Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-05
OPINION OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY IN TIL
CASE OF GEN. LOWELL.

Ths following Is the opinion Of the Court Of Inquiry
convened at Jackson Mississippi under special orders
from the War Department to examine and report the
facts and circumstances attending the capture OF New
Orleans by the enemy, in April 1884, and the defence
of the city by the Confederate troops under Gen. Mans
field Lowell:
l. As sg inst land attack by any force the enemy
could probably bring the interior line of Notifications
as adopted and completed by hsjor General Lowell was
sufficient defence Of the city OF New Orleans; but his
ability to hold that line against such attack greatly
impaired by the Withdrawal from him. BY superior au-
thority, of nearly all his effective troops
2. The exterior line, adopted and improved by him
was well devised and rendered strong as the means
of his command allowed
.. Until the ion clad gunto Louisiana and Misss
spp should be ready for service, was ndispensaby
necessary to obstruc the navigation Of the Mississippi
river between Forts Jackson and St. Philip. The Taft
completed under General LoyelIs direction was ade-
ouate for the purpose while In POSITION but It swept
away aud left the river unmpeded, ehg by reason Of
some error in is construction, neglect in preventing
the accumu alton of drift, because Of insuperable
mechanical difficulties as to which this Court fesls I'M
prepared 10 give an opinion General Lowell commun-
Gated TO the no opinion IS 70 the insecurity
of the raft any apprehension that 1t might be swept
away, nor did he Immediately make known the fact
when II occurred In this Ii "a considered that he wa;
remiss in his duty
4. When the raft was swept away, Cen Lowell, with
great energy Immediately endeavoret to replace it and
partially succeeded but without fault on his part tbi:
last obstruction broken by the carelessness OF yes
sells of the "river deferce feet coiding with IT. and
BY FIRE RATS drifting sgainet It, and by the failure OF the
guard boats to protect 1t against night expeditions Of
the enemy.
8. The non-completion Of the iron-cad gunboat.
Louisiana and hiss,siIpi made i impossible for the
navy TO cooperate efficiently with Gen. Lowell
g. The so-called river defence feet was wholly use
less as of resistance to the enemy, for which
Gen. Lowell was in no wise responsible.
I. Under the existing circumstances, the passage oil
the forts by the enemys feet could not have been pre-
vented by Gen Lowell with any means under bis conro
and the forts being passed. the fall of New Orleans was
inevitable and It's evacuation q military necessity.
8. When the frat raft was broken, and the danger
Of New Orleans thus became imminent, all necessary
preparation should have been made for removing
the public property and private property avail
able for military and when the second obstruc-
ton was swept away, the removal OF such property
should ave- IN commenced Immediately The failure to
take these timely steps caused the losses Of property that
occurred but there comparatively but little properly
lost for which Gen. Lowell was responsible.
g. The failure Of Gen. Lowell to give proper orderst 10
Brig-Gen. NJ L. Smith for the retirement Of his CON-
mand from Chsmette, is not sufficiently explained, and
is therefore regarded as serious error.
TO- The proposition Of Gen. Lowell to return to New
Orleans with his command was not demanded by his
duty as soldier involving did the useless sacrifice
Of himself and his trops though 1t explains itself upon
the ground Of sympathy for the population and nau-
raj senstiVeness to their reproaches.
IL. Gen. Lowell displayed great energy and Al IN
firing industry in performing his duies. His conduct
was marked By all the GOODNESS and selpossession due
to the circumstances and his position and he eyinced
high capacity for command and the clearest foresight
in many of his measures for the defence Of New o.
leaus
The Court respectfully report that its assembly was
delayed by the failure of its President to receive his
orders in due me aud that Its session protaced
by the taking of testimony under the order of the War
Department, to the conduct of naval officers duty
in Department No. /. Ills order rescindsd, thus
rendering useless and irrelevant much Of the labor oil
the Court. The testimony referred to- although appear
ing on record not considered by the Court in deter
mining its findings and option.