e Confederacy will
always be as free to admit that Farragut was the hero of New Orleans, as
that Butler was the tyrant, robber, and oppressor of its conquered
people.
[5] Extract from Commodore Mitchell's official report, dated Aug. 19th,
1862.
"During the night of Sunday the 27th we had so far succeeded in
operating the propellers that we expected early the next day to make a
fair trial of them in connection with the paddle wheels, when at
daylight an officer sent by Gen. Duncan came on board to inform us that
many of the garrison at Fort Jackson had deserted during the night; that
serious disturbances had occurred; and that the disaffection of the men
was believed to be general on account of what appeared to them to have
become the desperate character of the "defence," etc."
[6] Extract from Commodore Mitchell's official report:
"I at once returned on board and called a council of war composed of
Lieutenants Wilkinson, (commanding) W. H. Ward, A. F. Warley, Wm. C.
Whittle, Jr., R. J. Bowen, Arnold, F. M. Harris, and George N. Shryock,
by whom--in consequence of the enemy's having the entire command of the
river above and below us, with an overwhelming force, and who was in the
act of obtaining quiet and undisturbed possession of Forts Jackson and
St. Philip, with all their material defences intact, with ordnance,
military stores and provisions, thus cutting the Louisiana off from all
succor or support; and her having on board not more than ten days'
provisions, her surrender would be rendered certain in a brief period by
the simple method of blockade; and that, in the condition of her motive
power and defective steering apparatus, and the immediate danger of
attack, she was very liable to capture--it was unanimously recommended
that the Louisiana be destroyed, forthwith, to prevent her falling into
the hands of the enemy, while it remained in our power to prevent it;
first retiring to our tenders."
[7] The first and only time that I ever saw the notorious General B. F.
Butler, who subsequently claimed for himself and the troops under his
command, the honor of capturing New Orleans, was on board the "Clifton."
He took passage in her to the city. No one who has ever looked upon that
unique countenance can ever forget it; and as his glance rested for a
moment upon us, each one conceived himself to be the special object of
the General's regard; for owing to his peculiar visual organs, that
distinguished individ
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