[NEW ORLEANS]
DAILY PICAYUNE
January
3, 1864 – March 7, 1865
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 3, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
A Young Lady's Soliloquy.
Uselessly, aimlessly drifting through life,
What was I born for? "For
Somebody's wife,"
I am told by my mother.
Well, that being true,
"Somebody" keeps himself strangely from view:
And if naught but marriage will settle my fate,
I believe I shall die in an unsettled state.
For, though I'm not ugly—pray, what woman is?—
You might easily find a more beautiful phiz;
And then, as for temper and manners, 'tis plain
He who seeks for perfection will seek here in vain.
Nay, in spite of these drawbacks, my heart is perverse,
And I should not feel grateful "for better or
worse,"
To take the first booby that graciously came
And offered those treasures, his home and his name.
I think, then, my chances of marriage are small,
But why should I think of such chances at all?
My brothers are all of them younger than I,
Yet they thrive in the world—why not let me
try?
I know that in business I'm not an adept,
Because from such matters most strictly I'm kept,
Why am I not
trained up to work of some kind?
Uselessly, aimlessly drifting through life,
Why should I wait
to be "Somebody's wife?"
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Chewing Tobacco.
In Store—
40 ¾ boxes Virginia pounds, A. B., Natural Leaf.
15 ¾ " "
"
Mason Gray, Nat. Leaf.
18 ¾ " "
"
John Robinson, "
"
40 ¾ " "
" Magnolia,
" "
35 ½ " "
"
Hazel Dell,
" "
30 ½ " Missouri
"
Peachleaf, "
"
50 ¾ " "
A. Thomas's 10s.
20 ¾ " "
Aberhard's 8s.
20 ¾ " "
Lemoine's Navy, pounds.
25 ¾ " "
Chr. Peper's "
"
40 1/8 " "
"
"
" hf. "
30 1/8 " "
Prairie Bird, quarter pounds.
The above Tobaccoes will be sold at the lowest possible prices. The attention of the trade is particularly invited to this
large assortment.
---Shortly expected—
400 caddies Pancake and Twist.
For sale by
Mayer Brothers,
51 Tchoupitoulas street,
between Natchez and Poydras.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Holiday, Birthday
and Every Day
Presents.
Albums are the
Thing.
Prices Reduced.
Photographic Albums, Frames, Cases, Pins, &c., the largest variety
and the best and cheapest in the city.
Card Photographs of over 200 Federal and Confederate Generals, at $2.25
per dozen.
Twenty five different views of the fortifications of Port Hudson.
Artists' Materials at New York prices.
Any and everything pertaining to Photographic goods can be obtained of
S. T. Blessing,
24 Chartres street.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
This being the anniversary of "the glorious Eighth," a day in
the annals of New Orleans ever memorable, the Picayune will not be issued this
afternoon nor tomorrow morning. Its
next appearance will be tomorrow afternoon.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Southern Ladies Going North.—The Washington correspondent of the New
York Journal of Commerce says:
The number of women who have recently arrived in this city and Baltimore
from rebeldom, is so much greater than usual, that the people are wondering what
it all means. Women are proverbial
for their sagacity under desperate circumstances, and it may be they are getting
away from beneath those pillars of the Republic which Mr. Keitt and his friends
talked so wildly about clasping, and then tumbling them down to the ground.
Most of these women are interested in real estate lying north of the
Potomac, and while they come here to perform the farce of being loyal according
to circumstances, they boast that their husbands or sons are fighting against
the old flag in the armies of the South.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
M'Me Caprell.
Who is there that has not heard of the extraordinary revealments which
this great natural Clairvoyant daily gives proofs of?
Knowledge bows submissively before her gifts, and so enables her to
direct her powers for the good of her visitors, that the curious are satisfied
and the sick restored to health. Her
medicines are prepared by herself and never fail in effecting a complete cure.
Residence, 127 Customhouse street, between Bourbon and Dauphin streets.
M'me Caprell.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
B. Piffet,
122..................Canal
Street.....................122
Santa Claus's
Headquarters!
5,000 dozen Spool Cotton.
75,500 "
Needles.
750 lb. Knitting Cotton.
500 lb. Wool Yarn.
75 dozen Under Shirts.
53 "
Drawers.
125 "
Buckskin Gauntlets—Army.
200 "
Ladies' Assorted Gloves.
500 pks. English and American Pins.
2,000 lb. Linen Thread.
150 dozen Wool Half Hose—Gentlemen.
Also, the Largest Stock of
Ivory, Shell, Amber and Buffalo Ladies' Back Combs.
Dressing and Pocket combs.
Hair Brushes,
Tooth Brushes,
Button Brushes,
Clothes Brushes.
Ribbons, Trimmings and Buttons.
A Splendid Stock,
just imported.
Toys.
Toys.
Toys.
Santa Claus's
Headquarters.
The Largest Stock
of Toys, at Cost.
Cotton and Wool
Cards.
150 dozen Cotton
Card—No. 10A.
50 dozen Wool
Cards—6 and 8.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 3, c. 2
I. O. O. F.
Regalia and Dress
Ball.
A Regalia and Dress Ball will be given by the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, on Thursday Evening, February 4, 1864, at the New Opera House, (corner
of Bourbon and Toulouse streets, for the benefit of the Widows'' and Orphans'
General Relief Fund.
Applications for Ladies' Invitation Tickets must be made in writing,
(stating the place of residence of ladies for whom invitation tickets are
desired,) and left at the Office of the R. W. Grand Secretary, Odd Fellows'
Hall, or with any one of the Managers.
No invitations issued after Tuesday, February 2d.
Committee.
M. W. G. M. L.
Homes,
P. G. C. Antognini,
R. W. G. S. H.
Bier,
"
J. A. Brown,
D. G. M. J. S.
Burke,
"
J. Brownlee,
P. G. M. H.
Millspaugh,
"
G. Tiemann,
D. D. G. M. J.
G. Hirdes,
"
R. G. Abbott,
" G. Nungesser,
N. G. Ths. Moran,
"
J. L. Henry,
" John Meyer,
P. G. J.
Potter,
V. G. W. L. Williams.
"
N. W. Wolverton,
A. Estein,
"
R. L. Bruce,
E. Blake4ley,
"
A. Porteous,
E. Rive,
"
G. W. Roper,
J. O'Connor.
"
A. W. Hunter.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 3, c. 2
Christmas and New
Year's Holidays
Steam Chocolate
Manufactory and Con-
tionery. [sic]
D. Lopez,
85..........Chartres
Street..........85
House Estab- Cor.
Conti.
