Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-26
1910.
BEN. BUTLER's BENDER.
The Occupation Of New OrIsaHs-Ths Hang.
Ing OF EumiOFd.
From the New Orleans Times

From the New Orleans Timesl
Admiral Porter says in his admOni-
tory letter to General Butler, that the
latter was on a high bender during the
attack Of the United States feet on the
forts below this city.
Porter is not be disregarded as a
witness Of what occurred on that mem
Orable occasion, and his allegations,
especially when not denied or dis
proved by Butler, must be received as
priH1G fGcic proof of the fact averred.
There was also an incident of the
operations against New Orleans which
would appear to give confirmation Of
this statement. This was the long de-
lay in the arrival Of Butler with his
army Of occupation, to take posses
sion of Farragut's prize. Very Sc
riOus results were near happening
from this delay. Admiral Farragut
for several days had this city in
charge without the force to take and
hold possession Of il. This condition
OF affairs led to several serious and
threatening controversies between
Farragut and the city authorities.
The people were kept for many hours
in mOmentaTy apprehension Of being
shelled by the squadron for their al
legged cOntumacy and refusal to con-
slider themselves constructive cap
tiyes, and under subsection Of
hostile force which did not
occupy the city. Hence the row
about the flags, which Farragut de-
manded to be lowered, but the city
authorities, backed by three thousand
ladies, refused to lower, compelling
Farragut to land a force and march
through the streets in hostile array,
and remove the flag from the City
Hail. 1t was during this interval,
between the arrival Of Farragut's
ships in front Of the city and the OcCu-
patton by the troops under Butler,
that the incident occurred for which
MumfOrd was hung, tO-Wit: the re-
mOval Of a United States flag from
the Mint buildings. The atrOcity and
laWless Wickedness of this act of But
Ter consisted chiefly in mis- usurpatiOns
of authority tOpunish an act not done
under the dominion and jurisdiction
Of the United States. The city, so
far from being occupied then by the
United States forces, actually seethed
and rOared with resistance, angry
the United States authorities.
The Confederate commander was
then present with his staff in the city,
experimenting the evacuation, and
in full possession Of the city, being
recognized in that capacity by Farra- !
gut. The hanging Of MUmfOrd was
therefore done for an act committed !
under the jurisdiction Of the COnfed- |
crate States, and was not COgniZable /
or punishable by the United States |
authorities any more than would be !
the numerous other captures OF flags
made on the battlefield. There were |
many other most unhappy and viO- |
lent things done during that uniOrtu- |
nate delay Of Buffers to "cOme to |
town, ," and take charge Of the city.
Now Porter informs us and the |
world, and instructs history, hitherto /
completely benighted on the subject, |
that the whole cause Of all this mis- |
cry, turmoil, desOlatiOu and destruC- |
ton, was the big drunk" into which |
the Commander Of the Gulf had man |
aged to fall during the bOmhardmcnt |
OF the two forts, and from which he |
did not recover in time to relieve /
FarragUt OF the burden OF taking /
charge Of this rebelliOus city, and re- |
ducing its population into subsection |
and Order-aCtually exposing the |
ships in port for several days to great |
danger of being boarded and de- !
strOyed by a large hostile population. |
Thus il is that the quarrels Of chief |
tains gradually elicit the most impOr, |
tant facts Of history.