The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-06

the Saxon. No lives were lost, but all oul
guns and equipments were. Some lost ever,
thing but what they stood in. The creates
loss We had, in regard to our own comfort
was our blankets. We have had to lie OF
the soft side of plank ever since. For m!
part, I am pretty tough now. and can stand
almoct any thing in the shape of hard
ships.
We arrived at the South West Pass abou
/ IL at night. The next morning we wer'
put on board the steamer Lewis, and towct
to the head Of the passes. There we repaired
damages and wooded up. For three or foul
days wo were employed down at the bar in
transporting troops from the Great Republic
to tighten her. in order that she might &c
over the bar with the other transports. On
the oath we had report that Fort jackson
was pretty we'll used up, and that Is of our
heaviest ships and gunboats had succeeded in
passing the forts and forcing their way to
the city. A little later It was confirmed
Immediately on the reception Of this good
news our steamer, with number Of other
transports, were ordered by Gen. Bntler out
of the river and around to the east Of the
forts. You will see by looking on the map
that the forts are situated about half way
from the mouth of the river to New Orleans.
You will also sec that the land is very mar.
row between the fort and the eastern shore
of the Gulf. Here we were to disembark our
troops and take the forts by storm, but the
enemy pcrceiving our intention, and know
ing that the city was already in our hands,
and also that oil their communications
were cut of, very wisely concluded to sur.
render, before we had landed one-quarter Of
our forces. Consequently. the rest of our
army passed up by the forts unmolcstcd. I
was left on shore just above the forts with
the troops that were landed. We stopped
two days here, and were quartcred at the old
U. s. quarantine buildings.
In the meantime. there were 300 prisoners
were brought up to camp. They were a
motlcy-looking get, dressed in every variety
of clothing; truly the conicderates must BIO
hard up. Some of them were dressed in cit
liens clothes others had clothing made up
of plaid shawls, and again Others had gar
ments made Of the very coarscs, material,
similar to my salt bags at home. was
some surprised to find among them men who
belonged to Maine, New York, Ohio and
other free States; they all told one story
that they were caught here at the time OF tha
rebellion, and were forced to fight or lose
their lives. They said, ono and all, that 1t
was as much as mans life was worth to
speak one word in favor Of the Union. Since
have been here in New Orleans II has been
confirmed over and over again.
But to return to the bombardment. II
was tho most terrific that ever was known.
It could DO heard plainly at Ship Island, a
distance OF GO miles. At that distance II
fairly made the island trcmble. From where
we were there was one continual roar of ar
tillery. 1t was an exciting time, assure
you. How itched to be there with them
but Uncle Sam is very careful of me-hc
won't let me 60 near the flying bullets.
On the passage up the river our gunboat'
either sunk or took the whole rebel feet
with the exception Of few that they de-
stroyed themselves on the approach to the
city. They burnt cotton, tobacco, and do
stroyed every thing that they had time to-
On our passage up river the negroes seemed
ovcrjoycd to SEQ us. They would welcome
us by waving their hats and handkerchiefs,
and whenever they were far enough from
their masters plantations they would hurrah
for Lincoln or the Yankees, as every body
calls us out here. The poor whites, too,
would often welcome us as we passed up the
river, but whenever we passed large plan
tation, with palace for dwelling-housc,
we were pretty sure not to see any one. or If
we did they would scarcely give us look.
Perhaps they did not like the looks Of Ger.
tain bulldogs that looked at them from our
decks as we passed. On our arrival at the
city the effects Of secession were very appar.
ent along the whole line Of wharves, dis
lance of about FIVE miles. There were but
two vessels to be seen on the New Orleans
side of the river. and one of them was burnt.
The last time I was here at these same
wharycs there were more THAI 800 sail, and
as many more steamboats,, but suppose that
many Of the steamboats, must be up river.
though the people say that they are nearly
all burnt to prevent them from falling into
our hands. Oursteamcrs have been up river
as far as Baton Rouge, and that city is to be
occupied by our troops in q day or two.
The population here is remarkably quiet
and docile. 1t is well for them that they
are so. Two of them have been killed on
the spot for being riotous, and using abusive
language. Our troops will not stand il. ]
think 1t has learned them good lesson
Our regiment has not arrived here yet; they
are expected soon. GEoRGE.