The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-12-08
The Fan Of New Orleans-Opinion of
the Court OF Inquiry In the Case OF
Gen. Lowell.


The following Ia the opn Ion Of the Court Of
Inquiry convened at Jackson, Mississippi, under
special orders from the Wai Department, to ex-
anime and report the facts and circumstances ut.
tending the capture of New Orleans by the enemy
in April, 1862, and the defence Of the city by the
Confederate troops under General Mansfield Low
l. AS against land attack by any force the enc
my could probably hiring the interior line OF fortf-
cations, AN adopted and completed hy Major Gene
raj LovelI, was sufficient defence Of The city of
New Orleans; hut his ability tn hold tha, line
against such an attack was greatly Impaired by the
wnS,awa M NV A., rom him. ny superior authority, Of
y. The exterior line, as adopted and improved by
him, was well devised, and rendered as strong al
the means Of his command allowed.
d. Until the on-clad gunboats Louisiana and
Mississippi should be ready for service 1t was in
dispensably necessary TO Obstruct the navigation
of the Mississippi river between FGrs Jackson and
81. Philip The raft completed under Gen. Low
ellis direction WAS adequate for the parpOse while
In position: but 1t was swept away, and left the
river unimpeded, either by OF some error In
It's construction, or negicc! in preventing the ac-
emulation OF drift, or because Of insuperakie me
cbanicai difficulties, as to which this Court feels
unprepared 10 give an opinion. General Lowell
communicated to the Government no opinion as to
the insecurity of the raft, nor any apprehension
that I. might be swept away, nor did he immedi-
ately make known the fact when il occurred. In
this it is considered that he reniss In his dn.y
4. When the raft was swept away General Low
ELL with great energy, Immediately endeavored to
replace IL, aud partially succeeded; but, without
fault on his part, this last obstruction broken
by the cafeessness Of vessels Of the t'rivcr de-
fence feet collldlng with II, and by fire RATS
drifting against it, and by the failure Of the guard
boats to protect 1t against night expeditions 0f The
enemy.
S. The non completion of the iron clad gunboats
Louisiana aud Mississippi made 1t impossible for
the navy TO cooperate efficiently with General
Lowell.
t. The So called river defence feet was wholly
useless means OF resistance to the enemy, 70 r
which Gen. Lowell was In no wise responsible.
Z. Under the existing circumstances, the pass
age Of the forts by i.re cnemy's feet could not
have been prevented by Gen. Lowell with any
means under his control! and the forts being passed
the fall Of New Orleans was inevitable, and its
evacuation military necessity.
E. When the first raft was broken, and the dan
ger of New Orleans thus became imminent. all
necessary preparation should have been made for
removing the public properly and private property
available for military uses; and when the second
obstruction was swept away, the removal Of such
property should have been commenced immcdi
ateiy The failure IN take these timely steps caused
the losses Of property that occurred but there was
comparatively but little property lost for which
Gen. Lowell was responsible.
g. The failure Of Gen. Lowell 10 give proper Or
ters to Brig. Gen. NJ. l.. Smith fer the retirement
of his command from Chalmette Is not sufficiently
"
trrOy.
10. The proposition Of Gen. Lowell to return to
New Orleans with his command was not demanded
Dy his duty a soldier. involving as il did the
less sacrifice OF himself and his troops, though il
explains itself upon the ground OF sympathy for
the population and natural sensi,ivencss 10 their
reproaches.
II. Gen Lowell displayed great energy, and an
unttring industry, in performing his duties His
conduct was marked by all the cOolnces and sci
possession due to the circumstances and his posi-
tion, and he evinced high capacity for command,
and the clearest foresight In many of his measures
tor the defence Of New Orleans.
The Court respectfully report that its assembly
was delayed by the failure Of the President to
ceive his orders In due time, and that its session
was protraeted by the taking Of testimony under
the order al the War department, as to the con
duct of naval officers on duty In Department No. l.
This order was rescinded. thus rendering use.ess
and irrelevant much of tae labor Of the Court. The
testimony referred to, although appearing on re-
cord, was not considered by the Court in deter
mining It's findings and Onini0n,