Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-05-22

United States 20 Eail on sIHe psttn
The Orlsans and Mississippi tefrnafF Z, tor
such l~esathnienis Of the militia % may pc
deemed NECESSARY. ~ ~
On the 30th Of April, 1905, the secretary
|sof war, fygiliiam Eus,is, esq addressed 4
|lstt.r % general flames Witkihson, express
ing great snxietysand solicitude tor ysnet
health of,he troops. Alive 10 appehensions
toGn, this important point, he proceeds osay,
"1on Inspecting the general instructions CIV.
en- by this department, Cd Of December,
1908, it appears, that the troops were 20 be
assembled at New Orleans; |; an apprehen-
| sion that the letter of this instruction nav,
be construed 70 limit any measures which
-FOUR own judgement nigh. suggest resptct-
| ing a change Of position, induces me 20 re-
move any such obstacle, if it shall have had
| an influence. BY the returns Of the Gath OF
| March it appears that more than one fourth
part of the troops were sick. Without Z
| knowledge OF this fact, the remosaIof the
army from New Orleans during The sum
mer and auitumnal months is suggested by
every consideration of prudence and expe-
ffence. If, therefore, such removal shaH
not, on receipt of this letter have been alrea-
dy commenced, you will be pleased 10 give
| the necessary orders TO have II effected m
mediately. After leaving the necessary
garrison, consisting of old troops, at New
/ Orleans, i: will be desirable that all the Q.
| theirs should be transported either to high
ground in the rear of Fort Adams, ORA part
| of them in the rear. of. the Natchez; per.
| hans both these stations should be occupied,
A division of the troops being more ~favora-
bic to their health than qsar'tring the whole
together in one body. of this YOU will Judge
The primary object will be to preserve
| the health and lives of TIE men ; next, to
have them CHARTERED as will best admit Of a
regular .ystem OF order, government and
discipline with as much economy as is prac-
ticable."
On the se,h of May, 1909, gsnsratJ James
| Wilkinson addressed a letter to the secreta-
70 at war. He saws. "Aiter much inquiry
I have determined ON a spot for the en-
campmen, Of the troops. IL was J difficult
matter, from the localities Of the country to
adius, ; and being an object of primary inn.
| pOt dtl tu NtutiSbI ;" Nv =
and health, it has truly occupied all my
cares and attentions, and will hope be- my
excuse Tor inattsntion to minor objects" In
the pare Immediately succeeding this .x.
tract, the general me ntions tina, he had a.
bandoned thc. idea Of encamring On the
scite sp"k'n al by general Henry Oar
borne, called .t1a'Vtst"wn, m the "Amite
river, on account of us being the most sick
" spot in the territory. The general then
says: With the general voice of the A.
mericans and Creolcs in favor ofir. haye
selected a picce Of ground On the left bafk
of the Mississippi, below Ills city about
four leagues. which and p'rf.c,ly dry at
this homem, although The surface df the
river, restrained BY its dykes, is in general
three fee, above tn, l:vel OF the country -
You will pu, your finger on the spo, at the
cad Of the Easlish .u'n, just where the
route to the English settlements on the
Terrr au BeaG leaves; the river. The dis.
advantages Of the situation are, private
ground, private wood, and its vicinity to
New Orleans. But its advantages arc, pro-
missed health, The hes, water Of the ccun ~,
the accommodation and comforts Of a MARI
ket, the immediate protection of the city,
and the prompt defence Of the river and
lakes agains, an invading foe Under such
| considerations, and the rapid advance Of
| the season, I could pause no longer ; but
shall proceed to take the position, and
make the necessary establishments for the
reception and safe keeping Of the stares and
provisions, necessary to supply and supper.
| the troops, AID for The comfortable lodging
| of the sick and we'll" f..
Letter. from general WiAinson- to the Score.
tnry efWar, dated Camp Te+reau BGuf,
1une 10, 1909. 2
Your letters on the soth April, and 9TH
! ultimo, did not reach New Orlean. until the
last mail, the 14,h instant, though we re-
| ceived at the same time the Presidents
speech. I an happy that I have so far an
,icipated your wishes as to have enesmped
the ,roqps, though ! hav. not soueht the