The National tribune., 1898-07-28

rier. He did not choose to give better direc,
tion to the enemy's FIRE by replying; and,
though their balls we're abundant, they main
" passed over and around him.
| Approaching Fort st. Philip, he ran close
under her guns giving her broadsides OF grape
and canister as he passed; the Pensacola
Mississippi, and Nnrrina, pressing closely IN
his wake followed his commendable exam
ple All of his division passed the forts es
sentially uniniured
Capt. Bells division was less fortunate
The Pino!a, Scioto, and Iroquois ran the
gauntlet of the forts unharmed; but the Itas
ca, when directly opposite st. Philip received
a volley of balls, one of which pierced he1
boiler and compelled her to drift down the
river. The Winona recoiled from that fire
and failed to pass. The Kennebec was caught
in the cable; and when liberated, lost hel
way in the dense smoke; finally returning to
her former anchorage below the forts.
IN THE MIDST OF THE COMBAT.
Capt Farragut, in the fore rigging of the
Hartford, anxiously watching every visible
movement through his night-glass, had adj
vanced within q mile and a quarter of Fort
Jackson, when he was opened upon from that
fort and repeatedly struck. Still steaming
directly for the fort, and replying only from
his two forecastle guns, when within half a
mile he sheered and gave them brOadsides of
grape and canister, which soon drove every
man from their barbette guns; but those in
the casemates rendered full and quick returns
for every volley received.
The Richmond, closely following, hurled
grape and canister in profusion. The Brook
lyn, bringing up the rear ran over one of the
hulks which had upheld the chain, during
hot fire from Fort st. Philip. Hardly had
she been freed from the hulk and her head
turned up stream, when the ram Manassas
came butting into her starboard gangway,
first opening her iron trap-door at ten feet
distance and firing at the smokestack of
the Brooklyn heavy bolt, which was caught
and stopped by the sand-bags protecting her
steam-drum. A guard of chain armor, which
had been woven over her sides, shielded her
from destruction by the ram which soon slid
off and disappeared in the darkness.
A few minutes later, while still under
raking fire from Fort Jackson, the Brooklyn
was attacked by large rebel steamer, to
which she gave broadside at so yards, set
ting it instantly on fire and putting an end to
its career. Still cropping onward in the thick
darkness, Capt. Craven soon found himself
abreast of Fort st. Philip, and SO near that
his leadsman reported 13 feet of water.
Bringing all his guns to bear for a few mo-
ments, he poured in grape and canister so
that the fort was completely silenced, and
her garrison were seen by our men in the
tops of the Brooklyn, by the fitful flashes OF
their bursting shrapnel, running like sheep
to their coverts.
Thus passing the upper fort, Capt. Craven
engaged several of the rebel gnnbOats, at 90
4 En,, ,,,1 hnif
under fire, lost eight killed and 26 wounded,
while his ship was badly cut up by shot and
shell; but she bore her fhll part in the attack
on the rebel batteries below New Orleans
next morning.
The Cayuga, having saluted and passed
Fort st. Philip at short range, still pushing
on, encountered, when gust out of fire of the
fort, the entire rebei fotilla, consisting of Is
gunboats, including the,Manassas and Louis
lana. For moment, her doom seemed GER
tain, as 10 supporting ship was to be seen.
By skillful steering, however, Capt. Bailey
avoided all their attempts to butt and board,
and had already forced three of the less for
midable to surrender, when the Varuna and
Oneida were seen cunning to the rescue.
At early dawn, pareering a rebel camp or
the right bank of the river, Capt. Bale J
anchored close beside it, and ordered thu
| rebels to pile their arms on the bank ant
come on board as prisoners, which was obey
| ed. The eaptives proved to be the Chalmettl
regiment, Col. Sysmanski. Their flag, tents
and camp equipage formed part of tn
spoils.
The Varuna, having safely passed the forts
found herself "amid nest of rebel steam
ers," into which she plunged, firing broad
sides at each as she passed it, exploding tn
boiler of the first, which appeared to b
crowded with troops; when it drifted ashore
a wreck. Three other vessels, one Of them