Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-22
letter From GEN. Lowell.
New ORLEANS, April 20, 1876

NEW ORLEANS, April 20 1862.
To Judge Wolker:
DEAR SIR In the Evening Delta, in an article
beaded Fallen But Not Disgraced. this expression
occurs The lack of energy and earnestness The
part of the ageats of the Confederate government &C.
This includes me in its sweep and | think uDiusy.
When l came here but few short months since
found the State deeDseless its ports bockaded and its
young men gone to other parts OF the Contederacy in
the army. Without anything but what was created
every inlet put in position to offer protrac ed
and gallant defense. Forts we're armed powder ard
munitions OF every description were made and gallant
body of troops organized and drilled. Guns were s
and materials Of all kinds extemporized by ncess4nt
labor and activity. The river at the forts was twice
bridged by instructions which would have resisted
anything but the formidable rush of the great Ms3s-
sppi in its swollen wrath.
My troops, at the call of their country rushed 10
Cornh, aud the deeds of the Louisiana regiments on
the 9th and It'll Of April indicated their courage ard
Their training Our tounCfies were beginning to turn
out heavy guns Of the best quality, and newly erect
ed arsenal furnished with the various implements Of
war; All this has heenIdone since October besides pre-
pairing sixteen vessels for river defence eight of which
are now daending the upper river, and eight have
been destroyed in the vain attempt to KEEP back the
enemys feet of vessels below. This has been dJue
with boast of generals and staff officers of experience
to assist. Almost alone with but few exceptions have
worked day and night, for more than five months 10
defend this great city The responsibility of its fall
is not due to any want of "energy earnestres5"
my part. In short time more should have had guns
enough, and enough 70 defend the numeroas ap.
proacbes that element on which the enemy is so pre-
eminenty powerful and therefore beg that Won will
do the justice to say to the people of New Orleans
and did all that one man could do to preserve them
from an insoent and powerful foe When their heets
passed all batteries wthdreS. my Infantry fore
beTOnd the city limits in order to permit the people OF
New Orleans to decide whether they would subject
their wives their children and property bombardmnt
in the endeavor to maintain their freedom intact and
returned to the city to-day to learn their decision and
to offer myself and my command to stand by them 10
the last moment in they should decide 70 III rgO
bombardment know that there are many gentle.
men here who will bear witness that ar that is here
set forth and much MORE has been done to avert this
sad disaster. An examination of my letter and order
books and teegrsphic dispatches will chow that no
stone has been left unturned by me to save New Orleans
from this humiliation and feel well convinced that
few short weeks would have rendered the position
impregnabe. ALI ask is simple justice, and nothing
more
10 conclusion will add that terrible as the blow has
been, am neither disheerened nor in despair. This
war Of independence is not yet fought out. Our an
cestors struggled on against the massive power Of
Great Britain when Boston, New York Philadelphia
Charleston and Savannah were all in possession OF the
enemy, and gained their liberty.
Iii moral and physical impossbility that we ca1
conquered Let but be true to ourselves and our
cause-Dever firing, never despairing-but rising Ac
@on-ike, with renewed vigor from every fall, and We
shall yet be rewarded with success. Above all We
should not crush down the spirit and the energies o.
those who are using all the faculties, mental ana
physical that God has given them by making lght9
their labor because, with limited means and under aa
verse circumstances they nave not been successful 10
resisting at all points great wealthy aud powerful
enemy, with all the appliances of modern warfare oo
military and naval in great abundance at bis conto
We have never yet seen such dark days those which
enVironed George Washington at Valley Forge ant
should such be our lot, trust that the same sp'
will animate ia to work out the same successful results
Respectfully you ob't servant
| M. LOWELL,
Major General, Q. 3. A.