Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1861-08-17
THE FOURTH REGIMENT Z. $. r..

When this gallant regiment was form
ed At Camp Moore soms three month";
since, the highest hopes were entertain
ID by its many warm friends that il
would soon make its mark upon tht
field Of battle. Composed as it is al
most exclusively Of native Lo~uisianians
or 1t least Southerners by birth, mucl
was expected from it when the time
came to test ito meltle. But by sone
military iinanciering we never could uo'
derstand, when other regiments were be.
ing rapidly hurried off to the scene Of
action, the gallant Fourth was suddenly
informed that it, destiny was guarding
the SEES coast Of Mississippi, upon a bar
ren island which commands the entrance
to the Sound bearing hat name. This
duty should have been conided 10 regu-
lars 10 the Confederets service. Volun-
teers are, At all times, restless and dis
contented unless in active, vigorous ser.
vice, and with this knowledge, the pow
era that BE-" or perbsps some other pow.
Or, send one Of the finest regiments aver
formed for the Confederate service, to
act as q coast guard
We want our own men to Go our fight
iog-meu whose property, Whose vel
fare, nay, whose very salvation depends
upon this issue, and yet native South
ernsrs are, 10 this instance, left to do the
dirty work, upon the coast Of a neighbor-
ing State, while in many instances, the
scum Of towns and cities, the outpour-
ings Of workhouses and shops, have been
sent of to fight for thar they have no in
forest in and can feel none beyond the
pay and rations. What boots it then
to such men who wins or loses! Is not
this . dangerous prscticel Is it not
placing coo great . responsibility in the
hands Of such mont To lose one battle
would seriously jeopardiso the cause Of
independence in moro ways
one. Let u military leaders, and
.t#. ~ {. - 80 rs
look to this before It is too late.
What has been the consequence Of
'tationiug the Fourth Regiment on the
'ea COAST We will speak Of one CON-
pauy oDly-the Delta Rifles. When
hat fine corps left our parish some
.bree months since, to fight for all they
held dear on earth, composed Of the
lower Of our young men, they wen.
orth with the conviction that stern ne
'essity demanded their services, and
hey would lay down their lives, II need
'e, In defence Of their country and her
ights. Many young men, equally as ar
lent, Joined them from neighboring
uniting their destinies with the
Rifles and sought beneath their banner,
be tolls and priyations If a soldiers life.
low merry and light-hearted were they
when they left their homes-what bright
'nticipatioos did they draw for the future
o the soldiers career. They expected
= share the fate and fortunes of their
comrades IN Virginia or Missouri, but
low were their bright anticipations re-
Ship Island :ells the story.
Finding themselves 10 this unlocked for
nd wholly uncoutempl.ted position
having volunteered to act a. a
oast guard, many Of it, members began
. look around for relief from the scorch.
ng sand, venemous insects, putrid water
I'd other infections, and sought com.
in other companies az officers
which 20 many Of them we're capable
t illiog-sad left their companions.in
rms upon the Island, to do that which
hey had left their homes to do-fght
he enemies Of their country. From
fine company alone some twenty.
or thirty gallant spirits withdrew
18th commissions il their pockets, and
BON found their way to q scene Of more
and appropriate life. At the bat
. Of Manassas. three original members
{ tho Delta R;Aes northumberland.