The New York Herald Newspaper, April 29, 1862, Page 2

ood + Siting, H. H. Hil Chas. Dosames, Wm. 2 THE CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS. The Reconnoissance and Pre- parations for the Bombard- ment of the Forts. The Passage of the Union War Vessels Over the Bar at the Mouth of the Mississippi. Opening tho Ball by Commodore Porter with His Mortar Fleet. THE GUNBOATS SUPPORTING HIM. The Flank Movement of Major General Butler. The Mississippi Squadron and Its Commanders, Ker Rte ae The United States steamer Coanecticut, Commander Maxwell Woodhull, (yom the blockading squadron, arriy- ed at this port yesterday morning, bringing the mails and about two hundred sick and wounded seamen from the various sbips of the blockading squadron. She also brought several refugees from Texgr, who were taken from Matamoros by the United States gunboat Moat. gomery. ‘The Connecticut left the Southwest Pass April 12, The ‘ships of the expodition to New Orleans were all inside the passes, and wore makiug preparations to move. Tho; had theie decks sanded, and were all resdy for action. Tho crows of the ships along the coast are all in very goo. hoalth. The following are the passengers by the Connecticut: W. AH, Gladding, H. L. Oloutt, H. B. Jeo! J. A. Darling, F. Davis, 8, W. Patterson, D. Robertson, C. J, Culbertsoa, Thos. W White, &. Booth, J. A. Grady, N. W. Dunlap, Lieutenant 41.G. Fox, Major Paine, Geo. E. Weiah, aad about 100 Bick and Wounded seamen and soldiers. The foliowing are the names of the refugess:— Dr U. Larned, Thos. McBride, Henry Corning, Wm. Robertson, Martia Sharp, Timothy Crouin,Leon Tall- Diana Oar Naval Correspondence. Usrrap Stares Guxsoat Wixoxa, fuven, March 11, 1562. The Rebel Steamers in Sight—Call lo Action-—-They Past by without Offering to Pight—The Men Sleep on Their Arms, dc. ‘This morning Capt. Beli and your correspondent took Bp their quarters on board of the Winona, Capt. Nichols, forthe purpose of visiting points of interest up the river. Previous to our starting for the head of the passes, we made several soundings on the bar; after which we went ‘ap, steaming against a five knot curront at 4 fine rate Fuat as we arrived at the head of the passes the Kineo ‘@gnallzed to the Kennebeck that the enemy was in sight and to prepare for battle. Fighting fever ran high, aid Bho sailors were ic ecstacies when they wore called to quarters. The guns were cast loose in @ moment, and ‘tide arms quickly put on, and we wero ready. Captaia Bell ordered the ships in. line of batile, and then sum* moned the eommanders to repair on board to receive their lostructions. As it was quite late in the day it gas deémed advisable to anchor in a commanding pos!- Von for the night. The rebel steamers soon turned and wont up the river, without, however, recoguizing our force. Our men siept on their arms all nic! nd Do- Uhing disturbod our sleep, save mosquitoes, which drew me Yankee blood from us. ‘Usrrep States Gusnoat Winoxa, March 12, 1862. 6 Heany Fog—Another Prospect of a Battla—An Exciting Chare—eWe Pire at the Rebel Craft—The Reb Steamers Run Away with Siz SchoonerveThey Won't —The Rebel Telegraph Cut, dee. At three o’clock thia morning a heavy fog shut us ia from the gazo of the rebels, if they were watchiugus. Phis state of things lasted until abou naif-past cight »’clock, when the fog began to lift. As the hours passed the fog lightened, 90 that by teu o'clock it was quite clear, and wo then up anchor and stood on up the river, with the intention of getting a glimpse of the forts at Whe bend. At o quarter to eleven o'clock we saw the lack amoke of a steamer. Signals were thrown out to ur little feet to prepare for battle. A large bannepof freedom was hoisted, and we were in fighting trim. Sig- Del was made to increase speed. Our firea were a little Black; 60 we cut Up a lob of tarred rigging which belong- od to @ vessel which attempted to run the bicekade, but getonsbore. This junk was severed into a thousand pieces by the sailors, who worked as meu do who ex- Pet io do something. Our furnaces were plied with the tarry rope, and dense volumes of black stmaoke arose from our ataokestaek, Steam rose repidly,end ali sail was made, We gained on the rebel, and she piled the Pitch pine wood into her furnaces. Still we gain on her. The chase now becemes truly exciting; our for- ward pivot is trained upon the ecamp; stilt we draw bearer and road upon her paddle box “Star.” “Fire at fim,” cries Captain Nichols. Bang, whiz, whiz goes a twenty-pound rifle shoil at him. The Star steams harder than over,and whistles for help. Bang goes another hell, the Kennebec following suit. Just tuen the Kineo Bignaled that her boilers were disabled, and of course wo gave up the chase, As we stopped we discovered ® long, black rebel steamer coming to the as- ‘istance of tho Star, Two more steamors wore then dis- covered and six schooners lying at anchor at a point just below the forts. At a quarter of one o'clock we again formed in ling of battle, having found that the Kineo'’s boliers had been foaming, but were now making steam allright, Away wo went up the river agaiv, We now found that there wero seven steamers in the party, and that they had taken the six schooners in tow and were scudding up the river as rapidly as they coult. Asthey had somuch start, and belugso mneli faster than our weasels, wo gave up the chase, having beon up abreast of the salt works. At two o'clock your correspondent went on ahore at the “Jump,’’ and cnt the telegraph wire, and found that there was f slight electric current manifost. Bringing away about two hundred oad fifty feet, ho pulled to (he lower side of the mouth of Wilder’s Bayou and examined the station, but founa nothing of note, Arriving on our downward trip at the head of the passes (et which [send you a sketch), Captain Bell and myself emborked on board of the Keunebeck, leaving the Winona and Kineo to hold the prases. We now shaped our course down the Southwest "eas, and at four o'clock 1 landod at BFronch gentieman’s house on the right bank of the tiver, Not@ soal was thereto greet us, and when we @tored the house we found desolate as an empty barn. Everything had beew removed but @ bedstead, ‘The outhouses were searched, but nothing but broken tools and empty demijohns could be found. Two discon Bolate horses wore in a half sunken lot in the rear of the house, and a half dozen porkera wero rooting up the gar- len, while some loam, aDimatel beevas wore cropping cane a an adjacent feld. Leaving this desolate scene, we gut the telegraph wire, and then embarked on the Kenne- beck, and steamed fur the pass. Arriving there at five o'clock, In the midst of a fog, we found the Brooklyn faside the bar, and the flagship lying just outeide of it, Hire we Jay all night and until tbe morning of the 