The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-05-28

with me some thirty boats. into whiCh the
troops were again transhpped, and conveyed
by most fatiguing and ilaborious row, SOM
four and a hall miles further, there being
within one mile OF the steamer only two anC
a half feet Of water.
A large portion OF this passage was sgains
heavy current through bayou. At the
entrance OF Mameers canal; q mile and q
half from the point Of landing, rowing became
impossible, as we'll from the nsrrowness o.
the canal, as the strength Of the current
which ran like mill race. Through this
the boats could only be impelled by dragging
them sngly, with the men up to their waists
in the water. 1t is due to this fine regiment
and to portion of the Fourth Wisconsin
Volunteers, and Twenty first Indiana, who
landed under this hardship without mur-
mur, that their labors should be made known
to the Department, as well as to account for
the sl1wness Of our operations.
The enemy evidently considered this mode
Of attack impossible, as they had no meas,
ures to oppose It, which might very easily
have been successfully done.
We occupied at once both sides OF the riv.
er, thus gradually cutting them off from all
supplies; information, or succor, while we
made our disposition for the assault.
Meantime, Capt. Porter had sent into the
bayou, in the rear of Fort Jackson, two
scbooners OF his mortar feet, to prevent the
escape Of the enemy from the fort in that di
rection:
In the hurry and darkness of the passage
of the forts, the flag officer had overlooked
three OF the enemy's gunboats and the iron
clad battery Louisiana, which were at an
chor under the walls OF the forts: Supposing
that all the rebel gunbOats had been de.
stroyed, (and dozen or more of them had
been,) he passed on to the city, leaving those
in his rear. The iron steam battery being
very formidable, Capt. Porter deemed it
prudent to withdraw his mortar feet some
miles below, where he could have room to
moneuver it if attacked by the IRON monstor,
and the bombardment ceased.
bad got Brigadier General Phelps in the
river below, with two regiments to make
demonstrations in that direction, if it became
possible.
On the night ofthe 9th. learning that the
feet had got the city under its guns, left
landing Of the troops, and went up the river
to the flag ship to procure hight drught tran.
sportatirn. That night the larger portion
(about two hundred and fifty) Of the garrison
at Fort Jackson, mentioned, spiked the guns
bearing up the river, came up aud surrender
ed themselves to my pickets, declaring that,
as we had got in their rear, resistance was
useless, and they would not be sacrificed No
bomb had been thrown at them Tor three
days, nor had they fired shot at US from
either fort. They averred that they had been
impressed, and would fight no longer
On the 28th, the officers of Forts Jackson
and st. Phillip surrendered to Capt. Porter,
he having means OF water transportation to
them. While he was negotiating, however
with the officers Of the forts under white
flag, the rebel naval officer put Q II their mu-
nitions Of war on the Louisiana, set her on
fire and adrift upon the Harriet Lane, but
when opposite Fort st. Phillip she blew up,
killing one OF their own men by the frag-
ments which fell into that fort
have taken possession Of the forts, snd
find them substantially as defensibe as be.
fore the bombardment St. Phillip precisely
so being quite uninjured They are fully
provisioned, well supplied with ammunition,
and the ravages OF the shells have been de-
fensitly prepared by the labors OF the rebels.
will cause Lieut.. Wetziel, OF the engineers
to make detailed report OF their condition
to the department.
have left the 26th Regiment Massachu-
setts Volunteers in garrison, and am now go
ing up the river to occupy the city with my
troops, and make further demonstration in
the rear of the enemy now at Corinth.
The rebels have abandoned all their defen- |
sive works in and around New Orleans, in
cluding Forts Pike and Wood, on Lake Pom
tchartrain, and Fort Livingston, from Barra
taria Bay. They have retired in the direc
tion Of Corinth, beyond Manchac Pass, and |
abandoned everything up the river as far as
Donaldssnville, some 70 miles beyond New |
Orleans. I
propose to so far depart from the letter
Of my instructions as to endeavcr to persuade
the flag officer to pass up the river as far rs
the mouth fthe Red river, ifpossible, so as
to cut off their supplies, and make there
landing and demonstration in their rear, as
a diversion in favor o Gen. Buell., If decis.
i've battle is not fought before such move
ment is possible.
Mobile is ours whenever we choose, and
we can better wait
find the city under the dominion Of the
mob. They have insulted our flag, torn it
down with indignity. This outrage will be
punished IN such manner as, in my judg
ment, will caution both the perpetrators and
abetters ofthe act. So they shall fear the
stripes il they do not reverence the stars Of
our banner.
| send marked a,marked OF a New Orleans
paper containing an applauding account Of
the outrage.
Trusting my action may meet the appro-
baton Of the Department,
| am most respectfully,
Your obedent servant,
BENJAMIN +. BUTLER,
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