The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-07-11

Seserter we found an advertisement calling
for volunteers to go down the river and
board the Yankee ships; and in the midst
Of the ficbt we encountered some who did
attempt to board our vessels. They never got
back 10 New Orleans again, because the frall
crafts on which they attempted the expert
ment were blown TO atoms, and those who
were not killed outright were sent to. the
bottom Of the muddy Mississippi in way
that no doubt astOnished them.
While the fleet was lying at the head OF
The passes a boat expedition under Capt
Caldwell, Of the gunbOat Itasca, assembled
the river one dark night and succeeded I'm
cutting the chain which the enemy had
stretched across the river below the forts
They were discovered and fired on by the
watchful Johnnies. but nevertheless accom-
plished the object of their mission, thus open
ing channel for the fleet TO pass through
on its way 70 New Orleans.
REBEL DEFENsEs OF NEW ORLEANS.
Let ms now take brief glance at what
constituted the enemy's formidable defenses
Recognizing the importance Of New Orleans
and the control of the Mississippi River. the
Confedcra,es adopted extraordinary precaution-
arv measures for its defense About 5000
fronns under Mansfield Lowell. constituted the
garrison Of the city. About 10 miles below the
CITY. at Englisht0wn, the Chalmette batteries
were located. consisting Of heavily-armed
broas. works on both sides of the river with
guns SO mounted as to be available against YES
sells ascending or descending the river. About
so miles below the city Fort Jackson stands, on
the west bank Of the river, and about 100 yards
back from the lcvee. It's armament consisted
Of 75 guns aud p powerful water battery OF nine
guns. Its garrison consisted Of about 200 men,
4 i l.,-f f,H a tho
east side of the river stands Fort St. Philip,
which mounted So guns. with a garrison OF
about 500 men. johnson *. Duncan. beiug the
senior officer. in command. In addition 10
these the enemy's hOtilla, consisting OF Is
armed steamers. rams aud gunboats command
ed BY Capt John X Mitchell, participated IN
the engagement. The principal vessels of this
armed ilotila were the powerful ironclad Lou
isiaua. commanded by Charles i. Mcintosh,
formerly Of tile United States Navy; the ram
Manassas commanded by Lieut.. +. B. Hugar,
and the armed river steamers McRea, Stone
wall Jackson. Quitman. Gov Moore. Phwnix,
Burton. lands. M0sher, Algerine Belle, Music,
Star, Union. Resolute. Gen. Lowell, Defiance,
Breckenridge, and q few others which were
destroyed in action before their names could
be ascergaincd. in addition 10 all these two
ironclads were being constructed at New
Orleans, one at Algiers, and one at fazOo City.
Besides the defcuses mentioned eight hnlks
were moored in line across the river near the
forts. and q heavy chain extended from one TO
the other. Rats Of logs were also used, and
the channel Of the river almost completely
closed. il may be safely asserted that no pains
or expense were spared by the Confederates TO
msze New Orleans impregnable, and 50 conf
dent were they Of their ability 10 successfully
defend the city that they grew impatient at
Farragut's delay and publicly predicted his
defeat
When his feet entered the river every plan
that human ingenuity could c0ntriye was re-
sorted 60 % prevent his advance. Fire-rafis
were cast adrift by the enemy and allowed 10
run down with the current, for the purpose Of
setting ERE 10 our vessels. Considerable iron-
bic was experienced in keeping clear Of them,
but we generally succeeded
FARRAGUT's FLEET.
Tie following are the vessels Of Farragut's
With the feet names Of their commanders,
which participated in the capture Of New
Orleans and its defenses April ls to p, 1862:
eEDOpS-OF-W