Terrebonne County Louisiana Archives News.....An Excursion!! (part 1) April 19, 1873 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Savanna King savanna18king@gmail.com August 11, 2023, 6:14 pm The Thibodaux Sentinel April 19, 1873 Wearied with the dullness of the times and fatigued with the monotonous apathy in this town I left Thibodaux on Friday April 4th, for the purpose of seeking a little relaxation of mind, and, in spite of the old adage, that nothing prospers which is commenced on Friday, obtaining a few days’ pleasure. A quiet ride on Morgan’s Railroad, on which no pains are spared to render the traveller comfortable and at ease, passing through a country in which the prospect of a bountiful harvest was already apparent from the stands of Corn and Sugar cane, and, Agricultural preparations, soon brought me to New Orleans. A few minutes’ conversation with Sevia and Gourdain 111 Old Levee Street, who rarely are idle long enough to talk to anyone, and a supper at Antoine’s famous Restaurant, closed the day. At Seven o’clock P.M. I visited Louisiana Lodge No 1 I O. O. F. meeting in Odd Fellow’s Hall opposite Lafayette square where a couple of hours was pleasantly passed with the brethren of the mystic tie. As we retired from the room we learned that a public Installation of the officers of Pelican Division No 1 of the Sons of Temperance was taking place, a few doors above, to whose room several of us proceeded, but arrived too late to witness those ceremonies. We were in time, however, to hear a song excellently sang by one of the ladies, and, a couple of speeches by some of the gentleman members. The room in which the Division meets was handsomely decorated with evergreens, arches, and emblems appertaining to that order, which is said to be progressing in quite an encouraging manner in the City of New Orleans. We learned that there is also a Branch of the Order of Temperance, numbering several hundred members, whose obligations forbid its members from drinking only, and not from selling, buying or manufacturing spiritous liquors. On Saturday, during the forenoon a visit was made to Messrs Buckner and Hailey 38 Camp street, the energetic Agents of the North America Life Insurance Company, who frequently exhibit their genial countenances in our town, and in their office I met, for the first time since the War, Captain Feries, the commanding officer of the famous Battery, bearing his name, and to which a number of our Lafourche Soldiers were attached. The captain is now settled near Lake Charles in western Louisiana. I also made a call on Captain Stephens in his famous Clothing emporium on the corner of St. Charles and Common street where he is generally kept pretty busy as the commander of a corps of Clerks and assistants. Whilst dining at Antoine’s I met two of the members of the 18th Louisiana, with whom many a day of trial and hardship had been passed during the gloomy days of the Confederacy, J. Armand Jr. and Lieutenant Durio, originally, of the Yellow Jacket Battalion. They are now residing near Leonville in the Parish of St. Landry. A half hour, conversing of old times, and, in mutual inquiries concerning our former associates in Lafourche and St. Landry, was soon consumed; when we separated they to leave for their homes on the Bradish Johnson, I to start on a cruise up the river on the B. L. Hodges. Accompanied by three principal officers of the Grand Lodge of the I. O. O. F. of Louisiana, we left the Wharf at New Orleans as the last rays of the setting sun were gilding the housetops, and, had a most excellent and beautiful view of the city, whose front was lined with vessels, flying the flags of all nations, and the river upon whose quiet waves we counted eight steamers departing for the upper countries. The bright moonlight yielded a pleasant perspective of the surroundings, and, as I gazed in silence upon the broad and majestic river tranquilly flowing onward to the Sea, it appeared to me that the Mississippi was justly entitled to be named the “Father of Waters.” The B.L. Hodges was a fine boat, and is commanded by Capt. Heinn, who certainly is at home between the chimneys of the Steamer. In the office was Young Libano, who was formerly in the Lafourche trade, and, Osgood who was commander of the Steamer Right Way when she unfortunately exploded a few miles above Thibodaux some three years ago. Mr. Osgood informed us that the Engineer of the Right Way has been again given his papers, as a Skillful Engineer, by the board of examiners. Sunday morning found us within sight of Baton Rouge, at which point we touched, debarked three U.S. Soldiers with chain and ball to their legs who were to become inmates of the Penitentiary for having deserted their posts, and took from the Barracks two monster cannons and debarked them at Port Hudson. Port Hudson can beat any place of its size for hills and ravines which I have lately seen. It contains some half a dozen houses in a half mile front. A half mile in the rear we perceived a flag flying in the air, where, it is supposed a garrison of U.S. Soldiers are stationed. The country through which I passed today seemed to be well cultivated although much good land lies untilled. Prosperity and contentment ought to reign along the river in that portion of Louisiana. At One o’clock the Steamer landed at Bayou Sara, at which place we debarked and surrendered ourselves to the tender mercies of our Brethren who were awaiting us. [To be continued.] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/terrebonne/newspapers/anexcurs788gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb