The Avoyelles pelican. [volume] (Marksville [La.]) 1859-186?, 1862-08-09


ding they were sent. He shipped them
on the Star light, subject to the orders
of the Governor. The boat had not gone
many miles on her way to n. Orleans
wh-n she was met by the Grnl. Hodges
with the Cover 'or on board Here shr
learned for the first time that the city of
n. Orleans had been captured by the
Federal forces S q turned back, and
ment ~ instead Of down the river.-
When the Genl. Hodges reached Nor
mand's Landing, kept by f. I'D wards
g. VIM. Sloat, Governor Moore caused
to be- handed ashore his request for burn
ing the cotton, Immediately on the liver
banks and whenever it was in danger of
falling into the hands Of the enemy
During the interim between this and the
9th May, the Militia Col. to whom the
muskets had been shipped, heard from
some source which he deemed reliable,
tnat Mr.. +. Edwards Aud not reshiyed
tie mushets, and that he had kept them
for the purpose Of arming Union men
to resist the burning Of cotton. The
Golonelthen ordered out about thirty men
to go and taks the guns by violence if
necessary. VIM. Edwards and his party,
seized upon the occasion to make some
persons believe that the Colonel was
about to destroy their cotton. The Col
onel had about thirty men and Edwards
had, by his own confession, about sixty
five all Of whom were armed with double
barrel guns pistols etc. AS soon the
Colonel learned from +. Edwards that
the guns had been shipped IL parley took
place the militia. having been ,lisbanded
i'll which a mutual friend othciatel, du-
ring which both these gentlemen became
satisfied that the whole difficulty had
grosn out Of il mutual misunderstanding
which had been formed from flying and
lying r,lll,ors Te matter was settled
and both returned home satisfied Mr..
Edwards did not have the guns, as had
been reported to the Colonel, nor did
the Colonel have any idea of burning
the cotton as VIM. Edwards and his fam
lily with one exception, we believe j.
Nj. Edwards) had made their followers
believe. Not single musket has ever
been placed into the hands of any man
in AvoyelIes to this day and L. j. Ed
wa'ds knew it when lie penne'l his i'll
f.mou, letter and libel. On the 10th of
May, James beavers passed through
portion Of the p rish exhibiting lis pass
like a slave, (as all must do now, who
sail under Uulted States coor<) from his
master Butler. The Militia Colonel de-
tcrmined to arrest him and to test his
loyalty to the Confederate Government.
There was no intention to hang him as
I. j. Edwards falsel y says to please his
Master Ben, but had lie been found dis
loyal would have been sent to higher au
thority for a final hearing. Now it
must appear not little curious to his
master Ben, that it should excite such
bloody determination on the part Of the
Militia Colonel, 10 hear that single
man suspected OF Union sentiments had
gone through the country, when it was,
as Il. j. Edwards says in substance, Il
well know fact that he and all his fam
lily and friends were determined to up
hold the United States authority come
what might Ii the Colonel was SO
thirsty for the blood of Union men, why
did he not begin to assuage his thirst
from among t..ese well known Unionists
Of Nr Edwards family and friends! The
truth is as the sequel will prove, L. j.
Edwards and all his family made as
warm professions ofloyalty to the South
ern Government as any others in the
parish. 1t is also true, that some Of the
faniily were never believed, for they
were thought to be traitors from the be-
ginning of the war.
Five men were detailed to arrest Dea-
vers. They found him at the residence
IF his mother .iri-law, near Marksville,
early on the morning of the 18th of
May last. He offered no opposition to
he arrest but requested them to wait on
lin until he could get some breakfast.
Hs EXPRESSED his willingness and read
ness to be examined on the question of
lis loyalty to the Southern Government.
Q. Conor having inferred from a ques-
ion of his nephew G. Gaspard, that the
i've Militiamen Of whom he (G.) was one.
ought to arrest D-rs ran over to VIM.
and notified him of the fact,