The Opelousas courier., 1896-06-06
Louisiana's Glory and Shame.

shabby treatment OF the old soleiier ai
, the hands of the politicians in the last
election. We may remark, en- passant
that New Orleans done no worse than
the other sections Of the State in the
matter.
There arc still many survivors in this
parish of that gallant band of heroes of
the Louisiana brigade in Virginia, which
was composed of the 9th, 9TH Sth and
(I'iger Ritles) who still have y vivid re-
collection of the incidents herein re-
: called.
The Nashville Confederate Veteran
records the following testimonial to the
gallantry of our men:
Comrade Doctor j. C. Loftin sends an
old dingy print to the Veteran. copy of
which will be read with interest and
pride by survivors and families of those
who arc not of the survivors,:
The Louisiana brigade, including
the 9th Regiment, made the last charge
at Appomattox, and drove tho enemy
before them until called back, when
Genl. Gordon paid them high compli-
ment for the gaIlantry displayed under
such adverse circumstances. After that
last heroic effort to stem the tide of
Grants swarmng legions, the curtain
falls over the small but heroic band, as
the following address to the Louisiana
troops will show:
"It Is dated at Head Quarters Evans Divis-
| IONS Appomattox Court House, April 11th, A.
ID. 1865 and addressed to Col Eugene Wagga-
man, Commanding Hays aud Statford's Brig
ades
''The sad hour has arrived when we who
served in the Confederate Army so long to-
gether must part, at least for time. But the
| saddest circumstances connected with the sep
aration are that it occurs under heavy disaster
to our beloved cause. But to you, Colonel, and
to our brother officers and brother soldiers Of
| Hays and Stafford's Brigades, claim to say
| that you can carry with you the proud COLI
science that in the estimation of your COM
| manders you nave done your duty. Tell Lou
| lslana when you reach her shores, that her
| sons i'll the Army of Northern Virginia have
made her illustrious upon every battle ground.
| from list Manassas to the last desperate blow
| strucRyby your command on the hill OF Apo
mattox, and tell her, too that in the first, so
in the last, the enemy bled before the vigor of
your charging lines. To the sad decree of an
allwise providence, let us bow in humble re-
signation, awaiting His viii for the pillar of
liant officers and devoted men, shall ever
| cherish the most pleasing memories, and when
I say farewell, it is with a full heart, which
! your future happiness.
Brig. Gen. Com. DIVISION"
II our memory fails not, the dingy
sheet was the Natchitoches News, one
Of the few newspapers published in the
Confederate lines at the close of the
war. According to the statement made
to it hy one of the wearied men who had
made the long march home er1nlpot, the
charge was provoked by one Rhde by
Custer, who either did not Know, or
care, that negotiations were thYl pend
ing for the coming surrender.
HIS troopers saw befnre them ;lsshat-
tered brigade OF half-starved fbuisi-
anians and could not resist the' desire
to strike the last blow Of 11ib war.
They came down in solid column like
the wolves on the fold," but with a
zeal and counter charge the unwbipped
veterans met them and drove them back
in dismay, leaving their dead and
wounded and battery in possession of
our men.
A writer says in his memoirs. that the
Third Louisiana was the rock upon
which the enemy were shattered like
chalk at Springfield in Missouri, and
Pea Ridge in Arkansas. A thousand
lars," as they were called, defeated Un-
tied States regulars in defense of those
oatlyiDg states.
They were the pride and reliance of
Stand Waties Indian division, who ac-
cOrding to General Anderson, who held
"a command in it, "were sore distressed
when they were ordered east of the river
and never ceased to the end of the war
to regret the separation from them Of
the Third Louisiana"
1t is not worth while, and in view of
recent shameful decision of our people
it may he Of little interest to them. to
recall the tracks of blood from the shoe
less feet of the Louisianians, who on
rations of parched corn marched with
Hood to certain death aud defeat at
Nashville. There were many "red
trails" like that traced across the map
of the Confederacy, and they marked
the track of the private soldier.
The survivors found their way home,
worn out, ragged, foot sore, and hungry,
From that time to this they have made
no demands or complaints, have worked
hard (those that were able) and have
taken some sort OF care, from their pit
tance, of their sorely wounded compan-
ions. These have lived. we hardly know
how, and have died until barely bat
TALON of one EARNED, one-legged soldiers
survive as living monuments OF Louisi
ana's glory and shame.
That we do know-not one Of them
has ever become beggar. Silent and
uncomplainiDg, yet what must be their
feellngS Wnen tney read ana near OF en-
tbusiastic meetings at which men and
women speak and cheer for Battle Alb
beys, jeff Davis memorials, monuments
for officers of high rank, ETC.. (all of
which, however, in the absence of cash,
amount to nothing). and then cast their
eyes upon the following returns attest
ing noble (q) and generous (Y) peoples
decision upon n question that is of vital
Importance to them in their almost
helpless condition:
"For the amendment to pension dis
abled Confederate soldiers, sailors and
widows 5000; against the amendment
28,OOO." Vote OF Orleans,)