The morning news., 1889-05-06
THE MORNING NEW
) ESTABLISHED 1850 INCORPORATED 1883.
J.H. ESTILL, President.
BEN BUTLER AND PORTER
THE ROW BETWEEN THE GENERAL
AND THE ADMIRAL REDHOT.

Reiteration of the Charge That the
Old salt Ran away at New Orleans
leaving the Soldiers to the Mercy of
the Confederate Ram-An Offer to
Produce Proof
WASHINGTON, May 5.-Being asked to-
dav TO state especially to whom he referred
in his speech before the Butler club, as the
naval officer who had run away from New
ORLEANS. Gen Benjamin F. Butler said to
the MORNING NEWS correspondent: 81 re-
ferred to Admiral D. d. Porter, and no
bodv else. observed in what was pub
Bshed Yesterday, as an interview with him,
in the New York Sun that he attacked
three officers, two of whom know behaved
with the utmost gallantry. The third one
7 know nothing against, except that he
sailed avay with bis vessel when Admiral
Porter sailed down stream with his, leaving
NV troops. who were in sailing vessels, at
the head of the passes, to the mercy Of the
enemy. who, he tOld them, we're coming.
down the river, and that they must put out
to sea. No one of the troop ships could get
ont without steam aid, and be Porter with
five double-enders New York ferry boats,
did not try to aid them, but ran out to sea
IN avoid the rebel ram Louisiana, as he sup
posed, leaving my poor soldiers to her ten
der mercles-"
PoRTER's DENIAL.
"But Admiral Porter, in his interview,
nv indication, denies that he was the man
YOU referred to, and therefore seems to de-
ny the charge"
u can confront Porter with the proof.
He has only to call for it and he shall have
iLn
General, you have never made this
charge before"
NO, l have not. did not personally
know the facts at the time, because | was
going ahead up the river t. get in the
rear Of Uhe forts and land W men | did
learn the facts it was none If my business
to mako them pubic. I have brought
the matter out now because l have
to state the facts in some
"reminiscences of my life, and they may not
see the light while Admiral Porter and my
self are alive. ! do not want to violate t1e
maxim De m9rtuiS nil ntsl boaUDl.'
So | have made the charge while he Is alive
to defend himself If he can"
PORTER LAUGHS AT IT.
The MORNING News correspondent found
Admiral Porter in good spirits, aud rather
inclined to be amused than otherwise at the
charges Gen. Butler had made against am.
Il am afraid" said he, laughing, that
Gen Butler is trying to advertise his
"reminiscences. The matter IS so absurd
that it IS not worth any attention from ne.
Tha whole thing is one of Butler's lies gotten
up ia ms last days before he dies OF his own
v.nou."
Admiral, what have you to say to the
stateme { that you attacked three officers,
in your interview with tie Sun correspond
ent"
Il attacked no one l stated then what
| state to YOU now, that three vessels failed
to get past the forts. Two of these boats
were 50 thorou lilly cut to pieces that | saw
that It was useless for them to attempt 1T
further, and l -ignaled them to withdraw
from action. The other vessel failed to pass,
why 10 not know. Her commander SAID
that his boat was caught in the vast amount
Of wreCkage floating and was forced to stop.
Admiral Farragut censured all three, but,
as l have said, the commanders of two of
the vessels were justified in their action,
and SIS for the other. the matter was
dropped. no notice being afterward taken
Of 1t in the general rejoicing that fol-
lowed"
BUTLER's OFFER OF PROOF.
Gen, Butler says he can furnish proof of
the truth OF his statement that ysu left the
troop ships unprotected when you thought
tnat the Louisiana was coming down and
Fl "LulI u-SLfoy Cnenl. "
The admiral smiled again. "There was
nothing to fear from the Louisiana" ne re-
4 piled. She was disabled and never got
4 down. A day or two after the fleet had
passed the commander of the forts sent
word mat ne was ready t0 surrender on the
terms had dictated, and after the surren-
der ! went down and towed Gen. Buffers
troops TO New Orleans"
n VIII you have any correspondence with
Ten. Butler on the subject2n was the next
& question.
NO, SHALL have nothing to say to him.
1en. Butler cannot harm NE by anything
ne says, and have nothing more to say
aoou, the matter. The government recog-
n4zed my services, and, in fact, the best
answer could give to Gen. Butler would
q Ne 10 quo'e the letter Of Secretary of the
4 Navy Wtlles"
BUTLER INCREDULOUS.
# Ten. Butler was incredulous of Admiral
q Iof1e denial. He said he thought Ad-
m"al Porter would not dare to deny his
u a,seS. However, now hat Admiral Por-
"a ,'l mas aeued them Gen. B ltler will gather
81 up t4d present his proofs Besides the
ig'o'aA De III have the evidence of officers
. " VI yNe army and navy, especially that Of
Co Jonas Il. French VINO was on the
uousp rus with Gen. Buffers troops and
heaIu ADMIRAL Porter's warning to them as
I'll no passed out