beautiful, lighting up the entire scene. It was the fourth day of the
bombardment, and with accustomed promptitude the entertainment of the
day commenced with a fire raft, sent down the river from Fort Jackson,
larger and more formidable than any that had preceded it. The current
was running swiftly, the wind was fresh, and the blazing mass sped
fiercely over its watery pathway. It burned with terrific fury, a high
wind sweeping its flames back in fiery banners; while the pine knots,
crackling and roaring, sent their forked flames leaping like tongues of
fire through the dense column of smoke which rolled its huge black pall
against the azure of the sky, as it floated past the fleet, scattering a
storm of harmless fire on the water. The mortar boats took it in charge,
and the men fell to work extinguishing the flames. When this was done it
was towed ashore to keep company with its forerunners, a harmless,
charred mass of timbers.
During the day the bombardment was continued. The forts for a time
responded with more determination even than they had previously
exhibited. Attempts were made by the rebels to repair the massive
fragments of the chain, and to destroy one of the Federal vessels by a
submarine torpedo, but without success. The fifth day proved like the
others, but it became apparent that the crisis of the contest was
approaching. The mortar boats continued their usual practice during the
night, and on the return of day, (Wednesday, the 23d,) renewed the
severer labors of the bombardment.
There was an ominous silence on the part of the forts. The look-outs at
the mast-heads reported that the shells were doing their work at Fort
St. Philip, and that there were twelve steamers in sight. The forts
maintained profound silence during the day, and this circumstance
occasioned much discussion on the Federal vessels. On consideration, it
was deemed that the time had come to hazard an attempt to run the forts,
destroy the rebel fleet, and ascend to New Orleans. The Itasca was
selected as the picket boat, to advance and ascertain whether the chain
had been repaired; and the fleet of ships and gunboats was alive with
enthusiasm and excitement, at the prospect of running the gauntlet of
fire which would be opened on either side when their desperate attempt
became known. Not only were the two forts to be passed, but the rebel
fleet, with its monster of destruction, the Manassas, and the fire-rafts
which would be let loose upon them, to spread conflagration and death in
their most fearful forms: while a foe desperate with energy and hate,
was working the formidable engines of destruction.
At eleven o’clock, P. M., the Itasca signalled that the chain was clear.
Everything was quiet around the fleet, save the hissing of the steam as
it escaped from the boilers. The night was moderately dark, and a gentle
southerly wind made the weather rather hazy. The mortar vessels kept up
an incessant roar, and bright globes ascended high aloft to curve
downward in fury at the forts. The second division, under Captain Bailey
(of the Colorado), formed on the left bank of the river, while the third
division was in the centre of the lines—the first division lying on the
right bank of the river.
The fleet was to sail in the following order:—
_First Division_—Flag-officer Farragut commanding: Hartford, Brooklyn,
Richmond.
_Second Division_—Captain Bailey commanding: Cayuga, Pensacola,
Mississippi, Oneida, Varuna, Katahdin, Kineo, Wissahickon, Portsmouth,
towed by J. P. Jackson.
_Third Division_—Captain Bell commanding: Sciota, Iroquois, Pinola,
Itasca, Winona, Kennebec.
At one o’clock all hands were called, hammocks stowed, and everything
put in readiness to weigh.
At two o’clock on the morning of the 24th, red lights at the peak of the
Hartford announced the time to get underweigh. At three o’clock the moon
rose, and a silvery path was marked out on the swift waters of the
river, so soon to be the scene of one of the grandest naval fights known
to history. The moon had lifted itself above the horizon just thirty
minutes, when the fleet sailed in order for the battle-ground. In the
dim distance could be seen the signal fires of the enemy, built to light
up the river, and reveal the position of the fleet.
At precisely twenty minutes of four o’clock the enemy opened fire from
Fort St. Philip. At that moment the star-spangled banner was hoisted at
the peak of the Hartford. Full speed was given to the ship, the
engineers performed their duty nobly, and on she went, as it were, into
the jaws of death. At the time the enemy opened fire the mortar vessels
went to work, and the rapidity with which they threw shells at the enemy
was terrific.
