The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-06-09
Col. P. N. Luckett.
fFrom the NJ a pieo,.n.

| WI AochStt was man who deserve
more than passing notice. He was on
OF those, noble creations, tn. contampla
tlon OF whom purifies the heart and serve
as a distinguished example to encouray,
the beautiful virtues Of truth and inflexbl.
determination. He was man of the mos
positive character, us firm in his friendship
as he was obstinate in his dislikes, and al
pure IN the chivalry Of his heart as he va
bright in the intelligence of his mind
His life had been an exciting one, for biz
temperament was such as to throw him
constantly in opposition to everything tina,
Was oppressive or Unfair, and his faculties
so powerful as to win the respect and ad
niration of his buterest enemies. Their,
was no man, who drew around himself, hy
mesmeric influence Of will, more friends
than he who hecame linked to him by hooks
81 steel friends OF the proudest principles
and the most distinguished intelligence
and yet he was as modest as school boy.
unaffected and simple, and loved by all
who knew him. irrespective of class. or
nditiou, chivalry and courage. together
with his marked ability, made him the in.
tiniate Of many Of the most distinguished
men of'our day, and there were few who
could number amongst the bright lights If
the country, as many warm friends as him
OF whom we write.
In Texas, his adopted State. he was
looked up to as Chevalier Bayard. "sans
Reur ct sans ,ep,socAe,"' apd he might have
worn the white plume of Henry with no
fear OLA stain ever soiiiug it, purity
When the war commenced, with an i'm
petuosity that characterized him, he aban-
doned his profession and threw his whole
inauetce and str. myth in favor of the Con.
federate cause. His postivehess, Of .pur.
pose, his unfinchihg courage, and the in
duencp he possessed over the hearts of the
people, soon. made him one of their con-
spicuous leaders, and he was appointed ns
one OF the commissioners, to receive the
surrender Of the United States forces then
in Texas. His kind treatment to both
Ulcers aud men has been Often, reverted to
by officers since distinguished in the Uni.
ted States service. Luckett was Confed-
crate III heart and soul, but, as "a West
Pointer, he gloried in the dignity of the old
army, and would permit no insult to be
off red to her soldiers.
He soon became a colonel of one of the
best disciplined and organised regiments
in the service. and as colonel commanding
q brigade, and afterwards sub-depa,tmen,,
was stationed on the Rio Grande. He
was particularly severe upon spectators,
all of whom he abhorred, and did much in
checking the illicit trade that for som.
time had been carried on. His valuable
services we're Often recognized by the Gov
ernment. and an increase in rank offered,
but with his usual modesty, declined. He
was not g man to make friends at, head
quarters; too indsp ndent for truculent
fattrrers. He spoke many bitter truths "
unpalatable to his superior officers. His
services, however, as a soldier were so
marked that be repeatedly won the com
mendatioD of his commanding officers, and |
was often compimented in general as well
as special orders. He took a. prominent
part in the "Jenkins's Ferry Battle" and
the charge of his brigade followed by the
Obstinate fight will long be remembered 10y
Walkers gallant division, He was amongst !
the very last to sheal, his sword after the |
surrender of Gen. Lee. and bis regiment |
was one 9th few that retained their dis
cipline and subordaation during the terri
BILE days Immediately following the surren-
der of the Trans-Mississippi. An instance
OF his personal valor and his influence |
over men. is related by an eye witness j.,
He Was quite eck, and lying in his am
hulance. jOurneying towards the Mexican
line, when he was suddenly .overtaken by
about fifty Of the most desperate marauders |
from the Confederate army. who, but a |
short time before, had robbed Gen.-of his
wagon and ambulance, leaving him on the |
open prairie to progress as he best could. |
The instant Luckett saw them, he cooked !
his six shooter, and though his own party |
consisted of bet four men,. announced his |
determination to resist any lawessness on |
the part of the approaching cavalcade.-i
The leader demanded an immediate shrren-
der, when. Luckett opened on him with
such a positiveness of manner and with an
air of such undaunted bravery, upbraiding |
them for their cowardice and unseenlly |
conduct, threatening them with tn. severest |
punishment, that the whole party wheeled
off and left him undisturbed.
II never saw an eye fash out such fire"
said the relator, sit seemed to blind the |
men," :. a
He remained in Mexico for short time,
and on his return to San Antonio was
arrested by order Of Gen. Sheridan, aud |
under guard sent to New Orleans. He
was here confined in one of the forts be |
low the city TOR elk or seven months |
where the. seeds of the horrible disease |
that has killed him, were sown. His fell
low prisoners at that time. were Senator
twin. of California. and Judge Divine, of
Texas. Their hardships there can never
be known.
A petition for pardon was. cotton upin
his behalf by his friend Robert Mott, ESQ !, |
Of this city. that was numerously signed by |
Union men who had known Col. Lucketf, !
and endorsed by Gov. Wells, at that time
Governor Of the State. As Gen. Sheridan
had expressed some sympathy for Col. |
Luckett, having, we believe, known him on
the frontier of Texas, this petition was en-
trusted to him. in hope that be would
forwa d It with a recommendation for
pardon; however, as several months |
elapsed with no answer from the petition.
some of his friends, ofRhom he had many
in Washington, instituted inquiries, and
that Gen. Sheridan had indors- !
ed it in substance thus: III. Is the last |
man that should be pardoned.", And it
was only after, repeated opportunities from
GIN. w. s. Hancock and Att. rney Gen
eral Stanbery that his release was effected. !
Col. Luckett persisted in attributipg his
disease to his imprisonment an imprison-
ment that was as cruel as it was unnecessa,
~. for he could have obtained any amount
r -