Showing posts with label Ft. Jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ft. Jackson. Show all posts

Friday, December 13, 2013

A Terrific Bombardment

A letter from an officer in Fort Jackson, in the New Orleans Bulletin, states that the Federal Fleet, in its attack upon that fort averaged one shell ever ten seconds or six a minute, for nearly seventy hours.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 2

Friday, November 15, 2013

General Robert E. Lee to Col. G. W. Custis Lee, February 23, 1862

SAVANNAH, 23d February, 1862.

My Dear Son:

I have received your letter of the 12th and am glad you have returned safely from the Rappahannock. I hope your visit was satisfactory. I am sorry your arrangement for sending on Richmond failed, and especially for the trouble he occasioned everybody. He is a troublesome fellow and dislikes to associate with strange horses. He expresses it more in words than acts, and if firmly treated becomes quiet at last. I know his propensity to squeal on such occasions and can imagine how unacceptable he made himself to strangers. I carried him in the car with all our horses to and from western Virginia without accident or harm. He might as well wait now, and I hope you can make him useful to you. The expense of hiring a man and car to get him to me would not be indemnified by the use to me. I have two horses. Col. W. has been here, as you may have learned, and I should judge from his manner everything was agreeable to him. He took his departure two days since, and I sent by him an afghan or robe, knit for me by Miss "Tattie" Clinch, which is too pretty to have in camp. I desired him to give it to you and I wish you would send it to your mother or put it away somewhere, and ask her to keep it for me. I have heard of Mary's return from Norfolk, and I hope she is now with her mother. In these times of trouble I am always anxious about those away from me. The victories of the enemy increase and consequently the necessity of increased energy and activity on our part. Our men do not seem to realize this, and the same supineness and carelessness of their duty continue. If it will have the effect of arousing them and imparting an earnestness and boldness to their work, it will be beneficial to us. If not we shall be overrun for a time, and must make up our minds to great suffering. Here the enemy seems to be slowly making his way to the Savannah River through the creeks and marshes, and his shells now interrupt its navigation. We have nothing that floats that can contend with him, and it is grating to see his progress unopposed by any resistance we can make. The communication with Fort Pulaski is cut. That may in time be reduced, but I am constructing batteries at Fort Jackson which, if our men will fight, will give him trouble to get to the city. His batteries are so numerous and strong that I know they are hard to resist, but if we have the time and guns they ought if vulnerable to be beaten off. Their barges and reconnoitering boats are even clad with iron, so that our musket and rifle balls are harmless. The work progresses slowly and it is with the utmost difficulty that it is pushed ahead. I had until lately supposed Charleston would have been first attacked, but now it seems they are concentrating here. We are stronger in C. than here. The creeks that intersect the marshes through with the waters of Port Royal Harbor to the north and Warsaw Sound on the south are a great element of weakness, and indeed the facilities the arms or branches of these waters afford for approach and investment in all directions make it one of the hardest places to defend I ever saw, against light draft boats. The tide rises seven and eight feet, so it is easy to propel their boats over the mud. This will be plain to you who know the topography of the place. Your friends here are all well and frequently inquire after you. Mrs. Wm. H. Stiles has come down, since Mrs. Lord's return to her children. I now hear that Mr. Lord is released on parole in Baltimore. I do not know if it is true. Remember me to all friends, my dear son, and give much love to your mother, Fitzhugh, and all the girls. I hope you will be able to attend to the business matters without distress to yourself or neglect of your duty. All must be sacrificed to the country. May God protect you and shield you from all harm.

Your devoted father,
R. E. LEE.
COL. G. W. CUSTIS LEE.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 161-2

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

General Robert E. Lee to [Mary Custis Lee?], February 23, 1862

Savannah, Georgia, February 23, 1862.

The news from Tennessee and North Carolina is not at all cheering. Disasters seem to be thickening around us. It calls for renewed energies and redoubled strength on our part. I fear our soldiers have not realized the necessity of endurance and labor, and that it is better to sacrifice themselves for our cause. God, I hope, will shield us and give us success. I hear the enemy is progressing slowly in his designs. His gunboats are pushing up all the creeks and marshes to the Savannah, and have obtained a position so near the river as to shell the steamers navigating it. I am engaged in constructing a line of defense at Fort Jackson which, if time permits and guns can be obtained, I hope will keep them out.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 159

Monday, September 16, 2013

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant to Mary Frances Grant, December 18, 1861

Cairo,
Dec. 18th, 1861.

Dear Sister:

I have been wanting to write you for some time and am not so indifferent as you would make out. I wish you could be here for a day or two to see what I have to go through from breakfast until twelve at night, seven days in the week. I have now just got through with my mail for to-night, and as it is not yet twelve and the mail does not close until that time, I will devote the remainder of the time in penning you a few lines. I have no war news to communicate, however.
Julia and the children have returned from St. Louis. They will not make you the promised visit whilst I remain here.

Captain Foley arrived to-day and I showed him all the attention I could but I regret to say it was not much. He will excuse it however.

I am sorry you did not come with him. I believe I should have allowed the children to go back with you.

I have learned through private sources that an attack has been made upon Fort Jackson, Louisiana, and that the place has been taken. That is to say such is the report in Columbus, but I do not know whether to credit the report. Something has taken place to call off many of their troops. They still have a much larger force than I have.

Whilst I am writing several Galena gentlemen are in talking. They will remain until the office closes so you must excuse a disconnected letter.

I do not now see that the probabilities are so strong that I will likely be removed. A full disposition seems to have been made of all my seniors.

Father seems to be very much inclined to criticize [sic] all our generals. It may have been a little inexcusable in General Buell not to allow troops to stop for a few hours when near their homes. But he should recollect that General Buell was not on the spot to see the circumstances fully, and he does not know what necessity may have existed to have got the troops through by a certain time.

At your request I send a small batch from my cranium. I doubt whether it is big enough for the purpose you want it.

If you will come out here you might spend a few weeks pleasantly and I hope you will not lose such an opportunity as has just occurred.

I will close this. My love to all at home.

ULYS.

SOURCE: Jesse Grant Cramer, Editor, Letters of Ulysses S. Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 74-6

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Official Account of the Capture of New Orleans

To Hon. Gideon Welles, Sec’y of the Navy:

I have the honor to announce that in the providence of God, which smiles on a just cause, the squadron under flag-officer Farragut, has been vouchsafed a glorious victory and triumph in the capture of the city of New Orleans, Forts Jackson, St. Phillip, Livingston and Pike, the batteries above and below New Orleans, as well as the total destruction of the enemy’s gunboats, steam rams, floating batteries, fire-rafts and obstructing bombs and chains.  The enemy, with their own hands, destroyed from $8,000,000 to $10,000,000 worth of cotton and shipping.  Our loss is 36 killed and 123 wounded.  The enemy lost from 1,000 to 1,500, besides several hundred prisoners.  I am bearer of dispatches.

