Southern Items

The Montgomery Advertiser, of the 5th estimates the number of troops in the Rebel army from Alabama, at 17,000.  Governor Moore, in his October message, puts it at 30,000.  Which statement is true?

The Quincy (Fla.) Dispatch of the 8th instant says the British steamer Gladiator, which recently ran the Federal blockade, is safely moored in a Florida port.  Her cargo of arms is valued at two millions of dollars.

The Pensacola Observer, of the 9th, says that about one dozen slaves recently escaped to Fort Pickens.

The Marshall (Texas) Republican of the 14th inst., leans of large mortality among the Texas troops on the Potomac.

The Richmond Dispatch, of the 15th inst., has advises from New Mexico, from private sources, dated from the 19th ult., stating that General Sibley had taken possession, by proclamation , of New Mexico and Arizona, and declared martial law therein.

We here from New Orleans that the French residents in that city are anxious to escape, that they have held a meeting to take measures to effect this and that they have put themselves in communication with the Union troops at Ship Island.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

From Fortress Monroe

FORT MONROE, March 25. – A flag of truce went to Norfolk to-day, but brought no news.

The Norfolk Day Book of this morning has the following:

RICHMOND, March 23. – The House of Representatives have adopted a resolution to apply a portion of the money belonging to the contingent fund, to the aid and relief of the captured troops now in the hands of the enemy as prisoners of war.

Heavy reinforcements are being sent to Old Point.  We learn that fourteen Federal steamers were at Old Point on Sunday, loading with troops, supposed to be for the Burnside Expedition.

RICHMOND, March 23. – The new Cabinet of President Davis has been formed:  Secretary of State, J. P. Benjamin, of Louisiana; Secretary of War, John Randolph, of Virginia; Secretary of Navy, S. R. Mallory, of Florida; Secretary of Treasury, C. G. Meminger, of South Carolina;  Attorney-General, Theodore Watts; Postmaster General, Reagin of Texas.

The new troops are pouring into this city. – Six or seven of the new regiments arrived in this neighborhood on Sunday by Railroad.

President Davis has declared martial law over the counties of Elizabeth City, York, Warwick, Gloster and Mathews.

Accounts are given in the Norfolk Day Book of an engagement near the Warrenton station on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad on Saturday last between 300 rebel cavalry, under Gen. Steward, and 500 Yankee cavalry.  40 of the latter are reported killed and 100 wounded. – We are said to have lost 6 killed and 18 wounded.

We take the above from the Lynchburg Virginian.

67 citizens of Lomdom were sent to Richmond on the Central cars Thursday night and committed to the military prison.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

From Below

ST. LOUIS, March 13. – A special to the Democrat from Cairo, March 11th, says a gentleman who left Memphis on Saturday, arrived here this morning and reports that there are no troops at Memphis.  Many persons were leaving the city.  Cotton, sugar and other articles of merchandise were being shipped down the river.  The Policy of burning the city was still being discussed. – Speeches were made every night.  All means were used to check the increasing demoralization and excite a war spirit.

Bragg had come up from Pensacola with 10,000 men.  They were sent to reinforce New Madrid and Island No. 10.

Bragg and Beauregard were at Jackson, Tennessee, constructing fortifications, and all negroes in the country were called to work on them.

Martial law was proclaimed at Memphis on Last Monday for the purpose of checking incendiaries and those contemplating to turn out and fight.

No defensive preparations were being made at Randolph, nor at the strong position of Fort Pillow, but less formidable than Columbus.

The rebels confess that a reduction of this place will give us all the points on the Mississippi.  Their gunboats are all at Island No. 10, carrying rifled 24 and 34 pounders, under Commander Hollins.

A messenger from New Madrid reports all quiet this morning.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Gen. Grant’s Declaration of Martial Law in Tennessee -- Order of Gen. Smith

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT WEST TENNESSEE,

FORT DONELSON, Tenn., Feb. 27.

General Order No. 7 – Extract.}

Tennessee having, by her rebellion, ignored all the laws of the United States, no courts will be allowed to act under State authority, but all cases coming within the reach of the military arm will be adjudicated by the authorities the government has established within the State.

