The capture of New Orleans
full Particulars.
Through the kindness of a friend we were yesterday placed in possession of the New Orleans
Delta, of Saturday, April 26, the day after the Federal fleet arrived in front of the city.
We are thus enabled to lay before our readers a detailed account of the exciting events which resulted in the capture of a noble Southern city by a band of invading Yankees:
Our great Disaster and humiliation.
Yesterday New Orleans was subjected to the most terrible humiliation and degradation which have ever fallen upon a brave and true people.
After a Valliant defence by our forts below the city — after exhausting all our resources and skill — the greater resources on water of the enemy enabled them to pass our exterior fortifications with their large fleet, and they approached the city with a squadron of fifteen of their largest vessels, all steamships, gunboats or mortar vessels.--There was a large force of land troops in the city; but of what avail were they against the ships and gunboats of the enemy ? At the moment it was announced that the ships had passed the forts, it became evident to all reflecting persons that the city was defenceless.
Steps were then taken to render it a barren conquest.
By order of the
Governor and military authorities, all the
Government munitions and stores were sent away.
Such material of war as could not be removed was destroyed.
Orders were also issued to destroy all the cotton in this city.
This was also done.
The troops under the command of
General Lovell were marched to the interior lines of the city — a few miles below, these lines would have been formidable against any army advancing by land; but the batteries near the river were quite weak and ineffective against the ship — especially in the present stage of the river — the high surface of the water enabling them completely to command the surrounding country.
In the condition of affairs it was quite obvious that the enemy's fleet would meet with no serious obstacle in passing up the river.
Accordingly it was announced at an early hour that they were coming.
Their vessels came up slowly, as if feeling their way — the
Hartford, the flag-ship of Com,
Farragut, leading.
Then followed the
Brooklyn, the
Richmond, and nine other ships, big and little.
As these ships approached the batteries, about six or seven miles below the city, our artillerists opened upon them from both sides of the river, but, as the guns were only 24 they produced but little effect.
The ships replied with several broadsides, which showed that they completely commanded our batteries.
The batteries, though manned by unpracticed gunners, kept up the fire for some time, but with no effect, and under such discouraging circumstances as to render it an obvious policy to withdraw the gunners and the troops.
The batteries were accordingly abandoned, and the troops were marched to the Jackson Railroad.
In the meantime the hostile squadron steamed up the river.
A terrible and melancholy spectacle was presented to the victorious ships.
The whole level, for miles, was wrap in smoke, from the burning cotton and gun carriages, which the authorities had ordered to be consumed.
In the river were many hulls of burning ships, the debris of our fleet and of the merchant vessels and steamers which contained cotton.
The squadron proceeding up the river, the great multitude clustered on the levee looking on in disgust and horror at the dismal spectacle.
As they passed, a few shots were fired by some of our soldiers, but without orders.
The ships did not reply, but proceeded slowly along our levee.
A feeble cheer was raised on board of one of the ships, which was responded to by something like a cheer from a few persons in the crowd.
The cheers, whether intended as such or not, drew upon the parties who were suspected of giving them some dozen or so of pistol shots, by which several persons were wounded.--The squadron being advanced, the foremost ship, as far as the Fourth District, came to an anchor — the ships to the number of thirteen taking up positions in front of the city, so as to command the several streets.
After remaining in this position for a half an hour, a boat came ashore with two officers, one
Captain Bayleis, second in command of the squadron.
Capt. Farragut being flag officer, and a Lieutenant These officers were greeted on touching the shore with the most uproarious for ‘"
Jeff Davis and the
South,"’ and with the most threatening demonstrations.
They had neglected to bring a flag of truce, and it was a proof of the good sense of even an infuriated multitude that they were allowed to land.
They, however, proceeded under the protection of some gentlemen, who undertook to conduct them to the
Mayor's office, in a drenching rain, followed by a furious and excited mob. Though no violence was offered to the officers, certain persons, who were suspected of favoring their flag and cause, were set upon with great fury, and roughly handled.
On arriving at the City Hall, it required the intervention of several citizens to prevent violence being offered to the rash ambassador of an execrated dynasty and Government.
The
Mayor received the
Federal officers in his office, with proper dignity.
Capt. Bayleis stated the purport of his mission.
