The National tribune., 1900-11-01

a moment later the stiffness of the night
was broken by n terrific crash almost in
our faces. followed by peal upon peal of
heavy thunder tones from the enemy's
heavy works and our gunboats. We now
hugged the west shore of the river. and
under a full head of steam swept past the
upper batteries, during which time our
gunbOats were giving the enemy their
whole attention.
Just at this time immense bonfires
sprang up all along the river bluffs,
which. reflected by the river. changed the
gloom of night to thedglare of midday
We now glanced around from behind our
barricade of cotton-bales. and were
pleased to find our companion boats still
safely outriding the rebel storm of iron
hail. Here and there along the bluffs
could be plainly seen crowds of the enemy
standing, spellbound, in utter amaZement,
to see our frail wooden boats safely pass
ing their boasted Gibraltar of the Missis-
sippi. Under a full head of steam we
fairly few through the water. The en-
gines labOred and groaned in a mighty
struggle to get away, beyond, and out of
range of those fiery-throated demons on
the bluffs above us.
'The upper river batteries were safely
passed, and we left the lights of Vicks-
burg behind us. At the lower batteries
the scenes were again repeated, but in
due time we tied up on the Louisiana
shore, where we found the advance of
Gen. Grants army awaiting us. Five of
the transports sustained more or less in
jury, but the sixth received n heavy shot
near the water-line, and went down a
short distance below the heavy guns of the
enemy, the crew escaping to the west
Shore"
REACHING AFTER yICKsBURG.
Saturday, April %, orders were re-
70 h.1I ta
march at any moment; our camp equpage
and sick to be left at Milliken's Bend.
After the usual delay of an hour or more
the regiment was called into line, the ad-
vance was sounded, and away we went.
reaching out after Vicksburg by way OF
Bruinsburg, Port Gibson, Raymond and
Champion Hills The first day out we
marched about 10 miles, and went into
camp near the little town of Richmond.
The following day we marched - miles
through mud and storm, went into camp
on a rich planters domain. Being with
out tents, and a heavy rain continuing to
fall, many of the men sought the protec-
ton of the plantation buildings. The
writ1-, with a number of others, ascended,
buildings, when the upper joist gave way
and we all came down together. Fortu-
nately we escaped with only a few
bruises.
April 81, during a heavy rain, we be
gan our third days mud march. We
found the roads almost impossible for
men, much less for our teams, which made
unfaltering ranks, we pressed forward,
and after march of eight miles q halt
was ordered for the night.
On the following day we marched u
miles, going into camp about two miles
from the big river. About midnight we
were aroused from our camp slumbers by
an earnest voice of command, Battalion,
fall in," after which we hastily moved
one mile and remained on picket guard un-
til the dawn of another day. T.
April % we took up our line of march
around Lake st. Joseph to Hard Times,
which place we reached at nightfall, af-
ter march of 16 miles. Late in the
evening the gunboats moved to the at
tack of the rebel works at Grand Gulf,
which was only intended as a ruse to en-
able our transports to run the rebel bat
teries. Being unable to cross the Missis-
sippi at this point, we plunged into the
Louisiana forest again, and, after march
ing short distance, bivouacked for the
night
While marching along the west shore
of Lake st. Joseph an alligator suddenly
emerged from the dense, swampy marsh
on our right and made mad rush for the
lake on our left. Fifty or more rifles
gave tongue, and Mr.. Gator stopped right
there. Gen. Logan, hearing the firing,
hastily dispatched an orderly to learn the
cause, when he was told to inform the
General that 1--WE decidedly objected to
being run over by any Louisiana alliga-
tor"
Before dawn April 80 we were in mo-
ton down the west bank Of the river, and
about 10 o'clock came to a halt a short
distance above Bruinsburg, where we re-
mained until the following day. Mean
time our advance columns were trans
ported to the opposite shore, Gen. Grant
being among the first to set foot on Mis-
sissippi soil.
Early Friday, May /, a collision took
place between two transports while cross
ing the river, sinking one of the boats,
one battery Of artillery, and number of
horses, which delayed Our crossing over
until midday.
PORT GIBSON.
Immediately upon landing we pushed on
with all speed in the direction of Thomp-
sons Hill, where our advance columns
had encountered the enemy.
The rebel firing in our front quickened
our steps, and we Joined our advance
ready to take a hand in the contest Short
ly after reaching the front the rebels We're
driven from their strong position on
Thompson's Hill; and began precipitate
retreat toward Port Gibson. A pursuit
was ordered, when we sprang to the front
and rapidly marched on the heels of the
retreating foe, in go-as-you-please gait,
so well remembered by the boys. At dark
we lay down on our arms in line of battle
two miles from Port Gibson.
The following morning we marched into