Wholesale
lished
1852.
and Retail.
Informs his numerous patrons above Canal street that from the 15th
inst. he will offer for sale an immense and varied assortment of Fancy Paper
Boxes, which recommend themselves both by their neatness and good taste.
Mr. Lopez respectfully begs the public not to forget his house because
not situated on Canal street, for it will bear [illegible] great advantage all
comparison of its articles with those of any other house in this city.
Fine Bonbons, at 75c per lb.; Cream Chocolate; Chocolate Pralines;
Cordial Chocolate; Croquet Richelieu; a large assortment of Miniature Cordials;
Cream Bonbons, at 25 and 50c per box.
The public is respectfully invited to call and examine the establishment
before the Holidays, so as to be well convinced of the superiority of all its
articles.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 3, c. 6
Beauty of Youth.
The Circassian
Liquid.
For the removal of Freckles, Morphew, Sunburn, Tan, and the
cure of Ringworm. Prepared by L.
Davis, at New Orleans, and sold by authorized agents.
T. W. Wright, 21 Chartres street,
also, John H. Pope,
corner Jackson and Prytants sts.,
and P. Pouliot, 449 St. Charles,
lately Nayades street,
B. & Abrams,
42 and 44 Camp street.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 3, c. 5
Havana
Cigars—Havana Cigars.
To Arrive by
schooner Talisman, a Fine Assortment Invoice
--of—
170,000 Cigars and
Cigarettes, such as—
Figaro,
Upmann & Co.,
Cabarga,
Clay, Calhoun and
Webster,
Partagas
La Retica,
Cabanas,
Intimidad,
&c., &c.,
Of all desirable vitolas, and in boxes of 25, 50, and 100.
Cigars, suitable for New Year's Presents.
For sale at the Jewel Coffeehouse, 105 Gravier street, and
at the Cigar Store "La Intimidad," 124, corner of Gravier and
Carondelet streets.
Joseph Santini, Importer.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 3, c. 5
E. Rolland, Wig
Maker,
No. 43 Chartres
street, between Customhouse and Bienville streets,
Informs his numerous customers and the public that he has
removed to 42 Chartres street, where all goods in his line, and all the finest
Perfumery will be found as heretofore, at reduced prices.
A Hair-Dressing Saloon for the Ladies, and a Shampooing and Hair-Cutting
Saloon for Children, are attached to the store.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 4, c. 1
Prof. J. Vegas's
Dancing Academy,
172 Canal Street,
and
Eagle Hall
Brytania Street.
Days of Tuition at
Canal Street
Children's Class—Mondays and Fridays, from 4 to 7 P.M.
Ladies' Class—Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 10 A. M. till 12
o'clock, M.
Gentlemen's Class—Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 till 9
o'clock, P.M.
Days of Tuition at Eagle Hall:
Children's Class—Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 4 till 6
o'clock, P.M.
For terms apply to Prof. Vegas, or to Blackmar & Co., 74 Camp street.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 8, 1864, p. 4, c. 1
Orange Grove
Nursery,
Toll-Gate,
Metairie Ridge.
Martin Haynes takes leave most respectfully to state to his friends and
the public that he has on hand a large stock of Fruit, Flower and Ornamental
Trees, for sale. His Green Houses
are also well stocked with a choice selection of Plants, embracing a great
variety. Would also call attention
to my Sweet Orange Trees, some thousands of the best quality, with a large
amount of Shade Trees. All of which
I am prepared to sell on the most reasonable terms.
Martin Haynes.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 10, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Edward A. Yorke,
Wholesale Grocer
and
Commission
Merchant,
7 and 9 New Levee,
Offers for Sale
the Following Goods,
--in Store and
Landing—
. . . 100 boxes Star Candles.
100 hf. boxes
"
"
100 boxes Starch.
100
" Borden's
Milk. . . .
And a full assortment of Can Meats, &c.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Letter from Antelope.
[Special Correspondence of the Picayune.]
New York, Dec. 30, 1863.
New York has seldom witnessed a more gay or "merry" Christmas
than the one just past. Santa Claus
and Kriss Kringle were here, there and everywhere, and money was literally
poured out like water. To get into
some of the silk, jewelry, fancy, millinery and toy stores at any moment during
the whole of the day preceding, was almost an impossibility—so crowded were
they with anxious buyers—while at night, or "Christmas Eve," the
streets presented the appearance of a carnival.
The markets were also filled to overflowing, and wagons stood for whole
squares leading therefrom, unloading their contents to the eager and joyous
crowd. The theatres, to use a
popular phrase, were "crowded from pit to ceiling," and to all outward
appearances there was nothing to indicate but what we were blest above all other
lands.
And the joy and merriment were sincere beyond all doubt! Not a hollow notch could be detected anywhere!
There was no sham, no forced putting on of gayety, but it was deep and
spontaneous. I have pondered on it
much since—pondered, sorrowed, shall I say, wept?
Had a quarter of a million been laid in the dust?
Was our hearth-stones vacant, and was the Angel of Destruction still
abroad? The merriment was
earnest—the laugh rang loud—the hilarity was bounding—the eye flashed
brilliantly—it was not a dream! . . .
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Warm Goods for
Cold Weather
--At—
S. N. Moody's
Gentlemen's
Furnishing Emporium,
Corner of Canal
and Royal Streets.
Just received, by last steamers—
Scarlet and White Shaker Flannel Undershirts and Drawers.
Woolen, Merino, Cashmere and Canton Flannel Undershirts and Drawers.
Heavy Hosiery—Every description.
Traveling and Campaign Wool Overshirts
Seasonable Gloves—Every description.
Wool and Cashmere Mufflers.
Silk and Wool Scarfs and Ties.
--And a Complete assortment of—
Winter Furnishing Goods for Gentlemen
At the Lowest Cash Prices.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
M'Me Caprell,
The only known Clairvoyant and Spiritual Physician who has the gift of
locating the exact seat of disease in your system.
All are amazed at her immense powers of Clairvoyance, when in a trance
state of mind, in revealing the Past, Present and Future prospects of life with
truthful fidelity. The afflicted,
the curious and skeptical—all are invited to call on M'me Caprell.
Residence, 127 Customhouse street, between Bourbon and Dauphin streets.
M'me Caprell.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 12, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
The rebel prisoners at Fort McHenry have been carrying on an extensive
correspondence with their friends in Dixie, through the assistance of R. Dalton,
a soldier of the 19th Maine, and various parties in Baltimore.
