Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-09-02
LETTER From NEW ORLEANS.
Headquarters, DEr'r OR THE CUR,
Nov Orleans. Aug 6. 1861.

HEADQUARTERS, DEr'T. OR THE GULF, I
New Orleans, Aug 6, 1864.
DEAR ;--Y esterdsy dispatches
we're received from the signal station on Dau-
phin Island of one Of the most glorious and
hard fought naval battles Of the war. Com
modore Farragut has for several months
been collecting hit war dogs at the mouth Of
Mobile Bay, and yesterday morning at about
o'clock he let them loose. Before | ? o'clock
meridian, the whole feet was inside the Bay,
she ram Tennessee and gunboat Selma cap
tured, and the remaining vessels OF the enc
mys feet safely moored under the guns Of
Fort Morgan. The following are the main
particulars Of the fight, as given me early this
morning by Ensign Mason, private Secretary
TO the Commodore. At an early hour Friday
morning the feet got under way and made for
the main channel. close under the guns Of
Fort Morgan, steaming up in the following
order Monitor Tecumseh taking the lead,
closely followed by the monitors Manhattan,
Chickasaw and Winnebago Those were
supported by the Hartford, (fsg-ship) Brook
lyn, Richmond, Sackawuna, Ossipee, Monon-
gahea, Oneida, Gslena. Port Royal, Meta
comet, Octorora, Seminole aud ltasca Not
q shot was fred until the entire feet had
closed up within point blank range of the
Fort, when perfect shower Of shot and shell
was rained in upon the devoted vessels. The
Admiral. dashed to the cross trees in the rig
fling, with trumpet in hand, bore down with
in half pistol range of the guns Of the Fort,
and poured in such fearful broadsides Of
grape and canister that for moment the
rebel guns were entirely deserted, and gave
him time TO pay bis attention to a more for
midable foe, in the shape of the Tennessee.
At this time the Tecumseh was seen TO rise
several feet in the air, and Immediately dis
appear, having struck a torpedo. One hun
bred men went down with her. Clearing
the Forts without the loss Of vessel, with
the above exception now came on one Of the
most desperate struggles ever witnessed on
the water The Tennessee came up under
full head Of steam with the intention Of run
ming down the Flag Ship, but the Hartford
veered of, and as she passed, gave her foil
broadside with her port guns. All the vessels
that could now be brought to bear, closed in
on all sides. re-loading, while they backed off,
for another round. In the mean time the be-
leaguered vessel stood like Il stag at bay, ue-
livering her broadsides with terrible effect.
The Hartford had, save her first fire, thus far
been a silent spectator of the struggle which
had already lasted upwards of sixty minutes F;
and, getting under full Roadway, she come
on with terrible force, striking the ram near
ly amidships The shock told, and almost
instaniaueously the white flag was run up
from the turret; but the smoke was so dense
that it was not observed from the deck of the
HartlonJ, and she swung off and delivered a
full broadside into the Inflated vessel, fifteen
inch shell passing through her. At this mo-
ment the spunky Sackawana, anxious to have
tshand in the fray, came on through the
dense smoke, and as the Hartford swung off
and delivered her fire, she, the Hartford,
struck on the starboard quarter, inhictng
such serious injury that she will have to 60
North for repairs. The moment the Ten
nessee struck her colors, the Selma start
ed up the bay, but was soon overhauled and
captured by the Metaoomet. The others es-
capped under the guns of the fort Captain
Jerand Of the Ossipee, volunteered to repre-
cent Commodore Farragut, and received the
sword OF Admiral Buchanan. This ended
the struggle, and the occupation of Mobile
Bay was secured, but with an awful loss of
life. the Hartford had twenty i've dead on
her decks, and upwards Of thirty-6ve wound
ed Other vessels suffered in proportion,
making our total loss in killed upwards of
two hundred and fifty ; the number Of wound
ed not known. Among the latter were sew
eral brave and accomplished officers. Ad-
miral Buchanan was shot through the leg,
and it will have to be amputsted. II was the
intention, at first, to take Fort Morgan at The
outset, but as Gen. Granger failed to co-op-
crate, it was postponed for the time although
we have reason to believe that it is in our
hands to-day. Many daring acts of individ-
ual bravery we're done during the engage
ment, which will more fully appear in more
detailed accounts One or two, however,
must mention. When the Tecumseh went
down, the Metacomet lowered boat to pick
up the survivors from that unfortunate yes.
sel aud although directly under heavy fire
from the fort and enemy's vessels, with the
shot kissing and riooobetng around, the en-
sig1 (whose name forgot,) in charge, brave
ly kept at work, and rescued ten OF the crew
The rebels, confident of victory, had loaded
a large barge with stone, and anchored bel
close under the guns OF Fort Powell, intend
ing as soon as our vessels got inside the chan
mel, to sink her to prevent our escape. Tn
Lieutenant in command of the Chickasaw
wishing to distinguish himself, steamet
proudly into the channel between the barge
and fort, coolly delivered his uroadside Will,
his men fastened a hawser to the barge an'
run out her cable. when he rounded to ant
towed the barge to the feet, receiving onl
one shot from the fort.
This morning telegram from S. w. Pass
informs us that Fort Powell was blown u
by the rebels last night, and Gen. Grange
has invested Fort Gaines. An expedition i
being fitted out to cut out the rebel boat
under the guns of Fort Morgan, aud the
will probably be ours before night. The cap
ture Of Mobile now is only question of time
and the heroic Commodore, in his usual Ia
comic style, sends word to Gen. Candy t
send on his land forces, as he is ready 70
anything. All are confident Of success, an
are in the best of spirits. More anon,
Yours in haste. GEO. w. Foster, Jr.,
lst Lieut.. and A. A. A. q.