New Orleans, Aug. 26th, 1862.
Dear Sir: The
troops at Baton Rouge have evacuated the place, without destroying it, and are
now joined to Gen. Phelps' command at Carrolton. His effective force is now
about six thousand men and many guns, and is sufficient for the defence of the
place. The fortifications are strong, and Gen. Phelps has the entire confidence
of his men. An attack on the City was feared, and therefore the troops were
brought down from Baton Rouge. The secessionists confidently expect the city to
be taken soon, and had they succeeded at Baton Rouge, an attack on the City
would have followed immediately. I do not believe it will now be made, but if
attempted, will certainly be unsuccessful. They expected aid in the City, but
Gen. Butler has disarmed all citizens. About 25,000 arms of various kinds have
been given up.
The first Louisiana Reg't. is full and ready for service,
and nearly enough men enlisted to form a second Reg't. The men are generally
foreigners — many Germans — and will do good service.
A free Colored Reg't. formerly in Rebel service, is being
organized. Probably this Regiment will be increased to a Brigade. I urged this
matter upon Gen. Butler, but he had already decided upon it favorably. The free
negroes of Louisiana, are certainly superior, as a class, to the Creoles (descendants
of French and Spanish settlers). They are intelligent, energetic and
industrious, as is evident from the fact (as stated to me) that they own one
seventh of the real estate in this city. This is their own work, for they
commenced with nothing, of course.
These men will be good soldiers. Gen. Phelps has at his camp
1,500 men — escaped slaves. Enough to make a full regiment are drilled (without
arms) and go through all movements well. I do not know whether Gen. Butler
intends them to have arms. They are good looking men, and I believe will be
good soldiers.
The health of the troops is good, except those lately at
Vicksburg, among whom however, deaths have been few. The City is quite healthy,
and there is no longer much danger from Yellow Fever. This is owing to Gen.
Butler's severe quarantine regulations. A few more days of health will render
us perfectly secure.
The Union sentiment is developing itself satisfactorily. The
laboring classes are our friends. When the great Southern armies are broken up
they will no longer be afraid, and all will be well.
Provisions are high, and there is much suffering in the
City. It is much to be regretted that the River was not opened, so that
provisions might be cheap. The condition of the people now is scarcely better than
under rebel rule — as to food, I mean.
For other reasons, the opening of the River is of the utmost
consequence.
Much complaint is made by Union men, and justly, that those
who have been secessionists, are frequently given employment by the authorities,
to the exclusion of Union men. Concerning the Custom House there have been no
such complaints, I believe, for I have been particularly careful in selecting
officers, but I regret to say that other departments have not exercised the
same care.
Col. Butler is a brother of Gen'l. Butler and came out with
the army, and immediately commenced doing business. He is not in government
employ. He is here for the sole purpose of making money, and it is stated by
secessionists — and by some Union men—that he has made half a million dollars,
or more. I regret his being here at all, for it is not proper that the brother
of the commanding General, should devote himself to such an object. It leads to
the belief that the General himself is interested with him, and such is the
belief of our enemies and of some of our friends. The effect is bad. General
Butler seems entirely devoted to the interests of the Government. I have
observed closely his brother's course. I do not believe the General is
interested in his speculations. I have delayed mentioning this matter until
now, hoping to be better informed. Hon. Reverdy Johnson can give you as much
information as I can.1 I believe Gen. Butler is disinterested and
that he is a most able officer though in a difficult position. Should I learn
anything further, you will be informed.
_______________
1 Hon. Reverdy Johnson, Senator from Maryland,
was “appointed by the State Department as a special agent, to proceed to New
Orleans and investigate and report upon the complaints made by foreign consuls
against the late military proceedings in their respective cases.” (Secretary
Stanton to General Butler, June 10, 1862, Rebellion Records, Series I, Vol. XV,
p. 471. Cf. Series III, Vol. II. Cf. also the appendix to these letters.)
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 310-2