Martial law is, therefore, declared to exist over West Tennessee; and whenever a sufficient number of citizens return to their allegiance to maintain law and order over the territory, the military restriction here indicated will be removed.

By order of Major General U. S. Grant,

JOHN A. RAWLINS,

Assist. Adjt. Gen.

FORBIDDING THE SALE OF LIQUOR

HEADQUARTERS 2D DIVISION, DIST. OF WEST TENN.,

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 24.

General Order No. 11.}

The sale of any [spirituous] or intoxicating liquors in any quantity is prohibited.  Should any one violate this order he will be placed under guard for trial by court martial, and his liquor seized and held for hospital purposes.

By order of Brigadier Genera. C. F. Smith,

THOS. J. NEWSHAM,

Assist. Adjt. Gen.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Proclamation of John C. Fremont

PROCLAMATION.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,

St. Louis, August 30, 1861.

Circumstances, in my judgment, of sufficient urgency render it necessary that the commanding general of this department should assume the administrative powers of the State. Its disorganized condition, the helplessness of the civil authority, the total insecurity of life, and the devastation of property by bands of murderers and marauders, who infest nearly every county of the State, and avail themselves of the public misfortunes and the vicinity of a hostile force to gratify private and neighborhood vengeance, and who find an enemy wherever they find plunder, finally demand the severest measures to repress the daily increasing crimes and outrages which are driving off the inhabitants and ruining the State.

In this condition the public safety and the success of our arms require unity of purpose, without let or hinderance to the prompt administration of affairs. In order, therefore, to suppress disorder, to maintain as far as now practicable the public peace, and to give security and protection to the persons and property of loyal citizens, I do hereby extend and declare established martial law throughout the State of Missouri.

The lines of the army of occupation in this State are for the present declared to extend from Leavenworth, by way of the posts of Jefferson City, Rolla, and Ironton, to Cape Girardeau, on the Mississippi River.

All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these lines shall be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty will be shot.

The property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall be directly proven to have taken an active part with their enemies in the field, is declared to be confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if any they have, are hereby declared freemen.

All persons who shall be proven to have destroyed, after the publication of this order, railroad tracks, bridges, or telegraphs shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law.

All persons engaged in treasonable correspondence, in giving or procuring aid to the enemies of the United States, in fomenting tumults, in disturbing the public tranquillity by creating and circulating false reports or incendiary documents, are in their own interests warned that they are exposing themselves to sudden and severe punishment.

All persons who have been led away from their allegiance are required to return to their homes forthwith. Any such absence, without sufficient cause, will be held to be presumptive evidence against them.

The object of this declaration is to place in the hands of the military authorities the power to give instantaneous effect to existing laws, and to supply such deficiencies as the conditions of war demand. But this is not intended to suspend the ordinary tribunals of the country, where the law will be administered by the civil officers in the usual manner, and with their customary authority, while the same can be peaceably exercised.

The commanding general will labor vigilantly for the public welfare, and in his efforts for their safety hopes to obtain not only the acquiescence but the active support of the loyal people of the country.

J. C. FREMONT,

Major-General, Commanding.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 3, Serial 3, p. 466-7



Special to New York Papers

NEW YORK, May 27 – The Herald’s correspondent reports that the 4^th Michigan regiment in the recent skirmish on the Chickahominy fought and routed an entire rebel brigade.

Petersburg papers report that on the 19^th, 183 of the Monitor’s crew went ashore at City Point, and were surprised by the rebels, nine were made prisoners, the balance reached their boat and pulled for the vessel.  They were shot at and eight killed.

The Virginia Legislature has appropriated $200,000 to remove the women, children and decrepid persons from Richmond to a place of safety.

The rebel army was encamped within a few miles of Richmond.

Rebel accounts state that the Mayor of Vicksburg replied to the summons of our gunboats, that the Mississippians never surrendered.

Martial [law] is in force in Charleston.  The papers and the citizens are fearful of the surrender of the city.

{Tribune’s Dispatch.}

ARMY IN THE FIELD, NEAR FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA, Monday May 26 – Further accounts are received of Col. Crook’s brilliant victory at Lewisburg, Greenbriar county.  On the 23d Gen. Heath [sic] attacked Col. Crook with 3,000 infantry and cavalry and six cannon.  After a spirited fight of an hour the rebels fled in confusion.  Their flight soon became a rout.  Col. Crook captured four rifled cannon – on so near his position that it was loaded with canister.

