BOMBARDMENT OF FORTS JACKSON AND ST. PHILIP, APRIL 24, 1862.
1. Fort Jackson.
2. Fort St. Philip.
3. Federal Ships of War and Gunboats.
4. Rebel Gunboats and Rams.
A scene like this has probably never before been witnessed. Steadily the vessels steamed on, the forts firing rifle shot and shell, ten-inch columbiads, forty-two, thirty-two and twenty-four pounder balls, while the thirteen steamers of the enemy, and the floating battery Louisiana, were pouring into and around the fleet a storm of iron perfectly indescribable. Not satisfied with this, one fire raft after another was kindled, and set adrift to do their fiery work. The ram was busy trying to force them under the bows of the Federal vessels. One of them approached the Hartford, when Captain Broome opened on her with two nine-inch guns. An explosion—a loud burst of terrific cries and wails,—a careen, and the rebel steamer, with its wretched multitude of victims, plunged beneath the waters, and disappeared from view. The rebel vessels were crowded with troops, who fired volleys of rifle balls, most of which did no harm. Their steamers were bold and fearless; but no sooner did they come in sight of our gunners than they were sunk. The Varuna sunk six of them one after another.
In the midst of this awful scene a tremendous fire raft came down the river, and the ram shoved her under the port-quarter of the Hartford. The flames caught her rigging and side, and for a moment it seemed as though the flag-ship must fall a prey to the flames. A fire was also burning on the berth-deck. The fire hose was on hand, and the crew soon subdued the flames, and gave the ram a return of rifle shell. She, however, returned to the onset, when some other vessel assaulted her, and she hauled off. During this stage of affairs the Hartford grounded, and her fate seemed to be sealed; but the men worked splendidly, and the engineers soon got the ship astern and afloat. The scene of the engagement at this time almost defies the power of description. The river and its banks were one sheet of flame, and the messengers of death were moving with lightning swiftness in all directions. Steadily the Federal fleet poured upon the enemy their shell and grape, interspersed with shrapnel. The rebel boats were fast being riddled by well directed broadsides, and their commanders who were able made for the shore to run them on the bank and save their lives. Some were on fire and others were sinking. The crews of the Union fleet broke out in frequent cheers as they saw the havoc that was made, and the retreat of the rebel vessels. The flag-ship had been on fire three times, and was riddled from stem to stern. The cabin was completely shattered, the starboard steerage torn up, and the armory severely damaged.
After being under a terrific fire for one hour and twenty minutes, the Federal vessels passed the forts. The flag-ship was badly cut up with a shot through the mainmast, two in the stern, and several through her. Language cannot give an adequate idea of the engagement. Wrapped up in smoke, shot and shell were whistling around, above, before and in the rear; flames from fire-rafts encircling the ships, splinters flying in all directions, shells bursting overhead; while the roar and booming of the guns rolled almost incessantly, and made the contest as destructive as it was terrible.
So effective had been the work of the fleet, that at half-past five o’clock no less than eleven rebel steamers were in flames along each side of the river. The Federal vessels steamed up to the Quarantine to anchor, when the Manassas made her appearance, and saucily fired at the Richmond.
The Mississippi being near at hand, put about for the ram, with the intention of running her down. The Manassas endeavored to elude the attack, but finding the Mississippi gaining on her, ran into the bank of the river, and immediately about thirty men came up out of the hatch and went on shore. The Mississippi fired two or three broadsides into her, and boarded her, but finding that she was of no importance, again fired into her, and she drifted down the river, sinking very fast.
Besides the ram, the rebels had a heavy floating battery, called the Louisiana, which carried eight large guns, and which occasioned a good deal of annoyance, although, to use the language of the Charleston Mercury, it was a complete failure. In addition to this, they had an immense steam-ram, called the Mississippi, which had just been launched, but which was then unfinished. She was a propeller, with three screws and six engines, and to be mounted with twenty guns of the largest calibre. She was twice as large and powerful as the Merrimac, and without a gun would have been almost sufficient to have run down the Federal fleet. There was, however, about forty days’ work required to complete her, and to prevent her falling into the hands of the victors, she was scuttled, set on fire and sunk.
At six A. M., the Varuna, Commander Boggs, was attacked by the Morgan, iron-clad about the bow, commanded by Beverly Kennion, an ex-naval officer. This vessel raked her along the port gangway, killing four and wounding nine of the crew, butting the Varuna on the quarter, and again on the starboard side. Three three-inch shells were fired into her abaft her armor, also several shot from the after rifled gun, when she dropped out of action, partially disabled.
While still engaged with her, another rebel steamer, iron-clad, with a prow under water, struck the Varuna in the port gangway, doing considerable damage. The Varuna’s shot glanced from her bow. She backed off for another blow, and struck again in the same place, crushing in the side; but by going ahead fast, the concussion drew her bow around, and the Varuna was able with the port guns to give her, while close alongside, five eight-inch shells abaft her armor. This settled her and drove her ashore in flames. Finding the Varuna sinking, she was run into the bank, when they let go her anchor, and tied her up to the trees. During all this time the guns were actively at work, crippling the Morgan, which was making feeble efforts to get up steam.