New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-08

80 had passed the heaviest batteries. Sunthe gus
opposite, from above and below, belched forth their
iron messengers Of death; and the stars blinked,
and tho waters shook, and the sulphurous mist
crept like troop Of phantoms along the turbidriyer
Every moment We thought shot might wreck
orr expedition; but in the occasional pause Of the
artilic4y we could detect the rapid puff, puff, pull
Of the little tug, which was tho sure sign that we
still hoated.
Suddenly huge crash by our side Of wood and
iron. A deep and heavy and peculiar report. A
nth % ''ci'a and descending shower OF cindeIs
ard ashes th.t covered our persons.
We heard the puff of the tug no moro; but in its
place went up wild yell which we had often heard
different from the deep, manly, generous shout Of
the Union soldiers, that we knew at once 1t WIS the
triumphant acclamation Of our cruel foe.
The boiler of the tug had been exploded by a
plunging shot from one of the upper batteries.
The shot was accidental but extremely effective.
1t wrecked our expedition at once. Al;cr passing
through the boiler the shell exploded IL the fur.
naces, throwing the fires upon the bargcs, and ig-
hitting the loose hay Immediately
pfuy sONcfS sdiu hicuhfusOEi III
your checks, boys" exclaimed Colbum; "a change
of b. 80 for the Bohemians," remarked the under
signed; and We glanced around, and heard the
groans and sharp cries Of the wounded and the
scalded.
We rushed forward to try and trample out the
flames, but they rose behind US like fiery serpents,
and paled the fu.I-oIbed moon, and lit up the dark
waters of the Styeian river far and near.
OUR CAPTURE.
The Rebels who had ceased firing for q moment,
now bent themselves to their guns once more and
the iron missiles swept over and around US, and
several of tho soldiers on board were wounded BY
fragments Of bursting shells.
Every one was now bent on savinghirlself. Afew
of the private3 and some Of tho tugs crew plunged
madly overheard with fragments OF the wreck In
their hands. and in three minutes none but the
wounded and the journalistic trio remained on the
burning bargcs.
We threw the bales Of hay into the river for the
benefit of the wounded and those WHO could not
swim-for we had early learned Lenders art-and
then arranged our own programme
Richardson went Off first on bale Of hay, from
viii Oh large round shot, passing near, ard deshing
q column of spray into the air just beyond him,
soon displaced his corporeality. Colbarn followed
and /, seeing my field Of operations helnmed in by
rapidly advancing fire, answered his Summons. and
dove, after divesting myself OF all supcrfuous
clothing, into the aqueous embrace of the Father Of
Waters.
Several bales Of hay were floating below, but
AVIAN 70 the one nearest Colburn, and there we
concluded TO get beyond the town and the pick
cts and then striking out for the Louisiana shore,
make our way as best VIC could back 70 the army
Tho Rebels had now ceased fring-certainly not
for humanity's sake we thought-and the reason
was patent when We heard tic sound of rowlocks
aesoss the Yntcr.
The chivairous whippcrs Of wonisi wen cvidsasiy
coming out to capture us. Ny companion and my'
self believed if kept very quiet and aoated with
our faces only out of the water, we would nci be
yawl full Of armed men passed near rs, and we
fancied we would escape. Like the socalled Soon
fcderacy," VIC wanted to DO let alone. just as We
were internally congratulating ourselves, small
boat shot round the corner Of the burning barge,
and we were hauled in by couple of staiwart fell
lows after the manner Of colossal catfish, Without
wen our leave being asked.
In fifteen minutes we were under guard on shore,
where We found our collaboration Richardson safe
and sound. Abou. half our small crew had boon
killed und wounded, and the rest were prisoners.
Moro unlucky than tho defenders of Thermopyle
-one Of them reached Sparta to bear tie tdings
--not one cfus returned to tell the story.
We were ali reported lost, We learned afterward
though Gen. sherman's humorous comment, when
epprsed that three of the Bohemians had been
killed" That's good! Well have dispatches now
from hell before breakfast DID not prove pre-
diction. The gifted Generals mistake arose from
his confused topography. Tho army correspond
ents do not date their dispatches at bis hesdqusr-
ters. -r
SPECIMEN OF RrBRi PATTI.
At first we were thrown Tito the Vicksbufg iaL,
a loathsomo DEP, and thence removed to tho Court
House. There We were regularly paroled BY Maj
Watts the regular agent Of exchange at that point
who told Us, as Gen. Grant had refused 70 receive
prisoners from that place that no would send Us TO
Richmcnd to 90 North By the first flag Of truce
That wss tho express aud explicit understanding.
But after arriving at the Rebel capital, which was
on the morning of May I6, 1863, nearly month be-
foro the interruption Of the Cartel all the other per-
SOUS taken with US, including Mr. Colburn Of The
World II am happy to say here enjoy tho &C
ouslntance of no moro loyal gentleman or moro
generous friend) and TnE TRIBUNE correspondents,
were held as general hostages for the good col.
duet OF tho Government"
For this fragrant and shameful violation OF faith
we are mainly indebted to Commissioner Robert
Oa,d, than whom no greater falsicr and trickster-