New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-04-12

soldier who afterward carried our banner
over dozens of victorious fields was from
that class to whom our patriotic recorders
gave the choice between NINETY days in
the workhouse or enlist for the war"
But my political labors did not occupy my
whole attention. Being of philanthropic
turn, there were but few subscriptions for
benevolent purposes or for the advancement
of any public enterprise which was not in
some way concerned in, now as secretary
and treasurer, now as collector of dona-
tions. Indeed it was considered almost i'm
possible to raise means for any public pur-
pose without my help. was presiding Off
Ger, also, over half dozen benevolent soci-
cites, a constant visitor to the house of
refuge, frequently foreman of the grand
jury, and generally acknowledged through.
out the city as "good and honest John
Brown, " " father of the poor" etc.
When the Southern heart became
" fred" and not to attach yourself to some
company was considered disgrace.
full, resolved to recruit a
company for active service in
Virginia. l. named my company after
some wellknown citizen, who showed that
he appreciated the compliment by present
ing me with $1,000 in cash for a company
fund. With this money paid all current
expenses of the recruiting office. My com
pany was principally recruited from the
workhouse, to the keeper of which l allowed
bonus of two dollars per man for every
recruit l got from him. He was an excel
lent worker, and knew human nature to a
dot. If man in the workhouse refused to
enlist, it was only matter of day or two
to convince him of his mistake. A good
course of bucking, shower-baths, and
extra labor would do the business effect.
ually. had full company in six weeks,
and then concluded to try for battalion.
This l also made up in about three months,
and was getting in few subscriptions to
enable me to uniform and equip the men,
when Colonel --, who was then raising
the - regiment, proposed to me to join in
with him, offering to allow me twenty dol
lars per man for the trouble and expense
had had in recruiting them, and let me be
elected lieutenant colonel besides. Well
knowing that Colonel - was a good
military man, consented to this arrange
ment, and would have been lieutenant col
onel in a marching regiment next day, only
the gallant gentleman who had been prom
ised the majority came to me at late
hour, and putting four thousand dollar;
into my hands asked me with tears in hi;
eyes to remain in the city and recruit, fol
which duty, said he, ''you appear to have g
natural talent, and could thus serve the
country SO much better than in the field
| l found myself unable to resist so polite ant
urgent a request, consequently he wal
| elected lieutenant colonel. He was killed
in one of the battles around Richmond il
1862. l continued serving the country
afterward raising several other companies
which were incorporated in fighting regi
ments. 1t was l that recruited Captain
Sneak's company; also that of Colonel b.
son, and a half.dozen others. Ever
officer to whom Igave commission usual,
presented me with check for from one Il
five hundred dollars, as a contribution fo
1 Tue lEEG mhIkGLs- vi COuIbb lLlulCuAdlGiI
turned this money over to its proper owners
Next obtained an authorization from Gen
eral Lowell to recruit a regiment, and wa
empowered to draw upon the confederate
| quartermaster for funds to be used for boun
ties. My first draft upon Major Myers was 70
twenty-five thousand dollars, and only re
ceived the money two days before the cit,
fell, consequently had no time to disburse q
cent of it. So the government lost it ALL as
was unable on account OF the peculiar condi
ton of my business to leave when our troop
evacuated the city, and Old Butler issued al
order as soon as he arrived forbidding tn
circulation of confederate money. burne,
all had to prevent its falling into hi
thievihg hands.
Oh, did hate to take that internal oatl
of allegiance; but what else could do
Every man who did not take it was consid
cred an enemy by the scoundrels who haC
us in their power. Besides, found that
cousin of mine was quartermaster's clerk il
Massachusetts regiment, and he secretl
told me when there was money to be mad
out of the devillsh government, And
made it, too; but all the time kept up M
connection with my confederate friends.
My store was known far and near a
"Rebels' Headquarters, and never da
passed without my receiving dozens of visit
from others, who like myself, suffered tn
agony of ''crucihxion of the soul.n It wa
in my counting-room that all the lates
news from "our boys" was read, and wher
nearly all of those terribly scorching poem
on Butler and Banks were composed.
| was also leading spirit among thos
who collected money and clothing for tn
confederate prisoners in the city, and sol
to the good ladies who attended them three
ffths of the fancy groceries and knicl
knacks with which they were supplied
How my blood would boil at the thought q
the oppression of the Yankees! And hoy
did rejoice over our victories!
But the draft was ordered, and fearin
that would be included in it, the idea oC
Cured to me to enter the United State
service as an officer. IT is true that ah
horred the government and all its servants
but what was to dor Be common sol
der! No, never! So wrote a letter II
my cousin, who was now a eommissar,
stationed at Washington, and asked him t.
serve me with the Gorilla Il allude TO Ok
Abel. He replied that my request shouli
be attended to; but frst It would be abso
lutely necessary for nae to go before an Of
fcer and swear that / was and Away
had been good loyal citizen; that
| nnua. had niana ...s.a..