Evening star., 1863-04-22
OUR MILITARY BUDGET
FARRAGUT'S TRIP DOWN THE MIS-.
SiSSlPPI. ..
AN INTERESTING DEs SRIpTIoN.
ENCOUNTER WITH REBEL BATTERIES AND
OBSTRUCTION OF REBEL pR,PERTT
THE LAST OF THE INDIANoLA

The Navy Department is in receipt Of soma
interesting intelligence concerning Admiral
Farraeut's trip down the Mississippi.
DIR. Gabandau, Admiral F.'s secretary, re-
ports from on board the Z. s. sloop Pensacola
OF New Orleans, April i3sh inst, to Commo-
dorc II. w. Morris, commandinslower division
of the West Hulf Squadron, that on the morn
Tag OF the 27th ult about daybreak, Rear ad.
miral Farragut, in the Hartford, engaged the
T. bel batteries at Warrrnton, three miles below
Vicksburg, and passed below it; that on the
morning Of March 29th, the Albatros, loaded
with supplies from a barge fioated down by
Admiral Porter; also passed the Warrentou
hsttrriPs and joined the flagship.
Secretary Gatandau confirms The report that
The rebel wharf boat VicksbHrg broke away
from her moorngs in high wind. and fioaed
down to where Admiral Farragut was
anchored. She drifted ashore. Upon e1ami.
nation it was ascertained that her machinery.
gnrs sand ANN munition had been removed: oniv
four muskets and accoutrements being founc
supposed to belong to tho guard While the
Admiral was hesitatiAg relative to what dis.
posi'ion he would make Of the vessel, the rebels
came down on the night of the 3vth and burned
her.
The Switzerland, Hartford and AIbatross,
hfing furnished with ample supplies from Geu.
the Switzerland being repaired, the latter passed
Warrenton battery on the 31st ult., and at day.
light the little squadron got under weigh and
pros eeded down the river 10 Mr.. Turner'S
piantation, where, on its passage up, the wreck
OF the 1ndianola was seen. But no traces OF
the wreck was now to be seen. The Admiral
learned that it had slid Off into deep wafer
during late gale.
On the afternoon Of the LIST instant, Admiral
FarihTut engaged the rebel batteries at Grand
Gulf, consis ting OF two or three heavy guns
sent down from Vicksburg. One Of them was
mounted upon q steamer which had been con.
Cealad up the b" Big Black" river. The enemy
al o had light field battery. Two rebel shots
struck the Switzerland twice; doing no dam
age. The Aibatross was struck twice but not
Gamaged, The Hartford was struck once: the
shot hitting an iron hammock staunchion, q
fragment Of which was thrown forward half
the length OF the ship, killing q iandsman
named Jones; the only casualty. The squadron
was about fifteen minutes passing the battery,
and achored below Grand Gulf that night.
At daylight next day Admiral Farrasut pro.
ceeded to the mouth OF Red river, reaching
there at sundown. On the way down the
squadron destroyed large number OF skiiYs
ana hatboats, and remained blockading the
mouth of the river until the morning of tha 9Th
inst, when they proceeded down to BAYOU
Sara, where they stopped, seized upon and
threw into the river lO,0C0 sacks OF corn. and
then proceeded on the way towards Port Hud.
scn; where they, anchored about Ave miles
atove the batteries, at three y. m ON the 9Th
On the morning OF the 7th, Secretary Gaban.
dsu LETT the Hartford, and boarded the Rich
hond' on Baton Rouge, at a. m. on the 9Th
Inc health OF the squadron is good.