The National tribune., 1900-02-08

Gen. Grants army wintered CO.. 63) at
Milliken's Bend, about So miles above
Vicksburg. On April 9, 1863, Gen. Grant
started to march his army between Nlcks-
burg, on the Louisiana side of the river, TO
intersect the river at a point p miles below
the city. To accomplish this the army
would have to travel about 80 miles. After
a slow. tedious march of several days the
army arrived within five miles OF New
Carthage. La At this point the army was
moving through a heavy body OF timber,
when upon emerging from it cornfield OF
200 or 300 acres opened out Immediately in
the front
In this field great many colored men
were at work with mule teams, plowing
corn. The army halted for few minutes,
while the officers examined the front with
glasses. The Smith plantation was Just
on the other side of the field, and there
seemed TO be quite a stir of citizens there.
When the officers came back after recon-
noitering they ordered the artillery forward,
and a dozen or more shots were sent in
direction of the Smith plantation. No
reply came; but the cannonading caused
teams in the field became frightened, and
ran in every direction. The darkies were
as badly scared as the mules; they, too,
sought safety in fight.
The army now advanced, but had pro-
caeded not great way before another
obstacle was encountered in the shape OF
deep body of water about two miles from
New Carthage.
Being from 10 to 20 feet deep, this could
not be crossed except by boats, and none
were there. But Gen. Grant was not to be
foiled in his plans. A large lumber yard
was found near there, and Gen: Grant as SET
force of men at work to construct terry
boats In about four hours time 30 boats
were ready, each one being u feet wide by
80 long. Two of those were so constructed
as to carry a siX-pound cannon. One end
of the boats was left partly open TO COM
mand front view of the field.
TAKING NEW CARTHAGE
About p. M our fleet started for New
Carthage. Each boat held about 80 men.
We had to go through heavy timber-land,
which made it ugly boating. When the
fleet reached the open country once more,
only about half mile from the city, the two
boats in front with the cannons opened
fire on the city.
The enemy soon retreated, and our fleet
landed without further opposition; (lhis
fleet was called the "PoSSum Fleet BY
next morning Grants whole army was IN
New Carthage. We marched down the
river to the Perkins plantation, about three
miles, where we remained until our trans
ports should run the blockade at NickSburg,
which they did, and came to us LOOKING
much the worse for their venture, as they
had to pass about Is miles of works on the
way.
The river at Vicksburg is in the shape of
the letter S, and guns at many points com
manded the river for miles above and below
their location, SO that the effort to pass them
was extra hazardous, involving the utmost
reril To those who ATTEMPTED II.
Among the soldiers who thus perlled their
lives to assist in getting the transports be-
low Vicksburg was Henry Casey, of Bloom
ingburg, o., then member OF Co. G, 2Oth
Ohio. TWAS terrible experience for those
engaged, and would furnish highly
interesting narrative in itself. Upon the
arrival of the transports, it was found that
several had been killed and wounded;
amongst the killed were twin brothers
from Illinois, who undertook to pilot a boat
by Vicksburg, and both were killed in the
pilot-house.
In short time after the arrival of the
transports the army embarked for Grand
Gulf, at the mouth of Big Black River,
headed by eight gunboats. At that point
the rebels were in force, and their position
well fortified.
ACTION AT GRAND GULF.
Our fleet landed on April q within four
miles of the place, and in plain view of the
enemy. Next morning our SullDOdtS
started down the river to pay their respects
to the Gulfites, and to see what the prospect
might be to get by them In short time
the ball opened from the enemy's side,
plainly intimating that it would not be
agreeable on their part TO permit an easy
passage. Our gunboats formed for action,
and the battle began. The cannonading
lasted for five hours and was holly con-
tested on both sides. 1t became evident.
however, to Gen. Grant that he could moi
safely transport his army beyond that point
by water, and the gunboats were with
drawn from action. The troops that were
on the transports awaiting orders to land at
Grand Gulf and take the Notifications
when the gunboats had silenced their
batteries at that point, Gen. Grant ordered
to march by land to a point four miles below
Grand Gulf, called Hard Times, which was
we'll named The gunboats and transports
ran by Grand Gulf that night without any
trouble, and came TO us al Hard Times.
On April % our forces again embarked
for Bruinsburg, where we landed at 10 a. m
next day, on the Vicksburg side of the river
Here We rested few hours and drew five
days rations. which consisted of five big
crackers, with coffee and sugar, to each
man. We drew no further Government