te officers, (that vessel, and the Westfield,
Clifton, Jackson, and Owasco, were at anchor between the two forts, each
carrying a large white flag at the masthead,) the leaders of the enemy's
marine forces set fire to the iron-clad battery Louisiana, cast her
loose, and sent her adrift straight for our fleet. This dishonorable act
on the part of the enemy during a time of truce, and while their own
officers were in consultation with the commander of our forces, on board
of a United States vessel, might have resulted in a very serious
disaster to us, had not the magazine of the Louisiana exploded before
she reached the fleet, which it did in full view of our vessels, and not
far off. This explosion was succeeded by a crash, presenting a scene
such as has been rarely witnessed. After this fearful episode, the
capitulation was concluded, and both the forts, the garrison, the
armament, ammunition, stock, and provisions, were formally surrendered
to Commander Porter, of the mortar flotilla, and transferred by him, on
the next day, to Major-General Butler, commanding the United States army
in the Department of the Gulf.

Many contradictory opinions existed regarding the actual damage
inflicted by the bombardment, as well as by the broadside fire of the
passing fleet; and, Captain Porter desired Mr. Gerdes to make such a
survey of Fort Jackson, as would settle all doubts touching the matter
in question. Under his supervision, Acting Assistant Harris, aided by
the other members of his party, traced in their corresponding places on
the large existing detailed plan of the fort, all the injuries arising
from the attack. Every hole in the ground, (whether caused by the mortar
shells or round shot,) break in the walls, crack in the masonry, each
gun dismantled or disabled, the burnt citadel, the hospital and
outbuildings, the destroyed bridges and injured magazines, were noted by
actual measurement.

The levees, which before the attack had kept the high water of the
Mississippi from entering the fort, were found destroyed in numerous
places by bomb-shells. Much of the area of the fort was in consequence
overflowed. The number of balls and shells which fell in the inundated
parts, was estimated from the proportion found in the dry parts. In the
plan, the submerged parts were distinctly marked, and it plainly shows,
that hardly one quarter of the whole area remained dry or above the
level of the water.

From this survey the followi