additional naval and military force. Command- | batteries, which were beyond the range of the er Porter's mortar flotilla was also towed up to mortars, the fire upon them became very seassist in shelling out the heights. It was not vere. Several of the mortar fleet were very until the evening of the 27th of June that all roughly handled. The Jackson, Captain Woodthings were ready for the bombardment. worth, was struck by a shell which exploded in the wheel-house, disabling the steering appara

At two o'clock on the morning of the 28th the fleet got under way, and each vessel steam-tus, and cutting off a leg of the man at the ed to its appointed position. At four o'clock the mortars opened fire. The range of rebel batteries extended along the river three miles in length. The Iroquois, Captain J. S. Palmer; the Oneida, Captain S. P. Lee; and the Richmond, Captain James Alden, took the lead. These were followed by the Wissahicon, Captain John De Camp; the Sciota, Captain Edward Donaldson; the Hartford, Captain R. Wainwright; the Winona, Captain E. T. Nichols; the Pinola, Captain Pierce Crosby; each one pouring in successively its tremendous fire. Commander Porter followed with the Octorora, Westfield, Clifton, Jackson, Harriet Lane, and Owasco.

By the time the fleet came within range of the forts it was daylight, and a severe fire of solid shot was immediately opened upon the ships from the batteries. The guns appeared to be principally Columbiads, and the flag-ship was the object of their most deadly aim. All the rebel guns were protected, some by earthworks and others by solid rocks. The vessels were so near the banks that the gunners could be seen working the guns and waving their hats in defiance. When the fire of any of the ships was directed to any particular battery the rebels would abandon their guns, returning to them again as the ship passed on. Flag-Officer Farragut writes in his Report:

"The Hartford received but little injury from the batteries in or below the town; but several raking shots from the battery above the town did us considerable damage. They were 50-pounder rifle and 8-inch solid shot. The first passed through the shell-room and lodged in the hold, but did no other harm. The 8-inch passed through the

cabin, but hurt no one. When we reached the upper bat

tery we soon silenced it, and it was reported to me that

its flag was struck. We therefore gave three cheers. But when we had passed about three-quarters of a mile above they reopened fire with two heavy guns. Although their shots were well directed they either had too much or too little elevation, and only cut our rigging to pieces without injuring any one seriously; which was strange, as the Iroquois, Winona, and Pinola were on our quarter. The department will perceive from this report that the forts can be passed, and we have done it, and can do it again as often as may be required of us. It will not. however, be an easy matter for us to do more than silence the batteries for a time as long as the enemy has a large force behind the hills to prevent our landing and holding the place."

wheel. The Clifton, Captain Baldwin, hast-
ened to the assistance of the crippled boat,
when a shot passed through the Clifton's boil-
er. The catastrophe was awful in its effects.
The scalding steam enveloped the boat. It
was a foe whom no energy could resist and no
courage could brave.. Six men were scalded to
death; others were severely burned. Ten men
leaped overboard, of whom one was drowned.
The Jackson now in turn came to the help of
the more severely wounded Clifton. In the
midst of a murderous fire she attempted to
rescue the scalded and drowning men. The
Westfield hurried to the rescue, when she was
struck by a heavy rifle-shot, which fortunately
did not cause any serious injury. The Octo-
rora now came and towed the Clifton to a place
of safety. The Jackson also drifted out of
range.
Commander David R. Porter in his
Report says:

"It is to be regretted that a combined attack of army and navy had not been made, by which something more substantial might have been accomplished. Such an attack, I think, would have resulted in the capture of the city. Ships and mortar-vessels can keep full possession of the river and places near the water's edge, but they can not crawl up hills three hundred feet high; and it is that part of Vicksburg which must be taken by an army. If it was intended merely to pass the batteries at Vicksburg and make a junction with the fleet of Flag-Officer Davis, the navy did it most gallantly and fearlessly. It was as

handsome a thing as has been done during the war; for the batteries to be passed extended full three miles, with a three-knot current against ships that could not, at the

