The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-09
The Battle With the Forts below New Or.
leans

Below we give copious extracts from the spe-
cial correspondence of the New York Tunes
giving graphic description Of the brilliant and
successful approach Of the fleet under Flag
officer Farragut up the Mississippi river to New
Orleans. 1t occupies large portion of our
space, but we are satisfied that our readers will
not wish it shorter
Yesterday morning the mortar fleet was all
ordered up the river, stiff southeast wind af-
tording the sailing vessels an opportunity 10
come up without the aid Of towboats, and the
entire squadron Is now OF anchor, excepting
three of the mortar schooners, on the west shore
the advanced vessels probably mile distant
from the sharp bend in the river, directly above
Which the enemy has stretched chain barrier
supported upon hulks. The vessels are arrang .
ed in parallel lines. On the outside are the frlg
ates and gunboats, and inside, literally moored
to the stumps and margin of the stream, are
the rnurtar schoonois.
AS the b)mDardment 10 20 be nade from n
point not more than half mile above our pres
ent position, will attempt to describe the nat
ural features OF the place. The river here is
about Its average width OF five eights of mile,
ana the Veioclty OF the current is from three to
hve miles an hour. Commencin aear the forts
and extending eight miles below them. on the
west or lett bank Of the river AS we ascend, in
dense strip OF forest about fifty yards wide,
excepting for space Of about a quarter of a
mile ~ length here TIE river bends in i,s
course, at which the enemy mas cleared aWay
the trees for the purpose oi getting better
range upon our vessels. Beyond this belt of
WOODS the land disappears in an impenetrable
swamp. On the right hand or eastern bank
there are no trees, but d dead level of marsh.
probably hall mile wide and there Is sufi-
cient water on either shore for vessels of the
largest draft From the masthead of all the
vessels the forts may be seen plainly, away
across the marshes, over the tops of the wilows
maDgroves and trees of larger growth.
The rnortar-schooners at best afford n small
target for the enemy to fire at, but the chances
OF striking them still decreased by the screen
OF woods, which hides the hulls COM Ietely from
the iorts. Still further to conceal them from
observation, their masts have been dressed with
eVergreons. All yesterday afternoon, the sail
OFFS were busy in the tangled chapparal, cutting
the branches and limbs Of the trees for this pur.
pose 1t was great fun for the tars, who felt no
rear, IN the glow OF their excitement, ut disturb
ing the rattlesnakes and alligators which infest
the morass. Imagine The pleasantly peculiar
appearance vi the schooners in their leafy dresses
Eighteen OF taem converted into shady bowers
a tree dashed to each masthead INTERVIEWING it's
branches and boughs beneath, laced to the rip
gng on either side, .jutting refreshing shade.
Ihey look prepared for a festival instead of for
war. 1t is May-day, Palm Sunday aud Christ
mas time exaggerated Burnam woods come to
Dunsinano g." a forest Of masts,' with the
adjuncts of branches and leaves.
Three OF the mortar schoOners are stationed
on the east bank of the river in IL position
where ihey can bestoperate upon Fort St. Philip.
These have been distinguished differently. A
covering OF foliage would only render them the
more conspicuous as targets. But Yankee in
3enulty has been exercised, and the reeds and
caneorakes have been compelled to render their
assistance The hulS of these vessels are covered
with shaggy wall Of aquatic growth, and are
thus made to assinlare in color TO the vegetation
OF the marsh. una, zine that he rebels will
be puzzled, if thcatnosphere should be hazv. to |
decide whether the vessels e on the hither or |
further side of the small strip of land which |
separates the waters Of the Mississippi, from
those of Back Bay
Early III the morning large 1atboat, filed |
with cJrds OF pine wood was set on fire and sent
down the river with the current. AS it came
dangerously near one or two of the advanced
vessels OF the fleet, cables were slipped and
there Was season Of general excitement Not
knowing the character Of the blazing pile, and
suPpos'ng that 1t might contain tOrredoes or
other internal contrlvances, Capt. Smith, of tho
Mississippi, put some rAed shot in it. A stray