Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-29
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

Conversations with the Ulcers Of the gunboat
Connecticut, who arrived here today, have ell
cited additional particulars Of the conditior of
affairs al sew Orleans.
The rebel defences below The city, according 10
trustworthy Information in their possession were
very strong, and conid not fail II well served to
iniet vast injury upon our vessels II not cripple
many of them. Upon the two forts ( j. &C kson and
Philiip,l more than 200 guns were mounted, and
batteries lined the banks Of the Mississippi from
Fort Jackson 10 New Orleans. Besides there
were very formidable obs;ructions In the river.
consisting OF chains, sta kes, and boats loade and
bound with cotton, EO0Ted In the river ON
either side and above these oLstructiOus batteries
were erected, which could rake In a most de-
stakes and boats.
The officers of the Connecticut believe that II
the attack on these defrnces was successful
(Which there is now no reason 10 doubu tue fail
ure to cope with Opr vessels arose from cowardi ice
on tie part OF the rebeis rather than their weak
ness.
PREPARATIONS FOR A LAND ATTACK ON NRw
ORLEANS.
Preparations for a land attack on New Orleans
In conjunction with that OF the feet were made
by Gen. Butler, and the embarkation Of troops
from ship Island, supposed to be for New Or
leans wss In progress for several lays before the
Connecticut sailed IL was understood that the se
troops would be taken through the MississIp pi
6onnd to point above the principal rebel bat
terieG, and cooperate with the fleet when n
should ascend to the designated point At the
latest dates Of the Connecticut no information had
reached Ship island nor the feet as to the opera
lions OF thcee troops.
The correspondent Of the PHILADELPHIA Press
gives the following interesting particulars:
The attack upon the forts will soon he made
The foris, jackson on the left hand side and
Philip on the right have the defense OF the river
committed TO them. The former fort Jacksonl
Is ensemated; the latter Ii sad to be not-are ait
nated twenty-one miles from the head Of the
mi liz fsnx
Orleans, on the bend Of the river; they are each
mounted with ~ large 42-pounders, besides a
variety Of smaller gum; goo to 5000 men are
sald 10 De In ne forts The parade ground, In
the center o. the FORTS has been dug out and filled
with water The guns Of the forts comma nd the
land and sea for three miles These sea-coa,t
forts are furnished with furnaces for heating red
hot shot, weapon equally destructive with our
mortars. These furnaces can easily accommodate
from fifty to sixty shots; a twenty-four FOUNDER
can be made red hot In twenty five minutes and
thirty-two and fortY.two Will require a few
minutes longer. These are dangerous missiles.
particularly against hip-of war; a red hot shot
retains sufficient heat TO set hre to wood infer
having struck the water several times A num-
to enter half way only into ships sides, would
De, may say, almost utter destruction.
For landing troops, there 10 hardly any suitable
place around the passes Of the Mississippi. For
destitute Of trees, excepting coarse reed stems
which grow to the height Of four or five feet. n
was generally supposed that no troops were to be
landed, until to-day, when IL was understood that
General Butler was to be kept In readiness with
twenty thousand troops favorable increase TO
the expedition. Our opponents are determined.
without doubt to throw all the obstacles thew "a
against US. But we are fully prepared for them
The other day a log Of wood came floating down
from the direction Of the FORTS between the Broot
Ign and Hartford. Ii stuck upwards as n n had
something at the end, looking like an internal
machine. Before our boats could get to II 10 as
certain what IL was, the swirl current Of the river
carried 10 ont Of reach.
The plan OF the attack | have not vet learned
although numerous reports are In circulation. one
OF which 10 that the mortar feet 10 to begin the
attack, and after partly silenclng the first fort
Jackson-af given signal the ships OF war are In
advance; the flagship Hartford In the center the
Brooklyn on the right, the Richmond on the left
the Pensacola and Mississippi bringing up the
rear, taking position In the manner Described
The gunboats scatter here and there, makino
Themselves generally useful.
The result viii be- that after the forts have fallen
into our hands and ure left In the rear, other oh
sacles will spring up 10 obstruct the passace NJ
the ships. Englishtown, fifteen miles from The
city, on q very narrow bend of the river VIII
deep water, 90 20 so fathems, strong current. "a
supposed to be well fortified With that capture.
an easy passage 70 New Orleans Is before ps; and
then, and not till then, can we proclaim the vic.
tory. r.
MARCH The ships are all preparing with
vigor for the engagement, improving the guns
placing howitzsu 10 the toPs, and putting JACK,
"