The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-05-07

General Butler in New Orleans.
Chicago, May S.

I 'Sss50s ASAuJ -
The Times special from Cairo says a
refugee from Vicksburg, Miss, passed
through here en- route for st. Louis. He
brings news of importance. having lef.
Memphis on Sunday. Memphis papers
of that morning publish a dispatch an.
nouncing the occupation of Baton Rouge
by Federal forces, and the passage up the
river Of several gunboats. The largest
vessels Of the feet were left behind at
New Orleans, which city was nearly de-
serted. Buffers army had landed AMI
we're occupying the city. An immense
covered and seized. The Union citizens
had held public rejoicing, at which hun
dreds crowded together and INDUCED in
the most enthusiastic demonstrations Of
joy. In the passage of gunboats up the
river, but little resistance was made, there
being no rebel troops to contest the way
until the feet arrived at Baton Rouge
Here, ~ my informant says. was stationed
; few rebel troops, most of whom were
lately enrolled according to the provisions
of the conscription act. These, however,
hed before the feet made it's appearance.
The u. s. Arsenal and Barracks at this
point were recovered and the old flag
waves once more over the government
property in Louisiana.
The Southern papers are very meagre
of news respecting the passage Of the gun
boat feet up the river, most of their arti-
cles being made up of verbose exhorta-
tions addressed to the people to defend
the Mississippi Valley from the enemy,
though little could be ascertained for the
newspapers.
Citizens of Vicksburg, Natchez, and
other places along the river, were fleeing
in great numbers to Memphis, which WAS
in fever of excitement. A citizen of
Natchez told my informant that strong
force of Mississippi troops was garrison
ing Fl. Davis, which is located on Ellis
Cliffs, nearly twenty-five miles below
Aatehez. These cliffs form high ridge
on the east bank of the Mississippi, com
mencing twenty miles below Natchez and
extending for several miles along the river
1t was thought at Memphis that the for
ti6cationsy on this ridge would offer Sc
rioas impediment to the passage of the
Yankee feet. Great alarm was felt and
many were leaving for the interior.
With regard to the progress already
made by the Federal feet. publication Of
such news had been forbidden, but it was
reported by persons arriving from below
that the gunboa,s o. the F.derals had ar
rived at 1T. Adams, whichthey had passed
without resistance, and were near Fl. Da-
Wis.,,
At Eicksburg, fertilization which has
been in progress of construction for the
last two weeks, was nearly completed,
guns Of heavy calibre had been sent from
Memphis and mounted in the fort.
The rebel feet from New Orleans had
arrived at Memphis and was dispatched
to the immediate relief Of the fleet off Fit.
Pillow.
A large number Of rebel steamers had
taken refuge up White River. Rolling
stock had been concentrated at Memphis
in readiness to take away the citizens in
case the Federal fleets shall make their
appearance.
Cities and towns in the Mississippi Val
ley are plunged into the greatest terror by
the unexpected capture of New Orleans.
Great Indignation is felt towards General
Lowell. whom they accuse of cowardice
and imbecility.