(Signed,)
THEODORUS BAILEY,
Captain and 2d in command of attack.


WASHINGTON, May 9.

Capt. Bailie [sic] has arrived with dispatches to the Navy Department, from Capt. Farragut.  He brings a number of secession flags including that of the Chalmette regiment, and the one which was hauled down from over the N. O. City Hall.  Dates are to the 29th ult., at which time Capt. Farragut was taking every means to secure the occupation of the forts along the coast by Butler’s forces.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 1

Friday, August 9, 2013

From New Orleans

NEW YORK, May 7.

The steamer Columbia has arrived from Havana, the 3d.

The gun boat Daniel Smith arrived at Havana on the 30th, from Fort Jackson on the 26th.

The attack on the rebel forts commenced on the 18th.  On the 23d Com. Farragut in the Hartford, with 13 steamers, passed the forts, and Gen. Butler landed 4,000 men above.  The rebels lost eleven gun boats, and the Hollins’ turtle Manassas.  Our forces took 400 prisoners.  We lost 150 men, and our  gun-boat Verona was sunk. – On the 24th a flag of truce was sent to Com. Porter asking condition for surrender to which Porter replied “no conditions.”  Our flag now waves over the Custom House.

The capture of three rebel steamers is reported; they were sent to Key West.

Twenty mortar and three gun boats were engaged against the forts, silencing them after six days of hard fighting.

The chains across the river were removed by our gunboats.  The rebels sent five rafts down the river, but they did little damage.  They set fire to the Hartford, but it was speedily extinguished.

The Verona and the iron-clad rebel steamer Webster had a splendid engagement.  The Webster running into the Verona, and sinking her, but before going under the Verona’s crew poured in a volley of 8 guns, so destructive, that both the Webster and Verona went down together.

Arrangements for the surrender were to be made on the 27th.

The day after the Dispatch left the ram Manassas was sunk by the steamship Mississippi.

Our forces sent a small boat to the five rafts, which towed them out of the way before they could do any harm.

The rebel loss is unknown.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: Monday, July 13, 1863

The Enquirer says the President has got a letter from Gen. Lee (why not give it to the people?) stating that his operations in Pennsylvania and Maryland have been successful and satisfactory, and that we have now some 15,000 to 18,000 prisoners, besides the 4000 or 5000 paroled. Nonsense!

Lee and Meade have been facing each other two or three days, drawn up in battle array, and a decisive battle may have occurred ere this. The wires have been cut between Martinsburg and Hagerstown.

Not another word have we from either Charleston or Jackson; but we learn that monitors, gun-boats, and transports are coming up the James River.

Altogether, this is another dark day in our history. It has been officially ascertained that Pemberton surrendered, with Vicksburg, 22,000 men! He has lost, during the year, not less than 40,000! And Lovell (another Northern general) lost Fort Jackson and New Orleans. When will the government put “none but Southerners on guard?”

Letters to-day from the Governors of South Carolina, Alabama, and North Carolina show that all are offended at the Confederate government. Judge Campbell's judicial profundity (and he is the department's correspondent) is unfortunate at this crisis, when, not great principles, but quick and successful fighting, alone can serve.

It appears that President Lincoln has made a speech in Washington in exultation over the fall of Vicksburg, and the defeat of an army contending against the principle that all men were created equal. He means the negro — we mean that white men were created equal — that we are equal to Northern white people, and have a right, which we do not deny to them, of living under a government of our own choice.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 377-8

Friday, June 14, 2013

From New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, April 21.

A special dispatch to the Delta, from Ft. Jackson yesterday, says the enemy’s fire had much slackened.  He has fired 39,000 lbs. of powder, and over 1,000 tons of iron.  This bombardment is unprecedented in the annals of warfare.  Our loss so far is five killed and ten wounded.  The mortar vessels are out of sight behind a point of woods.  We sunk two of them yesterday and disabled a steamer.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 1, 1862, p. 1

Thursday, June 13, 2013

From Fort Pillow

Special to the Chicago Times.

FORT PILLOW, April 28.

Deserters from the rebel lines bring the gratifying intelligence that New Orleans has surrendered to our forces, under command of Com. Porter, and that city is now in our possession.

On Thursday last the Federal fleet passed Fort Jackson, after a desperate naval engagement, in which one vessel was sunk and several badly damaged.  It is supposed that the Federal loss was very heavy.  The rebel loss was 60 killed and 184 wounded.

The engagement lasted a part of two days.  The Federals took possession of New Orleans without a struggle on Friday.

The rebel force had all evacuated, destroying such steamers as they had no use for, and taking with them the greater part of military stores on deposit in the city.

There is supposed to be a large amount of cotton stored in New Orleans, which will fall into our possession, notwithstanding the efforts of the rebel authorities to destroy the entire stock.

The union citizens of New Orleans were jubilant over the result of their long waiting.

The strength of Fort Pillow is stated by deserters, at 8,000, under command of Gen. Villipigue, who has not been superseded as reported.  They have seven batteries mounting an aggregate of 26 guns.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 1, 1862, p. 1

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

From New Orleans

Gen. Butler, of all our military Governors has the most thorough appreciation of the Secessionists, and is always master of the situation.  And the General not only appreciates the secesh but very soon learns them to appreciate him, as witness the following items among many of the same sort, which we get from New Orleans. He throws out Confederate notes and shinplasters, forbids the fast day appointed by “one Jefferson Davis” – suppresses newspapers – protects the people and feeds the poor – learns Secesh women proper behavior and descent deportment – snubs the City Fathers and takes down the high sailing rebel by several pegs if not more.  The New Orleans snobs and would be gentry are likely to improve in their manners if not in their morals under the administration of “Picayune Butler.”


COTTON PROTECTED AND COMING IN

Trade is beginning to revive in New Orleans.  The true Delta announces the arrival, on the 15th inst., of a load of cotton by the steamer Diana from Plaquemine.  Cattle had come in from the Red river, and an arrival from Carolina Bluff is reported, with corn, oats, flour and bacon.  In order to encourage the shipments of cotton, General Butler issued the following order promising protection to the cargoes:

The Commanding General of the Department having been informed that rebellious lying and desperate men have represented and are now representing to the honest planters and the good people of the State of Louisiana that the United States Government, by its forces have come here to confiscate and destroy their crops of cotton and sugar, it is hereby ordered  to be made known by publication in all the newspapers of this city that all cargoes of cotton and sugar shall receive the safe conduct of the forces of the United States and the boats bringing them from beyond the lines of the United States force may be allowed to return in safety after a reasonable delay, if their owners shall so desire.  Provided, they bring no passengers except the owners and managers of said boat and of the property so conveyed, and no other merchandise except provisions of which such boats are requested to bring a full supply for the benefit of the suffering poor of the city.

