Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-09
NEW ORLEANS.

The destruction vi the forts below New Or
leans bids fair to prove the most brilliant
achievement that ever occurred in American
waters. Every means of defence which ,inge-
nuity could devise or confederate bonds pro
cure had been exhausted, to prevent the city !
OF New Oreans-the key to the Mississippi |
yalley-from falling again into the power OF |
the government from which it was perfdious- |
Nv wrested Fort JackSon.itself was power |
full casemated fortitcation, with two fronts
facing the river, bearing one hundred guns;
and fort ST. Philip, with its batteries, on the
other side OF the channel, brought seventy
five guns to bear upon our fleet. Below the
forts the rebels had stretched heavy chains
upon hunks OF vessels stolen before the rebel
lion, which were protected from approaches
by spars trailing down the river. Fire ships
were added to their arsenal of defence, filed
with infammable materials which they sent
down the current upon our fleet In addition to
these, with their Grams" batteries, and gun-
boats with iron clad prows, they expected to
hold their position against the world. But by
slight error in their calculations these forts
were reduced, their chain cables cut, their
fire ships were exiting uished, their rams"
sent down among the fishes, their gunboats
captured and added to The Union fleet which
sailed triumphantly up the river to New Or
leans, to witness the return of that Grant
city to its loyalty. None of the defences
which the rebels vainly thought would
render their position improbable availed
against the pluck and audacty of the
Yankee fleet who fought with equnl
prudence aud desperation for six days
and nights, when they were rewarded with
victory. Ii Alexander Farnese had had such
men at the seige OF Antwerp, he would
have grappled with the "hell burners" of Gil
anabelli, and saved the thousand or mole of
his soldiers who were buried beneath the
bloody waves OF the Scheldt as penalty for
being behind time. In view of the magni-
tude and character of these defenses Of New
Orleans, it is easy 10 understand the frenzy OF
disappointment nth which secessiUnsts every
where witnessed its fall. The great CONNER.
cial centre OF the south west, the representa-
tive of the wealth, the character, and the Pc
litical prestige of all the southwestern states
it had for many weeks received attention
equal to Its importance 10 the rebel cause, and
the whole contederacy had begun to rest in
confident expectation of its power TO resist
attack. The result attests-not tine weakness
Of their devices, not their want OF endurance or
courage, for they fought with energy which
nothing but desperation could inspire-but the
inyincible spirit which now animates and COLI
trolls the American navy, which regards no
obstacles with distrust and no danger with
fear, when fighting in defence of the old flag.
In this gallant and unequal engagement
wooden ships against wood, iron, aud fre-the
navy has won new hUnoIs, which the world
will not fail TO respect. The country, too,
owes debt of gratitude 10 Tile brave officers
and men who, during that weeks storm of
shot and shell from forts on land, aud boats
a. powerful as their own, stood bravely 10
their guns, and thus achieved tie most m-
portant advantage yet gained over the enc
mics of the country.