The rebels in the early part of the fight carried off their killed and wounded but left on the field thirty eight dead including several officers, and sixty six wounded.  One hundred prisoners were captured – among them Lieut. Co. Finney, Jam. Edgar, and other officers.  Three hundred stand of arms were taken.

The enemy to secure their retreat, burned Greenbriar bridge, beyond which they could not be pursued.

Crook’s victory was only won by hard fighting against greatly superior forces.

We lost 14 killed, 60 wounded and 5 pickets captured.  Some of our wounded were shot in the streets of Lewisburg as they were returning to the hospital by the citizens of the town.

BOTTOM BRIDGE, May 23 – Intelligent slaves in General Kiney’s camp this morning say that yesterday noon, when they left Richmond, the rebel army was moving out of the city and northward to the Fair Ground.  Those who know the position say that it is about two miles out on a high commanding plateau.  We understand that this position is being fortified and that the enemy intends to give us battle there.

{Special to Evening Post.}

Gen. Sigel arrived here to-day and called upon the President.  He met with a warm reception.  It has been suggested that a command will be given him with Gen. McDowell.  It is believed that his enterprise, skill and dash will greatly aid in getting that command to Richmond or in retrieving the ground in case any part of our forces should meet with a check.

The House Military Committee to-morrow takes up the subject of the enlargement of the Erie canal.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Butler At New Orleans

(Correspondence of the Boston Journal.)

INTERVIEW AT THE ST. CHARLES.

At the hour assigned for the second conference, the Mayor appeared, accompanied by the members of the city council and the Hon. Pierre Soule.  The conference was held in the magnificent drawing room of the St. Charles, which during the interview presented a scene for a painter.  On one side sat Soule, surrounded by the members of the city government, and opposite eight or ten members of the Staff of Gen. Butler, who seated beside the two formed the central figures in the picture.  It was the intention of Gen. Butler at first to suppress all Confederate and other bogus currency, but the representations of the Mayor at their first interview that the poor people in the city depended solely upon the small notes circulated as money in this community to obtain the necessities of life, and also that there was not sixty days’ provisions in the city, induced Gen. Butler to so far modify his original proclamation as to allow the circulation of Confederate money, but still prohibited all negotiation of scrip and bonds issued by the so called Southern Confederacy, as means whereby the leaders of the rebellion could raise money.  The proclamation as it was finally issued, was then read by General Butler.

M. Soule rose and addressed Gen. Butler.

He said that in behalf of the city government, at whose request he appeared, he could not in any manner accede to the proclamation.  Their city had been captured, and they were perhaps subdued, but the same spirit which had opposed the conquerors still existed; and any attempt to enforce the rigors of martial law as set forth in the proclamation, would be met with resistance by the mob, for whose acts they would not be responsible – words which implied a threat on his part to resist the administration of Gen. Butler.  Mr. Soule proceeded with a laudation of the spirit of chivalry, a spirit which would not submit to the exercise of martial law in their midst.  If attempted the city government would abandon all their functions.  He alluded to the bitter experience of the people and the suffering which the blockade had occasioned among the masses.  Gen. Butler, in reply to Mr. Soule, said he regretted exceedingly that in the course of his remarks he had thrown out what he considered a threat; that it was one of the great mistakes of gentlemen of his standing to accompany the statement of their opinions with threats, and that they had in this manner done more to occasion the present difficulties than any other cause.  He proceeded to say that he had modified his proclamation at the suggestion of the Mayor as an act of humanity, finding here a painful state of things, which had been brought upon the poorer classes by the leaders of the secession movement.  He was desirous and willing to do anything which humanity dictated to alleviate the distress among the masses.

Mr. Soule disclaimed any intention of threatening to oppose the action of the military authorities.  He pledged the faith of the city that if the municipal government were allowed to continue the exercise of as many of its functions as were consistent with martial law, the municipal authorities would use their utmost endeavors to preserve the peace of the city.  If Gen. Butler would allow them the privilege of providing the poorer classes with food, the civil authorities would do all they could to suppress the riotous proceedings.

