The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-03

cross subsistence, the war could be prolonged
for much longer time than by permitting its
capture. Gen. Dick Taylor's whole effort
seemed to divert Gen. Banks from Port Hud-
son, and Gen. Johnsons Gen. Grant from
Vcksburg. For the same reason such desper-
ate efforts were made to capture the Indianola
after she ran by the batteries of Vicksburg,
and which finally succeeded. Port Hudson
was naturally a much stronger place than
Baton Rouge, being broken by deep ravines
backward from the river, above and below, so
that very light earthwork made strong pro-
lection as well as an almost insurmountable
obstacle to the advance of an army. To in
crease the advantage all of the timber in the
ravines was cut down and trimmed abatis for
at least half mile in the immediate front
most of the timber being confined to the ravines
and lowlands the high, smooth lands being
fields under cultivation.
The strengthening of the Notifications con-
tinued through the Winter of 1862 and Spring
of 1863, and also the accumulation of troops
siege-guns and munitions of war. The build
ing of
THE WORKS AT PORT HUDSON
shut Farragut below, while the batteries of
Vieksburg kept Porter above, so that for sew
eral months the COnfederates had the free use
of the outlet of Red River and unmolested
crossing of the Mississippi to the east. To show
their industry and activity during this time
we captured about 1000 barrels of salt with
Port Hudson, and this was in excess of their
immediate wants, the supply for which had
| been scattered eastward.
In the early part of March, 1863, Farragut
and Banks concluded to try the strength of the
works and their garrison. Gen. Banks started
on the land expedition and the Admiral moved
up the river. 1t was arranged between them
that the latter should run by the batteries
while the former attacked the works in the
rear to create a diversion in favor of the
fleet. On the morning of March IA the fleet
| assembled below Port Hudson. The feet con-
| sisted of the flagship Hartford, accompanied by
the gunboat Albatross the Richmond, with the
gunboat Genesee; the MonOngahela, with the
gunboat KineO, and the Mississippi bringing
up the rear. About dusk the signal was made
with red lantern displayed cautiously over
the stern of the Hartford, for the fleet to fall in
line and follow the flagship a few delays, and
the Hartford steamed slowly ahead and the
ships dropped into line.
The scene was one never to be forgotten by
those who witnessed it. The
NIGHT WAS CLOSING IN
rapidly, and not breath of air was stirring
An unnatural quiet prevailed on board the
ship. The men were standing at the guns with
sleeves rolled up ready for work, and every
body was at his post. The pulsations of the
engine and the thump, thump of the screw
sounded painfully distinct, as the Hartford
neared the batteries. The Admiral stood on
the poop-deck, with his immediate staff around
him, moving about occasionally in that quick,
active way for which he was so conspicuous
Suddenly a rocket darted up into the air on the
right, followed quickly by another, and almost
mmed lately after came a sharp discharge from q
battery in front. Only the Sawyer gun for
ward on the forecastle could be brought to
bear but it was put in service as soon as posi-
] BILE. Soon, though it seemed ages, new batteries