Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2)

by Ann S. Stephens

THE BOMBARDMENT.

It was five minutes past one when the gunboats Baron DeKalb, Cincinnati, and Louisville, all iron-clads, steamed up to within about three hundred yards of the fort, and opened fire upon it. As soon as the gunboats hove in sight, and before they fired a shot, the fort opened on them. On a sort of sandy beach, by the bend in the river, the rebels had erected several targets, which were to assist them in aiming at the gunboats. Barricades had also been placed in the river opposite the fort; but the high water had washed part of them away and left the channel open. The bombardment increased in rapidity as other vessels of the squadron came into position. It took some time to get good range of the casemated guns and the barbette gun on the fort. The Baron DeKalb had orders from the Admiral to fire at the right hand casemate, the Louisville at the middle one, and the Cincinnati at the great 9-inch Dahlgren gun en barbette. In half an hour after the bombardment commenced the casemates were struck by the shell from the gunboats. When the range was obtained, the shells from the gunboats struck the guns in the fort almost every shot, until every one was silenced and smashed. The Cincinnati fired shrapnell at first, and cleared the crew away from the 9-inch Dahlgren gun on the parapet, when the Baron De Kalb broke off the muzzle with a 10-inch shot. The Lexington, light draught, Lieutenant-Commander James W. Shirk, moved up at two o’clock, and with her rifled guns replied to the Parrott rifled guns in the fort, while the Rattler, Lieutenant-Commander Walter Smith, and the Gilde, Lieutenant-Commander Woodworth, threw in shrapnell, and in company with the ram Monarch, Colonel Charles E. Ellet, of the army, commanding, pushed up close to the fort. Each of the gunboats silenced the gun it was instructed to fire at about the same time. At twenty minutes past two all the heavy smooth bore and rifled guns in the fort were most effectually silenced. The Black Hawk, Lieutenant-Commander K. R. Breese, the Admiral’s flagship, steamed up and took part in the fight. The Admiral himself, with his secretary, Doctor Heap, was in the little tug which was all the time screaming and dancing about among the gunboats, directing and superintending the fight.

THE LAND ATTACK.

The first gun from the fleet was the signal for the soldiers to move, and Morgan and Sherman immediately pushed forward their men, and were met by a fierce fire from the rebel works.

The troops in front wore now sharply engaging the rebels in their works, while our artillery, and their field-pieces, behind the breastworks near the fort, were blazing away at each other with great rapidity. In one instance, the rebels galloped the horses up to the parapet with a gun, and when the horses wheeled with it, in order that it might be placed in position, the infantry fire killed all the horses in the traces, and the artillerists scampered off in an instant, and left their gun. At a shot from one of our Parrott guns, which knocked one of the timbers from the breastwork, at least a hundred rebels ran away from behind the intrenchment into the bastioned fort. Our caissons were now coming from the front for ammunition. At ten minutes past three, most of Morgan’s men were in line, and the remainder were forming in the rear. In five minutes more they were advancing with vigor. Sharp musketry and artillery firing was kept up all the time. At twenty minutes past three a heavy column of Morgan’s men was seen moving to the left, near the river bank, advancing amid clouds of smoke. It was a body that was moving quickly to the front, to extend the advancing line.

The time was now fifteen minutes past three. The fight was quite severe on both sides. Although the heavy guns in the fort were silenced the field-pieces and the infantry behind the parapet with great determination continued to resist our vigorous advance. The Union line extended from the river on the left, round in front of the fort, and to the bayou on the right. The engagement was general along its whole extent. Morgan sent word that his left was advancing steadily, and, as the gunboats commanded the river, he had sent for Lindsay’s brigade to return from the other side.

It was now nearly four o’clock. The Admiral’s flagship was coming close to the bank, and, with the other gunboats, was pouring shot into the fort; Lindsay’s brigade, across the river, was also firing into the works, while Morgan’s and Sherman’s men were advancing fast in front. The white flag was seen in several places on the parapet; enthusiastic cheers arose from the troops in front; the firing ceased; the rebels rose from behind the breastwork; and the Federal troops rushed wildly forward with flags flying, into and over the intrenchments. The fort had surrendered.

General McClernand and staff dashed off, and were soon in the enemy’s intrenchments, surrounded by thousands of the men. When the flag was shown on the river side, the jolly Jack Tars jumped ashore, and were soon in the fort, followed by Admiral Porter and a number of his officers. Colonel Dunnington, commander of the fort, surrendered his sword to the Admiral in person. General Churchill, commander of the forces, soon appeared with his staff, and surrendered himself and his troops to General McClernand. General Churchill accused his subordinates of treachery. It may be, that the soldiers, seeing that further resistance was useless, concluded to abandon the defence. One thing is certain, there was great unanimity among the rebels in the surrender.

ADMIRAL PORTER.

The following sketch of Admiral Porter, who commanded the gunboat attack, will inform the reader of his previous history: