The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-05-17
The Naval Battle on the Lower Mis-
sissippi and Capture of New Orleans


The Naval Battle on the Lower Mis-
sissippi and Capture of New Orleans
The bombardment of Forts jackson
and St. Philip situated beween the
passes of The Mississippi river and New
Orleans was commenced on the 18th OF
April by the mortar and gunboat flee of
Commodore Porter, and continued inccs-
sanity for six days and nights at which
time The squadron for ascending Tie
d" Father of waters" was prepared to
pass the forts. Below we give an
account of the naval battle that cnsued,
as reported by the different Cap tain's Of
he fleet -
REPORT OF CAPT. HARRISON.
At , O'Clock on The morning of the 9th,
the signal to advance was thrown out
from the flagship. The Cuyuga imme-
dia ely weighed anchor and led on the
column. We were discovered at the
Loom, and little beyond DO h forts
opened their fires. When close up with
the St. Philip, we opened with grape
and canister, still steering on. After
passing their line of fire, We encountered
The Montgomery fotilll, consisting of
Is gunboas, including the ram Manassas
and iron battery Louisiana, Of 20 guns.
This was moment OF anxiety, as no
supporting ship was in sight. By
skillful steering, however, we avoided
their attempts to but and board,
and had succeeded in forcing the
surrender of three when the Naruna,
Captain Boggs, and Oneida, Captain
Lee were discovered near at hand At
early dawn discovered rebel camp on
right bank of the river; ordering Lieut..
Commanding N. P. Harrison to anchor
close along, hailed and ordered the
Colonel 10 pile up his arms on the river
bank and come on board. This proved
to be the Chalmette Regiment, comman-
dcd by Colonel |. zeymauski. The
regimental flag, tents, and camp equipage
were captured.
On the morning of the 25tb, still
leading and considerably ahead of the
line, the "Chalmette batteries" situa-
ted three miles below the city, opened a
cross fire On the Cayuga. TO this we
respond ed with our two guns. At the
end Of twenty minutes the flagship ran
gcd up ahead and silenced the encmy's
guns. From this point no other obs!a-
clcs We're encountered except burning
stores, cotton-ships, fre-rafts and the
like.
On the Goth, l went with the Flag
Officer some seven miles above the city,
where we found the dcfenses abandoned,
the guns spiked, gun-carriages burning.
These defenses were erected to pre-
vent the downward passage Of Captain
Foote.
On the 9th, large boom, situated
above the defences, was destroyed by
Captain J. Philips Lee. On the 18th,
General Butler landed above Fort St.
Philip, under the guns of the Mississippi
and kincl This landing of the army
above, together with the passage of the
feet, appears to have put the finishing
touch 10 the Generalization of their
garrison. Both forts surrendered to
Commodore Porter, who was near at
and with the vessels of his fotilla.
After we had passed the for s, it was
a contest between iron hearts in wooden
vessels and iron-clad, with iron beaks,
and the eiron hearts " won.
REPORT OF CAPT. BAILEY.
We were scarcely above the boom
when we were discovered, and Jackson
and St. Philip opened upon us. We
could bring no gun to bear, but stored
directly on. We were struck from stem
to stern. At length we were more close
up with St. Philip, when we opened with
grape and canister. Scarcely were we
above the line of fire when we found
ourselves attacked by the Rebel feet of
gunboats. This was hot but more con-
genial work.
Two large steamers now attempted to