Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-05-17
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE NEW ORLEANS VICTORY,
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
Despatch from Flag -Omoer Farraeut.

UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP HARTFoRD.
At anchor of New Orleans, April 29 1869. I
SIR: am happy to announce to you that
our flag waves over both Forts jackson and
St. Philip, and at New Orleans over the
Custom House. am taking every means
to secure the occupation, by General Butler.
of all the forts along the coast Berwicks
Bay and Fort Pike have been Abandoned
In fact, there is a general stampede, and I
shall endeavor to follow it up. am bring
ing up the troops as fast as possible.
We have destroyed al the forts above the
city, four in numbe. 'wRich are understood
to be all the impedimen;s between this and
Memphis. rt
| am, very respectfully,
Your obedicnt servant,
ID. L. FARRAGUT,
Flag Officer Western Gulf Blockg Squadron.
To Hon, Gideon Welles, Secretary of Navy,
Washington, d. G,
THE OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
WASHINGTON, May 9.-Thc Navy Depart.
ment has received the following dispatches
Reports from the Gunboat Cayuga.
UNITED STATES GUNBoAT CAYuGA,
OFF New ORLEANS, April 20, 1862.
FLAa-OFFICER Your boldly conceived
and splcndidly executed plan of battle hav-
ing resulted in perfect success, leaves me
time to make up the report of my division
You will find in Lieut.. Commanding Harri-
sons report an accurate outline of the noble
part taken by the Cdyuqa, under his COM
mand, and bearing my divisional flag. We
led off at two A. NJ, in accordance with
your signal, and steamed directly up the
stream, cdging little to the starboard in
order to give room for your division. was
followed by the Pensacola in fine style, the
remainder of my division following in reg
ular and compact order. We were scarcely
above the boom when We were discovered.
and Forts Jackson and ST. Philip opened
upon us. We could bring no gun to bear,
but stecred directly on. We were struck
from stem to stern. At length we were
close up with Fort st. Philip, when we
opened with grape and canister. Scarcely
were we above the line of fire when we found
ourselves attacked by the rebel feet of
gunboats. This was hot, but more congenial
work. Two large steamers now attempted
to board our starboard bow, one on the
stern and the other at our starboard beam
The nine-inch Dalhgrea gun being turned on
this fellow, we fired at q range of thirty
yards. The effect was very destructive, and
he Immediately stecred in shore and ran
aground and sunk. The Parrot gun on the
iorecastle drove off Che one on the bow,
while we prepared TO rcpel the boarders, SO
close was our remaining enemy. About this
ae ms BEGf EsR RRp 81 t6e reBsf 66sh 6shnl eleven in
all. In the gray of the morning we disco
vered camp with the rebel flag flying
We opened with canister at p. NJ, and
received the sword and flag of Colonel
Zymanskiz, and his command Of five COM
panies, arms and camp equipagc, While
engaged at this point we observed the
Varuna in conflict with n number of gun
boats; she had been butted by one of them
and sunk But with his forward guns still
above water, he was bravcly maintaining
the fight, driving off his enemies and saving
his crew. Informing Capt. Lee, of the
oneida, who had also been engaged with
the enemy, of the V0runA's situation, he
instantly steamed up and made finish of
the rebel boats. The remainder of the fleet
now came up. The Mississippi had been
detained below with the Manassas and
another iron-clad. After this everything
passed under your observation,
The pleasant duty now remains of speak
ing of tho Coyugo, and her brave officers
and crew. From first to last, Lieutenant
Commanding NJ B. Harrison displayed a
mastery ability in steering his vessel past
the forts, under a hurricane of shot and
shell, and afterwards in manGuvring and
fighting her among the gunboats. l cannot
say too much for him. He was gallantly
sustained by Lieutenant George w. Perkins
and Acting Master Thomas II. Martini
These officers have my unboundcd admira-
ton.
l must, in conclusion, express the pleasure
which | experienced in witnessing the sea
manlike manner in which all the ships were
handled The reports of the divisional
captains will inform you of the particular
part boruc by each ship.
Respectfully, }. BAILEY,
Captain and Comm'ng Division of the Red.
To Flag-ofiicer D. G. Farragut, Commander
in-Chief, New Orleans.
Despatch of Commodore Portor-lnfamous
Conduct of the Rebel Navy.
L. S. SHIP HARRIETL LANE, April 20, 1862.
SIR: The morning after the ships passed
the forts, sent demand to Col. Higgins
for surrender of the forts, which was
declined,
On the 27th sent Lieutenant Colonel
Higgins communication, herewith enclosed,
asking again for the surrender, His answer
is enclosed
On the 2sth, received a communication
from him, stating that he would surrender
the forts, and came up and took possession,
drew up articles of capitulation, and hoisted
the American flag over the forts. These
men have defended the forts with bravery
worthy of better cause. ! treated them
with all the consideration that circumstances
would admit. The three steamers remaining
were under the command of Commander j,
X. Mitchell. The officers of the fort ac-
knowledged no connection with them, and
wished in no way to be considered rcspon-
sibe for their acts. While / had q flag OF
truce up they were employed in towing the
iron floating battery of sixteen guns, most
formidable affair, to place above the forts,
and while drawing up the articles of eapitu-
ation, in the cabin Of the Harriet Lane, 1t
was reported to me that they had set fire to
the battery, and turned it adrift upon u.s.
l asked the general if it had powder on
board or guns loaded. He replied that he
would not undertake 10 say what the navy
officers would do. He seemed to have a
great contempt for them. told him We
could stand the fire and blow up if he could,
and went on with the conference, after di-
recting the officers to look out for their
ships.
While drifting down on US, the guns
getting heated, exploded, throwing the shot