Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-05-21

I Fire Department by Lieut.. Thornton, the
| flames were extinguished, and at the
same time we backed off and got clear OF
/ the raft But all this time we were pour
ing shells into the forts and they into US,
and every now and then a rebel steamer
wonld get under our fire and receive our
salutation of broadside.
At length the fire slackened, the smoke
cleared off, and we saw to our surprise
that we were above the forts, and hereand
there a rebel gunboat on fire. As we came
up to them, trying to make their escape,
| they were fred into and riddled, 50 that
they ran them on shore, and all who could
made their escape on shore.
am told, but do not know how truly,
that Gen. Lowell had been down that eY-
ening to make an attack with twelve gum
boats, large ram Of eighteen guns, and
the Manassas.
The Manassas and Mississippi made
set at each at full speed, and when they
were within 80 or 40 yaIds the ram dodg-
ed the Mississippi and ran on shore, when
the latter poured her broadside into her,
knocked away her smoke stack and then
sent on board of her, but she was deserted
and riddled.
After awhile she drifted down the
stream, full of water. She was the last of
the eleven destroyed, but the larger ram
was still at Fort jackson, but they say
here that she was sent down before she
was ready, and that she will have to sur
render with the Forts, which hope will
be to-day or tomorrow. / viii give them
my attention as soon as can settle the af
fairs of the city.
I IL l., &c &Ia o.k
yesterday, of the Mayor, through Capt.
Bailey, as the second in command. His
reply was that the cityw under the mar
tial law, and he would consult Lovell.-l
His lordship said he would surrender
nothing, but at the same time he would !
retire, and leave the Mayor unembarrass-
ed.
This morning the Mayor sent his secre-
tary and chief of police to see me, who say |
that. he would call the city council togeth-
er at 10 o'clock and give me an answer,
and that the General had retired, and |
that he had resumed the duties of his Of /
fee as Mayor, and would endeayer to keep
order in the city and prevent the destruc-
ton of property.
sent him letter demanding the sur
render of the city, in conformity with the
demand made by me yesterday through
Captain Bailey.
This morning at A. NJ. sent to Capt.
Morris, whose ship commanded the Mint,
to take possession of it, and hoist the
American flag on it, which was done, and
the people cheered it.
At 10 o'clock sent on shore again,
and ordered that Lieut.. Gortz of the Navy
md Brown of the Marines, with Marine
guard, to hoist the flag the Custom House,
but the excitement of the crowd was so
great that the Mayor and Councilmen
thought it would produce conflict and
great loss of life.
At ii o'clock a signal was made to the
feet for divine service, under general Or
der copy No. 3.
April 26th, in the afternoon, having
been informed that there were two forts
eight miles above the city, at place cali
I'd Carrolton, determined to take a look
It them and demolish them
We accordingly ran up, but to our sur
prise found the gun carriages all on fire,
md upon examination found the guns all
spiked. 1t was a most formidable work
or Foote to encounter on his way down.
4 long line of defenses extended back
rom the river to Lake Ponchartrain, both
lbove and below the city, on which were
% and 80 guns each.
Immediately on my getting above the
orts, sent Captain Boggs, who is now
of a command by the sinking Of
lis ship which he had so nObly defended,
lown to Captain Porter, through the bay
~ at Quarantine, directing him demand
he surrender of the forts.
His demand was at first refused, but
he soldiers told their officers that we
we're in their rear and they would not be
acrifced. So this morning the (29th) the
gallant Bailey brought up the intelligence
n the Cayuga that the forts had surren-
Tered, the ram blown up, and that the
American flag floats over both forts.
AVE aent down for Gen. Buffers troops
o come up and occupy the city, and will
oon be off for Mobile. Depend upon it
ye will keep the stampede up.
am very truly and respectfully, h
Your obedient Servant,
d. 6. FARRAGUT.
To G. V. Fox, Asst. Sec'y.