Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/190

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ourselves, they should read that we are unconquered and are de- termined to be free. The altars of prayer are thronged to-night, and may God be with us.

April 26, 1862. The Yankees have not yet taken possession of our city. They sent several officers ashore to-day under a flag of truce. They came in two. boats about 10:30 A. M. Their boats were well loaded with marines, who were armed with guns of the best and most approved description. Several of them stepped ashore, and it seemed to be the intention to come on land with all their men to escort and protect them on their way to the City Hall. It would have been a suicidal attempt on their part to pass through that ex- cited crowd of enemies with thirty or more Lincoln marines at their back and around them. Lieutenant Birmingham, of the Crescent Reserves, who was standing on the wharf, said to them : " Gentle- men, you must not land without a flag of truce, and must not take any men as an escort either." One of them answered with an oath: " If we are not allowed we shall fire." Lieutenant Birmingham re- plied that he would "protect them to the City Hall, but they must take no hirelings with them." They cursed him and told him that they should fire. Said he: "Fire, then," baring his own breast to them. They, however, shortly repented, and the noble Birmingham escorted them safely through the infuriated crowd three of them went into the presence of the City Council. Although blamed by some hot-headed fools, still Lieutenant Birmingham did only his duty. They brought with them another demand from Commodore Farragut for "the immediate surrender of the city," and that we should pull down our State flag from the City Hall, whereon we should hoist an American flag, as well as hoist one on the mint, the custom-house, etc. Our mayor, Hon. John T. Monroe, sent the Commodore an answer, stating in substance that he deemed, and the city deemed, that he could not, being a civil officer, perform the military act of surrendering the city. Therefore he refused to sur- render, adding that since our military under Lovell had all left the city, he had no army at the head of which he could put himself to resist them. Hence, if they wished that the American flag should float over our city, they must place it in position themselves, and that the miscreant citizen of New Orleans did not live who would dare to raise such a flag. So much for that interview.

It is stated by the knowing ones that the French, English, and all the consuls have entered a solemn protest against the shelling of this city by the Yankees. It is also said that word has been sent to the