Part 19 (1/2)
”BENJ. F. BUTLER, _Major-General Commanding._
”Brigadier-General PHELPS, _commanding forces at Camp Parapet._”
General Phelps' resignation was accepted by the Government. He received notification of the fact on the 8th of September and immediately prepared to return to his farm in Vermont. In parting with his officers, who were, like his soldiers, much attached to him, he said: ”And now, with earnest wishes for your welfare, and aspirations for the success of the great cause for which you are here, I bid you good-bye.” Says Parton:
”When at length, the government had arrived at a negro policy, and was arming slaves, the president offered General Phelps a major-general's commission. He replied, it is said, that he would willingly accept the commission if it were dated back to the day of his resignation, so as to carry with it an approval of his course at Camp Parapet. This was declined, and General Phelps remains in retirement. I suppose the president felt that an indors.e.m.e.nt of General Phelps' conduct would imply a censure of General Butler, whose conduct every candid person, I think, must admit, was just, forbearing, magnanimous.”
General Butler was carrying out the policy of the Government at that time, but it was not long before he found it necessary to inaugurate a policy of his own for the safety of his command. On the 5th of August Breckenridge a.s.saulted Baton Rouge, the capital of the State, which firmly convinced General Butler of the necessity of raising troops to defend New Orleans. He had somewhat realized his situation in July and appealed to the ”home authorities” for reinforcements, but none could be sent. Still, the Secretary of War said to him, in reply to his application: ”New Orleans must be held at all hazards.”
With New Orleans threatened and no hope of reinforcement, General Butler, on the 22d day of August, before General Phelps had retired to private life, was obliged to accept the policy of arming negroes. He issued the following order:
”HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, GENERAL ORDERS ”NEW ORLEANS, August 22, 1862.
NO. 63.
”Whereas on the 23d day of April, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored population of the city of New Orleans, a military organization, known as the ”Native Guards” (colored,) had its existence, which military organization was duly and legally enrolled as a part of the militia of the State, its officers being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the State of Louisiana, in the form following, that is to say:
”'THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
[Seal of the State.]
”'By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana, and commander-in-chief of the militia thereof.
”'In the name and by the authority of the State of Louisiana: Know ye that ----- ----, having been duly and legally elected captain of the ”Native Guards” (colored,) 1st division of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the term of the war,
”'I do hereby appoint and commission him captain as aforesaid, to take rank as such, from the 2d day of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-one.
”'He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of his office by doing and performing all manner of things thereto belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers, non-commissioned officers and privates under his command, to be obedient to his orders as captain; and he is to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, according to the Rules and Articles of War, and in conformity to law.
”'In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the State to be hereunto annexed.
”'Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
[L.S.] [Signed,] THOS. O. MOORE.
”'By the Governor: [Signed,] ”'P. D. Hardy, Secretary of State.
[Endorsed.]
”'I, Maurice Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector General of the State of Louisiana, do hereby certify that ---- ----, named in the within commission, did, on the second day of May, in the year 1861, deposit in my office his written acceptance of the office to which he is commissioned, and his oath of office taken according to law.
[Signed,] ”'M. GRIVOT, Adjutant and Inspector General, La.'
”And whereas, said military organization elicited praise and respect, and was complimented in General Orders for its patriotism and loyalty, and was ordered to continue during the war, in the words following:
”'HEADQUARTERS LOUISIANA MILITIA,
”'Order No. 426.] ”'Adjutant General's Office, March 24, 1862.
”'I.--The Governor and Commander-in-Chief, relying implicitly upon the loyalty of the free colored population of the city and State for the protection of their homes, their property, and for Southern rights, from the pollution of a ruthless invader, and believing that the military organization which existed prior to the 15th of February, 1862, and elicited praise and respect for the patriotic motives which prompted it, should exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their organization, and to hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be transmitted to them.
”'II.--The colonel commanding will report without delay to Major General Lewis, commanding State militia.
”'By order of THOS. O. MOORE, Governor.