19ta. At etoven o’clocle wo got under way, the fog having lifted po that we could see the ship, I send you ® correot list of the Keanebock’s officers:-- Fiteb. a, Gowing, L. W. Robin Unrren Starrs Prot Tow, Socruweer Pan hen i 130d, ¥ ‘The Hartford Passes Over the Bar in, Safeiypm Who Acoom. plishet the Diflcult Feat—Phe Flag Officer's Apprectation of the Pilot's Sk4, be, We ‘ Here (am, once more, on board of our good old ships fod can say, with truth, ‘there is no place like home, T Joarmed thet ag goon asthe fog would permit wa would | go in over the bar, At these o'clock, ander the pilotage | ° fe Halter, Colted States Const Survey, and Captain | fey ideh, we started inside, Ou we wont, storming slowly, touching only once, passing over the. bar in safoly, and up alongside of the Brooklyn; thenge up the river, aad to en anchorage off Pilot Town, where we anchored about fivo o'clock. To Mr. Halter is due the major portion of the credit of the safe and speedy pilotage of two heavy ‘The flag oflcer was highly dolighted with Mr, Halter’s skill and uaefulnoss, aud bas advised the Navy Department and the Cosst Survoy of his appreciation of the services rendered, Af. tor anchoring we loaded our guns with shell and set se® first class steam sloopa-of-war. watobes, Two of ovr broadside guns haye been remov- ed forward; ous of them is now looking out of the port bridle port up the river, Our wateh on deck are armod and tho lookouts doubled, and everything ready to ro” ceive the rebels in due and proper form, Prot Town, March 14, 1862. An Gopedition—The Stars and Stripes Wave Over Pilot Town—The Desoiaie Appearance of the Town—Sictch of the Place The Hartford Dismantled—The Rebeh Pleet— Their Names and Strength—The Rasoally Usage of the Pilots by the Rebebs, Be., dc. ‘This morning, at half-pagt four o'clock, Lieutenant A. Kants, Captain Broome, your correspondent and thirty mae rines, with one armed boat's crew, embarked in the barge and (hird cutter and weat on sore to take possession of the town and holst the Stars and Stripes. Pulling up the little creek we landed at a wharf, then, forming the marines and armed sailors, we marched to the music of the dram to the lookent station. The marines formed in line, while the officers and sailors went to the top rove, halyards, got the flagstaff up, and at the signal the colors wero hoisted, the drum rolied, and the boatswain’s mates Piped “apcolorg.’’ The marines presented arms, and oll hands joined in and gave throa tremendous cheers. Wo thon took formal poszesaion of the town and the land and wator adjacent thereto. We then visited each house and found all deserted, save three, Two of them were occupied by families of two brothers named Thompson— Germans and fishermen. The third party proved to boa bachelor Italian, a pickler of oysters by trade, and abig scamp by looks. Arter visiting the houses and picking out military quarters, we selected a euitablo place to land our spars, for we are to dismantle the sbip. here and clear her for action, and also to make it ade" pot for stores, coal, &e. Leaving # guard of marines ashore we returned to the ship. Pilot Town ig composed of a dogen middiing good houaos with as many more of less importance. Some of them are, or at least have bee, fitted up richly, Tho house of Johnson, tho old Dane, a pilot, has been used for a hotel, aud is very large and commodious. Ross’ house is {a excellent repair. The psople ashore told us the pilots left here some months ago, and by more chance thoy were enabled to remain behind, Thay are in a half famished condition, and aro terribly afraid of the von- geance of the rebels should they furnish us with fish and oysters. They were assured that their lives and pro- perty should be provectod, and it would not be likely that thoy would ever see a secesh flag again. ‘As 200n a8 We rolurned to the ship the topgaliant masts were sent down, all the spare spars put over the sida and towed ashore and hauled up until we should need them. While I :bink of it I will forward you «list of sieam- cr on the Mississippi river, and the armamont of them, agfar aa I can learn:— MeRao, four thirty-two-pounders, and one nome-inch sual gen. Ivy, one Armstrong rifled guns. Jackson, two eight-inch shell ‘ Livingsion, tour eigit-inch shell guna and too rifled twonty-pounders. Mason (now), five forward aud three aft. ‘Stidei! (new), five forward aud three aft. Manassas (ram), in dock ropairing. Tennessec, drawing sixteen and a half feet, cotton loaded, waiting to got out. Atlantic, unknown. Matagorda, unkuo: Amorica, unknown. Day, ankaewn. W. il. Wedd, unknown. ‘Star, three forward and one aft. Quite alittle Meet; bat great oa @ run. This I know from personal observation. Tincloae you a late Galveston Civilian, captared on board a schooner by (he Santee. It contains no news, butis @ ourioaisy in nowspaperdom. At ten o'clock the Brooklyn came up the river, ani (took her position on our starboard bow, close in shore; ‘aud a3 soon ag she anchored down came her masts, and Doth ships were busy all day in towing thelr spare ashore and stowing thom in a boat shed. f spent nearly all the afternoon on shore, and enjoyed myself highly in looking into the different houses. Some were left ia the utmort confrsion, while others were clean swept, and auch of their household utensils as they left bebind were pat in order. In the office of the Louisiana Pilot Associa- Lion, now occupied by our marines aa a guard house,I found a copy of tho laws regulating this body of man. The poopie ashore say most of the pilots were forced to G0 to New Orleans, and to give up a fund of $100,000 for sick and disabled pilots to aid the rebel cause. If they were here now thoy could make money and, if not as much ag in formor times, they could takefeare of their snug little homes. But now they are debarred from the comforts of home, and are in continual dread that their little ali will be destroyed by fire or sacking. The Fing Offcer wont on shore, with Captain Bel! and Dr. Poits, during the day, for the purpose of selecting a place for our wounded after our firstengagement. Dr. Foltz as- sures mo thai he cvn accommodate one thousand patients comfortably in these houses. Perbaps it is all for the beat for the pilots to have left, for the above reason if none other. Nothing haa been or will be removed from the dweliings, and the mines wil take good care to keep intraders away. I inclose you some election tickote which will show you that the pilots were taterosted in politics. The ticket imolosed has a device upon ft in which those words appear— The Unioa—It must be preserved.” Comment is unnecessary. Por Town, Soura Weer Pass, March 15, 1962. A Storm—The Rebels Sighted—Our Vessels Ready for Action. Last evening we had a very heavy storm, which lastod until ten o'clock to-day. The remainder