Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-05-17

wounding one Of their own men in Fort st.
Philip, and Immediately disappeared under
water. Had she blown up near the vessels,
she would have destroyed the whole Of
them.
When had finished taking possession of
the forts, | got under way in the Harriet
LNRe, and started for the steamers, one of
which was still flying the Confederate flag.
fired shot over her, and they surrendered.
There were on board of them number of
naval officers and two companies Of marine
artillery. made them surrender uncond-
tionally, and for their infamous conduct in
trying to blow US up, while under flag of
truce, conveyed them to close confinement
as prisoners of war, and think they should
be sent to the North, and kept in close con-
finement there until the war ia over, or they
should be tried for their infamous conduct.
| have great deal to do here and will send
you all the papers when am able to arrange
them.
turned over the forts to General Phelps.
Fort Jackson is a ruin. / am told that over
eighteen hundred shells fell in and burst
over the course of the fort. The practice
was beautiful. The next work we go at we
will settle sooner, as this has been hard to
get at. The naval officers sunk one gun
boat while the capituation was going on,
but have one of the other steamers at work,
and hope soon to have the other. find
that we arc to be the hewers of wood and
drawers of water; but as the soldiers have
nothing here in the shape Of motive power,
we will do all we can. I should have de-
manded an unconditional surrender, but
with such force in your rear it was dcsira-
bic to get possession of these forts as soon
as possible.
Tbn DA =
good order, except the walls and buildings,
which arc terribly shattered by the mortars.
Very respectfully,
D. d. PORTER, Commanding.
To Flag Officer d. G.. Farragut.
U. S. STEAMER HARRIET LANE,
Mississippi River, April 90, 1862.
SIR: enclose herewith their capitulation
of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which
surrendered to the mortar flotilla on the
2Sth day of April, 1862. also enclose in
box forwarded on this occasion, all the
flags taken in the two forts, with the origi-
nal flag hoisted on Fort st. Philip when the
State of Louisiana seeded.
Fort jackson is a perfect wreck. Every
thing in the shape of a building in and
about was burned up by the mortar shells,
and over eighteen hundred shells fell in the
work. 1t is proper to say nothing of those
which burst over and around. l devoted
but little attention to Fort st. Philip, know.
ing that when Fort Jackson fell, Fort st.
Philip would follow.
The mortar fotilla is still fresh.
Truly, the backbone of the rebellion is
broken.
On the 26th Of the month l sent six of tho
mortar -schooncrs to the back of Fort Jack
son to block up the bayous and prevent
supplies getting in.
H'--~~ 50 = a-:r..a over to Fort Liv-
ingston, and when they ancLcred the fort
hung out white flag and surrendered. The
Rittutt"y which had been blocladinp thene
for some time, sent boat in advance of tI,o
mortar vessels, and reaching The shore srst
deprived them Of the pleasure of hoist;ng
our flag on what had been Surrendered 20
the mortar iotila. Still, the fort is our,
and we are satisfied. ! am happy - sta,s
that the officers and crew arc all well, ii
full Of spirits.
have the honor 10 remain
Your obcdicnt servant,
DAVID d. PORTER.
To Hon. Gideon Welles.