FORT SAINT PHILIP, LA., May 16, 1862.

Lieutenant G. WEITZEL,

U. S. Engineers, Chief Engineers Department of the Gulf:

SIR: In compliance with our orders, dated April 30 and May 13, I reported to Col. E. F. Jones, Twenty-sixth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, at Fort Jackson, May 6, and have examined the condition of the two forts here, made a list of their ordnance, and given him such assistance in starting repairs as I was able. He will need further instructions from you, as I will explain to you when I see you.

I have the honor to inclose herewith a list of the ordnance of the two forts here, a rough sketch of Fort Jackson, giving the positions of its guns, and also a copy of a letter to Colonel Jones, accompanying a copy of this sketch.

Respectfully submitted.

JOHN C. PALFREY,

First Lieutenant, United States Engineers.

[Inclosure No. 1.]

Fort Jackson and Saint Philip.

Forts passed morning of the 24th of April, 1862.

Bombardment commenced on the 18th April, 1862.

Forts surrendered on the 28th of April, 1862.

Porter says 1,800 shells fell in Fort Jackson. Eleven rebel boats destroyed; there were eighteen.

Vessels in right column, first division, Cayuga, Mississippi, Pensacola, Oneida, Varuna, Katahdin, Kineo, Wissahickon; vessels in left column, second division, Hartford, Brooklyn, Richmond, Itasca, Winona, Kennebec; third division, Sciota, Iroquois, Panola; 17 vessels; Sable Island, 12 miles distant from Fort Philip, 6 vessels; total, 23 vessels.

Miami went within 4 1/2 miles of Mamel's Canal.

Garrison night of the 27th; 250 of them.

Total loss on 9 vessels, 30 killed, 119 wounded.

Mortar-flotilla steamers were Harriet Lane, Westfield, Owasco, Clifton, Miami, and sloop-of-war Portsmouth. One hour and eleven minutes. Flotilla lost 1 man killed and 6 wounded.

FORT SAINT PHILIP.

Barbette:

10-inch columbiads........................................ 2

8-inch columbiads......................................... 3

7-inch rifle (108-pounder)................................ 1

8-inch mortars............................................ 2

42-pounders............................................... 6

32-pounders............................................... 15

24-pounders............................................... 11

7 8/8-inch howitzer....................................... 1

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Total en barbette......................................... 41

In casemate:

24-pounder howitzers (flank).............................. 10

24-pounder guns........................................... 14

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Total in casemate......................................... 24

One 6-pounder guns and one 12-pounder howitzer were in the fort.. 2

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