rjatip (Tbeiegrapl2.
HARRISBURG, PA
Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862.
A SPASMODIC EFFORT TO REORGANIZE
711 E DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
While the loyal people of the Union are
either engaged in fighting the battles of the
country, or employed in such pursuits as will
contribute to the support of the government, it
has been reserved for a number of worn out
political hacks who were elected to Congress by
the Democratic party, to issue a circular address
from the city of Washington, calling on the
sickened and disheartened masses of the cliques
of that party, once more to rally in a complete
organization, and once more to aid its leaders in
bringing about the corruptions which contrib
uted so largely to the present demoralization of
the country. In order to give some plausibility
to this address, its authors started out with a
falsehood. They assert that the federal adminis
tration acknowledges its fealty to party by
recognizing only such as voted for Abraham
Lincoln. Every reading man in the country
knows that this is false—but we must pass this
lie by for other more important misrepresenta
tion of the politics and actions of men who
have always opposed the corruptions of the
Democratic party. The gist of this lachrymose
complaint of a few treason tainted Democratic
members of Congress is, that "Freedom of reli
pion, freedom of the press, and freedom of person under
selection of the habeas corpus, with trial by juries im
partially cmpcmnelled," have been endangered, not
by those who are waging, but by those who are
struggling to put down and crush out rebellion.
It is alleged that, because the government re
fused a license to traitors to preach treason from
the pulpits of the country, the freedom of reli
gion was curtailed—and again, because the
same government denied the use of the mails to
those journals which were constantly wailing
its military operations in a moment of great
peril and when armed force was necessary to
put down and crush out rebellion, it is declared
that the liberty of the press was curtailed;
and still further, because military authority in
terposed, arrested and confined those who were
known to be in sympathy with, anti transmit
ting information to the traitor conspirators, be
cause this was done, and the writ of habeas cor•
pus was suspended to increase the means of pub
lic defence, these same Democratic Congressmen
allege that great wrongs were committed on
the personal and political rights of the people.
The apparent object of this entire appeal is
to array the people against the government, by
arousing their prejudices and stimulating their
natural jealousies of their rights. The old
pleas of the Democratic party, and the pleason
which the rebels rest the war againat the goy
eminent, are also put forth. It maintains that
sovereignty of a state against the authority of
the government of the Union,which is purely re
bel in all its bearings; and then with the adroit
ness peculiar to the menwho append their names
to .this address, we have the new issue of the
Democratic patty; laid down in all its force
and bearing. That issue is made up of charges
of corruption in carrying on the war, and the
burdens which will necessarily grow out of the
taxes that must be levied to defray these ex
penses. This is the prolific theme of the entire
address, and on the exaggeration which the
Democratic leaders hope to produce on these to
pics, they calculate their success accordingly.
There is another portion of the address which
attempts to claim for the Democratic party,
credit for the prosperity of the country, during
the long years of peace which intervened be
tween the war of 1812, and that with Mexico.
Our readers need not be told that the Demo
etatic party was in power during most of that
period. But it does not follow that because
it wielded authority, it was instrumental
in producing the prosperity of that period. If
history is faithful, the truth is the reverse, and
the Democratic party within these years wield
ed power only to impede and arrest the indus
trial genius and productive labor of the _coun
try. That genius and labor, however, were
superior to these slights and neglects. Both
struggled on until both were crowned with
success, and as this success was displayed In the
free states that were added to the Union, then,
it was that the element from which has sprung
the spirit of rebellion, began its antagonism of
free labor, and backed by the Democratic party,
began to threaten the Union with dissolution,
unless its demands were satisfied. To do this,
a Democratic administration provoked a war,
with Medico ; and in that war all other objects
were neglected, but those which tended di
rectly to the benefit of slavery ; while at the
same time the territory of a foreign state was
added to the Union with the expressed under
standing that the federal government assume
the debts of that state, yet this same address
inveighs against what it is pleased to call the
unconstitutionality of the federal assuming the
&h es of the state governments.
The monster evil, in the opinion of the aign
ers of .tbis address, is the fact that there are
certain people in the country who are opposed
to slavery. It is nothing to buy, breed and
sell men and women, as horses and cows are
sold ; it is nothing to conspire against the
peace of the country ; nothing to arm drunken
mobs and array them against the government ;
nothing to burn and destroy the property of
the nation ; nothing to desolate whole common
wealths ; nothing to be guilty of theft, murder,
perjury and arson. For these the Dertlocratic
party has an excuse and an apology. But for
the man or the community asserting a devo
tion to freedom, the Democratic party has no
sympathy, or encouragement, but rather pointe
to both as the objects to whom all the evils and
curses of rebeldom are to be attributed. This
certainly excels the former audacity of the
Deniocratic party, its leaders and its advocates.