Col. Fish has arrested Dalton and a number of others, and secured a rebel
mail of a thousand letters.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 13, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
Mrs. Delia Lee was tried for attempting to smuggle some cartridge balls
into the Confederacy. The
cartridges were found in the center of her trunk when she was about to leave on
a lake schooner, but she declared before God and all his holy angels that she
did not know how they got into her trunk; that she did not put them in, and that
they were put in without her knowledge. Her
pass was revoked and she was confined to her late residence for a month.
She protested that she had no means of living for a month, and trusted
that the charitable folks in court would not let her and her child starve.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
The Great
Clairvoyant,
M'me La Blanch,
The wonderful Clairvoyant, Astrologist, Spiritual and
Medical Physician, whose extraordinary powers are the constant theme of the
skeptical who have tested M'me La Blanch's powers of mind; all are firm in the
belief that the sick or afflicted in body or mind should call at once on the
favorite and confidante of all.
M'me La Blanch's residence, No. 102 Bienville street, between Bourbon and
Dauphin streets.
Consultations given in French and English.
Terms moderate to suit the times.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 24, 1864, p. 3, c. 2
Costumes and
Dominoes
to Let.
M'me Groux, from
Paris,
No. 93 Conti Street, between Bourbon and Dauphin, New Orleans.
Fashionable Dress
Making
Several
Seamstresses wanted.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
To the Editor of the Picayune:
Please announce to the community the death of one of its oldest and most
deserving members, Mother Regina Smith, who departed this life a little after 3
o'clock this morning, January 26. Deceased
was a native of Louisiana, and born at Grand Coteau on the 5th of
October, 1806. Whilst yet in the
bloom of youth, surrounded with ease and comfort, and with bright prospects of
future happiness before her, she heard the whispers of a secret, yet clear
voice, that said to her, "Leave all and follow me." Obedient to that interior call, at the age of seventeen she
bid adieu to home, to parents, friends and all, to consecrate herself to the
service of the poor, among the heroic daughters of St. Vincent de Paul, and for
more than forty years she labored with ever-increasing zeal, and charity in the
arduous duties of her sublime vocation. In
1829 she came with the first Sisters of Charity to New Orleans, who took charge
of the Poydras Asylum. From thence
in 1834 she headed a little band of devoted companions, who went to brave
suffering, contagion and death, in all its forms, in the wards of the Charity
Hospital. At her dismal post, the
undaunted heroine of charity ever remained, except for an interval of five
years. So long familiar with scenes
of death, the angel of comfort and consolation to so many, in their last hour,
she could not be unprepared for hers. Death
to her was indeed like a gentle slumber, so calm, so sweet, that those beside
her bed perceived it not. It was
only on examination that it was discovered she had fallen into that sleep from
which the soul awakes in eternity.
Her funeral will take place from the chapel of the Charity Hospital, at 3
o'clock P.M., January 27.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, January 29, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Paris Fashions.
The latest Paris fashions state that the bonnets of the present season
are worn moderately high; very close at the side.
Le Follet declares that the Mary Stuart is no longer admissible.
They are generally—indeed, almost always—made with a mixture of
materials. Thus a very pretty
bonnet for neglige had the front and curtain of black velvet, with the soft
crown of quilted satin—blue or violet; at the side, a tuft of black and
colored feathers, fastened by a band of velvet; feathers inside, and satin
strings. Another had the front and
curtain of velvet, pine-apple color, which is just now so fashionable; the soft
crown of plaid plush; very short piled, the colors blue and white.
At the side, a bouquet of blue velvet flowers, with fern leaves, formed
with pine-apple colored feathers. No
blond across the top; merely a bandeau of blue velvet, and fern leaves to match
those on the outside. Plaid velvet
strings. Plaid trimming for bonnets
is still much in favor, and will continue to be during the winter. White and plain colored satin capotes are gaining favor.
They are trimmed with flowers, or feathers and lace, or even simply with
lace. The strings must be of satin
ribbon. White and colored plus
bonnets are also gaining favor. The plush used has a very short pile, and is therefore more
durable than that used formerly.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Escape of
Prisoners from Tyler, Texas.
Arrival of Two
Federal Lieutenants.
The Times, of this morning, has a
lengthy account of the escape and arrival there, from Tyler, Texas, of Lieuts.
Whitsett and Green, of the 26th Indiana, who were captured at Morganza last
fall. We quote from the Times as
follows:
Lieuts. Whitsett and Green left
Tyler the afternoon before Christmas, and arrived at Natchez on the 26th ult.,
making the entire distance of three hundred and fifty miles in a little over a
month, including a week lost at Shreveport.
The manner in which they effected their escape was as follows:
The prisoners at Tyler are confined in a stockade enclosure, but of late
have been paroled to go anywhere they pleased within half a mile of the
stockade. Some Federal prisoners,
(enlisted men,) en route from Houston to Shreveport, with the understanding that
they could from there be sent within our lines, encamped on the evening of the
24th of December, near the stockade at Tyler, and the two lieutenants, being
tired of rebel hospitality, conceived the idea of going off with the Houston
squad. Luckily the rebel colonel in
command of the prisoners at Tyler, came in swearing terrifically about some
alleged violation of the parole on the part of some of the officers, and
threatened to take up all the paroles that had been given.
Lieuts. Whitsett and Green became very indignant, and delivered up their
paroles, saying they would not stand it to be talked to in that manner, and that
the people didn't amount to much anyhow. They
then borrowed paroles from two other officers, went outside and quietly mixed in
with the enlisted men on their way from Houston to Shreveport, sending back the
borrowed paroles to the rightful owners. They
marched to the Houston squad to Shreveport, and there remained a week.
Becoming alarmed for fear of detection, or that the prisoners would be
detained, they took informal leave, and crossing Red River struck out in an
easterly direction for Natchez.
Several officers of negro regiments are in confinement at Tyler.
They were kept forty-eight days in iron, but are now treated exactly as
other prisoners. There are over a
hundred officers confined there, of which the following is an incomplete list:
Major R. C. Anthony, 2d Rhode
Island Cavalry; Capts. F. W. Noblett, 1st Indiana Artillery; Wm. P.
Coe, 176th New York; S. G. Baily, G. T. Crofett, A. Wells, Wm. H.
May, Jas. R. Jenkins, A. D. Hopkins, 22d Connecticut; S. J. Thomasson, 176th
New York; Lieutenants John A. Woodworth, 23d Connecticut; John F. Peck, 23d
Connecticut; O. H. Hubbard, 23d Connecticut; John Babcock, 23d Connecticut;
David Hirshey, 1st U. S. Infantry; P. W. Lyon, 176th New
York; Charles Kirby, 176th New York; John G. Stevens, 23d
Connecticut; J. B. P. Robbins, 176th New York; Daniel G. Wellington,
176th New York; Charles Bailey, 23d Connecticut; Charles Owen, 25th
Connecticut; Albert Allen, 1st U. S. Infantry; John W. Buckingham,
23d Connecticut; Charles E. Page, 4th U. S. Infantry; James E.
