Year: 1865

LOWELL, MASS, Jan 29.-Maj Gen. Butler
arrived at noon yesterday. In the evening he
Hall. Gen. Butler said he should speak to
them OF what had happened 20 the country,
and what occurred in the department TO take
command Of which he left them year last No
vember.


On assuming the position which was de-
volved upon him by the President, he found
l., 600 freedmen needing G his attention. !tseemed
his first duty was to them. He established an
organization OF labor, and mean W hile provided
them with food. raiment ana protection from
the 1nciemency Of the weather. The results OF
this portion of his work had been to bring 5000
colored troops into the army. It has been
demonstrated that the former slave population
could maze itself supporting, and that they
were capable OF education. He said his next
step was TO attend to the exchange Of prison
ers; and he had settlestevery point but one
viz in regard to colored troops. The rebels
threatened to enslave them and set them TO
work. He then proposed himself to carry on
sy stem OF special exchanges, until he had re.
duced the proportion OF prisoners SO that
while they might have some 500 in their hands
he would have $1,000, and then could say,
Make slaves OF these 500 and will set these
$4,000 at work, and we will see.


The General then referred to the orders he
had received to stop all exchanges. and said II
he was asked why he left $4,000 men starving
in rebel prisons he could declare that the stain
OF their blood was not on his garments.


He spoke somewhat in detail of the move
ments of the Army OF the James on Bermuda
Hundred, and Of the Army Of the Potomac from
the Rapidan upon Mechanicsville, the design
OF these movements, and the cause Of their fall
ure, and then proceeded to speak Of the affair
Al Wilmington and Fort Fisher.


He said that as early as August last Admiral
Porter's fleet had assembled at Fortress Mon
roe, in preparation for movement, but Through
great flourish Of trumpets its design became
known and the sailing was postponed.


He referred to the preparations finally made
for the undertaking, and the delays which oc.
Cured when the expedition reached its dest-
nation, and then spoke OF the powder boat.
which was stated to have been purchased by
him. He had never seen the powder boat and
had only ordered his ordnance officer to turn
over the quantity OF powder to the naval off,
Ger in charge.


had it all their own way. The dispatch which
stated that he was the author of the scheme
was lie, and the truth was not in it. He had
been assured that he should be informed when
the boat was to be exploded, but he was sixty
five miles away at Beaufort when the expIo-
sion took place, and Admiral Porter knew he


In regard to the assault on Fort Fisher, Gen.
Butler said he had been distinctly told by the
most faithful engineer officers that if he Or
dered the assault it weuld be murder. 1t was
charged that he was not In command of the
expedition, but could he even then have done
otherwise than to follow me advice Of Gen.
Judgment; as he lived, and as 6 cd lived, it the
occasion was to recur even in view Of all this
stream or oblOQny that was pouring u pom him,
he would do so again, praying, however,
"lead Us not into temptaton,' for the temp.
tation was strong to take it; but he did not
care; he hsd stood much worse streams, and
il he lived he could stand a thousand more.


The General then spoke of the explosion Of
Dutch Gap canal. He did not make perhaps
go large hole as the mine at Petersburg, bat
he had not filled II with American dead until
1t ran blood. He desired to have it Inscribed
on his tom bstone In that little enclosure where
bis remains would one day be laid: /" Here lies
The General who saved the lives of his soldiers
at Fort Fisher and Big Bethel"


he nad criticized no man, no army man, hut
he had criticized some what sharply the froth
which is always the accompaniment Of lively
Porter. Gen. Butler then procesded to discuss
the prospects OF the national cause