New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
FARRAGUT'S GREAT FEAT.
us PASSING OF THE BATTERIES AT
PORT HUDSON DESCRIBED AGAIN.
Vim ADVENTURES OF THE HARTFORD UNDER

Among the exploits which stand out in strong
rc,ict from the four years work 81 the Federal
Navy in the Civil War one of the most pic
t,rrsouc as well as one Of the most valuable
IN It's results was the passing of tho Confcd
s,nte batteries at Port Hudson. on the Missis
Sppi by Admiral Farragut. ard his subsequent
nqtro Of the river above that point. The Ad-
mirals own opinion of the achievement Vas tx-
pressed In a letter which he wrote home soon
after the event He said:
"My last dash past Port Hudson was the
best thrs l ever did except taking New-Or-
hans" Abundant testimony to tho Importance
Of the stop also given at the time toth ty
Union officers. whom il assisted. and by the
confederA;es. large numbers Of whom il put on
exceedingly short rations
In the late winter and early spring of 1SG3
Farragut's feet was az NewOrlcans. 1t was
well understood that the COnfederatos On both
banks Of the Mississippi ard throughout that
peshbcrhood generally received tho bulk Il
their supplies from Texas and through Mexican
ports and that most Of these supplies we're con-
yeyed to the Mississippi by the way Of the great
Rcd River and other smaller streams from the
west II was finally determined that FarraSut
should take several vessels past he batteries Of
Port Hudson which were manned by large
Confederate force. and thereby cut off the sup
plies upon which the southern troops depended.
II, himself would lead the expedition. on his
flagship. the steam sloop-of-war Hartford. With
him at this t:me on a visit. his son Loyal.
then only a boy 1t is interesting TO hear a
description Of the action ii was seen and
participated in by the latter Mr. Farragut.
10, AVN lint ypSiS
49, now lives in this city. and said the other
day when asked about the passing OF the bat
teres
IL was only yOungster at the time. you KNOW,
and in order that l might visit my father !
had been assigned TO a regular rating on poard
the Hartford in the summer of 1862 l was
kind Of clerk and my duties were not heavy |
II was in March. 1853 that we moved UP with
seven ships from New-Orleans to Baton Rouge
and then still further up TO a point little be-
low Port Hudson. Our vessels were the Hart
ford the Richmond. the Genesce. the MononSa-
heia tho Aibatross. the Kineo and the Missis-
sippi All but the last were equipped with both
sails and steam--screw steamers-but the Mis-
s!ssippi was big. old-fashioned sidewneel
Steamboat such as were used on the river. Be
fore attempting the passage Of the batteries the
officers and men were busy making the usual
prepara ;ions for a fight. These consisted in
Clearing away all superfiuous spars, placing
splinter MEETINGS. etc. The Hartford had her
lower yards athwartshps. resting on the ham
mock MEETINGS. and chain cables were swung on
each side from the extreme ends Other chains
were coicd vertically along the sides. especially |
in front Of the boilers This was done on all
the ships. Every effort always made to
protect the boilers and engines upon which so
much depended.