Gen. Butler said the proclamation must appear in its present form.  Mr. Soule asked that the matter might be allowed to rest until ten o’clock the next morning, when the city government would decide whether to continue their duties [or] surrender the entire control of the city to Gen. Butler.  The request was granted, and the negotiations rested until Sunday.

In the meantime a meeting of the City Council was held, at which a series of resolutions were adopted to the effect that the municipal authorities would continue their normal functions with the understanding that they shall not be interfered with in all matters of police, unless disturbances should occur calculated to endanger the relations created by military occupation of the city; requiring the circulation created by the city authorities to remain undisturbed; requiring power to organize citizen patrols in lieu of an additional number of policemen, and that immediate provision will be made to procure articles of subsistence for the masses.

This happy determination of the city authorities to co-operate with Gen. Butler in preserving the tranquility of the city met his prompt endorsement, and he immediately authorized a patrol of citizens not exceeding two hundred and fifty, to be armed with sabers or revolvers or both, to be added to the police.

HE CAN KEEP A HOTEL.

Whatever may be thought of the ability of Gen. Butler to conduct a public house on a popular scale, he has at least shown himself equal to the task of opening and keeping a first rate hotel.  Upon the appearance of the Federal fleet, the St. Charles shut its wide portals and to all intents and purposes “closed for the season.”  But Gen. Butler required accommodations for himself and his numerous retinue of officers and body guard, and as the St. Charles offered the advantages of a central location, coupled with elegant apartments and a well stocked larder, while Col. French was investing the City Hall, Maj. Strong went to the St. Charles to obtain quarters for Gen. Butler and his staff.  The proprietor declined to open it, and was told that in case he persisted in refusing, Gen. Butler would be obliged to take military possession of the establishment.  At two o’clock the General having established his official headquarters at the Custom House, went up and informed the proprietors of the St. Charles that the opening of their hotel for his accommodation was, not a matter of choice with them, but one of necessity, and that must open it.

This emphatic announcement produced the desired result, and the proprietor, stating that his life would have been in jeopardy if had had voluntarily offered to open his house to the commander of the “invading army,” proceeded to show the officers their rooms.  There are no guests in the house, except those who come by the invitation or permission of Gen. Butler.  The bar is closed, and the hundreds of officers who have pledged their friends in the North that they would drink their health at the St. Charles, will necessarily be compelled to postpone that indulgence of the present.  Under the present proprietorship, the St. Charles occupies rather an anomalous position for a house of entertainment.  The main entrance is flanked with brass field pieces; soldiers guard the entrance and bivouac at the foot of the staircase.  Stacks of arms have usurped the place of the porters on the sidewalk, and the marble floor of the rotunda rings with the sharp click of the sabre, while military trappings decorate my lady’s toilet stand, and camp equipage, boxes of ammunition and hospital stores occupy the places where erst were piled the trunks and hat boxes of tourists, up-river planters and Northern merchants.  Federal officers pace to and fro on the spacious balcony, or sit down composedly to enjoy a siesta in the cool of the evening – objects of curiosity and aversion to the proud creole and the haughty belle, who cast sidelong glances of contempt as they pass.  But, in the words of Captain Alden of the Richmond “We have come here to stay – do you understand? to stay!”  And they will do it contradicting by their humane edicts, their irreproachable bearing, the erroneous impressions which the deluded Southrons have entertained respecting the defenders of the Union.

THE INHABITANTS.

The population of New Orleans has long been remarkable for the diversity of its elements.  About one-half of the whites are of foreign birth, and among these are the French and Spanish are predominant.  There is also a large number or Northerners.  Those who know the city best believed that it would surrender when the forts defending it should fall.  The mass of the permanent population is composed of intelligent men, and the commercial interests have always had a more clear idea of the folly of this rebellion than the people in the interior.  At all events, after the forts alluded to fall, and the gunboats, which are not really formidable, are taken, New Orleans is helpless – more helpless, indeed, than any other city can be.