Delamater, 91st New York; Caleb Brennan, 2d Rhode Island Cavalry;
Charles G. Hurlbut, 23d Connecticut; George W. Higgs, 176th New York;
Daniel G. Gillett, 176th New York; J. F. Petry, 176th New
York; H. W. Moore, 4th Massachusetts; Frank Sherfey, 1st
Indiana Artillery; James M. Sampson, 4th Massachusetts; Freeman H.
Chase, 12th Maine; L. Stevens, 176th New York; F. D.
Vrelenburg, 16th Illinois Cavalry; William Bulky, Charles Lonny,
Edwin Kirby, 12th Connecticut; Second Assistant Engineer, R. W. Mars;
Master's Mate, Henry Weston; Acting Third Assistant Engineer, Henry Johnson;
Acting Third Assistant Engineer, R. McLaughlin; Lieut. Col. Leake, 20th
Iowa; Lieut. Col. Rose, 26th Indiana; Lieut. McDowell, 26th
Indiana; Lieut. Robertson, 26th Indiana; Lieut. Collins, 26th
Indiana; Capt. Adams, 19th Iowa; Capt. Sprott, 19th Iowa;
Capt. Roderick, 19th Iowa; Capt. Fisher, 19th Iowa; Lieut.
Johnson, 19th Iowa; Capt. Wood, 19th Iowa; Lieut. Powell,
19th Iowa; Lieut. Wright, 19th Iowa; Lieut. Powell, 19th
Iowa; Lieut. Wright, 19th Iowa; Lieut. Key, 19th Iowa.
Several officers, captured at Sabine Pass, arrived the day before they
left, but they could not give their names.
All the prisoners at Tyler were in excellent health.
Lieut. Robb, of the 19th Iowa, and Lieut. Walton, of the 34th
Iowa, being wounded in the engagement at Morganza, were not taken to Tyler, but
left at Alexandria.
While at the house of Col. Gray, (of the 28th Louisiana, at whose house
the prisoners stopped one night,) they learned that Mouton's division had been
to the Mississippi, at Gaines's Landing, for the purpose of crossing arms and
ammunition from the east side, which feat they successfully accomplished.
They passed within five miles of Mouton at Harrisonburg, on the Ouachita,
and the lost night they passed in rebeldom they slept within hearing of the
drums beating tattoo.
Two enlisted men of the 26th Indiana, named Moorehead and Beach, were
shot by the guard at Tyler, on some trifling pretext.
Moorehead was instantly killed and Beach wounded.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 3, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Mardi Gras.—We learn that the Provost Marshal General has consented to
allow the festivities usual in our city on Mardi Gras.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
A New Dance.—The "Prince Imperial."
Among recent Parisian importations is a new dance, styled "Les
Prince Imperial." As it will
no doubt be as eagerly welcomed by Young America, of both sexes, we reproduce
the plot, or text, whichever it may be styled, of the "Prince
Imperial:"
Fig. 1. La Chaine Continue
des Dames.—First and second couples lead to the right and salute; gentlemen
give left hand to the lady of right hand couple, retaining their partners' left
hand; cross over to the place of their vis-a-vis; ladies' continued chain; face
partners and salute; all chasse to the right and left; turn partners.
Fig. 2. La Nouvelle Trenis—First
gentleman and opposite lady forward and turn with both hands, stopping in front
of the single lady; cross over, the single lady passing between the couple and
turn with opposite gentleman; forward four and back, half ladies' chain and
swing cross corners.
Fig. 3. La Corbeille—First
gentleman lead his lady to the centre, facing him and salute; second gentleman
the same; third gentleman the same; fourth gentleman the same; ladies' hands
around; gentlemen forward and join, with ladies forming a large circle; expand
circle, close and turn partners. Other
couples repeat.
Fig. 4. La
Double Pastourelle—First four forward and back; first lady and second
gentleman join the couple on their respective rights; the six forward twice; the
remaining two forward and back; forward to the right and salute; four hands half
around; half right and left to places.
Fig. 5—Le Tourbillon.—Ladies to the right, and turn each gentleman
with right hand, the gentleman also turning with right hand; first lady and
opposite gentleman forward and back; forward again and salute; all forward and
salute. Repeat the figure until
every couple has repeated it, and then the finale.
Ladies to the right and turn; all forward and back; forward again and
leave ladies in centre and salute. This
finishes the quadrille.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
Birds on a Battle-Field.—At the battle of Stone river, while the men
were lying behind a crest waiting, a brace of frantic wild turkeys, so paralyzed
with fright that they were incapable of flying, ran between the lines and
endeavored to hide among the men. But
the frenzy among the turkeys was not so touching as the exquisite fright of the
birds and rabbits. When the roar of
the battle reached the cedar thickets, flocks of little birds fluttered and
circled above the field in a state of utter bewilderment, and scores of rabbits
fled for protection to our men, lying down in our lines on the left, nestling
under their coats and creeping under their legs in a state of utter distraction.
They hopped over the field like toads, and as tamed by fright as
household pets. Many officers
witnessed it, remarking it as one of the most curious spectacles ever seen upon
a battle-field.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 7, 1864, p. 3, c. 4
Fashionable Jewelry.—It seems that the current of favor is setting in
strongly towards corals, turquoises, amethysts, and topazes, all of which have
been rather out of vogue for a few years past.
The new style of corals is particularly pretty, the pretty product of the
patient submarine worker being mixed with gold, pearls, enamels, and a variety
of jewels, and with the happiest effects.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 7, 1864, p. 3, c. 4
Artemus Ward says there are no daily papers published in his town, but
there is a ladies' sewing circle, which answers the same purpose.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 7, 1864, p. 3, c. 4
Flag Presentation and Parade.—The new brigade of Cavalry which has
lately been raised here under the command of Col. Dudley, was the fortunate
recipient of a very handsome battle-flag and attendant honors yesterday, at the
foot of the Clay Statue on Canal street. The
presentation address was made by the eldest daughter of Major Gen. Banks, the
Commanding General of this Department. Owing
to our distance from the spot we could not distinguish her words, but we noticed
that for so young a lady she comported herself with great self-possession and
naturalness. Col. Dudley accepted
it in a short and pretty reply, and thereupon due honors were paid to the banner
by the brigade; which afterwards passed in services before the Commanding
General who was present, and, of course, the most conspicuous object of public
attention. He was accompanied by
quite a numerous suite of ladies and gentlemen, who gave variety to the scene.