It would require more room than we can
spare to expose and explode the falsehoods of this
most treasonable addreas. We write treasonable,
because tbe deliberate design of those who put
it forth, is to distract the country with false
political issues, and thus divide loyal Men in
their support of the government. It must he
_ ,
rego4Meo , as such by ovary loyal man In the
country, and coming now, when our arms are
about to conquer a peace and punish traitors,
it may be regarded still further, as the first at
tempt of the sympathisers with rebellion to
save the leading rebels from the fate they so
richly deserve. It is the offer of the Demo
cratic leaders to discharge their obligations to
the leading rebels ; and as they could not
assist in, the success of treason, their last effort
is thus to assist in the escape of traitors. It is
a work befitting the men thus employed.—
The Naional Intelligence expresses its contempt
for the address in the following brief language:
At present we may simply express our grati
fication to discover in this Democratic Address
no reference to the ".Resolutions of 08"--that
traditional compendium of Democratic doctrine
as once understood and received among us.
In lien of this "reference," it confines itself
to a misrepresentation of the facts of history,
an assault on all leyal men who oppose slavery
as abolitionists, and an exaggeration of the
taxes that are
. to be.shortly levied to defray the
expenses of a rebellion that had its origin in,
and was sustained by the elements composing
the modern Democtatic party.
21==
WE NAM NO Parmorsross to leadership in the
party to which we are attached, and we are
as willing as any man to make sacrifices of
mere, organization, but while we concede this
would-it be transcending our duty to ask those
who have the organization of the glorious Re
publican party in charge, to pause before they
destroy its last vestige and influence for patriotic
and national good. In times like these we can
afford to yield a mere preference for men, as
well as give up our prediliction for certain po
litical theories. The peace and perpetuity of
of the nation demand this, but we are not
certain that this peace and perpetuity will be
enhanceAl or secured, by an unconditional sur
render of Republican principles, merely to se
cure the alliance of „Certain men and cliques,
scattered in discordant masses over the coun
try, and only without organization among
themselves because they cannot agree on a
division of the spoils iu the event of the i suc
cess of their own party or cliques. We do not
offer any opposition to any man attaching him
self to the organization of the Republican
party. That is all right, because it is the
mission of the Republican party to proselyte
among the desperate and depraved, and bring
them, if possible, to political repentances and
confession of patriotism. But does it follow
that while we are doing this we must aban
don our own land-marks—give up our own
charts—amend our own principles—surrender
our own policy, and renounce principles at
once dear and sacred, merely that an alliance
can be effected with certain men, who for these
sacrifices will give the uncertain promise of
their support? We do riot understand union
to mean all this, and if such are the stipula
tions of a union of parties in this state, we of
course will have none of it, and thus promptly
and in advance put our face against the
proposition. But we understand union in a
different sense. There is to be no principle
sacrificed in this temporary abandonment of
an organization. The policy of prosecuting
this war to a vigorous end is to be pursued—
the purpose of holding the traitors responsible
for its effects, is also to be adhered to, while in
every shape possible, the determination of
mailing the rebel influence contribute here
after to the payment of the war debt, is one
that no mere arrangement of individuals can
effect, because it has already become a senti
ment and a solemn resolution with loyal men:
Added to these objects is the determination to
support the federal admlnistratiou, and on this
the union of patriotic men is to rest. Those
who elected Abraham Lincoln are more than
satisfied with his policy in relation to rebellion.
Clearly, fearlessly, and in a manner looking to
the highest interests of the nation has that
policy been directed. It has not gone out of a
straight course to make new issues with trai
tors, but it has accepted the logical conclusions
of the rebellion, accepted its necessities as they
press on the government for amelioration, and
thus far has truly administered;the govern
ment. To maintain such a government we
advocate union.
THE SPEIOII of AN. CAMERON, at the ban
quet given to him by the citizens of Harrisburg,
previous to his departure on his mission to
Russia, is already attracting the attention of
the country, as well for its fearless defence
against the attacks whichwere made on its
author, as for itsboldstateMenfof the facts and
documentary history of rebellion. The
New York Herald, in commenting on this re
markable speech, says thatitit no previous time
since the close of the RevolgtiOnary - War has the
chief of the war departmentbatinne thousandth
part of the responsibility that rested upon him
during the memorable year of 1861. One por
tion of the oonntry wildly rushing to arms in
their mad career to destroy the government
that had protected them, with traitors, con
spirators a.. l jobbers swarming around him,
the government robbed of all its war material,
and the country long accustomed to peace,
destitute of the material to,equip au army, be
was called upon to arm and equip an army to
defend the national capital and to suppress the
unholy rebellion. His task was no ordinary
one, and in discharging his duties, whether
justly or not he has brought upon his head
general censure and the adoption of a condem
natory resolution by the lower house of Con
gress. His speech, in reply to the Congressional
resolntion j is rich and spicy, and the best de
fence that any public official has made of his
course, completely placing in the background
the lachrymose plea of the Secretary of the
Navy.
