Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-06-09
tugs also succeeded in crossing the upper

SIGHT,
Immediately afterward the Mound City,
yarondolet and Pittsburgh started in success
lion to pass the dam, oil their matches bat
cred down and every precaution taken to
prevent accident.
The passage Of these vessels was most
beautiful sight, only to be realized when
seen. They passed over without an acci-
dent except the unshipping Of one or two
rudders. This was witnessed by all the
troops, and the vessels were heartily cheer
at ten o'clock, the Louisville, Chillicothe,
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. A good deal Of
difficulty was anticipated in getting overthe
bars in lower Red river-dcpth Of water re-
ported only Eve feet; gunboats were draw
ing six. Providentially, we had rise from
the back-water of the Mississippi--tha riv-
er being very high at that time-thc back.
water extending to Alexandria, $50 miles
distant, enabling us to pass all the bars and
distractions with safety.
Words are inadequate to express the ad-
miration feel for the ability Of Lieut.. Col.
Bailey This is without doubt the best en-
gineering 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 I'M
possibility. Leaving out his ability as an
engineer-the credit he has conferred upon
the country--he has saved the Union val
uahlo fleet, w,rtb nearly S2,OOO. 900; more,
| he has deprived the enemy OF a triumph
which would have emboldened them to car
ry 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 occurred but to destroy
every part of the vessels, so that the Rebels
could make nothing of them. The highest
honors the Government can bestow on Col.
Bailey can never repay him for the service
he has rendered the country.
To Gen. Banks, personally, | am much
indebted for the happy manner in which he
has forwarded this enterprise, giving it his
whole attention night and day; scarcely
sleeping while the work was going on, at
tending personally to see that all the re-
1uirements of Col. Bailey were complied
with on the instant.
do not believe there ever was case
where such difficulties were overcome in
such a 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
, Gen. Banks will do full justice to every Of
ficcr engaged in this undertaking when he
makes his report. only regret that time
did not enable me 20 get the names Of all
concerned.
The following are the names of the most
prominent persons: Licut.-Colonel Bailey,
Acting Military Engineer, 9th Army Corps,
in charge of the work; Lieut.. Col. Pearcall,
lnspcctor-Genera; Lieut. Col. w. b. Kin
ney, 10Th New York Volunteers; Lieut..
Col. Hubbard, 30th Maine Volunteers;
Major Suatelle, Provost Marshal, and Lieu.
tenant Williamson, Ordnance Officer.
, The following were portion OF the reg.
iments employed: 29th Maine, commanded
, by Lieut. Col. Emmerson; 10th New York
I Col George NJ. Love; l6lst New York, Capt
/ Preutiss; l33d New York, Col. Curlic.
: The engineer regiments and officers of the
h 18th Army Corps were also employed.
t feel that have done but feeble justice
8 to the work or the persons engaged in it, =
!, Being severely indisposcd | feel myselfun
/ able to 20 into further details. 1 trust
some future historian will treat this matter
: as it deseryes,to be treated, because it is a
subject in which the whole country should
, feel an interest and the noble men who sue
, ceeded SO admirably in this arduous task
should not lose one atom OF credit so justly
;. due them. -.r---. 49,
Tho Mississippi squadron will never for
get the obligations it is under to Lieut..
Col. Bailey, acting military engineer Of the
r 10Th Army Corps. YES. -.
= Previous to passing the vessels over the
Q falls, l had nearly all the guns, ammuni
e ton, provisions, chain cables, anchors, ant
6 everything that could affect their draft, ta
i ken out Of them.
f The commanders we're indefatigabls il
9 their exertions to accomplish the object be
fore them, and happier set OF men wer,
n never seen than when their vessels wer
!. once more in fighting trim.
d If this expedition has not been so success
d iul as the country hoped Tor, il has exhibit
u ed the indomtable spirit of Eastern an
1t Western men to overcome obstacles deeme
% by most people insurmountable. 1t has pre-
o sented new feature in tho war, nothn
like which has ever been accomplished bt
T. fore.
LOSS OF THE GUNDoATs SIGNAL AND GOV
"a lN0ToN
n regret to inform you, among the mi
il fortunes of this expedition, Of the loss G
q two small light, draft gunboats, the Sign,
d and Covington. | sent them down irol
r. Alexandria to convoy quartermaster's boa
: the Warren-loadcd with cotton, an
n some 400 troops on board, not knowing tha
= the enemy had any artillery on the river bt
O. low us, or anything more than wanderin
II gangs of guerrilas, armed with muskets
ii which these vessels were competent TO driv
as Off '..s-t..,-
ne 1t appears, however, that the Rebels wer
,h enabled TO pass our advance force, with G.
| 900 men and some 25 pieces of artillery
to With these they established series OF ba
IL, terlos AZ place called Dunn's Bayou,
on miles below Alexandria, very comnandin
position. These batteries were so maske
that they could not he seen in passing, owe
by the closest observation.
is The first notice the vessel received of til
to battery was furious fire which opened O
he ! tina rterma astar' ho, thu w Na.na. H..