The fine band of Gilmore added to the occasion the sweet strains of
music, with which in our ears, the scene and we passed, passed away together.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 9, 1864, p. 5, c. 1
Mardi-Gras.—To-morrow is Mardi-Gras—Fat Tuesday—the dividing line
between the Christmas and New Year holidays and the Lenten Fast of forty days,
beginning with Ash Wednesday. Among
the closing features of the festal season are the unusual number of weddings in
all the Catholic churches for a few days past, to be followed, no doubt, by many
more this evening and to-morrow. In
by-gone days Mardi-Gras was a great day in New Orleans, and the streets were
scenes of long processions of grotesque maskers in carriages, on horse-back, on
mule-back, and on foot—while the banquettes were crowded with spectators and
"independent" male and female clowns, harlequins, dominoes, diaboli,
and so on. There will be an attempt
to revive something of this old jollity and gayety to-morrow.
The costumers advertise a liberally supply of masques and costumes, and
masked balls are announced at various places to-morrow night, while the theatres
and other amusements will no doubt be liberally patronized.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The Lenten Fast.—Yesterday, variously known as Shrove Tuesday, Mardi
Gras, and Carnival Day, so far as its celebration was concerned in this city,
was not only a carni vale, a farewell to meat, but it seemed a farewell
to the old merriment and hilarity that once distinguished this day in New
Orleans. The few maskers in the
streets were, as Mrs. Partington said of her children, "mostly boys and
girls;" the merriment was almost melancholy; the fun was a farce.
It may be that this day, like St. Valentine's, has been handed over to
the children; but the elders enjoyed themselves, more or less, at the masked
balls last night, and the theatres were well attended.
To-day, Ash Wednesday, commences the Lenten Fast, which continues through
forty days, or, excluding the six intervening Sundays, the fast extends to
Easter Sunday. It is the theory of
the Church, though not wholly the practice of the faithful, that during this
season there will be an abstinence, not only from meat on prescribed days as
laid down in the regulations of the Archbishop, but from worldly amusements and
dissipations. The Catholic Church
holds almost constant, and the Episcopal Church very frequent services during
Lent time; and during this period of humiliation, no doubt thousands of
penitential supplications will be offered from many altars, and merged with
these will be many devout and earnest prayers for peace.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 11, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Boy Soldiers.—A correspondent of the Philadelphia Press, writing from
Blain's Cross Roads, Tenn., says:
Across a little creek is a place they called Shieldstown. The spirit of war is among the boys of six, eight, and ten
years old, and the fight raged fiercely between the Shieldstowners and
Knoxvillers. They used slings and
Minie balls, which they used with great dexterity.
They had camp fires built along in a line. Every morning each party appeared on its own side of the
stream, drawn up in array, ammunition was distributed out of a bag, fifteen
rounds to the man, and they commenced. Old
soldiers of the 9th Corps, who have been through many a storm of shot
and shell, kept at a respectable distance as they hurled their Minies with
vigor. One day the Shieldstowners
made a charge at the single plank that crossed the stream, the Knoxvillers ran,
all except one little fellow about eight years old, who stood at the end of the
plank, swearing oaths like Parrott shells, calling them cowards, and, by a
vigorous discharge of Minies, repulsed the assault. The casualties amounted to bruises and cuts in all parts of
the body, rather serious to look at, or to think what they might have been; but
every little fellow was proud of his wound.
So it went on for several days, when one bright morning, as they were
drawn up in full fighting array, and only awaited signal to commence, suddenly
appeared some women in rear of each; a half dozen were caught up, severely
spanked, and led off. The rest were
disconcerted and dispersed.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 11, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
A Festive Night.—Notwithstanding the fact that the Mistick Crewe of
Komus is an institution of the past, and no longer enlivens Mardi-Gras with
$50,000 entertainments, still the carnival festivities of last night were by no
means to be sneezed at. While the
evening was yet young the streets were thronged with gay masqueraders, on foot,
on horseback and in carriages—Canal street particularly being crowded to an
unwonted extent. Later in the night
a hundred ballrooms were opened to motley gatherings, and amid the whirl of gay
dancers and the flow of voluptuous music the hours passed merrily away.
And so, after a night of merriment the flesh and the devil were objured,
and with slight symptoms of a headache the city entered its long lenten season.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 12, 1864, p. 5, c. 1
Another Lady in the Ranks.--A few days ago, says the Wheeling Register,
eight or ten confederate prisoners were captured by Gen. Sullivan's men and
brought to Harper's Ferry. They
were placed in the guard-house, and nothing more was thought about them until
Wednesday last, when a guard gave it as his opinion that one of the inmates of
the guard-house was a female. The
story proved to be correct, and the gay young Miss was removed from the prison. She was given a complete outfit of ladies' clothing and
released, when she appeared in the streets as the belle of the town.
She is about sixteen or eighteen years of age, and of rather
prepossessing appearance. Upon
inquiry it was ascertained that her parents lived but two or three miles from
Harper's Ferry, and were quite wealthy. Soon after the war began her lover joined the Confederates
and left for Dixie. This was too
much for her to endure, and she resolved to follow him.
She stole through the lines, sought out the regiment, and joined the same
company in which her dearest friend had enlisted.
So well had she disguised herself that he did not recognize her, and they
drilled together several days before she made herself known.
She was persuaded to return home, but soon went back to the regiment
again. For the past year the
love-sick girl has been going to and fro, until she was finally captured, as
above stated. She refused to take
the oath, and she is determined to return again.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 13, 1864, p. 3, c. 1
Cock Pit.
The Splendid Cock Pit, corner of History and Good Children
streets, will be opened for the season on Sunday Morning, 14th inst.
M. Martinez, Proprietor.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 13, 1864, p. 4, c. 1
Two young men and Miss Rosa G. were tried for tearing down a United
States flag from a chandelier, at the Firemen's Mardi Gras ball room at Algiers.
The number of witnesses was legion, and on the flag question there seems
to have been a good deal of excitement and some diversity of opinion.
At first the flag-staff got loosened so that the flag in question drooped
down below the others that were hung around the chandelier.
Whether it was purposely loosened or not, does not appear, but the fact
was noticed and an excited individual re-arranged it and vowed vengeance on any
one who should subsequently disturb it. In
the whirling of the dance a female hand, supposed to be attached to the body of
Rosa G.—though that fact was not proven—caught the corner of the flag and it
drooped down as before. The excited
individual again adjusted the flag. Being
thus down several persons touched the flag and one finally pulled it down
altogether. His name was
Harrington, and the consequences to him were anything but pleasant.
