The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-09
Omcial Reports OF Captain Porter.

Attacking Force
Omcial Reports OF Captain Porter.
UNITED STATES STEAMER HARRIET LANx.l
ArsEsrn RrER, April 70, 1852. !
Sui have the TO inform you that Flag Officer
Farragut with the fleet passed Forts jackson and st.
Philip morning Of tho oath. and should be In New
Orleans by this tmo, he can meet with no obstacles
such has already passed. the way being compara
lively open before him.
We commenced the bombardment Of Fort jackson
the 18th and continued without intermsion until the
squadron mado preparations TO move. Tho squadron
was formed In three lines 10 PASS the forts, Captain
Baeys division, composed Of the following vessels.
leading to the attack OF Fort st. Philip Csyugs, Pom
sacoa Mississippi Oneida Verona, Catahdin, Kneo and
wissahckon; Flag Occr Farragut leading the following
second line the Hartford Brooklyn and Richmond and
Commander Bell leading tho Third division, composed Of
tho following vesses-scota, Iroquos, fnoa. winona
Itaska and Kennsbos.
Tho steamers belonging TO tho mortar nosiIls ono Of
them towing tho Portsmouth, were to en6asde the water
battery commanding the approaches The mortar
steamers wcre tho Harriet Lane, westheld, Owasco,
Clifton aud Marins-.he Jackson towing the Portsmouth,
Tho vessels were rather late In getting under way
aud into ne and did not got fairly started until half past
three A. NJ and the unusual hustle, and appraised the
garrison Tia. sQmsshin Was going on.
In one hour and ten minutes aft6f the vessels Lad
vsished anchor they had passed the forts, under
terrific fre which they returned with interest. The
moriar feet ransd down shells on Fort Jackson 10 try
and keep the from the guns while the steamers Of
tho mortar feet poured in shrspnel upea the water bat
terry commanding the approach 1t short distance keep
ing them comparatively quiet.
when the las. vessel could bs seen among the
IRE and smoke pass the battery, signal made
the mortars TO cease nrug. and the notla steamers
were directed to retire from contest that would soon
become unequal.
Il was now daylight, and the feet having passed
along the forts began pay their attention 70 little
squadron Of stcamsrs-ths Portsmouth, which being
lowed up and three OF the gunboAs, which failed TO
pass through These latter became entangIed In some
wrecks and chains placed In the river TO obstruct
which were onJ partially removed One OF these vessels
wuous got through % far Fort st. Philip but having
all tho guns bearing on her she sensibly retired.
The Itaska vas fairly rddlsd, and had shot through
her boiler and the Kennebso escaped unhurt.
lam disposed to think that squadron received but
little damage considering the unequal contestone hun
dred and fortyswo guns board ship opposed TO on
hundred on shore placed In most commanding position
For thirty minutes after the ships passed the forts
drsd very fccbly the vessels that remained outside
80 much 20 tina. the Portsmouth was enabled drop
with tthe current Of gunshot though the shot fell
pretty freely absu. her at ias think the FIRE from the
sbips must have boon very destructive OF le The last
W saw or our vessels they standing up tho river
Some explosions place. which made us feel rather
uneasy but which may have boon the rebel gunboats
We could see that squadron had not destroyed all the
eusmys vessels at the fort for three four Of them
vsro moving about in all directions evidently In state
OF excitement
Before the Zee. rot out Of sight was reported 10
that the celebrated ram MANASSAS" coming TO
.rA thsra anna nil
stesmng along Shore ready to pouncc upon the apparent
" deienceless mortar vessels Two Of steamers and
Of the mortar vessels opened Ore on her, bu. soon
discovered that tho Manassas could harm DO one again
and ordered the vessels their shot, she wasbs
ginning emit smoke from her ports, holes and was
discovered 10 be fro and sinking. Her pipes were all
tsised and rddled with shot, and her hull also
vel, cut up She had evidently been used up by tho
squadron as they psassd along. tried 10 her az
curiosity by getting hawssr around her and securing
her to the bank but jus. after doing she family cx
plcded. Her only gun went on, and emitting namea
through her bow port Ike some hugo animal she gave
plunge and disappeared under the water.
Next came steamer on FIRE. which appeared 70 be a
vessel OF belonging TO the rcbes ana AFTER Nor two
others, sli burning and floating down the stream.
Fires seemed 10 be raging oil lalong up tho
river, and we supposed that squadron were
burning and destroying ths vessels ~ they passed
along. II appears however, that the McRae and two
river boats, and cher celebrated floating battery,
brought down the nighs before, were LEFT unhurt and
were stil flying the confederate fsg.
The matter oil the floating battery becomes . very
serious affair az they all hard at work Al Fort Jack
son mounting heavy. riaed guns on u, which are Of
no further use 20 them In the fort. She mounts
six,ssn gum is almost formidable . vessel a.
she Msrrmac perfectly shot proof and has four power
fu engines in her. shall At ell events take such steps
a will prevent her from destroying anything, and
nay ssi hold her In check wnh the steamers, though
they are rather fragile for such service. This 10 Of
the ill.stecss Of leaving enemy In ths rear sup
pose THAI the ships fred her - they passed through
bus that her mail resisted the shot Che had steam
Shs morning, and ives moving about quite lively. Tried
70 pus some mortar shell through her roof bot without
eject, q she moved OF.
The forts are now cut Oh from oil communication with
New Orleans a. presume that Flag osss Fsrrssas has
CUT the wires.
IAsvs seat the Miami around with General Butler 70
The back OF Fort ST. Philip try and throw In troops o.
The quarantine Ave miles along the forts, and ~ the
sams time open Communication that way with the Gag
ofpcsr, and supply him with ammunition. am also
going 10 send part Of tho mortar feet 70 the back Of Fort
Jackson TO cut OF the escape Of the garrison BY tha
ha - ~tt.~