Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

25. the battle of New-Orleans of 1862: respectfully Dedicated to flag-officer David G. Farragut, by an officer of the squadron.

The battle was fought on the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth of April. The squadron was signalized to get under way at half-past 2 o'clock on the morning of the twenty-fourth, and at twenty-five minutes of four, Fort Jackson opened a raking fire upon us. We soon passed within the range of Fort St. Philip, and the scene was now truly grand and terrific, as broadside after broadside flashed both from the forts and the fleet, illuminating the sky with one continuous blaze of light. After passing the forts we fell among the enemy's gunboats, many of which we sunk and destroyed; and, continuing our way up the river we shelled out the rebel batteries on either hand, after a short contest, arriving at the city of New-Orleans at noon the next day.

Failing to reduce them, [Forts Jackson and St. Philip,] after six days of incessant fire, Flag-Officer Farragut determined to attempt their passage with his whole fleet, except the part there — of under the immediate command of Capt. Porter, known as the mortar-fleet. On the morning of the twenty-fourth instant the fleet got under way, and twelve vessels, including the four sloops of war, ran the gauntlet of fire of the forts, and were safely above. Of the gallantry, courage, and conduct of this heroic action, unprecedented in naval warfare, considering the character of the works and the river, too much cannot be said. I witnessed this daring exploit from a point about eight hundred yards from Fort Jackson, and unwittingly under its fire, and the sublimity of the scene can never be exceeded. --Major-General Butler to the Secretary of War, April 29, 1862.