Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-11
Important from New Orleans,
OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE LOSS OF BRASIL
EAR CITY, AND THE REPULSE OF THE
REBELS AT DONALDSONVILLEA AND
OTHER POINTS BY OUR TROOPS.

The Navy Department this morning recei we'd
the following dispatches from Admiral Ear
ragut:
FLAG SHIP PENSACOLA, New Orleans june
80, 1S63.-Sir: 1 have to inform the Depart.
ment that while was at Port Pudson, I re-
ceiyed despatch stating that the rebels were in
force on the west bank of the river Threatening
Plaquemine and DonaldsonYille. 1 started
Immediately for the first named place, but on
my arrival at Baton Rouge, found despatch
from Lieut.. Commander Weaver to the effect
that the Rebels, about $50 Texans, had made a
raid into Plaquemine, some three hours preyi-
Gus to his arrival, and had burnt two steamers
that were lying there Lieut.. Commander
Weaver shelled the place, driving the enemy
out Of the town, and followed them down the
river to Donaldsonyille, which place he
reached in advance OF them; by dark, 1 was
also there and found that the "Kineo'' had also
been sent up by Commander Morris. The
enemy finding us in such strong force of gun
boats gave out that they would not attack
Donaldsonyille, but would go by the railroad
to Brashear City. therefore ordered the "Wi-
nona," Lieut.. Commanding Weaver, to cruise
up and down the river, and he seeing the enc.
my on two occasions shelled them.
As had much to attend to in New Orleans,
l dropped down, placing the gunb0ats to the
best advantage, above and below; 1t. Comd'r.
Waters volunteered to assistthe Volunteer off,
Ger commanding the Fort, in the drilling of his
men at great guns. l paid them d visit and ga va
them my advice in case of an attack, which I
looked for sooner or later. left Comd'r Wool
sey in the "Prlncess Royal" in command at
Donaldsonville, ordered the IS Winona" to Pla-
quermine, and stationed the Kinco at a place
below where the railroad ran near the river.
distant about twenty-three miles from New
Orleans. On the 18th instant the enemy
reached the Lafouche, crossing and attacked
our pickets, who repulsed them, causing them
q heavy loss. On the 18th they had a second
fight and were again repulsed
On the 23d, the enemy, under Generals
Green and Mouton, attacked and CAPTURED
Brashear City. Our force there was very small
had only small steamer. mounting two u
ID hewitzers, which purchased as a tug, but
! regret to say that her Commander Is not
represented as having been any more yigiIaut
than the rest and backed down the Bay. Mr..
Ryder says, however, that he could not fire
into the enemy without firing into our own
people, SO he withdrew and retired to New
Orleans, leaving Brashear City In posses sion
OF the enemy.
On the 27th, Comd'r Woolsey informed me
by telegraph. and Brig. Gen. Emory personal
ly, that Gen. Green, Of Texas, had notified
the women and children to leave Donaldson
vile, as he intended to make an attack. I i'm
mediately ordered the Kineo up to the assist
ance OF the Princess Royal, and Lit Oomd'r
Weaver, in the Winona, being on the alert
was also at Donaldsonville in time to take
part in the repulsing of the enemy. I inclose
herewith Comd'r Woolsey's report OF the at.
fair.
At 100 q. M. Of the 25th, the enemy made the
attack, and their storming party got into the
fort; but the gunboats opened a thanking fire
above and below the fort, hurting destruc.
ton into the rebel ranks and driving back the
supporting party, SO that they broke and fed,
and the 100 who entered the fort were cap.
tured. At 4.5O q. M, the rebels (Texans) fell
back in great rage, vowing vengeance. had in
the mean time ordered up the Monongahela,
Comd'r Read, and Gen. Emery first, and then
Gen. Banks sent forward reinforcsments.
Gen. Stone is now in command there, and the
place is perfectly secure. ."''
The prisoners arrived from Donaldson villa
number 124-among which are one Lieutenant
Colonel, two Majors, two Captains aud Ave
Lieutenants. Our forces have buried 90 rebel
dead; arc stu employed, calculating there are