of our spars wero sent on shore, as well as spare rigging, &o. About ‘noon we were aroused from our quiet lifo by the report from the masthead that the enemy were in sight and coming down the river. At two o'clock the number of emokes increased, and we signalized the Brooklyn to get undor way and follow us up the Paes, On arriving at ‘he Head of the Passes wefanchored off Cubbidd’s House, and ordered the Kineo to take up a position ow the other side of tue river. The Brooklyn anchored ahoad and tho Winona remained at her oll position. The afternoon and evening was lovely, and a bright moon made tho scene all that could be desired. The rivor is very high—at least a foot higher than it was a few days since, when! was up here in the Winona. We are ready now to re. ceive the scamps. We have three heavy bow guns, gi in the tops, anc petarda; $0, should they pay us a visit, they will find that there is no “Pope's cun’’ affair they bout to enter. Pow wero Fisap ov Tux Passes, March 16, 1362, At he Head of the Passes—Commodors Parragut—Tne Mor- tar Plolilla—Prises Captured=The River Blockaded by Chaine—Troops and Batleries—Commodors Purragut Goes to Ship Island to Arrange for the Co-operation of the Pores, de. ‘We aro now where a blockading squadron should havo been months ego. Weare whore we can do something towards stopping cotton going out and arms coming in, We are where we can and will trouble sooosh at our pleasure and to his discomfort; an! to Flag Officer Farra got belongs the praise. He is & man of the age, and one, though being honored by years, is in appearance a young man—s man destived to rank with tho brightest of our naval officers. No, resh, bat ago ahead man, be combines valor with dis- cretion, and will aot rush ioto anything he cannot see his way out of. Every one respects him, and our men will fight to the death for him. While I am writing this afternoon the masthead look. outs report fiftoen vessels in sight, off tho Southwest Pass and Pass-e-l’Outre, Most of them, I should judge, are schooners of the morter flotilla, Im a fow days we wily have a dest here of gome considerable magnitude. The ‘Winona has been sent to the mouth of the Pass with tn- atructions to the fessels not te come ap, and thereby re ‘veal our foree to the enemy. At dark she returned, ringing tho news of tho arrival of the Mortar flotilla Commander Porter in charge. Last night they ‘hree prizos loaded with cottom. This afternoon the Kineo chased the Star, whieh made ber eppearance at a poist about six miles above us. Two Union men, who lived ten miles above this fort, came to us thisafternoon, with a vast amount of vory valaabie information. The sia schooners we saw on Thursday are anchored at intervalg from fort Jackson, across the river, and a chain stretched from tho Fort St. Philip side, acrome the decks of the schooners and thence to @ buoy close to Fort Jackson, whore a | apace is loft for vousele to pass throwgh Another chain ig stretched under the bottoms of the vonsels ant so. cured 60 that two chains are atretohod to blo river, Wo can fix that ina short time, The Tease and Webb wont up the river on Thursday They, w soveral other yossols, ard cotton toaded, and ready t run the blockade if they cau, ‘Phere are 1,800 troops at Fort Jackson, ag many more at Fort St. Philip. Each fort was reinforced last woek by 400 mon. At English Bend there isa mud battery, and one a few miles above i, After giving us al tho information they were pos” sessed of, they wore put ou their parole and allowed to 0 to Pilot Town, where thoy formerly resided, Tho Star is in sight this morning. ‘Tho Kineo chased her and ehe ran, as usualy Flag Oflcer Farragut shifted hie flag to the Winona, and sailed for Ship Island to get theequadron in order, and to hurry them up. The Brooklyn is the senior ship, and from ber all or. dere will emansto untal the return of tho Viag Oitice which will bo tn tho course of afow days, A guard of marines was sent to-day4o Pilo# Town to occupy it per- manoatly. Uveren Srares Pad Sm Hixrrony, } Fisap or vax Passws, March 21,1802. f The Rebel Spy Ort’ Quict Reigns Around—Iioy tal Avrangemen's for *he Coming Baitle, &e. For the last two days it has been blowing a gale of wind from the westwar |, with tremondous rain storms at night, acoompauied with heavy thunder and very vivid lightning. Tho weather is so cold that peajackets are by no moans uncomforts Every day the rebels como down ia the Star to seo us. Yesterday they wero some- what stariled by the eight of quite a number of (he mor- tar flotilla, coming up Pass-2-l’Outre, 80 that they could go down the Southwest Pass rathor than go around ontside and over thebar. Our gunboats, who peform a kind of Picket duty, prevented the Star from seeing too much at one time. At about eight o'clock last evening we dis- covered a large fre in the neighborhood of the forts; but we have not yet learned why it was kindled. My Im- pregsion is that the rebels are clearing away the woods or reeds, so as to “give us Jessie” when wo come up. ‘A mail azrived to-day, eomposod of old letters, probably Picked up at Plekens, or brought ous in somes army traus- port. The Flag OMcer has not yet returned, but wo shall look for him by Sunday a! loast. Untilthon we probably Shall remain in statu quo, whick, by thle way, ig a very disagreeable position to be placedin, Wearoali very anxious tobe up and doing, Wor naval officers thoro is nothing so disagreeable as a wi of something to do when the enomy I3 withing dogen miles. But I sapposo wo will bavo ali we wat to do by and by, The Giwreau of Modicine and Surgery of the Navy Depart- mont have shipped, and we are daily expecting tho ar- rival ef,a largoamount of hosp!tal stores, mattresses, and, in fact, all the nocassary articles for hospital use for tho squadron. Floot Surgeon Foltz.will propare the houses at Pilot Town for hospital purposes. This arrange. than one—aad I nover saw an enemy 60 foolishly show his power, whon he could hardly but have known wo wore only making a recopnolssance, and if be did uc. ogod in disabling us we wore ablo, by the assistance of Our companions, to get outef his clutches. Wo could plain!yse@ (ho anxious spactato®™ on the parapet of tho fortaaud on the paddle boxes of the Star, I noticed that, ag we approached Fort Jackson they hauled dowa the stars and bars, so that we should have no mark to fire at. Two rebel steamers wore telegraphod for, and prudently lay up to the quarantine, waiting fur- ther orders. I think their armed stesmora are up the river, in the yiclnity of Memphia...Ne doubt the New Orleans papers of to-morrow will give full partiouiars of a great victory over tho Yankee fleet,” and you mi tinue to hear of these victories, as wo will draw their dro cyory day, i? wo can, and in due time we 1 © their whole dre, As have