—The Herald publishes the Fpeech in ques
tion in full, with an abstract of the procetAings
of the banquet at which it was elicited.
TDB PATBIOT AND UNION displays its mean
lying instincts by disjointing a sentence from
an artiole in the TZLEGR . APE, and then attempt
ing to use it as evidence of our sentiments
on the subject of a restoration of the Union.
We are as honestly in favor of the Union as
the Petriet has dishonestly opposed it by aid
ing and sympathising with its traitor political
allies, but not that restoration which mat
dough-faces as control he P i a dftidre, the
restoration winch . 13 to Weldie the >loyal states
ptratOMUClTtiti IBativ clegrctptl, eaturbap
with the debts of the south, and grant nncon•
ditional pardons to Breckenridge, Davis, Schna
ble, Wise, Fletcher and the other Democratic
traitors. And we want the people particularly
to understand, that when the Patriot and Union
proclaims for Constitutional restoration, it
means that to which we allude, out of which
will grow the necessity of the free states to
pay all the debts of this entire war. In one
breath it inveighs against the taxes which this
rebellion has already created, and in the next
it labors to fasten the war debt of the traitors
on loyal men. And strange to write, its astute
editors have Constitutional doctrine to justify
such a purpose.
From our Evening Edition of Yesterday
THE BATTLE BELOW
NEW ORLEANS.
-.-
ARRIVAL OF A BEARER OF DISPATCHES
FOUR FORTS AND NMEEROUS BAT
TRRTPS CAPTURED.
IMMENSE DESTRIIOTION OF PROPERTY
'THE OFFICIAL DISPATCHES
Capt. Bailey has arrived with dispatches to
the Navy Department from Com. Farragut,
and brought a number of Secession flags, in
cluding that of tae Ohalmeet regiment, and
the one which was hauled down twin the New
Orleans' City Hall.
The dates are of the 29th ultimo, at which
date Corn. Farragut was taking every means to
secure the occupation of the f..rts all along the
coast with the aid of Gen. Butler's forms.
The following ditpatch from a bearer of dis
patches from Corn. Faoragur,. who has arrived
at Fortress Monroe, was received at the War
Department hat night :
FORTRESS MONROIII, May S.
Son. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:
I have the honor to announce that in the
Providence of 11.4, which smiles upon a just
cause,
the squadron tinder Fiag-Officer Farra
gut bee been vouchsafed a glorious victory and
triumph in the capture of the city of New Or
leans, Forts Jackson, St. Philip, Livington and
Pike, the batteries below and above New Or
feans, as well as the total destruction of the
enemy's gunboats, steam rams, . floating bat
teries, (iron clad,) fire rafts and obstructions,
booms and chains.
The enemy with their own hands destroyed
from eight to ten millions worth of cotton and
gipping. Our loss is thirty-six killed and 123
wounded.
The enemy lose from 1,000 to 1,600, besides
several hundred prisoners.
The way is now blear, and the rebel defenses
destroyed from the Gulf to Baton Rouge, and
erobably to Memphis.
Our flag waves triumphantly over them all.
I am the bearer of dispatches.
(Signed) Tasonoaus BAUM,
Oiptain and second in command of the attacking
force, of the gunboat azyuga.
Com. Porter's Dispatch.
U. S. STRAYER HARRIET LAN; t
i 'eeippi River, April 25, 1862.
Sm:—l have the honor to inform you that
Flag Officer Fatragut, with the fleet, passed
Forts Jackson and St. Phillip on the morning
of the 14th, and should be in New Orleans by
this time, as he can meet with no obstacles
such as he has already passed, the way being
comparatively open before him.
We commenced the bombardment of Fort
Jackson on the 18th, and continued it without
intermission-until the squadron made prepara
tions to move.
The squadron was formed in three lines to
pass the forts. Capt. Bailey's division, com
posed of the following vessels, leading the at
tack of Fort St.'. Phillip: Cayuga, Pensacola,
Mississippi, Oneida, Verona, Kati Min, Bine°,
Wisahicken. Flag °dicer Farragut, leading
the following (second line:) Hartford, Brook.
lyn and Richmond ; Cominander Bell, leading
the third division, composed of the following
vessels: Sciota, Iroquois, Pinola, Winona,
Ramos and Kennebec.
