The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-06-25
THE NEW ORLEANS vIGILANTs.


Rebellion is lsughable. The figure cut by
the rebels in proelAiming the establishment
of their reign throughout the city, and within
forty eight hours suIrendering their organi-
cation, promising submission to the laws, and
submitting to the humiliation of hiding in
the swamps, like runaway negroes-forced
to eat green melons and raw vegetables to
sustain life-is in truth one Of the most lu-
dicrous OF all spectacles; and We hope it will
serve as warning to those who may pre-
mediate treason hereafter.
The New Orleans ''Crescent," of the 10th
instant, reeounts the following interesting
particulars regarding the Retreat of the Vigi-
lants on the morning after the election in
that city, and other incidents connected
Herewith:
The Vigilants left the State Arsenal in a
body about two hundred strong under Capt.
Duncan; he represented to them that the
time had come for their departure, and that
he would take them to a place Of safety
They marched down the levee to the Bar
racks, below the city. Arrived there, the or
der was given to stack arms, This being
done, Capt, Duncan informed the men that it
was necessary that he and the other leaders
should remain there for safety, but that they,
being privates were not in SO much danger
and had better dispere and each man look
out for himself. The men, understanding that
they would not be permitted to remain there,
asked for their guns, that they might defend
themselves after laying. The Captain re,
fused, telling tho that they were better
without weaponstnhan with them, and po.
litely showed them out at the gates.
Many Of them instead of coming back to
the city, went further down. Some crossed
the river in skiffs, to make their escape as
best they could, whilst others went back into
the swamp and there secreted themselves.
There they staid all that day, all night, and
the greater part Of yesterday. On Tuesday
afternoon, about fifty of Them mostly foreign.
ers, came forth from their concealment, sur
rendered themselves to a police officer who
was down tint way, and asked to be made
prisoners, that they might get something to
eat and be protected from the violence which
they Appreciated. Whilst the officer was
bringing them Up, he received an order from
Lieut.. Leggett 70 dismiss them, he having no
orders or authority to take them prisoners
They were accordingly dismissed, and advised
no harm shoult happen to them. This. how
ever, only serv,d to brighten them worse than
ever; they landed it was only ruse to en-.
trap them into some murderous ambnscade
and so turned lnck and retreated to their
hiding places inthe swamp.
Yesterday morning, different persons who
came up from the vicinity Of the barracks re-
ported that during the night the miserable
men had broken into the gardens and into
some of the houes, and carried off all the
food they could find. Green and overripe Gu
cumbers, green Melons, and all kinds Of vege.
tables had been carried off and probably de-
voured. 1t was also stated that besides their
starvation and the horrors of night passed
among the mosquitoes in the swamp, 'meny
6f them had t,ken sick and were altogether
in most distressing situation.
Word was s,nt down to the men that they
were killing themselves for nothing, and that
they had bette come back to the city and
dispense to Their homes. 1t was guaranteed
them that theyshould not be nterfered with
or molested by any body. In the afternoon,
they seemed to get over their fright, or at
least to get over it to certain extent; for
they were seen, one man here and another
there, quietly stealing home They looked
as if they expected 10 see a cannon pop out
from behind every corner, or earth explode
at every step. Whether all Of them came
back or not we could not ascertain; but those
who did, got home safely and the pleasure
they felt after their terrible and wretched
seven days experience as VigilaDts, must
have been one of those pleasures that is not
often enjoyed in lifeline.
Several of those who were known to be.
long to the Vigilants were yesterday seen on
the Streets going about town in pursuit of
their business, and WIRE not, that we could
hear of, interfered with or molested any.
| where.
We hear of different members of the Vigil
lants, notamong the fgitives abovemention-
ed, who are laid up very sick from the effects
of the severe duty ant privation they under
went at Fort Vigilance.
From all accounts, there was more suffering
suspense, dissension AMI general misery among
the Vigilants. than thepeople have any idea
Of. Their sleeping quarters in the Arsenal,
and Courthouse, close crowded. filthy and
unwholesome, were little better than the
Black Holo of Calcutt.-for it must be re.
membered that during all the Vigilant ex
ctement the weather was awfully hot, night
and day; sixteen or twenty hours duty out
Of every twenty -four, FOL FIVE days, thorough.
ly tested every constitution; and plain bread
and meat and coffee wee not just the thing
for the numerous epicuran palates that found
themselves under the Ngilant flag.
THE MONEY QUEs:IoN.-We have no
doubt but that the money question, as con.
nected with the general government, will be
the great question of The day. All other is
sues seem to be settled, with the exception
of this important one. The fact that the
government of the Uniled States is under
the necessity of contracting loans Of from
twenty to thirty millions a year when we are
at peace with all the world, is state of
things which ought not to exist. The taxes
of the country should be adjusted so as to
meet the annual expenditure within the CON-
pass of each year. This is the only system
which should be allowed to prevail in time of
peace.
WHAT NExT?-We seldom pick up New
York paper, but we see ann ounced some "new
dodge" practiced by the fancy gentlemen of
that city. The latest we find in the Charles
ton News, giver by its New York cOrrespon-
dent. Here it is: -,
sour New York chepdliers d induStrie are
not exceled by those of any other country.
The pick pockets have adopted novel expe-
dent which is, for n marty TO take passage