best, make eight knots under the most favorable circum

stances."*

The mortar-vessels were moved below Vicks

They

burg, along the levee, amply protected, it was supposed, from land-attack, by an impassable swamp. The rebel general Van Dorn, who was in command, it is said, of eighteen thousand men, conceived the idea that he could work his way through the morass, and by a He accordinggrand stroke seize the boats. ly marched a brigade from his encampment through the dense woods and over the miry, quaking bog, until they came within about two hundred yards of the forest-fringed levee. Here our pickets were encountered. precipitately retreated, firing as they ran from The conflict in passing batteries so formida- the overpowering force, which was struggling ble with wooden vessels was very severe. The along, many of them waist deep in mire. But mortars took a position about twenty-five hun- Commander Porter was not the man to be dred yards from the main battery and hurled caught napping. Instantly all the guns of the their enormous missiles upon the foe with fear-mortar-vessels and flotilla-steamers opened a ful effect. As the Hartford and the gun-boats opened their batteries with grape, canister, and shrapnel, the air seemed to be filled with projectiles. Gradually the lower batteries which were within range of the mortars were silenced. But as the gun-boats came abreast of the upper

terrific fire upon the woods, of grape, shrapnel,

*The contradictory account which reach us of the details of these events is remarkable. General T. Williams, in his official Report, says: "Seven of Flag-Officer Farramorning of the 28th without alarming the batteries of the town."

gut's vessels passed Vicksburg at eleven o'clock in the

To guard against further annoyances of this kind five howitzers were landed, earth-works were thrown up, and fifty marines were posted as pickets. A large bell was also slung in the While the fleet bombarded the city the troops woods, with lines leading to it from different were embarked in this enterprise. On the 25th points, so that the pickets might give immedi- of June they commenced surveying the line, ate alarm. "After which," says Commander | and ground was broken on the morning of the

29th.

Nearly twelve hundred negroes, gath- | navigable for boats for fifty miles at high stages ered from the adjoining plantations, engaged of the water. Several miles up this river the gleefully in the work, cutting down trees, grubbing up the roots, and excavating the soil. The two fleets awaited the result of this experiment with the deepest interest. The canal was not completed until the 22d of July, when the water of the river was too low to run through it. The plan was revived in the final siege of Vicksburg, but proved a failure.

About twelve miles north of Vicksburg is the mouth of the Yazoo River. The river is three hundred feet wide at its mouth, and is

rebels had established a navy-yard, where they were building a powerful iron-clad ram named the Arkansas. To prevent our squadron from passing up to disturb their operations they had reared powerful batteries upon a commanding elevation called Haines Bluff. The most of our fleet was now moored near the mouth of the Yazoo, while Porter's mortar fleet was nearly fifteen miles down the river. The Vicksburg batteries prevented any communication between the fleets except by running the fear

ful gauntlet of their guns, or by sending couri- | opened on her, and she retired, leaving the Arkansas to ers down through the swamp on the western run down to Vicksburg." banks. Not a little solicitude was felt respecting this iron-clad monster, of whose speed, armament, and ponderous mail appalling stories were told.

The Arkansas, which thus boldly ran through our whole fleet, was truly a formidable vessel. Her armored sides were at an angle of fortyfive degrees, not running to a point like the Merrimac, but flat on the top with a single

heavy guns, and the thick iron plates which completely cased her sides seemed to resist nearly all the shots which were fired at her. The rebel general Van Dorn, in his official re

"Our loss was ten men killed and fifteen wounded.

Several of our vessels were performing picket duty as far up the Yazoo as the rebel bat-smoke-stack protruding. She was armed with teries would permit them to go. About seven o'clock in the morning of the 15th of July, when General Williams's troops and the contrabands were hard at work upon the canal, and the fleet was impatiently awaiting its comple-port of the action, says: tion, heavy firing was heard up the Yazoo. Two deserters the evening before had come on board the Essex, and had reported that the Arkansas was ready to come down. The gunboats Carondelet and Tyler, with the steamram Queen of the West, had accordingly been sent up the Yazoo to watch proceedings. The fleet was lying at anchor with fires banked but no steam on. As they had no means of replenishing their coal it was needful to prac-mortar fleet, as it had no means of resisting a tice the utmost economy in the use of their fuel.

Captain Brown, her commander and hero, was slightly
wounded in the head. The smoke-stack of the Arkansas
Otherwise she is not materially damaged
was riddled.
and can soon be repaired."

