Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[680] those under you, who have strong claims upon your consideration.

I remain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Sir: Your letter of the twenty-sixth instant, demanding the surrender of these forts, has been received.

In reply thereto, I have to state that no official information has been received by me, from our own authorities, that the city of New Orleans has been surrendered to the forces of Flag-officer Farragut, and until such information is received, no proposition for a surrender can for a moment be entertained here.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

You have nobly, gallantly, and heroically sustained, with courage and fortitude, the terrible ordeals of fire, water, and a hail of shot and shell, wholly unsurpassed during the present war. But more remains to be done. The safety of New Orleans and the cause of the Southern Confederacy--our homes, families, and everything dear to man — yet depend upon our exertions.

We are just as capable of repelling the enemy to-day as we were before the bombardment. Twice has the enemy demanded your surrender, and twice has he been refused.

Your officers have every confidence in your courage and patriotism, and feel every assurance that you will cheerfully and with alacrity obey all orders, and do your whole duty as men, and as becomes the well-tried garrisons of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Be vigilant, therefore, and stand by your guns, and all will yet be well.

Sir: Upon mature deliberation, it has been decided to accept the terms of surrender of these forts, under the conditions offered by you in your letter of the twenty-sixth instant, viz.: that the officers and men shall be paroled — officers retiring with their side-arms. We have no control over the vessels afloat.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

By articles of capitulation, entered into this the twenty-eighth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, between David D. Porter, Commander U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Mortar Flotilla, of the one part, and Brigadier-General J. K. Duncan, commanding the Coast Defences, and Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Higgins, commanding Forts Jackson and St. Philip, of the other part, it is mutually agreed:

First. That Brigadier-General Duncan and Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins shall surrender to the Mortar Flotilla Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the arms, munitions of war, and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, together with all public property that may be under their charge.

Second. It is agreed by Commander David D. Porter, commanding the Mortar Flotilla, that Brigadier-General Duncan and Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins, together with the officers under their command, shall be respected. Furthermore, that they shall give their parole of honor not to serve in arms against the Government of the United States, until they are regularly exchanged.

Third. It is further agreed by the Commander, David D. Porter, commanding the Mortar Flotilla, on the part of the United States Government, that the non-commissioned officers, privates, and musicians, shall be permitted to retire on parole, their commanding and other officers becoming responsible for them, and that they shall deliver up their arms and accoutrements in their present condition, provided that no expenses accruing from the transportation of the men shall be defrayed by the Government of the United States.

Fourth. On the signing of these articles by the contracting parties, the fort shall be formally taken possession of by the United States naval forces composing the mortar flotilla. The Confederate flag shall be lowered, and the flag of the United States hoisted on the flag-staffs of Forts Jackson and St. Philip.

In agreement of the above, we, the undersigned, do hereunto set our hands and seals.