At five minutes to four o’clock the bow gun of the Hartford belched
forth fire and smoke, and a messenger, in the shape of a nine-inch
shell, was sent to Fort Jackson. In a few minutes more the broadside
firing was commenced. Both forts were replying as fast as they could.
Broadside after broadside was delivered to them in rapid succession,
while the mortar vessels lent their aid to make the scene one of
wonderful grandeur.
[Illustration:
BOMBARDMENT OF FORTS JACKSON AND ST. PHILIP, APRIL 24, 1862.
1. Fort Jackson.
2. Fort St. Philip.
3. Federal Ships of War and Gunboats.
4. Rebel Gunboats and Rams.
]
A scene like this has probably never before been witnessed. Steadily the
vessels steamed on, the forts firing rifle shot and shell, ten-inch
columbiads, forty-two, thirty-two and twenty-four pounder balls, while
the thirteen steamers of the enemy, and the floating battery Louisiana,
were pouring into and around the fleet a storm of iron perfectly
indescribable. Not satisfied with this, one fire raft after another was
kindled, and set adrift to do their fiery work. The ram was busy trying
to force them under the bows of the Federal vessels. One of them
approached the Hartford, when Captain Broome opened on her with two
nine-inch guns. An explosion—a loud burst of terrific cries and wails,—a
careen, and the rebel steamer, with its wretched multitude of victims,
plunged beneath the waters, and disappeared from view. The rebel vessels
were crowded with troops, who fired volleys of rifle balls, most of
which did no harm. Their steamers were bold and fearless; but no sooner
did they come in sight of our gunners than they were sunk. The Varuna
sunk six of them one after another.
In the midst of this awful scene a tremendous fire raft came down the
river, and the ram shoved her under the port-quarter of the Hartford.
The flames caught her rigging and side, and for a moment it seemed as
though the flag-ship must fall a prey to the flames. A fire was also
burning on the berth-deck. The fire hose was on hand, and the crew soon
subdued the flames, and gave the ram a return of rifle shell. She,
however, returned to the onset, when some other vessel assaulted her,
and she hauled off. During this stage of affairs the Hartford grounded,
and her fate seemed to be sealed; but the men worked splendidly, and the
engineers soon got the ship astern and afloat. The scene of the
engagement at this time almost defies the power of description. The
river and its banks were one sheet of flame, and the messengers of death
were moving with lightning swiftness in all directions. Steadily the
Federal fleet poured upon the enemy their shell and grape, interspersed
with shrapnel. The rebel boats were fast being riddled by well directed
broadsides, and their commanders who were able made for the shore to run
them on the bank and save their lives. Some were on fire and others were
sinking. The crews of the Union fleet broke out in frequent cheers as
they saw the havoc that was made, and the retreat of the rebel vessels.
The flag-ship had been on fire three times, and was riddled from stem to
stern. The cabin was completely shattered, the starboard steerage torn
up, and the armory severely damaged.
After being under a terrific fire for one hour and twenty minutes, the
Federal vessels passed the forts. The flag-ship was badly cut up with a
shot through the mainmast, two in the stern, and several through her.
Language cannot give an adequate idea of the engagement. Wrapped up in
smoke, shot and shell were whistling around, above, before and in the
rear; flames from fire-rafts encircling the ships, splinters flying in
all directions, shells bursting overhead; while the roar and booming of
the guns rolled almost incessantly, and made the contest as destructive
as it was terrible.
So effective had been the work of the fleet, that at half-past five
o’clock no less than eleven rebel steamers were in flames along each
side of the river. The Federal vessels steamed up to the Quarantine to
anchor, when the Manassas made her appearance, and saucily fired at the
Richmond.
The Mississippi being near at hand, put about for the ram, with the
intention of running her down. The Manassas endeavored to elude the
attack, but finding the Mississippi gaining on her, ran into the bank of
the river, and immediately about thirty men came up out of the hatch and
went on shore. The Mississippi fired two or three broadsides into her,
and boarded her, but finding that she was of no importance, again fired
into her, and she drifted down the river, sinking very fast.
