The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-05
THE PERIL OF NEW ORLEANS.


The City's Narrow Escape from Destruction
by the Guns of Farragut's Fleet
Interview with Ben Butler
They will put up monument in New Or
leans for you some day, suggested friend, iron
ically.
III should not be surprised said Butler
quickly. The mention of New Orleans started
the General on train of interesting reminis-
cences. One incident he recalled of the entry
of the Union forces into the Southern metropo-
lis that may not be very generally known. In
brief, before Butler arrived with his troops Ad-
miral Farragut steamed up in his flagship, the
Hartford, followed by his fleet, and took posses
sion of the city in the name OF the United States
government A company of marines was sent
shore and shortly after the stars and stripes were
floating over the custom house The city was
captured, but not subjected, and Admiral Far
ragut, apprehending that some attempt might
be made to take down the colors, arranged a
plan of action in case the attempt should be
made. a couple of howitzers were fastened in
the rigging of the Hartford and man stationed
at each one From this elevated position the
iookouts could command good view of the Gus
tom-house and the town. They were instructed
at the first indication of an attempt to
haul down the flag to fire their guns.
broadside from the Hartford would follow,
and thls would be the signal for the whole
fleet to open fire on the city. The next day was
Sunday. Farragut. who was a very religious
man, had ordered all hands below for prayers
only the officer of the day and the two lookouts
remaining above deck. Rain threatened at the
time and the fuses for igniting the big guns when
In place were exposed to the weather. The
officer, wishing to save the fuses from being
spoiled went around to each gun and removed
them to place of shelter. Suddenly the flag
was to go down from the custom house.
The lookouts fired their howitzers, and
the prayers below came to an abrupt
ending. Officers and men rushed up
on deck and took their places The
thoughtfulness of the officer of the
day in removing the fuses caused slight delay,
and before the broadside could be delivered, the
lookouts reported to the Admiral that they saw
no indication of disturbance or unusual excite
ment in the Streets and Farragut concluded
that the hauling down of the flag was the act of
some reckless person and not revolt of the
city. as it was afterwards found. He, therefore,
decided to investigate the matter first, and gave
the order to hold the fire. Nothing could have
prevented the total destruction of New Orleans
If the fleet had once commenced to shell the
town. Farragut's religious habits saved the
city. Had he remained on deck. the fuses would
not have been touched, and the broadside signal
would have been given without delay.
Muford is the name of the man who exposed
New Orleans to such peril by tearing down the
American flag from the cusrom-house He was
a gambler by profession, and committed the
deed IN spirit of reckless bravado. After the
flag had been taken down it was torn to bits by
milford and party of his associates, and pieces
of it were used to decorate their coats milford
tied a long strip of the flag in his buttonhole,
and had 1t on when he arrested by General
for his foolishness with his life He
was tried and sentenced to be hanged. Even
after his sentence milford refused to believe
that he would be executed, and he maintained
this belief up to the last moment 'They will
not dare to hang me-" he said Strong pressure
was brought to bear on General Butler to spare
Mulfords life. What made the case more dra-
matte was that Mulfords wife was Massachu-
sets woman, and she had family of five
little children. She pleaded hard for hey
husbands life, but without success. An
cid Presbyterian minister called at Buffers
headquarters and began long argument for
Mulfords life. ''Show your greatness by being
merciful." he said. '''Fis but stroke of your
pen." YES" replied Butler. "a stroke of my pen
would save him. and stroke of my pen would
put you in his place! 1t is because l have the
power that cannot afford to be governed by
sentiment That man has forfeited his life, and
he must die"
Butler had in his service mum Der of Northern
detectives and they gained quite reputation for
their work in New Orleans. Bnt Butler said the
most valuable information was furnished him by
the negroes. They were allowed TO come to his
headquarters freely, and although they brought
bushels of chaff they also brought some grain.
One evening party of fifteen men met at a
private dinner and amused themselves by abus
ing Butler and denouncing the government.
The next day ali the facts were reported to
headquarters by one of the negroes who had
waited on the party. Butler sent for them all
to come to his headquarters at a certain
hour. When they all assembled in his
Office he said: Gentlemen, you were at
dinner together last evening, and when
the wine was IN and the wit without. you were
pleased to speak in disrespectful terms of my
self That is of no consequence. But what is
of consequence is that you also abused the gov
eminent Of the United States That | forbid.
Gentlemen, it must stop / shall overlook it
this time, but let me hear no more of it in the
future"
The party we're .thunderstruck and eyed each
other suspiclously as they left the room wonder
ing who had given them away. That was the
effect Butler wished to produce, land, he said
yesterday, "the results were very wholesome"