THE OPENING OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.

37

havoc created by our shells, although I had doubts of the entire truth of hisstatements. He represented that hundreds of shells had fallen into the fort,breaking in the bomb-proofs, setting lire to the citadel, and flooding the inte-rior by cutting the levees. He also stated that the soldiers were in a desperate

//Vi

; r r

elites

REAR-ADMIRAL HENRY H. BELL, AT NEW ORLEANS FARRAGUT’S CHIEF-OF-STAFF.

and demoralized condition. This was all very encouraging to us, and so stimu-lated the crews of the mortar-boats that they worked with unflagging zealand energy. I took the deserter to Farragut, who, although impressed by hisstatement, was not quite prepared to take advantage of the opportunity; for atthis time the line of hulks across the river was considered an insurmountable