By command of Major General Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG,
A. A. G. Chief of Staff


GENERAL BUTLER AND THE NEWSPAPERS

On the 16th Gen. Butler suppressed the New Orleans Bee, and took possession of the Delta office, by virtue of the following “special order.”

I.  The New Orleans Bee newspaper having published an elaborate though covert argument in favor of the cotton burning mob is hereby suppressed.  No publication of any description will issue from that office until further orders.

II.  The New Orleans Delta newspaper having, in an article of to-day’s issue, discussed the cotton question in a manner which violates the terms of the proclamation of the 1st of May instant from these headquarters the office that of that paper will be taken possession of and its business conducted under direction of the United States authorities.

By command of Maj. Gen. Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. General.


THE USE OF CONFEDERATE NOTES FORBIDDEN

On the same day the following order, forbidding the use of Confederate notes was issued by General Butler:

I.  It is hereby ordered that neither the city of New Orleans, nor the banks thereof shall exchange their notes, bills or obligations for Confederate notes, bills or bonds, nor issue any bill not or obligation payable in Confederate notes.

II.  On the twenty seventh day of May, instant, all circulation of, or trade in Confederate notes and bills will cease within this Department, and sales or transfers of property made on or after that day in consideration of such notes or bills, directly or indirectly will be void, and the property confiscated to the United States – one fourth thereof to go to the informer.

By command of Maj. Gen. Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. G.,
Chief of Staff


THE OBSERVANCE OF JEFF. DAVIS’ FAST DAY FORBIDDEN

General Butler also issued the following order, prohibiting the observance of Jeff. Davis’ fast day:

HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE GULF
New Orleans, May 13, 1862

It having come to the knowledge of the commanding General that Friday next is proposed to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer, in obedience to some supposed proclamation of one Jefferson Davis in the several churches of this city, it is ordered that no such observance be had.

Churches and religious houses are to be kept open as in times of profound peace, but no religious exercises are to be had upon the supposed authority above mentioned.

By command of Maj. Gen. Butler,

GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. General


THE WOMEN OF THE TOWN ORDER

The Herald correspondent says in relation to Gen. butler’s order that all women insulting the soldiers should be treated as “women of the town plying their avocations:”

“The order gives great satisfaction to the command to whom the conduct of the disloyal ladies of the city has become absolutely intolerable.  The Mayor and the violent secessionists received it in high dudgeon and the Mayor addressed the following letter on the subject to General Butler.  The order contains no reflections whatever on the virtue of New Orleans ladies but leaves their future reputation to their behavior after the date of the order.  A more effectual method of abating such an evil could not be devised, and I believe it will be entirely successful.  But here is the Mayor’s letter. –

STATE OF LOUISIANA, MAORALTY OF NEW ORLEANS,
May 16, 1862

Major Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, Commanding United States Forces

SIR – Your general order No. 28 of date 15th inst., which reads as follows – (here follows order 28, respecting ladies) – is of a character so extraordinary and astonishing that I cannot, holding the office of Chief Magistrate of this city, chargeable with its peace and dignity suffer it to be promulgated in our presence without protesting against the threat it contains, which has already aroused the passions of our people, and must exasperate them to a degree beyond control.  Your officers and soldiers are permitted, by the terms of this order to place any construction they may please upon the conduct of our wives and daughters, and upon such construction, to offer them atrocious insults.  The peace of the city and the safety of your officers and soldiers from harm or insult have, I affirm, been successfully secured to an extent enabling them to move through our streets almost unnoticed, according to the understanding and agreement entered into between yourself and the city authorities.  I did not however anticipate a war upon women and children, who, so far as I am aware, have only manifested their displeasure at the occupation of their city by those whom they believe to be their enemies and I will never undertake to be responsible for the peace of New Orleans while such an edict, which infuriates our citizens, remains in force.  To give a license to the officers and soldiers of your command to commit outrages such as are indicated in your order upon defenseless women is, in my judgment a reproach to the civilization not to say to the Christianity, of the age, in whose name I make this protest.

I am sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN T. MONROE, Mayor.


To this disrespectful letter Gen. Butler vouchsafed the following unequivocal answer:


HEAD QUARTERS DEP’T OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS, May 16, 1862

John T. Monroe late Mayor of the City of New Orleans, is relieved from all responsibility for the peace of the city, and is suspended from the exercise of any official functions, and committed to Fort Jackson until further order.

B. F. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding.


THE ARREST OF MAYOR MONROE OF NEW ORLEANS

Correspondence of the N. Y. Herald

NEW ORLEANS, May 17.

Since my last letter a number of prominent citizens have been arrested and sent to Fort Jackson.  The most notable are John T. Monroe, Mayor of New Orleans, D. G. Duncan, the Mayor’s Private Secretary, John McClellan, Chief of Police, Judge Kennedy, Lucien Adams, Recorder in the Fourth District, and Benj. S. Harrison, formerly a member of the City Council.  Mr. Mazarat, Lieutenant of Police, was ordered under arrest, but the order was afterwards rescinded.

These arrests are peculiarly grateful to the respectable portion of this community, as all of them but Judge Kennedy have long been in notoriously bad odor.  The Mayor and his clique have been doing their utmost by covert measures to harass and impede General Butler in promoting a friendly feeling towards the United States Government, and they have placed an injurious construction on almost every step that the General has taken.  Last Saturday morning after the Mayor had the day previous apologized for his insolent, insulting letter to General Order No. 28, regarding the conduct of the women he again called at headquarters for the purpose of withdrawing his apology or obtaining a modification of the order.  Gen. Butler told him unequivocally that he had nothing to modify; that he was not sorry for what he had written, that he would not withdraw it if he could, and could not if he would, but, at the request of the Mayor, the General gave him permission to publish the offensive letter and the apology, and to add that the order applied only to those women who had insulted by word, look, or gesture the officers of soldiers of the United States army.  He also told him that he could append to the correspondence the startling fact that “water is wet” and “blackbirds are black” – a delicate piece of satire that I fear was entirely lost upon the obtuse intelligence of the magistrate.  After an explanation from the General that would have been thoroughly clear to the comprehension of a child, the Mayor left, apparently satisfied, but Saturday night he again sent the General a letter, the counterpart of the first.  Yesterday morning he was again at headquarters with several of his friends, including Judge Kennedy, John McClellan, Chief of Police, and D. G. Duncan.  The mayor demanded the right to withdraw his apology, and Gen. Butler granted it, but informed Mr. Mayor that he had played with the United States authority long enough, and now he had to go to Fort Jackson.  The other parties named above, admitting their approval of the Mayor’s conduct, were also sent to Fort Jackson.

In addition to the Mayor’s conduct in regard to Order No. 28, he has been guilty in conjunction with other members of the city government, of giving material aid and comfort to the enemy since our occupation, and the Monroe Guard – of which I have an account in my letter of the 10th – expected (and probably with reason) that he would pay handsomely for the “honor” paid him in selecting his name for the corps.  The General announced to the above gentlemen that he should hold them as hostage for the good behavior of the city.

