Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-29
MAI. GEN. BUTLER AND PIERRE
SOULE.

The Heralds correspondence from
New Orleans, under date of May Sd, gives
us the following interesting particulars of
conference between General Butler, Ex-
Senator Soule and others. Gen. Butler
exhibits the same determined spirit that
oyerawed the rebels in Maryland at the
outbreak of the war, and opened safe
transit to the capital
This evening Gen Butler received the
Mayor and Common Council in the large
parlor of the St. Charles. Hon. Pierre
Soule was present ON invitation of the
Council, and was in fact the chief spokes-
man from the municipal authorities.
1t was scene that would make an ell
egant picture in Harper's Weekly or
Frank Leslie's Illustrated. At one angle
of the richly furnished and lofty room
were gs..l.sred the staff Of the Command
ing GeE0lai, IN fun dress uniform, and in
front of them sat the GeneraI nImsvif,
his face and form all alive with express
sive emotions, as in terms courteous but
+! scathing, he bitterly denounced the miser-
able rabbe that had insulted his officers
and his men Ranged around the oppo-
| site sides of the room were the members
of the City Council, with Soule in the
centre, and the Mayor in chair near
General Butler.
They were mostly fine looking, intelli-
gent gentlemen, and quite number were
evidently French. Gen. Butler read to
them the proclamation, and explained to
them his intentions in regard to the gov
ernment of the city. He wished to leave
the Mayor and Council in full possession
of all power strictly municipal-would not
interfere with the collection of moneys
for the purposes of paying the police,
lighting the streets, keeping the same in
order, or promoting the health and sani-
tary condition Of the city-but would, if
necessary, assist them in collecting tax
for the above objects. He did not wish
to interfere with the ordinary tribunals CT
justice, and would not try by court martial
any offence that had 40 bearing on the
present relations between the U. s. Gov
eminent and the city of New Orleans.
Mr.. Soule answered in effect, that, as
his only desire was for the tranquility Of
the city, he mist earnestly urge General
: Butler to remove his army to the envi-
rons of the city-'for,' said he, 4 know
! the feelings of the people so well that
am sure your soldiers can have no peace
while they remain in our midst
This implied threat fred the Genera
= in moment, and drew from him forci
.. BILE expression of his utter disdain fo
threats from any quarter. Mr.. Soule i'm
= mediately disclaimed having threatene'
s our forces. Gen. Butler then went on t
:, say further that he would very gladly tax
u every man of his army out of the city tn
3 very day and hour that it was demonstra
. ted that the city fathers would protect hir
from insult or danger, if he chose to rid
It from one end Of the city to the othe
IS alone, or with one gentleman of his staff
: but, said he, your inability to govern th
+ insulting, irreligious, unwashed mob
!, your midst, has been clearly proven b
. the insults of your rowdies towards m
o officers and men this very afternoon. an
?, by the fact that Gen. Lowell was oblige
rs to proclaim martial law while his arm
y occupied your city. to protect the Law
. abiding citizens from the rowdies. |
4 not proclaim martial law against the r
~ spectacle citizens Of this place, but again
q the same class that obliged Gen. Wiki
" son, Gen. jackson and Gen. Lowell
d declare it. l have means of knowiI
more about your city, continued the Ge
&c eral, than you think ot-and am ava
" that at this hour there is an organizati'
:. =. here established for the purpose of asss
a. a. sinating my men by detail but wa
" that if shot is fred from any house, th
e. house will never again cover. a morta