eral Phelps remains in retirement. I
suppose the president felt that an indorsement 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 assaulted 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