The New Orleans crescent., 1868-03-29

Special Correspondence Of the Crescentl
NEW YoRK. March 2l, 1868.
March came in like lion, and from present ap-
pearances, will probably go out like lion. It
changed into lamb for about one week, during
which time we had most charming weather. bat
yesterday the bowling wind gave notice Of the re-
appearance Of the kingly beast, and this morning
those who retired last night at q seasonabe hour,
were astonshed to find the ground covered with
about six inches of snow, which the gale of wind
had drfted in some places to the depth of six feet
and more still falling. The storm has continued
except for about two hours, all day SO that
nearly all the railroads have stopped running en-
tirely, it being utterly impossible to clear the
tracks, ss tie snow is Just wet enough to form in
cakes, which throw the car of the track.
1t has been many years since the March equi-
noctial storm has been as severe as the present,
and in fact during the whole Of the past hard
winter we have not had a heavier storm than the
one now raging. The wind actually shivered the
omnibuses on Broadway this morning, and it fairly
seems as though each blast would lift fellow off
his "pins." People had donned spring clothes.
and heavy overcosts were laid away for another
year, but this morning found everybody with their
old clothes on again, glad to get into them.
Sudden and severe changes belong to this
month, but from no fre 70 IRE, from spring coats
TO winter coats, and heavy overcoats to boot, all
in one night, is something which taxes the health
of community rather more than II il able 10 bear
however, the sun has got across the line no v aAd
we hope for better things.
Last evening being the regular weekly drill
night of G Co., list regiment, which, by the by
Is commanded by Capt. A. l.. Webber, who is we'll
known 10 many residents of the Crescent City, aud
a very jolly fellow he Is too the friends of the
company arranged Q masquerade surprise, and
about two hundred gayly decked ladies and gen.
tlemen popped in on the soldier boys, bound for
good time and If the writer was not too blind, he
thinks they had il. But my object particularly is
to speak of novelty in the affair, which surpasses
anything OF the season.. taas !.
After the company had assembled, twelve gen.
tlemen, each wearing white linen clothes and
night caps, all closely masked. and playing upon
tin whistles. watchman's rattle, small drum and
fife, entered the room, and marched to the door
leading out of it, and formed in single file, which
was indicative that something was coming to pass.
and naturally brought the people to this part of
the room. boon the door opened and in strobe
twelve fellows all dressed and masked precisely
alike. The uniform was made of white linen with
large black bulls eyes on it, and consisted of q
pair Of very large pants, and loose jacket with
hood TO IL, which was drawn over the head 30 that
one could not possibly be told from the other. A
banner was carried in front, upon which was in
scrhed " Gibbs Battery and drawn by four Of
those stalwart " fellows was a mini4ture caisson
and cannon, with this ditference-fn place of the
caisson was an elegant mahogany chest, holding
two dozen small silver g0ld-lined cups, just the
gauge of drink Judging by the fellows who had
IL In charge), and instead of the cannon was
demijohn, mounted on wheels, with a patent
mouthpiece, so that when limbered up, instead of
running home charge, the tongue was simply
elevated, and out flowed the beDzne. This com
pany was escorted about the room preceded by
their band, and when dismissed Joined in the COM
pany, affording great amusement from the fact
that If lady found ont who one was she could
not tell him again for all being dressed precisely
alike and nearly Of size, they passed of for each
other, which enabled them sometimes to discover
the little bye-plays of one or another. This
Battery " have appeared several times at private
masquerades, and although had heard of their
creating a sensation among the ladies, had never
seen them until last night and that their reputs-
tion is well applied / was fully convinced.
The great railroad war is still waging, and as it
progresses develops some amusing incidents. Mr..
Drew and his party are still confined to Jersey
City, having headquarters az Taylor's HOTEL which
is guarded all the time by hundred or more men
well armed. Visions Of a raid by New York
roughs, for the purpose OF kidnapping Drew and
bringing him TO this city, so as to- throw him
within The jurisdiction Of the courts Of this State
have danced before the imsgiDations of the Sc
ceders to such degree that they thought they
saw an army of kidnappers the other night in the
persons OF two or three New York sports.
Vanderbilt has less sympathy from the fact that
he already controls three roads, and If he gets
hold Of the Erie il will make him mon0poIist of
the travel from here West, as he already has the
New York Central. EYES AND EARS.