written before, it job to take thege forts; but Lam satisiel, with the force and armaments wo will bring to bear agalvst them, thoy must give up to the outgide prosaure. Wo know their wealpoints botter or ag well as they do, and of course we wili take advantage of it, ‘We saw two square rigged ships above the forts, with their topgaliant masts down. Thesemay bo cotton loaded vessels who have been waiting for a chance to gat out, ment will ba exceliont,as the location is good, easy of aocess and the houses ,are commoilions; and, iastead of sending the wounded up to Ship Tslandor to the marino hospitalat Key Wost, we will have them near us, and where thoy can be oasily attouded to without go mach transportation. Dr. Fuitz's experience im the servico end during the war with Mexico fits him emtasntly for the post ne occupies. We will neod a few colored womon hore as nurses, a3 they are much better than men. But I suppose they can bo progured at points further North, ag thore aro nono here that wa can got ag yot. Os Boagp Usrrap Stars Gosnoat Kewnenucn, j Mississirri River, March 28, 1862. 4 Recomnoissance—Ths Appearance of the River Banks— The Rebels Fire on Our Reconnoitering Party—The Shot and Shell Fall Close to Our Vesee!—We Do Not Stopes. Onesided Figh—Gkelch of the Rebet Works—The Range @ the Guns, do., do. ; This morning Captain Bell and your correspondent game on board of this trim little gunboat, and proceeded /up the viver for the purpose of maklag a reconaoissance, and, if possible, to draw the fire of the euemy. The guu- odd Wissahickon was ordered to joln us; bat,as her speed wae. mot equal to ours, she fell into the.rear, and wewere obliged to siack up our speed so she could keep in company, We proceoded up the tivor, meeting, after wo “had passed the salt works, quite a sumbec of smu huts and small houses situated near the water's edge, on both banks of the river. When within about threo miles of sho forts, thoir flags being in sight, we sawa@ man on hore, and we despatched a boat to bring him off to the ship. He was somewhat frightened, and wo did not got but little information from him,as we were well posted up in affairs in the vicinity of tho forts.” At noon we ware in fal! view of the eaemy; but Fort Jackson was hid behind 4 grove of trees. We steamed ahead at full speed, Captain Boll and Mr. Wade being at the masthead taking notes. At this time the steamer Star came out from the fort,and by sundry evolutions endeavorsd to toll us on to what thoy considerad would. be certain destruction. Their theory was well based, ag the sequel willshow. We only noticed tho reboi steamer by dring athim once. When Fort Jackson's barbette guns were just emerging from the clump of tress, of which a portion had been felled 30 ag to leave au unobstructed line of fire, it was lve minutes past noon, and on the instant a flash, a donee columa of white smoke, showed that their impatience could not be brooked, and that they were do termined to drive us back. On wo atcamed, heodiess of theshetl which burst within two hundred yards of us. Wo were busy taking notes of the surroundings, when bang weat two guns, the shot falling within siaty yards of us. On we steamed. Our coolness was too much for them, and they showed it by firing a whole curtain at us of at least eight guns. In the mean time we noticed that eight bulks and a large raft anpported the ‘chatn cable across the river, and that, as a protection to the chai, a smal! mud battery had bosa erected on a point I7ing out from the fort. We also noticed that there are heavy batteries, of ovor tweuty guns cach, ou either sile of Fort St. Philip. ‘The second broadside from the fort brought outa rifled gun from Fort St. Philip, whose range exceeded the guns. of Fort Jackson. The first,» rifle, was succeoded by a second, both being of extraordinary range. In fact, better firing could not be mado, ‘Tho shell and shot wore dropping aroun us like Bail and in closo proximity, and I must confess I did some tall watching. Capiain Rusgel handled the Konnebec beautifully, and if she had not been moved tp and across the river rapidiy we would have beon knocked inte match sticks, After seceah had fired about sixty shots, and we had learied all wo wanted to know, we turned aroand, and the plece we wore lying ou, the left bank of the river, a moment before was made white with the plunging shot and burat- ing shell, Each shot thoy fired was gotting nearer, 80, that their last om I within twenty yards of our decks. It was the prettiest sight I have cvor witnossed in that particular line of business. The Wissohiekon coming np, we signalized Ler to follow our motions, and as she turned she was tho recipient of their far reaching shot, none of which struck ber. We camo down the river, having been under asevere firafor about twenty mi- nutes. Capt. Bell was ac cool as man could be, and I no. ‘ced with great pleasure the discretion and activity of Lieut, Commanding Russel and bis executive officer, Lieut. T. Blake. We would bare made asplendid Aight, but did not de- nireto show our metal toau enemy. As all are not familiar with the location of the place iv question, i wiil describe it. Much, and, in fact, all, in relation to posi- tion and strongth of tho forts is wol! known to our com- manding officers; but for public benefit I wil! state that Fort Jackson {a the first work approached, and ie situated on the right bank of the river. It is a five sided work, with bastions. Two of tho curtains only are casomated, each containing eight guos. The bastion gung are alro casemated. The up river side of the fort is poorly armed, and js not casemated. An auxiliary work way down the river has baen built to command the upward approach, and mounts twentg eight guns. The parade ground has doen dug ap, and the Water let in, ro that if shell, un- exploded, falls inaile of the work ite value ig diminished by ita non-explosion. On 8 point outlying from the fort is aemal) mud work, probably constraoted, to cover the chain bulks, Tho magazine capacity of this fort is one bundred rounds to each gan. Now for Fort St. Philip. It is an irregular work, of consKlerable sizo, with no easemates, and is strengthened by heavy batteries on each side. Itis @ formidable work, and ia im many respects equal to Fort Jackson. The two rifled guns whose mote; waa brought oat to-day! feel gonfdent are Armstrong 100-pounders, ‘The rebels havo ® large number of 42-poundors in these forts, and they have, by practice, obtatnod horwtiful ranges, and will hit something, T can asgute you. ‘The cable 1a stretched across the river ta an oxeeliont manner, But for ane thing must severely consure the officer in command of these works—that ie, a want of diseretion and patience, Had he resorved his fire for ten minutes he would have hit us with every gon he