The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-12-28
HOW BUTLER tanned THE REBELS.
Some Incidents of the Occupation OF the
City of New Orleans.

City of New Orleans.
When Gen. Butler took possession Of
New Orleans there was considera BILE
mob violence. He sent a message to
the city government asking them to
call upon him at his hotel. The Mayor
said: "No; tell Gen. Butler if he wants
to see the city government he will
come to them" The officer bearing
the message said to the Mayor signifi-
cantly: "You had better not send him
that message" The Mayor finally
came to the hotel. While in confer
ence there with Gen. Butler, the mob
having surrounded the hotel, Capt.
Mckay crowded in with his uniform
almost torn off. Touching his cap he
said: "Gen. Williams compliments,
and he bids me to say to the General
commanding that the mob is getting
unruly, and asks for orders as to what
shall be done with them"
"Give my compliments to Gen. Will
liams," answered Gen. Butler, quiet
ly, and tell him to clear the streets at
once with his artillery"
The Captain left with the message.
The members of the city government
all sprang to their feet, crying: don't,
General; don't give such an order as
that"
"Why this emotion, gentlemenP"
came the reply. "The cannon are not
going to shoot this way, and I have
borne this noise and confusion as long
as choose to-"
The Mayor tried to pacify the mob,
but they jeered> at him. There was a
cry; "Where's old Butler?"
"Let him show himself. Let him
come out here if he dares."
Said the General: 81 thought it my
privilege to answer that call. Istepped
forward in full sight on the balcony
with my cap in my hand and as un-
moved as possible said: who calls
me? I am here,' That brought a
hush, and then a wonderful noise up
| st. Charles street called my attention.
| ST. Charles street was at that time
paved with great square granite blocks
in very uneven condition. Down
this street the Sixth Maine Battery
was coming, under Capt. Thompson,
one of the most daredevil, furious
riders I ever saw. He was leading his
battery down the street as if nobody
was in it, every horse driven at the
fullest speed and every bugle sounding
the charge.
"No one who has never seen such 6
charge can imagine the terrible noise
and clamor it makes-the cannoneers
clinging to their seats and the wheels
of the guns bounding up inches as they
thundered over the uneven stones
/ The mob was hushed. They cast theil
ewes toward the approaching avalanche
| ond cornbt Hinht
"By the time Capt. Thompson sa
| luted as he went by the whole stree
was cleared; and when he came sintc
battery at the corner, with three gun:
to clear each street, the scene was al
quiet as a children's playground"
| While in command at New Orlean!
Gen. Butler issued an order that there
should be no meetings or eonvocation
held except by his permission, save
by the fire companies and police.
The General tells an incident hap
pening soon after.
about II o'clock one night good
looking, well-dressed negro servant ap
piled to see me. I was about retiring
| but said he might be sent in.
General, said he, 4 have just come
from party of gentlemen. There are
fourteen of them. They have beer
having dinner and said all manne1
of hard things about you and the
United States Government
".Do you know their names?'
eyes, SIR
"'Where their places of busines
are?'
"'Yes, sir
81 had these names taken down, ais
the name of the negro waiter. In tht
morning the names of all the part,
were given to an orderly, who was in
structed to call on each, letting no on
of them know that he was going to cal
upon others, and to give each my com
pliments and say l would be Glad t.
see him at my office at 4 o'clock sharp
cat 4 o'clock the orderly opened tn
door and said:
".General, the men that you OF
dered here are in waiting
81 ordered them shown in and the,
arranged themselves around the room
There was look of eager curiosity Of
the face of each.
"sGentlemen,' said I, my informa
ton is, and you know whether it
correct or not, that you were assem-
bled last night in direct disobedienc
of the general order, as you know
The dinner party was an excuse TO
the gathering, and you amused your
selves by abusing me. I forgive yo
that. But you abused your govern
ment and mine, and used terms abou
the President and members of the gov
ernment which cannot permit. Yo1
supposed that I did not know of il
Nothing passes here worth KNOWN
that do not know of, as you see. But
gentlemen, this was mere folly; it di
neither good nor harm to anybody
and I shall take no further notice of il
unless something of the kind occur
again, and if it does will surely Civ
you notice of it. Good day, gentle
men; I hope shall not have to troubl
you further
"And they departed, every man ir
quiring in his own mind which one c
that party told. Boston Journal.
|