He was knocked down quicker than lightning and the excited witness
described in glowing terms how he punched him with his boot.
Finally he got away, jumped over the gallery, slid down an awning post
and escaped, for in the gleam of pistols and bowie knives which succeeded the
fall of the flag, his chances of a long life were by no means flattering.
After exhausting all the witnesses on hand the Judge discharged Miss Rosa
and the young gentleman who had promenaded with her at the ball, leaving
Harrington to bear the entire weight of all developments in the case which may
be hereafter made.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 14, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Havana Cigars.
132,400 Genuine
Havana Cigars, and
20,000 bunches
Havana Cigarritoes,
Of the most celebrated brands and sizes—For sale at moderate prices, by
Wholesale, at No. 37, Common St., by the Importer.
Jayme Magi
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The new week opens with St. Valentine's Day.
We wonder that one of the theatres was not shrewd enough to bill
'Valentine and Orson" for to-night. It
is the day theoretically devoted to love and love matters; an old story makes it
bird-mating day; that is, our little feathered friends are supposed to watch the
almanac and to wait patiently for the advent of February fourteenth before they
pair and present their little bills. Years
ago, grown up people used to write love messages, tender, poetic and passionate
to the objects of their affections; or, sometimes, anonymous and abusive
"sells." The custom, if
continued, is now continued mainly to the children, and for children it is a
harmless amusement.
Church-goers to-day will have an opportunity of contrasting the
melancholy minor music of Lent-time with the grand chorals that will be
suppressed now till Easter. The
Sundays in Lent, of which this is the first, are not fast days, but "every
seventh day is a blessed feast, recurring like wells in the desert of Baca, and
like pools filled with water, lest we should faint by the way."
So says Coxe in his "Thoughts on the Services."
Therefore the faithful, without fear and without reproach, may dine
joyously to-day, and thereby gain strength for the new duties and labors of the
new week to-morrow.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 14, 1864, p. 4, c. 4
The Algiers ball-room flag case was taken up and concluded.
A number of witnesses testified that when the flag was pulled down it was
done by a female hand and arm. It
had been testified to that Harrington admitted that he had been properly served
for pulling it down. This
Harrington denied. His version of
the story was, that he had approved of the conduct of the officer who arrested
him, and stated that if he had been guilty of tearing down the flag, the
punishment he received was by no means too great.
This, he alleged, had been tortured into an acknowledgment of his guilt. The fair Rosa G. when put upon the stand, stated that she did
not know by whom the flag was torn down, and that the excitable individual who
made such a fuss about it had a spite against her ever since Confederate times,
when she used to laugh at the ridiculous figure he cut as a Confederate
lieutenant. Under the
circumstances, the Judge gave the prisoner the benefit of the doubt and
discharged him.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 19, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Monday, February
22, 1864.
In Honor of the
Birthday of
Washington,
A Grand National
Concert
Will take place at the Foot of Canal Street, near the Levee, commencing
at 9 and ending at 10 A.M.
The Band will be made up of all the available Musicians in the city and
in the Department; and the Programme will contain an interesting selection of
National and Popular Airs,
including Hail Columbia, Washington's March, Star Spangled
Banner, Yankee Doodle, English National Anthem, God Save the Queen; French Air,
Partant Pour la Syrie; Russian Anthem, God Save the Emperor.
Also—The Storm Galop, Soldier's Return March, the Marseillaise, and a
Finale Furioso, representing the Din of Battle.
The whole to be accompanied by
Forty Pieces of
Gen. Arnold's Artillery.
Conductor.......................................................P.
S. Gilmore.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 19, 1864, p. 3, c. 2
Quantrell's Love of Flowers.—Mr. George Ford writes from Lawrence to a
Rochester nurseryman:
The seeds we purchased from you last season came up remarkably well.
The German asters were very fine, some seventy being in full bloom at the
time of the Quantrell raid, and were the means, providentially, of saving our
house from pillage and destruction. Quantrell,
with a dozen of his gang, came to destroy the place; but when appealed to by my
wife to spare her house, he (Quantrell) said it was too pretty to burn, and
should be saved.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 19, 1864, p. 4, c. 2
Kate Wark was up for smuggling liquor into camp and selling it to
soldiers. It was discovered that
her dress was iron-clad with stout hoops, around which several tiers of flat
bottles were conveniently hung. She
had sold most of her cargo when arrested, but a few stray bottles still dangled
to the hoops, and the liquor in them blushed at the unseemly exposure made by
the arresting officer. Kate was
sent to the Workhouse for two months to torture old junk into knotless oakum.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
To-morrow, February twenty-second, the anniversary of Washington's
birthday, will be celebrated as a holiday.
The banks and public offices will be closed; Mr. Gillmore announces a
monster concert; there is a masked ball at the Opera House at night; the
theatres offer attractive bills; and abundant opportunities are presented for
public and private celebrations.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 23, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
Soldiers' Letters.
The mail! The mail!
And sunburned cheeks and eager eyes
Come crowding round the captain's tent,
Each outstretched hand receives the prize
For fond perusal meant
Unless distressing news be told,
These letters naught of pain convey,
For friends at home will never scold
The lad that's far away.
The mail! The mail!
And toil-stained palms are closing there—
How rough! how very coarsely
moulded!—
On dainty missives, fresh and fair,
By lily fingers folded.
For kindly thoughts pursue the youth
Who battles with his country's foe,
Nor soiled attire, nor guise uncouth
Prevents their genial flow.
The mail! The mail!
A father's words of pride and cheer;
A mother's trembling admonition;
A sister's blessing—oh, how dear!
A brother's generous wishing.
And many missives, frank and bright,
From early friend and neighbor boy;
Each page a volume of delight—
A brimming cup of joy.
The mail! The mail!
And stillness rules the boisterous throng,
And "silence half an hour" prevails,
The heaven of those who wait so long
The coming of the mails.
Each reads his own, and these alone,
No soldier seeks to play the spy,
And letters, wheresoever thrown,
Are safe from every eye.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 24, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
The streets last night were filled with pleasure seekers, some going to
the theatres, and "other some" to the Bal Masque at the Opera House.
The theatres were very liberally patronized last night, and celebrations
of Washington's birthday, in public and private, were very general.
The Bal Masque was given under the patronage of Mrs. Banks and was
largely attended. The costumes and
characters were various and excellent, the music was good, and the festivities
were prolonged to a late or rather very early hour this morning.
