[The Memoirs of General Ulysses S. Grant Part 3. by Ulysses S. Grant]@TWC D-Link bookThe Memoirs of General Ulysses S. Grant Part 3. CHAPTER XXXII 14/24
Soon after a shell burst in the cotton packed about the boilers, set the vessel on fire and burned her to the water's edge.
The burning mass, however, floated down to Carthage before grounding, as did also one of the barges in tow. The enemy were evidently expecting our fleet, for they were ready to light up the river by means of bonfires on the east side and by firing houses on the point of land opposite the city on the Louisiana side. The sight was magnificent, but terrible.
I witnessed it from the deck of a river transport, run out into the middle of the river and as low down as it was prudent to go.
My mind was much relieved when I learned that no one on the transports had been killed and but few, if any, wounded.
During the running of the batteries men were stationed in the holds of the transports to partially stop with cotton shot-holes that might be made in the hulls.
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