New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-01-25

the mind inyoluntarily returns to them with
pleasure. This is the case when we sketch the
pictures which at those far removed periods pre-
sented themselves to our view and it is necessary
for the comprehension of the reader that we do
here state, that when we speak in the plural num-
Der we actually meanseveral persons for, in most
MI Of our excursions, the writer Of these lines,
then youth of fifteen years, was accompanied by
his principals one of whom was great naturalist,
or lover of nature, while the other less inclined to
the study of the great book of creation, and more
fond Of society still found equal pleasure ia what
he would call our grand discovery expedition
We may find occasion in other numbers to make
more particular mention of these our worthy
patrons for the moment it was necessary to de-
viate somewhat from our rule not TO introduce our
selves and private circles to the readers acquaint-
ance, which might smack of egotism but 1or the
proper understanding of these "reminiscences, so
much was Indispensable. Having thus stated that,
in the greater number of our pedestrian courses,
we were endeayoring to satisfy not only our curl
osity in visiting the various localities around our
city, but that also object was the collection OF
subjects of natural science, such as insects hshes
snakes, tortoises, etc. for the formation of cabi
net of natural objects, including also vegetables,
plants, etc. Our readers are now enabled to judge
why in the search Of these objects, we had very
often to plunge into the very middle of the densest
cypress recesses and other swamps. Aye, it was
under these circumstances that we ventured more
Than once into the most perous localities then in
our vicinity, where neither land nor swamp sur
veyor, nor daring sportsman with his hounds, had
penetrated. Nay, we know that this passion for
the collection of rare specimens of natural his
tory is even carried on by some other scientific
amateurs to our present day. Under these au-
spices, then, the long walks on foot and the pene-
trating of the forests surrounding our enyirons
need not surprise our readers, after thus stating
the more particular object in view. The late au-
thor of work on Louisiana, William Darby,
passed nearly ten years in the woods and forests of
Louisiana, in order to achieve a complete explora-
ton, and our present surveyors will find his work
the best Typographical guide, in general, even to
this very day. He slept in the very wilds and the
most desolate localities of the Atchafalaya region,
where common people say the world is but half
made yet.
When leaving the city proper, from the Fort
st. Charles, at the foot of Espanade street. (then
of course not opened to the river and following
the main road along the Mississippi, towards the
battle ground Of 1914 and rs, we met on reaching
this latter locality, two other lines Of fortfca-
tions, which had been ordered by Gen. Jackson.
The first line nearest the city, was at about the
present site of the late Touro's Amshouse. There
d sort of a tete de pont had been erected, In
order to cover the common road as for the line
of breastwork, that no doubt did run along some
considerable ditch or canal of which there were
then several, in the rear of the gardens, front
ing the river. The second line of forti6ca-
tons, about mile distant from the one just
mentioned, was in the close vicinity of the present
Barracks of the United States. The line of
breastwork, connected with the bastions, forming
also tete de pont lat least this is the express
sion or term which in European military language
would be given to it, at this place may have been
behind the large canal Of the brickyard in that
vicinity at present, Or it may even have been at
the Canal de Pecheau of this, we are not sure,
for either the lines had not been completed, or
they had again been demolished, for when we
visited these localities the yestiges of the breast
work line were very indistinct. Not SO however
with the works of the tete de YoaE on the levee.
That locality for long years thereafter, formed an
outside garden, towards the river, inclosed with
beautiful orange hedge, and from which place
one could enjoy the delightful river breeze, and
view up and down the stream, as far as the eye
could reach. All along this route, the walk
ing during the greater part of the time being
upon the high river dam or ieyee, the same
scene as that up or above the city, was repre-
sented, in a succession of fine country houses,
gardens, orchards, etc. The slope Of the lands
from the bank Of the river here is very gradual
towards the forests or swamp woods in the rear
Of the plantations, and Immediately behind the
cultivated fields, mostly covered with stalks of
Indian corn or maize, we would find an open plain
for pasturage, in which numerous herds of neat
cattle, horses, sheep and goats were seen browz-
ing.
From this second tete de poaat we proceeded to
the third or last line Of fortifoations-th famous
one at which, in the year preceding, in 1915, the
British, on the 1sth of January, had made the I'M
successful sattempt of storming. Here we found
part of the works already demolished; all that
part which had formed the bastion little fortal
ice towards the river was little recognizable; the
breastwork Of the line, the fosse and banquette
then still somewhat preserved. "A few years after,
when we revisited this locality, hardly vestige
remained. No doubt the owners of the plantation,
which has changed hands several times, found it
to their interest to make use Of the earth for
reflling their soil, and since that time public
monument has been erected upon the battle
ground Of 1915.
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