The National tribune., 1902-05-22


bluffs, rising perpeudicularly from the riv-
er to a great hight, and from its natural
advantages a very strong POSITION
The river at this point makes an abrupt
bend. which subjected the ships in pass
ing to a most destructive fire, both as they
approached and after they had passed the
works. At the head of the bluff Thomp-
sons Greek made assault by land impos-
sibie at that point. and at the lower end
of these bluffs an immense ravine formed
n natural ditch, which could without trou-
bic be swept both by direct and enhlad-
ing fire.
Gen. Frank Gardiner, the Confederate
commander displayed unusual skill in the
construction of his works and the FORTH
cations, which, commencing at ThOmpson's
Creek. on his extreme left, were contin-
uous until they reached the crest of the
bluff on the river front on his extreme
right. He thus maintained an unbrOken
zig-zag line of perhaps four miles. There
was no point In all of this line where an
assault could be delivered without subject
ing the attacking column to calling
croSs-fre.
The importance to the Confederates
of keeping open the mouth of the Red
River is apparent, when you cOnsid-
er that up TO this time Louisiana
and Texas had been but little disturbed
by active military operations, and cOnsti-
tuted the vast territory that furnished cat
tie and provisions to the armies east Of
the Mississippi, where they were distrib-
uted to the armies in the field. 1t was to
cut off these supplies and to effect q june
ton with Admiral Porter. then above
Eicksburg, that Admiral Farragut at
tempted the passage Of Port Hudson with
his wooden ships.
The passage of strongly-fortifed posi-
tons with wooden ships was first success
fully accomplished by the Admiral IN his
famous encounter with Forts Jackson and
St Philip, below New Orleans, which
event. occurring in the early part of 1862,
gave us the mouths of the Mississippi and
New Orleans. There are many difficulties
TO overcome in forcing a passage of this
sort that those not familiar with the de-
tails would never take into consideration.
DIFFICULTIES OF THE PASSAGE.
The stage of the river. the constantly
changing channel and the formation of
bars and natural distractions that our
pilots could have no positive information
of rendered the passage of heavy draft
ships of the class of the Hartford alag
ship, Mississippi and Richmond most haz-
ardous.
The danger from torpedoes was not in
significant, and these large vessels, pre-
senting as they did an immense target at
short range, received well-directed shot
fired Mt them.
Water batteries are easily silenced in a
fight of this sort, as an entire broadside
of grape or canister can be concentrated
on them and the works swept clean. To
silence guns mounted on the crest Of
bluff is quite another matter. You can
fight water battery point blank" and
if you can stand in close enough it simply
becomes a question of pluck and good
practice. When. however, you are sub
jected to a FIRE from the crest Of a bluff
and are liable to have a shot sent down
through your decks and perhaps through
the ships bottom, you are placed at a
great disadvantage, and az your line Of
fire Is simply the extreme crest of the bluff,
where the least inaecuracy in calculating
distance will send your shot wide OF its
mark, the enemy have practically all the
advantage The main object, of course. in
attempting the passage is to get by, and
more attention is usually made 10 accom-
pliShing this result than in stopping to
fight. The smoke of the guns soon rem
ders it difficult for your pilot to see dis
tinctly. and to overcome this difficulty Ad
miral Farragut always stationed his pilot
along with himself in the mizzentop Of the
Hartford, where he could see over the
cloud of smoke and by means Of a speak
ing tube direct the men at the wheel.
These preliminary remarks are perhaps
necessary 10 explain why the Admiral did
not carry all Of his ships through at the
battle Of Port Hudson, and why one was
lost ard others disabled. He had but one
iron-clad in his squadron-the Essex-the
balance Of his ships being the old-time
wooden slo6ps and gunbOats. He had had
up to this time but little experience in
fighting irOn-ciads, and once remarked in
the hearing Of the writer that he preferred
wooden ships, but iron men" and he GER
tainly had them in his squadron.
The Essex had for several months prior
TO the attack on Port Hudson held the
river between that point and New Orleans
and was constantly under fire. She had
repeatedly drawn the fire from the enc
my's guns at Port Hudson. and was thus
enabled to give the Admiral much val
uable information regarding their number,
position and caliber.
ADMIRAL FARRAGUT's PLANS.
In March, 1863. Gen. Banks, who had
relieved Gen. Butler of the command Of
the Department of the Gulf. sent direct 10
Baton Rouge, La, d brigade Of infantry,
and took possession OF that point, il hay-
ing been abandoned by the Federal forces
after the battle which had been fought in
August, 1862 between Gen. Breckin-
ridge. commanding the Confederate army,
and Gen. Williams. commanding the Fed
eral army. Baton Rouge having thus been
taken possession Of. became the base OF
operations against Port Hudson, and a
considerable number of troops were mass
ed there.
A few days after the troops had dis.
embarked Admiral Farragut arrived with
one wing OF his squadron TO prepare for
the combined attack that was to take
place. The army, commanded by Gen
Banks in person, was to move out OF
Baton Rouge and take possession OF a
point few miles south Of Port Hudson
known as the Cross Roads This point
was not far distant from the river. and
communication with the fleet was easy.
After mature deliberation these com
manding officers fully cOnSummated their
plans. The army under Gen Banks was
10 halt at the Cross Roads until final com.
munication WAS had with the Admiral
and the exact hour named by him when he
would attack. The army took possession
and the Admiral named the hour when
the passage would be attempted He had
arranged to be under the eurmy's guns al
II p. N. 1t was understood between these
commanding officers that the army would
make a demonstration on the cnemy's
works in the rear, in order that a divi
sion Of his forces might take place Gen
Banks, however. displayed his usual mas
terry inactivity" and the army remained
at the Cross Roads disengaged listeners OF
the battle that was fought
The Admiral, upon his arrival below
Port Hudson on the morning of March "A
1853, brought his ships to an anchor. ani
then with his flagship, the Hartford
steamed up to take a look at the enemy.
position, and to acquaint himself with tn,
location and weight of the guns he was Il
mol Az I.a L