, 1863-05-27
Nombnrdment of Port Hudson,
Correspondence Of the New Orleans Era
HAr0s RnY.ax MnnfAx MaY III. 1S1r3

*1V"ANSTJ NS1-T
On The 7th inst, n portion Of tho mortar
feet which had been lying ut Baton Rouge tor
some time past, was quietly towcd up the
river. On the next day others followed, leay-
ing but one at the city. They were placed in
position opposite the head Of Prophet Island.
Tho iron clad Essex was already In position
within close range Of the lower rebel batte-
rics. The mortar feet was ranged in line
along the ehore, 4 little way to the rear.
Capt. Caldwell Of the Essex, WAS in COM
1uand Of tlc mortar feet. Between the Essex
ind the batteries there were no obstructions,
only swaMpy Held containing numerous
/ 6tumps, Intervening.
At first the "bnmmcrs'' were located be-
| hind a corner Of thick woods, where they were
| not visible from the batteries
The Richmond, Capt. Alden, was In the
main stream a few rods further south than
| the mortar boats, and to the left Of them.
! About midnight on tho Sth instant, rcd
light Was hung out astcrn Of the Essex. Its
appearance signalizcd to the fleet to COM
mence firing.
4 little moro than m hour OF incessant
hombardment was kept up by our mortar
! tlcet. But no response was made by the enc.
/ nly on the first night. On the next uay, at
! noon, trials were made to secure an accurate
range. Elevated At on anglo of IS degrees,
by q few shots tho 1norta1s were brought to
| besr upon the lower batteries, SO that in the
darkness of the night it was certain where
every shot would strike, although no object
could be seen. On the next night, at 10
O'Clock, the "bummers' again opened upon
the batteries. Ranged along the sAosc. not
forty Yards astern Of the Essex, In tull sight
and easy range Of the lover carthworks, Tor
IN hour they rained perfect storm OF huge
shell upon them.
On The right aud left, and far to the rear,
they were continually scattering destruction
he was waiting at the upper and msin bat
tcrics in expectation that some boats were tc
attcurt to pass, or that m attack was to bt
made from some unexpected quarter. Nher
demonstrations whatcye7 had been made b.
the rebels. As soon as the moTtar-boat
!. ceased firing, they at once commenced dag
cipc their flying artillery into position on tn
lnwcr earthworks. 4 little jut Of land nea
tho margin Of the river. covered IN the rea
81 I'd bv two 24-pound rified guns, whence the
conl1 rake an approaching vessel fore and all
!. 10 the right of this hill, a ridge Of rsli
, slope on it's southern face, running thret
: cirhths of n mile cass, and backed BY q thlc
!. grove, was surmounted by ten :" ponno rue
al 5 o'clock on the morning Of the 10th II
slant, the red light reappeSrcd at the stern I
the Essex. The first shell from the mort:
9 fcet Yas fred soon after o'clock. The e:
y ample was followed by tue other ooats: - y
Il s.bummeYs'' had 1t all their own way until ! l
o'clock, when a fash was seen on the crest
the hiil' It Wis rot a bursting shell. ltw
= Enthusiastically the fash Of the enemy's ca
70 non Proof positive soon came hurtnns os
II. tic Essex, IN tlc shape Of 4 percussion she
y which touched the 1eyec. burst, and hurled
e g. jagged fragments against her iron sides, Al
Il. thcn fell harmless into the WatcT
II Three flashes, three clouds sfiight smos
tbcu boom-poom-boom the peal
;. their cannon, announcing the coming OF M
s, more messengers Of death. They all splash
'n' into the water, whtrled up splendid iet de
and then sank quietly beneathth surface:
III. s4hc Essex now showed Signs Of life. lii
ur6 .cElO upt eAut uau ncen HEcQ IouA AS. Pot
v IDEiuE sure aim. she opened ire Will
= ninc-inch guns, and kept up rapid canne
aiding during the res: Of tho engagement
She was struck fairly only once during
action, although twelve times in all by #;
md ! ments of exploding shell. II was noticed
=. all on board when large shell exploded j