Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-05-22
FLAG SHIP HARTFoRD,
Friday. April 25. 1862.
SHIPS AND COTTON on FIRE

AT few minutes past midnight the cry
of fire raft startled MS, and looking
up the river three large lights were seen.
and to avoid any danger we got under
way and cruised about the river for an
hour or so, till we found that the lights
bscsme stationary. BY the time we had
dropped asleep the order came to up an
ehor. but it was not until halt past 5 o.
clock that we were all under way. As
we steamed along we found that our fire
RATS were FIVE large ships with full cargoes
of cotton. and they were nearly consumed.
The river was dotted here and there with
ship carpenters stages. and we were OF the
opinion that they had been used in the
construction of the great ram which was
to carry twenty guns. She was launched
on Saturday last. We received the same
greeting from the negroes as we did yes
te:aay. One well dressed darkey. with a
carpet bag in his hand. shouted from the
bank. "Hurrah. hurrah for Abraham. -
1t caused great laughter. / assure you.
As we drew near the city we saw the
smoke of steamers going up the river.
THE BATTERIES NEAR NEW oRLEANs--THEY
OPEN FIRE.
At quarter of eleven we discovered
two works, known as the Chalmette Bat
terics, one on each side of the river. One,
l should Judge, contained ten and the 9TH
er eight guns. The signal was immedi-
ately given to prepare for battle. No flag
,cas flying on either scork, nor did the,
hoist one at any time At eleven O'Clock
both batteries opened fire on the Cayuga
Owing to the very swift current. we were
unable to go ahead very fast, and it was
five minutes after they opened fire before
we could fire bow gun. The enemy
cracked away at us. and the shot flew a.
round us very rapidly. most of their shots
raking along our deck, and striking on o.
near the poop. For twenty minutes W.
stood the fire without being able to return
broadside. In the mean time the othe
vessels were working with their bow guns
on both works. sa -ea elst
oED AND DESTROYED =.
AT the end Of the twenty minutes w
were within fifty yards of the battery o
ten guns, one being q mortar. Then w
let drive broadside. It's effect was ter
rible, aud nearly sileaced the work. An
other broadside of grape. 6ve second shell
and sprinkling of shrapnel, finished
that work: but as the rebels did not hois
white flag. as they should do. we gave
them another touch up. three cheers, ant
then left them to run as fast as they chose
The other battery vas soon silenced, this
ship throwing in broadside to aid in th'
good work. The enemy fired at US with
infantry, and an artillery company was
coming to their support. when they fount
it was of no use. | think the enemy los
quite number Of people in the engage
ment. We lost one man; Thomas. Cap
tain of the Forecastle and of rifled Par
rott. 1t is supposed he was blown over
board by the wind of passing ball. ans
reached the shore in safety. heard
of one man being blown overheard from
the Brooklyn. Your correspondent wa
hit by a splinter, but not seriously injured
From the time the batteries fired on MS til
we had taken them. and was on our way
again to the city. it was less than an hour
DEsTRucrioS OF THE sHlrPrxo Dr TIL
} e4s ~ REBELS, s.f4
The river was filled with ships on fire
; and al along the levee were burning YES
} sels--no less thsn eighteen vessels beinJ
on fire atone time, andthe enemy were 6r
ing others a fast as they could apply tn,
torch. Such vandalism never was heart
of. The atmosphers WAS thick with smok
and the air hot with flames, 1t was
grand but sad sight. Hrndreds Of Hous.
ands of doIlavs vorfh of property soos 6ein!
ssaaionly destroyed. At the leves. just bJ
the Custom House, lay . burning ram
4 (the Anglo Normaa-) The unfinishet
fTspes Of tyos or three more were on th'
stocks - Alg;ers. A terrible rsin squal