The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-02-25
Army Correspondence.
Letter From tSs seth OAlo Regimen {.
MADIsoNvILLE, La,
18TH A. c., 30 DIv.
January 3lst, 1854.

dition, (under the command Of Major
General Franklin, wc went into camp
at Algiers, opposite New Orleans, on
the 29th of December, and remained
until January 22d, "a, when we were
assigned to Major General ]. J Roy
nolds, commanding the defences of
New Orleans. Orders Immediately
came assigning our division to duty at
this point, (Madisonviiie), which is
forty miles north from New Orleans,
on Lake Ponchal train and Chefunctee
River. The country here is quite
level and is covered with thick
growth of palm, palmetto, magnolia,
and pine. Near the lake it is one con-
tinual swamp, destitute Of trees, but
covered with strong reeds five or six
feet high. Madisonville for a num-
ber of years has been summer resort
for tho citizens of New Orleans, and
yet retains much of its original beau
ty, although the desolation of war has
marked it for decay. The general
opinion is that this place will be a base
of operations against Mobile. Tire
Army of the Gulf can, in very short
time, be organized to operate at that
point successfully. The 18th Army
Corps that is now in Texas will return
and prepare for an active campaign,
and the most skeptical can foretell the
result.
The citizens Of Louisiana are now
taking considerable interest in polit-
ical affairs. They hold Convention
on tho 22d of February for the purpose
ofnominating aGovernor,and all minor
State officers, and it will not be long
before this State will again assume her
position as a loyal State, and prove her
fealty to the Union by chcrishing tho
principles of government they once
disregarded. Texas is looking for
ward to the time Of her deliversnce
with an anxious heart. She has sac
rificed her SONS to satisfy traitorous
ambition. They have fallen at home
and upon distant fields, and where the
stars and stripes defantly waved they
have gone down with their idols. The
leaders of secession in Texas have re.
pentod. Governor Hamilton, Of that
State, was in tho Congress of go, and
made his celebrated Pacific Railroad
speech, and spoke of the secession Of
Texas, and how she would meet those
attempting to force her back. He used
the following language: "The hardy
sons of our country will give them a
cheerful welcome. Perhaps we will
spread a collation., but the feast may
be unlike other feasts which have been
spread in other portions of the land
The broad prairies may be the festaI
board, the mangled bodies of fallen
tyrants may form the repast, and the
wolf and the vulture be the invited
guests" How differently he now
talks as Governor He is using al
his energies to bring her back beneath
the old flag that confronted and drove
from her borders an insolent foe.
had the pleasure of hearing him speak
on the 9th of January in Now Orleans
He has learned the lesson of his folly
and as he was among thusc that advised
Texas to throw off her allegiance, sc
will he labor until the ,winkling of the
lone star shall become fixed light in
tho galaxy of States, which will.be tho
happy precursor of great joy to the
people; and now these people arr
called upon by every motive OF patri
otism and pride to establish theil
State and again assume the obli
cations of American citizens, and eve
ry inducement is offered them tC
found their States upon the indestruct
ablo foundation of liberty. Helping
hands are held out to them, and tru'
hearts council them with brotherl!
affection. So far as war was concerned
our duty was plain. 1t was war, de
termined war, and none but sympa
thizers or aiders in treason could hes
itate to say that our first indispensu
bic duty was to prosecute hostilitie
until every foot of the insurrectionar,
States were brought under the author
ity of the Government. After tho dee
olation of war has swept over thes
States the question comes up in re
gard to re.organizing the territory
conquered, Some contend that a
soon as State is brought under tedC
al authority, that tho citizens therec
can exercise the rights of citizens ur
} der their ancient Constitution an
laws; resume their former civil right
and take their place in the Uniol
They forget that great social rev'