The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1902-11-21

different vessels Of the feet, with or
ders to proceed on shore, taking 6C
rounds of ammunition and two small
howitzers. The party was commanded
by Capt. Henry II. Bell, of the Hart
ford.
On landing we proceeded to the city
hall, from which building we hauled
down what was supposed to be Louis
lana state flag, and which the mayor
of the city had refused TO remove.
We then marched in two ranks to the
custom house, located, l believe, on
Canal street, q short distance from the
levee. We were followed by an angry
crowd, who gave unmistakable evil
dence Of their displeasurs, and the SUI
periority Of their numbers was such as
would have enabled them to make
short work Of us had they been so dis
posed. They were not at all select in
the expression Of their sentiments to-
ward us.
On our arrival at the custom house
we ascended to the roof, and on flag
staff already erected we raised a new
American flag 30 feet long. The build
ing was soon surrounded by the angry
crowd who followed us and others who
had meantime arrived. Conspicuous
in the crowd were members Of the
Home Guards, Louisiana Tigers, the
Foreign Legion, and others in confed-
crate uniform.
There were over 5000 0-confederate
troops in New Orleans at that time.
and as there were only 300 Of us in the
landing party, we felt decidedly un-
comfortable for awhile, and the pros
peot Of ever getting back to our vessels
seemed very remote indeed, as the as
sembled crowd gave every evidence Of
their hostility TO our presence; but,
fortunately for us, no violence was at
tempted, and through the trying or
deal the utmost stiffness prevailed.
From the roof Of that building the
writer looked down on the angry
crowd below on the streets, and while
we admired their good behavior so far.
we were not sure how long it would
last.
Fortunately for us, there were two
elements that contributed to our safe
ty. The mayor Of the city, John T.
Monroe, had on that day issued
proclamation calling upon the citizens
TO be peaceful, law-abiding and order
" in the presence Of what he was
pleased to term a 'hostile enemy"
Another thing in our favor was the
presence Of five sloops-of-war and ten
gunboats anchored just in front Of the
city, and almost within hailing dis
tance. Which Of these contributed
more to our safety while on the roof
Of the custom house am unable to de-
termine at this late day.
Mansfield Lowell, who commanded
the confederate forces at New Orleans.
refused to surrender, but the presence
Of our flag on the custom house con-
ginced him that his days Of usefulness
we're over in that particular locality.
So he wisely concluded to evacuate the
,ity. taking his men to join Gen. Smith
IT Vicksburg. where we met them
again a few weeks afterwards.
The mayor of the city also refused
10 surrender, and expressed his indig-
nation at our presence in very plain
.erms, stating, among other things,
hat the flag we had raised in their
midst had been deliberately repudiat-
ID by his people"
About May 1, 1862, Gen. B. F. Butler
arrived in New Orleans with brigade,
md we were relieved from our perilous
position and returned to our respective
-essels. fully convinced that we were
lot adapted for shore service anyhow,
nd determined that in future, so far
IS possible, our operations would be
confined to the water.