The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-12-13
Highest of all in Leavening PoweLaest u Govt Report
Rya!.I!! al! BskiRS BsMdez
ABSOLUTELY PURE

tense nervous excitement [ do not
know. | moved a few steps back and
sought refuge. as [ fancied, behind
one of the cabins. There I laid my
head against a log and went fast
asleep. so soundly asleep for a time
taat the noise of the terrible lombard
ment was lost to my ears. 1t was
refreshing slumber, from which | was
aroused by the thunders that waken-
ed heavens echoes and caused the
ground to tremble and shake beneath
me.
All that had previously taken place
was mild compared the awful pande
monium that was now at hand. 1t
was the climax of the fight-the last
desperate struggle.
The great steamer Mississippi, a
transport loaded with federal soldiers
under cover Of two gunboats of the
fleet, was attempting to pass our guns.
The three vessels were now directly
opposite the fort; every gun upon land
and water that could be brought to
bear was now turned loose; it was one
continuous salv0 Of ponderous artillery
and now it was a duel to the death
with solid shot, and there is scarcely a
word to describe the violence and Wig
or Of the fray. All sounds were swal-
lowed up IN the one great swelling,
bursting thunder from a hundred
cannOn's mouths.
At last there was d moments lull,
save few single shots at short intervals
from the fort. A lurid flame shot up
from the framework of the great
steamer as she lay directly under our
guns; brilliant flame that inst antly
revealed the black ugly monsters of
the feet above and below her, now
standing sullen and silent as their
murderous guns still pointed toward
the fort.
A red hot shot from the fort had
crushed through the decks of the
transport and set it on fire. The
soldiers could be seen rushing about
above and below in frenzied search
for means Of escape, pleading for
mercy and help as shot still came from
the fort and as the flames of the burn
ing vessel came nearer and nearer to
them. All the rest of the fleet that
was still below the fort now turned
about and slowly dropped down the
river in safe distance from the dire
disaster which was soon to come.
Above the cries Of distress on board
could be heard the voice of one man
as he was seen to step forward upon
the burning deck with a white flag,
waving aloft as he cried:
For Gods sake, stop tiringw
It was the'commandersof the Mis-
sissippi.
cease firing" came the quick, loud
command at the fort, and the guns
were silenced,
The battle was over.
Down tioated the burning steamer
/ with the current, now abiaze on every
side. In vain many hundred souls on
board cried and prayed for help. There
was none to save. Their own vessels
could not dare approach. Hundreds
of poor fellows were swallowed 10 by
the flames. Hundreds more plunged
/ frantic into the broad waters of the
/ Mississippi and were drowned About
! fifty of the number swan ashore and
for the most part were captured the
next day by the confederate cavalry.
An hour later the flame reached the
magazine Of the steamer, and only
small fragments of it were ever seen
again. The explosion came within
full view of the confederate army, pre-
senting 10 them aspecttIlar; finale of
the conflict was awfully sublime.
The night Of terror was over, 1t
was the dawn of day. Two gunboats
/ had passed up the river, but the con
federates held the fort and their flag
! was still there.