Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-05-15
The Naval Battle at Fort Jackson-rhe Iron.Clad Steamer Louisiana in the Fight

The Naval Battle at Port Jacksonville Iron-Clad Steamer Louisiana in the Fight
 We are permitted to publish the following in teresting description of the naval battle at Fort Jackson, on the 24th inst, from the pen of an of fcer who took conspicuous part in the fight:
 JACKSON, Mss, May ,, 1862
 J.. O. GREENLAw, Esq: arrived here last night from Forts Jackscn and S.. Philip, having escaped from the Louisiana Monday morning last Ut half past eight o'clock in the morning. But will detail my adventure IS 1t occurred. After going to New Orleans, Com Whittle ordered me to the Louisiana for the fight. l joined her on the 7th of last month, and the 22d we left for the forts She was ironc clad, like lhe Shirley boat--the Ar kansas-and mounted sixteen guns; but, unfortu- natey, she could not plopel herself, her power be- ing inadequate. On the morning of the 24th lad the mid witch--from twelve to four At halG- past three the bugle sounded the alarm the forts and in a few minutes after the enemy coInmenced 10 run the gauntlet with twenty vessels, large steam soops, and thirteen gunboats. The can nonading was terrific, at least three hundred heavy guns being engaged 1 lred the first gun from the Louisiana at big fellow close aboard. This was the first ntimation they had of our existence, and the enemy believing us to be light gurboat or steamboat, laid us ab0ar for the purpose of carry ing us by boarding. which exposed him to the di-
 
 inch smooth guns and one 1-inch ride, the latter much heavier and much more formidable than the '' Belmont or q Lady Polk" guns. Our captain, Mcintosh, divinng the object of the enemy, called q number of men on deck to repel, and whilst fir ing musketry at the ship alongside, lie was struck by grape and severely wounded, losing his right arm, breaking his left, and his Ii ght leg In the meantime the rascal was fast to our bow, about forty feet from us, md ,>Ju9ed it. most terrible broadside driving the hos smoke from his guns into our ports; but metal too heavy, and he went ahead and came in range of our starboard bat tery, where 1 had the pleasure of peppeiing him with my division of rfea: this settled him. and he dropped off into the strea m helpless Then he fell in with the Manassas, which had been poking and horning in all directions Warley backed of, and went into our friend fall tllt, knocking q hole n his side, which caused him to sink in few min utes. This was the only close work we had, and that did not last more than ten minutes, if that l long, during which we had whipped frstclaSs soop-of-war. During the balance of the engage ment, we stood hy our guns and fired as they pass ed. In the morning our upper works were per-
 feet wreck, all to pieces 0y grape and canister; the steambOat's cabin alongside was literally in spnters, but our iron easement was unhurt. Two inch shells struck us whilst We were s0 close. which only made deep dent in the iron, not starting the wood and although l was standing immediately under them, did not feel the concus- | McRae covered themselves with glory. Wmley seemed to fairly reyel in the fight The Manassas was everywhere, but unfortunately the vessels Of the enemy were faster than she and carried twenty ! guns; whilst she carried bat one. The McRae held four of them at bay. and was gallantly fight l ing both broadsdes when " arer came to her aS- 1 sistauce. finger of tie McRue, was mortally 1 wounded WarleY was nnhurt. All tie regular navy vessels went into the fight and remained there. l But how different was it with the much hlowed o' ! C Montgomery feet" with the single exception ol 1 the Gov Moore, commanded by Capt. Bey. Ken non late of the nayy) Instead of using their vessels as '' rams" they ignominiousy ran them ashore shot off their guns, fred the boats, and took to the swamp kennon, of the Moore, at- tackled one of the large slo0ps-O war, running up the river directly after and strkn. her the stern first; then backed of and struck her amidships: and then aft. then forward, and then amidshp--giy- ing her five blows, which completely hammered the life out of her, and d. Il she went. But whilst i Bey. was putting, the otAer vessel was giving him broadsdes and at tho moment O! the last z butt, ! q shell struck the Moore, knocking her ruddor off, completely disabling her. and 90 she dritted ashore 1 and was burnt by the creme. Her gallant com mander remained aIN was taken prisoner m her .- After the fight We felt roa} ince3 that we could whip the whole fleet if they would only fight us but then we conid not % m. GnTInrsday morn i ing, at Ot , U clock, the men In Fort Jackson mUtinied spiked the guns, shQt the sentnels and ] left. At daylight when we awoke, we found the white flag in place ol the battle flag. Gen Dam J All lI .-. .r-. .--4 -o
 ! essary to nialo our ara gemenrs u a-t iu the premises. II we surrendered the ship, no doubt we could he paroied. but " gtFc the enemy an iron. 1 clad battery. Capt. Nit thell preferred Hort w ar- ren to giving mp his hono. and so we fired the chip and | took 10 the swamp and escaped, with tlnec 1 other officers