FORT JACKSON and FORT SAINT PHILIP. Fort Jackson was built between 1824 and 1832 on the right bank of the Missis sippi, about 80 miles below New Orleans. Together with Fort Saint Philip on the opposite bank, half a mile above, it defended the . city from water attack. Both forts were seized by Louisiana State troops 11 Jan. 1861, were strengthened and garrisoned, and remained in Confederate possession until taken by Admiral Farragut in April 1862, at which time they were garrisoned by about 700 men each. Fort Jack son was .armed with 74 guns, Fort Saint Philip with 52. In March 1862 Farragut assembled a powerful fleet at Ship Island and at Southwest Pass, at the mouth of the Mississippi, for the capture of New Orleans, and 18 April Com modore Porter, in command of a strong flotilla, opened fire upon Fort Jackson and Saint Philip. During six days he threw 16,000 shells, but was unable to reduce the forts.
It was found necessary to run past the forts and destroy the Confederate navy above before New Orleans could be taken. On the 24th Far ragut, with 17 vessels, in a single line, carrying 192 guns, steamed up the river, engaging both forts with heavy broadsides of shot, shell, and canister, receiving heavy fire in return. Passing
the forts and obstructions, he engaged and de stroyed the Confederate fleet, in one of the most spectacular naval battles of the war. Within an hour and a half after leaving its anchorage Farragut's fleet had passed the forts and destroyed 11 Confederate vessels. With 13 of his own vessels Farragut proceeded up the river, and at noon of the 25th anchored before New Orleans, which was abandoned by the Confederate troops holding it, and sur rendered by the civil authorities. Porter, who had remained below, continued his bombard ment of the forts, which were surrendered on the 28th. The Union loss was 37 killed and 147 wounded. The loss in the forts was 14 killed and 39 wounded; that in the Confederate navy is not known. Consult The Century Company's