The National tribune., 1884-09-04

orerations on the east bank of the Yazoo. But
two methods remained-to return TO Memphis
and move In heavy force down through the
interiorof Mississippi against the rear OF Nlcks-
burg. while the navy threatened the city in
front; or, to get past tie city by way OF the
Louisiana shore, and
ATTACK TIE CITADEL FROM BELOW.
Gen. Grant had tried the first of these methods
during the previous December, and knew Its
difficulties He now chose the latter course,
and early in April preparations We're made for
the southwark movement. Nine miles IN the
rear of Milliken's Bend flows Willow Bayou,
deep stream so or 100 feet IN width, which runs
into the Mississippi at New Carthage, Is miles
below Nicksburg. From the river across to
this bayou some miles above Millken's Bend,
was a channel, which it was proposed to flood
by cutting the levee and dredging out the ditch
to a nayigable depth, and thus open water COM
,nunicatlaus for the conveyance of supplies toa
new base on the river below. Several steam
dredges arrived to aid in the work, but the
scheme failed and il was decided 10 march the
troops overland and run the gunboats, with
sufficient transports to carry the necessary sup
piles, past the batteries Of Nicksburg.
RUNNING THE BATTERIES
This bold movement was effected in the night
of April I6. Seven irOn-clads, with three large
steam transports having 10 barges in tow, the
latter with rations and forage. ran the gauntlet
of batteries under cover of darkness.
The scene formed one Of the grandest and
most picturesque spectacles Of the war The
night was dark and still. Admiral Porter, in the
ironclad Benton. led the way, followed by the
Mound City, Carondelet, Tuscumbia, Louis
vile pittsburg. Lafayette and the General
Price a wooden ram captured at Memphis some
months before, with the transports Silver Wave,
Henry Clay and Tigress, the last three having
the barges in tow.
In line and silently the adventurous feet
Slipped anchor at ii O'clock and steamed down
the river. Every portfolio was closed, every
light on board concealed, and the Benton
reached the first wafer battery without being
discovered. But at ll;l6 the black hulks were
discovered drifting past and a terrific fire was
opened from the heavy batteries along the face
OF the bluff. Porter replied furiously with shell
and shrapnel, and the Carondelet floating close
in by the farther shore unObserved, sent a
deadly broaGside eniilading the principal street,
which was crowded with soldiers and negroes,
who had foclzed down to see their batteries
sink the Yankee gnnboats Steam had been
shut Ofi aboard the transports, and they Heated
with the current. All were struck many times
and two were drawn into an eddy and hoated
round and round, up and down before the bat
ferries not less than three times. The rebels
fred wooden buildings all along the shore,
which
LIT Up TEE RIVER
for miles These lights, with the eddies and
cross currents, the blazing guns afOat and
ashore and the great volumes Of smoke rolling
upward and overhanging the scene confused
the pilots and some parts Of the feet were un-
der FIRE two hours and z6 minutes The gum
boat Tuscumbia took the disabled Silver Wave
an tow and pulled her safely through. The
Henry Clay was ridalcd with shot, set on fire
by a shell, and burned to the waters edge, the
great flaming hulk floating down the stream as
s beacon TO the feet. Finally the boats had
e0t beyond range and came 10 anchor, or were
tied up 10 shore to repair damages The gun
boats had not been hurt, and were ready for
action in half an hour.
THE FIRST MOVE IN TIE GRAND GAME
had been successfully played. Meanwhile, i'm
portant progress had been made on land. On
the LIST CT April Gen McClernand had led OF
with the Thirteenth Corps marching back from
giIllikens Bend, u miles, 10 Richmond, on
Willow Bayou, which he had bridged and
crossed, thence advancing southwark along
the bayou TO New Carthage on the bank Of the
Mississippi, ghich point bis adyance-g guard had
occu pied on the 9Th The levees had been broken
so that the last two miles of the trip had to be
made with fatboats and yawls Nevertheless
with heavy labor one division was pushed
over and established on the levee, which was
at that time a narrow island. The renal ming
three divisions Of the corps marched round,
following the shore OF Bayou Vidal, and struck
the Mississippi u miles below, at Perkins's
plantation McCleTnand was with his advance
division at New Carthage his headquarters
being in a large brick plantation house, the
property Of bitter and defiant rebel
A MOMENT OF INTENSE ANXIETY.
While there the terrific bombardment at
Ficksburg was heard on the right of the 10th.
Next morning every eye was turned up the
river to catch the first glimpse Of the feet.
About o'clock the burning wreck Of the
Henry Clay came floating past. The rebel
proprietor fairly danced with Joy. Where
are your gunboats now" he taHntingly asked
FicksbuEg bas sunk them all;" and such for
the moment the fact appeared to be- But pres
emily there was cloud of dark smoke behind
the cottonwood forest up the river The men
waited amxiously. II might be the ram which
the rebels had captured IN Red River coming
20 shell Us from the island. Four field guns on
EAere were quickly put into position, loaded
and pointed up the river. Presently low,
black hulk crclst round the curve with flag
flying al is jacistaI The morning was clear,
and the flag hung SO close 70 the staff that its
character could not al first be determined.
Every glass was leveled upon the banner and
when q sudden puff Of wind spread IL oat so
that the Stars and Stripes could be seen, the
shouts and cheers were deafening. 1t was the
Mound City. followed soon after By the Tus-
Gambia with the Silver Wave and barges in
tow, and, during the afternoon, by all tie feet
II N2s The Yankees turn 10 laugh now, and
fhe desperate rebel rushed away IN a towering
rage sci Gre TO his own house, and fed across
the river in the night.
Gen Mc-leFland concentrated his corps at
Perkins, plantation and Immediately began
accommodating with Admiral Porter the i'm
portant position II Grand Gulf, which he had
instructions 10 reduce and capture at the ear
Hest moment The ram Gen. Bragg was placed
a. his disposal and the gunboats dropped down
&C. draw the fire Of the batteries to reveal fheil
strength. The place proved UNEXPECTEDLY
strong.
GRAND GULF
il high bluf point at tie mouth of the Biz
Black River. IL was armed with I3 heavy
guns Ia fwo aGmirabiy reconstructed batteries
one = feet ABOVE the water and the Other
lower down and near the surface Of the river
These guns commanded perfectly the channe
oi The river up and down and the mouth Of th,
Big Black There was besides an elaboratt
system Of rife trenches and smaller works
armed with field artillery and occupied by !
garrison OF : go men, under Gen. Bowen Nc
1lerDand had been eensured for not pushin.
on and capturing Grand Gulf immediately on
tie arrival of the feet The reason why ht
did not was that Grand Gulf was on one sid,
o. the Mississippi, while his corps was on tn,
other side and be had not sufficient transport
10 cross his corps. he could not cross aboy,
and march down upon il, because it was pro
fected ia that direction by the Big Black ant
INC impcDetrable swamps above its mouth