The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-23

the river above Gfand Gull lht nen MSiS
in good condition and ready to do whatever
was necessary TO aid in putting down the
rebellion.
SO far ms the Indiana soldiers were con-
cerned, they were extremely anxious to
show to Jeff Davis and the crowd that fol-
lowed him on the soil Of his and their native
State that they would fight and were not
towards They wanted 10 show TO him and
them that il was left for a man who was
first a traitor TO his country and then TO the
cause he had espoused 10 slander better,
brayer and more patriotic men than he and
his minions were. Were we not revenged
for the wrong done our comrades Of the ID
Ind. in Mexico 10y the arch-traitor, the man
who attempted to avoid capture by assuming
womans apparel? The Indiana battle-cry
i'm Mississippi was Remember Buena Vista"
We think We are even with JED Davis and
the Mississippi rebels who followed him.
We have been revenged for their foul SIAN
ders
IL is a rule of military life that l. men in
the army are kept busily engaged at some
thing and have faith in their commander they
when long in camp unemployed or they
have no faith 10 the ability of their officers
that much complaining is heard. So in this
campaign, Notwithstanding the
TOLL, HARD WORK AND EXPOSURE
that they were subjected to- they were will
ing. cheerful and ready 10 do whatever was
asked of them without murmur On more
than one occasion have heard these tired
and fOo,sore men cheer Justify when
fayorite officer would pass along the line.
At Perklnss Landing, some 10 miles
below New Carthage when we came TO the
river the gunbOats, transports, barges etc,
that had been run past Vicksburg and War
renton were waiting for us. At the time the
steamers ran the batteries we were at
place said TO bc 55 miles from them; yet we
could distinctly hear the booming Of the
guns of the batteries and fleet during that
passage. Many and many were the anxious
questions asked by the soldiers of each other
ns 10 the probable result Of that effort. As
the fire extended down the river, without
diminishing ia volume and force, IL was con-
cluded that the effort had been successful,
and when wsd reached us next day that the
fleet had safely passed the batteries and
was snugly anchored below, a mighty shout
went mp from the men.
Corps, was ordered on board the transports
and barges that came down with the fleet.
This division was composed of the 1lth,
oath, Bath, doth and 47th Ind, Seth Ohio,
29th Wis, oath and 2Sth Iowa. and the LIST
Mich, 1sl Wis, I'd and 10th Ohio, and I'd
Mo. batteries.
Having embarked the gunboats leading,
we proceeded down the river 10 near Grand
Gulf AT that place halt was called. The
rebels had erected heavy batteries. These
were supported by strong infantry force,
protected by the hills in the rear Of these
batteries. II was the intention of Gen.
Grant 10 land our division on the opposite
side Of the river as soon as the gunboats
SHOULD SILENCE THE BATTERIES
and make il possible for us TO cross over.
The boats carrying our division were made
fast to the east bank of the river about
three miles above Grand Gulf, and the gun
boats sadyaneed TO the attack in gallant style;
but, after about five hours hard work, they
were unable 10 silence the batteries.
This was one of the grandest sights it was
my pleasure TO witness during the war. The
entire fight was in plain view of our division,
who were idle but by no means disin-
teTested spectators. 1t was well for us, per-
haps, that the batteries could not be silenced.
the rebel forces securely posted ON the hills
and supported by ample field artillery. Dur
ing the passage up the river we would have
been Mt The mercy of that force, and many Of
the brave men who spent pleasant night
in camp would have gone TO their long home.
While no, a man in that division shirked
the duty pat upon him by the detail of The
division for That purpose or asked TO be ex-
cused, YET al felt better when it was an
ncunced tbs. the General had changed the
Order, and hat we would march along the
bank OF the river to a place below the bat
teTies, and then cross and compel the rebels
10 iight ns IN the open field, where we would
have fair chance. About 3 o'clock We
landed and commenced the march, alriy-
ing at the river opposite Bruinsburg some
time after dark where we camped.
One incident which happened while we
were watching the battle between the fleet
and the batteries j., perhaps, worthy of notice
The boat a ~ which was our regiment tied
up 10 small tree OF the bank OF the river.
During Tie cannOnading a slnpCf land, upon
which the tree stood, about 20 feet wide and
two or three hundred feet long,
SLID IETo THE RIVER,
carrying with il our tree and almost capsiz-
ing the boat.
ult tlthleu cOhsluefhDle excitement Tor q
short time. Had il occurred five minutes
sooner many men would have been lost as the
bank WAS then covered with men. For some
reason not man on il when il went down
and not one was lost or injured. Soon all had
apparently forgotten this incident and were
iniently watching the fight going on below
The next morning, April 80, 1862, before
dawn, our division was up and had our hard.
tack, bac0n aud coffee, and at daylight oui
regiment Tie doth Ind, and one other ] think
the 24th lnd., Was marched on board the gun
nCat hentous Tor the purpose of crossing tho
river. Before we went on the boat Companie,
N, B and OF our regiment were detailed al
slarmlslers. Our orders were as soon as thi
boat touched land TO 20 of and deploy as Skin
misher and advance 10 the front a suilicien
distance 10 enable the other troops to land ant
form. For tnis purpose we were placed ol
the bow vi tic boat, while the remainder O
the two regiments were disposed about ia
decks and cabins
A. soon as all were on board we steame
across the river landed, and followed our IN
structiOns. These three companies were IA
first 10 land Oh the east side of the river Lieut.
Il. A. H0wcs was the first man off the boat am
the first man io land. While on the boat maE
Ing the passage we had a good opportunity [
sec the effect OF the fight the day before III
vessel had been struck many times and indeI
tailOns were made in her armOr that a ma
could lay las hat IN. No shots, however pen,
tratcd the armOr
We remained out on the skirmisb-lipe ;
pickcts uLtil about O'Clock, when we were r,
AqVqQ and qailp1 la nd a. A.. -.