Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

But its very truth did not prevent Porter from going before Congress and getting an appropriation of some hundreds of thousands of dollars — how much, the records will show — voted to him and his men for their courage, conduct, and gallantry in attacking and destroying the Arkansas. It is hard to tell the fact, but it must be said, that lying is a family vice.

At first I determined to hold Baton Rouge, but upon reflection I changed my mind. For I saw that an attack on New Orleans was the ultimate object of this attack on Baton Rouge. As I have often said before, Baton Rouge was of no possible military importance, and was held only for its healthiness. But all danger of yellow fever was now over, and New Orleans was as healthy at that hour, as the statistics will show, as the city of Boston. Hence I determined to concentrate my troops and abandon Baton Rouge. This I did very leisurely, bringing away everything of public property that could be of any use to the enemy. The State library I placed in the library building in New Orleans, and the State statue of Washington, a very valuable relic, I sent to the Patent Office. I was certain that no attack would be made upon New Orleans, at least until the other iron-clad which was being built upon the Yazoo River should be gotten ready to come down and lead the attack. This iron-clad, as I learned from a man I sent to examine her, could not possibly be done before the middle of October.

To show the accuracy and reliability of my secret service system, I give the report of General Williams on the 2d of August:--

headquarters Second brigade, Baton Rouge, La., August 2, 1862.

John Mahan [Mann?] with a pass from General Butler, dated July 22, for Vicksburg, and who left New Orleans July 25, and arrived at Pontchatoula and Camp Moore Monday, July 28, having proceeded up the Jackson railroad as far as Jackson, arrived here by the way of Summit, Liberty, and Bayou Sara this morning at 10 o'clock. He says he saw Breckinridge's force of six full regiments and fourteen guns at Camp Moore and Pontchatoula Monday, July 28, and that their purpose is to