The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-16

ton of every portion Of the Northern States was
shown when the so-caled peace papers of the
North were suppressed; but we have no hesita-
ton in saying that the day would be hailed
with public rejoicings, on which the Offices of
the anti-slavery DISCLAIMERS against the wise
measures Of the President, shall be closed.
Important Naval Engagement Below
New Orleans.
We publish to-day intelligence from New
Orleans by way of Norfolk, which, if true is
by no means Of an agreeable nature. 1t is the
rebel commanders account of his own perlor-
NANCE and must be taken with a considerable
allowance of salt. 1t is in the recollection of
our readers that the men of the blockading
squadr0A.below New Orleans had succeeded in
digging their way through the mud to a spit of
land at the head Of the highest Of the five
passes which commanded them all, and were SO
terrifying it as to render the position impregna
BILE. 1t was at this point that the naval engage
ment took place on Friday last with the results
stated by Captain Hollins. He says, with the
| aid Of his iron clad steamer and little fotilla
called g the mosquito fleet" his whole number
Of guns being sixteen and men 800, he defeated
the entire blockading squadron, numbering
forty guns, with 1000 men, sinking the Prcble,
$50 tons burthen, capturing another vessel, and
disabling the remainder and driving them
ash ore on the Southwest Pass bar. Further. it
appears that he has come up to New Orleans
for reinforcements to capture the whole Of the
disabled federal feet
Now, it must seem strange to the reader: first,
that in such victory no rebel was killed or
wounded; and secondly, that if the insurgent
commodore was SO successful, he could not cap
ture the Union fleet at once, disabled as it was,
but, on the contrary, found it necessary to re-
treat for reinforcements. If his statement be
true, he will probably find he has committed
blunder in coming up for achievements in
stead of finishing the work himself, for by the
time his achievements get down the Missis-
sippi the federal ships will have been burned
by their commanders and their armament and
ammunition destroyed, while the officers and
crews have escaped to the Gulf with the aid of
their boats. The blockading squadron con-
sisted of tie Nincennes, twenty guns, and
Preble, sixteen guns, sailing vessels and the
steamers Richmond, twenty guns, Water Witch
and Massachusetts. OF the steamers, the Rich
mond is an important vessel, though very slow;
the other two are OF small account. How many
of them had assembled to the head waters of the
Southwest Pass does not appear.
That the story has been greatly exaggerated
there is good reason to believe, from The dspar-
| ty in number Of guns and men, and from the
antecedents of Hollins. who was formerly of the
! United States Navy, and never distinguished
himself but in two actions, which reflect but
small credit upon him. One was the heroic
bombardment of Greytown. which be burned
| down. though the inhabitants were all unarmed
and a corporal's guard OF marines could have
taken the place. This was like ''peppcring" our
vessels well after they got aground and couldno
return the fire. but fearing to board them even
after being peppcred. The other exploit was in
aiding and assisting ''the French woman to
treacherously seize the st. Nicholas. The state
ment Of such double-dyed traitor must be
received with caution.
That there was a fight, and that some disaster
has happened is probably true, but till the re
port comes from the Union side we must
regard the account in the Norfolk paper
as great exaggeration. 1t is evident that the
New Orleans rebels had learned all about the
expeditions which are being fitted out at the
North, and this stroke was to anticipate them by
striking blow and winning a small victory,
which, when duly exaggerated, might keep up
the spirits of the people whom they are delud-
ing from day to day. Hollins calls it q a COM
plete success" Now, what was promised on the
part Of the iron steamer and the rest Of the TO
tilla? 1t was announced that they would de-
| stroy the Brooklyn and raise the blockade and
! keep the port open, too, the steamer with her
Iron plough running down every federal ship-of
| war that would venture 10 await her onset It
does not appear whether it was by his guns or
this iron plough that Captain Hollins sunk
the Preblc. As for the Brooklyn, she was
not there but the Richmond, which re-
placed her, is not said to be destroyed. She
probably draws too much water to ascend
to the head Of the Pass, and is likely
| to be still at the mouths, waiting for the iron
| steamer to come out. Hollins, however
deemed it prudent to return to New Orleans in
stead of taking that course Nor does it ap-
pear that even the capture Of the fort is part
Of his complete success Such a Wanting
upon the insufficient means in the hands Of the
rebel commander is Of piece with the gas
conade of defending Mobile against he Yam
KEGS by two boats thirty feet long.
This attack on the squadron in the Mississippi,
together with the recent attack on the Indiana
regiment in Pamlico Sound, are the last despe-
rate efforts Of the rebel leaders. They know
that powerful expeditions are coming to cap
ture their ports, and they anticipate the blow