The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-26
DOWN BAYOU ST. JOHN.

DOWN BAYOU ST. JOHN.
The sun of bright spring morning. in tn
good old year 1701, threw quivering spark
over the diamond drops of water as they fel
from the FLASHING oars of the sturdy rowers
The western horizon was still misty with tn
last vapors of the night, whilst the shore o
Lake Pontchartrain seemed shrouded in wind
ing clothes of mist, which hung over the 81
manned and the men well armed, moved for
ward in response to the vigorous strokes of thu
sailors, and now and again boatswain'
whistle would echo over the water sigma
for rest They were Frenchmen, all, ana
their commander was the valorous Bienvills
The tiresome journey from the Rigolets hat
led the crews to scan closely the shore il
search of high ground for night camp
Presently broad bayou was discovered flow
ing into the lake, and in moment the course
of the boats was changed and all headed fol-
the mouth of the bayou. Shore was reached
good ground found, and Bienville formed his
camp for the night.
The broad, yet sinuous, bayou wound its wa,
through the silent swamps, leading, no one
knew whittier, and the heavy expresses border
ing it let their moss-covered branches shake
to the music of soft south wind. the
picture around was a rich one full of peace
solemnity and beauty. The croaking of noe.
turnal frogs, the deep below of the alligator
gave to the scene a wierd attractiveness, and
the weary voyagers around the camp fires
dreamed of elfn.land and Ponce de Icons
Fountain of Youth.
1t was resolved by Bienville to establish a
post on the spot and 50 his men the next day
set about cutting timber for building.
strong house was erected and high
stockade built around it to secure the troops
| from surprise from the then warlike Chahtas,
whose descendants meekly vend their roots
and herbs to-day in our markets.
The bayou was named the st. John, and to
that nights encampment at its mouth New
Orleans is indebted for its present situation.
The station grew year after year, and ex-
ploring parties rowed up the bayou towards
what is now New Orleans. Finding a spot
where now stands the Bayou Bridge, and just
opposite the boat house of the st. Johns Row.
ing Club, convenient and dry enough for resi-
dence, the first settlement of the Crescent
City was made.
Few of our residents know that it was here
was sowed the seed of the Crescent City. Com
mercial necessities have extended the settle
ment to the Mississippi river, but the quiet
and now suburban nsighborhood of Bayou
Bridge is justly entitled to the credit of being
the first settlement hereabouts.
The post of Bienville at the mouth Of the
bayou was considered an important one as it
commanded part of Lake Pontchartrain
and further protected the settlement above,
so its guns were increased and tort built.
To-day the invalid and the peasure-seeker,
after short but delightful ride in the cars of
the Canal Street, City Park and Lake Rail-
road, look out over the placid surface of the
lake from the very spot where Bienville en-
camped. The walls of the more pretentious
fort, built afterwards by the Spanish, still re-
mains and delicate grasses thrive on the once
well-worn esplanade.
The guns which once were the terror of the
Indians who usually camped on the other side
of the bayou, are still there, but newer en-
ergy is evidenced in the surroundings and
where colonels marquee was pitched, now
stands a lastly built and well regulated hotel.
There are several amusing incidents con-
nected with Spanish Fort, just after it became
the property of the Americans.
The command of the place was given to one
Capt. Shaw, and one of his lieutenants was
John Sinnott, the worthy progenitor of the
Sinnott family now so we'll known here.
1t was thought first that the English troops
under Pakenham would attempt the capture
of Spanish Fort, and by this effect sure en-
trance to New Orleans. Therefore the arma-
ment was increased and garrison reinforced
The English, however, found no opposition to
their entry up Bayou Bienvenu miles nearer
the Rigolets, and SO they chose the latter
route to the city.
When it became known in the fort that the
invading army would not attack it, the fighting
John Sinnott, who had been in action at Vine
gar Hill and other European battles, APP
preached Capt. Shaw, b s ranking officer, and
requested leave to go to the city to take part
in the fighting.
Permission was peremptorily refused, but
the valorous son of Erin was not to be put off
in that way, and he resolved to ask no more
questions, but go any way.
When the roll was called next day on the
plaza of the fort, Lieut.. John Sinnoit was mis-
sing, but could Capt Shaw have been behind
the works at Chalmette, he would at that very
moment have found fighting Sinnott "giving
the very divil to the red coats.
When the fact of his desertion of his post
to take part in the fight was made known,
some martinets wanted to censure, bat his
pluck carried him through.
Away from the carking cares of the city one
can well imagine how impossible it is
to refrain from enjoying the pleasant associa.
tions springing up at every step in Spanish
Fort.
The rustic of the leaves in the old live
oaks, the ripple of Pontchartrain's waters
against the walls the measured cadence of
the oars Of passing boatmen, all bring up the
mellow days agone, and with half closed eyes
the present fades away. Digniied sentries
in the uniform of France walk their posts; a
Rienyilla gaIutes the Guard. a TATTOO from