The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-09-25
military Movements ON Monday.

[From the New Orleans Republican, Sept. Goth.
We have been favored by General
LongstFeet with the following official
memorandum of military movements
on Monday last. An official report Of
the battle will not be made until Cen
eral Badger has sufficiently recovered
to attend to its compilation:
The State forces were posted Metro
Dolitan Brigade, about five hundred men
{artillery and infantry at jackson
square: First Brigade, four hundred
and seventy-fiye infantry, at the State
House. The plan was to hold these posi-
tons until the insurgents came out and
attacked at jackson square, as we had
learned that they had, arranged to do.
A plan WAS also arranged for active
operation with the State troops, in cas-
it became necessary or Important that
such operations should be ordered.
This plan was to move the troops from
Jackson square up the fevee, including
the main artillery force, with the lesser
column from same position up Peters
street, i'll echelOn with the main column,
the force at the State House remaining
stationary, as pivot of operations and
echelon to two moving columns.
Troops remained in position according
to original plan until 3 p. NJ, whenfrom
information received it was supposed
that the insurgents had changed their
plan, and were assembling at Clay sta
tue on Canal street. The Governor then
ordered the State forces to move out in
accordance with the plan, for active
operations.
Arriving at Canal street, the leading
column, composed Of two companies of
infantry and one of artillery, deployed.
The mounted force. eight men, were
then ordered forward to the Clay sta5
tue to warn non-combatants to clear
the street. The commander'of the Met
tropOlitan brigade was then to ride for
ward, read the riot act and order the in
surgents to disperse. The cavalry men,
however, reported that there was no
organized force on Canal street. The
officer in charge of these lei IN his re-
turn reported one of his men wounded |
by some straggler on Canal street. In
q very few moments after the insurgents
were reported to be moving from Lafay-
cite square to the leyee through Poy-
dras and other streets.
The position Of the main force of
MetropOlitans was changed, making the
line of battle at q right angle to line of
levee. When this new line was estab-
lished tile insurgents were seen advan-
cling, apparently to attack, covered and
and protected by a slowly moving
freight train on the railroad trace.
1t soon became evident that the at
tack was at hand, when the Metropoli-
tan artillery opened with its Gatling
gun and two NaDOleOns. The insur-
gents still advancing, returned fire with
infantry, their artillery seeming to be
in disorder or confusion.
Under the fire of the insurgents, Car
tain Mccain, commanding IN OF the
companies of MetlOpolitars, gave a false
alarm and drew his company from its
position, and he loon went over to the
enemy. This movement, together with
the accurate fire Of sh~arpshooters from
windows and roof tops in all directions,
had a very demoralizing influence upon
the other infantry company, which fell
bnck under the severe fire and left the
artillery exposed and unprotected.
General Badger, commanding the
Metropolitans, dismonnted and assisted
IN serving his guns. He o fell, how
ever, very severely (and it was feared
mortality wounded. The Metropoli-
tans then retired in some confusion
through Tchanpitoulas street as far as
the Customhonse street front of the
C~ustomhOuse building, many of them
entering the building. Those who did
not enter the building retreated toJack-
son Square.
During the NATURALIZATION was made
for q supply of ammunition for troops at
the State House and jackson square,
the State ammunition having been ex- |
haustesl, except about eight rounds per {
ma ut the State House and probably |
thirty nc jackson square. The United
States could not supply this ammunition,
and none could be had from other sour
ces. Under such circumstances it was I
thought better o to hold the State
House Tuesday, MS there was not anu I
milton enough to resist nor than one :
assault, that the surrender which must /
of necessity speedily follow would not !
further loss of life. I
The want of ammunition and military (
supplies in State a~rsenals was due to !
the Attorney General of the State, who /
had enioined the militia appropriation i
Of twenty thousand dollars, made by /
the Legislature at its last session. I