The Opelousas courier., 1864-11-12
IGonsnlsssaieassd.]
Mr.. Editor;

Do not reject my pen because it is held by one
of the opposite sexs and wanders cut of the usual
sphere ofladies Ihave waited long for the strong,
the gifted. and the influential, to make a move
in this direction; but they like the lower million,
have remained idle spectators to the most dark
,ceiyed and the human hand executed.
For mora than q year past. lswless men have
been permitted to band themselves together, and
roam at will, (chieAy in this Parish) insulting,
chastising. robbing, burning houses, numbering
the families OF our soldiers and in some instances
dispoiling in the most brutal manner. wives,
daughters and sisters Of that which is dearer than
Iifss itself honor. These fearful crimes
have besn and are still of every day occurrence,
and are growing in number aud depth Of feinequi-
~ Besides, new bands are organisingtf re-
port be trne, and new sufferers are added to the
long and bloody list All of these gangs have
their favnrite leaders, some appointing free ne
Rroes while others prefer the fngissss sl6res;
while their spies, pickets and friends are every.
where, (even in thss tosss in all probability. y
Such Is the State of things now that the citizens
Of the prairie districts dread the close Of iay.
and retire I'd their sleepless beds ct night with
many forebodings Of evil. sss,; IS
Attempts have been made to annihilate these
desperadoes, but signal failure has been written
on every banner. Other efforts are looking to
the accomplishment cf this end, bnt ia all these
efforts but very few 0f the citizens of 0pelousas,
out Of The regular army, have been rspresenIed'
Such has been the dereliction of duty on the
part OF these same gentlemen that tlsy have
even refused to cooperate with troops sent here
TO aid the people of the Parish. These individu-
ais are gathered into drinking saloons and while
away lies dull hours discussing politics, spin.
ming long idle yarns, playing at billiards. ram.
bling and smoking segars at B3 each, OF drink
ing at 95 OF $l0 glass. They are sometimes
seen, (for change of elimate,l to occupy the
front seats Of the principal street corners, but
never DO they think of exposing their precious
bodiea "a wind or weather Or bullet, for the sake
of their fellowtaen who give them bread: and
yet they complain loudiy they talk, they, swear.
becsuss the thing i not done, and curse every
one who fails. IS M sss' s
II Ii true that ID the last twelve months one u
two companies have been formed I'LL tle n,srn,sel
Of operating against these fellds But tbey were
Do cautious that they noves gos more tban balf s
mile or DO from town; md that oi,ly. when nld 4
Sol lighted up theIr pathway .At fimes when
great danger was reported al irninent, they never
got further than the Court -house, where Il q
whispered, some OF their cheeks however ruddy
before grew pale. and their voices husky. and |
shaking about tic knees could cccas;onaiIy il
seen. Bnt these organizations are now defnnct. |
They doubtless think that their laSrrels are /
enough 70 satisfy amy reasonable ambition. and
as seteinns have retired from the service, feeling
ehae their example is worthy Of Their children
imitation. But while censuri,p soma. ~, ,ha.
Iieve there are others here who POSSESS eortraOs
end ~ other requisite qualities 10 lead ana to be
leg, WHO need simply stirring up on the matter.
N " not sorae Of these gentlemen make move
g 70 messing call for volsnteers.
saiant heagfed men who are not afraid u, I
az AZ