Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-23


After taking "a hasty breakfast"
which the kind and ainiable hostess
Of the Crescent House, Mrs. Wiseman,
caused to be furnished us in double
time, on Wednesday morning last, we
got aboard the lightning mail boat
Morning Star. By a Gaarter of
seven she was rushing down stream
at break neck pace, stopping only at
the several post Offices to receive and
land her passengers and mails, with a
regularity and promptness that could
not be surpassed by railway train.
Before we could say "Jack Robertson"
many times, her clever and experien-
ced commander, Captain II. w. PEN
nywitt had moored his staunch and
elegant craft alongside the railroad
depot at Donaldsonville. 1t was ex-
actly twenty minutes of eleven when
we stepped ashore to view the burg,
in company with Messrs, Frankel and
Petit. with whom we had made the
trip down.
In time we made our way to the
Robert Z. Lee Hotel, whose accom-
modating host saw to all the comforts
of the inner man, in way that would
satisfy the most fastidious.
The rain of the previous night had
disturbed things nightly, rounda-
bout the thriving town of Donaldson
vile, and we had to do "some hop
ping in our promenade through the
place. We ascertained that the rail
way bridge across the Lafourche
would be completed within two weeks,
when the construction trains and for
ces of the n. O. Pacific Company,
would make short work in complet-
ing the line to Plaguemine and Baton
Rouge.
At about | o'clock, the train moved
off for New Orleans. The fields
through which we passed presented
a sad spectacle indeed. Not a sign
of vegetation was to be seen either
among the plant or stubble cane.
What the hard freezes of last winter
viii have left to.the unfortunate plan
tiers, is yet contained beneath the
surface of the well TILED earth. Never
before has the prospect beens so gloomy
along the coast of the Mississippi; lit
tie hope being entertained regarding
a yield for this year. However
the tale will be told within a few
weeks.
On nearing st. Charles Station, we
were happy to note the entry of the
gallant Colonel Eugene Waggaman
of our old 10th Louisiana Infantry, o
which we were the Sergeant Major
when on the first of July, 1862, The
dashing officer, led his $50 men into
battery OF twelve guns, planted or
| Malvern Hill. which was supported
! directly by the Irish Goth Regiment o
! New York, the remainder OF Meagher
Brigade. and in fact, the mass of Nc
Clellan's Army.
Well do we remember the advance
at a double quick up the open slope
skirting the terrible heights, amid thu
deadly shower of bursting shells com
ing from the front and also from thu
right, where the gun boats in TIN
James River were swelling the cho
rus of the steady cannonade, whicI
had transformed the lovely fields int
a living hell. 1t seemed us thong
i. the brave regiment laughed at deatl
for OH and on they went, cheerin:
. wildly, despite the groans OF the poe
fellows who were falling at ever
step. Finally, the last intervenin
hillock is reached. We breathe
comparative security for the instar
among q --- Regiment that hs
just met with a bloody repulse. The
commanding officer is addressin
i them. He urges them to rally an
): support the Louisianians. Their fla
J. bearer whose arm has been fracture
is by a bullet, joins his entreaties to h
10 appeals. The heroic ensign promise
to to carry his colors to the guns if the
er will only come. The broken cor
rs mand, however, remains deaf to tho
4