There was a very large number of military and naval officers and citizens
present.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 24, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
Desolation Along
the Mississippi.
The Ruined
Homesteads.
The Mississippi river correspondent of the Chicago Times, writing from
Baton Rouge, Jan. 31st, says:
The country along the river between this place and Natchez presents a sad
spectacle. Much the largest number
of residences and plantation houses are destroyed. Everywhere may be seen blackened chimneys—all that is left
of once magnificent mansions and extensive negro quarters.
There can be frequently counted from fifteen to twenty chimneys in a
cluster, with not a vestige of a house left to support them.
Nor are such sights uncommon for miles along either side of the river.
Not one plantation is left unburned; the torch has been applied
indiscriminately. Nothing but ruin
and desolation meet the eye on every hand.
What few plantation buildings remain undestroyed are abandoned, the doors
demolished and the windows broken, but little is left of the once pleasant
village of Bayou Sara.
I visited an abandoned plantation about fourteen miles above the ruins of
the above named town. About fifty
yards back from the river bank stood what had once been a large, magnificent,
tastefully-built mansion, three stories high, with a large double gallery in
front, and an observatory on top. A
short distance further back were extensive negro quarters, looking like a
Northern country village. The
changes which destroying war has produced on this spot would sadden the heart of
the most abandoned, and will scarcely be credited by those who have not seen
with their own eyes. I passed
through the house, garden, and family burying-ground, observing minutely the
changes produced. Not a vestige of
a fence could anywhere be seen. The
house was completely gutted of everything valuable, except a few book cases,
clothes presses, bedsteads, and a private billiard table. The large doors were broken down; some had panels punched
out. Windows were broken in, as if
they had been stoned by a squad of school boys.
The articles of furniture above named were completely demolished.
The railing of the stairway was smashed to pieces and the fragments
carried away. One of the billiard
tables was robbed of the cloth that covered it.
The floor was strewn with fragments of books, periodicals and private
letters. The plastering on the
walls was broken by a club or camp-axe, and a bayonet had been driven against
its polished surface, causing a huge, unsightly hole to appear.
From the house I passed into the garden.
Here odoriferous flowers and delicious fruits in other years were
succeeded by noxious weeds and briars. The
green-house, once filled with all manner of tropical plants and flower-pots, was
now completely destroyed. The glass
was all broken out, and the flower pots either carried away as relics or
demolished. A few venerable, lonely
fig trees were all that was left to indicate what had once been an orange grove
or a fig orchard on the plantation. Passing on, a little lakelet now assumed the appearance of a
pond on the prairie.
I now came to the family burying ground, where the bodies of two or three
generations had apparently been deposited by tender and loving hands.
Large vaults had been constructed of brick and stone.
Beautiful marble urns had been torn from their accustomed places, broken
and scattered over the grounds. Every
vault had been broken into, coffins opened, and sometimes broken to pieces.
At Baton Rouge nothing remains of the once magnificent State House but
the blackened walls, which stand as sad monuments of the destruction war visits
upon a nation.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 26, 1864, p. 5, c. 5
Paris Fashions.
A Paris letter of Jan. 24th says:
A new blue and green have been contrived by the scientific dyers of
silks, which keep their color so distinctly and vividly by candle-light as to
throw all previous dyes into the shade. These,
and a beautiful violet, which does not redden by candle-light, are the favorite
new colors, replacing the oak shades so fashionable last winter under the names
of "Russia leather," "Queen's hair" and "Wood."
Figured silks, plaid stripes, small and large Chine flower and
brocades keep their place in public favor; but the plain shades are considered
the newest and most fashionable for evening dresses.
I see I have forgotten to mention that the head-dresses for the toilets
first described were of blue and white asters, of velvet, for the blue dress; a
bunch of water lilies with green and white riband grass, for the green one; and
for the amethyst one, a crumple of the same velvet as the trimming, with a
humming bird in a nest of white tulle.
For ball dresses, the usual materials—lace, tulle, organdy and
muslin—are as fashionable as ever; trimmed with ribands and flowers.
Dresses of this kind change but little from year to year.
Embroidery is much worn on morning dresses and wrappers, which thus
trimmed, often cost as much as an evening dress.
Bands of bright plaid silk or velvet are also worn in materials of a
single color.
Crinolines are worn smaller on the front and sides, but sticking out to a
great length behind, so as to form a train.
The petticoat, worn over the crinoline, is made in two parts; viz., an
upper piece, but slightly full, so cut as to form a point behind; this upper
piece comes down to the knee. To
this upper piece is sewed a deep flounce, falling very near the ground; nearly
plain in front, and growing gradually fuller towards the back.
The bottom of this flounce is trimmed with one deep frill of four inches,
or two of three inches, or three of an inch and a half; with a heading of narrow
tucks above each. The frills,
starched and fluted, are not only extremely pretty, but serve to support the
edge of the dress, and to keep it from drawing in below the crinoline.
They are all made and set on by the sewing machine, the lavish amount of
beautiful "stitching," so exquisitely and rapidly made by these
admirable productions of American genius, being extremely ornamental as well as
strong.
The newest sleeves and collars are square; the full part of the sleeve
coming about half way down the arm, where it is set into a deep cuff, without
revers fastened by three buttons. These
are not becoming to many arms, and will probably not meet with general
acceptance. Shirts of fine linen,
with small pleats of embroidery, are much worn by young people, with colored
skirts; a band like the skirt, with a point base and below, in front, and
terminating in a long sash behind.
Bonnets are worn very much over the front, and close at the sides; all
the trimming being perched over the forehead.
Head-dresses are worn very high over the forehead; but as this style is
not becoming to all faces, a good deal of latitude is necessarily permitted.
The hair being now generally turned back off the face, twists of velvet
are much worn, the thickest part of the twist fitting into the hollow of the
hair over the forehead, the twist diminishing over the ears and ending in a
narrow velvet riband of the same shade, the ends of which cross under the fall
of hair behind, and tied in a coquettish bow, with long ends, on the top of the
net.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
Kate Hector and Mary Finney, for violating the city ordinance which
prohibits women from drinking in a public bar-room, were sent to the Workhouse
for sixty days. They were decidedly
tight, though their reputation is that of loose women.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 28, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Cats at Sea.—Considering how much the cat abhors cold water, our
readers must often have wondered why seafaring men are so fond of taking the
animal with them on a voyage. This
is explained by two circumstances. Marine
insurance does not cover damage done to cargo by the depredations of rats; but
if the owner of the damaged goods can prove that the ship was sent to sea
unfurnished with a cat, he can recover damages from the shipmaster. Again, a ship found at sea with no living creature on board
is considered a derelict, and is forfeited to the Admiralty, the finders, or the
Queen. It has often happened that,
after a ship has been abandoned, some domestic animal—a dog, a canarybird, or
most frequently a cat, from its hatred of facing the waves—has saved the
vessel from being condemned as a derelict.