fired; but we must make an allowance, as it was the drat timo they have bad a8 opportunity of testing their gunson the flag they once swore to honor and protest, and con quently thetr impationgs showed to ua the position, num. ber and pangs of artillory, tho kind of practics they will rate and the preciso spot whore we may expect to frat othe: fires to lact it was the bestre gan rigpange f {have se2a more Woe would respectfully inform ‘that party”? their chance is gone. After turning to come down the river, the Star followed us some way, to ace tt wo cams down witha viow to bring up the fleet and commonce the work. We will bo there goon enough, and that they will learn to thoir sorrow. Woe arrived back to the Head of the Passes at two im the afternoon, and returned on board of our ship. Usirap Srates Fragemp Hartrorp, fsap or THe Pasexs, March 20, 1862. Rumors of War—The News of the Hamplon Road: Fight, , hee, Be. The Flag Officer went down to Southwest Paa® to-day, to *see how the ships wore getting on down there, He will probabiy return to-night: On board this and the vessels here there is-mo news of much importance. We havd rumors forlowod by rumors. Wo learn fronta New Orleaus paper of tho 14th inst, that the Merrimac has been down to Hampton Roads and modé@sad havoc among our ships. The story evidently has'somoe foundation; but we cannot believe all wo find in that shoot about the affair, Wo are very anxious to hear the full particulars, and wish they would not keop the Monitor, which belongs to our flect, at the Roads any longer than possible, We want her here. It ts highly important that we sheuld have hor here. But I suppose now it would be almost madness to ask for her. Wepity poor Worden, aud trust he may recover the use of his exes. é Yclose this letter, as there isa supplementary mai! boing made up on board, which. 1 seppose, Will be sent to Ship Island. -Up to noon to-day we have no tidings of the Connecticut, which, acoording to our calculations, ia now over due. ov THY Passms, Mramwert River, April 4, 1863. Other Vessels Pass the Bane A Fight Between the United States Gunboat Kinco and the Rebel Plagship—A Rede! Lookout—The Revel Fleet in Force near the Foris, de. . Since my Inst letter I have been engaged in voyaging between this ship and thoze oa the bar at Southwest ‘Paas, watching with interest tho efforts which have been made to get the heavy draught vessels into the river. Th® ‘Missiasippi, Iroquois and Oneida have come in, but the Pensacola is still outside, trying to comeup. I think a itt more tugging will bring her in also. The Copnectl- cut is here witha meagre mail for us; bat she brings us intelligence of the sad disaster in Hampton Roads, which we wero afraid at first was of a more doleful character. To-day we have been eye witnesses of a amartlittic brush between the gunboat Kineo and the flagship ofthe rebel flotilla. The scene of the skirmish waa afew miles above us, aud most of the Gring could be witnoased from our topgallant forecastio. Jost before noon a steamer appeared in sight at the-point above us, steaming down the river. We noticed immediately that sho was a stranger, aud that she wore the blue flag of the Admiral of therebels. She wasa large aud powerful side-whee; boat; painted black, and had two masts. At the main waved the stars and bors. Signals were immediately thrown out from the Brooklyn (Capt. Aldenzbeing the se- nior officer here, the fag otficer being at the bar) to chase the omemy. The Kinoo and Iroquois immediately proceed- ed to execute the order. The rebel boat came down a short distance, and stopped his engine to await the arrivel of our gunboats. Az scon as the Kizoo—sno being the fastest boat of the two—got within range she fred a rifled gun at the deflant Adwiral, bat missed the mark. Tho revel now slowly turned bis hoad up stream, when the Kineo let fly another shell, and bit secesh, This had the effect to quicken his apeed, and away he weat up atreow as fast as hia wheels conld pro- pelhim. Tbe Kingo kept firiag at him, and Captain Ran- sot informs me that he hit him three times. She was too mich for tha rebel, aad ho went off with a flea in his ear in the shape of a rified spell. Whon the Kineo arrivedat the Jump she gaw that the Admiral was not aloue, for in the distance she saw three river boats—evi- dently gunboata—two iron ciad gunboats, constructed with sloping sides, and in almoat every respect being the counterpart of Flag Officer Foote’s gunbeats on the Upper Mississippi; aud besides these there was a hovse-looking affair, which was pronowuced at once to be the Ram- Captain Ransom, finding the odds against him, wieely eoneluded uot to fight the party, and after making 4 good ebsorvation of tha veasela he returned with the froquoiss and reported ihe state of affairs to Captain Alden, wh once despaiched the Kennebec to inform the Plag Office: of the appearance of che enemy's flotilla in foros, Nothing occurred in the latter part of tho afternoon to ocgusion any olarm; but just before sundown a rebel steamer made its appearance off the point sn’ remajued there some time taking notes, and then arned to report, ‘Thero cau be no doabt thatthe rascals are properiug to attack 18 with rams, firsships, gunboats, and, io fact, with all the offensive means within thetr comman’. To pre- vent them laying 4 plos based upon our present position, or the position of our vessels ainco we came up here after dark we ail up anchor and have shifted positions, and asl am writing wo are forming inte line of-hatile and making all propardétions to meet them ou ground whieh we trust will prove ow superiority. We are not spollingfor a Aight; but our country hes called npon usto aid in protecting its honor, aud to aafarl the ombiem of a great nation over'a people who have rebelled ant cast aside a flag which has beon respected for ‘nearly a cen- tary. Todo this we will give our utmost endeavors, and trust to God for suscese. We do not intend to be caught “napping” and be butted and raramed at the willand foe. Twice our vessels Lave been thus maltreated, and we will try not to have it oceur agoin without punishing the depredators. There is strong reasons for believing that it will not be long he- fore the enemy will be upon us and make strong efforts to drive us from these watera. They may do it, but i doubt it. Our Aghting will be of & desperate character. ‘They will come in foree, Thelr reconnolssance of to-day shows that, and contrasts strongly with ours a faw days ago. Thavo no doubt but the movements of the enemy with expedite our movements greatly, jand we will be andor re ruch sooner than'we had calculuted upon. We'all wisb jt was over. Snepence is terpivle, but coolness and dis- cretion are our Best plan after all, and we must suler some to gain any great object. ‘Unrrep Sraras Fi.acsacr