Besides the ram, the rebels had a heavy floating battery, called the
Louisiana, which carried eight large guns, and which occasioned a good
deal of annoyance, although, to use the language of the Charleston
_Mercury_, it was a complete failure. In addition to this, they had an
immense steam-ram, called the Mississippi, which had just been launched,
but which was then unfinished. She was a propeller, with three screws
and six engines, and to be mounted with twenty guns of the largest
calibre. She was twice as large and powerful as the Merrimac, and
without a gun would have been almost sufficient to have run down the
Federal fleet. There was, however, about forty days’ work required to
complete her, and to prevent her falling into the hands of the victors,
she was scuttled, set on fire and sunk.
At six A. M., the Varuna, Commander Boggs, was attacked by the Morgan,
iron-clad about the bow, commanded by Beverly Kennion, an ex-naval
officer. This vessel raked her along the port gangway, killing four and
wounding nine of the crew, butting the Varuna on the quarter, and again
on the starboard side. Three three-inch shells were fired into her abaft
her armor, also several shot from the after rifled gun, when she dropped
out of action, partially disabled.
While still engaged with her, another rebel steamer, iron-clad, with a
prow under water, struck the Varuna in the port gangway, doing
considerable damage. The Varuna’s shot glanced from her bow. She backed
off for another blow, and struck again in the same place, crushing in
the side; but by going ahead fast, the concussion drew her bow around,
and the Varuna was able with the port guns to give her, while close
alongside, five eight-inch shells abaft her armor. This settled her and
drove her ashore in flames. Finding the Varuna sinking, she was run into
the bank, when they let go her anchor, and tied her up to the trees.
During all this time the guns were actively at work, crippling the
Morgan, which was making feeble efforts to get up steam.
The fire was kept up until the water was over the gun-trucks, when
attention was turned to getting the wounded and the crew out of the
vessel. The Oneida, Captain Lee, seeing the condition of the Varuna, had
rushed to her assistance, but was not needed, and the Morgan surrendered
to her, having over fifty of her crew killed and wounded. She was set on
fire by her commander.
In fifteen minutes from the time the Varuna was struck, she was on the
bottom, with only her topgallant forecastle out of water. The officers
and crew lost everything they possessed, no one thinking of leaving his
station until driven thence by water.
The Federal vessels made their rendezvous at the Quarantine, some miles
above the forts, and took possession of the camp of the Chalmette
regiment of rebel sharpshooters, some of whom escaped, while the others
surrendered, and were paroled. The officers were taken to the flag-ship
and paroled. The wounded men of the various ships were now carefully
attended to. The heroic dead who had fallen in defence of their flag
were taken ashore, and laid in their last resting-place, in a manner
worthy of the cause in which they had shed their blood, and the national
flag was left floating over their graves. The Federal loss was 30 killed
and 120 wounded. The loss of the rebels was very severe, some of the
estimates making it as high as 800 or 1,000 in killed and wounded.
THE SURRENDER OF THE FORTS.
When the fleet started in its attempt to pass the forts, the mortar
vessels opened a tremendous fire, which was continued until five
o’clock, when they were signalled to cease. During the forenoon,
Commodore Porter dispatched Captain Grant, in the Owasco, with a flag of
truce, to demand the surrender of the forts. The vessel approached Fort
St. Philip to within about a mile, when the batteries were opened upon
her and five shots were fired, upon which she withdrew. The flag of
truce was hauled down, but soon afterwards a boat flying a flag of truce
at her bows, and the secession flag at her stern, approached, and
Captain Grant went out and held a conference with the rebel officer. He
offered an apology in behalf of his superior officer for the
unintentional firing upon the flag of truce, declaring that its color
had not been seen, and could not be distinguished in the distance. He
then returned to the fort, and the bombs again commenced their thunders,
which lasted until Commodore Porter ordered the fleet down the river.
Oh the 25th, Commodore Porter sent six of the mortar vessels to guard
the bayous in the rear of Fort Jackson, when three of them, the Henry
Janes, Kittatinny and Geo. W. Maryham, on the 26th, drifted off to Fort
Livingston, a stronghold of the rebels, guarding one of the passages.
