After the remnant of these companies returned, the Union batteries, which had in the mean time ceased firing, opened in full force again. Then the Sixth Vermont regiment was ordered to storm the work by the left flank.
Led by their gallant Colonel Lord, they rushed into the water. Seven companies had entered, and some had reached within three yards of the breastwork, when they were met by the fire of a long line of rebel rifles, which appeared above the parapets. A running fire from a thousand small arms was poured upon the Union men, who stood three feet deep in water. It was returned as gallantly as the circumstances would warrant. The breastwork was lighted up with a continuous sheet of flame, the artillery belched away at the enemy, shells were bursting over their breastworks, the smoke of the battle was ascending, and for a few moments the scene was one of appalling grandeur. Not a man flinched, and the fire of the enemy was returned with deadly effect. Wherever a head appeared above the parapet it became the mark for a hundred guns. Finding that rebel reinforcements were still advancing, and despairing of a successful assault with the bayonet, Colonel Lord retired with his men, who brought most of their wounded comrades away with them.
The loss of the Federals in this engagement was between thirty and forty killed, and one hundred and thirty-two wounded and missing. The object of the demonstration was fully accomplished, the rebels being compelled to relinquish their work, and abandon it as a defensive position. Their loss was not ascertained, but it must have been very considerable, their number being large, and the firing of the Federal gunners fatally precise. Captain Wheeler reported that he fired 313 shots, 126 of which were case shot, the remainder shell. Ayers’ and Kennedy’s batteries threw about 450, and Captain Mott reported 954, making more than 1,700 shot and shell hurled upon the rebels. The behavior of the Federal troops was excellent, and the event of the day successful, although the object was dearly purchased.
CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS.
BOMBARDMENT OF FORTS JACKSON AND ST. PHILIP.
April 18–26, 1862.
The work of opening the Mississippi river, which had been so magnificently commenced and prosecuted by that portion of the army and fleet above Memphis, was destined to find an equally imposing, if not more brilliant counterpart, in the naval operations near the city of New Orleans, once more to open that important commercial point to the world, and restore its citizens to the protection of the national flag. As an important auxiliary to this grand enterprise, a fleet of mortar-boats was fitted out in Brooklyn, N. Y., and other places, which formed a rendezvous at Ship Island, awaiting orders. Commodore David D. Porter was assigned to the command of the mortar fleet. The entire fleet, under the command of Commodore D. G. Farragut, was composed as follows:
SECTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
SHOWING THE DISTANCES BELOW NEW ORLEANS.
First Division of Ships, Flag-officer D. G. Farragut, commanding—Hartford, R. Wainright; Brooklyn, Craven; Richmond, Alden.