roan Heap Frscsmm, April 5, 1962. Our Pleet Set Sait Up the River—Tha Rebel Admiral Tries to Prighten Us by @ Bold Manauvre, but FailtA Fight: ‘This morning Fiag OMcer Porragut, who arrived from the Pass last evening, Captain Beli aud your speeial, embarked on boord the Iroquois. The following vessels accomponiel us:—Gonboats Wissahickon, Katahdia, Kennebee, Kineo and Sojota, We left our anchorage ‘with s fall head of steam and a determination to fight their vessels if they could be toduced to come ous, The Troquots, which yesterday was the sterugost boat soon showed ber superiority by rapidly leaving our corapanions in the rear, Nothing worthy of note oceurred going up the first fow miles; but when the signa! to prepare for battle was made and we beat to quarters, Twasforcibly struck with the personnel of this trim cratt. ‘The officers aud crew are very anxious to clear ap any imputations which may have been cast upou them in relation to their cruise after the Sumter. Deter. mination beaméd from every eyo, In many instences the men wore stripped to an undershirt ready for a fight. Perfect stillness reigned throughout the vessel, which was not broken save when the Flag Officer made some remark from jhe masthead, whore ho bad stationed himself, with Captain Bell, to seo the forte sad the position of the gunboats. Oor apoed was increased to ite utmost, and the Iroquois trembled tiko an aspeh leaf over tue revolution of hor acrew. At about noon a rebel boat, bearing a smal! bive fay (Admiral), made {ts apponrance. She was at ouce ronousesd to be the tugboat W, G. Hows. Down sho 49, as if GRO was to wnnibtlate tho entire party; bus sootng that wo were sloaming faster than waual abo, wise- ly for hor, but unluckily for ua, down bolm, aud soon waa going up tho river at fullspeod. Wo did not fire at her, choosing rather not to show our guns, As we drew near the forts, whose fags we could see, the Admiral was reinforced by his flotilla, consisting of the Ram, two {ron-clad gumboats ead two ordinary steamers. We thought surely that we wero tohayea brush, Just as we opened Fort Jackson, a little white smoke—bang-~ Wwhiz-whiz-whiz—crack—splash—a white circle on the uiuddy surface of the river reyealod at onoe tho fact that one of the hundred-pounder rifles had been removed from Fort St. Philip to Fort Jackson, and that the domonstra- tion just witnessed’ was from it. This was followed by enother one, which struck still closer, neither of thom boing over thirty yards diatant, ‘The third ons passed betwoen the smoke stack and mainmast, just clearing Lhe starboard waist boat, and, by the way, mydtwad, aud “xploding clogs alongside of the ship, The rebels surely thought thoy bad hit us in a tender spot, for they immediately sigualiod from the fort, and the flotilia made @ terrible show of coming out, a0 auch 80 that we dropped down the river about threo hundred yards, so as to tight thom out of range of the gaps of the fort. Down camo one follow, and when he saw that we wore formed in line of Wultle, his better sense came to him 4nd away he went. For four hours we lay here, boping he would come out and fight us, but he did not see it in that light. Tho fort fired four more shots at us, each one coming close 10 us. We saw a@ large firo raft moored close to the fort, ali ready, no doubt’ to send down to us. We found thoir range mark (® green bush) for thotr rifled guns, antl, in fact, made more notes than they would bo willing to let us bay they could prevent jit. The dring, and the long timo we wore away from our anchorage, inductd the Hartford, Brookiyn, Richiiond and Varuna to proceed up the river, but wo were returning when we met them, Ianrbappy ‘o record that the Hartford was the fastest of hor class, and her appearance elicited much commendation. Wo returned and anchored in propor order to resist avd ro" “pel avy attack the rebels chono to make. ‘The reconnois- ance was eminéntly successful in all points, save one, the capture of eno or more of their boats. Lat sure we offered thom every inducement so to do, but they.are probably laying back for the fature,~We havé a largo fleet at tho head of the Passos, and a still larger one tays at Pilot Town. By the way, Lieutenant Heisler, of the marines attached to the Hartford, has been relieved by Lieutonant ‘Tilton, of the Colorado, Lieutenant Heisler could not be woll sparod from the vessel juat as we are going intos fight, : ; e Unreap Srarxs Fiaasme Harrronp, } Higap ov Tax Passes, Missiasmr: River, Aprii 9, 1862. More Fighting—The French Captain—The Flag of Truee— How I! was Received—Something Inexplicable—The, ment the French Captain Receiood—Porlter's Fleet sr- rived—Medical Stores Wanted—Death of Francis Bird A White Eagle overs Over the Fleet, bc. Matters have assumed a moro warlike aspect since tho date of my laat letter. We have ton fired at several times by the rebels, and the New Orleans papers have announced the federals reyulaed on cach vosasion. Ican aasure you that they glory over a very trifling affuir. In the first place, we baye not dred at them but twieo; once we hit one of their gunboats. They have expended nearly one hundred shelis at our gunbonts, and have not hit us ones. We are pwinod to learn by the way of New Orleans (papors of the 7th inst.) of a misfortune to our army in the Southweat, and trust it is not ao bad aa the rebels picture it. They paint their victory in glowing colors, and talk of the utter annihilation of our ontire army. Yestorday Captain Clews, of the French brig-of-war Milan, having the permission of our Diag Officer, took bis boat and went on board of the gunboat Winona, Com- mander Nichols, to go up to the Crescent City. Tho Winona weat up within two miles of thewort, dying & fing of truce (the first ono holsted on this river), where the French Captsin embarked in his boat. The Wincna, with Cotatacnder De Camp, of the Jroquois;' on besrd, went up- atilf further, to inform the commander of tho forts of the French- man’s desire to communicate with him, As noon aa the ‘Winone came within range of Fert Jacks-a tho latter fired a blauk eartridge—a signal to heaveto, Owing to gome mistske the Wiuona did not slacken down her speed qnough to satisfy the rebels, and they fired a shot at her, which just cleared her topgallant forecastie. By this time the guaboat was close to the fort, and to a ‘Small tugboat whieh lay at the point “wooding up.’’ The follows in the boat wero terribly frightened, and ran away from their vessel. No goouer had they clesred tho decks of the tug before she was discovered to be ia flames, and despite of the efforts of the Winona’s boate, she was totally destroyed vy fire. la the moan time Captain De Camp lowered a bout veering @ white flag and started towards the landing place, Again the robeis firea @ shot at our people, Tue boat returned to the gunboat, and immediately the rebel steamers Morgay and Deflance came down bearing a white. flag, and took up a position on each side of the Winona. -A soon as matiers could be explaised the Morgan weat down the river and took the French boat in tow; after which seme palaver took place between the rebels and Captain De Camp, aud they separated. Our people saw twelve steamers, one of them the Ster of the Wert, whieh fled at our approach, probably got caring © show ber armament (if she bas any). We counted fity.teven guns in Port Jacksoa; but we do not care to know about thelr forte, Upom the whet, it iam strange pices of Lasiness, aud you wif hear more about it in proper time. ‘This morning the French boat was seen in tha dis- tence, coming down the river ander sail. [+ looked strange, os we expected he would come down in one wt our gunboate. When Captain Clews, of the Milan, ar- rived on bosrd he stated, in sulytance, that (he rebels had made @ prisonar of hint, charged him with apy, and refuced t allow him to communicate Orivans except by & brief wiegrom,eud they told him that when his answer came down they would seid it to him. This morning, at seven o'clock, they released him and invited bim to breakfaat with them. This he refused iu prompt end decisive mauner, He leit them in no pleasant humor, and broakfasted on board of one of our gnoborts. 1am ata teas to know how bis government will receive his report, This piece of information bas spread like wilffiro, and ie the pringipsl topic of cou- versetion to-day. Porter's entire fiest is here ay anchor, avd the sight from our poop iv\traly magnificent. Halla bondred of ves- sele are lying around, like bioodhounds, panting to pounce upon their prey. Al our heavy ships ore over the bar. evve the Colorado, We hi taken four of her nine-jach guns,and othere have been placed on other veesels. We now mount twenty-cight guns, a armament. The eval ships aro arr’ and giving toget that article, which we hove been eo mach in need of A move will soon be made. I saw la alate New Orleans paper they have a new ane “terrible” afwir, called the Aquatic Armadillo, (a for- midable name, at loart,) with which they will put us al! to flight; and also, they have some “tremendous” ‘'Horn- ing mortars.’ Beauregard wili wipe out the army, and Miteboll ant (he Ram and Armadillo will siok the navy, Tt way be well to talk go, but it must be proved by desde, Tthivk ouy plavs, so far ag T know about them and am oble to judgo of them, are about right, apd, feeling so, 1 tidak we will wip ‘There is one thing in regard to the equipment of our tquadron | think my duty to write about, Weareasdiy io want of medical officers, aud expecially medical stores, Every dey surgeons are coming on board the flagship for things needful in case we bave qwounted men. There is bittle, very little, chloro form er ether out bere, and in performing surgical operations they are one of the great necessities of the occasion. Many @ valuable life migh, ‘ve saved if the heals of departments were careful avout theve tWluge, The hoalth of the squadron is very good now, but fever time is coming ond we must uatarally ex- pect to have some wick ones. 11 hecomes my painful duty to record the loss of afine young man beloaging to the mortar feet, It appears that on tho 18th of March, while off Paes-a-]'Outre, a boat from the M. J. Carlton ate tempted to go om board of the T. A, Ward while the lat- ter vensol wan under way, and, owing to some noforeseen cass, the boat was capsized and the entire crew thrown out, All were saved but sn ordinary seaman, named Francie Bird, aged twonty-three, @ native of Bristol, England, By this vtimoly death, the fleet is deprived of anexcelient nan, He wae drowned while doing his duty, and his family are, of course, entitled to @ pension, Avery large white oagle has been floating over our beads all day long, and ita presonce is hailed as a good omen. I do not know when T have soon sucha sight. ‘When first discovered he was right over our masthead, and just visible; slowly and gracefully he descended until with. in, say 800 yards, when sailing of southward for a mo- mont, he suddenly darted upwards and (owarda the cen. tre of the gun, Thus be sailed aud winged until dusk, whon he wae font to ont view, Our gunboats now Ito up at the Jamp, some ton miles from hare GAA wo Jo pot laid allow the rebel @ ( give the Come down and 900 our Qoot. Wo have seen thoir smoke all day, aud I am of the impresaion that they are hard at work atrengthoning themselves at the fort #0 a8 toreceive us with all the formalities of war, Of course, all are oon. fideut on our sido of a glorious victory, and I suppose ‘thoy think the same, We will soon flud out who i right, in surmises, et Least. Our depot at Pilot Town is found to be well adapted for the purposes intended. A hospital bas been established there, and 4 largo quantity of ship stores havo beon al- ready landed. Lioutenan} Tiltaa, of the marine oorpe of the Colorado, has relioved Héoutenant Goorge Holslor, of the marine corps of this ship, gad ho has returned om board to take part in the comiag fight.” Our marines are among the best drilled gua crows in theship, and wilt rouder a good account of themselves on tho day of battle: T think dome of the Colorado's*moa will bo sent to thin ship to work our four now guns. Give ua our coal, and we are ready to act onthe offensive, but now we oan oaly act on the defensive, Ten sys moro and I willhaye the material for agoul thrilling letter, not so much i atyte aa in the facts it will contain, s Fradsue, Apeit 10, 1862. Arrival of the Conmecticut—Caplain Porter's Flees prepa ng to open the Ball—General Butler to take the Rebs we the Fiank—Tha Supporting Fleet of Vessels of War,de. The Connecticut arrived this afternoon, and, as her mail closos ut an early hour to-morrow morning, [ must draw my lotter to a closo and note briofy our movements hore, 1¢ will not bo improper to state now that a portion of Porter’s mortar ficet will commence operations te- morrow morning a3 soon ag they can be towed iute po” sition, The ball wilt epen slightly at first. Captain Por- ter hag every coufldenco in tho eucosss of vousels, end oxpecta great things of them. Thero has a dificulty arisen among some of the acting masters commanding some of the achoonors, and I believe six will leave ia the Connecticut'for the North. Thoy are charged with dise- bedionce of orders, and thoy disclaim any intention 80 doing. As I am not fully poated in the matter, I refrate al this time from making any comments, ‘The Mississippi camo up to-day, aud now lie6 at ences off our port bow. We havo a very formidable dest here now. ‘The Sachem (surveying steamer) ar. rived hore to-day ; and, by the first of tho week, expec to seo a half adozon of Butler's stoamors