Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-05-16
The Naval Battle at New Orleans.
BRILLIANT ACTION OF TIE vARUNA.

BRILLIANT ACTION OF THE vARUNA.
The New York Post prints private
letter from Captain Boggs, addressed to
his family in New Jersey, in which a
graphic description is given of the gallant
part which the gunboat Varuna bore in
the terrible contest on the Mississippi
He says:
Yesterday our great battle was
fought. The squadron passed the forts
under as severe fire, probably, as any
feet ever endured. The ships were
much cut up, and there were many killed
and wounded.
can only giyeyou hasty narrative
of what occurred on board the Varuna,
as in that you will take special inter-
est.
We started at two o'clock A. NJ, and
received the first fire at $50, just as the
moon was rising. My vessel was terri
bly, bruised, 5ut we returned the fire with
interest. On passing the forts, | found
myself the leading ship, and surrounded
by a squadron of rebel steamers, who
annoyed me much by their fire so that
| steered as close to them as possible,
giving to each broadside in succession
as l passed; driving one on shore and
leaving four others in flames.
During this time, the firing of guns,
whiotling Of shot, and bursting of shells
was terrible the smoke dense. As this
cleared off, finding more steamers ahead,
| stopped to look for the rest of the
squadron. The ship was leaking badly,
but thus far none were hurt. Astern, /
saw the Oneida engaged with a rebel
steamer. The latter shortly after came
up the river, when | engaged him, but
found my shot of no avail, AS he was iron
clad about the bow. He tried to run me
down and | to avoid him and reach his
vulnerable parts. During these move
ments he raked me, killing three and
wounding seven, and attempted to board,
Int we repulsed him. Driving against
me he battered me severely; but in these
efforts exposed his vulnerable side, and
| succeeded in planting couple of broad
sides into him, that crippled his engine
and set him on fire. He then dropped
of, and as he moved slowly up the river
and passed me l gave him another and
parting broadside.
now found my ship on fire from his
shells, and it was with great difficulty
that it was put out. Just then another
iron clad steamer bore down and struck
heavily on my port quarter, and backed
off for a second blow. This second blow
crushed in my side but at the same in
slant I gave him full compliment of
shot and shell that drove him on shore
and in flames.
Finding myself in a sinking condition,
| ran my bow into the bank and landed
my wounded, still keeping up a fire on
my first opponent who at last hauled
down his flag. My last gun was fired as
the decks went under water.
No time to save anything; the officers
and crew escaping with the clothes they
had on their backs.
We were taken off by boats from the
squadron, who had now come up, the
crews cheering as the Varuna went down
with her flag flying, victorious in defeat
and covered with glory.
l think we have done well. Eleven
steamers destroyed by the squadron"
The old ram Manassas sunk by the Mis-
sissippi.
This has been gallant fight; no, less
than l7O guns playing on US.
The Commodore, as a post of honor,
dispatched me in my only remaining boat
with picked crew from the Varuna's
men, to carry dispatches to Gen. Butler.
Having been in the boat for twenty-six
hours after such a days previous work,
you may imagine / am somewhat ex-
hausted. What my next position may
be do not know-perhaps 10 90 home
for another ship, or possibly to become
naval aid to-Major General Butler"
Captain Boggs is too modest to say that he
destroyed six out Of the eleven.-EDs.
a. Several rebel flags taken at New