Ben Harrison and Lucien Adams are chiefs of the “Thugs,” had have been the most relentless persecutors of Union men.  Their arrest will enable descent people to sleep more securely at night.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Loss Of The Rebels At New Orleans

We are not aware that any authentic report has been published of the number of rebels killed during the siege at Forts Jackson and St. Philip.  The officers of Fort Jackson informed our correspondent that they had fifteen killed and thirty five wounded.  From the officers of Fort St. Philip he learned that only one man was killed and three wounded by our shot.  The loss on the Confederate gunboats is set down as follow[s]: Louisiana, one killed and two wounded, including McIntosh, her commander, severely; Manassas, none; McRae, eight killed and three wounded, including Huger, her commander; Gov. Moore, fifty killed and fourteen wounded.  The Captain of the Resolute, Hooper, was mortally wounded.  The other steamers lost about twenty each.  Making the total in killed and wounded of nearly four hundred, according to the rebel accounts. – {Boston Journal.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

From New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, May 29 – The Steamer Matanzas brings New Orleans mails and papers to the 18th inst.

A communication from Jacob Barker argues against the destruction of cotton.  It also says we must fall back on the ballot box, and suggested an amendment of the Constitution, so as to allow the people to vote directly for President.

An order from Provost Marshal French says all coffee houses, bar rooms, hotels, gambling and billiard saloons must procure licenses under a penalty of confiscation.

Gen. Butler ordered the circulation of Confederate notes and bills to cease on the 27th. – All sales and transfers of property on and after that day, in consideration of such notes or bills will be void and the property confiscated to the United States, one fourth to go to the informer.

Another order suppresses the Bee for an article in favor of the cotton burning.

The office of the Delta was taken possession of for an article discussing the cotton question in violation of Butler’s proclamation of the 1st.

Business will be conducted by the United States authorities.

An express office has been opened.

Thos. U. Laster is announced as Union candidate for Recorder in the 4th district, and Victor Wiltz as candidate for Mayor, irrespective of party.

Six persons were sentenced to be shot for violation of parole given at Fort Jackson in organizing military services of the rebel army.

The prize steamer Fox had arrived from Havana.  Also the prize steamer Gov. Morton from Sabine.

Jno. M. G. Barker, formerly at Ship Island is Postmaster at New Orleans.

Some cotton had arrived from Plaquemine, and a quantity of provisions from the interior.

Gen. Butler forbids the observance of Jeff Davis’ day of fasting and prayer.  He also issued the order about females previously reported via Corinth.

The Crescent has been suppressed.

Strict health regulations have been established at Quarantine.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 3

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Arrival of New Orleans Prisoners at Ft. Warren

The U. S. steamer Rhode Island, Commander Trenchard, arrived at Boston On Friday, having on board the rebel naval officers who were captured by our ships in the action on the Mississippi, below New Orleans.  The following are the leading officers:

COMMANDER J. K. MITCHELL.  He is about 50 years of age.  Was an old United States Navy officer.  He commanded the naval forces at Forts Jackson and Phillip, and was compelled to surrender.

COMMANDER BEVERLY KENNON.  A native of Norfolk, Virginia.  Entered the navy in 1844, and resigned in 1861.  His father was killed by the bursting of the famous Stockton gun “Peacemaker,” on board the steamship Princeton in 1842.

LIEUTENANT WARLEY.  A native of South Carolina.  He entered the United States Navy in 1840, and resigned in 1861.

LIEUTENANT WHITTLE – Is a son of Commodore W. O. Whittle, and grandson of Commodore Arthur Lincoln, United States Navy.  Both he and his father resigned from the United States Navy in 1861, and joined the Rebels.  He was attached to the Pirate Nashville, until quite recently.  He was with her in England and commanded her when she ran out of Beaufort, N. C., where it surrendered to the United States forces.  He is only 22 years of age.  He is a Virginian.

DOCTOR GRAFTON – As from Arkansas and was in the United States Navy two years.

LIEUTENANT W. H. WARD – Is from Norfolk, Va.  He entered the United States Navy in 1849, and on his return from his last cruise to China in 1861, resigned his commission.  He was locked up in Fort Warren for safe keeping where he remained 5 months.  He was released three months since, and is now on his way to this old place of residence.

COMMANDER McINTOSH.  He resigned [from] the United States Navy in 1861.  One of his arms was shot off in the recent engagement below New Orleans, and otherwise badly wounded.

LIEUTENANT JOHN WILKINSON. – A native of Norfolk, Va., entered the United States Navy in 1839 and resigned in 1861, and entered the rebel service.  He commanded the steamer Tennessee before the siege, and came below the forts with a flag of truce, when he was met by Commander De Camp of the United States sloop-of-war Iroquois, who entertained him in the cabin of the gunboat Winona, also under a flag of truce, conveying the Captain of the French steamer Milan to the forts.  Looking back upon that incident once cannot but feel [that] De Camp’s words on that occasion were prophetic.  Said Wilkinson to De Camp, “John you can’t go past the forts.”  De camp replied, slapping Wilkinson on the shoulder, “By ___ John, we will!”  And they did.

LIEUT. T. B. HUGER.  Was an old United States officer, and was in the steamer Iroquois.  He is a South Carolinian.

These are the principal rebels now sojourning in Fort Warren, who were engaged in the recent naval fight below New Orleans.  It will be seen that their absence makes a pretty appalling gap in the Confederate Navy.  All of them are deserters from the United States Navy.  There came also with this party quite a formidable list of lesser lights recently in the same service, who were compelled to share the fortunes of their leaders.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 2

Monday, January 30, 2012

Interesting Letter from Com. Porter

WASHINGTON, May 24, 1862.

The following interesting letter from Com. Porter to Senator Grimes of Iowa furnishes valuable information concerning the rebel marine monsters in process of construction at and below New Orleans when the city was captured by our forces.  Writing from Ship Island under date of May 6th, Com. Porter says:

Four rams and floating batteries, such as the world never before saw, have been destroyed in the late attack.  The Louisiana, and invincible steam battery, was set on fire and sent down on the vessels while I was engaged in drawing up a capitulation for the surrender of the forts – a flag of truce flying at the time.  She exploded within three hundred yards of us and sank in one minute, her splendid battery of riffled guns being lost to us.  Her fragments fairly covered Fort St. Philip, and killed a man of theirs in the fort.  There was Southern honor for you.  That vessel was 4,000 tons, 270 feet long, and had sixteen heavy rifled guns, all made in “Secessia.”  She intended to take position that night where she would have driven off all our fleet, for as proof of her invulnerability, one of our heaviest ships laid within ten feet of her, and delivered her whole broadside, making no more impression on her than if she was firing peas.  The Louisiana’s shot, on the contrary, went through and through the above mentioned sloop of war as if she was glass.

