New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-07-04
RurLER,s EXPLOITS.

The Confederate forces on the southern shore OF
Hampton Roads, few days ago, heard great
firing of guns on the other side, where there are
large numbers of the Federas. They could easily
hear the report of the guns and see the SMOKE
and they naturally concluded grand battle was
going on between Magruder and Butler 1t turned
out, however, that no engagement whatever be-
tween the opposing forces had taken place. Plea
,yane Butler was merely exercising his men in a
sham battle. 1t was done to accustom them to
the roar of artillery, the flashing of bayonets, and
all the eScitements of the battlefield. In short,
it was a rehearsai-though, we predict, it is the
rehearsal Of play that will never be performed.
One cannot help being reminded of the story told
by Simon Suggs' of his finding man in the
piney woods of Georgia, all alone, going through
" the motions of free fight at cross-road grog
shop.
Butler, it seems, has discovered that his men are
so little accustomed to the eScitements and dan
gers of battlefield that they are too apt like the
Massachusetts, Brgadier at Bethel, to lose their
presence of mind. And loss of this indispensable
article. in fight has made more than one Yankee
officer come to grief already. 1t is, at least con-
solatory to know that however much fleetness of
foot Picayune's troops exhibited at the battle of
betuei Wien Ill tne pIeseuGe VI IHe eAcLHy ivy
stand up to each other in mock battle like heroes
fight desperately with blank cartridges and charge
on their own lines with all the impetuosity and
harmlessness of result that we see on the stage
when pretence is made of running sword
through the heavy villain of the tragedy.
Buffers first exploit, after sallying out of For
tress Monroe, was to capture pump. His men
were suffering for fresh water, and the villa OF Ex
President Tyler stood invitingly near. By bold
charge and an impetuous rush against the defence
less premises, the pump was surrounded and the
thirst of the codishfed Yankees sufficiently slaled
Emboldened by his brilliant success he then made
a foray among the chickens, pigs and vegetable
gardens. From this he began to pick up inQuisi-
tive darkeys that, impelled by curiosity, ventured
too near his lines Then he commenced Selling
the furniture of deserted houses and finally screwed
his courage to the sticking point of ordering his
men to give battle to the enemy at Bethel, taking
care to keep out of harms way himself. It is re-
ported that he was two miles distant at the time of
the fight, wishing it well, doubt but as careful
of his own carcass as when he failed tc resent, on
memorable occasion, an insult offered him by
young Smith of California. Very likely, when he
saw his five thousand retreating, full tilt from
the calling fire of eight hundred Confederates he
put spurs to his charger; and the first sign of the
battle to those left behind at Hampton was the
sight, Gin the words of the old song) of 3" Picayune
Buffers acoming, eoming-Picayune Buffers a.
coming to town."
Since this memorable explicit, Butler has kept
comparatively quiet. The sending of marauding
parties around among the farnl-houses, in search
of contraband chickens and rebellious pigs, seems
to be now his highest conception of brilliant
military campaign But that the spirit of fight is
not altogether extinct within him is plain from the
mock battles he makes his men engage in. Proba-
bly, he means by this to Brighten the Conf derates
on the other side of Hampton Roads, just as Chi
nese warriors sometimes attempt to scare the
enemy by ringing bells and beating gongs.
Thenext best thing to win a real battle is we
suppose, to win an imaginary one. Butler ought
to get some stuffed figures, station them upon a
field, call them Contederates, and whip them regu-
larry every day. 1t would be more satisfactory
than sham fights among his own men. School
boys are said to derive inexpressible pleasure from
punishing with kicks and blows the insensible
books which cause them so much study and
trouble. Picayune might take the hint and estab-
lish an army of Confederate effigies, wherein to
wreak his vengeance and display his proves.
We see that the editors at the North are beratiur
him roundly, and insisting that this doughty war
rior be Withdrawn from the field. We hope not.
Butler is as 'sgood as play" any day. His mill
tary movements, it is true, are not exactly Napo-
leonic in their character, but they serve admirably
to amuse the Confederate forces on the opposite
shore. But for the protection afforded him by the
guns of the fort there would be no necessity of
recalling him from the Hampton peninsula The
ia bau fr
double quick time long ago.