Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
The New Orleans Expedition.
CAPTURE OF THE CITY,


Besides the mortar fotilla, the fol-
lowing named vessels comprised the
naval expedition to New Orleans /:
Steam sloops-Hartford, (Aag ship
Brooklyn, Mississippi, Pensacola, Rich
mond Gunboats--Winona, Pinola,
Wissahickon, Kineo, Kenncbcc, Sci
ota, Owasco, Harriet Lane, Jackson,
Wes,field; Sailing sloop Of war
Portsmouth. These vessels are pro-
vided with guns as no vessels were
before. In addition to their compile
ment of cannon, howitzers were placed
in the tops.
The fleet entered the river by the
Southwest Pass. There had been
some intention Of trying to reach
New Orleans by way of Lake Pont-
chartrain, but the enemy became pre-
maturely advised of the plan, and SO
it was abandoned, and the Southwest
Pass essayed. The water was so
shallow that the larger vessels could
not pass, and the cannon, anchors and
almost every movable article on
board the Hartford, Pensacola, Rich
mond and Brooklyn were transferred
to light schooners. The heavy war
vessels, thus lightcned, sailed trium-
phantly over the bar, and reshipped
their armament higher up. The Colo
rado, being too heavy. was left out
side. The passing of the bar occupied
some three weeks. About ten thou
sand men accompanied the feet to
occupy the city when captured.
The rebel defenccs below the city
were very strong, and could not fail,
if well served, to infict vast injury
npon our vessels, if not cripple many
Of them. Upon the two forts Jack
son and St. Philip more than two
hundred guns we're mounted, and bat.
terics lined the banks Of the Missis-
sippi from Fl. Jackson to New Orleans.
Besides, there were very formidable
distractions in the river, consisting OF
chains, stakes, and boats loaded and
bound with cotton, moored in the
river. On either side and above these
obstructions, batteries were erected
which could rake in most destructive
manner the only passage through the
stakes and boats.
Preparations for land attack OF
New Orleans, in conjunction with tho
feet, were made by Gen. Butler, whose
troops were taken through the Missis
sippi Sound to point above the prin
cipal rebel batteries. to cooperate will
the feet when it should ascend to ,
designated point, instead of taking
all the troops up the Pass. They were
transported from Ship Island in Missis
sippi steamers, many Of which hat
three decks and high pressure engines
and were capable of carrying scvera
hundred passengers each. 1t is sal,
the troops had surf boats capable 0
landing 1900 at once.
The attack on the rebel forts com
menced on the 18th nit. and continue,
six days. The firing from two steam
ers and six gunboats was incessan
during all this time. when the fort
ceased firing. On the 23d Com. Far
ragut, in the Hartford, and thirteel
steamers, passed the forts and Genera
Butler landed 10000 men above. Oh
the Gath flag of truce was sent I,
Com. Porter. asking conditions of sui
render. TO which he replied mo condi
tions.' The city was surrendered ol
the Goth and Gen. Butler took forma
possession on the 9th. The Star
and Stripes now wave over the Gus
tom House and other public buildings
| The rebels lost eleven gunboats an,
the Hollins turtle Manassas. The LAT
ter was sunk by the steamship Missis
sippi. Our forces took 1000 prison
ers. We lost 81 men, and our gunboa