FORT JACKSON IN 1885.
the morning of this same day Farragut had instructed Captain H. W. Morris of the Pensacola, then at anchor abreast of the United States Mint, to hoist a flag on that building, it being United States property. Captain Morris accordingly sent Lieutenant Stillwell with some officers and men from the ship, and the flag was hoisted. It was up only a short time when Mum-ford hauled it down. It was seized by the mob, which paraded it through the streets with fife and drum until they reached the City Hall, where it was destroyed, as above described. I afterward happened to be present when Farragut reported the hauling down of this flag to General Butler, and I heard the latter say, “ I will make an example of that fellow by hanging him.” Farragut smiled and remarked, “ You know, General, you will have to catch him before you can hang him.” General Butler said, “ I know that, but I will catch him, and then hang him.” History attests how well he kept his word, and there is no doubt but that this hanging proved a wholesome lesson.
The mob soon appeared to be growing more violent, and above the general din was heard an
occasional invitation to “the------Yankees” to
“ come out and be run up to lamp-posts.” At this time Mr. Soule suggested to me that it would save much trouble to all concerned if I would take my party in a carriage from the rear exit of the hall, the mayor’s secretary, Mr. Marion Baker, going with us, while he addressed the mob. He did not hope to have the mob obey him, he only expected to hold it long enough to give us time to get to the landing; and he accomplished his undertaking admirably. Few people ever knew what an important service Mr. Souffi thus rendered to New Orleans.
Farragut fully approved my action. I was not expected to bring a satisfactory answer from the mayor, for he was really helpless and had no control over the city. All he could say was, “ Come and take the city; we are powerless.” . . .
ENTRANCE TO FORT ST. PHILIP,—1884.
morning, however, the people in the streets began to wonder whether anything more was going to be done, and became more violent and boisterous.
Farragut determined to make a formal demand for the surrender on Mayor Monroe, and at 10 o’clock on the morning of the 26th he sent me ashore, with instructions to deliver the official demand to the mayor. My little force on leaving the Hartford consisted of Midshipman John H. Bead and a marine guard of twenty men under command of Second Lieutenant George Heisler. We landed on the levee in front of a howling mob, which thronged the river-front as far as the eye could reach. It was expected that I would take the marines with me to the City Hall, as a body-guard, and Farragut informed me that if a shot was fired at us by the mob, he would open fire from all the ships and level the town. The marines were drawn up in line, and I attempted to reason with the mob, but soon found this impossible. I then thought to clear the way by bringing the marines to an aim, but women and children were shoved to the front, while the angry mob behind them shouted : “ Shoot, you----Yan-
kees, shoot! ” The provocation was certainly very great, and nothing but the utter absence of respectability in the faces of the people caused me to refrain from giving the order to fire.
Fortunately at this critical moment I discovered an officer of the City Guards, whom I hailed and told that I wished to communicate with the mayor. He begged me to leave the marines on the levee, for he felt sure that to march them through the streets at this time would provoke a conflict. As my object was to communicate with the mayor without unnecessary shedding of blood, I sent the marine guard back to the ship, retaining only one non-commissioned officer, with a musket.
I tied my handkerchief on the bayonet, and with Midshipman Bead and this man took up the march for the City Hall. We were cursed and jostled by the mob which filled the streets, but no actual violence was offered us. We found the mayor in the City Hall with his council. The Hon. Pierre Soule was also there, having doubtless been called in as an adviser.
The mayor declined to surrender the city formally, but said as we had the force we could take possession.
While we were in the City Hall a mob came up from the lower part of the city with an American ensign, and when they saw us they tore the flag to shreds, and threw them into the open window at us.
I did not comprehend the meaning of this singular and wild demonstration at the time, but afterward learned that on
SCENE AT THE CITY HALL —HAULING DOWN THE STATE FLAG.*
INCIDENTS OF THE OCCUPATION OF NEW ORLEANS.
BY ALBERT KAUTZ, CAPTAIN, U. S. N.
AT 1 o’clock p. M. of the 25th of April, 1862, Far--tl_ ragut’s squadron having completed its memorable passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and having silenced the Chalmette batteries, anchored in front of the city of New Orleans in a drenching rain.
Captain Theodorus Bailey, being second in command, claimed the privilege of carrying ashore the demand for the surrender of the city. This was accorded him by the flag-officer, and the captain, accompanied by Lieutenant George H. Perkins (now captain), at once proceeded to the City Hall. Mayor Monroe took the ground that as General Lovell had not yet left the city, the demand should be made on him. At the captain’s request the mayor sent for the general, who in a few moments appeared with his staff. General Lovell said he would not surrender the city, adding that he had already withdrawn his soldiers, and that at the close of the interview he had intended to join his command. Captain Bailey had to return and report to Farragut that there was no one on shore willing to surrender the city. Two or three gentlemen had accompanied Captain Bailey and Lieutenant Perkins to the City Hall, and after the interview Colonel W. S. Lovell and one other of the general’s staff escorted them to the landing.
The mob, overawed by the frowning batteries of the ships, really seemed dazed and did not offer to assault the Union officers. On the following
Jeff Davis! Hurrah for Jeff Davis! Shoot them! Kill them! Hang them! ” I locked the door on the outside, and ran to the front of the mob, bawling with the rest, “Hurrah for Jeff Davis!” About every third man there had a weapon out. Two officers of the United States navy were walking abreast, unguarded and alone, looking not to right or left, never frowning, never flinching, while the mob screamed in their ears, shook cocked pistols in their faces, cursed and crowded, and gnashed upon them. So through the gates of death those two men walked to the City Hall to demand the town’s surrender. It was one of the bravest deeds I ever saw done.
Later events, except one, I leave to other pens. An officer from the fleet stood on the City Hall roof about to lower the flag of Louisiana. In the street beneath gleamed the bayonets of a body of marines. A howitzer pointed up and another down the street. All around swarmed the mob. Just then Mayor Monroe — lest the officer above should be fired upon, and the howitzers open upon the crowd—came out alone and stood just before one of the howitzers, tall, slender, with folded arms, eying the gunner. Down sank the flag. Captain Bell, tall and stiff, marched off with the flag rolled under his arm, and the howitzers clanking behind. Then cheer after cheer rang out for Monroe. And now, I dare say, every one is well pleased that, after all, New Orleans never lowered her colors with her own hands.
* General Beauregard, in a letter to Admiral Preble, in 1872, says this flag had thirteen stripes, four blue, six white, and three red, commencing at the top, with the colors as written. The Union was red, with its sides equal to the width of seven stripes. In its center was a single pale-yellow iive-pointed star.—A. K.