"Natchez Mississippi residents remained defiant of the Federal authorities during occupation. In 1864, the Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Natchez, William Henry Elder, refused to obey a federal order to compel his parishioners to pray for the President of the United States."

General Mason Brayman, the new commander, took a hard stance, saying "...military orders are to be followed, not discussed..." and issued an order for Elder to be sent to jail in Vidalia, Louisiana. Federal troops took Elder to Vidalia for a few weeks.