Natchitoches union. [volume] ([Natchitoches, La.]) 1859-1864, 1862-03-20
STEAMER GEN. iIoUaEs,
1Iarch 1871, 1869.
To Wiom it May it Concern.


We the Undersigned, members of the
Prudllomme Guards" duly appointed q
committee to set forth before the public, the
why's and wherefores Of our return home,
have to make the following statement Of
facts, to exonerate from all blame which may
be directed against our Capt. Octave Metoyer
and other officers, for the course purst,ed in
returning home.
On arriving at the City, our Capt called
upon the Adiedant General and reported his
Company, the Prudhomme Guards, ready
to he mustered into service. The Adjt. left
it at the option Of the Company to enlist Ell
thef fer | 2 months or for the war The dues-
tion as to the term of enlistment being put
to the Company, large majority voted for
the war but afterwards, yielding to the mi
uority, voted for Il months, in order not to
dsorganise. The members, after signing the
muster roll, were marched on the levee, in
three ranks, and mustered into the Confeder-
ate States service for II months We then
| camp equipments. &c. On the next day, the
18th, orders were received from the Governor
to tho effect that we. had been crroneously
| mustered In service for / 9 n1ontlls-that we
would be accepted for the war or not at all
Our indefatigable Captain repaired to head
quarters, where he had an interview with the
proper autofities, who assured him ftat the
dignified parsonage by whom we had been
mustered in service had acted diametrically
III contradiction with orders to muster all
companies for the war only.
Capt. Metoyer returned to quarters The
bearer OF this sad news--whea % vote was
Immediately taken to ascertain the number
Of those willing to enlist for the war. The
result was 81 for TIC war and 10 for twelve
months. These 10 members not willing to
go for the war imm diatey left for their
homes, leaving the Company in dsorgalt
izcd condition.
Our truly noble-hearted and patriotic Cap
tain again called upon the Governor apprised
him of this fact, and asked that our galhrt
little band be rovidod with the means of
snstenancc in camp until we could sec what
next to do. The Governor answered that he
could de nothing whatever, and we would
have to return all articles furnished the Com
pany.
The Governors request being granted, we
fell once more upon our own resources. I'm
nediately after the foregoing facts befame
known to recruiting officers, many Of Them
made their appearan in our quarter asking
Ms to go in rs recruits. Tnterrogatories being
propounded as TO with whom can we go?'
Some would say WITH Maj, E'inclney others
with Col. Miles, and still another. with Cen
"God only knows whom Inquiry upon IT.
quiry was made to ascertain something re-
lating to the capacities of these self-coBstitut-
cd majors" "Coonels' and Generals" all
without avail. Would any men, could any
men possessed Of common sence, have gone
with such officers? Mol never. SO say we
all About 40 members have already Signed a
new list for the warli' which when complet-
ed sad the company organised, with Capt.
Octave Metoyer at its head,e VIC will put our
flag once more to the breeze and bear it cons
tantly to the battl field, where orr servces
will be mostly needed.
We the committee, behalf Of the members;
do return our heartfelt thanks to our meFito-
rious Captain and al othes Officers, for the
kind treatment received while sQiouning IN
Camp and elsewhere.
We further appeal to the patriotism Of our
fellow citizens to lend their strong arms and
stou hearts to assist us in maintaining our
righ our liberties, and that which we as
American citizens of the Confederate States,
hold most dear ON earthl OUR sAcrED HONOR !.
LOUIS A. BOSSIER,
+. M. EVANS,
j. n. TERNIER,
y. +. DURSETT,
A. G. LAMEE,
ISAAC HORN,
RICHARD NASH,
COMMITTEE.
+. NJ. EVANS,
President.