The iron ram Manassas hit three vessels before her commander ran her ashore and abandoned her. She has been a troublesome customer all through.

In New Orleans our naval officers found the most splendid specimen of a floating battery the world has ever seen, (a sea going affair,) and had she been finished and succeeded in getting to sea, the whole American navy would have been destroyed.  She was 6,000 tons, 270 feet long, sixty foot beam, had four engines, three propellers, four inches, (and in some places more) of iron and would steam eleven knots an hour.  She cost “Mr. Mallory & Co.” two millions of dollars.  The last one I saw floating by me was a dry dock turned into a floating battery, mounting sixteen guns, and the entire engine was to propel it, hermetically sealed by a thick iron turret against shot.  She was sunk but floated down to Southwest Pass and is now aground on the bar and can easily be raised.

Besides these monsters, the naval part of the enemy’s defenses at the forts consisted of six or seven iron clad gunboats almost impervious to shot, and certainly so against vessels coming bow on.  We had nothing there on our side but twenty frail mortar boats, five sloops of war, nine or ten poor gunboats (in all a little over 140 guns), to contend against two of the most impregnable forts in this or any other country, mounting 127 heavy guns, (many of them rifled) three iron-plated batteries, mounting thirty-one guns, six or seven iron-plated gunboats, and nine or ten things got up for the occasion, soon destroyed and their power never to be known.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *

Allow me to send you a perfectly correct tracing of Fort Jackson, made by the coast survey party attached to the mortar fleet.  They acted in the same capacity as the topographical party hold in the army.  Without them our work would have been tedious.  They triangulated every position occupied by the mortar vessels, and it is safe to say that we know to a yard the exact distance of the mouth of the mortars from the center of the fort.  The enemy never saw us except for one day, when one of the divisions of six vessels was placed in sight; getting pretty roughly handled, I moved them under a point of woods, where their masts covered with green bushes, and their rigging with vines, they were invisible to the best glasses. – Our firing was a matter of calculation, and you may judge how accurate it was when I tell you that 1,313 bombs struck the center and solid parts of the works; 3,330 struck in the moat near the foundation, shaking the whole fort to its base; nearly 1,500 in and over the works; and 1,355 struck about the levees, in the marsh close around, and in the paths and near the water’s edge where the steamers attempted to come.  All small boats, scows, and armed barges were sunk, and if the garrison had desired to get away they could not have done so easily.  I never saw so perfect a scene of desolation and ruin, nor do I believe there was ever such perfect mortar practice.  We could clear the batteries whenever the soldiers appeared on the ramparts.  In fact no guns there could be worked.

This sketch may interest your friends in the far West.  It will remind them that the influence of the navy is felt everywhere over this great country, and when the vast riches of the Western states are floating securely and peacefully to the seaboard on the swift waters of the Mississippi, let them remember that it was the navy which opened the doors to a commerce that might have been shut up for a quarter of a century, and that they can dictate free trade now where they might  have been obliged to pay tribute.

With my best wishes, I remain, dear sir,

Yours very truly,

DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding Flotilla,

Hon. J. W. GRIMES, U. S. Senate

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 2

Sunday, January 22, 2012

A Visit To New Orleans

From a lengthy correspondence in the New York Times of the 22d inst. we extract the following interesting paragraphs.


RIVER SCENERY

With our huge lump of a ship to drag, we were twenty-four hours getting to New Orleans.  I could not regret the fact, as it gave me a whole day in which to see the most interesting portion of the noble river, in the delighfullest time of the year.  The scenery along the winding banks is beautiful.  I believe to everybody, and especially so when, in my case, it is seen for the first time.  This year the river is unusually high, and the swollen waters seemed constantly about to overflow the artificial banks or levees like a brimming cup set up in a saucer and threatening to sweep a deluge of destruction over the fields of springing rice and sugar which are on both sides of the stream.


DEMONSTRATIONS ALONG THE RIVER

Judging from the demonstrations which were made as we approached the scattered plantation houses, or passed by a group of laborers hoeing in the fields, we were looked upon as welcome visitors.  The Negroes stopped their work, and watched our progress with more than curiosity.  Hats and aprons were jerked off and waved frantically, little children streaming like aunts out of the orange groves toddled comically to the river bank to see the big ship filled with men, and the steamer so different from those to which they were accustomed, old women, with the demonstrativeness of their race, knelt upon the ground and extended their hands as they prayed God’s blessing on us, old men, worn with age and infirmity, tottered from their cabins upon crutches to hail our advent.  But these constant expressions of gladness were not entirely confined to the negroes.  Occasionally a white man, dressed in loose garments, and wearing the conventional broad brimmed hat of a Southern planter, came down to wave his greetings and his wife and daughters, standing on the verandah or in the garden path, seemed none the less rejoiced.  All the way from the forts to the city there was an air of pastoral quietness – of the husbandman laboring, undisturbed by the discordant elements of war – that it was difficult to realize where we were, and the object of our coming.


A TICKLED IRISHMAN

Two Irishmen came alongside our vessel with milk and eggs.  Capt. Woodworth being slightly waggish, offered to pay them for what was purchased in Confederate scrip.  “Be gorra!” said Pat, “I thought yer was gintleman, and paid for what yez wanted.  Divil a bit of money have I seen for a year, and Confederate scrip has brought the wife and children to starvation almost.”  He was paid in the coin of Uncle Sam, when he broke out, “Hurrah for the ould flag!  They wanted to make me fight against it, but I never have fought and I never will fight for ‘em.”  And he turned the money in his hand, examining it curiously, as a child might a newly acquired toy.


“MUSIC HATH CHARMS,” &c.

I heard of one instance where respect for the old flag was shown.  While the Mississippi was opposite the city, she put her bows into the levee at Algiers, the tide having swung her ashore as she was turning in the river.  A large and boisterous crowd collected, and sought to provoke the officers and men by their remarks.  The Captain, to drown their noise, called the band and bade them to strike up Hail Columbia. – Involuntarily, as it were, the rabble ceased howling, and instinctively some of the old men in the throng raised their hats in acknowledgement of the strains which from their youth and inspirited them.


“BRING IN THE BELLS”

The stories which everybody has heard respecting cannon frowning from the roof of the Custom House are all untrue.  The authorities were so confident in the invincibility of Forts Jackson and St. Philip that they never thought it necessary to construct defenses on the southern side of the city.  The marines who were stationed at the Custom House to guard the flag, found in the building at least $50,000 worth of bells of all descriptions, from the ponderous cathedral bell to the smallest size of hand bells. – These had been contributed in response to the proclamation of Beauregard for gun metal, and were to have been worked up in the Algiers foundries.


