The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-10-10
CHAPTER XIII.
COLONEL noR1Na MAKES HIMSELF FELT.

Although the possibility of New
Orleans being attacked by British
force had been for a month or two the
chief topic of conversation in all the
homes and in every sale and cafe in
the city, nobody was prepared to re-
ceiye the news when at last the feet
was reported off the islands that rim
the southern con6ne of Mississippi
Sound A panic seized the people;
and, as for the army, there was none
to speak of. l-
General Jackson made haste to oc-
cupy the city with such forces as he
could readily pull together, and began
at once to prepare for a vigorous, if
apparently hopeless, defense. The
first difficulty that presented itself to
the iron.hearted Tennesseean was
that of securing the confidence and
cooperation of class of men who in
large degree controlled both New
Orleans and Louisiana. He found
that deep-seated prejudice already
existed against him in official circles,
and that a clash Of aathor-
ity was likely to come i'm
mediately. Governor Claiborne had
many enemies in the State, and
as soon as he became q stanch sup.
porter of Jackson's policy, which was
strictly military and not little de-
spotic one, they began to attack both
the general and the governor from a
hundred directions with the most in
sidious abuse.
Although the masses were loyal to
the United States, the loyalty was
provincial one. The creoles especially
regarded anything like national inter.
ference with the local affairs Of
Louisiana with but little favor, and at
first they did not admire the rough
and imperious general, whose man
ners and language were foreign to
their taste, and whose imperious dis
position would brook no interference,
even in the way of suggestion, with
his quickly formed plans.
Jackson attached Lieutenant Bal
lanche to his staff as soon as he
arrived in New Orleans. This was
considered an, insult by some in
fuential persons, who desired to have
Colonel Loring occupy that position,
and who had made special sug-
gestion to that effect, fortified by the
statement that Loring knew the
whole country as a sailor-pilot knows
his chart, and was, besides, an officer
of varied and successful experience in
the service. Mr.. Vernon, too, had
added the weight of his name and
recommendation, which had hitherto
been almost all-powerful, in Colonel
Loring's behalf.
As for the colonel himself, he re-
turned to New Orleans from no one
knew exactly where, just in time to be
informed of General Jackson's per-
emptory refusal while the words were
scarcely cold.
"I do not need more staff-of6cers
or more officers of any kind" was the
bluff statement made by the already
over-worked commander. need
fighting men who have guns and will
shoot with them whenever q red-coat
gets in sight. Let every man forget
office and think of his country for a
while. If Colonel Loring desires to
fight for New Orleanss let him report
to me at once with gun."
Ernest Faval, politician of some
note, and Mr.. Vernon met, soon after
this, in O restaurant not far from
Jackson's headquarters, on Royal
street, where they discussed the mat
ter in characteristic way.
The restaurant was one of the best
in the city, and situated, as already
stated, only few doors distant from
the house in which the commanding
officer had established his head
quarters. Indeed, Faval and Mr..
Vernon were fresh from the exasper-
ating interview already mentioned.
They were, perhaps, pleasurably sur
prised when on the moment Loring
chanced to drop in and join them at
the table.
"You are ordered, SIR" said Faval,
in mock military manner, "to put
on the uniform Of private soldier
and report with gun and accouter-
ments to General Jackson"
Loring smiled coldly, and, resting
HIS elbows on the table, turned in
quiring glances from one to the other |
of his companions.
Jackson fatty refuses to appoint