The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-05-09
MIS- celIaaaae us
Fer Tile 1Hgis and MteNgencer
SONORA CASTILLIA LAFITTE.
ATALE OF THE WAR OF 1912.

1t is well known that during the war of
1915 IL freebooter named La iitte, with sew
eral hundred followers, had their head
quarters on an island in the bay of Bara-
taria, an inlet from the Gulf of Mexico,
just west Of the Mississippi. At the time
of the contemplated attack on New Orleans
the British tried hard to enlist Lalitte and
his men in their service. The British mes
sengers who visited him ut his sumptuous
island home, unfolded their plans to the
chieftain, and offered him commission in
his majcstys service and a large sum of
gold, if he would Join them. Lafitte en-
tertained his Brton guests in sumptuous
style, but most respectfully declined their
offers.
General Andrew jackson was appointed
to conduct the defence of New Orleans
He arrived in the city on the Cd of Deem
Der, 1914, and found the citizens in state
Of CONSERVATION, the most Of them bcliev-
ing that the city could not be defended and
many of them advised surrender; but the
gallant hero had no such an idea. He ut
once proclaimed martial law, and by his
skill and energy he soon reduced the chaos
into strict military system.
On the 8th of December, whilst jackson
and number Of his officers were seated in
one Of the parlors Of the best hotel in the
city, discussing the situation, which was q
gloomy one, an orderly entered and placed
a card in the Generals hand, telling him
that there was q lady waiting in the hall
who wished an interview with him. Jack
son glanced at the card, on which was
written, in an elegant hand, Sonora Castillo
Lafitte. He at once ordered the subaltern
to show the lady in. The officers of course
Immediately retired, as gentlemen would
do. The lady soon entered. Her light,
elastic step and elegant gait showing her
Spanish origin. AS she entered the Gen
eral arose, and bowling assured her of well
come. Sonora now cast aside her manteau,
which had entirely concealed her features,
and stood before the hero, who was sur
prised at the gorgeous beauty of his visitor.
She was tall and slender her complexion
was a brunette; her hair, black as the ra-
ven's wing, hung in beautiful waves over her
we'll formed shoulders; her brilliant black
eyes sparkled like diamonds f.; her faultless
features, her elegant shape and her refined
manners, at once stamped her "A lady in every
respect. Her dress was of the finest ma
terial. She wore II necklace OF oriental
pearls Of great value, ard her fingers and
wrists sparkled with diamonds. She wore
an elegant tiara, which was thickly studded
with brilliants of great value. An elegant
dagger, encased in gold scabbard, hung
at her side. The General politely request
ed the lady to be seated. She thanked
him and took seat. She now inquired
if the room was private, and jackson assur-
nd hnp hot = hot ri
to intrude. Then in silyery accents, this
Creole beauty told her nearer that she was
the wife of Latitte, the Freebooter, and that
her husband had sent her to him, to let
him know that he was in possession of i'm
portant information, which he wished to
make known to him, in regard to the de-
signs of the British, as the English had
sent messenger to him ut his villa on one
of the islands of the Bay of Barataria, and
had made him splendid offers if he would
Join them in their attack on New Orleans a;
but that her husband had declined their
golden offers, as he was no traitor, but he
wished to help to defend the city, and
would do so if the General would accept
his services and assure him that his past
offences should be pardoned.
Castillo further told the General that
the British would shortly attack him with
10000 men, the flower of their army, led
by their most skillful generals; and that
her husband had found out that they were
81 certain of success that they had already
formed a prospective government for
Louisiana, and carried printing press to
print their Proclamation on. She likewise
informed him that in their attack on the
city their watch word was to be Booty
and Beauty; )" "and," said the beautiful
Sonora, eff the city falls, worse than death
awaits our ladies'"
She now arose. looking sublimely beauti-
ful; her bright eyes flashing like the dia.
monds she wore; and said, General, il
the British get possession of this my native
city," Qaying her hand on her dagger "this
weapon shall drink the blood Of more than
one British heart"
She now calmly took her seat, and pa
tiently awaited the reply of the Chicftain
who stood before her. His answer was
"Lady, go and tell your husband to come
and bring all his brave men with him, and
we will conquer or die together. Tell La
fitte he has nothing to fear, for if he gives
me his aid in the present crisis, by the
Eternal, no by-gones shall be brought
against him, but instead of Lafitte the Pi
rate, he shall be Latitte the Brave Citizen
and shall not be molested. Tell him tt
join me Immediately"
This superb lady now took her leave
| and jackson sent guard with her to the