THE GREAT FLOATING BATTERY

Among the things destroyed was a formidable floating battery – the Mississippi – upon which the rebels had founded high hopes of success in their cause.  She had been seven months in course of construction, employing five hundred men the whole time, and would have been finished in three weeks.  Her length was 270 feet, and her depth 60, and her armament was to have been 20 rifled guns.  The frame of the hull was made of Georgia pine, nine inches thick and over the wood were placed three plates of rolled iron, making the thickness of the armor four inches and a half.  She was 5,000 tons burthen, and her motive power consisted of three propellers, which were calculated to give her a speed of 11 knots an hour.  Two millions of dollars are said to have been expended in building her.  We have heard from some of the prisoners, taken in the gunboats, that she was intended to break up the blockade and then cruise in the Gulf and near Havana for prizes.


DESTRUCTION OF FORT JACKSON

I have seen an excellent drawing of Fort Jackson, prepared since its surrender by the officers of the Coast Survey, for Capt. Porter.  It shows the exact spot where every shell from the mortar first struck, and as nearly as possible the effect of the explosion.  I have been permitted, by Capt. Porter, to take from it some interesting data.  The drawing of the fort were completely destroyed, the cisterns were demolished, the casemates and passages were filled with water, the levee having been cut away.  The platforms for tents were destroyed by the fire of shells. – All the casemates are cracked form end to end and in some places the roofs are completely broken, and frequently masses of bricks have been dislodged.  Four guns were dismounted, and eleven carriages and traverses injured.  The outer works of the fort are cracked from top to bottom, in several places, admitting daylight freely.  It is computed that 3,339 shells were thrown into the ditches and overflowed parts of the fort, 1,080 shells exploded in the air over the fort, 1,113 mortar shells were counted on the slopping ground of the fort and levee, and 87 were round shot.  Altogether 7,500 shells were fired.  One shell passed through the roof of the water battery magazine, but did not explode.  On the parapet were 14 new graves.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

Thursday, October 6, 2011

From the Lower Mississippi

NEW YORK, March 28.

Intelligence by the steamer Constitution from Fort Monroe states that Com. Farragut’s fleet numbers 23 vessels, including the Hartford, Pensacola, Brooklyn and Com. Porter’s mortar fleet numbers 29 vessels.  The officers of the Constitution suppose the work of reducing Forts Jackson and St. Phillips, was commenced some days since.  It was supposed some of the mortar boats would take position in an inlet in the rear of Fort Jackson, while the others advance within shelling distance in the river, and endeavor to drive the enemy out of the forts.  In the meantime the gunboats would silence a battery about a mile below the forts, which protects the barricade of the river.  If the forts should continue impervious to the bombs of the mortar fleet, those acquainted with the energy of Farragut, anticipate he will take the fleet directly under the guns of the forts and by repeated broadsides of grape and shrapnel endeavor to drive the gunners from their posts.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 1

Monday, March 21, 2011

Operations at New Orleans

OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. BUTLER.

HEAD QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
FORTS JACKSON AND ST. PHILLIP,
April 29, 1862.

To Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War

SIR – I have the honor to report that, in obedience to my instructions, I remained on the Mississippi river, with the troops named in my former dispatch awaiting the action of the fleet in the bombardment of the forts Jackson and St. Phillip.

Failing to reduce them after six days of incessant fire, Flag Officer Farragut determined to attempt their passage with his whole fleet, except that portion thereof under the immediate command of Captain Porter, known as the mortar fleet.

On the morning of the 24th instant the fleet got under weigh [sic], and twelve vessels, including the four sloops of war, ran the gauntlet of the fire of the forts and were safely above the action, unprecedented in naval warfare, considering the character of the works and the river, too much cannot be said.  Of its casualties and the details of its performance the Flag Officer will give an account to the proper department.  I witnessed this daring exploit from a point about eight hundred yards from Fort Jackson, and unwittingly under its fire, and the sublimity of the scene can never be exceeded.

The fleet pressed on up the river to New Orleans, leaving two gunboats to protect the quarantine station, five miles above.

In case the forts were not reduced and a portion of the fleet got by them, it had been arranged between the Flagg Officer and myself, that I should make a landing from the gulf side in the rear of the forts at the quarantine, and from thence attempt Fort St. Phillip by storm and assault while the bombardment was continued by the fleet.

I immediately went to Sable Island with my transports, twelve miles in the rear of Ft. St. Philip, the nearest point at which a sufficient depth of water could be found for them.  Capt. Porter put at my disposal the Miami, drawing seven and one half feet, being the lightest draught vessel in the fleet, to take the troops from the fleet as far in as the water would allow.  We were delayed twenty four hours by her running ashore at Pass al’Outre.  The 26th Regiment Massachusetts volunteers, Col. Jones, were then put on board her and carried within six miles of the fort, where she again grounded.

Capt. Everett, of the 6th Massachusetts battery, having very fully reconnoitered the waters and bayous in that vicinity, and foreseeing the necessity, I had collected and brought with me some thirty boats, into which the troops were again transshipped and conveyed by a most fatiguing and laborious row some four and a half miles further, there being within one mile of the steamer only two and a half feet of water.

A large portion of this passage was against a heavy current through a bayou.  At the entrance of Mameel’s Canal, a mile and a half from the point of landing rowing became impossible as well from the narrowness of the canal and the strength of the current, which ran like a mill race.  Through this the boats could only be impelled by dragging them singly, with the men up to their waists in water.  It is due to this fine regiment, and to a portion of the 4th Wisconsin volunteers and 21st Indiana, who landed under this hardship without a murmur, that their labors should be made known to the department, as well as to account for the slowness of our operations.

The enemy evidently considered this mode of attack impossible, as they had taken no measures to oppose it, which might very easily have been successfully done.

We occupied at once both sides of the river, thus effectually cutting them off from all supplies, information or succor, while we made our dispositions for the assault.

Meantime Captain Porter had sent into the bayou, in the rear of Fort Jackson, two schooners of his mortar fleet, to prevent the escape of the enemy from the fort in that direction.

In the hurry and darkness of the passage of the forts the flag officer had overlooked three of the enemy’s gunboats and the iron clad battery Louisiana, which were at anchor under the walls of the fort.  Supposing that all the rebel boats had been destroyed (and a dozen or more had been) he passed on the city leaving these in his rear.  The iron steam battery being very formidable.  Captain Porter deemed it prudent to withdraw his mortar fleet some miles below, where he could have room to maneuver if it was attacked by the iron monster and the bombardment ceased.

I had got Brigadier-General Phelps in the river below, with two regiments, to make demonstrations in that direction, if it became possible.

