scores of women. in an agony of
terror, bcsccching us, for Gods sake. not
to xii! them May | never SEQ another such
a sight Tho ordinary horrors OF war are
bad enough, but tho %atrocity of making it
necessary to open fire upon o village filled
with women,i have never soon cqualod, We
: have not Iauded, aud know nothing of tho
loss ;hoy lavo suffered. No one was hurt
on our sido.
We aro at anchor J mile above tho place,
4 and the order is that no lights shall DO used
c on board to night, aud nobody undress. !
- am writing, with coats hung up over my
windows, to hide my light, aud am suffer,
ing from a slight headache.
Fifteen miles above here, at n place oalloC
liarrisonburg, tho rebels have n fort. W,
know nothing yet of its strength or weak
k moss, but. as King William said, at tho battl
J of the Boyno, | think, strong or weak, W,
shall know nil about it, for wo arc goiuj
.e up in tho morning, to attack il.
March I'd, Epehing. Thanks to n kin,
Providence, | IN still alive, and uninjurod
AS | told you in my letter of yesterday, W
went up and attacked tho fort at Harrison
u burg, this morning. Our fleet consists q
l. the Dosage FIT, liindmau," "Ouichitaw,
G "Crickort," Lexington" aud "Conostoga,
+. and wo won't into battle in the order | hav
o placed them.
q think I never said the Rebols woro COW
q ards, but, il | over did, | take 1t back. The
}, fought like demons, rhoy wore deGcieu
in artillery, bu, they used what thoy ha
With spirit. They occupied a high, con
m%onding position. and had fortified 1t wit
skill, 1t was a series of hills, tho top @
each crowned with an earth-work, aud tn
whole connected by rile,p pits.
ST Tho battle commenced about 0 O'Clock
ty and lasted "a hours. should Judge tho rob