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CH. XVI.]

CAPTURE OF MEMPHIS.

181

and two being blown up, the enemy re- as for other purposes. In an hour's tired hastily and in bad condition under time, however, it was plain that the the guns of the fort. Capt. Stembel rebels were defeated, and that Memphis was dangerously wounded, our total must be given up to the control of the loss consisting in four wounded. United States authorities.*

1862.

The fleet now took a nearer position, and were preparing to make a vigorous attack upon Fort Pillow, when it was found that, on the night of the 4th of June, the fort was evacuated. The operations of Halleck before Corinth, and the evacuation of that place, had compelled the withdrawal of the rebel forces from their advantageous position at Fort Pillow. The works here were of the most formidable and extensive character; but the rebels had left nothing which they could destroy, when they fled down the river towards Memphis.

Lieut. Col. Ellet, with a fleet of rams, led the advance, in pursuit of the enemy. At Fort Randolph, twelve miles below, he caused the Union flag to be raised, the place being entirely abandoned, guns dismantled, etc. Every where cotton was seen floating on the water, it having been thrown into the river to prevent its capture. On the 5th of June, the squadron arrived within two miles of Memphis, and anchored for the night, awaiting the decisive engagement which was to take place with the rebel gun boats the next day.

Soon after daylight, on the 6th of June, the battle began. Our fleet consisted of five gun boats, Capt. Davis in command, together with two of the ram fleet, under Col. Ellet's command. The rebels had more vessels, but a less number of guns; all of their gun boats were fitted to be used as rams as well

Captain Davis demanded the surrender of the city, which was ungraciously made by Mayor Park. Col. Fitch took military possession, a provost marshal was appointed, and the city was as quiet and orderly as could be expected, under the circumstances.

This was the third stage in the pro gress down the Mississippi, Memphis having followed the fortunes of New Madrid, Columbus and Fort Pillow. Having now the control of the Missis sippi, as far down as Vicksburg, the way was open for our forces to attack the enemy in Arkansas, by means of the principal rivers, viz., the White River, descending in a south-easterly course from Missouri, and the Arkansas, penetrating its central portions. The battle at Pea Ridge in March (see p. 119), had given the Union troops under Curtis a firm footing in the 1862. north-western quarter. The army, some 14,000 strong, left Batesville, on the upper waters of White River, on the 24th of June, with twenty days' rations, and passing through Jacksonport, Augusta and Clarendon, by a series of adventurous forced mar

* Col. Ellet was the only one wounded or injured in any way, in the portion of the fleet under his command.

He was shot by a musket ball above the knee, which was not at first considered alarming, but proved fatal. June. Eminent for scientific attainments, and one who had successfully carried to a completion his long cherished views as to the value and importance of

He was carried to Cairo, where he died on the 21st of

steam battering rams, his death was a public loss. deeply to be lamented.

ches, arrived at Helena, on the Missis. sippi River on the 11th of July.

death, and but few escaping by plung ing into the river through the portholes. About the 10th of June, an expedi- Meantime, Col. Fitch reached the rear tion was fitted out at Memphis to de- of the upper battery, and carried the scend the Mississippi to the mouth of works at the point of the bayonet. Six the Arkansas, and thence up to the field pieces and three beavy siege guns White River, clearing it of obstructions, were taken, together with a number of to Batesville. The expedition consisted prisoners. After the action a part of of the gun boats St. Louis, Lexington, the fleet proceeded up the river, but Conestoga and Mound City, under was soon obliged to return by the low Capt. Kilty's command, and an Indiana state of the water. Thus the expedi regiment under command of Colonel tion was unsuccessful, and failed to open Fitch. The fleet reached the mouth of communication with Curtis. White River, 170 miles below Memphis, on the 14th of June, and, cautiously ascending the stream, on the morning of the 17th, came upon the rebel works, on a high bluff on the south side of the river, in the vicinity of St. Charles, about 85 miles from the Mississippi. The Mound City and St. Louis received the fire of the first battery without injury; when, passing on to another bend of the stream, they encountered a second battery, which proved of a more formidable character. Col. Fitch landed two miles below, so as to take the batteries in the rear. At this juncture a shot from the battery struck the Mound City on the port side, and passing through the iron-lined casemate, entered the steam drum.

The explosion and its effects were fearful, large numbers being scalded to

We may mention in this connection, that Curtis, towards the close of July, started with a body of troops on transports to look after a rebel force under Price, which it was reported were crossing the Mississippi between Napoleon and Vicksburg. On the 27th, he destroyed the steam ferryboat at Napoleon, at the mouth of the Arkansas River, together with 16 other ferry and flat boats which had been withdrawn up the White River. The expedition returned soon after to Helena. In September, Curtis was appointed to the command of the Department of Missouri, containing the states of Missouri and Arkansas and the adjacent Indian Territory. Helena continued to be oc cupied by our troops, but active military operations were suspended. This closed the campaign of Gen. Curtis.

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CH. XVII.]

STATE OF AFFAIRS IN NEW ORLEANS.

183

CHAPTER XVII.

1862.

DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF: NAVAL AND MILITARY EVENTS ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

Gen. Butler in New Orleans-State of affairs - Butler's proclamation - Feeling of the people - Proclamation, how printed-The poor of the city-Necessity of providing for-General order on the subject-Further steps of Butler to cleanse the city, etc. Mode of raising funds Trouble with the consul of the Netherlands about $800,000 - Result - Conduct of the women in New Orleans-The famous order No. 28 - Its effect - Vile sense put on the order - Anger of the rebels and others - Fierce tirades - Execution of four persons for burglary, etc. - Butler's activity and zeal - Farragut on the Mississippi - Visits Baton Rouge and Natchez-Arrives at Vicksburg-Strength of the place- Farragut passes the batteries - Butler's scheme for isolating Vicksburg - Rebel ram Arkansas - Reaches Vicksburg despite the fleet-Farragut repasses the batteries and tries to destroy the Arkansas-Baton Rouge attacked by Breckenridge in August Gen. Williams killed - Rebels defeated-Ram Arkansas destroyed near Baton Rouge by Porter - The Lafourche district Expedition into, in October - Weitzel's success - Butler recalled-Banks hia successor.

1862.

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IN giving an account of the capture | to act and determined in his action; a New Orleans (see p. 154, etc.), it was man who could and would crush insubstated that Gen. Butler with his forces ordination or revolt at a blow; and, at took possession of the city on the 1st the same time, a man who both knew of May. The position in which he was and would respect the rights and priviplaced was not one to be envied. leges of all. Butler who was in comThe impertinent language of mand of the Department of the Gulf, Mayor Monroe to Commodore Farragut New Orleans being his headquarters, (p. 157), the insulting conduct of the had now an opportunity to prove his great mass of the people, the prevalence fitness for ruling such a city and its surof mob rule, the wretchedly reduced, roundings as was the Crescent City of almost starving, condition of the poorer the South in May, 1862. classes, and the malignant, unquenchable The first step of the commanding hatred towards Butler and the United general was to issue a proclamation, States authority, which the wealthier clearly stating the position of affairs, rebels exhibited, all these afforded in- and his determination to restore order, dications, not to be misunderstood, that maintain public tranquility, and enforce it would be no easy task to maintain peace and quiet under the laws and the authority of the government and Constitution of the United States. It provide for the necessities of the case, was a business-like document, concise, as they were certain to rise. Evidently, and straightforward in its meaning. it required a man of special qualifica-"The sum and substance of the whole," tions to fill this position; a man of as Butler said, in reading it at his head. nerve as well as sagacity; a man quick quarters at the St. Charles Hotel, to the

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