Chapter 15:
- The military situation of the lower Mississippi. -- the fall of New Orleans. -- a long train of secret history of the Confederate Administration. -- sense of security in New Orleans. -- strange error of the Richmond authorities. -- Gen. Lovell's correspondence with the war Department. -- startling disclosures. -- naval structures for the defence of New Orleans. -- Secretary Mallory's statement to the Confederate Congress. -- testimony of Gov. Moore, of Louisiana. -- his interposition with the shipbuilders. -- the ironclads Mississippi and Louisiana. -- condition of the defences of New Orleans in April, 1862. -- the river obstructed by a raft. -- Farragut's fleet at the mouth of the Mississippi. -- Festivity in New Orleans. -- bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. -- passage of the Forts by the enemy's vessels. -- the Confederate gunboats all destroyed. -- confusion and panic in New Orleans. -- great conflagration in the city. -- a scene of terrible grandeur. -- Lovell's evacuation of New Orleans. -- disorder in New Orleans. -- Farragut's correspondence with Mayor Monroe. -- why the Mayor protracted the correspondence. -- a New hope of defence. -- surrender of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. -- Gen. Duncan's speech on the Levee. -- Farragut's ultimatum. -- Hoisting of the Stars and Stripes over New Orleans. -- what the fall of New Orleans involved. -- note : -- Gen. Lovell's reasons for evacuating New Orleans. -- rule of Butler in the conquered city. -- character and person of “the tyrant of New Orleans.” -- “the woman-order.” -- arrest of Mayor Monroe and of various citizens. -- Butler on female secessionists. -- his opinion of “she-adders.” -- Confiscation, fines, and plunder. -- Butler's decoy for assassins. -- the hanging of Mumford. -- his speech on the gallows. -- General experience in the Confederacy of the enemy's atrocity. -- New codes and methods of war. -- progress of Federal cruelty
The Confederate public had been disposed to find some consolation for the disaster at Island No.10 in the brilliant, though unfruitful story of Shiloh. It was considered, too, that the river below Fort Pillow was safe; and that while the army at Corinth covered Memphis, and held the enemy in check on land, the rich and productive valley of the Lower Mississippi was yet secure to the Confederacy. But in the midst of these pleasing calculations and comparative reassurance, a great disaster was to occur where it was least expected, which was
