The National tribune., 1891-12-24
VANOUISHINGVICKSBURG'
from frat page.

1t was done. She was entirely destroyed
before the deception was discovered.
But this splendid result was probably not
greater in its effect than the manifest pOssi-
bility Of getting even transports past the
blockade. Some might be lost, but that some
would get through seemed probable.
AT LAST GRANT SPOKE TO PORTER,
in command of our naval forces, of his final
and long g-eherished purpose. POrter's CO.
operation was necessary and was cheerfuily
promised. He even volunteered to get the
transports ready for the passage, an offer
gladly accepted by Grant Out Of sight of
the foe, on the east side Of the river, above
the city, and where the swampy country
protected him largely from spies, Porter did
his work. Bales of hay, for use by our forces
below, and cotton bales were piled around
the boilers and hid the boiler fires. Sacks
of grain were added where possible, that
they might benefit our troops, and thus, one
after another, the three boats-the Silver
Wave, the Henry Clay, and the Forest
Queen-were made ready. A ripple of ex-
element reached Us in camp about this
time, the effort of someone from Yieksburg,
evidently, to find out what was going on.
We heard Of the capture Of small boat in
which, at the stern was afterwards found q
diminutive white flag, playing the part Of
the flag Of truce, If the occasion required,
and our river guards took it and the men
rowing it to Gen. Grant.
We only concluded that it was q trick,
through which the enemy could with safety
investigate our lines, and the boys were indig-
nant enough. But Gen. Grant informed us
that the boat carried no less a parsonage than
Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the Interior
under President Buchanan, and that though
he did not believe in the good faith of this
river party, he sent them back, after pleasant
half-hour's chat, to the city. They were no
wiser than before, however. Yet it seems
that they had in view the possibility of
other blockade running, presumably by the
naval feet, for they had bonfres prepared
on both shores, and houses also, that could
be set in flames in moment.
When the steamboats, were all in readi-
ness for the downward ride Of danger there
arose trouble of another sort. Two of the
crews refused to remain on the vessels. Two
Captains were willing and one crew, that of
the Forest Queen; bat some other arrange
ment must be made for the other boats.
do not know that blame the boatmen for
their conduct. 1t was not in the line of
their business to engage in such an under
taking.
THERE DID NOT SEEM MUCH DELAY,
however, for an appeal was made to the
troops on shore for assistance. The word
passed swiftly from camp to camp 1t crs-
ated an interest that resulted in prompt ac-
tion. The men talked together; officers and
men alike hurried up to volunteer. Men to
command the boats, men to pilot them, to
engineer, to serve anywhere as the crew,
were found in abundance. When it was
known that some would be wanted to 20
into the hold and there wait in the dark
ness to fill up any break in the hulls that
might be made by the enemy's cannon, there
were scores for that duty. The only regret
the soldiers seemed to have in this was that
they could not see the fight More were on
hand than so boats would need. The same
was true when the next effort was made.
Our volunteers could do anything, and were
ready for any emergency. The night of the
18th Of April was dark;
NO MOON GAVE TROUBLE By ITS BRIL-
LIANCY.
The transports were to be led, accom-
panied, followed by seven of Porter's iron
elads-ths Benton, flagship, in the van !;
Lafayette, Louisville, Mound City, Pitts
burg, and Carondalet The Tuscumbia
brought up the rear.
There were number of barges loaded
with baggage, some belonging to my regi-
ment; coal, and necessary forage for troops
below, and which could be used, if they
passed safely, for transporting troops, as the
case might require. These were lashed to
the boats, and some were cut loose on the
way down and hoated on alone.