The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-02-11

lie Tells ABOUT Cn0 'CO0LTaDanO OF war III.
cident. He was in command at Fortress
Monroe. and it was sometime in May. 1861.
that Major Carey of the Confederate army
visited Gen. Butler under flag of truce to
inquire about runaway slaves whom the
General had set to work on his fortifica-
tons. Major Haggerty was with the Gen.
eral at the interview, which is related as
follows:
II am informed" said Major Carey. that three
negroes belonging to Col. Mallory have escaped
within your lines. am Col. Mallory's agent and
have charge of his property. What do you mean
to do with those negroes?'
II intend to hold Them" said Gen. Butler.
"Do you mean. then, to set aside your constitu-
tional obligation to return them?'
II mean to take Virginia at her word, as de-
clared in the ordinance of secession passed yes.
terday. am under constitutional obligations
to foreign country, which Virginia claims
to be''
"But you say we cannot secede." he answered,
land so you cannot consistently detan the me-
groes."
but you say you have seeded so you cannot
consistently claim them. shall hold these ne.
gagged in the construction of your battery and are
claimed as your property. The question is
whether they shall be used for or against the
Government of the United States"
Major Haggerty disturbed about the inter.
asked the General whether this stand of his was
justified.
mot the precise proposition" said 1; ''but the
precSe princip1e ia familiar law PrOnertv of
ever nature used capable of being used for war
like purposes. and especially when being so used.
may be captured and held either on on shore
sproperty.contraband of war. Whether there may
be property in human beings is a question upon
which some of might doubt but the rebels can
not take the negative. At any rate, Haggerty. it
is good enough to stop the rebels
mouths with, especially as should have held
these negroes any way"
II do not claim for the phrase 'contraband of
war used iniths connection" he goes on to say
1.-THE highest legal sanction, because it would not
apply to property used or property for in war.
as would be cargo of coal being carried to be
burned on board an enemy's ship of war. To hold
that contraband. well might be done. by no
means included all the coal in the country. 1t
was poor phrase enough: Wendell Phillips said
"a bad one.' My staff officer, Major Winthrop. in
sisted it was epigram which freed the slaves.
The truth is. as a lawyer was never proud of it,
but as an executive officer was much comforted
with it as a means of doing my duty
No less interesting than the above are
some of the things he relates of his expert
ence while in command at New Orleans.
Upon his arrival in New Orleans he went
to have an understanding with the mayor
and municipal council, and while within
large mob gathered in the street. An officer
entered and Informed the commander that
Gen. Williams had ordered him to report
that the mob was becoming unruly. Gen.
Butler relates what followed in very
dramatic manner. He says:
"Give my compliments to Gen. Williams 1
swered quietly. land tell him to clear the streets
at once with his artillery
The Captain left with the message. The mem:
bers of the city Government all sprang to their
feet, crying: Don't, General; don't give such an
order as that"
"Why this emotion. gentlemen?' said. 1.-THE
cannons are not going to shoot way. and 1
have borne this noise and confusion as long as 1
choose to-
w alt WuI10s UoucTdl wall q WuIo tuoy
said. land we will go out and speak to the people
and advise them to 60 away, and they will dis
perse."
Every WE'LL" said. $50 they do dispense, do
not to the means; 60 out and try your
hand at it."
And so the Mayor made them a speech from
the balcony, but they jeered him in the face.
Then another spoke and they chaffed him. calling
him all sorts of abusive names. and the speech
making increased the uproar.
1 stood. little withdrawn from the window.
looking across the street. and saw a man on the
sidewalk having piece of a United States flag in
his buttonhole. 1 inquired who he was and was
answered that that was Mumford who had torn
down the flag. and that it piece of it he
wore in his buttonhole. told my orderly who
was standing by M e. to take a look at the man
that he would know him if he saw him again.
Then the mob raised the cry. "Where's old
Butler2 Let him show himself; let him come out
here if he dare" The cry was echoed around for
a moment, "Where's old Butler?'
1 thought it my privilege to answer that call.
1 stepped forward on the balcony in full sight.
Continued on Third Page)