The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-24
the VESSELS ENGAGED m THE FIGHT.
The Army Within Five Miles Of the
1nemy's Works.
General Banks to Move FORWARD
i'm a Few Hours.
SKIRMSnNG IN THE ADVANCE.
Colonel Clark, Of the Generals Staff,
Slightly Wounded,

BY the arrival Of the steamer George Washington at
this port yesterday fren New Orleans 18th instant
have important intelligence respecting the operations u
tho Union naval and military forces at Port Hudson
The news although very detailed is full Of interest,
and shows that the work that quarter has begun
good earnest.
on the 18th instant Admiral Farragu, moved his feet
up to starting position, few miles below the batteries
at Port Hudson where he anchored TO make his lnai
preparations.
ON the night OF tho l4,h at eleven O'Clock, he came
within range Of the guns Of the enemy and the action
commenced. His feet consisted, far known, OF
wooden vessels and iron-cad The rebels
port that only OF the necta gunboat-succecded In
running by the batteries but despatch that the
Navy Department has Information that the entire fleet
passed IN safety, excepting shc side-whcel steamer Ms
sisspp, which grounded, and was set on FIRE by her
officers by the direction OF the Admiral
The dispatches referred above we're received in
Washington yesterday; but a person this city
gives the same information, adding the fact that the
sxirmishing Colonel Clark, aid TO General Ranks was
slightly wounded, and that in all probability the land
force would attack within few hours, the main
body OF troops being within Eve miles OF the enemy
works
The silence OF the rebel journals detail opera
lions that quarter, and the high coIorng giysn
their account Of the affair, lead to think that
next advices viii give for congratulation
and that, with the exception Of vicksburg the entire
Mississippi river viii in a time be free and unob
structed.
WASHINGTON, March y, 1863.
The following despatch received in Washington yes
tcrday mornings addressed Colonel stager by steamer
70 New York
SOUTHWEST PAss, Ia, Marcn II, lso3.
(By telegraph from Baton Rouge, March l5.l
Commodore Farragut, leading the Hartford attacked
the Port Hudson batteries last right at eleven O'Clock
with his fleet. The steamer MISSISSIPPI aground
abandoned and burned. Ihe hiring on both sides
rapid and severe.
The army Is within tive miles of the sDemys works, IN
good spirits and bound Cavalry skrmishos have
been the only lighting as yet
CHARLES $. BuLKLEY,
Assistant sup't Of the Military Telegraph, Gulf Dept
Another despatch from Washington states that tho Sec
rotary OF the Navy has received tina, Admiral Ear
ragu safely made the passage by Port Hudson tho
frigate Hartford his flagship and with his whole feet
the Mississippi only excepted.
A despatch received in this city yesterday, dated
Southwest Pass, La March IT, 1853 confirms the nrst
telegram, and adds
"Hcavy skirmishing is gong on IN the advance.
. Colonel Clark, aid To General Banks, is slightly
wounded.
1.-THE army is in good spirits and will move few
hours.
General Banks " in excellent health and feels
dent Of success
AS FAR as known at present Admiral Farras1ts fee,
onsia ad af 4 hef ol