The steamer belonging to the mortar flotilla,
one of them towing the Portsmouth, were to
enfilade the 'water battery commanding the ap
preaches. Mortar steamers Harriet Lane,
Westfield, Owesco, - Clifton, and Marine—the
Jackson towing the Portsmouth.
The vessels were rather late in getting under
way, and into line, and dad not get fairly start
ed until 3.30 A. M., and the usual bustle ap
prized the garrison hat something was going
on.
In.an hour and ten minutes after the vessel
had weighed anchor they had passed the Les
under a most terrific fire, which they returned
with interest. •
The mortar fleet rained down shells on Fort
Jackson to try and keep the hien from the guns,
whilst the steamers Of the mortar fleet poured
in sharpuel upon the' water battery command
ing the approach, at a short distance, keeping
them comparatively quiet.
When the hen vessel of ours could be seen
among the fire and smoke to pass the battery,
signet was made to the mortars to cease firing,
and the flotilla steamers were directed to retire
from a cunte-t that would soon become unequal.
It was now daylight, and the fleet having
pealed along, the forts began to pay their at
tention to our little squadron of steamers, the
Pottsmouth, which was being towed up, and
three of the gunboats which failed to pass
thiough. These latter became entangled hi
some wreck and chains placed in the river to
obstruct, and which were only partially remov
ed. One of these vessels (the Winona) go
through as . far as Fort St. Phillip, but having
all the guns bearing on her she sensibly retired.
The Itasca was fairly riddled. and" had a s hot
through her boiler, and the Kennebec escaped'
unhurt.
I am disposed to think that our squadron
received but little damage, considering the 'nn
equal contest—one hundred and forty two guns
on board ship opposed Toone hundred onshore,
pAced in a most commanding position. For
twenty minutes atter the chips passed the forts
fired very feebly on the vessels that remained
outside ; so much so, that the Portsmouth was
enabled to drop with the current out of gun
shot, though the shot fell' pretty freely abo u t
her at last. I think the fire from the ships
must have bees very destructive of life.
The last we saw of our vessels they were
standing up the river. Some explosion took
place, which made us feel rather uneasy, but
which may have been the rebel gunboats.
We could see that our squadron had not de
stroyed all the enemy's vessels at the fort; for
three or four of them were moving about in all
dirtictions, evidently in a stem of excitement.
Before the fleet got out of sight it was re
potted to me that the celebrated ram Manassas
was coming out to attack oil and sure enough
there she waapAPPatentli •steaming along
shore, ready to pounce ou the appatently de
fencele,,e mortar vessebt. Two of our steamers
and some of the mortar vees-ls opened fire on
her; but I soon eiscovered that the Manassa.4
could harm no one again, and I ordere I the
ve-sels to save their shot See was beginning
ti emit smoke from her ports or boles, and was
di-covered to be on fire and sinking. Her
pipes were all twisted and riddled with shot,
and her hull was also well cut up She had
evidently been us_d up by the squadron as they
passed along. I tried to save her as a curiosity,
by getting a hauser around her and secutiug
her to the bank, hot just after doing so she
faintly exploded. Her only gun went cif, and
emetting flames through her how port, like
some huge animal, she gave a plunge and dis
appeared under the water.
Next came a steamer on fire, which appeared
to be a vessel of war belonging to the rebels,
and after her two others, all burning and float
ing down the stream. Fires seemed to be
raging all alpng the 'up river," and we sup
posed that our squadron were burning and de
atroying the vessels as they paSsed along. It
appears, however, that the Mcßee, one or-tiro
boats,river and their celebrated floating bat.
tery -(brought down the night before) . were
left unhurt, and were still flying the Confed
erate flag.
The matter of the floating battery bicomes a
very serious affair ; as they are all bard at work
at Fort Jackson mounting heavy rifled guns on
it, which are no farther cse to them in the
fort. She mounts sixteen guns, is almost as
formidable a vessel as the Merrimac, perfectly
shot proof, and has four powerful engines in
her. I shall at all events lake such-steps as
will prevent her from destroying anything, and
we may still hold her la cheek with the steam
ers, though they are rather fragile for such a
service. This is one of the ill effects of leaving
an enemy iq the rear. I suppose th.at the ships
fired on her as they passed through, but that
her mail resisted the shot. She bad steam on
this morning, and was moving about quite
lively. I tried to put some mortar shells
through her roof, but without effect, as she
moved off.
The forts are now cut off from all communi
cation with New Orleans, and .I presume that
Flag Officer Farragnt has cut tee wires.
