Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-15

This is official.
The Great Naval Bate blow New Orleans.
We do rot know that We give anything more
interesting than authentic reports of the battles in
which our gallant army and navy engaged. We
therefore publish the following statement oil the great
naval battle below New Orleans, which we take FROM
the Macon (Ga) Telegraph of May 5th. 1t was fur
nished to that journal bs gallant young Georgian
Midshipman Leroy b. Washington, G. S. NJ who
was engaged in the battle, AID who gives several par.
ticuars not yet published The statement WILL no
doubt, be read with interest
Our city was much enlivened On Saturday evening
by the arrival The Southwestern train Of our gal
liant young tOwnsman Midshipman Leroy II. Wash.
ingtOn OF the q. S. N, who was engaged in the des
perae conflict between the Federal fleet and forts Cd
the river below New Orleans.
Midshipnan Washington On the Confederate
guoboat Jackson and engaged IN the fight from TIE
beginning until It's disastrous termination He has ia
vofd Us with the following brief statement of facts
which be holds himself responsible for and can main
tain, notwithstanding the counter statements made by
persons connected with the Navy but who were not 10
the fight
The Confederate feet consisted of guDboats iron
clad steamer, and the ram Manassas. Our feet,
portion OF it, had been anchored in the river the
FORTS for some weeks and was there cut OF sight pro-
tected by point Of timbered land during the weeks
Commandment OF the FORTS which resulted ia further loss
on eur side than six men killed in Fort Jackson.
On Thursday morning the Oath of April, at 81
!
ed on guDboats aud both The forts, jackson ard
st. Philip The fire was vigorously returned by our
sdP and in a very short tine became perfectly furious
the enemys vessels passed the orts-the first 10
the advance having night signal flying, which pro-
ected her from the fire of our boats until she raj up
close and opened the fire besef The battle ragged with
great fury until about o'clock, when it sackeaed off,
ard the Jackson finding herself aOIe and badly Grip
pied, steamed off up the river pursued by the enemy
boats, receiving and returning fire as she went. At
about o'clock, the pursuit ceased and the JGCk.OA
4eded TO New Orleans, where she burnt by
her commander, in consequence OF her being mucn
disabled that she could not proceed further up the
The persons known to have escaped the officers
and men OF the Jackson. What became OF the other
vessels was not certainly known, but it was believed
that they all captured sunk, there moth
ing visible in the river when the Jackson left except he
enemys vessels mostly anchored above the forts, anG
seven wrecks probably Of our gunboats) burning.
The Confederate steamers, General Qaitman and Gov
ernor Moore, fought galanty, aud die great damage tC
the advance vessels of the enemy by running into them
They both burnt hut is not known whether by
their commanders to prevent Federas from captur
ing them, or oy the enemy's she'll.
The Confederate force consisted of about 700 men il
the forts, about GOO the gunboats and the Chalnet
Regiment, which stationed On the river about ou
miles above the forts This vas regiT ent compose
mostly Of foreigners, and it is believed to have beer
nearly annihated, the Federal gunboats pourd
rifle fire upon Them.
Richmond which states that the Louisiana IN
manageable and of but little service in the fight. II
does not know whether she captured Or destroyed
At the time the jackson lett it believed that a
the guns OF the orts slIeLc,d and their flags size
away.
He states that the conduct of all parties in the fgt
was heroic in the ex reme-that there was no nchia
from fire water-that threw bot upon then
and they threw shells Of liquid fire upon us-that,
intent were our men on the fight that they Wen
down firing upon the enemy
He states that during thursday night and Frda
morning the authorities at New Orleans bus " e.
gagged in destroying cotton, sugar aud moasses. II
thinks the quantity OF cotton burned s- exaggerated b
the mag tel graph. STILL it i destroyed e.
cept ire derable number Of ball. stored about
private places He besows the highest pra Sc Gel
j. Lowell, and says his evacuation OF New Orleans Was
l. necessity dictated alike by military reasons and human
o ty. he statement made by Captain Farragut, tbj
e women and children fred on by our people wbe
tie Federal boats approached the city, entirely grOun
# less that three foreigners SiciliaBs) in COfederQ
uno1 did run upon the evee and shout for Lincoln
e when they immediately killed by the popuIace.
He givs the following list Of cur vessels engaged
the fight
The Manassas, ram, Capt. Marley.
The Louisiana, iron plated steamer, Capt. McIntos
u The McRae, gunb0a Capt Huger-
/ The jackson, gunbOat, Capt. Renshaw.
B The Defiance, gunboat, Oficec not known.
ST The resQiute, gunbcat, Capt. Stephenson.
~ L
= The Gen. Beauregard gunboat, officer not known.
lie The Gen. Qutman gunb0at, Capt Kennon, and io'
other gunboats recently prepared, whose name be Go
not know Besides these there were transports preser
viz The Star, the Phoenix, the Music the MOsier
Agerine, and several tugs making n all, he thinks
least twenty OF vessels that we're present at the
ard which Capt. Renshaw, of the jackson, believed
have been all lost.
rs DEFEND THE MIs8IssIPPI.--ife Memphis Appe
u says:
1t is now foregone conclusion that, sooner or lat
'e our noble Mississippi will be under the control Of
Il vandas from its source to the delta Federal gunbOa
and transports will ply between Memphis and NJ
1g Orleans and the hated stars and sripes will vaur
ingy before the eyes Of men who have sworn nev
~ again to live beneath its folds. Under these circu
ar stances, the question naturally coms home to eve
~ heart, " What are we to o?' We say unhesitating
d. defend the Mississippi Make every tree stump dttc
as and covert, lair for long rifles and sharpshooers
Line the banks, gather upon the bends and cluster
0l the tree tops. Pick of the pilots. Sight every livi
"a object on board gunboats and transports. Make
river gauntlet of fire and path of terror
lis Move from point to point Individuals or in squa
re- be unceasing in your vigilance carry your pro
sions and let every day, every hour, every mile, be
ire witness OF the invncbe determination OF the SOuihe
ally people rest while bloody work RENAL
to be done. Iron-clad g0Db0atS may SYST your et0r
but wooden Transports filed with men, are Ia yC
e- power. 1t there board but the crew,
brave hearts may capture some OF ths3, and approI
ate their rich supplies. GU moy infict an incacula
amount of damage by thus establishing an efsct'
os blockade of the river. The designs which the ene
cd have entertained in securing is possession will be r
- trated and the recent achievements at New Orleans
VI made as much blessing to it may prove Gu
to them
Tn Regular line from harlestOn 10 Nassau, n.
The Philadelphia Inquirer has the following uadar
On above caption:
a The last news from Nassau n. p is of much Interest
The most is that describing the extent and manner
which rebels manage to deal with the outside world
is Much of through that port of Nassau betw
he uhin nd