Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-05-16

The ltaska vas fairly riddled, and had a shot
through lie. boiler; the Eennebec escaped uahurt.
am disposed to think that our squadron re-
ceived but little damage, considering the unequal
eontes'-one hundred aud forty two guns on broad
ship to one hundred on shore placed in a mos:
Commanding position.
l think the fire from the ships mus: have been
very destructive Of life. The last We saw Of our
vessels they were standing up the river.
Refore the flee. got out Of sight it was rcyorted
to me that the celebrated ram Manassas was
coming out to attack us; and sure enough, there
she was, apparently steaming along shore, ready
to pounce upon the apparently defenceless mortar
vessels. Two Of our steamers and some Of the
mortar vessels opened FIRE on her, but soon dis
covered that tte Manas-as eorH harm 10 one
again. AMI ordered the -es to save their shit.
She was beginning 10 emi: smoke from. her ports,
or holes, and was discovereI to be On fire and
sinking. Her pipes were all twisted and riddled
with shot, and her hull Was also we'll cut up. She
had evidently been used up by the squadron as
they passed along. tried to save her as a Curl
osity, by getting hswser around her and securing
her to the bank but Just after doing so she family
exploded. Her only gun went Of, and emitting
flames through her bow port, like some huge ami
NAL, she gave plunge and disappeared under the
water.
Next came a steamer On fire, which appeared
to be vessel Of war bslonging to the rebels; and
after her otheTs, all burning and floating down
the stream. fires seemed to be raging all along
up the river, and We suppose that our squadron
were burning ard destroying the vessels they
passed along. IL sppears, however, that the
NeRae and two river boats, and thtir celebrated
floating battery, brought down the night oefo re,
were left unhurt, and we're still flying the Confed
crate flag.
The floating battery mounts sixteen guns, is al
most as formidable a vessel as the Merrimac, per-
fectly shot proof, and has four powerful engines
in her. | suppose that the ships fred on her as
they passed through, hut that her mail resisted
the shot. She had steam on this morning, and
was moving about quite slowly. I tried to put
some Mortar shell through her roof, bat without
effect, as she moved off.
The forts are now cut of from all communica-
tioI with New Orleans, as l presume that Flag
Offer Farragut has cut the wires.
have sent the Miami around with Gen. But
Ter to the back OF For; St. Philipto try and throw
in troops at the quarantine, five miles, along the
tor.s, and at the same time Oren communication
that way with the fig oficer, and supply him
with ammunition. l an also going to send part
o. The mortar fleet to the back Of Fort jackson, u
cut of the escape Of the garrison by that way
and stop supplies. A deserter, who can be relied
on informs US that they have plenty Of provisions
for two months. plenty o. ammunition and plenty
Of discomforts.
Our shells set the citadel on fire the fist after
hours, but thought i, a fire raft behind the fort.
as they continually send them on Us, but without
any effect But few casualties occurred to vessels
on this side Of the forts. The Harriet Lane lost
bat one man killed, and one, | fear mortally
wounded. The Winona lost three killed and
three wounded, and the Itaska, with fourteen shot
through her, had but few men hurt. These forts
can hold cut still for some time, and would sug-
gest that the Monitor and Mystic, if they be
sp-red, be sent here without, a moments delay, TO
settle the question.
The mortar feet have been very much exposed
and under heavy-iire for six days, during which
time they kept the shells going without internis-
SION. One OF them, the Maria ]. Carleton, was
slnk by shot passing through her magazine and
then through her bottom. The fotilIa lest but
one man killed and six wouniei. The bearing
d the officers and men was worthy Of the highest
praise. They never once tagged during period
Of six days; never had an accident to one Of the
vessels by firing and, when she'll and shot fly
ing thick above them showed no desire to have the
vessels moved to place of safety. The incidents
OF the bombariment will be mentioned in ny de-
tailed report. The sight of the night attack
was awfully grand. The river was lit Up with
RATS filled with pine knots, and the ships seemed
to be fighting literally amidst flames and smoke.
Where were the FIRE Of the enemy was high
and comparatively harmless.
am in hopes that the ships above Jared as well
a. We ii though amid such terrible fire. Ii
Vas gratifying TO see that not ship waysred, but
each stood steadily en- her course and am in
nopes. AMI s>e no reason to doubt it, that they
row have possession of New Orleans
an, with gre>' -esre~.
IolT Obetient servant,
DAVID b. PORTER,
Commanding Flotilla.