WASHINGTON, May 9
I have sent the Miami around with General
Butler to the, back of Fort St. Philip to try and
throw in troops at the quarentioe, five milei
along the forts, and at the same time open
communication that way with the Flag Officer
and supply him with ammunition.
lam also going to send part of the mortar
fleet to the bac`: of Fort Jackson to cut off the
escape of the garrison by that way and stop
supplies A deserter, who can be relied on, in
forms us that they have plenty of provisions for
two months, plenty of ammunition, and plenty
of dhcomfortti. Our shell set the citadel o
fire the first afternoon we opened. It burned
fiercely for seven hours, but 1 thought it a fire
raft behind the fort, as they continually send
them down on us, but without any effect.
Hut few casualties occurred to vessels on this
side of the forts. The Harriet L rue lest but
one man killed, and one, I fear, mortal ly
wounded. The Winona lust three killed and
three wounded, and the Itasca, with fourteen
shot through tier, had but few men hurt.
These forts can hold out still for some time,
and I would suggest that the Monitor and
Mystic, if they can be spared, he seuo bare
without a moment's delay, to settle the ques
tion.
The mortar fleet have been very much ex•
posed, and tinder a heavy fire for six days,
during which time they kept ibe shells going
without intermission One of them, the Maria
I. Carlton, was sunk . by IL shot passing down
through her magazine and then through her
bottom
Tha flotilla lost but one man killed and six
wounded. The bearing of the offioer3 and men
was worthy of the highest praise. They never
once flagged during a period of six dap , ; never
had an accident to one of the vessels by firing,
and when shell and shot were flying thick
above them showed not the least desire to have
the vessels moved to a place of safety. The in
cidents of the bombardment will be mentioned
in my detailed report. I merely write this
hurried letter to apprize the Department of the
state of affairs, and shall send it off at once via
Havana.
The sight of the night attack was awfully
grand. The river was lit up with rafts filled
with pine knots, and the ships seemed to be
fighting literally amidst flames and smoke.
Where we were the fire of the enemy was high
and comparatively harmlesit.
I am in hopes that the ships above fared as
well as we did Though amid such a terrific
fire, it was gratifying to see th it not a ship
wavered, but stood steady on her course ; and
I am in hopes (and I see no reason to doubt
it) that they now have > posfiession of New
Orleans.
Capt. Boggs has just arrived through a cut
through the swamps, and brings the following
additional intelligence: The Verona was sunk;
about one hundred men were killed and woun
ded ; ships all ready for another fight. No
obstructions on the way to New Orleans.—
Eleven Confederate vessels sunk and burnt in
passing the forts. % cheer* Butler is about to
land men the back way, six miles above the
forts. No officers killed or wounded, Soldiers
captured miserably armed and visitant ammu
nition.
[Correspondence of the New York rimes
The siege of Forts Jackson and St. Philip has
been in progress almost uninterruptedly during
the past six days and five nights, and mill ate
MA reduced. All this time I have been patient
ly waiting the end, but it is impossible to
conjecture how long the rebehl will remain at
bay. •
To-day the 28d day of April, will henceforth
be remembered as the elite of one of the most
desperate of naval battles. At three o'clock in
the morning the greater part of °mums:mote
Farragut's squadron, consisting of five sloops
of-war and nine gunboats, successfully passed
up the river, running through a tearful tire, and
are now above the forts. 'the mortar flotilla
and eight armed steamers are still below the
enemy, who is thus placed between two fires
with his supplies from New Orleans cut off, and
rendering his surrender merely a question of
time.
Of the damage that has resulted to either
side, I have at present little knowledge. From
my position with the mortar , vessels I can see
cue masts of our fleet, apparently three or,four
miles beyond the.. fort„ and tee flag of the
Union is flying from the top of evoiy spai: The
burning hulls of three rebel steamers hare
passed by us down the river, and that famous
bugbear, the raw Itiatunisas, is destroyed.. I
saw it sinking, a burning wreck, its two smoke
stacks tottering, and its cylindrical sides
pierced with yawning holes made by rifled
shot.
Although the loss of the rebels could not
have been otherwise than severe, they refuse.to
surrender. Comniuniostionluis 4 lleen had with
hem by means of a flag of truce, -when Qaptain
Porter deinauded that they should'titeto
sews; up uuccelogemally. 'Their reply was
I am, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
DAVID D. PORTER,
Com'g Flotilla
Hon. Gums WEGrats, Sec'ry of Navy.
Thum 'STATES STEAMER HARRIET 1.4.118,
Mississippi River, April 26 1862.
A Letter from Commodore Farragut.
FURTHER PARTICULARS
U. S. BARILII , TINE HORACE SICALEI3,
Mumusippi River, April 23, 1862..
:ilnrlo
.------------.____.
inadmisAble, and until th •!, ...,,, ' .. 1 ..-,..t ...1•11ar whom lt. , t•ek ta„o t ,.. r, 4
that the terms were
,a
i ,1111.11Vr.
