The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-23
SPEECHES OF PIERRE SOULE
AND GEN. LOWELL.
General Appearance OF the City as De-
scribed by its Press.
INSULT TO OUR GALLANT NAVY AND
~. WHAT RESULTED FROM IT.. '...,.
The European Brigade Pre-
serving Order.
PROVISIONS SCARCE AND STARVA-
TON IMPENDING. ~
From the New Orleans Delta, April rs.

xlVN XMK ENOANOs .tet
From the New Orleans Delta, April rs.
OUR GREAT DISASTER AND HUMILIATION.
Yesterday New Orleans was subjected
to the most terrible humiliation and degree
dalton which have ever fallen upon brave
and true people. After a valiant defense
by our forts below the city-after exhaust
ing all our resources and skill-the greater
resources on water of the enemy enabled
them to pass our exterior Notifications with
their large feet, and they approached the
city with a squadron of fifteen of their
largest vessels, all steamships, gunboats or
mortar vessels. There was large force Of
land troops in the city; but of what avail
were they against the ships and gunboats of
the enemy2 At the moment it was an-
nounced that the ships had passed the forts
it became evident to all rejecting persons
that the city was defenceless. Steps were
then taken to render it barren conquest.
By order of the Governor and military au.
thorities, all the government munitions and
stores were sent awey. Such material of
war as could not be removed was destroyed.
Orders were also issued to destroy all the
cotton in this city. This was also done.
The, troops under General Lowell were
marching to the interior lines of the city
"a few miles below--these lines would
have been formidable against any army ad-.
vancing by land but the batteries near
the river were quite weak and Ineffective
against the especially in the present
stage of the river-the high surface of the
water enabling them completely to command
the surrounding country. In the condition
of affairs it was quite obvious that the ene-
my's feet would meet with no serious obsta'
Gle in passing up the river. Accordingly
it was announced at an early hour that they
we're coming. Their vessels came up slow.
ly as if feeling their way-the Hartford,
the flag ship of Commodore Farragut,
leading. Then followed the Richmond, and
nine other ships, big and little. As these
ships approached the batteries, about six
or seven miles below the city, our artillerists
opened upon them from both sides Of the
river bat as the guns were only twenty
tours, they produced but little effect: The
ships replied with several broadsides, which
showed that they completely commanded
our batteries. The batteries, though man.
ned by Unparalleled gupners, kept up the
fire for some time, but with no effect, and
under such discouraging circumstances as
to render it an obvious policy to withdraw
the gunners and troops. The batteries
were abandoned and the troops marched
to the jackson Railroad. In the meantime
the hostile squadron steamed up the river.
A terrible and melancholy spectacle was
presented to the victorious ships. The
whole levee for miles was wrapped in smoke
from the burning cotton and gun carriages
which the authorities had ordered to be
consumed, In the river were many bulls
of burning ships, the debris of our feet and
of the merchant vessels and steamers which
contained cotton. ada. ....o
The squadron proceeding up the river, the
great multitude clustered on the levee look
ing on in disgust and horror at the dismal
spectacle. AS they passed few shot were
fred by some of our soldiers, but without
orders. The ships did not reply, but pro
ceeded slowly along our leyee. A feeble
cheer was raised on board OF one of the
boats which was responded to by something
like cheer from few persons in the
such or not, drew upon the parties who we're
suspected of giving them, some dozen or SO
of pistol shots, by which several persons
were wounded. The squadron being ad-
vanced, the foremost ship, as far as the
Fourth district, came to an anch0r-the
ships to the number OF thirteen, taking up
positions in front OF the city, so as to COM
mand the several streets. After remaining
in this position halt an hour, boat came
ashore with two officers from Captain Bay
leis, second in command of the squadron,
Captain Farragut being flag officer, and a
lieutenant. These officers were greeted
on touching the shore with the most up
roarious hUzzas for ''Jef. Davis and the
South" and with the most threatening de-
monstrations. They had neglected to hang
a flag of truce and it was proof OF the
good sense of even en- infuriated multitude
that they were allowed to land. They,
however, proceeded under the protection OF
some gentlemen who undertook to convey
them to the Mayors Office, in a drenching
rain, followed by furious and excited mob.
Though no violence was offered to the Ofi~
GERS. certain persons who were suspected of
fayoriug their flag and cause, were set upon
with great fury and roughly handled. On
arriving at the City Hail, it required the
intervention of several citizens to prevent
violence being offered to the rash ambassa-.
doris of an execrated dynasty and govern
ment. 81.
The Mayor received the federal officers in
his Office, with proper dignity. Captain
Bayleis stated the purport Of his mission.
:, He had been sent by Captain cFarragut to
demand the surrender of the city and the
. elevation of the flag of the United States
over the Custom House, the Post Office and
the City Hall. The Mayor replied that be
was not the military commander of the city,