Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-11
From the FOrty-secOmd.
CAMP FARR, Bayou GENTLY, La, !
April 27th, 1868,

great many people, no doubt, think New
Orleans is Union city, or at least, that those
of its inhabitants left here are loval to the
Union cause; but fear that all such would
be greatly disappointed by few weeks So
journ here. 1t is actually oppressive to a
northern man to walk the streets, call at the
hotels, visit the saloons, &C., and not hear the
first word Of Union sentiment nor the first
wish breathed for the success of Union arms.
On the contrary, person will notice on near
ly every street some one who Is threatening
something; who has a sour visage; who turns
his head if Union officer passes by, and who
shows the most evident signs Of being rebel
Snatches of conversations can be heard as YOU
pass along the street, which sound like any
thing but good loyal sentiments. But your
correspondent was an observer of most out
TageOus secesh demonstration last Sabbath,
which shows, as plainly as words could do,
the true feeling of the citizens. The demon
stratlon occurred in Methodist churcll-a
large, well-attended church, where all the OBJ
servances of the Christian religion were duti-
fully observed. The church was considered
to be as near the Union as any here and for
that reason your correspondent attended To
be sure, no prayer was offered for our coun-
try, for the president, nor for the success of
our cause. But that was considered as a
soothing sop to such us might be rebel SYM
pathzers, and so not particularly noticed.
But after the sermon was ended, the pastor
took up bit Of paper which he said was an
''order' from Gen. Bowen for him to read the
Presidents fast proclamation. After reading
the order, he proceeded to read the procla-
nation when Sufh "a ( littl,,
expected to ever witness even in this hot bed
OF rank hypocrisy and treason. The ''lades"
began to leave the church in the NEST often
siye manner, followed by the men. Feet
were shuffled along the aisles, silks were rus
tied and Haunted against the pews, doors were
loudly slammed, and so much noise made that
not word OF the document could be heard in
the centre OF the church. Fat dowagers sailed
out Of the sanctuary with their meek lords du-
ttully following; fair damSels, with a most
cOntemptuOuS curl of the nasal organ, led Oft
with their gallant beaux in their train, and
when the proclamation was finished not fifty
persons remained to receive the pastors bless
ing which was given after lie announced that
''lH accordance auth that order this church
will be open next Thursday at III A. NJ" The
fact is that there was no "ordrr" issued at all
request was made upon all the clergymen to
ltlu tillo JiOCldtIldllOll; DuI Il request Is Il
far different thing from an order. But these
seceSh pastors find capital loop hole to crawl
through when they wish to eyade all appear
ance OF Union sympathy. In other churches
the same disgracetul scenes were enacted,
while in some no notice whatever was taken
OF the matter, and in others the document
was read in the English language while not Il
dozen in the congregation could understand Il
word Of anything but their native French.
The subject was evaded wherever it dared be
done, and only taken notice of in other
churches because the pastors were too timid
to refuse. Win the authorities take any no.
tice Of this fragrant act Of diSloyalty by the
protested supporters Of the government! |
fear not. Nothing in the administration of at
fairs here leads me to think that a thought
will be given to it, DR.. Palmer, formerly a
noted preacher here, but now a refugee in
South Carolina, recently sent a stirring print
ed appeal for secret circulation here, calling
upon the citizens to rise and throw off the
yoke of oppression which was binding them.
If the people have the sentiments which were
so plainly disclosed on Sunday, it is evident
that with a small armed rebel force sent down
here from above, or from Mobile, the Union
force would have but little chance to operate.
That designs upon this city have been discuss
ed, and plans for its capture laid, there can be
no doubt And if Gen. Banks had not com
III need operations in the neighborhOOd Of
berwick Bay, the rebels would undoubtedly
have commenced operations here, and with a
great prospect of some success if we may
judge from the number of water craft we
have destroyed above, which they expected to
operate with.
The recent forward movement in the Teche
pronounced 'Tesh') has thus far proved
tl,rD
the most beautiful and richest portion of the
state, and are securing immense quantities of
supplies, such as sugar, molasseS, corn, cat
tie, &C., and we are also, by the occupation
of this section, cutting off those vast supplies
from Vicksburg, which have been sent from
Texas Large and fertile plantations are
scattered over the whole country at a distance
from each other of something like mile, and
bay0us are scattered around, which give all
needed facilities Tor transporting the products
to the rebel market. The road runs along
beside the Teche river in front of these planta-
tions, and across this road the rebels threw
several Notifications, intending to fall back
from one to another if obliged to retreat.
But our boys were in too much Of a hurry for
them, and when the first fortifcation was
Abandoned after sharp engagement, the
rebels run as for dear life, and they haven't
made a stand yet. Thus we have gained pos
session of this rich section, and our army is
subsisting upon the fiat of the land" and still
pushing on to the Red river country, where
they will be before this reaches you. The
nine months men find that there is consid-
cradle speculation at home in regard to our
term OF service, and the various conjectures
made by the press have given rise to much
discussion Ill the various camps. 1t seems
to be the idea at home that the term of SER
vice OF the AID does not end until August
llth; but why that time is mentioned does
not appear, except that the field officers are
said 10 have been mustered in November
18th last. But what that has to do with our
term of service the rank and file do not see
When we enlisted we agreed in writing, ac-
cording to the ''muster roll to serve for
the ''period of nine months, unless sooner
dischargcd' On the 30th day of Septem-
Der. 1862, Co.'S and T took oath that they
would serve for period of nine months
from that time. Most of the companies in
this regiment, however, were mustered in
previous to that date. Now by what law
can we be kept later than June 3Oth--or,
if the time is averaged, as would be fair,
later than June goth? We didn't agree to
stay ten months, eleven months nor twelve
months. We want to fulfil our agreement
to the letter, and we shall expect the gov
eminent to fulfil its share. As the 42d was
never mustered in as a regiment it may be
said truly that each company is entitled to
its discharge at the date its time is out
but so far as | know, all are willing to have
the time averaged, but nothing more than
that. This is a subject likely to concern