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CHAP. XVI. have another case of yellow fever in New Orleans. That, however, demonstrated the fact that yellow fever is not indigenous there, but requires to be imported, and that it may be quarantined even after it has been brought into the river. It perhaps can be fully done only by military measures, but it was effectually done there, although they had it everywhere on the coast,- at Matamoras, GalCommittee veston, Sabine Pass, and at Pensacola,- and I had of the War. five or six cases down at quarantine."

Butler, Testimony, Report

on Conduct

Jefferson
Davis

to Monroe,

April 28,

1862. W. R.

Vol. VI., p. 884.

It must not be inferred that the rebels threw no obstacles in Butler's way. The persistent effort of the Mayor to recant his surrender of the city has been noted; and following out this policy, which was prompted from Richmond, secret machinations by prominent Confederates perplexed the commanding general at almost every step of his administration. They abused his permits to bring food, by secret mails and contraband supplies. The city authorities neglected efficient coöperation. The rebel Governor refused to allow provisions to be brought. Banks and corporations connived with foreign consuls to hide rebel funds. It was a running fight between loyal government and all the subterfuges which treason could invent, and Butler used his power of detection and punishment unsparingly upon willful offenders. But a fair balancing of motives and acts would show that in his hands military despotism, instead of bringing oppression and inflicting suffering, compelled the community to submit to peace and protection, to charity and bounty, to health and life. Under the teachings of its leaders, and its blind political rage, New Orleans had done its full share to create

war; Butler, with autocratic will, forced upon it CHAP. XVI. quiet and order. With suicidal folly it had created destitution and want and raised the gaunt specter of famine; with imperious authority Butler filled its hungry mouths and obliged it to reorganize industry and reëstablish trade. Through misrule and indolent neglect it had invited pestilence; Butler relentlessly constrained it to a cleanliness and health it had never experienced. One might almost transpose the Scripture parable to contrast their contumacious opposition and his beneficent compulsion. They asked a scorpion, and he gave them an egg; they asked a serpent, and he gave them a fish; they asked a stone, and he gave them bread.

CHAPTER XVII

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PEA RIDGE AND ISLAND NO. 10

S a powerful supplement to the Union victories in Tennessee, the military operations west of the Mississippi River next demand our attention. Under the vigorous promptings of Halleck we left the army of General S. R. Curtis engaged in his trying midwinter campaign in Southwestern Missouri. He made ready with all haste to comply with the order to "push on as rapidly as possible and end the matter with Price." His army obeyed every order with cheerful endurance. "They contend with mud, water, and snow and ice manfully," wrote Curtis under date of February 1, 1862, "and I trust they will not falter in the face of a more active foe." In the same spirit he encouraged his officers: "The roads are indeed very bad, but they are worse for the enemy than for us if he attempts to retreat... The men should help the teams out of difficulty when necessary, and all must understand that the elements are to be considered serious obstacles, which we have to encounter and overcome in this campaign. Constant bad roads will be the rule, and a change for the better a rare exception."

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