In the night of the 27th learning that the fleet had got the city under its guns, I left Brigadier General Williams in charge of the landing of the troops, and went up the river to the flagship to procure light draught transportation – that night the larger portion (about two hundred and fifty) of the garrison of Fort Jackson mentioned, spiked the guns bearing up the river, came up and surrendered themselves to my pickets declaring that as we had got into their rear, resistance was useless, and they would not be sacrificed.  No bomb had been thrown at them for three days, nor had they fired a shot at us from either fort.  The averred that they had been impressed and would fight no longer.

On the 28th the officers of forts Jackson and St. Phillip surrendered to Captain Porter, he having means of water transportation to them.  While he was negotiating, however, with the officers of the forts under a white flag, the rebel naval officers put all their munitions of war on the Louisiana, set her on fire and adrift upon the Harriet Lane, but when opposite of fort St. Phillip, she blew up, killing one of their own men by the fragments which fell into the forts.

I have taken possession of the forts and find them substantially as defensible as before the bombardment – St. Philip precisely so, it being quite uninjured.  They are fully provisioned, well supplied with ammunition, and the ravages of the shells have been defensibly repaired by the labors of the rebels.  I will cause Lieut. Wietzel, of the Engineers, to make a detailed report of their condition to the department.

I have left the 26th regiment Massachusetts volunteers in garrison, and am now going up the river to occupy the city with my troops and make further demonstrations in the rear of the enemy now at Corinth.

The rebels have abandoned all their defensive works in and around New Orleans, including forts Pike and Wood on Lake Pontchartrain, and Fort Livingston from Parrataria Bay.  They have retired in the direction of Corinth, beyond Manchack Pass, and abandoned everything up the river as far as Donaldsonville, some seventy miles beyond New Orleans.

A propose to so far depart from the letter of my instructions as to endeavor to persuade the flag officer to pass up the river as far as the mouth of Red river, if possible, so as to cut off their supplies, and make there a landing and a demonstration in their rear as a diversion in favor of General Buell, if a decisive battle is not fought before the movement is possible.

Mobile is ours whenever we choose, and we can better wait.

I find the city under the dominion of the mob.  They have insulted our flag – torn it down with indignity.  This outrage will be punished in such manner, as in my judgment, will caution both the perpetrators and abettors of the act, so that they shall fear the stripes if they do not reverence the stars of our banner.

I send a marked copy of a New Orleans paper containing an applauding account of the outrage.

Trusting my action may meet the approbation of the Department.

I am most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

BENJAMIN F. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Navy Department to Commodore Farragut

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington,
May 10.

SIR – Capt. Bailey your second in command has brought to the department the official dispatches from your squadron with the trophies forwarded to the national capital.  Our navy, fruitful with victories, presents no more signal achievement than this, nor is there an exploit surpassing it recorded in the annals of naval warfare.  In passing and eventually overcoming forts Jackson and St. Phillip, the batteries above and below New Orleans, destroying the barriers of chains, steam rams, fire rafts, iron-clad vessels, and other obstructions, capturing from the rebel forces the great southern metropolis, and obtaining possession and control of the Lower Mississippi, yourself, your officers, and your brave sailors and marines, whose courage and daring bear historic renown, have now a nation’s gratitude and applause.  I congratulate you and your command on your great success in having contributed so largely toward destroying the unity of the rebellion and in restoring again to the protection of the national flag the important city of the Mississippi valley, and so large a portion of its immediate dependencies.  Your example and its successful results, though attended with some sacrifice of life and of ships inculcate the fact that the first duty of a commander in war is to take great risks for the accomplishment of great ends.  One and all, officers and men, deserve well of their country.  I am respectfully, your obedient servant,

GIDEON WELLES.

To Flag-Officer D. G. Farragut, commanding Gulf Blockading Squadron, New Orleans.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly-Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Capture Of New Orleans

U. S. FLAG SHIP HARTFORD
OFF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS,
April 25, 1862

DEAR SIR – In the excitement of the last few days you must not be surprised if I leave undone many things which I ought to do, and one of which was to write to you on the occasion of my taking this city.  But thank God it has been done, and in what I conceive a handsome style.  I had two Union men on board who had been forced into the Confederate service at Fort Jackson as laborers.

They informed me that there were two forts near the city, and as we approached the locality I tried to concentrate the vessels, but we soon saw that we must take a raking fire for two miles.  So we did not mince the matter, but dashed directly ahead.  They permitted us to approach within a mile and a quarter before they opened on us.  Capt. Bailey on the Cayuga, Lieut. Commanding Harrison, was in advance, and received most of the first fire, but although the shooting was good, they did not damage his little vessel

The Cayuga then fell back and the Hartford, took her place.  We had only two guns which I had placed on the top gallant forecastle, that could bear on them, until we got within half a mile.  We then steered off, and gave them such a fire “as they never dreamed of in their philosophy.”

The Pensacola ran up after a while, and took the starboard battery off our hands, and in a few minutes the Brooklyn ranged up and took a chance at my friends on the left bank but they were silenced in, I should say, twenty minutes or half an hour, but I cannot keep a note of time on such occasions.

I only know that half of the vessels did not get a chance at them.  The river was too narrow for more than two or three vessels to act with advantage, but all were so anxious, that my greatest fear was that we would fire into each other, and Capt. Wainwright and myself were hallooing ourselves hoarse at the men not to fire into our ships.

This last affair was what I call one of the elegancies of the profession – a dash and a victory.  But the passing of the Forts Jackson and St. Philip was one of the most awful sights I ever saw.  The smoke was so dense that it was only now and then you could see anything but the flash of the cannon and the fire ship or rafts, one of which was pushed down upon us (the Hartford) by the ram Manassas, and in my effort to avoid it, ran the ship on shore, and then the fire raft was pushed alongside, and in a moment the ship was one blaze all along the port side, half way up the main and mizzen tops, but thanks to the good organization of the fire department by Lieut. Thornton, the flames were extinguished and at the same time we backed off and got clear of the raft, but all this time were pouring the shells into the forts, and they into us, and every now and then a rebel steamer would get under our fire and receive our salutation of a broadside.

At length the fire slackened, the smoke cleared off, and we saw, to our surprise, we were above the forts, and here and there a Rebel gunboat on fire, as we came up with them, trying to escape.  They were fired into and riddled, so that they ran them on shore, and all who could, made their escape to the shore.

I am told, I do not know how truly, that Gen. Lovell had gone down that evening to make an attack with thirteen gunboats, a large ram of 18 guns, and the Manassas.  The Manassas and the Mississippi made a set at each other at full speed, and when they were within 30 or 40 yards the ram dodged the Mississippi and run on shore, when the latter poured her broadside into her knocking away her smoke stack, and then sent on board of her, but she was deserted and riddled, and after a while she drifted down the stream full of water.  She was the last of the seven we destroyed, but the large ram was till at Fort Jackson, but they say here she was sent down before she was ready, and that she will have to surrender with the forts, which I hope will be to-day or to-morrow.  I will give them my attention as soon as I can settle the affairs of the city.

