Butler and the Union Fleet Occupies New Orleans

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006

A historic war-date Union naval officer's, 8pp. 4to., ink inscribed, letter written by Acting Assistant Paymaster Henry W. Diman, "U.S. Gun Boat 'Kineo', Off New Orleans, June 15, 1862"to his sister giving a graphic description of Butler's opening days of his occupation of New Orleans, reading, in small part: "…you must imagine me sitting at the ward room table, clothing reduced to shirt and pants, a glass of claret and ice on one hand and the ink stand in the other, and…the thermometer stands about ninety…we have had a large gang of carpenters at work repairing the ship…we have been pretty much a wreck ever since the battle…we took our masts out before the battle and have not seen them since…we do not need them in this river navigation…I have been on shore every day since we have been here and have seen about all that there is in New Orleans. It is…an elegant city, but is altogether too low and the odors are not agreeable…grass in now growing on the levee…most of the wholesale stores are closed…people who are sensible prefer to close their stores and hold onto their stocks…you can form no idea of the change for the better which has come over the city since we first occupied it. The conditions of things at the time was awful, men were being daily found to join the army…what little employment for the poor…was refused…and the poor were actually starving to death. Since the city was occupied by Gen Butler from 1500 to 2000 families have been…supplied with provisions…Gen Butler has his headquarters at the St Charles Hotel, which is also the city headquarters of the all the Army and Navy officers in the vicinity. It is not kept open as a hotel but it is only occupied as the official residence of the general and his staff. Cannons point forth from his balconies and a very strong guard are at all times on duty all around it. A better man then Butler could not have been selected to rule the city, he is the right man in the right place. He has already let them know that his word is law and those and those who do not see fit to abide by it are sent forthwith to Ft Jackson. He has also a high estimate of the value of hemp and uses it pretty freely. Soon after the city surrendered the federal flag was hoisted on the mint, it remained there a few days when it was torn down. Last Sunday the rascal who tore it down was hung in front of the very same building where he committed the act, as a warning to all rebels that the stars and stripes are not…to be molested. A few nights since four men, in the uniform of our soldiers and with forged search warrants entered several houses and under the pretense of searching, committed several heavy robberies. They were arrested night before last tried…and all four are to be hung tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. I was in at the provost martial's court yesterday morning and saw four fine looking gentlemen who have just been arrested for conspiring against the life of Genl. Butler. They will…be strung up sometime during the coming week…Haswell Clark…left for home by the "Ocean Queen"…as an escort for Mrs. Gen Butler…Haswell was on board the "Iroquois" during the battle…this morning I attended service at the 1st Presbyterian Church on Lafayette Square. The Rev. Dr. Palmer, one of the most violent secessionists in New Orleans is the pastor…the church is a very large and elegant one…we generally go on shore in the afternoon about five o'clock and take supper and spend the evening ashore. About sunset the streets are crowded with people promenading, and the soldiers generally have their dress parades…the scene is quite lively. When I go ashore I always go in full uniform and wear my sword and side arms, which is the case with all the officers, so we are sure to be recognized as Yankees. Most of the citizens pass us without looking at us, while some treat us with great politeness. It is a strange feeling…walking about the streets of a conquered city…looking upon everybody you meet as fallen enemies…we feel safe and secure…soldiers are stationed at every corner and a few minutes notice would collect a thousand men in every part of the city…last evening there was a grand union procession consisting of about five or six hundred citizens headed by a band of music. They serenaded Gen. Butler…he and Col. [George F.] Shepley made brief speeches to them from the balcony. The rebels here are still very bitter, and some are foolish enough to say that our forces will soon be driven out of the city…they try to frighten us by telling big stories about the yellow fever…tomorrow…we start for another trip up the river…all of the mortar fleet and the larger of the squadron have already gone up. Vicksburg is four hundred miles above here and…it is the only place on the river not yet taken by our forces…officers are not allowed to give any information as to the destination of any vessel…if Foote's expedition does not take Vicksburg in a few days look out for Farragut…our force is so large that we expect to meet with but little opposition…Baton Rouge June 21…we left New Orleans on Tuesday morning…on our trip up to Baton Rouge we had as passengers…several army and navy officers. Our accommodations for passengers are rather limited…we have had on board at one time 300 soldiers. Sometimes they are rebels and sometimes federals. We are now the only vessel at Baton Rouge and will remain until we are relieved of some of the streamers…there are now…about 40 vessels near Vicksburg belonging to our fleet and it is reported that Captain Davis with his fleet of gunboats are but a short distance above. The rebels may make a desperate stand…this river must be opened in…I think that Johnnie could have made a better picture even from my imperfect description. I understand that a handsome lithograph is being prepared of the scene which…will approach nearer…reality. In the picture…referenced to the vessel on the extreme right nearest to Ft. Saint Philip, is supposed to be the "Kineo" but the artist seems to have entirely forgotten the formidable chain barrier, the fire rafts, and the several dreadful collisions which occurred while we were passing. Our wounded have mostly recovered although some will never be fit for duty. I met the other day my old friend Capt. Weekes of the Quickstep…he is an a Master on board the Pensacola…he has been recommended to be promoted to a Lieutenant for his gallantry in the battle…". After serving in the battle of Baton Rouge, Diman resigned from the navy in August 1862 to accept a government appointment to Portugal. The Kineo served throughout the remainder of the war on the Mississippi and was decommissioned in 1866. Minor fold splits, else very good.

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