Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-30


Butler for this especial business, and it is
well done too, considering the meagre amount
Of material to do with. There is one thing
| ought to mention, and it is this have not
seen a man intoxicated since we came here
and this tells well for the good order Of the
troops Of this Division. T. p. K
tV The following letter from paymaster
X. j. Richardson contains some incidents that
VIC have not seen in print in relation to the
surrender of Forts Jackson and ST.. Phillip
and the city of New Orleans:
U. S. STEAMER, HARRIET LANE.
Pilot Town, Miss. river, May q 1862
Since wrote my last letter, both of the
rebel fctts have surrendered to Capt. Porter
also three rebel steamers. The Stars and
Stripes once more fly over Forts Jackson and
ST. Phillips, also over the city Of New Or
leans and the steamers on the river. All Of
the works in the vicinity of New Orleans are
in our hands. Gen. Butler took possession
Of the city yesterday with about 5000 troops
The General in command of the rebel troops
left the city on the approach of our steamers,
therefore everything fell into the hands Of
our ships. At the forts we captured Gen.
Duncan and 1t. Col. Higgins Col. Higgins
was formerly in our Navy, and at one time had
command of the mail steamer Vanderbilt to
Aspnwall. We also captured Capt Mitch
ell, one of their naval officers, and Capt. Me-
Intosh Of their navy both of these officers
were formerly Of our navy. Capt Mcintosh
lost one arm and one leg, and his other arm
is severely injured, and it is expected that he
will not recover. He was on the top of the
floating battery Tor RAM Louisiana, muster
ing his regiment when our ship poured a
broadside into it, Capt Mitchell was in
command Of the Confederate navy at this
point. He surrendered his sword to our
Capt. Wainwright, who was at one time with
him as lst Lieutenant. lie did not feel very
pleasant
We are now at Pilot Town, a small place
inside the river, about two miles from the
sea. We came down from the city last night.
We have commenced coaling the ship, and
shall take in provisions tomorrow, and then
take our spars and boats aboard A war
ship most always sends the boats and top
masts on shore before entering sharp fight J
We shall start for Ship Island, probably, day
after tomorrow, Sunday; shall stop one or
two days and then away to Mobile. At Mo-
bile we have got two Forts and some batter
les to attend to. Probably before this reaches
you we shall be hard at work on Fort Nor
gan and the small fort at the entrance Of the
harbor. No doubt it will be sharp battle,
but it cannot last always. l suppose that we
shall be North in three or four months, as
Capt. Porter expects to finish all of his huie
jobs down here before that time. ] can't see
how this war can continue much longer;-a
though one Of the Confederate Lieutcuauts Of
artillery told me that it would not be finished
for two or three years. | told him that we
could whip the whole world in less time than
that, and be all settled down again in our
regular business.
The night before the surrender, some three
or four hundred of the Confederate, (regular)
soldiers mutinied and left the forts for the
swamps. A day or two ago, since our troops
have had possession, they all came back,
marched into the fort and took the oath of al
legiance. After the Colonel had administer
ed the oath he took off his cap and said "now
boys, three cheers for the Union r. They all
cheered heartily, and at once volunteered to
work for Uncle SAM in preference to going to
New Orleans. They are now hard at work
on our side, and are happy as clans. A great
many of them were impressed. Yesterday,
while one Of our boats was coming down the
man swimming in the river. He proved to
be one of Gen. Buffers spies who had been
sent to New Orleans for information, and WAS
captured by the rebels and imprisoned. He
escaped by swimming off to our ship. The
banks of the river near the city are crowded
with people watching our steamers and ships.
] must relate little incident that occurred
during the fight. On board the sloop-of- war
Richmond they have pet pig, Before the ac-
ton MIR. Pig was put in the hold that he
might not get hurt. During the fight on the
night the steamers passed the forts, while the
Richmond was pouring her broadsides into
the enemy, one of our steamers came up to
the r., and as she passed by, her Captain
sung out,-"How's your little pig :" You
can imagine the effect OF such an enquiry at
that time. 1t was perfectly ridiculous that
all laughed. As we passed the Richmond
day before yesterday she manned her yards
and gave three cheers for Capt. Porter Our
Captain manned his yards and gave three
cheers for Capt. Alden, If the r. Captain
Porter was standing on our BRIDGE The X.
then gave three cheers Tor the Harriet Lane.
Our Captain then said "One cheer for the iiuie
pig, and three for the crew of the Richmond