New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-12-05
MALOU.

CoUsHATTA CHUTE. LA, Nov. 90 1861.
Special to the New Orleans Crescent
Ed. Crsscent-The first battalion parade of the
Natchtoches militia fourth DIVISION took place on
the 2lst and I'D ult. The following companies
were present and answered to the roll: The
Springville Company, Capt. Murph; Grape Bluff
Company, Capt. Robieu Campte Company, Capt.
Hart; Black Lake Company, Capt. Smith; Bayou
Pierre Company, Capt --: amounting to three
hundred men, including officers. You will per-
ceive deficiency to complete full battalion.
The parade took place on beautiful enclosed
lawn belonging to Mr.. Bordelon, and most ex-
cellent place, by little work, for regmental or
battalion review. The battalion was formed in
order by Major McCurdy, an officer of thorough
military education, and one thoroughly competent
to occupy higher position. At 10 O'Clock A. NJ.
the battalion moved, and formed the line of battle
upon the different companies and went through
the manual of arms, all of which was complete
success. After drilling couple of hours we were
dismissed for dinner. When the evening drill took
place, Col. Kenney commanded and put the bows
through pretty tight. The Colonel seems to be a
tactician, but do not admire his style of military
position on horseback-looking like patience
on monument, smiling at grief"
He is a man about so or 60 years, rather inclined
to be corpulent, and gives his orders slowly but in
a stentOrian voice,
Among the best drilled companies assembled in
battalion parade were those commanded by Cap
tains Hart, Murph and Robieu; the others also did
we'll
All the Captains deserved a great deal of credit
Tor their perseverance in bringing the rau material
to state OF polished soldiery. must say the men
do not take that interest they should in perfectng
the thorough drill if they did, the Captains would
rot be compelled to run and talk themselves
nearly out of breath in trying to initiate them in
proper way.
Our first regimenta drill will, understand, take
a of IN,
December. 1t is very severe on the poor class.
Many OF them will have to walk distance of near
ly forty miles, and when they arrive there, where
are they to eat or sleep? Everything OF comfort be-
ing raised to war pitch will cause many to become
sick from fatigue and exposure. Then remember
these very men labor hard through the week,
make barely enough to sustain them, on account
of their limited means, then to drill twice week.
They cannot make their crops, feed their hogs, 60
to mill, etc, and drill all the time. l think once
in two weeks-dril the whole day--would enable
them to get along much better.
In this section every planter is raising stock and
II Old Abe does not starye out this year, when
our resources are suddenly swept from u.s. you
may depend he never will l hear from many in
telgent planters that If the blockade is not raised
by spring they will only plant three acres in cot
ton to the hand These very men make over two
hundred bales of cotton. In the hills they are
weaving, spinning and making beautiful article
of cloth, and many of our resources are gradually
returning to their allegiance.
l am sorry to see some of our merchants adding
the blockade tariff upon goods purchased years
ago. Such system has completely Frustrated the
interest of the poorer class in our parish. For in
stance, mess pork bought this time last year for
SO and $40 per barrel, is selling tor Is cents
per pound; calico prints that cost from to lOc,
selling for 30 ana 35c. and fast colors at that, and
everything else in proportion.
The river being SO very low makes blockade
between here and your city, and it is almost mpos-
sble to receive anything from New Orleans. The
river is d0acn IN the mouth, and / have heard that
its banks are not so firm as they were this time
last year; they are continually "caying n'' There
is no change in its currency, except at the falls
above Alexandria, where it has been issuing larger
notes than for many years past. Our Colonel be-
ing medicine man. it has been suggested that
he should go and examine the heal of the river and
report.
The weather for the past two weeks was excel
leut for picking cotton. A 'arge portion of this
month has been as warm and sulGry as in June or
July. November is called the crazy month, but it
has returned to its senses this year. VORTEX.