National Republican., 1881-04-26
HIS FIRST TRIUMPH.
THE CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS
Nineteen Yeaas Age-How Farragut Took the City in
aStorm Of Fire, Grape, and Shell-A Des-
perate Fight at the Mouth ofthe
Mississippi River.

but to send naval expedition, which, fitted out
in the Atlantic ports, should move up from the
Gulf The command of this expedition was as
signed to
CAPTAIN DAVID G. FARRAGUT,
a Tennesseean by birth, and an officer who had
seen service and done good work in the Mexican
campaign. On the ID of February, 1862, Farragut
sailed for Hampton Roads in the armed steamer
Hartford. His instructions were of the most posi-
tive character. He was to proceed with all
possible dispotch to the Gulf of Mexico ana
assume command of the Western Gulf squad
ron. This squadron was to be consider
ably reinforced, and in addition there was
to be attached to the squadron powerful bomb b
fotilla under Commander David Porter. With
these mortar vessels, and with such others as
might be spared from the blockade, he was to re-
duce the defences which guarded the approaches
to New Orleans take possession of that city under
the guns of the squadron, and hold it until troops
should be sent to his aid. Thus instructed, and
having been provided with plans of the principal
works on the Lower Mississippi Farragut set about
the accomplishment of his task. A land force of
eighteen thousand TO back up the efforts of the
feet had been furnished, and placed under the
command of Major General Butler. Before the
middle of April
THE FLEET
was in perfect order Porter's fleet of twenty
vessels, making formidable array, had arrived at
Ship Island. Butler, too had arrived. Strong as
the National forces now were, Farragut had
task on hand fitted to unnerve the strongest arm
and appall the stoutest heart. New Orleans was
well fortified. The numerous narrow and shallow
inlets make its approaches exceedingly perilous
to ships of a heavy tonnage. At bend ofthirty
miles up the river there were two powerful forts
Fort Jackson and Fort st. Philip These barred
the approach to the city, for the Gulf and the con-
had armed them with 126 guns of long
range and large calibre. At this point large
chain, sustained upon eight hulks, was stretched
across the river. Close TO Fort Jackson
there was a formidable water battery, and
under the guns OF the forts there was fleet of
thirteen gunbOats, powerful iron-clad floating
battery called the Louisiana, carrying sixteen
guns, and the steam ram Manassas. In addition to
all these tremendous war appliances there were
RATS and fire-ships. Further up the
river and to the southwest of the town on the
bayous and lakes there were elaborate and power
full works which Beaurcgard had greatly strength
ened. In and around the city of New Orleans
there was force of at least 10000 men. General
Twiggs had been entrusted by the confederates
with the
DEFENSE OF THE CITY.
The entire confederate strength about New Orleans
was believed to be sufficient to beat off any navy
IN the world" One of the New Orleans papers, in
upon. the preparations made to de-
end the city, said Our only fear is that the
Northern invaders may not appear. We have
made such extensive preparations to receive them
hat it were vexatious if their inyincible armada
escapes the fate we have in store for it," On the
th of April
THE NATIONAL FLEET,
of the following vessels, had been with
rrpat labor carried tho hqr First division nF
,un- boats, Captain Bailey commanding; Wissa-
lickon, lieutenant commanding, A. Smith; Kineo,
lieutenant commanding, Ransom; Katahdin, lieu
enant commanding. Preble; Varuna, Commander
3oggs; Oneida, Commander Lee; Cayuaga, lieu
enant commanding, Howison. Second division
# gum boats-Winona, lieutenant commanding,
Nichols; Itasca, lieutenant commanding, Cald-
veil; Pinola, lieutenant commanding, Crosby;
lieutenant commanding Russell; Iro-
uois, Commander De Camp; Sciota, lieutenant
Donaldson. First division of ships
Commander Allen; Brooklyn, Captain
raven; Hartford, Commander Wainwright Sec
nd division of ships Mississippi, Commander N.
mith; Pensacola, Captain Morris. By the 18th
Il things were in readiness for an attack. Not
My were the two fleets now fully in the river
'utler, with his troops was at the Southwest Pass,
below ready for action. A fire. raft
Which came sailingdown the river gave the Ma
onas an idea of the species of tactics which the
nemy was disposed TO adopt upon the next day.
THE PLAN AGREED UPON
egan to be carried out Porter with his mortar |
oat crept up along the south bank of the river |
Glow Fort Jackson under cover of the woods and |
arly on the morning of the 18th the bombardment |
The first shot was fired from Fort |
ackson. The mortar vessels opened fire at once |
I'd the effect was terrific. Porter watched the |
feet of the Shells and directed their range from !
n board the Harriet Lane. In For: Jackson the |
arracks were set on fire soon after the lombard
lent opened During the first twenty four hours |
800 bombs must have been flung by Porters NOR |
ars the enemy replying with equal spirit and forsix
10 such continued and heavy fighting had been |
'itnessed since the days of Nelson. On
THE THIRD DAY
the bombardment Farragut, seeing that no de- |
sive results were likely to be attained, resolved |
cut the barricade, the gauntlet of the forts
nd pass up to the city of New Orleans in spite of
heir guns The first thing to be done was to re-
love the distractions in the river. On the night
the Goth of April, under cover of the darkness
cree north wind blowing, Commander Bell, with |
ne Pinola and Itasca, ran up to the boom. The |
inola attempted unsuccessfully to blow up one of
ne hulks by means of petard. The Itasca was |
lshed to the hulk adjoining. A rocket thrown up |
ON Fort Jackson revealed her presence and a |
eavy fire was at once opened upon her from the |
,rtress. Nothing daunted, the men kept at their |
ork, and by means of cold -chisels, hammers,
c., the chain was cut. The arrangements for the |
inward movement up the river were now complete. |
he chain was broken and Farragut was ready. |
he feet, arranged in three divisions, were under |
le command of FaTragut, Captain Bell, and Cap
lin Bailey. The fist division was to keep to the |
ght of the river, and fight Fort Jackson; the sec
nd was to keep to The left bank and fight Fort |
t. Philip; the third was ordered to press on, un-
lindfui of the forts, and attack the confederate
eet above At three o'clock on the morning of !
pril oath the feet got under way. There was
AN oMISoUS SILENCE
the forts. Porters boats opened terrific |
re, filling the air with Shells which was kept up |
itn renewed vigor as Fasragut approached the |
,ene of conflict. He passed the broken chain
Ifely, and, as taey slowly approached Fort Jack
IN, Farragut, from The fore rigging of the Hart
rd, watched. with the help of his night glass the
Ioyemen:s of Bell and Bailey. When little over
mile from Fort Jackson the guns of both forts
pened upon him with great force. Farragut was
no haste to reply, although the Hartford was
it several times. Drawing closer and closer and
aiting fully fifteen minutes after the first volley
ad been fired at him, he began with two heavy
ms. which he had mounted on the forecastie.
hen within half mile of Fort Jackson he
leered around and poured forth such
roadsides of grape and canister that no
wing thing could stand before them. The men
ere driven from the barbe:te guns on the fort,
nd the widest confusion prevailed. The firing
ON the casemates continued and the conflict
ICED with great fury. While Farragut was en-
agei with the forts
HUGE FIRE-RAFT
as pushed against him by the Manassas In at
mpting to avoid the blazing raft the Hartford
IN aground, and was in flames on the port side
nd half way up TO the main and mizzentops.
uring this time the Hartford did not discontinue
Ie cannonading. The flames were soon extin-
lished and the Hartford being released sailed
D the stream. Halfa hour more and Farragut