Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-05-19
Prom lhe New Orleans Delta
GEN. LOVELL-A IMMIGRATION,


We publish below a letter from Gen. Lowell. which
presents clear and satisfactory vndcaton Of his
course in the defence Of this city The statements of
Gen. Lowell believe, are fully sustained by the facts
In vindcaton OF ourselves for the alluson to which
the neral taxi exception beg TO gay that he never
vas 10 the contemplation Of the writer in the refer.
epce lack OF energy and the paIt Of
the agents Of the Confederate Government We believe
on the contrary that Gen. Lowell tar from being OBJ.
nofious the charge OF lack OF earnestness and en-
ersy accomplished with the placed at his COM
manc, results OF character which baye excited general
surprise and admiration. There we're other parties who
were in view, 10 the allusoh 10 which The General
takes exception, who did not prove equal the OCCASION
We would further add that in the several illusions TO
the evacuation Of the city by General Lowell We do not
think il intended by any soberhinkDg person TO
convey any ceDsure any doubt the prVpriey OF
Ger Loyels conduct In Withdrawing his troops rom the
CITY after our iorGhcaions had btel forced by The enc
my. Left with only al infantry force, Gen Lowell Ie-
manned 10 the city after the enemy feet bad anchored
in front OF the city, He willing and ready 10 share
the fate OF the city but 1t that be was not
only impotent OF deence but the enemy. with his
mand OF the river would have had ii in his power TO
duce the city to starvation, by cutting CT all commune
Ca ions with the interior. sides, the continuation CT
the troops in the city would have exposed BON.
blfdment in which the enemy would have been iusiied
by the laws OF war girrisoned town being sways SUBJ
i.c: to such fate. II Gen. Lowell had FIVE or ten times
the infantry force which he really bad he would not
have made any adequate defence against the eneHys
powerful feet His retirement was therefore, not ouly
an act of sound policy and wisdom, bot Of absolute
necessity for the salvation Of the city from the
Iibe disaster well for the security Of the army
which Gen Lowell has saved to lead 10 other Ids wheIs
their vaor may be made available for the maintenance
and defence Of our cause.
NV ORLEANS, April ~, 1862.
To Judge Walker:
DEAR SIR-In the Evening Delta in sriicle headed
"Fsllen but not dsgraced" this expression occurs -
The lack of energy aud he part Of the
agents OF the Confederate Government" DC.
This ncutes me in its sweep, aud think upIustly--
When | came here but a few short mont is since 1
found the State defeLceless lis ports boCxadsd and
ts young gone TO other parts Of tbS Confederacy
In the army Without anything but what WAS created
every inlet put in position TO offer protrec.ed
and gallant defence. Forts armed powder and
munitions of every description made, aud gallant
body oil troops organized and drilled. Guns cast
and materials OF all kinds eItemporEsd by noessant la
Dor and activity. TIE river at the forts was twice
brdeed BY distractions which would have resisted any
thng but the formidable rush Of the great Mississippi
its sw olen wrath.
Ny troops, at the call Of their country, rushed to
Corntb and the deeds OF the louisiana regiments
the 9Th and 7tb OF April indicated their courage and
their training Our fouudries were beginning to turn
out heavy gurs Of the best quality, and newly erect
ed arsenal furnished with various imslements Of war.
All this has been done since October besides preparing
vessels Tor river defence, egbt OF WHICH
now defending the upper river aud ht have been de-
aroyed in the vain attempt keep back the enemy's
set Of vessels bel ~. This had been done with
host Ct generals aud 4sl officers OF experience 70
sr. mo o re, vi feE exc ptoUe, have worked
day and night ter than i've months 10 defend this
q eat cit. The responsibility Of lis fall ia not due To
y want uf energy and earnestness" on my part. In
short time more should have had guns enough, and
men enough defend the approaches by that
elsmtn which the enemy is so pre-emneny po"sfu
4. a.. ill ID 49,
20 the people Of New Orleans that did Ill that ore
man could do preserve them from nsolsnt
aud powerful Toe When their hsets passed al cur
batteries, / withdrew my infantry lcrces beyond hs
city limit in order 10 permit the people Of New lfans
to decide whether they would subject their wives their
children and property 10 bombardment, In the endeayoF
TO maintain their freedom intact and returned the
city TO day 10 learn their decision and 10 o5r myself
aud my command 10 stand by them 10 the last moment
10 case they should decide to undergo bombsrdment.
know that there many gentlemen here who will
bear me witness that all that Ia here set FORTH and much
more has been done this sad disaster. An
animation Of my letter and order books and eegraphc
dispatches will show that 10 stone has been left un.
turned by me to cave New Orleans from this huniis.
ton and feel well convinced that few short weeks
would hsv, rendered the position mpregnsblo. All
AJAX s simple justice and nothing Iu conclusion,
will add that terrible the bo~ has b;er, am neh'
disheartened n despair. This war OF indspcn-
deuce Is not yet fought Our ancestors struggled
against the massive power Of Great Britain, when
Boston, New York. Philadelphia, Charleston and sayan.
nah all in possession of the enemy, and gained
their liberty.
nisa moral and physical impcssibity that We can be
conquered Let us be 70 ourselves and CUE cause
never firing never desparug-but rising. Ac s)n.lke,
with renewed vgor from every fall and We shal yet be
re,arded with snectss Above ALL should not crush
down the spirit and the energies Of those who are Using
all the facilities mental an physical thai God has given
then by making light of their iabor because, with lin
led means and under adverse eircunstsnces they have
not been successful in resisting at all points great
wealthy and powerful enemy with all the appliances Of
modern warfare, both military and naval in great atun-
dance at his control. We have never YET seen such
dark days as those which envroDed George washiogon
at Valley Forge and should such be our lot trust hat
the same spirit will animate Us to work out the tas
successful results.
Respectfully, your obi servant,
u. LOWELL,