Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-03

of Fort Macon A land force either landed from the
boats or marched down from Newbern, has taken pos
session of Swansboro' small town the mouth OF
White Oak River. The mmeG ale object of this move
ment sc ems to be to cut of Fort Macon from comm
ncati0n with the coast country to the South, and thus
gradually Invest that work.
II is very evident that th sc Northern reports must
be taken with many, Gerry many grains Of allowance.
From the Baltimore American, 26th inst
The VYar bn the GulC-The DefeHcts of New Orleans
List of the Mortar FIeet-New Orleans aud Ats
Dsfences.
New Orleans is distant hu0dred miles above the
mouth Of the Mississippi river and five miles south OF
Lake Ponchar rain, With which It communicates by
water and railway. The levee has average width
about one hundred feet wore it fronts the town. which
stretches parallel to it Tor about five miles and extends
from one mile to two mi3 behind it, chiefly in the d
ction of the lake The river iun LATELY opposite has
q width of one hall mile, aud C30th OF from one hun
dred and fifty to one hundred and sixty feet and
sweeping around from the west first in north and then
in northeast direction, forms large crescent shaped
curve
If as seems probable the attack has been made by
way of Lake Ponchartrain, the feet in entering the
lake had to pass through two channels formed
by an island at its mouth) called the Rigoets which
extensively fortified The fort on the island is
was heavy battery, name unknown, and on the left
hand side Of the other chanue stood Fort Wood
B. tteries have been erected and nrenchments thrown
up within the past year extending from Chef Meneln
in Lake Borgne along the border of Lake POnchartran
guarding in all directions the approaches to the city
the principal defences being called Lakevie and Lake
port.
The Rebels, however, seemed to have expected the
city would be attat ked by way of tie Baza and made
more extensive preparations for defence in that drec
ton. Below we give extract of letter dated from
New Orleans and published in the Richmond Dispatch,
describing the dences OF that city, which enables the
reader to form more accurate Judgment OF the fortif
cations erected the banks of the Mississippi river be-
low the city, than could hope to furnish from the
sources of Information at hand
Correspondence of tie Richmond Dgpa'ch.]
New ORLEANS l862-The Mississippi is fortified 80
as to be impossible for any hostile fleet fotilia-
Forts jackson and ST. Philip are armed with ITO heavy
guns 68 Founders, rjfed by Barkley Bitten, and
ceived from Engand( The navigation of the river is
stopped by dam OF about quarter OF mile from
the above forts No fotia on earth would force that
dam 10 less than two hours, during which it would be
within short and range of 10 guns OF the largest
cabre, many OF which would be served with red hot
shot, furnaces for which have been erected
every fort and every battery.
In day or two we shall have ready two iron
cased floating batteries be plates four aud
half Dches thick Of the best hammered iron, received
from England and France. Each iron cased battery
will mount twenty IS Founders, placed so to skim
the water and strike the enemy's hull between wind
and water. We have abundant supply OF inceDdiary
Shells cupoa furnaces Tor mOte0 ron Copgreve rockets
and fire ships.
Between New Orleans and the forts there is a
constant succession of earthworks At the Plain
of Chalmete near Janns property there are redoubts
armed with ri1ed cannon, which have been found to
be effective at five miles range. A ditch thirty feet
wide and twenty deep extends to the Mississippi to
La Cypriere.
In forts ST. Philips and jackson there are 900 men
of whom goodly portion are EXP erienced artlerymen
and gunners who have served in the navy.
At New Orleans itself we have 200 infantry ard
as many more CHARTERED in The immediate neighborhood
To discipline aud drill they far superior to the Yam
KEGS. We have two very able and active Generals who
poss ss entire confdence-General Mansfield Love
and Brigadier General Rugges. For Commodore we
| have old HoIlins-a Nelson 10 his way.
| We are ready to give the Yankees hot reception
when they come Around me all are mad excitement
aud rage One only tear is that the Northern invaders
may not apper. We have made such extensive prepar
atoms to receive them that it were veXatous if their
Invisible armada escapes the fate have in store for it
| THE MORTAR FLEET.
The latest advices from Key West leaves no room &c
doubt that the mortar feet has actually left for Lake
| POnchartran.
The feet consisted of 81 mortar vessels eight steam
ers and storeship, and amply provided with
| heavy mortars shells and ammunition.
The officers and enrolled numbered about two
thousand and spoken of being peculiarly fit
ted for the work they had in hand. We give below g
list of the vessels composing tbs fotlla its organization
and the names Of the officers employed:
| Commander, David Porter, U. s. N.
First Division Schooner Norfolk Packet Lieut. Watson
D. Merriam: Assistant Surgeon, A. B. Judson; Captain
Clerk, VIM Ferguson.
Schr Olive A. Lee Acting Master Washington Godfrey
| commanding.
schr Pera, Acting Master Geo. Il. Wood commanding
Schooner G. 2. Williams Acting Master Amos K. Lang
scbr. Aretta Acting Master Thomas K. Smith command
schr VIM. Bacon, Acting Master VIM. P. Rogers, com
handing.
schr sophronia Acting Master John A. Darling command
second Division-sehr T A Ward; Lieut. Walter W
Queen, U n, commanding division Acting sster Dun
Graham Assistant Surgeon, "A HochiiDg; Captain
| Clerk Archer Tevo.
schr Sidney jonas, Acting Master Robert Adams
schr Matthew vassar, Acting Master Hugh Savage
echr Maria Carleton, Acting Master Chas Jack CON-
schr orvtta, Acting Master Franc. Blanchard COM
schr Adolph Euge, Acting Master Hollis jerks COM
sohr George Mapgha, Acting Master John Collins, Jr,
commanding
THIRD DIVISION
Barkentine Horace Beals, Lieut. Randolph Breeze,
N, commanding division. Acting Master, Geo Sum-
Assistant Surgeon, Robert Edes Captains Clerk,
schr John Grinths, Acting Master Henry Brown com.
handing.
Schr Sarah Brun Acting Master Abraham Christian
monding.
schr Racer, Acting Master Alvin Phinnsy commanding
Brig Sea Foam, Acting Master Henry Williams com
msndipg.
schr Henry James, Acting Master Levi. Pennington
commanding.
sohr Dan smith, Acting Master Gsorr. " Brown com.
nandng.