There was a flag of truce flying on the fort, and on boats being sent
ashore, they found the place deserted by all except several men, women
and children, who resided on the island. The Federals found eleven
32-pounders, three 12-pound howitzers, two 24-pounders, one 8-inch
columbiad, one 80-pound rifled cannon, one thousand 32-pound shot, and
other articles of minor importance. The fort was in good condition, with
all its property. It was left in charge of Acting Master Tamsen, of the
U. S. navy.
On the 28th, Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins, commanding the forts, sent a
communication to the Commodore, offering to surrender. The Harriet Lane
(flag-ship) accordingly steamed up to the forts, and received the
commander on board, when the articles of capitulation were drawn up and
signed. Not to prolong the contest by very exacting terms, Commodore
Porter received the forts and property, and allowed Brigadier-General
Duncan, commander of coast defences, and Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins,
commanding the forts, to retain their side arms, under parole. The other
officers and privates were to retire on parole, giving up all arms and
accoutrements, the United States to transport the men from the forts.
Three steamers of the rebel fleet remained, and were under the direction
of Commander J. K. Mitchell. Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins said he had no
command over them, and was not responsible for their conduct. While the
flag of truce was up, and the capitulation was under conference, they
towed the iron floating battery, Louisiana, to a place above the forts,
set it on fire, and turned it adrift upon the Federal fleet. The guns
soon becoming heated, began to discharge, throwing their shot around the
river, and in a little while the battery itself exploded with a terrific
report, scattering the fragments all over the river, and wounding one of
their own men in Fort St. Philip.
As soon as the terms of capitulation were concluded and signed,
Commodore Porter started for the rebel fleet. One vessel had been sunk
by the Federal guns during the consultation, and another was taken by
the Commodore. He immediately put the officers in close confinement, for
the attempt to blow up the Federal vessels while under the flag of
truce.
While the reduction and surrender of the forts was effected apparently
by the fleet, it was evident that they could have held out in defiance
of the bombardment for an indefinite period. The successful passage of
the gunboat fleet threw an immense force above the forts, while a
competent force remained below. In addition to this, General Butler had
succeeded in finding a passage for a portion of his land forces through
the channels in the rear of Fort St. Philip, and thus threatened the
forts in a direction where they were easily vulnerable. Under these
circumstances a considerable part of the garrison revolted, on the night
of the 27th, refused to serve, and demanded a surrender, because defence
was no longer of the least service to their main purpose, that of
defending the approach to the city. The discontented part of the troops,
about two hundred in number, were permitted to leave the fort, and they
proceeded to the Quarantine and gave themselves up to General Butler.
This timely co-operation of General Butler led to the decision of the
commander, and on the following morning the capitulation was completed,
and the national flag was restored to the walls of Forts Jackson and St.
Philip.
The forts were placed in command of General Phelps. Fort Jackson
suffered most from the bombardment, the chief object being to compel its
surrender, Commodore Porter knowing that the other would inevitably
follow. Nearly 8,000 shells and round shot were thrown from the Federal
fleet, of which more than 2,000 fell into or exploded over the forts.
More than 1,100 were counted on the ground near the forts, lying around
after the capture.
THE OCCUPATION OF NEW ORLEANS.
At eleven o’clock, A. M., on the 24th, the flag-ship raised her anchor,
and led the way up the river towards New Orleans. Commander Farragut had
been apprised of the obstacles which he would meet, and was therefore
prepared to encounter them. There was no occurrences of moment on the
way up the river, except the demonstrations of joy or of opposition made
by the people, according to their loyal or disloyal sympathies. Boats
loaded with cotton were burnt or burning along the river as they passed,
and fragments of the Mississippi battery floated down the stream.
At about the same hour of the next day, the fleet reached two forts, one
on either side of the river, about two miles below the city, known as
the Chalmette batteries, which had no flags flying. At eleven o’clock
they opened on the Cayuga, which was then in the advance. After a short
time spent in firing the bow-guns, the Hartford poured in a terrific
broadside, which appeared to be very destructive. Other discharges
followed from other vessels, and the garrison abandoned the works
without hoisting a flag. The guns being silenced, and the forts
evacuated, the fleet passed on and came to anchor opposite the city
about one o’clock. The river was filled with vessels on fire, and along
the levee cotton, stores, and other property were wantonly burned,
filling the atmosphere with suffocating smoke, and adding to the heat of
the day. Vast amounts of property were thus destroyed. On shore and on
the wharves the people hastened to and fro, some cheering for Jeff.