[Once a Week.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 28, 1864, p. 3, c. 7
Monkey Shines.—Monkeys are mischievous creatures—always have been and
always will be. Yesterday as an
exile from the glorious land of music, painting and poetry, was traveling
through the streets of the Garden District, accompanied by his hand organ and
his monkey, he got into a quarrel with the monkey and administered to him such a
castigation as the offence required. Fearing
a future repetition of what was considered ill-treatment, the monkey concluded
to make a contraband of himself and become a fugitive from service.
The hurdygurdyist pursued and endeavored to recapture the ape, but the
mischievous creature sought refuge beneath the steel-ribbed crinoline of a
beautiful young lady and refused to be dislodged.
The alarm of the lady under the circumstances may be more readily
imagined than described. Trembling
with agitation, and yet afraid to proceed to extremities for fear the ugly
intruder would use his teeth or claws, she found herself completely non-plussed.
There were men standing round, but modesty forbade their interference.
What, indeed was to be done? Nothing.
So the lady was obliged to remain quiet until the ugly beast concluded
that it would be safe to retire, and he did so with a grin, as if laughing at
the novelty of his late retreat, and the manner in which he had fooled his
master. Our legal opinion in
relation to this matter is, that any monkey that cuts up such shines should be
deliberately killed.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, February 28, 1864, p. 8, c. 1
The Bullfrog
Hunter;
A Romance of the
Louisiana Swamps.
That our Gallic friends are fond of good living is a fact too patent to
be denied, but some of their dishes, at first, rather go against Anglo-Saxon
tastes. We will instance the
bullfrog and the snail. They may
be, and doubtless are, very nutritive and very palatable, but before they can be
properly appreciated by many people a very natural repugnance to them must be
overcome. In this city that
repugnance has been very generally met and mastered, so much so, indeed, that
among our ancient population few will be found that would turn up their nose at
either frogs or snails.
So much by way of prefatory flourish.
Bullfrogs, being a highly relished luxury, are in great demand in every
fashionable restaurant, and demand without a supply would be monstrosity in
political economy. Hence the
existence in our midst of that strange rover of the swamps—the Bullfrog
Hunter.
Accidentally we became acquainted with one of these hunters a few days
ago. His name was Dick, and he
subsequently introduced us to his companion Jack.
Dick was a talkative fellow, and we had no difficulty in so far playing
the detective as to worm out of him the mystery of his mode of life.
When engaged in their business the bullfrog hunters wear as little
apparel as the grand old gardener and his wife did before the celebration of the
first apple season in the choice retreats of Eden.
After a year or two they become such expert divers, that, if they see a
frog setting on a log, bewailing his lost daughter, they stealthily approach the
bereaved progenitor, and when he dives, dive after him and catch him before he
has measured [fold in paper] sub-aquaeous progression.
But bullfrogs are not the sole aim of the bullfrog hunter.
His pursuit is a mixed one. The
turtle, the tarapin [sic] and the alligator alike minister to his necessities
and wealth.
Far in the recesses of the swamp, where the melancholy cypress is draped
with its gray-beard moss, twelve or fifteen feet in length, the hunter plies his
way on his mixed mission.
Between the bullfrog and the turtle there is a state of perpetual
warfare, and singular as it may appear the former hops or swims for protection
to that monarch of the swamps, the alligator.
Wherever an alligator's sleeping hole is found, there dozens of bullfrogs
are certain to be congregated, and the hunter glories whenever the saurian
monster is discovered. His first
object is to drive the alligator from his hole.
This he does by stirring him up with a long pole, if small, and by
irritating aid of a snapping turtle, if full grown.
The turtle is attached to a small chain to which a long, stout cord is
fastened, and then sent into the alligator's sanctum.
As his highness of the swamps dislikes to be disturbed when picking his
teeth after his morning meal, a row ensues, and the alligator in his ire chases
out the intruder, the latter being forced to retreat by the cord and chain.
After a while the anger of the alligator cools down apace, and the hunter
is rewarded by two or three dozen bullfrogs, which he catches with his hands,
his scoop-net or in any other manner most convenient.
The yearling bullfrog is eight or ten inches in length, and all those of
a more tender age are discarded by the hunter.
Those from two to three years old are considered the best, and are worth
in the market from $2.50 to $3 per dozen. Turtles
also command a ready sale, their flesh being sold at the restaurants and their
shells to the comb manufacturers.
When the frog and turtle business is dull the hunters shoot alligators
and skin them, their hides being worth seventy-five cents or a dollar each, and
their fat worth about twenty-five cents each.
Thus in swamp and lagoon, in bayou and morass, an adventurous industry
becomes rewarded; the reptile even is found to be a source of wealth, and man,
the explorer and subduer, flourishes at the same time that he adds new chapters
to natural history.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, March 1, 1864, p. 3, c. 1
Fashionable Anthem.
Long live our glorious Queen
Who won't wear crinoline—
Long live the Queen.
May her example spread,
Broad skirts be narrowed,
Long trains be shortened—
Long live the Queen.
Oh, storm of scorn arise;
Scatter French fooleries,
And make them fall;
Confound those hoops and things,
Frustrate the horrid springs
And India rubber rings—
Deuce take them all.
May dresses flaunting wide,
Fine figures cease to hide;
Let feet be seen.
Girls to good taste return,
Paris flash modes unlearn,
No more catch fire and burn,
Thanks to the Queen.
[Punch.
[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, March 4, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Improving.—The appearance of Lafayette Square was very much improved by
the work done upon it yesterday. In
the first place, the walks around and through the square were shelled, though
nobody was killed; the trunks of the trees were whitewashed; the seats for the
five thousand school children were finished; the evergreen festoons were
arranged so that they could be run up in hot haste, like grapevine telegraphs,
over the temple of Liberty; the flags and transparencies were all brought forth;
the Chinese lanterns—various and multiform in shape and color—were hung up
between the Corinthian columns of the City Hall; the electric fuses to touch off
the parks of artillery in the cannon chorus, were all arranged; and the
rehearsals, mental and musical, were had all over the city. We heard one fellow, an Irishman, who of course had the
privilege of making a bull, say that the music was to be canonical.
We asked another fellow, who was boring a hole with an augur in a piece
of spruce—the whole platform is composed of s