The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-15

he was sixty years OF age, and OF these nearly tiy
had been passed in the service Of his country. But
the sixty years sat lightly upon him-had not damp
ened his energies or tempered the fire of his soul
One who saw him then would not have imagined
him to he beyond middle age. He was proof, too,
against all the allurements which assailed every
oflcer of Southern BIRTH connections, or associa-
tons. Buchanan, Tatnall, Maury, Page, Semmes,
Maft, and nearly all the Southern men who at that
time held high rank in the navy, espoused the cause
of the Rebellion; but Farragut true to the Gag
under which he had sailed on every sea. The out
break OF the war found him shore duty at Nor
folk, Va, where he had married years before and
possessed small estate. When the hand of treason
was raised against the nation, he left all his worldly
possessions and made his escape quietly to the North
leaving Norfolk on the 18th OF April, 1861. His
family accompanied him and took up their residence
at Hasting on the Hudson while Farragut proceeded
to the capital and placed himself at the service Of
the Government.
In Command of the Western Gulf squadron.
He was ordered on duty as a member Of
the Naval Retiring Board, which met at New
York in October, 1861, and his first Oppor-
tunty to achieve q marked success was
not presented until he placed in January,
1862, in command of the Western Gulf Squadron,
with the rank of Flag Onicer. His instructions
quired him to take command of the Western Gulf
blockadng squadron, and to attempt the passage Of
the Instructions upon the Mississippi, below New
Orleans the capture of that city being the grand OBJ
ect to be kept in view.
On February 90 1862 FarTagut reached Ship Island,
full month before the arrival OF General Batter
with the land forces which were to cooperate with
him in the attempt upon New Orleans. He did not
await the arrival Of Butler but proceeded with the
Hartford, his flag ship, and the other vessels of his
neet to the mouth of the Mississippi, where several
weeks occupied in getting them the bar,
which was not accomplished until the sth Of April,
and even then the Colorado and the Wabash he was
obliged to leave behind in consequence Of the shall
lowness of the water.
The fleet with which he finally entered the Missis-
sippi consisted of forty-hve vessels of all classes.
five being powerful steam slOops-the largest vessels
which had ever crossed the bar-seventeen gum
boats, twenty-one mortar schooners, and two large
sailing vessels. Altogether, they carried two hun
dred guns and mortars, many OF which OF
very heavy calibTe. The time which elapsed before
the commencement of active operations was de-
voted to the perfection OF the arrangements for
assaulting the fortihcatons which guarded the ap-
proaches TO the city.
The position of the Rebels certainly of
great strength. AS the control of the Mississippi
depended in great measure upon the possession of
the lower portion of the stream they had expended
all their energies in strengthening their hold upon
it. Some seventy-fve miles below the city, and
about twenty-five miles from the 'passes' OF the
river, they had possession OF two strong works con-
structed many years before by the United States
Government, Fort st. Philip the left or north
bank, and Fort Jackson on the right. Their united
armament was 1876 guns, many Of them OF the very
largest calibre Starting opposite Fort Jackson and
extending TO a point quarter of mile below Fort
St. Philip, stout chain cable stretched across
the stream (here 700 yards wde) supported by a raft
of logs and eight hulks securely moored. Adjoining
Fort Jackson was a water battery. Under cover Of
the forts fleet OF thirteen gunboats the power
ful iron clad battery louisiana and the iron-cad
ram Manassas, the naval forces being commanded
| by Commodore G. NJ Hollins. Between New Orleans
and the forts several earthWorks, well armed
ms S1id
press OF New Orleans of April s. sis that the North
| ern invaders may not appear We have ma such
extensive preparations to receive them thar it were
veXatious if their invncibe armada escape, fate
| we have in store for It,"
| Bombariment of Forts jackson and st. Philip.
On the morning of the 18th of April the fleet was
finally drawn up in close order four miles below the
forts The enemy first tried the efficacy of fre-rafts
| which were sent down the river during the entire
day and the following night, but without doing any
harm On the morning OF the 18th preparations were
| ready for tn, Nnmbardment, the foremost of the
! bomb-vessels about a mile and half below Fort
| Jackson For three days the bombardment, under
| the direct supervision OF Admiral then Commander,
| Porter, continued, 1000 shells being thrown at IT,
with very disastrous results, including the firing of
the citadel and the destruction of the clothing and
commssary stores, while but little damage was sus-
tanned by the attacking heet only OF the mortar
boats being sunk and the casualties numbering two
men killed and five wounded Farragut then con-
forts, and determined to attempt to run past them
| Running the Gauntlet Of the Forts.
| To Bell the neet-captan and commander OF the
nag-ship was assigned the task of breaking the
barrcade which stood in the way OF such an attempt
| This was accomplished on the night of the 2Oth
under cover OF darkness and fierce bombardment
The way to New Orleans was then open to Farragut,
| and he dared make the venture Engineer Moore,
OF the Richmond, suggested the guarding Of the
sides OF the vessels by the iron-chain cables which
| were looped over, forming sort OF armor which
| served TO protect the line of the engines. Every
possible precautOn and preliminary were taken, in
accordance with Farraguts general order addressed
| TO the commander OF each vessel
The time for the was fixed for the night of tue
| 23d OF April The bombardment was Kept up until
then, to occupy the attention of the enemy. AT 2
O'Clock on the morning OF the 24th the signal for the
advance was given, and at half-past the whole
fleet was under way. The Hartford, with Farragut
perched in the forerigging and peering anxiousy
through his glass into the thick darkness led the
column the left the Cayuga led the right, fol-
lowing them came three other steamers and twelve
gunboas, carrying in all 294 guns the mortar fleet
with its own steamers and the sailing vessels being
left behind, to cover the advance with their fire.
1t is impossible, In the space and time at our
mand, to go into the details OF the memorable
nict which ensued. 1t was terrific. But the greater
portion Of the fleet succeeded in running the fiery
ordeal. Farrsgut's flagship, tine Hartford, had
scarcely gotten under way before she received the
fire OF Fort Jackson. The response of the Hartford
drove every man in the fort under cover, but did
not interrupt the hot fire from the caseInate guns
Fort st. Philip soon opened upon the advancing
fleet, and the smoke became dense that the Hash
Of the guns the only object at which either forts
or fleet could direct their aim. huge 1re-raft then
loomed up through the darkness and in endeavor-
inn IN raj lacln