The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-09-16
. TRIP TO A s
BY UNCLE SILAS.

port a squad of ns over to Font Liv
lngston on Grand Terre Island. \
pleasant sail of a couple OF hou,S
brought US to II destination.
Fort Livingston is situated upon
a high point on the west side of the
Grand Pass. fronting upon the
Oceans beach.
1t enclOses about an acre of
ground within the walls. Outside
OF the walls Oh two sides are deep
canals separating the fort from the
main land. Outside of the canals
are heavy brick structures in which
are port holes. intended for the
use OF rifemen to repulse any force
that might attempt to enter within.
The entrance to the fort is by IA
bridge that can be lowered from
within in case of a siege.
About 20 immense guns are on
the upper walls, but dismounted.
Nothing of much value is within
the fort, which is guarded by a SCI
geant as the sole defendant of the
place. The walls are of brick end
and about 1 feet in thickness.
The Fort is practically of no
earthly Importance as a defense
against the implements Of modern
warfare. A good vessel of war
wonld batter it into atoms before
church time on any morning.
1t might be rendered serviceable
IN case Of war to keep out snug
glers and privateers who might
wish to enter Grand Pass for pill
lage and pluuder.
About Il half mile up the beach
stands the Government headouar
tiers a large two story brick build
ing, used as the quarters of the Off
GERS commanding the Fort. The
sun sent down his scorching rays
too hot for me to attempt to walk
over to that building, upon tie
sandy beach.
This Fort has been built some 40
or so years.
Near the Fort stands the Gov
eminent light house 100 feet in
height. An old gentleman resides
near by, who for many years, has
been attending to this beacon of
warning and OF safety to the sailor,
passing through the Gulf.
Grand Terre forms the Eastern
isle ofthat chain along the louisa
ma coast, that ends in Last Island
about 100 miles 70 the West. This
chain of Isles was ono the favorite
resort of the bold smugglers headed
by Lsfitte, who made their head
quarters on them 60 to IS years
ago, and peddled their smuggled
merchandise into the interior,
through Grand Pass and Barataria
Bayou, through the Atchafalaya
River, Lake Verret, and the At
tackapas canal into the Lafourche
at Napoleonvilie, and by all other
~iulets that would bring them to any
settlers to whom they could dispose
of their merchandise. at fair prices,
whilst laughing ut the excise laws
of Uncle Sam.
On the point, upon which the
Light house stands at Grand Terre
is said to have been one of Lafitte's
~favorte rendez vOus; on Gallon
Island the stump of one his flag
poles was pointed out in the sand
Oh the Western end.
Writers, often describe Laftte
and his bold companions, as Pira
ties, but such a title was unjust.
Facts do not sustain such a charge.
They were smugg!ers, and doubt
less, in pursuit of their illicit work,
when they come in contact with the
agents of the Government, Or any
other power that attempted to in
terfera with their occupation they
gave blows as hard as those they
received, and did not hesitate to
sacrifice life If necessary to insure
their own safety, and plumber.
In my younger days | have met
and conversed with many old resi-
dents who remembered to have
tratficed with Laftitte or his men
as they passed up the Latourche.
And | have known and conyersed
with two or three persons who wee
Lafitte's companions in their youth
full days. These men all denounced
with Indignation, the charge that
Lafitte was a Pirate, but admitted
!, candldly that he was a smuggler.
They all spoke of him with venera
ton, and if the bold outlaw inspir
ed the same feeling for all his men