in this ncigh porbood, but not in the river, T think al! our plang are now matured, and we will sot Boon ; and as it will take the Connecticut about eighteca days to got home, Icanseomo harm in anouaciag the fuot that Gonoral Butler will take a band in the affair and give the robols « backhanded biow. ~~ ‘Tho-weather ia beautiful and the temperature is jam right to fight in. Iguppose to-morrow there will be @ great doal of excitemont In the fleet, whon (he bombard: ment commences. It ig true that there aro not mang veesels ordered to take part io it. It will be a kind of mortar practice, and I auppose the rebol guuboats wig try and-drive tie mortar vessels away; but we will have ® sufficient force to provont thia. The following vesseld will be thore to keop off thoir smal fry:—Onela, Katha- din, Kineo, Wisaahicken, Harriet Lano, Ciidon, West. field and Owasco; and if meocasity requiros ib, we eam sond up four or five steam aloops-of-war, ‘You can now look out for stirring news from this quar. , tor, Ali hands are confident of our success, and many’ are anxious to open the grand aie. ‘The sohoouer Rachel Seaman is here to-day, all well oa board. 4 ‘The Frenck steam briz-of-war Milan, is sti€ hore, @ undexstand that the rebel commander at the fort sal@ justas Captain Clows was leaving: ‘You would do we the favor net to inform our antagoniats anything in reta- tion to our position hare.” Te which Captain Clews re pliod:-~'*Sir, you do not know the fret great principles of warfare;”’ and after bidding him good morning, ke left disgusted. Ussran Staves Sruax Si00?-ov-War Inoqvos, a | ‘Mies uP rao Mrnemrr: Rivas, April 10, 1862. The Mississippi Squadron—The Strength of the Foreg< Another Account of tha Recomnotssanoe—The Rebel Fleet The Gunnery from the Fort—Our Advanos or Picky Duly Pret—The Obstructions of the River—Caplain Bo Camp, de. , éc. Convinced that the attack up the rivor and tho imper> tant operations of the Miasissipp! expedition would b® performed by the fleet. “I came on board the Iroquois em ‘tho 30th olt., and am at tho present writing almost withia rauge of the guns at Forts Jackson and 8t. Phillip, the immediate points of attack. The squadron ia the river eonsists of over forty sail, aa follows:—- Flagship Hartford, twenty-six guns, Richara Wainwright; Executive officer, Liouteuant J. 8. Thorntoa. Steam sloop Brooklyn, twenty-six guns, Captain Thomas ‘T. Craven; Executive officer, Lieutenant k. 18, Lowry. ‘Steam sloop Richmond, ‘twenty-eight guia, Capteim James Alden, ‘Steam sisop Mississippi, sixteen guns, Captain M. Smitty Executive oficer, Lieutenant Dewey. Steam sicop Varuna, ten guns, Captain Charles 5. Staam sioop Pensacola, twonty-four a ee Sere, Rxeoutive Officer, Li it Steam sloop Oneida, eleven guns, Commander 3. Pail: lps Lee; pracy an ni ingested ae 1p; Executive Oficer, David B. Harmony. Enno Wentfiold, six guns, Captain William B: nsbaw, Bp a amd wix guns, Lioutensnt Commanding ‘G0 Preble. ums Tice id ‘Gunboat veyuge, five guns, Lieutenaut Commaadiag _— Harrison. janboat. Clifton, five guns. eatiens meee five guns, Lieutenant Commanding Cou RB well. Povey "ae ‘bec, Ove guns, Tieutonant Commanding fob Russell, ‘usbont Kanawha, five guns, Lieutenant Commanding er ee +g r Lieutenant un boa six gus, Commanding Kalward Donaldson. ’ — ao, six guns, Lieutenant Commandiag A.D. Harrolt. Gunboat Owasco, fe guna, Lieutenant Commanding Joba Guest. Gunboat Winona, four guns, Lieutenant Commanding Edward T. Nichols ; Executtye Officer, John G. Walker. Gun boat Wissahickon, five guna, Lioutenaut Command- ing Albort N. Smith. Gundoat Kineo, five guns, Lieutenant Commanding “egehornor Rita Schooner Kittatiouy, nine guns, Acting Volunteer Liew» tenant Lomeon, Gundoat Harriet Lane,etx guns, Lientonant Command- th Commander David D, Pore ter, who 1» CON “ Por. tor's mortar fleet,” each carrying @ heavy mortar and two thirty-two pouad guns. ‘ ‘The fleet] thus far, therefore, consists of forty-six gait, carrying two hundrod and eighty-six guns, and twonty- one mortars, the whole under command of Flag OZieer D. 3. Farragut—Henry H. Bell, Flag Captain. Tho first obstacles to be met by this formidable fleet, in ita ap, proach to New Orleans, are the two forts Jackson and St. Philip; just above (us—the first on the woatern the second on the eastern bank of the river. Both are strong fortifications, and will ne doubt be ably defended. Completed under the supor vision of General Beauregard, they were pronounced yoars ago to be capable of * beating off any navy in the world.’ Fort St. Philip commands some three miles og tho river, exposing an ascending floct toa direct raking fire for'the distance of more than a mile. It is supported by three or four batteries, and has in all eighty-five chan- nol bearing guns, several of which are supposed to be one hundred pound rifles, of English manufacture. Fort Jackson, upon the left side of the river in ascending, wae formerly concealed from view until a boat coming from below was opposite; but the thickly wooded point hitherte hiding it has been cleared, and it now appears in sight ata distance of about twoand @ half miles, where af attacking force comes within range of its shot, andy soon after, under the fire from St. Philip. Fort Jackson. with ite flanking batteries, mounts ninety guns, sixteon being in casemate, and ta. very formidable work. Both forte are built of brick, the dust from which, in case of good practice on the part of our mortar fleet, wil! render the defenders anything but comfortable in their quarters. Just below the two forts, stretched diagonally ‘across tho river, supported by # raft and seven vesseler ‘ave soveral heavy chains which must in some manner bo cut or otherwise removed before the forte can Be passed. ‘These chains are strongly protected by earthworks at each oud, Desides being direotly undor the fire of both forte, At their western extremity, where they arc made fast to an anchored raft, @ passage is left for the robe; fleot to pass up and down, and through this passage they daily iene, Lape dieds aie dp anchag nape sng the position of tho occasion of a rocen' reconnoissance by the Iroquois—-of which more anca— which will render more intelligible the defences of the enemy at this point. Oa Friday, the 28%h ult, Commodore Farragut, with the Kennebec, Lieutenant Commanding John Russel, made a regonpoissance to the point below the forts (meu tioned ebowe and shown in the accompanying diagram), ‘Thoy rempined under fire from the forts for some time, tha practicg “of the rebels boing exceedingly accurate. Out ot some forty of Atty shots fred, ouly a very fow boing oth@y than good line shots, and mang of them falling ia vorry clove proximity to the Kennebec, The fire was not raturded by us, Commodore Farragut not wishing co ny tho advantage of & knowlodas of ote