Davis and the Confederacy, Beauregard, and others, while some of the
more exulting loyalists cheered for the Union and the old flag.
[Illustration:
NEW ORLEANS AND VICINITY.
SHOWING THE DISTANCES ON THE MISSISSIPPI, AND THE ISLANDS BY THEIR
NUMBERS.
]
At two o’clock Commodore Farragut sent Captain Bailey on shore to
communicate with the authorities, and demand a surrender of the city. He
started with a flag of truce, and on reaching the levee was greeted with
curses by the mob. With some difficulty he reached the City Hall, with
the officer who accompanied him, and there found the Mayor, City
Council, and General Lovell, the commander of the rebel forces in the
city. New Orleans being under martial law, the civil authorities could
do nothing, and General Lovell declared he would never surrender it. He
was informed that the city was then in the power of the Federal fleet,
and the responsibility of any suffering or destruction that might follow
his obstinate determination must rest with him. If no resistance were
made, nothing would be injured. General Lovell then agreed to evacuate
the city, and restore it to the control of the civil authorities.
Captain Bailey and Lieutenant Perkins entered a carriage and returned to
their boats. Just before they reached the levee, the new ram
Mississippi, already mentioned, floated down the river wrapt in flames.
The rebels had attempted to tow her up the river, but finding some of
the Federal vessels on the alert in pursuit, they set her on fire. Two
or three other similar vessels, partly built, were in the shipyards of
the city and Algiers, on the other side of the river, which were also
destroyed.
When the news of the passage of the forts by the Federal fleet had been
telegraphed to the city, the popular excitement was unbounded. Under
apprehension that the city would be pillaged, and given up to the
violence of a body of Northern desperadoes, the mob, led on by some of
the most bitter secessionists, were anxious to fire the public
buildings, and reduce the city to ruin in advance. But other counsels
prevailed, and they were fortunately restrained from the commission of
these atrocities.
On the following morning, the 26th, at half-past six o’clock, the Mayor
sent his secretary and chief of police to see the Commodore, informing
him that he would call a meeting of the Council at ten o’clock.
Commodore Farragut replied to the message of the Mayor, and sent him a
formal demand for the unqualified surrender of the city. The Council
met, and on hearing a message from the Mayor, John T. Monroe, that body
adopted resolutions in accordance with the message, and the Mayor made a
reply to the Commodore, stating that the city was subject to his power.
Both the message of the Mayor, and his reply to Commodore Farragut,
breathed a spirit of bold defiance to the Federal authority, declaring
that they submitted only to stern necessity, and that they still
maintained their allegiance to the Confederate States.
At ten o’clock two officers were sent on shore, with a body of marines,
to raise the flag on the Custom House; but the protest of the Mayor was
so urgent, under the apprehension that the mob would resist this attempt
to plant the old flag in its rightful place, that the Commodore deemed
it advisable to recall the order. About the same time the Pensacola sent
a boat to raise the flag on the mint. A general order for a thanksgiving
service at eleven o’clock, on shipboard, had been issued, for the
success of the expedition, and while thus engaged, the stars and stripes
were torn down by a mob. The Pensacola fired a howitzer, killing one
man, which occasioned intense excitement.
On the surrender of the forts, General Butler hastened with his forces
to the city, where he arrived, with his transports, on the afternoon of
the 28th.
On the morning of the 29th, Pierre Soulé, one of the most prominent men
of New Orleans, visited the Commodore for the purpose of a private
interview. Soon after he left the ship, the marines of the fleet went
ashore in the small boats to raise the flag on the Custom House and Post
Office. Two howitzers were in the company, to assist, if necessary, in
maintaining order. The duty of hauling down the State flag of Louisiana,
and replacing it with the national emblem, was assigned to Commander H.
H. Bell. When the boats reached the levee, the men formed in line of
march, and proceeded to the Custom House, where the stars and stripes
were once more flung to the southern breeze. After leaving the Custom
House, they proceeded to the City Hall, where Captain Bell generously
yielded the distinction of raising the flag to George Russell,
boatswain’s mate of the Hartford, who had won general approbation by his
heroic conduct.