April 24, 1862: Farragut Runs Past Forts Jackson and St. Philip-- Part 1

APRIL 24TH, 1862:  Flag Officer Farragut's fleet ran past Forts Jackson and St. Philip and engaged the defending Confederate flotilla.  At 2:00 a.m., the USS Hartford had shown Farragut's signal for the fleet to get underway in three divisions to steam through the breach in the obstructions which had been opened earlier by the USS Pinola and Itasca.

A withering fire from the forts was answered by roaring broadsides from the forts.  The Hartford grounded in the swift current by Fort St. Philip, was set afire by a Confederate firecraft.  Farragut's leadership and the disciplined training of the crew saved the flagship.

A Sad Day for the Confederacy.  April Was Not a Nice Month.  --Old B-Runner

Farragut Prepares to Attack the Forts Guarding New Orleans

Most of the other ships in Mitchell's squadron were small, makeshift gunboats.  There was also a number of fire rafts readied to be set afire and set adrift to flow with the current into the midst of the wooden Union fleet.

Against these combined defenses, Farragut, flying his flag on the USS Hartford, brought seventeen ships carrying 154 guns and a squadron of 20 mortar boats under Commander D.D. Porter.

--Old B-Runer

Naval happenings 150 Years Ago: April 24th, 1862-- A Really Bad day for the Confederacy

From the Civil War Naval Chronology.

Perhaps Confederate ground forces were doing well so far in the war, but not so in the naval department.  Other than a few raiders getting put and doing damage and the CSS Virginia's first day attacking the Union fleet in Hampton Roads, the rest is just plain bad.

And today was one of the worst of all.

APRIL 24TH

Flag Officer Farragut's fleet ran past Forts Jackson and St. Philip and engaged the Confederate ships.  At 2 AM, the USS Hartford signaled to get underway in three divisions through the gap in the obstructions that had been opened.  A hot fight between the forts and ships developed.

The Hartford got aground near Fort St. Philip and was set afire by a fire raft.  Farragut directed the extinguishing of the fires. 

The USS Varuna was rammed twice and sank.  Eight Confederate ships were destroyed and the pride of the fleet, the CSS Manassas, was driven ashore by the USS Mississippi and sunk.  Two more surrendered and two others were sunk to prevent capture.

Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory wrote, "The destruction of the Navy at New Orleans was a sad, sad blow..."

The fate of New Orleans was decided.


**  The CSS Nashville made a successful run into Wilmington with 60,000 stand of arms and 40 tons of powder.

Well, One Good Thing, But That Sure Doesn't Offset the Loss of New Orleans.  --Old B-R'er