New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-21

LFor tbs Crescent
Interior Views of Louislaun-U Continued

ruterlor Views of LouIsiaun--Con tinued |
Tho country from Pleasant Hill to Nntchitoches |
has only small farms these will soon be in good
condition and will furnish the usual amount of
supplies. Along this route the effects of the long
suspension in farming operations, produced by the
war, are still manifest. On the river route the
farms are much larger, and the planters are cult
waiting nearly the same amount of land as before
the war Ten miles from Natchitoches, around
Spanish lake, is q community which forms a
society within itself. These planters, whose lands
are equal to any inthe State, have hitherto been
for their large crops, but this spring
much of the land is too wet for cultivation Rev.
Matthias ScarbOro, when not in the army has sus-
tanned here good school, and a large congrega.
ton attend on his minishations. These advan-
tages render the community one of the most desi-
rabe and pleasant ones for residence in the inte-
rior. During the war the ladies here acquired an
enviable reputation for liberality having contrib.
uted considerable money and clothing for the ben
eft of the soldiers.
At Grand Ecore formidable Notifications were
erected During most of the year this is the land
ing for Natchitoches, four miles distant, and also
for a large extent ofcountry extending into Texas
one hundred miles. This place was burned by the
retreating Federal army, and has not yet been
rebuilt. A few houses have gone up and three
stores are now open The Notifications were
thrown up to protect the Federal fleet. BY pass
ing over the earthw0rks and viewing the amount
of forest trees cut away for their erection, good
idea may be gained of the immense size of the
Federal army engaged in their construction, and
our cavalry gave them pretty warm work in
doing it,
AT the present time navigation is good to
Natchitoches, on Cane or Old river This is a
beautiful place. The residences are large with fine
grounds attached. Here IS large Convent and
st. Joseph's College, under the immediate super.
vision of Bishop Martin, gentleman of highly
cultivated and refined tastes and Of great purity OF
character. I was favored with visit to his
library one of the finest in Louisiana The grounds
| around his residence arc highly adorned and all
within his influence give evidence of his refined
taste. These schools of Natchitoches have ali 0
good reputation, and being healthy and retired
makes it desirable place of residence. 1t has ar
extensive trade with Texas. The PhiHps' House
is equal to any in the interior and deserves patron
age for the liberality of the proprietor to soldiers
during the war. His charges are moderate, and i
will be pleasant place for summer resort.
i All the lands below this, on the route to Alex
andria, with the exception of fifteen miles of pint
woods, are of the richest quality. There is nov
good navigation to Cloutieryille, on Cane river
All the grounds around here are in cultivation, ant
promise good crop. From Clouterve to Mo
netts ferry, a distance of eleven miles, was tn
scene of heavy skirmishing between the armies
Being under cultivation, all the fencing and i'm
provements were demolished. But five houses gu
of twenty were left unburned by the Federals j
their retreat. From Monett's ferry to Cotle land
ing, during two years of the war, there was n
resting place for our wearied army. When til
large plantation and house of Judge Boyce wa
reached the corn gave out, and his grass enclc
sures furnished subsistence to our amished horse!
while his family cheerily contributed all in the
power to our comfort Other families from her
to Alexandria were also heavily taxed; none r.
, sponded more cheerfuIly than Mrs NJ. as man
! still live to remember and testify to her kindness
5 Alexandra below the falls has gained also q hi
/ torcal name. Here the Federal fleet grounded
Sugar-houses were razed to the ground and til
Y material used to construct dam in the river
( form a narrow, deep channel This place exhibi
the horrors of war. Until the last few mont
e there remained rows of chimneys, but now it
d rapidly rebuilding. The courthouse the mason
S hall, and all the churches but the Catholic wei
\ burned. The people have manifested great enc
gy, and half Of the place is rebuilt and the stor
d filed with goods. There were formidable forti
q cations erected here but too late now, howe
b er, they make q romantic picture, The falls a
G not at present disCernab}e, as the river is vel
q high. Pineville, opposite Alexandra, has got
" trade There, In the beautiful forest of magnolia
f are many sol1iers' graves. They are making
b effort to enclose aud beautify the grounds.
n Three miles out surrounded by forest beaut
T. on aloyey slope, is one of the finest education
f buildings in the United States. This is the Sta
Seminary, The treasury of the State and Of IL
# United States both contributed to its erection On
K much artistic taste and skill are shown in its ere
Il ton This was the institution Of which Gen. She
man was superintendent the opening of the wa
Professor Boyd is now at the head and il ran
among the first institutions in the Southern State
From Alexandria to Cheneyvilie, thirty mile
the country cannot be surpassed in beauty. II
plantations are large, the residences tasteful al
the grounds around elegantly improved; but MAJ
Of the plantations exhibit the ravages Of war. II
railroad is not in order, but the people appreea
its value and hope it will soon be in operate
again All the lands here are in cultivation, al
as the bayous have not oyerhowed, the prospec
are good. CheneyVlle is pleasant village wi
three churches. The Rev. Mr.. Landsdell, Bapt
minister, continued faithful to his churches dur
the war, although the country around was devG
tated by two armies Heremaned to aid the wi
ow aud orphan, except when forced by the Fe
era army to New Orleans as prisoner But he
now reaping his reward in the affection and kin
ness of his peoDle From this Mace to tine nj ION