The Union fleet below Vicksburg consisted of the Brooklyn, Kennebec, and Jackson, with the mortar vessels and a large number of transports.* Great apprehensions were felt for the

foe so formidable. And it was greatly feared that the Arkansas, having destroyed or capThe sound of the firing drew rapidly nearer. tured the mortar fleet, would rush down the The whole fleet was on the stir. Soon two of river to New Orleans, and by the destruction our boats were seen rushing down the river at of the few ships left in guard there, capture full speed, pursued by the monster ram. The our small land-force, and restore the city again retreating vessels were firing vigorously with to rebel rule. Mr. W. B. Renshaw, who was their stern guns, and were as vigorously replied commanding Division of Mortar Flotilla, reto by the bow guns of the invincible foe. The ports that, as soon as he received information Carondelet had been driven ashore, and the that the Arkansas was endeavoring to pass the Arkansas was now in a coat of mail which could fleet and would probably succeed, he signaled laugh to scorn all ordinary shot, impetuously to the schooners to get under way immediatechasing and pelting the Tyler and the Queen ly, and at the same time slipped the cable of of the West. The rebel ram was but about his steamer, the Westfield, that he might renthree hundred yards in the rear of the ships it der such assistance as should be required. was pursuing. It was an appalling hour. These measures were hardly adopted ere the Arkansas was seen gliding along under the bank at Vicksburg, perfectly sheltered by the batteries. One can hardly imagine the shout of triumph with which her advent was greeted by the rebels.

As many of the boats as could bring their guns to bear upon the foe immediately opened their fire. All the boats were now striving hurriedly to get up steam, and a strange scene of commotion ensued. As the Arkansas rushed along the Essex discharged seven guns at her, striking her three times. One of the shot, it was thought, penetrated her armor. As she approached the Richmond the rebel received a terrible broadside from her guns. For a moment both vessels were enveloped in smoke. As the smoke lifted the iron-clad monster was seen still careering on her way unharmed. When passing the Hartford she received another broadside which she did not condescend to notice. An eye-witness on board the Hart-blowing up the crippled boat, and to reconnoiford writes:

"A shot took effect in the boiler of the ram Lancaster, of Commodore Davis's fleet, and several persons were killed and wounded. It is not certain whether this shot

One of the mortar schooners, the Sydney C. Jones, had unfortunately grounded, and was lying in a defenseless condition. It seemed necessary immediately to blow her up, to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. The remaining schooners dropped down below the Brooklyn, behind whose broadsides they sought protection. This movement being suecessfully accomplished, Commander Renshaw steamed cautiously up the river to provide for

tre the position of the ram. Upon the way he met General Williams and his staff riding along the western bank. He hailed the General and inquired if he wished to embark his command.

came from one of our guns or from the Arkansas, as the vessels were much crowded and in no position for such an encounter. As the Arkansas got past the Hartford she "The lower bombarding fleet, under command of fired two rifle-shots which passed harmlessly over our Commodores Farragut and Porter, consisted of eighteen heads. The Benton had got under way by this time, and gun and mortar boats, five sloops of war, and seventy started out to meet her; but she did not seem to like the transports. The upper fleet consisted of eleven gun-boats looks of her antagonist, and steamed rapidly down the and rams and thirteen transports, under command of river, firing her guns at intervals. The Benton followed Commodore Davis."—Pollard's Second Year of the War, her under the guns of the batteries on the bluffs, which | p. 79.

Being answered in the negative, he requested | teries.* General Williams brought up a field General Williams to 'send some artillery offi- battery on the western banks opposite Vickscers on beard the stranded schooner, that the burg, and took efficient part in the fray. With boat might be so scientifically blown up as to a smothering storm of 8-inch grape a swarm throw the mortar into deep water. He then of rebel riflemen on the Vicksburg side, who approached within hailing distance of the were concealed in the woods, annoying the schooner, and gave orders that all preparations mortars with their unerring aim, were speedily should be made for blowing her up, but that dispersed. the torch must not be applied until the signal was given, or the Arkansas was seen actually coming down.