I demanded the surrender of the city yesterday of the Mayor, through Capt. Bailey, as the second in command.  His reply was that the city was under martial law, and he would consult Gen. Lovell.  His lordship said he would surrender nothing, but at the same time he would retire and leave the mayor unembarrassed.

This morning the Mayor sent his secretary and Chief of Police to see me, and say that they would call the City Council together at 10 o’clock, and give me an answer.  That the General had retired, and that he had resumed the duties of his office as Mayor, and would endeavor to keep order in the city, and prevent the destruction of the property.

I sent him by his Secretary the letter No. 1 (copy inclosed).  I also sent him a letter demanding the surrender of the city, in conformity with the demand made by me yesterday through Captain Bailey, copy No. 2.  This morning, at 6 o’clock, I sent to Captain Morris, whose ship commanded the Mint, to take possession of it and hoist the American flag there on, which was done, and the people cheered it.

At 10 o’clock I sent on shore again, and ordered Lieutenant Kortz of the Navy, and Brown, of the Marines, with a marine guard, to hoist the flag on the Custom, but the excitement of the crowd was so great that the Mayor and Councilmen thought it would produce a conflict and great loss of life.  At 11 a signal was made to the fleet for divine service, under a general order, copy No. 3.

April 26, in the afternoon having been informed that there were two forts eight miles above the city at a place called Carrolton, I determined to take a look at them and demolish them.  We accordingly ran up, but to our surprise we found the gun carriages all on fire and upon examination found the guns all spiked.  It was a most formidable work for Foote to encounter on his way down – a long line of defenses extending back from the river to Lake Pontchartrain, both above and below the city, on which were 29 and 30 guns each.

Immediately on my getting above the forts I sent Captain Boggs, who is now deprived of a command by the sinking of his ship which he had so nobly defended, down to Captain Porter, through the bayou at Quarantine, directing him to demand the surrender of the forts.  His demand was at first refused, but the soldiers told their officer that we were in their rear, and that they would not be sacrificed.  So, this morning, 29th, the gallant Bailey brought us the intelligence, in the Cayuga, Captain Harrison, that the forts had surrendered, the ram blown up, and that the American flag floats over both forts.

I have sent down for Gen. Butler’s troops to come and occupy this city, and will soon be off for Mobile.  Depend upon it we will keep the stampede up.

I send Captain Bailey home as bearer of dispatches.  He has done his work nobly, and that while suffering under an infirmity which required attention and repose.

I am, very truly and respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

D G FARRAGUT
Flag Officer West Gulf Block’ng Squad’n

To G V Fox, Esq., Ass’t Sec’y of Navy


U S SHIP HARRIET LANE,
April 29, 1862

SIR – The morning after the ships passed the forts I sent a demand to Col. Higgins for a surrender of the forts, which was declined.  On the 27th I sent Lieut. Col. Higgins a communication, herewith inclosed [sic].  On the 28th I received a communication from him stating that he would surrender the forts, and I came up and took possession, drew up articles of capitulation and hoisted the American flag over the forts.

These men have defended these forts with a bravery worthy of a better cause.  I treated them with all the consideration that circumstances would admit.

The three steamers remaining were under the command of Commander J. K. Mitchell.  The officer of the fort acknowledged no connection with them, and wished in no way to be considered responsible for their acts.

While I had a flag of truce up they were employed in towing the iron floating battery of 16 guns, a most formidable affair, to place above the forts and while drawing up the articles of capitulation in the cabin of the Harriet Lane, it was reported to me that they had set fire to the battery and turned it adrift upon us.  I asked the General if it had powder on board or guns loaded.  He replied that he would not undertake to say what they Navy officers would do.

He seemed to have great contempt for them.  I told him, “we could stand the fire and blow up if he could,” and went on with the conference, after directing the officers to look out for their ships.  While drifting down on us, the guns, getting heated exploded, throwing the shot above the river.  A few minutes after, the floating battery exploded with a terrific noise, throwing the fragments all over the river, and wounding one of their own men in Fort. St. Philip, and immediately disappeared under water.  Had she blown up near the vessels she would have destroyed the whole of them.

When I had finished taking possession of the fort, I got under way in the Harriet Lane, and started for the steamers, one of which was still flying the Confederate flag.  I fired a shot over her, and they surrendered.  There was on board of them a number of naval officers and two companies of marine artillery.

I made them surrender unconditionally and for their infamous conduct in trying to blow us up while under a flag of truce, I conveyed them to close confinement as prisoners of war, and think they should be sent to the North and kept in close confinement there until the war is over, or they should be tried for their infamous conduct.  I have a great deal to do here, and will send you all the papers when I am able to arrange them.

I turned over the force to Gen. Phelps.  Fort Jackson is a perfect ruin.  I am told that over 1,800 shells fell and burst over the center of the fort.  The practice was beautiful.  The next fort we go at we will settle sooner, as this has been hard to get at.  The naval officer sunk one gunboat while the capitulation was going on, but I have one of the others, a steamer, at work, and hope soon to have the other.

I find that we are to be the “hewers of wood and drawers of water,” but as the soldiers have nothing here in the shape of motive power, we will do all we can.  I should have demanded unconditional surrender, but with such a force in your rear, it was desirable to get possession of these forts as soon as possible.  The officers turned over everything in good order except the walls and building[s], which are terribly shattered by the mortars.

Very respectfully,

D D PORTER,
Commanding flotilla.

To Flag Officer D G FARRAGUT


U S STEAMER HARRIET LANE,
Mississippi River, April 30, 1862

I inclose herewith the capitulation of forts Jackson and St. Phillip, which surrendered to the mortar flotilla on the 28th day of April, 1862.  I also inclose in a box, forwarded on this occasion, all the flags taken in the two forts, with the original flag hoisted on Fort St. Phillip when the State of Louisiana seceded – Fort Jackson is a perfect wreck.

Everything in the shape of a building in and about it was burned up by the mortar shells, and over 1,800 shells fell in the work proper, to say nothing of those which burst over and around it.  I devoted but little attention to Ft. St. Phillip, knowing that when Jackson fell St. Phillip would follow.  The mortar flotilla is still fresh.  Truly the backbone of the rebellion is broken.

On the 26th of the month I sent six of the mortar schooners to the back of Fort Jackson to block up the bayous and prevent supplies from getting in.  Three of them drifted over to Fort Livingston, and when they anchored the fort hung out a white flag and surrendered. – the Kittatinny, which had been blockading there for some time, sent a boat in advance of the mortar vessels, and reaching the shore first, deprived them of the pleasure of hoisting our flag over what had surrendered to the mortar flotilla.  Still the fort is ours, and we are satisfied.  I am happy to state that officers and crew are all well and full of spirits.

I have the honor to remain,
Your obedient servant,

David G [sic] PORTER

To Hon. G. WELLES

Burlington, Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 1