The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-09

down through the rough country to the
EleEel place and the death-dealing ma
chimes Weres unlimbered and set up
facing the fort near the waters edge.
Capt. Rooch took command of the
right, and Sergt. Clark the left gun,
which fanked the skirmishers on
shore.
Wood was hurriedly cut and several
fires were made to deceive the De-
tenders as to the location of the at
tacking party, but the firing and the
pale moon which shone down on the
engagement left little doubt as to
where the assaulting party was.
All appeared to be quiet OH the is
lard. The gnnboats each armed with
twenty-four four-inch guns lay quietly
at anchor. The condition seemed most
propitious for the capture. Almost be-
fore the firing began lights were
noticed from first one window and
then another, and it was clear that the
Defenders suspected something.
A call was heard and in a few min
utes all was activity. No time was to
be lost if the attack was to be sue
cessful.
The order was given from the Vigi-
lants almost before the shore batteries
on the island could be brought into ac-
tion.
Capt Bean gave the command and in
almost no time the skirnishers had
fired volley into the forts and the ar
tillery was soon belching forth ter
rible dose of shell. The big guns were
fired twice to the minute, and their
shells had a deadly effect on the de-
fenses in the middle Of the river Di-
rectly after, the gunboats awoke to the
situation, and were soon got into po-
sition. The shore batteries responded
most promptly, and it was soon ap-
parent that the fort was not to be
taken without a desperate struggle
At the sign of this resistance the Wig
ilants took on renewed energy, and
poured big and little shot at the tur-
rets of the blockhouse, and succeeded
even in dismantling one of the cruisers.
An effort was made to send out a boat
or two to distract the fire from the
fort, but the attacking party trained
their big guns on the natS Il .ay
did not get far from the Island.
The land batteries held manfully to
their posts notwithstanding the calling
torrent of shell that was being poured
against their lines. In the midst of the
carnage the inspiring strains of the
fife and drum were heard and gave the
men additional courage and bravery
The battlements of the houses on the
West end and middle of the island
were badly torn away by the raking
fire, but the flag was replaced again
and again as some shot would carry
away the staff
The big machine guns wrought fear
full execution, and it seemed as if the
defenders could hardly longer with
stand the onslaught.
The cannonading lasted for half an
hour, and it was suspected that the
people in the fort were going low on
ammunition, because it was found that
they were loading their guns with
spikes. A shell burst on the deck of.
one of the boats, adding to their dis
treSS.
Aside from the terrible features of
the struggle the sight was magnificent.
The flare of flame from the belching
cannon lit up the river and the myr-
lad of colors blended with the pale blue
of the moon. and the green of the foli-
age which surrounded the block houses
on the island. The fires built by the
attacking party, on the bank of the
river, lent strange, weird aspect to
the multitude of spectators who watch
ed the scene from out of range of the
shells and guns.
The attack was the fiercest on the
west and center houses, there being
little need of firing on the east end
house, which was non-combatant. At
$50 the firing from the center house
ceased altogether, and cheer went up
from the enemy who expected to see
the white flag run up. But they were
disappointed, for in q short time the
big boats were lined for a final resist
ance and with a concentrated fire from
the two houses in action, sent a final
volley into the very heart of the at
tacking line.
The shore batteries also participated