New Orleans has heretofore been noted as a city containing a population extremely conservative in their political belief.  From the date of the formation of the old Whig party, up to the hour of its demise, the city voted strongly Whig.  When the American organization was formed, the friends of the party could always count upon New Orleans as a stronghold.  In 1856, the city voted by a large majority in favor of Millard Fillmore for President, and in 1860 for John Bell.  At the last Presidential election, Douglas obtained a small majority over Breckinridge, and it can hardly be doubted that two-thirds of the supporters of Bell and Douglas were unqualifiedly for the Union.  The following was the vote: Bell, 5,215, Douglas, 2,098, Breckinridge, 3,646 – plurality for Bell, 2,217.  In the year 1857, we believe the opposition to the American party of New Orleans determined to defeat the candidate for the mayoralty – Mr. Gerard Stith.  They got up a reform or vigilance association, barricaded the streets and declared martial law.  General Beauregard, then in the employ of Buchanan as superintendent of the construction of the United States Mint, was nominated as the candidate of the reformers.  But not withstanding all the exertions used by the opponents of Stith, that gentleman succeeded by the small majority of one hundred and fifty.  When the secession difficulties commenced, New Orleans was firm for the Union; but finally, an election for members of the State Convention was held, and the secession ticket, it is claimed, received a small majority.  The truth is, the opponents of secession did not exercise the right of suffrage but to a limited extent.  At some of the polls in the city it was as much as a man’s life was worth to approach the ballot-box with a Union ticket.  Altogether, some six or seven thousand votes were cast out of more than twelve thousand.

THEIR LOYALTY.

The subject which, next to the occupation of this city by the Federal army, will naturally interest the loyal people of the North, is the extent of Union sentiment, to arrive at which, under existing circumstances, is impossible. – The iron rule of the rebellion has so long controlled even the thought of men here that, though the loyalists are perfectly free to express their sentiments, they are slow to do so, not feeling quite secure under the new dispensation of things, and dreading to commit themselves publicly, lest the Confederates should get control of the city, when their necks would not be safe from the halter.

I have failed to notice any general manifestation of Union sentiment, though instances of individual loyalty have frequently come under my observation.  Men of respectability and wealth have visited the Federal ships by stealth, going off in the evening when the levee is deserted.  Union ladies have sent congratulatory letters to the officers, and not unfrequently have we seen them on the levee at nightfall, slyly waving their handkerchiefs at the officers on board the Federal vessels.  Passing along the street, one is occasionally greeted with a smile of friendliness, but oftener the haughty curl of the lip and the flashing eye betray the malignant spirit which rankles within.

The lady who should be seen conversing with a Federal officer would be tabooed in the aristocratic circles of New Orleans, and the man suspected of entertaining Union sentiments is looked upon with suspicion, and hunted by the blood-hounds of the rebellion.

While Unionism rests under this ban, the manifestations of disloyalty are open, bold and defiant.  We see and hear it everywhere. – Elegantly dressed ladies stand on the levee as we pass in boats, and cover their finely chiseled features with their hands, looking at us through their delicate and gem-bedeck fingers.  One draws her veil over her face in token of her deep mourning, whose brother, perhaps, has fallen a victim to Federal bullets in an unholy cause, turns her back upon you till you have passed, when, womanly curiosity overcoming her anger, she glances over her shoulder to get sight of a real “live Yankee.”  All are bitter and crest fallen, and months of Federal rule, stern, yet mild, must elapse before the Union sentiment will develop itself to any great extent in this city.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 2

The War News

The Union Troops in possession of Columbus.

Martial Law proclaimed in Richmond.

MYSTERIOUS INSCRIPTIONS IN RICHMOND.

How the Nashville ran the blockade.

Dupont’s Fleet sailed from Port Royal.

FOREIGN NEWS PER CANADA.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1

From the South

BALTIMORE, March 5.

A letter from Fort Monroe published in the American of this city, says that yesterday’s Richmond Dispatch announces that the steamer Nashville came direct from Southampton to the North Carolina coast, and approached the blockading vessel with the Union flag flying.  The Nashville went up directly under the guns of the blockading vessel, almost within hailing distance, and then passing her raised the rebel flag and moved directly towards Ft. Macon.  The blockading vessel immediately discovered the deception and started in pursuit of the Nashville, following her until within range of the guns of Ft. Macon.  Several shots were fired at the Nashville, but she reports that nobody was hurt. – She claims to have brought into Wilmington a valuable cargo of bank note and printing paper.