Ilk„ 41111,4 all WII , J 11 ive I„._ — ",. , T he last man fell they should fight.
p,koillet. said that ht.. had hveci f, cedLill
He doe , : not believe that there are any ~,,d , '3 '
batteries ab tve the forts to impede the Fro; .-.',.!
of our fl eet to New Orleans. Above tte itt,a't
Lafayette, is a heavy battery in
the rirei . ' ."
prevent Commodere Foote eumi ng d,, wu tt,
Having related all that I have heard r,, ,- ..,.
movements above the forts. I must 4 )w i .,.; t4 1 ::
to what occurred below before then eet -tat. '
...
, c b , ted ,
o 0 •,,
U. S SCITOONFIK SMITH,
Off Pi Tarn, ,Ifissnrppi River,
Friday Lining, April 25, 1662. )
When I closed my hatter yesterday I had no
idea that I should bed iwn here at Pilot 'town,
in my old quarters more than twenty mace from
the scene of the bombardment. But such is
the fact. The mortar flotilla, with which I
have been more especially connected. was or
dered suddenly, about five o'clock in the after
noon, -to get under way, and repair to this
place, where most of the vessels are now at
anchor. The reason for this unexpected order
is Explained by the circumstance that an im
mense floating battery, iron clad and heavily
armed, survived the fire of our fleet ai it ran
the ganniet of the forts, and could be seen a
mile or two above us, with no adequate force
to interpose, shoal its rebel masters attempt
to clear us out of the river.
With every confidence In the rapacity of the
mortar schooners to defend themselves against
ordinary enemies, Capt. Porter was of opinion
that it would be sheer recklessness to allow
them to remain where they were certainly ex
posed to an attack from this invulnerable ar
rangement,which would have the game entirely
in its hands. Our retreat was decided upon,
particularly, because there is really no need,
under existing circumstances, of keeping up
the siege of the forts. - We have the rebel
garrison in a trap, from which it is impossible
to extricate themselves, aid a few days more
or less for them to bold the forts is of no
material consegoence. Here the mortar vessels
are perfectly secure.
This formidable battery at the forte is an un
wieldy contrivance. It is constructed of a New
Orleans drydock, and As unmanageable in a
tide-way. Should It venture down the river,
we have an open sea by which to avoid it. As
it would be impossible to get it back again, a
sufficient force could be brought to destroy it.
Since we came down I have learned that this
schooner has beau selected to convey deepatches
from Capt. Porter to our Consul at Havana,
where they will be forwarded to the Govern
ment. She is to leave early in the morning,
and availing myself of the courtesy of her
commander, who has yielded his cabin for my
accommodation, I shall write as fully as pout
hie concerning - our affairs. Skipping over the
details of the five days and nighte bomb erd•
meet, which in any case would be wearisome
to peruse, I shall narrate the events connected
with yesterday's movements, as tar as I know
them from personal observation and from the
statement of others.
There is no doubt that Cimmodrire Farragut,
with a large squadron, is now at New Orleans.
Read the following letter, a copy of which I was
permitt-d to make. It was written when the
Flag Officer was warm from the contest, and
the words have the ring of true metal in them:
Data Poarett: We had a rough time of it as
Boggs will tell you, but, thank God, the num
ber of killed and wounded was very small,
considering. This ship had two killed and
eight wounded.
We destroyed the ram in a single combat
between her and the old Mississippi, but the
ram backed out when she saw the Mississippi
coming at him so rampantly, and he dodged
her and ran on shore, whereupon Smith put
two or three broadsides through him and
knocked him all to pieces.
The ram pushed a fire raft on to me, and in
trying to avoid it I ran the ship on shore. He
again pushed the fire raft on me, and got the
ship on fire ail along one aide. I thought it
was all up with us, but we put it out and got
off again, proceeding up the river, fighting our
way.
We have destroyed all but• two of the gun
boats, and these will have to surrender with
the forts.
I intended to follow up- my success and push
for New Orleans and then come down and at
lend to the torts ; so you hold them in date quo
until I come back. i think if you send a Hag
of truce and demand their surround t ey will
yield, for their intercourse with the city is cut
off. We have cut the wires at4iye the Quaran
tine and are now going ahead.
I took three to four hundred prisoners at
Quarantine. They surrendered and I paroled
them not to take up arms spin. 1 could nut
stop to take care of them. •
If the General will come up to the bayou and
land a few men, or as many as he' pleases, he
will find two of our gunboats there to protect
him from the gunboats that are at the forts.
I wish to get to the English Turn, where they
say they have not placed a battery yet, but
have two above, near New Orleans. They will
not be idle and neither will I. You supported
us most nobly.
