Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-10-02
SITUATION I'M EAST LOUISIANA.
PARISH ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, La.
sa,,ts,nhar eth 1862


EDITORS APPEAL: avail myself of pri-
vats opportunity to make known to you the
present defenseless state Of that portion of Lou
isisna bordering on the east or left bank OF the
Mississippi river, for the distance of fifty miles
aud upwards from the Federal lines of General
Phelps, hoping that through this communication
some relief may be extended US by the general
commanding this department.
On the 18th August a corps of cavalry passed
up to a point about sixty miles above New Or
leans, in the Parish of st. Johns, and returned
without doing much injury to any enc, further
than that it was followed by stampede of many
negroes from several plantations. On the 29th
ultimo similar raid was made on the opposite
or western bank of the river to point in this
parish about forty miles from the city, but more
serious in its results Several plantations were
plundered of all the negroes, mules, horses,
sheep private carriages, carts, etc. Many fam.
lies were obliged to hss from their dwellings,
leaving their contents prey to the soldieTy.
This portion of tho COAST fOT thirty zaflssr
was thus plundered of everything. A steamer,
the Iberville, accompanied them, to receive on
board the negroes and household effects. This
was followed by another expedition on larger
scale on Thursday last the 4th instant Two
steamers, with infantry and cavalry, passed up,
landing their cavalry on this bank of the river,
Al point about tifty-two miles from New Or
leans Landing at Mr.. Shepherds plantation,
the cavalry came on down by land, the trans
port following slowly ON the river. Their OBJ
ject being Plunder, they took all that they could
lay their hands upon. At Mr.. Joseph Lebour-
geOs', wealthy proprietor, they Tansacked his
val ar.f
rsges, horses and stock, and all the negroes that
did not flee TO the fields or woods On being
requested to leave them two COWS, they assent
ed and then deliberately fred at the two COWS
left them. At Mr.. GOdberry's and at Mr.. Des-
lOndes the same spirit governed them. AT Mr..
Labranehe's they seized and made prisoner Of
his eldest son, Mr.. Smiesn Lsbranche. At
Picou's they took nearly the whole negro force.
At Madame TTepagniers, an old widow lady,
they took all the negroes, stock, etc leaving
hut one mule on the plantation. At Mrs. Rost's
all the negroes, some eighty-fOuT in number,
mules stock, etc, were taken. As they passed
my residence there was a scene l never hope to
witness again. Large drOves Of mules and cat
tie, and negroes without number, impudent and
dehsnt, escorted by Federal cavalry, with insult
ing epithets of every kind. 1t was disgrace to
any age or any nation, barbarian or savage.
/ fOrbear further comment, trusting tie few
detsils have given, which are but few of the
crest whole may be deemed sufficient to make
known our defenceless state.
On the western bank of the river, an glad
to say, General Taylor has convened a sufficient
force, the number l deem it but prudent not 10
state. They have already captured quite large
encampment of Federals, taken at or near the
Boutte station Of the Opelousss railroad. There
were one hundred and seventy three prisoners
taken, and some seventy killed and wounded on
train Of cars shat effected its escape.
VERONA