The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-20
THE RAM AT NEW ORLEANS.
Our Correspondence from the Blockading
Fleet.

Our C0rrespOMdence from the biocLXaulng
Fleet.
UNITED STATES STEAMER WATER WfrcH
Orr SOUTHWEST PASS, MISSISSIPPI RIVER, Oct 20, 1861.
The Late Holins affair at NeO Orleaas-7Ae Great Ram
attack and It's MISUNDERSTANDING Of Captain Pope
ofa Richmosd-DetaaS Of the A6aa'--Appca,ance of
the Ram and Fire Rats, dc.
You are already Of the fact OF the blockade at
Pensacola, which has been maintained months ut
the passes of the Mississippi river Mobile and Texas
On arriving at this station in April last found
Captain Adams, OF the Sabine command. He however,
afterwards relieved by Captain Merwin, of the
Mississippi also since called home not for his activity
or energy while in command. Captain Mexican, of the
Niagara is now chief officer Of the squadron aud he has
certainly exhibited zeal and activity than his prede
cessors Immediately after taking command he ordered the
Richmond, vncennes ANA Preblc up the Mississippi
river to the head Of the passes. These vessels got oil
after serious difficulty and towed TO their destna
ton the Richmond and Vilcennes having got aground.
Their positions head OF the passes such that
they could have destroyed any vessel that would at
tempt to run the gauntlet. Occasionally rebel steam
tug armed with rifle guns, would come down the river,
take survey and then blaze away at us. The Water
Witch occasions would give chase but the rebel
vessels were always too fast for her. Finding that
tho rebel guns superior 10 ours, heavier
cannon was supplied from Pensacola The affair in
these waters, which caused much commotion North
and South on account OF the gasconade OF rebel ol
Inns took place the morning of the 18th Of October
About seven bells (half- past three A. alarm
given from the Prebe that very suspicious something
was floating down tho river towards the Richmond. In
lew minutes tho something struck a coal schooner,
attached TO the Richmond parting them The feet beat
to quarters and the were Immediately at their posts
AS well possible at the time was discovered that
the strange visiter ironpated steamer designed
had missed its AIM for she glided away dischargnga
rocket as she went Immediately following the discharge
Of the rocket several large fire RATS chaned together and
filed with combustibes sent down the river the
direction of the feet Signals this time made by
the Richmond slip cables and the other vessels began
the retreat, firing few random shots they steamed
away. This the most cowardly part OF the
affair, as the Richmond alone could have easily
held the passes destroyed the fire RATS, and sunk
the battering But the Richmond the first to
cut leaving behind her the schooner Froc prize taken
few days BEFORE eager she to make her escape
the affair has since been called by the OF the fleet
the Pope battle after Captain Pope, Of the Rich
uond. In the hurry Of fight the Richmond was run
aground the vncennes getting into the scrape i'm
mediately after. The Prebe saved from like fate
by the GOODNESS and gaanry OF Lieutenant Davis who
pilotod her safely tho bar. The rebel
steamers gave chase and opened fire upon MS
while the bar. which was returned by the
Richmond yincennes and Water Witch. The yjncennes
being in bad position-sern on and the rebel firing too
hot for her-she was abandoned the officers and crew
distributing themselves among the other vessels For
tunately the Richmond grounded Ia such as to
bring her breadsde guns to bear upon the rebels and
thus kept them from capturing destroying tho Vim
>cennes The Water Witch all the time lowered about
Aharassng the enemy with her twelve FOUNDER
rifed howtzer. Had Captain Pope kept his posi-.
Jtion at the head Of the pass and fought
his ship well he forced TO do when further re
trea. was of his power this dlsgracefu affair would
mot have happened. few hours later and tho Richmond
would have been in possession Of forytwo. FOUNDER
ried cannon brought by the steamer Mcclellan from Pen
sacoa We all felt dsgrnced TO be thus compelled TO re-
treat with our strong force from few burning huks
harmless battering ram and few armed steam tugs
Rapid nring was kept up for two hours without the
siehest damage to either side, when the rebels ef,
and proceeded up the Southwest Pass This lat
tor move was in consequence Of tho appearance OF
the Mcclellan the There must have been bad
lookout kept on board the Richmond have allowed tho
bstsrng ram to close before was discovered.
The rebel plan well laid but badly executed never
theless it was the coal barge that sank the Richmond
The whole affair will doubt receive the attention Of
naval court Of inquiry The most eff ctive part of the
lighting was by the little Water Witch Below give
you . sketch Of