The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-27
RELIC OF PAKENHAM'S ARMY.
Gun Found Concealed in Gov. where's
House at Port Chalmette.
New Orleans Picayune.

Among the richly priced trophies in the
home of Mr. Omer Where. 1886 State street,
is a short, stocky shotgun, originally made
for hunting purposes. Il gave that gun
to my son years ago." remarked Mr.. A. j.
Where. the lawyer. one day last week. 1T
is relic of the war of 1S12-15, and came
circumstances. My grandfather, James
Philip Where. better known JAG Where,
and the second Governor OF the State of
Louisiana, resided in a large plantation
home, seven miles below the cathedral and
near what is now called Port Chalmette.
His place was occupied by General Pa
kenham and the British officers as their
headquarters, when they camped below the
city, previous to their disastrous defeat in
the battle of New Orleans, Jan. g. 1915. The
British came up through Lake Borgne and
on up the river bank TO the Villere home,
which they took possession of and retained
for a headquarters.
"It was in the evening. AS I remember
1t the day was just fading into the dusk
ness of evening. Governor Where and his
entire family were away, with the excep-
ton Of two sons, Gabriel Where, who had
just about reached his majority, and a
younger brother Caliste, who was barely
fifteen or sixteen years of age.
1.-The boys were completely surprised by
the invasion of the British officers. As the
army officers came up on the veranda the
boys came to the door. Gabriel asked what
was wanted, evidently showing some sign
of agitation. The officers replied that they
were prisoners. but with no intention of
harm; that they would be treated with
consideration.
Seeing an opportunity, Gabriel sljpped
across the balcony and to the far end of
the railing. He went over 1t with one leap,
and shot across the yard into the cane
field, his intention being to rescue his
younger brother through some military tao
tics Of his own. Pushing his way through
the thick cane he made his way around
to the stables. where a colored servant
secured his saddle horse. Once on the
horse the young man was more himself,
and he hastily skirted the cane field. gain
ing the road in due time. Again coming
by the house, he rode swiftly into the city
or New Orleans, seven miles distant, and
announced the coming of the British. His
report was the first received that the
British were actually below the city, and
in possession of Governor Where's planta-
ton residence.
THE younger brother, Caliste. who re-
NAMED in the house, was taken a prisoner
and placed in the corn barn under guard
for the night. The young fellow discovered
that the flooring of the corn barn was not
very secure. 1t having been constructed
from the planks taken from the old fat
boats on the river. Finding one of the
boards loose, he raised II and dug out un-
der the stills Of the barn. Taking to the
cane field. he soon gained the open and
was in the road He reached the city about
daybreak, and was safely cared for here.
What happened at Chalmette is, of
course, familiar history to everyone. When
the English were driven out and they evac-
homestead, the family returned to their
place to find 1t considerably the worse for
its service.
Between two mattresses on one of the
In the hasty flight the British had forgot
ten 1t. That ii was highly valued is at
tested by the fact that it had been so
carefully concealed. The Governor nre-
sented me with the gun. and that is how
the sword of Governor JAG Where"