Very truly, youri,
D. G. FAHRAGUT.
To Capt. D. D. PORTER, C,ommandiug Mortar
Flotilla.
This dispatch was brought to ,Capt. Porter
this afternoon by Capt. Boggs, late commander
of the Varuna, whose vessel was sunk in the
action. From Capt. Boggs I obtained some,
further information. He stated that, before
the Varuna sunk, she destroyed alone six of
the rebel steamers, of which he learned the
names of four, ,viz: The William H. Webb,
Pelmetto, Phenix and Jackson. As he parsed
the forts Capt. Bogs, as well as all the other
vessels, received their fire. The Richmond,
and one or two more of the large steam sloops
'slowed down and poured three or four broad
sides each into the enemy. The Varuna did
not wait after delivering two broadsides, but
pressed directly on into a hornet's nest oirebel
gunboats which were a mile or two above. She
was assailed by these, two or three at a time, in
ram fashion, butting at her with their iron-c -Bed
prows, and several large holes were mane in
her. As long as his vessel floated, Capt. Boggs
fought gallantly with his guns and drove the
enemy's steamers ashore, where they were fired
by their own crews. One of the Varuna's shot
.bled still another steamer by making a
hole in her boiler, and this vessel surrendered
to the Oneida, who took her officers and crew
prisoners. The Varuna's last guns were flied
when her decks were under water, and no
clothing or o - her property was saved by a sob'
on board. '1 here were three of the Varnmes
crew killed in the action and seven wounded,
two of whom are not expected to survive their
injuries. Including the ram, there were eleven
of ,the rebel steamers destroyed, and the cap
tain of the ram is a prisoner on board the Mis
sissippi.
After the fight the whole squadron repaired
to the Quargutine anchorage, which is seven
miles above the forts. There the dead were
buried and the wounded made as comfortable
as circumstances would permit. The number
of our killed and wounded is estimated by Capt.
Boggs at about one hundred and twenty five,
and seventeen of these belonged to the Rich
mond. He thinks that the loss on the side of
the rebels was enormous.
The chain cables which were fastened on the
outside of our vessels proved an admirable pro
tection to their machinery, as in every case
where the shot struck them it bounded off
without penetrating. A great deal of damage
was done to us by the floating dock of the
rebels, to which I have before adverted ; and
although many broadsides were discharged at
it, they had so - effect whatever upon its iron
sides.
At Quarantine our squadron found a large
quantity of coal, sufficient for their use for a
long time. All the vessels, save twenty-two
gunboata, started for New Orleans at twelve
o'clock, at which hour they had repaired dam
ages and made themselves ready for another
encounter. . r
Capt. Boggs came down from the squadron in
*small boat, having piekedfilsway,through a
-:,you oat of the'river and pulte6,4lOng,Back
"Yild*.taar::itf Fort ;at. Phillip. He was'
PROM FORTRESS 110100 E,
=EMI
Departure of Gun• Boats Calm, Aroostook,
and Port Royal up the James River
HEAVY FIRING IIEA4D
An Engagement at Sewall's Point,
The Rebel Barracks Burped,
TRH !JANITOR AND NAMUR 11 ICIIOI
THE XERRTMAC AFRAID TO FIGRT
FORTRESS MONRog
Thursday 'Morning, lig Sti,.
The iron-clad gun boat G.AI,
Aroostook and Port Royal, h
,
James river at six o'clock th,s
have passed Dog's Paint tottery. u
has been heard up the river ease
tare. They will cut off cirrr c
with the rebel army south of ChL.S:. ta't.;
Immediately after tho g 'doss 6"vt,!
rebel tug boat J. B. White caul, out ir
port News, having lett Nod ° k
with a crew and two cittze,,,,
m is-ion to Tannery Point. By Tr% C I
they ran over to Newport News ,01.1
d, red to General Maustirld. t.. 1.1
time they have attempud to 6.5e,p,,
are now the moat happy of i ;U:,
Sewall's Point is being evacu ‘li.d.
The Monitor, Naugatuck, au i
boats have just lett tor S u•,,11; ,t
LATER.
FORTRESS MONRA, '„
Shortly before noon ro-day the y.
Naugatuck, Seminole, Sasqueilam. 4
and SRO J.einto, in the order to ~ va
named, steamed up to he .111 . E
P
Lardner of the Suequchanua :
the expedition.
As soon as they arri:e I Ri in
opened with shot and shell
.1.
moat of which wi.r,. goo! .i.o- I: ,I- .
halt an hour betore au? reply toad u.n;:
the Point.