The Richmond Dispatch calls attention to mysterious writings on the wall, indicating that Union conspirators are at work. – Among these writings are the following: “Attention, Union Men!  Watch and Wait!  The Union forever!  The day is dawning the hour of deliverance approaches.”

It was those significant announcements that caused the arrest of John Minor Botts and twenty other suspected citizens of wealth, character and position, and the proclamation of martial law.

The Dispatch urges summary measures for checking the progress of treason, and advocates the arrest and execution of the conspirators.

It was thought that Cols. Corcoran and Wilcox will be now held as hostages for Gens. Buckner and Tilghman, but this was merely rumored.  Col. Corcoran, Col. Wilcox and other Federal prisoners have reached Richmond.

There was a great panic at Richmond caused by the recent defeats of the rebels.  The leading traitors exhibited the greatest trepidation.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1

Southern News

FORT MONROE, March 4.

A flag of truce was sent over to Craney Island to-day, but no passengers returned.

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 28.

The Confederacy this morning states that Gen. Bushrod Johnson escaped from Fort Donelson, and reached Murfreesboro last Sunday.  Heavy rains have recently fallen, and the roads from Nashville are greatly damaged.

The Richmond Dispatch says Cols. Corcoran and Wilcox, and other prisoners, to the number of 100, arrived here on Friday from Columbia, S. C., and are waiting transshipment to Newport News.  They however, may not start for several weeks, as the arrangements for sending them away have not been completed.  Col. Wilcox is the officer who acted as military governor of Alexandria when it was first occupied by the Federals.

It is reported from Richmond that John Minor Botts has been arrested and thrown into prison, for manifesting Union proclivities.

Richmond papers publish general order No. 9, dated Adjutant and inspector General’s office, Richmond, March 1, wherein Jeff. Davis proclaims martial law over Richmond and adjoining country for ten miles.

All distillation of spirituous liquors and their sail is forbidden, on account of the demoralization of the army and the prevalent disorder.

All persons having arms of any description are requested to deliver the same to the ordnance department on or before the 6^th of March, otherwise they will be seized.

The Richmond Dispatch says this measure will be hailed with satisfaction by all classes.

AUGUSTA, March 2.

A gentleman just reached here says on Saturday morning Com. Tatnall’s fleet engaged one of the Federal batteries near Savannah, and had one man killed.  The fleet then returned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1

From Tennessee

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 26.

A Fort Donelson Dispatch to the Democrat of yesterday, says that a boat just from Clarksville reports the evacuation of Nashville.  The Union citizens of that place sent a boat to Clarksville, which craved one of our gunboats for their protections.

The rebels, with Gov. Harris, retreated to Murfreesboro.

Gen. Grant Declares martial law in West Tennessee, with the understanding that when a sufficient number of citizens of the State return to their allegiance and show a desire to maintain law and order over the territory, all military restrictions shall be withdrawn.  Postal facilities are extended to Clarksville, and the mail bags will follow the flag.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 11.

 HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,

Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., May 9, 1862.

The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the Military Department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having taken up arms against said United States, it became a military necessity to declare martial law. This was accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country are altogether incompatible; the persons in these three States, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, heretofore held as slaves, are therefore declared forever free.

By command of Maj. Gen. D. Hunter:

 [ED. W. SMITH,]

 Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I – Volume 14, p. 341

From New Orleans

General Butler’s Proclamation to the People of the City.

Memphis papers of the 6^th & 7^th have been received by the Cincinnati Commercial.  The most important news contained in them is that from New Orleans.

GEN. BUTLER’S PROCLAMATION.

The flowing proclamation of General Butler appears in the N. O. Delta of Saturday, May 3.  It was issued on the occasion of Gen. Butler assuming control as Military Governor.  The proclamation was handed to the newspaper editors with the request that it should be published.  All the offices refused to print it.  A guard was then sent to the True Delta office, possession taken, northern printers sent for, the document set up, put in the form, and worked off in the regular edition of the paper.

