expression of views already uttered, but now
invested with a formality becoming the seriousness of the occasion. In
its finality it has somewhat the character of a protest, though indirect
and couched in perfectly becoming language, against a decision which
Farragut had now reached and which Porter had always combated. The
latter does not appear to have doubted the ability of the fleet to pass
the works, but he questioned the utility and expediency of so doing. His
words were as follows:[J]

"The objections to running by the forts are these: It is not
likely that any intelligent enemy would fail to place chains
across above the forts, and raise such batteries as would protect
them against our ships. Did we run the forts we should leave an
enemy in our rear, and the mortar vessels would have to be left
behind. We could not return to bring them up without going
through a heavy and destructive fire. If the forts are run, part
of the mortars should be towed along, which would render the
progress of the vessels slow against the strong current at that
point. If the forts are first captured, the moral effect would be
to close the batteries on the river and open the way to New
Orleans; whereas, if we don't succeed in taking them, we shall
have to fight our way up the river. Once having possession of the
forts, New Orleans would be hermetically sealed, and we could
repair damages and go up on our own terms and in our own time....
Nothing has been said about a combined attack of army and navy.
Such a thing is not only practicable, but, if time permitted,
should be adopted. Fort St. Philip can be taken with two thousand
men covered by the ships, the ditch can be filled with fascines,
and the wall is easily to be scaled with ladders. It can be
attacked in front and rear."

[Footnote J: The paper being long, only those parts are quoted
which convey the objections to running by.]

In summoning his captains to meet him on this occasion, Farragut had no
idea of calling a council-of-war in the sense which has brought that
name into disrepute. He sent for them, not because he wanted to make up
his mind, but because it was made up, and he wished at once to impart to
them his purposes and receive the benefit of any suggestion they might
make. Bell, the chief-of-staff, who was present, has left a memorandum
of what passed, which is interesting as showing that the members