Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-02
BRUTAL BEN BUTLER's STORY.
How Narrowly He Says New Orleans
Escaped Destruction.
From he Mem YORK. World

from Ele We "TA pO'SN
Time is leaving its mark on Ben Butler.
was forcibly impressed with this lew
days ago. The warrior, politician ana
lawyer was about to enter his carriage IN
front of one of the uptown hotels. MS
shoulders were inclined forward and ne
leaned heavily on the arm of his servant,
a notwithstanding negro. DE never
goes anywhere now without his servant.
His hair is perfectly white and the
tell-tale wrinkles have invaded nearly
every portion of his face. he walked
slowly and with an effort. Reaching MS
carriage he settled himself Dack ON the
cushions, pulled a soft felt hat down over
his face, closed his eyes and seemed to
pass into utter oblivion. The servant
mounted the box with the driver, and the
carriage was soon bowling rapidly over
the rough Fifth avenue pavement down
town.
No matter how much one may differ
with Gen. Buffers philosophy, it is I'M
possible to remain in his presence for any
length of time without being entertained
by his conversation. Possessing won
derful memory and having great dra-
matte power and a remarkable facility OF
expression, coupled with a peculiar ego
tism that might be offensive in any other
man, but which in him seems quite natu-
raj ana is taken as matter OF course,
Gen. Butler throws into his talks pic
turesque individuality and raciness Pc
cuiarly his own. He is cynical, sharp,
and occasionally vulgar, but never dull.
"Oh, if Butler was only sincere" eX-
claimed an admirer Of his recently.
81 don't know, he wouldn't be Butler
them" was the reply
Near the capitol in Washington are
three large houses built of granite. They
belong to Butler. The granite for them
was quarried at his own works in Massa-
chusetts. The subject was mentioned in
Buffers presence recently and friend
said: General, what IN the world did
you build so many houses fOr-to live
imp
Yes, partly" he replied. 81 lived in
one of them until my poor wife died, but
the real reason is, | built them for monu-
ment. found that no one else would
put up monument for me, and l thought
L would buIld one myself"
They will put up monument in New
Orleans for you some day." suggested
TREND, ironically.
~ should not be surprised" said Butler,
quickly. The mention OF New Orleans
started the General on a train of interest
ing "reminiscences. One incident he re-
called OF the entry of the Union forces into
the Southern metropolis that may not be
very generally known. In brief, before
Butler arrived with his troops, Admiral
Farragut steamed up in his flagship, the
Hartford, followed by his fleet, and took
| possession of the city in the name of the
| United States government. A company
OF marines was sent on shore, and shortly
after the stars and stripes were floating
| over the custom house. The city was
captured but not subjected, and Admiral
! Farragut, apprehending that some at
tempt might be made to take down the
colors, arranged plan of action in case
the attempt should De made. A couple of
hOwltzers were fastened in the rigging
of the Hartford and a man stationed at
each one. From this elevated position the
| lOokOuts could command a good view OF
the custom house and the town. They
were Instructed at the first indication of
| an attempt to haul down the flag to fire
their guns. A broadside from the Hart
ford would follow, and this would be the
signal for the whole fleet to open fire on
| the city. The next day was Sunday. Far
ragut, who was 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
| VI obSpbGAs 'UuhOhl1 tuC nay dS
seen 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 thou ght-
fulness OF the officer of the day in remov-
ing the fuses caused a slight delay, and
before the brOadside could be delivered
the loOkouts reported to the Admiral that
they saw no indication of disturbance
or unusual excitement in the streets, and
Farragut concluded that the hauling
down of the flag was the act OF some reck-
less 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 destruc-
| ton OF New Orleans if the feet had once
commenced to shell the town. Farra-
quits religious habits saved the city. Had
he remained on deck the fuses would not
have been touched and the brOadside sig
nal would have been given without delay
Physicians recommend 'Red Lion"