The surrender of Biloxi.
A correspondent of the Boston
Journal gives a detailed account of the peaceful surrender of the town of
Biloxi:
‘
The
Mayor, an old man about 60, made his appearance armed with a shot-gun, which he left at the head of the pier, seeing that his visitors wore only their side-arms.
He inquired the object of the visit, to which
Commander Smith replied, ‘"I have come to demand the surrender of the town, with all the fortifications, battery and vessels in the waters, and all military and warlike stores."’--His Honor inquired what length of time would be allowed them to remove the women and children?
Capt. Smith replied that there was no necessity for the women and children retiring unless they intended to offer resistance, and he would give him one hour in which to consult the citizens on the subject.--The
Mayor wanted an armistice of twenty-four hours, but finding
Capt. Smith inflexible, he went off to confer with his constitutents, returning at the expiration of the hour.
The
Mayor, on his return, was accompanied by
Judge Holley,
Dr. Frazer, a French phisician, and several citizens.
The
Mayor, addressing
Commander Smith, said: ‘"Sir, I surrender you the town of
Biloxi and the battery, owing to the utter impossibility of defending it; but I cannot guarantee you any safety outside the limits of the town."’ --
Commander Smith assured the
Mayor and the citizens that we came for the purpose of removing the guns from the battery, and at the same time to protect them in their lawful occupation.
He had no desire or orders to interfere with their institutions or to land troops.
He told them that he intended to make good Union men of their citizens in spite of themselves; but the
Mayor replied: ‘"Don't flatter yourself,"’ and a rabid Secessionist — the cavalry officer — added: ‘ "
Old Abe Lincoln will never make a Union man of me; I'll pack myself and wife in a buggy and be off for New Orleans."’ Some of the other citizens manifested a similar spirit; but, on being shown the folly of their course, concluded to remain.
After examining the battery,
Commander Smith returned to the
Lewis and ordered away two large boats, the same which were brought out on the
Constitution, and they proceeded, under command of
Acting Master Ryder, accompanied by
Acting Master Merriam and
Midshipman Woodward, of the
Lewis, to the wharf, for the purpose of bringing off the guns.
The crews dismounted two guns--one light and one heavy six-pounder — and carried them to the boats, and returning took off the carriages — both pivots of ‘"home manufacture"’ --and platforms.
While thus engaged the
Union sailors were watching a crowd of about twenty boys and men, mostly foreigners, who sat around, and as the guns were being removed inquired sarcastically: ‘"We expect a thousand men here; will you come and take 'um then as easy?
Do you think you (an take the guns at New Orleans as easy?"’ As the work of dismantling the fort progressed, the rebels grew generous and exclaimed, seeing the carriages and platforms going, ‘"You'd better take these planks and the coffee bags; we've got a plenty of them."’
The battery was constructed of bricks, flanked and faced with sand bags.
’