The Rip Ripe 0.. st olvne I ac l
NaUgatUCk t for the first time
were fired 11'0111111e Athg
ty of the point when ,t_le
struck in the virititty, .1 pq ,
gun as it has nut been h
Tian position of the. Niolia,
TEUICU of the rent of the
Irl MOIIOU LIII wlll/in a un IC • r t
point, when Cunsidrnik.k. 1.1/t[
Oren done by her ewer
The Naugatuck kept iu t
range of her parrot cu., Iv I,
30.
The Sewall Point bat erg r briagir
The Rip Raps tired occr.;,.cc I y
fire was kept up by th .
The afitir was c0n:,.. :
Ervin thht Feint of v. the 'IL
tallee being eu couir 11Qi
be seen.
At about ow k.
to arise which ic .C:.1 , 1 1 .1_ d 1.
a combustible 131.1d1 1i II:
Woods. It 40011
Nothing more oceuir
o ' clock, when the tiring Ira, v-r• ,e,•r ,,
the Point.
The Monitor about thi , riled , LeL.
her advancul positiou nud
the distance. Nothing et Ulf
aamall, square black spit nu ,v.itttr
quarter past two o'clk.<l;y r: aas
smoke arose rapidly hum `-wi,l
ably from the burnin; ~t LLr t `IC-1, LI L.CI
buildings.
At about half past two [LC
made her appearance, !dna ;LI
exception of the Monitor, Worn , i.
The Merrimac is stilt, at toe
the point, andL— h
e —unitor re,i :2 ; to ' Let
the Seminole has 1et0u.,,1 Id Zt:
roads.
Tame is no prospect of further
present.
At half past five o'd ck tL: 1 ,star
turned. The Merrimac rthuxiiit is the
oat
position.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
Graphic Description of the Engage
ment.
0
W 8ALT13.0.3t, 11dr '1
1 The special correspondent of the A .'•-,'
sends the following relative to Zorn ar E.IP
; ton Roads and the rfthinsule.
FIMTII.S9 IMONSOE, May b .-Phis lui , l,tt.le
most stirring and exciting d ,y at, Old 1.1,
and all are anticipating the silty i'l' a
Norfolk.
At 11 o'clock the steamer Siticothio-0:
observed raising Bream, and About 11 0 I `' k
she moved out by the „hie. ~I (L e 31,13 i t ,.. .,
which vessel bad also cleated her .1, c,.. f"ff
owl, taking down her aw , t i,,4 sod itil , ' 3 . aa '
' stood forth in full tight' , ,'
a trim. . t'l
11 30.—The gunboat Dacotith liai.juit cia.
up in line of battle with two little batterksj,ll..
lowed by the sloop of war Seminole , 13
ciuto, ling ship Minnesota, also under Ek'au l
12 o'clock.—The .Naneatuck moved ui" t ` .. ,
ward Elizabeth river, followed by the h' Jag
and Dacotatt in line 0 f battle. the S ° '.it,,. ' -
cinto follows slowly. Heavy tiring rat „ 6 1, e
heard from the direction a James l iver, Le , ,',.
as you have all eddy been informed by teieglar N
the Galena and •.d.'n'er gunboats. have gum' .
tot
The side wheel sieaturr Susquehanu t iht•J,,.
moved up, passing the S..m.tioie a nd s.O :
ciuto. In the meantime the Dacottoh, 116'4
and Naugarzck tied reached the eh awe' ',, i .
taken position off Sewn I's Plat, and thewiti
nutah filed a shot towards Crane) l-ittu'l i t
fell short. A second shot tr.au the Picti
struck the. beach on Soe,iii's P o int. , . h ,
The Susquehanna intivt.s up aid tak ',co
lead of the sae. Jancinto and tee nem tuol) 1 0 ,
answer from either 01 the rebel foils. '',,, ik .
Denote:l and Monitor ate steaming or , -, , ,, i,
beth River. The Naugatuck , lying ' t ''''
the mouth of the James tie , r. . a .,, c it
Presently the Ditcotall :mil MOUiIOT al:i. wco .
Cranny island and S.:wail's Polar. e li
tali fires every ~,1 „ . a.
fel" wilitths all 1. 1 e: w i.
Sewall's Point and Cittuey island.
8, `reach
wakini; no reply, although the 1/3115 all
'
their intended destimation.
not tired. ...Meaotime the sealant
sc , o ,
the Monitor is now taklag
sauna open on Sewall's Poiut and t r
er 4 .,,; 0 ,
are fired from the Point, all of the latter
a ito";
short of the Monitor, which is no u'
above the other vessels.
&wall's Point , priacipallyoat
.t.ell4 o l r e i n, „' O.
12:40. The rebels are firing irsM.V...i f fn ° r Dl
while a ixiotittual sUCMSJOU, 68, L.
.
, b z
LT:4 h:::
IMIIII=I