Special to the Chicago Times.
FORT PILLOW, April 28.
Deserters from the rebel lines bring the gratifying intelligence that New Orleans has surrendered to our forces, under command of Com. Porter, and that city is now in our possession.
On Thursday last the Federal fleet passed Fort Jackson, after a desperate naval engagement, in which one vessel was sunk and several badly damaged. It is supposed that the Federal loss was very heavy. The rebel loss was 60 killed and 184 wounded.
The engagement lasted a part of two days. The Federals took possession of New Orleans without a struggle on Friday.
The rebel force had all evacuated, destroying such steamers as they had no use for, and taking with them the greater part of military stores on deposit in the city.
There is supposed to be a large amount of cotton stored in New Orleans, which will fall into our possession, notwithstanding the efforts of the rebel authorities to destroy the entire stock.
The union citizens of New Orleans were jubilant over the result of their long waiting.
The strength of Fort Pillow is stated by deserters, at 8,000, under command of Gen. Villipigue, who has not been superseded as reported. They have seven batteries mounting an aggregate of 26 guns.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 1, 1862, p. 1