The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-04-15

the lurid haze of a solar eclipse the count.
less fires, adding TO the sultry hea, Of the
day the clangor Of bells the bursting OF
bombs In the arsenal the clatter Of the
wagons and carts the surface OF the river
covered with all kinds of burning craft and
the noise and confusion of one hundred and
fifty thousand excited people surging
through the streets, constituted grandly
terrible spectacle, unparalleled on American
shores. 1t Is marvellous the city escaped
total destruction amid the excitement of the
hour.
OUIETER coUNsELs.
BY noon-day, however, tn. subsistence OF
the conflagrations, and the receipt Of news
that the forts had not fallen but were still
keeping back Butler troops, had a re-ac-
tionary effect and the rather volatile New
Orleanese vent 10 dinner TO discuss the
question of burning the town and retrcAaipg
to the swamps.
Lowell, who had narrowly escaped capture
by the feet, and had ridden at q gallop since
sunrise, coming up the Levee road. alighted
on the City Han steps. VIII ere be was beset
by the multitude eager for intelligence. He
narrated the events of the morning; and
had . consultation with the City Council.
1t was speedily assembled, and unanimously
agreed with him as to the ad~visability of re-
moving the troops-three thousand infantry
beyond the city limits to deprive FarrAgut
of any excuse for bonn harding the helpless
women and children. This retirement has
been censured, but was probably the wisess
of the hostile fleet in passing the forts left
the city at its mercy. The twelve guns at
Chalmette could make no resistance worth
naming, and within q few hours the city
would be virtually encompassed by the
enemy. New Orleans is surrounded by
swamps, all Of which were filled by the
heavy freshet, leaving but one outlet by
land, viz: through the narrow neck be-
tween the river and lake Ponchartrain,
through which passes the Railroad to Jack
son. This neck, which is about thres-quar-
tiers of a mile of firm ground, could, and
certainly would, las afterwards proved) be
closed by Farragut, who need only place one
of his ships at kenner-lO miles above the
city-and sweep the railway with his guns.
The population of the city-estima;ed at
100, 600 souls-were dependent for food
upon the surrounding region, and as the
fleet would intercept all the usual sources
Of suppiy-and as there was only about two
weeks stock on hand a surrender would be
inevitable at the expiration of that period
since there was not the least hope OF mill
tary rellef from any quarter.
In view OF all the circumstances, Gen.
Lowell decided TO remove his little army
fifteen miles above the city, on the railroad.
IN order he saId-"to permit the clti-
zens to decide whether they would subject
their wives, their children, and their pro-
perty to bombardment.' etc, etc.-"I did
not think myself justified In spilling the
blood of women and children when | knew
hat III two or three weeks at the fartherest,
want of food for the inhabitants would com
pei me to eyacuate the city, or to surren-
der As before remarked, he probably
acted judiciously but being a Northern
nan IN Southern uniform, came in for a
great deal more censure than rational crit
The General himself remained in
own several days after sending away his
.roops and succeeded IN getting away a
arge amount ofmilitary stores.
Shortly after dusk the sullen boom Of q
cannon was heard from afar down the river
instantly the city was in an up-roar. By
his time the fact of the withdrawal Of the
.roops had become generally known, and
he worst elements of the city began TO
lock the streets, and pillage the public
stores. Provisions Of all sorts were seized
wherever found, regardless of ownership.
poor people augmented the mob, and
a rich harvest. Sugar and molasses
y the parrel were rolled away and a cargo
If beef, flour, and produce, just landed
rom Red River, disappeared almost before
he astonlshed captain could ask what it all
meant.
All night long the hum of the multitude
lied the air for few were sensible enough
o sleep while from afar down the river came
hose sullen reverberations, hourly growing
which told of the enemy. slowly
his way toward the town
TO BE CONTINUED.