The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1862-05-24
From the n. o. Delta.
THE SURRENDER or THE YORfS,

The circumstances winch led 10 the surrender
Of Fort jackson, after it, gallant defehse, are
most nslsnchniy sud notifying We can we'll
appreciate and sympathi.e with the feeling of In
dlgnstion and disgust with which ihsl senior OH
GERS refer 10 those circumstances. The first OF
these causes Of our defeat was the want Of com.
mand, organization, and energy, IN our squadron
The commanders refused of failed 10 watch and
defend the chains and other distractions below
the forts they woald not. even under the protec
ton Of the guns Of the fort, perform this duty,
and the enemy actually succeeded in cutting away
these distractions, which they could not have
done Il the aunbosts had taken the places they
wcrr directed u take 10 order 10 guard the chains
The louisiana, with its powerful battery, was rem
dcrcd OF no use by the refusal Of the commander
in charge Of her to place her in = petition where
abe might have been effective and where she
would have materially aided the forts and, in the
opinion Of experienced ofncers In the forts, would
have prevented the passage OF the United States
ships.
The next delinquency Of the gunbosts was in
failing to keep the river lighted. As long as this
duty was confined 70 the tort II WAS promptly and
regularly done. but when the ships undertook 1t,
II was gr aay neglected. On the aighi (rhurs
day. when the enemy effected his passage, II was
entirely omitted, though IL was perceived by the
commandment OF For, jackson that the enemy was
preparing 10 force passage. There was from
the beginning lamcntabic want of system, or
ganizs,on, and discipline, IN the squadron which.
under proper conimanu. II is believed, might have
alone arrested the progress of the enemy. Under
these circumstances We are not ss,onirhed ths,
the men in the far. became dispiritcd, Blu, there
was nothing 10 justify their open aud violent mu-
tiny For this they msrted universal denuncia
ton aud exceraton II Was true sNnc Of the enc
my's ships had passed the Fart bat il wAs still in
good lighting condition. and II the L., had stood
by their othccrs, the remainder Of the squadron
woud have been kept from passing, and the ships
which had passed would have been left in an $50
lated and pcrilous position,
The enemy bad already offered honorable terms
OF surrender which Col! Higgins declined
Capt. Porter, commanding the mortar feet. had
written letter acknowledging the heroism and
stubborDess OF the defence, and soliciting term-
nation Of 4 conflict the result of which was only
a question OF time. This demand. the second
made by him. showed thc enemy's desire 10 bring
the light 10 close There WAS no difficulty In
interpreting il meaning and motive. II WAS re
jected and the commander ii the fcst SC, TO work
To repair damages for a renewed Of the combat
In expectation Of such renewal, Gen, Duncan IA.
sued an address complmenting the garrison for
its bero.e perseverance, thanking them for their
them 10 further efforts and sacrifices. and the re-
suit would b. glorious victory. ny some trait
orons means ithAd been communicated 10 tho men
that the city had surrendered that further reals.
lance would be unAvAlnx and that, II the con
fiet vas continued. and the garrison captured,
thry would all he put % the sword
Under these influences the men arose 81 mid
aighi spi.ed some Of the guns eism ouatcd others,
and operiy resisted aud dred the authority Of the
officers. There was one aooorable exception Ia
this d-graecsui aud shameful conduct. The ST.
Mary = CannoniegS, = country voluutre. company,
took no part in these ,nuttnods prcceed,ng-, and
were faithful 10 the last. Every officer Of the gar
ri.on stood brAveiy to his pcst. They were all
filled With modification At the coudact Of the
men. who, during bomhardment 81 eight DAYS
and nights had behaved ~ hravrly and nsntnlly
A most noble sud heroic defense VAS thus suiisd
by thr most shameful abandonment OF duty on the
part 81 the men. Their ccpduct. however. only
.eryes 10 brighten By contrast the lasseY Of the
courageous devotion Of tho gallant commander
and his officers. Al honor. then. TO the heroic
Dancas.. Higgins and their associates, IN one Of
the mos, brilliant actions OF this W.