Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-13
4flistellollp.
The Battle With the Forts below New Or.
leans

The Battle With the Forts below New Or.
leans,
Below ". give c0pIous extracts from the spe-
cial correspondence 81 the New York Times,
giving graphic description Of the brilliant and
successful approach ol the fleet under Flag
Officer tluagut up the Mississippi river to New
Orleans. lt occupies large portion Of our
space, bnt w9 are satisfied that cur readers viii
not wish it shorter
Yesterday morning the mortar aeet was a
ordered up the river, stiff southeast wind al
ioT5ng the sailing vessels an opportunity 90
come up without the ald OF towboats, ANA the
entire squadron Is now at anchor excepting
three 0t The mortar schoouers, on the west shore,
the advanced vessels probably a mile distant
from the sharp bend IN the river, directly above
which the enemy has stretched a chain barrier.
supported upon huks. fhe vessels are arrang-
cd III parallel lines. On tn outside are the irle.
atca and guuboats, and inside literally moored
70 the stumps and margin OF the stream, are
the mor'ar schuoncrs
As the hombardment is to be made from a
rolnt not more than hall mile above our pres
ent position, will attempt TO describe the nat
ural features %. the place. The river here Is
about lie average width OF hye-eights OF u mile,
and the Velocity o. the current is from three to
hye miles AN hour Commcncin- near the forts
and extending eight miles below them, Oh the
west or left bank OF the river as We ascend, IN
dense strip OF forest, about fifty yards wide,
excepting for a SPACE Of about quarter Of u
mile in length where the river bends i'll ils
course, at which the enemy mas cleared away
the trees Tor the purpose ui getting a better
range upon our vessels. Beyond this belt OF
woods the land disappears IN an mpenetrable
swamp. On the right hand or eastern bank
there are no trees, but dead level OF marsh
probably hall mile wide, aud there is suh-
cient water on either shore Tor vessels OF the
largest draft From the masthead of all the
vessels the forts may he seen plainly away
across the marshes, over the tops OF the willows,
maugruycs and trees OF larger growth.
he murtar-schulnerS at best afford u small
target tor the enemy TO fire at, but the chances
" striking them are still decreased BY the screen
ot woods, winch hides the hulls completely from
the iorts sui further to conceal them from
observation. taer masts have been dressed with
evergrgcns Ai yesterday afternoon, the SAIL
urs were busy IA the tangled chapparal, eating
tue lrauche, and luubs OF the trees for this pur-
pose. twas great fan for the tgrs, who ie no
tuar, IN the glow OF their excitement, at disturb
my tie ralticsnakes aui alhgatOrs winch inlest
the moyasS. Imagine the pleasantly peculiar
appearance ol the schoOners Ia ther leaty dresses
Eighteen OF tueu converted into shady bowers
i ,Iee ashed to each masthead. intertwining It
branches and bougbs beneath, laced to the rig
gag on either size, juttlng u refreshing shade
I ey look prepared Tor a festival instead OF ion
VA. 1t is May-iey Palm Sunday and Christ
mas time exaggerated Burnam woods come Il
Du1snano . - forest of masts," with tht
ntiuncts of branches and leaves.
Three of the mortar schouners are stationed
on the east bank of the river in posiuoI
where they can bestolerate upon Fort ST Philip
These have been distinguished differently, !
covering Of foliage would only render them th
more conspicuous as targets. But Yankee in
renuity has beeu'exefesed, and the reeds an,
cauebrakes have been compelled to render thei
assistance The hulls OF these vessels are cOyeTe
with shaggy wall OF uquatic growth and ar
thus made 20 assimlate IN color 70 the vegetation
OF the marsh imagine that the rebels vii
be puzzled, if theatmosphere should be hozy, t
decide whether tbe vessels lie on the hither Q
further side OF the small strip Of land whie
separates the waters Of the Mississippi, lrol
those Of Back Bay,
Early in the morning large fatboat, file
with cords of pine wood was set on lire and sen
down the river with the current As 1t cam