Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-24
FARRAGur AT vrCKsBURG.

FARRAGUT AT vICKsBURG.
How the Batteries OF the Confederate
Stronghold Were Silenced.
a VALIANT But FUTILE vICToRY-A GRAPHIC
ACCOUNT OF THE EXPEDITION TO y1cksBURG,
FROM THE JOURNAL OF A NAN BEFORE THE
MAST.
Alter General Butler had everything work
ing smoothly at New Orleans says the diary
vi d seaman who served on the Hartford, ''the
smaller vessels OF the fleet proceeded up the
river and we shortly followed them. We ar
rived in front OF Baton Rouge May 10th and
found the IroQuois anchored there, having re
ceiVeo the surrender OF the city and hoisted our
nag on the arsenal On our way up the river
We stopped 70 receive the surrender in turn OF
Fort Hudson, Natchez, Grand Gulf and War
ringtnn. The people gathered at the landings
ana along the banks, and were evidently great
~ surprised at the long dark hulls, tall masts
ana tiers Of guns OF the large war
The neg "es always looked upon us as friends,
ana when we anchored ut night they would
come on to the ships In large numbers and ask
nad room for, afterwards landing them at New
Orleans or at Gen. Williams camp. opposite
s.I,as Hn Many OF them. considering them
created q strong. dislike among the men. We
arrived below vicksburv about the last of May.
of the fleet that had proceeded ma. Cant lee
81 the oneida, had demanded the surrender of
Nlcksourg on MS arrival below the city. The
how to surrender, and II Farracut or Butler
coTld teach them, let them come on. Gen NJ
Piled with less bombast, that havjnv been
ordered TO defend Vicksburg he would do SO as
long as he could. From this we understood
HhoN rhnNA Ak a
from appearances hard fighting, too. The city
Is located in Q horse shoe bend of the river and
is built upon blutis. A battery OF the heaviest
guns was located on the steep bluffs, which
formed the bank. Most OF the other batteries
were In The city, along the water front and on
THE CRESCENT OF FORTS
ana batteries was six miles long, and approach
Ing vessels would be under a raking Ore. and II
the center Of the town should be reached, the
attacking vessels would have the direct fire
from the center, and raking fire from above
and below. After q careful examination OF the
enemy's strength, 1t was decided that our force
was not sufficient, and the Hartford started for
new orleans TO order up our whole forces and
make preparation for the attack. After per-
arriving at vicksburg about the 23d OF June
Preparations for the attack and bombardment
were rapidly pushed forward. Gen. Williams
terry opposite the city. Admiral Porter arrived
with his mortar boats from below Fort Jackson
anu put tueIu IN pOS1t1On. Admiral Davis. of
the upper aotilla, placed his mortars so as to
lombard the town from above. Firing began
on the 9th of June and the mortars above and
Towards evening the ships were cleared
Tor action and the mortars increased their
ih AZ haif-past two in the morning
The neet commenced moving up towards the
batteries, and just before day break the leading
vessels were fired upon. This acted like sig,
nal TO the mortars, which seemed to redouble
their IRE, and sent perfect stream OF shell
into all parts OF the city. The Richmond was
In the lead, the Hartford next and the Brook
lyn In the rear The smaller vessels were TO
take position between the three large vessels
When the Richmond aud the other leading
vessels reached the center Of the city, they be-
came completely enveloped in their own
smoke, and could scarcely be distinguished
An the surrounding hills seemed alive with
kept up destructive fire as we advanced. Our
ship moved slowly, but silencing most Of the
batteries on her way.
INNOCENT LOOKING BATTERIES
The most formidable battery of all was 10.
Gated In a large building in the center OF the
city, half way up the slope. The guns we're
| fired from the windows, and from the center OF
the building the yellow hospital flag was a wing
This battery attracted the admiral's special no
tice. v hen We were abreast of il the ship was
stopped and the order passed to concentrate fire
In front until # was Silent mass of r 1yns
Many other batteries were located in buildings
OF the most Innocent appearance. After silenc
iDS thS hpSPltdi there was no reply tC
our broadsides from any quarter, except IRON
one heavy gun at the upper end Of the city, 50
high up the bluff that We couldn't reach it. The
tories OF Vicksburg lying silent before us. OF
our Meet three only remained in sigh,
and Pinola The admiral gave orders
| to signal close order to the fleet. There was nc
answer except from our brave little companions
and passed the batteries as Quick as possible
The gunboats with her followed her example
Inc Brooklyn and the gunboats with her did
looked as II II was intentional that the attack
should he failure, through feeling OF jealousy
,9f Farraguts growing popularity and fame. BE
One-third OF our neet. 1t was o great misiort une
Had the balance Of the fleet answered our sig
nal, we could have anchored In front Of Vicks
burg. and, with our guns covering all importan,
points, DEFY the cOnfederacy. 1t was said that
10000 troops were behind the city, but they
could do nothing with US and did not dare Il
come within range OF our guns. Their heavy
batteries were siienced and most OF them were
IN ruins, and free passage of the river could
chance was lost, and il afterwards cost million.
TO accomplish what We did that morning
silence the batteries of Vicksburg There was
not a man on the ship that did not feel dis
heartAned, as the gallant old Hartford,
GIVING BACK THE VICTORY
! to the enemy, started up the river with he,
brave little companions to join the part OF tn,
feet that had already passed up. We anchored
about six mikes above the city, among Admira
Davis fleet. The war vessels were anchored OF
the Vicksburg side, and the hospitals trans
ports, DE-, were on the opposite SIDE leaving
narrow passage. About o'clock on the morn
ing of July 18th we heard rapid reports O
| heavy guns from up the river. The men wer
| washing decks, but Immediately took thei
| places al the guns, and soon
THE CONFEDERATE RAN ARKANSAS
| was upon us, coming from the Yazoo river OIL
her way to vicksburg. We knew that she Wa
| up the Yazoo river, where she was built auc
| was awaiting q chance to run the blockade Q,
| Nicksburg. Few thought. though, that sh,
| would attempt it in the presence OF both fleets
\ besides two gunboats were block aiding the va
| fought her when she made her appearance, bu
| did little damage. The gunboat Tyler Tough
! her side by side until the feet was reached
! when she hauled OFF crippled, with more thar
half her crew killed wounded. The flee
| then received the ram, as with flying colOrs shs
! passed down the narrow passage. Each shil
poured a brOadside into her as she came within
range. Unfortunately, every shot that missed
| the ram struck among our own transports on
! the opposite side, blowing up some, sinking
| Others, and causing heavy loss of lite. The ia M
reached vicksburg in safety. The old admiral
| was certainly surprised that morning. tie ran
| and stood on the poop deck IN
| this costume during the rams passage Before
| going below he ordered the signal Ia prepare fo
| action. He seemed greatly aggravated that the
ram should reach Nicksburg. 1t was decided
not to chase her until evening. About half-pas
| i've clock the feet got under way and moved
down. Admiral LAWS accompanied US TO tho