Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1892-03-21


privations and hard work, to the 6git>
ing strength of the South. This the
North cou not offset IS at that time
the prejudics against negro soldiers
in the North was overwhelming. But
General Butler had never yet been
confronted with problem he could
rot solve. So the day following, when
Major Carey camo with flag OF truce
to demand the return OF the negroes,
General Butler informed him that, be-
ing "Contrabsnds of war;" they would
not be delivered under any circum.
stances.
President Lincoln having Endorsed
Buffers action, this very important
matter was settled for ever, and the
way thus opened to the enlistment,
later on, of over $4,000 colored troops
in the Northern Army.
Toward the end of August General
Butler. commanding in person,
captured Fort Hatteras, with us
prisoners, 1000 stand Of arms, 80
cannon, one lO,inch columbiad, a
prize brig loaded with cotton, sloop
loaded with provisions and stores, two
light boats, a schooner in ballast, five
stand Of colors, and $50 bags of coffee.
BY this capture the North secured un-
disputed control of the seaooast of
North and South Carolina in the
sounds, and held the water communi
cation from Norfolk, Virginia, to
Beaufort, S. e.. All this was effected
with less than 1000 men.
General Wool who, being second
in command under General Scott
was ut Fortress Monroe when Butler
returned from Hat,eras Inlet, ordered
him to report his success in person.
Butler went by way Of Annapolis, the
rebels having command OF ali other
approaches to Washington. The
country was full of hostiles, and Butler
was urged not to go to Washington
unless in force. General Butler ad
dressed the first locomotive engineer
he saw. The man was worthy of his
calling, and eagerly agreed. Taking
only tender along, and leaving his
staff at Annapolis, Butler went in the
engine, with only one engineer and
fireman, and made the 10 miles to
Washington in 40 manifestations
beating the record up to that time.
Lincoln was in bed, but Gustavus V.
Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
had him called. The President came
out in his night shirt, and MIR. Fox
told of the capture. The scene which
followed is worthy of perpetua,ion
We will therefore let General Butler
tell it himself:
"Everybody knows how tall Lin
coin was, and he seemed very mucl
taller in that garment; and Fox wa
five feet nothing. In few hurrie,
words, without waiting for any form
or ceremonies, Fox communicated tn
news, and then he and Lincoln fel
into each others arms. That Is, Fo
put his arms around Lincoln about a
high as his hips, and Lincoln reache
down over him so that his arms wer
, pretty near the floor apparently, an
thus holding each other they fle,
r around the room once or twice, an
D the night shirt was considerably ag
. tated. The commanding general wa
( entirely overcome by the scene, an
| lying back on the sofa roared wi,
the most irresistible merriment."
Y ~ WAS tuc HTSU COIiSiutT6OIe SUI
5 cess" continues Butler, "that tn
=, navy had anything to do with up ,
l that time, or, indeed, the army cithe
: except at Baltimore and Annapoli
I The President shook ME warmly
n the hand, and when | ventured I
y speak about what had not done, h
: said: You have done all right! 70
i. have done all right! Come to moro
t at 10 o'clock and we will have a Cal
S met meeting over it,"
S The Cabinet voted unanimously I
hold Fort Ha'teras and tlatteras Inle
S General Butler had opened the wa
Q through Annapolis for the troops ,
I save the capital; he had retake
1 Baltimore and cut off the rebels fro1