New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-07
North Louisiana.
From the North Louisisaian.l

W LILLIAN h. SEWARD"
North Louisiana.
From the North Louisiaaan.l
This portion of our State, lying between the
Mississippi river on the east and Red river on the
west, comprises that section of country known to
us as North Louisiana, and for diversity of soil,
climate and salubrity, will compare most favora-
bly, with any other portion of our noble State.
The lands upon its innumerable creeks and bot
toms are extremely rich and almost inexhaustible,
producing, upon an average, from one to two
bales of cotton to the acre while the hills are
most resorted to for the raising of corn, wheat
and other articles, in superabundance. On leav-
ing the 0uachita and progressing westward, we
find the country gradually undulatng and billy;
here, fine farms meet the eye on every hand, and
signs of agriculture and busy husbandry are seen
at every turn, with the sound of the anvil in the
workshops and the axe in the surrounding forests,
conyinces one that our people are in earnest.
During the four years OF war which desolated
and laid waste our country on every side, the
trans Mississippi suffered far less in actual loss
than other sections, The country was not ira
versed throughout by contending armies, as in the
case Of g old Virginia, the Caronas, and other
States, but on the contrary, was in comparative
quietude, save occasional spasmodic raids and
thieving expeditions of the enemy. The planters
in most cases alarmed by g coming events casting
their shadows befoFe,'' abandoned their planta
Texas, that harbor of many refugees, preferring
to risk the future fate might have in store for
them, rather than to be kept constantly on the
qiEj ujUe by Federal raiders.
When General N. P. Banks terminated his mill
tary career Of " commissary general :" to the i'm
mortal Stonewall Jackson, in the valley of Vir-
gina, he suddenly found himself successor to Beast
Butler, of Fort Fisher renown, and commanding in
New Orleans. By the way Of amusement, and in
order to kill tune 7 he planned his celebrated ex-
petition up Red River, intent upon sweeping every
thing (Dick Taylor included) before him, until he
calmly reposedupon bed of roses, laurels to boot,
in Shreveport. BY dint of super-human exertions
Banks managed to blundeT on to Alexandria, when,
not liking the appearance of things in general, and
! Dick Taylor in particular, he, as better did be-
| fore him, certain King of France, with twenty
thousand men, marched up the hill, and then
marched down again.
Discretion proving the better part of valor, !"
our indomitable c0mmissaTy" practically speak
ing retraced his steps with % Gilpin speed to the
Crescent City. In April, 1864, Banks concluded to
undertake second edition of the same sort with
what result let Mansfield and Pleasant Hill and
impartial history say. Having once more yolun-
teered his services to General Taylor as commits
sary general, which services having been brought
practically into play, Banks suddenly recoIlected
that he was wanted in the city, and departed &C
cordingly.
1t was at this period that the question Of a sue
cessor to Mr.'Lncoln was in agitation and g com
missary Banks, so far as he was individually con
cerned, was an asprant for the Presidential chair
His inglorious and hurniliating defeat by General
Taylor proved death blow to his aspirations, and
on reaching the city was heard to excIaim quoting
systematically,
The boast Of heraldry the pomp OF power,
All that beauty and that wealth e'er gave
Await like the inevitable houti
kPfeside,stiaHg speaking, be it always under
stOod.)
1t was on this famous retreat that the Federals
destroyed whatever of farming utensils and agri.
cultural implements that fell into their hands even
axes, hoes and spades, thus leaving the noncom-
Blatant people without the means of gaining their
daily bread or rendering to the support of help
less families.
In this particular section of the State save now
and then raiding party beyond the 0uaehita, the
country has been mostly undsturbed; yet our
people of all conditions have suffered by q wars
desoiating aiarums, to a greater or less extent.
In most cases the planters are or were completely
impoverished and dishearteng d. Some, not being
able TO command means, sold or rented their
estates to Others more fortunate than themselves,
peeunarily; others, again, have entered into
partnerships and all are using every endeav0T to
cultivate cotton, corn and other products.
We gather from our exchanges, and from par
ties who are constantly passing to and fro, that
the noble stand taken by President johnson has
IN a great measure inspired our people with re
neWed confidence in the general government, and
believing that the Southern people will be pro-
tected and encouraged in their rights and priv
leges, they have put their shoulders to the wheel,
and every eEertton is being made for speedy
turn to our old status, ante belltn. So far as we
can learn from hearsay and personal observation,
every available acre of ground is under tribute,
and with moderate success, many bright anticipa.
tons will undoubtedly be realized Cotton mills
are about to be erected in some of our parishes,
and the day may not be far distant when we will
manufacture the greater part of our cotton and
wooden fabrics, and not be, as Of yere, dependent
upon the North, who has too long fattened upon
the proceeds of our actual necessities. Here we
have around us variety of land from the upland
to the lowland-tne soil and a temperate and
helthful climate, capable of producing all our
hearts may wish for, all our wants may require, of
the best and in large quantities; the people are
industrious, frugal and progressive, and the induce
ments to do well are Of so plentiful and enoour-
aging a nature that we can know no such word as
" fail" All success, then, to north Louisiana and
her glorious future.