The National tribune., 1886-09-09


army. unless YOU can send o cannon ball
through the boiler, or explode shell amid
the machinery of the engine. Gen. Green
reached the bluff at noon on the 18th,
planted his field pieces, and posted has
sharpshooters. Far mp the river, rising
above the tops Of the trees, the Coniederates
could see the black columns OF smoke,
marking the whereabouts of the great iieet.
Slowly the boats move, for the pilots are
Obliged 20 exercise care, lest they lind
themselves hard and fast on a sand bar. IL
Is 3 o'clock when the boats reach the bun.
Porter has discovered the COniederaies, and
his cannon send shells into the woods.
They are of long range and are enectlNely
handled. but when the boats pass the bluu
fhe C0nlederates pour IN lire upon ihe
vessels IN rear. The Admiral says; dld
not fear the result but the battle lasted so
long that at last turned the head OF The
Cricket mp stream 10 join IN the Tray, ana
met a cunboat, whose Captain told me mat
a was all over and that the rebels had Led.
So / Tied up TO the bank, when the firing
recommended and lasted iill sunset" In This
FIGHT Gen. Green was killed. He led his men
10 the very edge of the stream, where, while
encouraging them, his head was blown OF by
an Il-inch shell The gunboats Usage ana
Lexington. aud the steamer Hastings, Gen.
Smiths headquarters boat, which had
battery on board, were The boats mostly
engaged. The water was SO low that several
of the liver steamers got aground, and the
punboats had TO stretch warps 10 them and
assist in pulling them off. The ConfederateS
improved the opportunity, and kept up
continuous fusilade.
When the action began the Hastings was tied
up 10 tie bank Gen. Smith was quick to act
"Cast Off! he shouted, and the bow OF the boat
turned into the stream. moment later
cannon shot came skipping along the water
but falling short of it's aim. Another passes
over the boat The Confederate gunners are
aiming badly Temeyer's guns, on the hurr-
cane deck of the steamer Emerald, open. Tho
siege guns which Gen. Banks had taken along
are on the Rob Roy, and their thunder rolls
along the stream. On the deck Of the Black
Hawk a howitzer, handled by Col Albert. Of
Gen. Banks's STAFF. sends its shells on shore,
while from behind the cotton bales and hay the
soldiers pour steady fire, picking off the can
noniers and bringing down the horses. The
attack WIS a failure. The gunboat Neosho de-
livered a storm of canister from her heavy guns,
demoralizlng the ContederatcS aud putting an
end 10 the battle in which they suffered far
more than the fleet. The death of Green was
great loss 10 TAYLOR. lie was an able officer,
and very brave. lie exposed himself needlessly,
and lost his life.
DEPARTURE FROM GRAND ECORE.
On April II the feet reached Grand Ecorc.
The water was fast falling and Admiral Porter
sent tho ron-clad boats towards Alexandria.
The Eastp0rt, which had been captured from
the Confed rates in 1862, had not gone more
than two miles when she ran upon suuken
forpedo which knocked hole IN the bottom
and she sank The water was not very deep.
Admiral Porter had two steamers fitted with
pumps aud in a short time had the Eastport
pumped ont, the hole planked over and the
vessel aloat. But the water came IN through
the seams, and the pumps had TO be kept going.
Again the vessel grounded. She was an un-
wieldy craft and Porter resolved TO finish her,
and touched of 80 casks of powder which sent
her thinkers flying through the air, which was
the last OF her.
ON shore were the Confederates watching
what was gong on. Some of the boats of the
feet were tied up to the bank. Abont LOO
made rush thinking TO capture them by
boarding. but the gunbOats opened with shells
and canister which quickly sent them fleeing
through the woods The soldiers aud marines
leaped ashore and captured a Sergeant. Ad-
mira Porter treated hn kindly, invited him
20 eat plate of pork and BEANS asked him
few questions, and learned that the Confeder-
ates intended 10 prevent the gunhoats from
getting back 10 the Mississippi. They were
clorying over what had already been accom-
plishea, aud hoped 10 cut OF Banks's retreat.
"Gen Taylor" said the prisoner, has got
ahead OF YOU with 5000 men and 10 guns and
will give you glory hallelujsh."
DEPARTURE o. THE ARMY.
On the 2lst of April the army started from
Grand EcOre, setting on fire an immense
amount Of supplies which had been brought
mp the river 10 that point Gen. Banks claimed
that he could not go on to Shreveport for want
ofsupplios bat now that he was on the retreat
ltgr ra1f at,nlv fltgf- pKrag A.
Taylor displayed commendable energy. He
had few supplies, but gathered large number
OF slaves. set them 10 shellng corn collected
cRttlefor his troops, and pressed on after Banks.
CANE RIVER.
Just below Grand Ecore a small stream. Cane
River comes into the Red from the south.
Gen. Taylor sent Gen. Bee TO hold IL. He
placed two brigades aud four batteries to cover
the crossing. Ii was o'clock in the morning
when Gen. Amods Division Of Union cavalry
moved out towards the crossing. Bee had sent
line Of sNirmishers 10 the west side of the
stream. but they were steadily driven hack
lie had placed his batteries 70 sweep n wide
field. To carry them the Union troops must
charge across the field. through a dense
thicket, and mp hill. Gen. Emory. of The
Nineteenth Corps, who had been entrusted
with the command, examined the situation
and resolved 10 make a show of attacking in
front, while Gen. Birge, with force went ur
the river % fall upon the rear of Bee. Bres
had his own brigade. Fessenden's and a de-
fachment from the Thirteenth Corps unde,
Gen. Cameron. Birge's troops had been guard
ing the stores at the landing, and had not suf
fered any fatigue in the march Of the preyiou,
weeks.
Ii is the way commander handles his
troops in Outwitting his opponent that make,
the art oi war an interesting study. WINNING
victories without losing men is the highest
kind Of art Ia WAT The battle of Cane Rive
was small affair, but that does not take away
from the value Of the movement planned in
Gen. Emory. We see him directing the arti
lery to open upon the Coniederates. Then Nc
MILAN, with two brigades, forms In line of bat
tie, as ii about 10 charge across the plain. m,
while Btge is making his way through TANGLED
thickets swamps and muddy bayous secretl,
ana in silence. A cavalry brigade under Coi
DAVIS makes movement TO cover Biree's /
takes nearly AL day. aud the sun is going dowI
before Birge Is in position 10 attack Bee m,
while Is wondering why Mcmillan .Oes not be
gin the battle lie is tired with waiting ann
Is just ready 10 make forward movement who,
be finds that Birge is upon him. Fessenden'
Brigade is in advance, the lG5th N. Y. ON III
right then the 73d n. Y, the Both Ne. am,
the l62d n. " Fcssenden forms his line viii
great promptuess There IS no time for daily
ing u must be a quick and sudden blow
They rush across the Geld and up the slopr
carrying all before them. The Confederat
batteries flame, there Is d volley Col. Fessen
den goes down severely wounded but The req
ment goes on under Licut.-Col Blanchard. II
lew moments 56 OF the Both Me- are killed O