Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-04-18

lOIALSu IL vas -dt6ly greatly increased On the
other hand, we do know that New Orleans has
constructed ON all vulnerable points works ol
defense, the importance of which was alluded ia
by northern periodicals."
FORT JACKsON's FIRST FIGHT.
From the New Orleans Picayune April Isl
For the first time since it was built, Fort Jack.
son, one OF the strong defenses Of the Mssis,
sippi river, below the city, was, on Sunday last
under fire.
Awaiting ourselves Of a courteous invitation
we accompanied pleasant parry to the forts
leaving the city in a steamer, On Saturday night
and arriving after some detention by a fog ON
the river, in the forenoon Of the next dav Just
as our boat touched the landing, we heard the
drum beat "the long roll," while a 5ugler stand
ing on one of the bastOns sounded the call to
quarters. At this summons, many Of the sol
diers who had been engaged outside set of at
double quick, and made their way to the interior
OF the fort, and when entered, we found the
various companies drawn mp in line, or on their
way to the casenates and parapets. Soon ali
were in place beside their guns, ready for the
threatened conflict, while Gen. Duncan and his
assistant officers were seen pacing the paTapet,
spy-glasses in hand, and casting eager glances
tC the point of woods about two miles down the
river, and behind which they could already dis
up
At this moment a red flag was raised over the
Confederate banner, by way of signal to St.
Philip opposite that the enemy was approach
ing, aud Immediately tho blue flag was run up
on the statfs Of both forts.
Meantime, the several gunboats lying off the
forts, formed, in readiness to take part, If need
be, in the contest One of these went down
on a recOnnOiteTing expedition, and having
neared the point of woods that yet hid the boats
of the enemy from our sight, returned, but not
without being hOnOred on her passage with a
compliment Or two from the guns of Commo-
dore Farragut She accomplished her return
without injury, and soon black hull was seen
to emerge beyond the woods, and making her
way toward the left bank Of the river Having
attained what she probably considered an eligi-
bic position for purpose, she came round, and
presented her broadside to the fort, being then
about two miles distant.
few moments of eager expectation, and a
FASH followed by puff of smoke, was seen to
issue from one Of her guns, and then there came
whizzing and hurting through the air, heard by
many in its course, the first shot ever fired al
Fort Jackson. It was a very creditable line
shot-a shell-aud passed critically near the pO
sitiOn of those who were watching its destina
ton. Il passed over the fort and fell between
its walls and the river, smashing small foot
bridge and ma inc a formidable splash in the
mud and water thereaboUts The next was
aimed with about the same degree Of precision
and fell beyond the walls, within a iew feet OF
the outer bastion, facing the river. Some pOr-
tions Of this exploded shell were secured by the
spectators, as relies We have one we should
be pleased to show any curiously inclined friend
Some twelve shells in all were bestowed upon
us from different positions, in the course of the
forenoon, including one fired from behind the
screen the woods afforded, which we took fOl a
mortar shell This described q lofty aerial curve,
aud when in mid air exploded the fuse being
too short to carry it to its destined goal Two
of the shots came in very dangerous proximity
to our pretty steamer. which lay at the landing,
one passing directly over the pilothOuse, and
the other dropping into the water just abatt the
stern. Another passed clear over the river, be-
yond St. Philip, into the prairie, and others were
thrown, but like the rest all without accomplish
ing their hostile intent.
All this of course was done mainly by way
of getting the range, though it is not to be
doubted that every shot was intended to tell
| From st Philip some six OF seven Of the enc
mys vessels Of different classes were plainly &c
| be seen, and from Jackson the mssts of the tiag
| ship of the feet, with the gridiTon Haunting a
| the peak, were visible over the tops OF tht
woods.
There were but three responses made on ou1
side to these repeated compliments of the enc
my But these were all most elegantly turned
After the gunbOat that opened the ball haI
amused herself a while in this way, a 4-inci
/ rihed was brought to bear on her, and thougl
/ not rs effectively as was desired, yet showed
| good practice, and Gatteringly prophetic Of Z
" better next time At all events, the enemy
| ls,v,,a1 20 fks4 and a
he was making his way across to the point o
woods, to seek once more mis- leaiy shelter, h'
was greeted with two more messengers tha
very closely neared, if, indeed, one OF them die
not hit HIM.
Take it altogether, though but a reconnois
sance on the one side, and a ready and promp
reception ON the other it brisk little affair
and greatly Interested the spectators, during the
two hours or 50 it lasted.
But though the enemy did not pay any fur
ther attention to the forts during the day he
was not idle Capt. Mullens company of sharp
shooters were annoyingly about, among thai
/ long reach of woods to which we hSv- referred
as skrting the river below the fort RumOl
reached us, in the course Of the day, that an
epauetted Federal had been picked of by the
rife of one of these bushwhackers, to whom the
officer presented a tempting mark as he stood on
the quarter deck Of one OF tho vessels. anu
this may ba the lessOn way, at intervals for sew
eral hours, there was "a cannOnading kept up by
the enemy's gunboats upon the woods. The
grade and canister were very freely distributed
among the trees and underbrush, but we fancy
with bat little effect.
I When we left, on our return TO the city, there
was prevalent impression in both forts, that
the grand drama, OF which this little affair was
probably but the prelude, might commence in
earnest any day, yesterday, to-day, or to-mOr-
row; but undoubtedly in the course Of the cur
rent week. The strong impression left upon
our minds by the manner IN which Fort Jack
son depOrted herself on the occasion of her first
6ght, and by the conviction that her cOnsort
over the river, would galIsutly and efficiently
assist her, when the tims should come, was that
the enemy, if he runs that gauntlet successful
ly, will have 10 make better fight than we
think ke can.
We abstain from going into particulars as to
the force, the armament, etc, At Forts Jackson
and St. Philip. It is enough for our present
purpose 70 say that we believe them to be
abundantly sufficient for the work that lies be-
fore them.