HEADQUARTERS DEP’T OF THE GULF,

NEW ORLEANS, May, 1862

The city of New Orleans and its environs, with all its interior and exterior defences, having been surrendered to the combined naval and land forces of the United States, who have come to restore order, maintain public tranquility, enforce peace and quiet under the laws and constitution of the United States, the Major General commanding the forces of the United States in the Department of the Gulf hereby makes known and proclaims the object and purposes of the government of the United States in thus taking possession of the city of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana, and the rules and regulations by which the laws of the United States will be for the present, and during a state of war, enforced and maintained, for the plain guidance of all good citizens of the United States as well as others who may heretofore have been in rebellion against their authority.

Thrice before, has the city of New Orleans been rescued from the hands of a foreign government, and still more calamitous domestic insurrection, by the money and arms of the United States.  It has of late been under the military control of the rebel forces, claiming to be the peculiar friends of its citizens; and at each time, in the judgment of the commander of the military forces holding it, it has been found necessary to preserve order and maintain quiet by the administration of law martial.  Even during the interim from its evacuation by the rebel soldiers and its actual possession by the soldiers of the United States, the civil authorities of the city have found it necessary to call for the intervention of an armed body known as the “European Legion” to preserve pubic tranquility.  The commanding General, therefore, will cause the city to be governed until the restoration of municipal authority, and his further orders, by the law martial – a measure for which it would seem the previous recital furnishes sufficient precedents.

All persons in arms against the United States are required to surrender themselves with their arms, equipments, and munitions of war.  The body known as the “European Legion” not being understood to be in arms against the United States, but organized to protect lives and property of the citizens, are invited to still cooperate with the force of the United States to that end, and, so acting, will not be included in the terms of this order, but will report to these headquarters.

All ensigns, flags, and devices, tending to uphold any authority whatever, save, the flags of the United States, and the flags of the foreign Consulates, must not be exhibited, but suppressed.  The American ensign, the emblem of the United States, must be treated with the utmost deference and respect by all persons, under pain of severe punishment.

All persons well disposed towards the government of the United States, who shall renew the oath of allegiance, will receive the safeguard and protection of their persons and property of the armies of the United States, the violation of which is punishable with death.

All persons still holding allegiance to the Confederate States will be deemed rebels against the government of the United States, and regarded and treated as enemies thereof.

All foreigners not naturalized and claiming allegiance to their respective governments, and not having made oath of allegiance of to the supposed government of the Confederate States, will be protected in their persons and property as heretofore under the laws of the United States.

All persons who may heretofore have given their adherence to the supposed government of the Confederate States, or have been in their service, who shall lay down and deliver up their arms, and return to peaceful occupations, and preserve quiet and order, holding no further correspondence nor giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States, will not be disturbed in person or property, except so far, under the orders of the Commanding General as the exigencies of the public service may render necessary.

The keepers of all public property, whether State, National, or Confederate, such as collections of art, libraries, museums, as well as all public buildings, all munitions of war, and armed vessels, will at once make full returns  thereof to these headquarters, all manufacturers of arms and munitions of war will report to these headquarters their kind and places of business.

All rights of property, of whatever kind, will be held inviolate, subject only to the law of the United States.

All individuals are enjoined to pursue their usual avocations, all shops and places of business and amusement are to be kept open in the usual manner, and services to be held in churches and religious houses, as in times of profound peace.  Keepers of all public houses, coffee houses, and drinking saloons, are to report their names and numbers to the office of the Provost Marshal, and will there receive licenses and be held responsible for all disorders and disturbances of the peace arising in their respective places.

A sufficient force will be kept in the city to preserve order and maintain the laws.

The killing of an American soldier by any disorderly person or mob is simply assassination and murder, and not war, and will be so regarded and punished.

The owner of any house or building in or from which such murder shall be committed will be held responsible therefore, and the house be liable to be destroyed by the military authority.

All disorders and disturbances of the peace done by combination and numbers, and crimes of an aggravated nature, interfering with forces or laws of the United States, will be referred to a military court for trial and punishment.  Other misdemeanors will be subject to the municipal authority, if it chooses to act.  Civil causes between party and party will be referred to the ordinary tribunals.

The levy and collection of taxes, save those imposed by the laws of the United States, are suppressed, except those keeping in repair and lighting the streets, and for sanitary purposes.  These are to be collected in the usual manner.

