Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-08
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT
OF THE GULF,
SHIP ISLAND, April IS, 1862.

OF THE GULF,
SHIP ISLAND, April l3, 1862.
To Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec. of War.
SIR,-i have the honor to report my safe
arrival at Ship Island on the 2lst of March,
after OF casualties, set forth In my last report
from Port Royal to the General command
ing the army, but from thence no further
accident.
For three days after my arrival storm
prevented the landing of either troops or
stores. Upon consultation with flag officer
Farragut, | was informed by him that he
would probably be able to move in seven
days. Accordingly, by dint of the most
strenuous labor of my troops, day and night,
| had embarked and ready for embarkation
six thousand of my best men to support his
operations, a force judged to be sufficient for
the advance, to be at once supported by the
remainder of my disposable force. After
waiting four days with the TROOPS on ship
board, / learned from the flag. officer that the
storm and low water at the bar had pre-
vented his getting his ship into position. For
various reasons | disembarked the troops
and shall re-embark tomorrow, and shall
sail for the head of the Passes, when, am
informed, the navy will be ready for opera
tions.
l have pleasure in reporting the safe ar
rival Of all the troops assigned to this c.
partment. The last regiment from the North
arrived last night, The Connecticut 18th Vol
unteers-except Minis battery, the only
drilled corps of artillery given me-which
had, for some unexplained reason, been de-
tanned at Fortress Monroe. During my en-
e Ill H. IL. II. had
sent away both the Constitution and Fulton
steamers, so that l am much crippled for
transportation but where there is a will
there is way, and l shall be able, by means
of sailing vessels in tow, to make my way up
the Mississippi; but for ulterior movements
on fhe coast, one, at least, of these steamers
| will be of the last necessity, as well as sew
eral light draft steamers, for which | had
| made acquisitions on the Quartermaster
General.
In the meantime, l have sent regiment
| and section of battery, under the direc-
ton of Major Strong, my Chief of Staff. to
cooperate with the Navy to demand an
apology for an insult to our flag Of truce, sent
on an errand of mercy with a shipwrecked
passenger, as well as to destroy the position
of regiment of the enemy at Pass Chris
tan. This service was gallantly performed
and the proper apology made at Biloxi. The
town surrendered into our hands; and the
rebels at Pass Christian, an equal force, with
four pieces of artillery drawn from their
camp, which, with its materials, was burned
No lives were lost, and only two of our men
were wounded. trust my next dispatch
10y the first opportunity Of sending by mai
steamer, will give an account Of larger and
, as successful an operation. think it due t.
: the brave men of that expedition, to ask t.
have published the General Order upon tina
subject inclosed. l have the honor TO be
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BENJAMIN +. BUTLER,
| ... Major General Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 10. aa
: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
SHIP ISLAND, Saturday, April IL 1852
q The Major General Commanding desire
b publicly TO testify his appreciation of the ga
Regiment OF Connecticut Volunteers, Colont
Cahill commanding, and section of tn
e Sixth Massachus tits Battery ucder Captai
I Everett, in the recent expedition to Bio,
and Pass Christian, as exhibited by the r.
: port of the staff officer in command of tn;
e expedition. Of their bravery in the field, l
II felt assured. But another quality, more tr.
ing to the soldier, claims bis admiration
- After having been for months subjected
a the privations necessarily incident to cam
n life upon this Island, these well-discipline
40 soldiers, although for many hours in full po
session of the rebel villages, filled with VIII
'e to them were most desirable luxuries, abstai
ed from the leas, unauthorized interferen,
with private property, and all molestations
peaceful citizens. This behavior is wortt
of all praise. 1t robs war of half its horror
I. it teaches our enemies how much they ha'
re- been misinformed by their designing leade
as TO the character of our soldiers and Il
7, intention of our Government 1t gives the
d lesson and an example in hum anity and I
vilized warfare, much needed, however lit
le it may be followed. g
r The General Commanding commends 4
d. action of the men of this expedition to eve
re soldier in the Department. Let it be INIT
,s ted by all the towns and cities. We shi
!. present living witness that the soldiers fig
:. only for the Onion, the Constitution and d
enforcement of the laws. -
u c. BY command of General BUTLER.
Of nGEORGE C. STRONG,
in nNEHzss Assistant Adjutant Gen.