The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-08-16

prom War Time Photograph
low vicksburg through louisiana, by way
Of New Carthage and Richmond Rich
mond was not far from Youngs Point,
Grants headquarters, on the Louisiana shore.
Now Carthage was on the same shore of the
Mississippi, below Vicksburg. With New
Carthage as q starting point, Grant thought
20 cross the river and get hold upon Grand
Gulf or Warrenton-
His supplies were at Milliken's Bend, ten
miles above Youngs Point, 30 he determined
20 move troops down to New Carthage from
there
Troops were set to work to dig q canal
from Duckport, near Young's Point, to con-
meet with a chain OF bayous that ran from
Milliken's Bend to New Carthage By means
Of this canal it was thought possible 10 util-
ize the bayou for small boats to transport
troops and supplies.
Grant now followed up his new plan with
great activity. When the water subaided IL
was arranged to make roads and bridges,
and transport troops by land. Thus, partly
by water, partly by land, $4,000 troops were
to be assembled at New Carthage Osterhaus'
division of McClernand's corps made the first
advance down the river, closely followed by
McPherson's corps
But it was found that the artificial water
route was not even "barely practicable" So
ID was abandoned and the troops advanced
by land.
McClernand found New Carthage little elss
than an island in the midst Of overfowed
lands He therefore put in order q new round
about road leading to Perkins plantation,
seven miles below New Carthage and con-
siderably nearer to Grand Gulf, Miss The
order to move down from MiIliken's Bend to
New Carthage had been given by Grant
April 90, and by April 81 McClernand's corps
was at Perkins plantation, seven miles below
New Carthage. On the river.
While McClsrnand was operating below
vicksburg, Steele's division OF Sherman'S
corps had been sent to make demonstration
along Deer Greek to Rolling Fork, to destroy
supplies and divert the attention OF the Con-
federates from the real point Of attack.
To make the proposed attack on Grand
Gulf, the cooperation OF the gunboats was
necessary. Accordingly, on the night Of
April 10, Admiral Porter again ran the bat
teries at Vicksburg. At 10 o'clock the Union
neet started on its perilous voyage.
The flagship Benton led, with Admiral
Porter on board. Following came the La
fayette, Louisville, Mound City, Pittsburg,
and the well known Carondelet. Next came
three transports laden with supplies and am
munition. Cotton bales were piled high
around their guards amidships The coal for
use OF the feet was carried in barges lashed
TO each vessel
or course the feet could not pass undiscov
cred. A little after IL o'clock the BentoE
came within range OF Vicksburg Instantly
there shot up all along the shore great line
of prepared torches.
From all the batteries within range cam
binding flashes and a laundering roar. Tn
Eunboats replied with broadside.
The procession was an hour and = hal
under fire, one vessel passing out OF range o
the batteries a. another came within A
Warrenton, seven miles below, the scene wa
briedy repeated. The Union feet reache
New Carthage at Q o'clock, having lost on
transport.
April % Grant moved his headquarters {
point near New Carthage. 1t was dstel
tsrmined first to attack Grand Gulf, a rive
village, twenty-five miles below Vicksbur
and one mile below the mouth Of Big Blac
river, shortly to be the scene of such excitin
Sventa But New Carthage was not nea
enough to Grand Gulf to operate from SUI
cessfully. Hard Times, . village severs
miles below New Carthage. was therefore =
IsSted - the starting point