Hour after hour this thundering bombardment was continued. The firing from the mortars was rapid and accurate. The enormous shells could be seen falling within the batteries, perceptibly diminishing the regularity of their fire. In reference to this conflict Commander Renshaw says, in his Report:

"To the Report of Lieutenant-Commanding Breese, commanding the Second Division of mortar-schooners, I have the honor to refer you for particulars of the mortar practice and conduct of their officers and men. The services of this officer, I am aware, have already been brought to your notice by the very able and gallant commander of the flotilla, Captain Porter. And I have only to add the expression of my very high appreciation of his official ability and gallantry, and my thanks for his zealous asthat, from the hour of half past one until nearly eight in the evening, the mortar-schooners were lying in position comparatively unprotected, within two and a half miles of this ram, which had successfully run the blockade of our fleets, not knowing at what moment her repairs might be completed and she again ready for action."

The scene at this moment presented to the eye was one of wonderful beauty; the broad majestic flood of the Mississippi, smooth as a mirror, gliding silently beneath the rays of a July sun to its goal in the Gulf; the steamer Westfield, with Commander Renshaw upon the deck, breasting the current as he hailed the party on the shore; the brilliant cavalcade of General Williams and his staff on the levee; the rank and gloomy forest rising from the almost boundless and impenetrable swamp in the rear; up the river the spires of Vicksburg, the batteries belching forth their tremendous dis-sistance during this anxious day-anxious from the fact charges; the Arkansas running to seek the protection of their guns; the pursuing fleet pelting the foe with shot and shell, while arrested in the chase by the batteries; the billowy volumes of smoke; the stranded mortarschooner, and a short distance down the river the majestic Brooklyn, with the mortar-schooners huddled in her rear for protection-all this, with the accompanying thunder-peals from innumerable cannon of the heaviest calibre, must have presented a scene which it would have tasked the energies of a Horace Vernet to transfer to canvas.

About half past seven o'clock in the evening the mortar-boats were signaled that the gunboat fleet was getting under way to run the gauntlet of the batteries. This was the signal for them all to open fire with redoubled rapidity. Flag-Officer Farragut was attempting the passage of the batteries with his New Orleans fleet, having the double purpose in view of joining his squadron below, and hoping also to destroy the rebel ram in passing. The fleet accomplished its wonderful achievement of running, with but little loss, those formidable batteries frowning along the bluffs for a distance of three miles. This was attributed to the rapid and well-directed fire from the ships, which often drove the rebels from their guns. In the deepening twilight the tempest of war, with its flash and thunder-peal and crashing bolts, raged with all the fury with which human passion could inspire it.

Commander Renshaw then proceeded up the river somewhat further, and threw two rifle shots at the ram; then running below to communicate the result of his observations he received an order from Flag-Officer Farragut to bring his mortars immediately into position to bombard the rebel batteries, as Farragut was coming down with his fleet to attempt to destroy the ram. Commander Porter had gone down the river with most of the steamers of the flotilla towing twelve of the mortar-schooners. The schooners were expeditiously brought into position, but while the movement was be- The designs against the Arkansas, however, ing made, through some unfortunate misunder-proved a failure. She was so concealed under standing of orders, the torch was applied to the magazine of the S. C. Jones, and the vessel was blown in fragments into the air.

the shore, and so protected by heavy batteries, that she could not be reached in the darkness.

The chagrin which the career of the Arkansas caused the officers of the fleet, as well as the country at large, may be inferred from the following Report of Flag-Officer Farragut :

"It is with deep mortification that I announce to the Department that, notwithstanding my prediction to the contrary, the iron-clad ram Arkansas has at length made her appearance and taken us all by surprise. We had

At half past three o'clock in the afternoon Commander Renshaw had all his mortar-boats in position to open their fire. In consequence of the absence of so many of the steamers it took some time to tow the schooners to their appointed stations along the western banks of the river. The Vicksburg batteries immediately opened upon them a brisk cannonade. * The following schooners were engaged: the John GrifThree of the schooners were in position at half fith, Henry Brown Commanding; the Henry Jones, James past one o'clock. W. Pennington Commanding; the Oliver H. Lee, WashThe roar of battle was now ington Godfrey Commanding; the Orvetta, F. E. Blanchopened in good earnest. The schooners were ard Commanding; the Sarali Bruen, A. Christian Comat a distance of about 4000 yards from the bat-manding. See W. B. Renshaw's Report. VOL. XXXIII.-No. 195.-X