Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-26

II lana. 1t was an event of profound in
port and far reacting consequences.
. This was the arrival by steamboa
= from New Orleans of q splendid body c
uniformed soldiers, two hundred i
number, fully armed and equipped, an
commanded by veteran Colonel of tn
Mexican war. This body of soldiers
held under admirable discipline an,
bearing themselves with all tho Dor
and self.relisnce Of thoroughly drilled
, regulars, marched from the boat to th,
broad street known as the Boulevard
! and there formed in an imposing line
They were quickly joined by severa
bodies Of local troops, also well dis
ciplined and organized.
After short review and the delivery
oy aids of certain brief orders, this i'm
posing array broke into column, aud
led by their gallant commander, the
stalwart and soldierly Mexican veteran
took up the march through the broad
street which conducted to the main gate
OF the barracks and arsenal, a few
squares Oft. 1t was the same road which
Thomas and his rugged adventurers had
traversed fifty years before. The ad-
vance of this formidable column was
not made in silence through the streets
OF a slumbering town, or under cover of
darkness. On the contrary, the whole
population and a crowd Of visitors
thronged the streets, filed the galleries
and windows, and, without unseemly
demonstrations, regarded the scene with
countenances of profound interest, not
unmingled with sorrow, apprehension
and restrained pride and earnestness.
The column, advancing with steadi.
ness and military precision, soon reach
Ell a position which commanded a full
view of the wide main entrance to the
barracks and arsenal.
The gates were wide open. No senti-
mel now guarded them. No Grandpre
could be Seen to offer his life as sacrifice
to his loyalty. There lay before the
gallant body of volunteers an abandon
ed fortress and arsenal. Not hostile
Soldier was visible. Fo flag waved from
the flagstaff; its ropes and truck had
been cut. The volunteers marched
through tho open gates on the wide
campus, wheeled into line, and their
commander, ordering his officers to the |
front, assigned them to various duties,
and enjoining hestrictest order and dis
clpllne, dismissed the battalion for
meals and rest. And now, again this
famous old historical citadel was prac-
tically abandoned to the occupation of
the soldiers of Louisiana. A few hours
before it had been occupied by a force of
The United States under Major Haskins,
composed of eighty regular officers and
soldiers. BY a previous arrangement
made with the Governor of Louisiana
md bis military board, the commander
II this force had, with due and proper
protest, agreed to abandon the barracks
md arsenal in case superior force pre-
ented itself. The condition precedent ]
vas satisfactorily executed. A glance ;
It the force and the preparations for the ,
'rmed occupation Satisfied Major Has !
;ins, and he marched his garrison forth I
nd took quarters elsewhere. c
That night the volunteers rested from =,
he fatigues and excitement of the mo- q
lentous event of the day. 7
Early on the twelfth Of January the G
arracks, arsenal and camping grounds, c
nd indeed the whole town, were alive g.
18th preparations for the celebration of n
1e event of the day before. The bands g.
music struck up the most animating b
ilitary airs. The volunteers were bu- O
ly engaged in furnishing their arms
I'D Frightening their uniforms for the F
Tand parade and ceremony, and their c,
ficers were moving around busily to n
% that their men were on hand. Before b.
ION the|various companies had marched fo
the campus, with their frightened IL
ms, their colors, and all the pomp and IL
of glorious war. They H
ore formed in line for review, and pre- Q,
nted a most impressive array of young, so
dent, determined soldiers. hs
Presently rode on tho ground the Of
'vernor Of Louisiana, with . large an
1T. He was received by the line with &C.
present arms. There was q large in
'wd OF civilians, public officials, and
the legislators, then in session, as III
'erested and sympsthizing spectators. Of
op]e from the city Of New Orleans and hv
IN the adjacent country had focked IN
the little town to witness and parti. of
,nkn Ak,n