The circulation of Confederate bonds, evidences of the debt, except notes in the similitude of bank notes, issued by the Confederate States, or scrip, or any trade in the same, is strictly forbidden.  It having been represented to the Commanding General by the civil authorities that these Confederate notes in the form of bank notes are, in a great measure, the only substitutes for money which the people have been allowed to have, and that great distress would ensue among the poorer classes if the circulation of such notes was suppressed, such circulation will be permitted so long as any one may be in considerate enough to receive them, till further orders.

No publications, either by newspapers, pamphlet, or handbill, giving accounts of the movements of soldiers of the United States within this department, reflecting in any way upon the United States or its officers, or tending in any way to influence the public mind against the Government of the United States, will be permitted, all articles of war news, or editorial comments, or correspondence, making comments upon the movements of the armies of the United States, or the rebels, must be submitted to the examination of an officer who will be detailed for that purpose from these headquarters.

The transmission of all communications by telegraph will be under the charge of an officer from these headquarters.

The armies of the United States came here not to destroy, but to make good, to restore order out of chaos, and the government of laws in the place of the passion of men; to this end, therefore, the efforts of all well-disposed are invited to have every species of disorder quelled and, if any soldier of the United States should so far forget his duty or his flag as to commit any outrage upon any person or property, the Commanding General requests that his name be instantly reported to the provost guard, so that he may be punished and his wrongful act redressed.

The municipal authority, so far as the police of the city and crimes are concerned, to the extent before indicated, is hereby suspended.

All assemblages of persons in the streets either by day or by night, tend to disorder and are forbidden.

The various companies composing the Fire Department in New Orleans will be permitted to retain their organizations, and are to report to the office of the Provost Marshal, so that they may be known and not interfered with in their duties.

And, finally, it may be sufficient to add, without further enumeration, that the requirements of martial law will be imposed so long as in the judgment of the United States authorities it may be necessary.  And while it is the desire of these authorities to exercise this government mildly, and after the usages of the past, it must not be supposed that it will not be vigorously and firmly administered as occasion calls.

By command of Major General Butler.

GEO. B. STRONG, A. A. G., Chief of Staff.

From the Memphis avalanche, 7^th

LATEST FROM NEW ORLEANS.

We have advices from New Orleans up to Saturday morning, 11 o’clock.  Gen. Butler had taken the St. Charles Hotel for his headquarters, and the Evans House on Poydras St., had been converted into a hospital.  The Jackson Railroad depot was taken possession of Saturday morning about 25 minutes past 11 o’clock.  Federal pickets had been extended out as far as the crossing of the Jefferson and Jackson Railroads.  Four gunboats and one transport started for Baton Rouge on Saturday morning at 9 o’clock.  When they had gone up some sixteen miles from New Orleans, a small boat was sent ashore, and a section of telegraph wire from post to post was cut, so that the line could not be operated without putting in a new wire.  Up to the time our informant left, 11 o’clock Saturday morning, only seven full federal regiments had been landed in New Orleans.  The last train of cars from Jackson went down to “Kenner’s” on Sunday, and our informant states that it was understood that no train would hereafter be permitted to go down further than “Prairies,” some twenty miles from the city.

All the prisoners in our forts and on the gun boats had been paroled, except only the commander of the Louisiana, who after the forts had surrendered, cut loose the boat, set her on fire, and let her drift down the stream to a certain point, where she blew up and disappeared from mortal vision.  For this act, after the surrender was made, he was sent to New York.  Vast quantities of molasses, sugar, and cotton were destroyed.  Only eighty bales of cotton could be found in the city, and that belonged to an Englishman, and was not destroyed.  Provisions are represented as more plentiful, though flour still ranges from $25 to $30 per barrel.  Al the papers in New Orleans are still published, though a Federal censor is placed over every office to examine all the matter and exclude whatever may prove inimical to the Federal cause.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2

Some of the secesh in Newbern, N. C. . . .

. . . have become so insolent from the forbearance of the government officers that Gen. Burnside has found it necessary to be more stringent and has issued this order:

“Whoever, after the issue of this order, shall, within the limits to which the Union arms may extend in this department, utter one word against the government of the United States, will be at once arrested and closely confined.  It must be distinctly understood that this department is under martial law, and treason expressed or implied will meet with speedy punishment.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2