The National tribune., 1898-08-04
1.-THE AMERICAN
CONFLICT"
leading Incidents and Episodes
of the War of the Rebellion.
By HORACE GREELEY.
THE TAKING OF NEW ORLEANS.
(Continued.)
tContinued.)

THE CITY.
Gen Lowell, who had witnessed the COM
bat of our feet with his forts and flotilla,
snd its triumph FASTENED up to the city on
horseback, narrowly escaping capture on the
wav. and gave orders TO Gen. Smith, in COM
nand of the land defenses, TO make all pos
sible resistance at the earthworlls below the
town: but the high stage of water, causing
the guns of our vessels to command the
earthworks, rendered them untenable by in
fantTy.
An attempt was made to raise ] 900 des
perate volunteers who would undertake to
board and carry our vessels by assault, but
onlv 100 could be found. in short, New
Orleans was lost when our feet had passed
the forts, and all her intelligent rebels knew
it.
Gen. Lowell. after consultation with the
municipal authorities, began at once to send
off his munitions and provisions by steam
boat and railroad, while the greater part of
his conscrpted militia disbanded and dis
persed. What was left worth taking was
sent eff to Camp Moore IS miles above, on
the Jackson Railroad.
The rebel fotilla having been mainly de-
etroyed. Capt. Farragut, with his nine vessels
that had safely run the gauntlet Of rebel
forts, fTeships, rams and gunboats, while
steaming slowly and cautiously up the river,
had not vet reached New Orleans Wien he
was met by ample evidence that the city Was
virtually in his hands. Cotton-loaded and
other valuable ships came floating down the
river wrapped in flames, the mute but VIVID
Witnesses OF the enemy's despair.
- | never witnessed such vandalism in my
iife.n he reports, as the destruction of
property-al the shipping, steamboats,, etc,
were set on fire and consumed
IN FRONT OF NEW ORLEANS.
On reaching the English Turn. six or seven
mics below the city, he deserted the new
ea,thworks on both banks. known as the
thalnette batteries. when, forming his feet
In two lines, and allotting 10 each its proper
work. he moved on. The Cayuga, not hav-
ing observed The signal for elise Order, WAS
considerably in advance, and so for 20 min
utes exposed alone to the fire of the rebel
batteries.
But the Hartford now came up, dispensing
liberal broadsides of shell, shrapnel, and
grape. the first of which drove the rebels on
the right bank from their guns, while the
fire of the Pensacola, the Brooklyn, and the
residue of the fleet, which came up in quick
succession. very soon silenced the remaining
forts and set their gunners in rapid motion
toward places of greater safety.
No further Obstacles nor perils but those
presented by burning steamers, cotton-ships,
RATS, etc. were encountered until, at ] p.
M. the squadron anchored, during a violent
thunderstorm, in front of New Orleans,
whose levee for miles afforded a magnificent
but melancholy spectacle of burning cotton,
sugar, and other staples of Southwestern COM
merce, while tine river in front was so full
of burning ships that great vigilance and
skill were required to avoid them.
There was no attempt at resistance, but on
shore anarchy and impotent rage stroye for
mastery. As our squadron neared the leyee
our sailors gave cheer, TO which some few in
the adjacent crowd responded, provoking
thereby pistol-shots from the irate rebels sur
rounding them.
DEMANDING THE SURRENDER.
After brief delay, Capt Bailey was sent
ashore to demand the surrender of the city;
when the valorous mob received him with
groans hootings, and threats of violence
which did not prevent his proceeding, under
the escort of more cOnsderate citizens, to the
Mayors Office; the mob that followed him
contenting Itself with assaults on such citi.
zens as were suspected of Unionism.
On reaching the City Hall, he made his de.
mani, requiring that the Federal flag be dis
PLAYED from the public ediices; to which the
Mayor responded, disclainIing any authority
TO comply. messenger was thereupon sent
to Gen. Lowell. who informed Capt. Bailey
that he had already evacuated the city, which
he now formally turned over TO the munich
pal authorities, leaving them to act as they
should see BIT. Capt. Bailey now returned Il
the feet 10 await such action, and the Mayor
refusing to haul down the State flag from tn,
City Hall, sent TO the Common Council, which
was IN session, a message recommending tha
al answer be returned to Capt Farragut
stating that the city, being incapable of offer
ing further resistance, yielded TO physica
force alone, without giving up its allegianc,
to the Confederate Government, while it hat
no authority over the Customhouse, Post
Office, and Mint, and would do nothing Will
regard TO them.
This undignifed and ridiculous betraya
Of spite and cIagrin was reiterated by the
Mayor in letter 10 Capt Farragut, whicl
WAS tersely and fifty answered. The malevo
lent folly OF the municipal authorities served
only TO expose their city to destruction. A
force landed from the Pensacola had hoisted
unopposed, a Federal flag over the Mint anC
LEFT IL there unguarded. Ere il had thus re
manned many hours, a number of youn;
rebels mounted TO the dome, tore it down
and dragged it through the streets.
1t would have been entirely lustifabe anC
proper on the part Of Farragut to have re
quired Of the authorities its immediate anc
respectful replacement, on penalty of the de
stIuction OF their city; but he iorbore, and
even when be required them, two days after
ward, to take down the flag of Louisiana
still floating over the City Hail, the Mayo
positively refused.
Capt FaiIagut finally closed the absur'
alteration by sending a force from his ship
TO take down the flag; a vast crowd lookin
suileDly on, or giving vent to their wrat
only in idle curses. They failed to com
prehend their position; but they respecte
the two brass howiizers, well manned an
supported, which stood in front of the Cit
Hall while the operation was quietly an
thoroughly performed.
Capt. FaTagut had hot waited TO obtai
formal possession Of the city before movin
up TO the two forts at CarrolltoD, eight mil,
above, Were he was surprised 10 find Il
guh-~ -rTiages on fire and the guns spikes
se works were formidable, but constructe
TO resist an advance from above; so that, b
ing taken in reverse, they had been adjudgc
indelensible.
BUFFERS APPROACH
Gen. Butler, having witnessed from Il
Saxon the success of Farragut's attempt