| NEW PHILIPPINES | NEWPORT | 329 |
the city was occupied by a considerable confederate force. Plans for its recapture were at once formed by the federal government; but the first definite action took place in February, 1862, when a combined naval and military force, under Commodore Farragut and Gen. Butler, was sent thither. The main obstacle to its advance was Forts Jackson and St. Philip, on opposite banks of the Mississippi, about 83 m. below New Orleans. They were supposed to be very strong, and there was a considerable fleet stationed above them; but on April 24 Farragut succeeded in passing the forts and destroying the vessels above. Passing up the river, he met little opposition, and reached New Orleans, which was entirely commanded by his fleet. He then demanded the formal surrender of the city. The confederate military force had been withdrawn, and the civil officers declared that they had no authority to make a formal surrender; but it was agreed that Farragut should take peaceful possession. In the mean while the forts below, which Farragut had merely passed, were given up, and on May 1 Butler took formal possession of New Orleans as military governor. He ruled the city with great vigor until Dec. 14, when he was superseded by Gen. Banks. Since the close of the war the city has been the scene of several disturbances, growing mainly out of the conflicting pretensions of the two parties claiming to be the legal authorities of the state of Louisiana.
NEW PHILIPPINES. See Caroline Islands.
NEWPORT, a S. E. county of Rhode Island, consisting of a small portion of the mainland and several islands, including Rhode, Canonicut, and Prudence islands in Narragansett bay, and Block island, S. W. of it; area, 136 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 20,050. It has an undulating surface and a generally fertile soil, and contains large quantities of coal. The Old Colony railroad terminates in Newport. The chief productions in 1870 were 92,975 bushels of Indian corn, 76,980 of oats, 16,661 of barley, 92,878 of potatoes, 39,044 lbs. of wool, 266,775 of butter, and 17,229 tons of hay. There were 1,426 horses, 3,659 milch cows, 1,620 working oxen, 2,007 other cattle, 19,930 sheep, and 2,615 swine. The total number of manufacturing establishments was 184, with a capital of $993,350, and annual products amounting to $2,346,232. The most important were 1 copper-smelting establishment, 2 manufactories of cotton goods, 3 of furniture, 1 of cotton and woollen machinery, 6 of brick and stone, 10 of fish oil, 5 of tin, copper, and sheet-iron ware, 3 of upholstery, 14 flour mills, and 13 ship yards. Capital, Newport.
NEWPORT, one of the capitals of the state of Rhode Island, on the W. shore of Rhode island, and on Narragansett bay, 5 m. from the ocean, and 22 m. S. S. E. of Providence, in lat. 41° 29′ N., lon. 71° 19′ 12″ W.; pop. in 1870, 12,521.
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Newport.
It is a port of entry, and has a fine harbor, which may be entered at all times without a pilot, and is safe, commodious, and deep enough for the largest ships. It is defended by Fort Adams on Brenton's point. The city is on a declivity facing the harbor, and contains a state house, custom house, city hall, the Redwood library with 20,000 volumes, the People's library (free) with 15,000 volumes, the masonic hall, armory hall, and numerous elegant private residences. Its salubrious climate, refreshing ocean breezes, facilities for sea bathing, and charming natural scenery have rendered it one of the most popular summer resorts in the United States, and the visitors during the fashionable season are numbered by thousands. The whole S. portion of the island is now dotted over with villas, and there are several large hotels. The older part of the city is interesting for its quaint