He had been sent by
Capt. Farragut to demand the surrender of the city and the elevation of the flag of the
United States over the
Custom.
House, the Post Office, the Mint, and the City Hall.
The
Mayor replied that he was not the
military commander of the city, that he had no authority to surrender it, and would not do so, but that there was a military commander now in the city and he would send for him, to receive and reply to the demand.
A messenger was dispatched for
General Lovell.
In the interval a number of citizens who were present, not into conversation with the
United States naval officers.
The
Lieutenant seemed to be a courteous, well behaved gentleman, who bore testimony with apparent earnestness to the vigor and valor of the defence of our forts, and was quite communicative.
The
senior officer was more reserved, but still made large professions of peaceful intents.
It was difficult, however, for him to conceal the bitter sectional have of a Massachusetts man against a true Southern community.
In the course of the conversation, however, this officer remarked that
Captain Farragut deeply regretted to see the spirit of incendiarism which prevailed in the city in the destruction of cotton and other things.
The
Mayor remarked that he differed from him; that the destruction was of our own property, and did not concern outsiders.--
Capt. Bayleis replied that it looked like biting off one's nose to spite his face.
The
Mayor replied that we had judged differently.
After awhile,
Gen. Lovell arrived in front of the City Hall, and was greeted with loud cheers by the crowd outside.
On entering the
Mayor's office,
Capt. Bayleis introduced himself as second in command of the U. S. squadrons in front of the city.
General Lovell replied, ‘"I am
Gen. Lovell, of the army of the
Confederate States, commanding this Department."’ The officers then shook hands, and
Capt. Bayleis stated his mission to demand the surrender of the city and the elevation of the U. S. flag over the
Custom-House, Mint and Post-Office--adding that he was instructed by
Capt. Farragut to state that he came to protect private property and personal rights; that he had no design to interfere with any private rights, and especially not with the negro property.
Gen. Lovell replied that he would not surrender the city, nor allow it to be surrendered; that he was overpowered on the water by their superior squadron, but that he intended to fight them on land as long as he could muster a soldier; that he had marched all of his armed men out of the city; that he had evacuated it; and if they desired to shell the town, destroying women and children, they could do so. That it was to avoid this he had marched his troops beyond the city limits, but that a large number even of the women of the city had begged him to remain and defend the city even against shelling.
He did not think he would be justified in doing so. He would, therefore, retire and leave the city authorities to pursue what course they should think proper.
Captain Bayleis said that no such purpose was entertained by
Capt. Farragut, reiterating the expression of his regret at the destruction of cotton.
Gen. Lovell interrupted him by saying that it was done by his authority.
Capt. Bayleis said that he had no doubt
Gen. Lovell had done his duty, and they were doing theirs.
It was then concluded that
Capt. Bayleis and the other officer would return to their ships, and the
Mayor would cell the Council, and lay before it the demand of
Capt. Farragut.
The officers requested to be protected in their return to their ships, and
Gen. Lovell directed
Col. Lovell and
major James to accompany them.
The officers accordingly proceeded to the rear of the City Hall, where they took a cab and proceeded to the wharf.
During the interview an immense and excited crowd of people had congregated about the City Hall, who alternately hurrahs for
Jeff Davis, for
Gen. Lovell, and most vigorously groaned for ‘"
Lincoln and his squadron."’
To calm this multitude,
Pierre Soule addressed them in a few eloquent and effective words, counselling moderation, self-possession, fortitude, and confidence in their cause, declaring that the honor of the
Government and city was in safe hands, and that
Gen. Lovell's answer to the demand to surrender was worthy of the commander of a brave people.
Gen. Lovell, on appearing on the steps, was also loudly cheered.
He addressed the multitude in a short speech, declaring his purpose not to surrender the city, but to-retire with his army and fight the Lincolnites, whom they could always whip on land.
He briefly sketched his course in the preparation of the defence of the city.
That he had done all he could do with the means at his disposal.
That he came here six months too late, and that it was beyond his resources to contend successfully against the enemy's power on water.
He advised the citizens to bear themselves manfully, never to stoop or submit to the
Lincoln domination, and to wait with patient fortitude for the deliverance from bondage which must soon come to them.
The General then mounted his horse, and accompanied by his staff, rode to the Jackson Railroad, where he took the last car, having already sent his army ahead of him.
