AVOYELLES PELICAN NEWSPAPER, Marksville, La. March 16, 1861 – Jan. 16, 1864.
(Transcribed
by Ellen Dauzat)
Missing:
1861:
Mar. 23 – Sept. 28
1862:
Mar. 15, 22, Sept. 27
1863:
Jan. 21 – Mar. 7
Mar. 28 – Apr. 11
Apr. 25 – June 27
July 11 – Dec. 26 (one mutilated
issue is probably Dec. 12)
1864:
Jan. 2, 9
March
16, 1861 p. 1
Death
of Mrs. S. G. Davidson—Our city is in mourning as we
write at the sudden and unexpected death of Mrs. Davidson, wife of Hon. T. G.
Davidson. She died at the family residence on Wednesday night after a few hours
illness, supposed to be from apoplexy. She was endeared to a large circle of
acquaintances on account of noble and generous qualities of head and heart. (B.
R. Advocate)
Oct.
5, 1861 p. 2
Décédés.
Dimanche 29 septembre 1861, a 5 heures et demie du matin,
Gustave Grémillion, fils aine de François Grémillion et d’Eugénie Dufour, a l’age de 21 ans 1 mois et 7 jours.
Après une longue
et souffrante-maladie et malgre
les plus grands soins, la
mort est venue enlever
Gustave du sein de sa famille
desolee, au moment ou il ne gaisait qu’
entrer dans la vie. Doue de toutes les plus belles vertus, il
s’etait deja acquis un
grand nombre d’amis qu’il laisse sur cette terre pur
pleurer sa mort. Il avait su deja
s’attorer l’esto,e de tpit ;e ,pmde et ses a,os omcpmsp;ab;es
garderpmt tpikpirs dams leurs coeure son souvenir
ineffaceable. Puisse son ame
degage aller a cote de celui
qui l’appelle, afin de jouir du bonheur
eternal as sejour des bienheureux. A. M. G.
Samedi, 28 septembre, a l’âge
de 45 ans environ, Collin, ne en
Lorraine, France. La compagnie des Chasseurs a pied a
rendu Les honneurs
militaries a la depouille de ce brave et laborieux ouvrier.
Mardi, ler octobre, a l’âge de 40 ans environ, Mlle Claverie, native du midi de la France!----Helas, c’etait la seconde fois qu’elle
avait quitte sa patrie pur
venir voir sa famille qui habite les Avoyelles, et quand elle s’est sentie
frappee a mort, elle a rendu piensement son dernier soupir a Dieu, saus murmurer contre le destin qui ne voulait pas que sou corps puisse
reposer au sein de sa terre natale.
Le 3 october,
a l’âge de 51 ans, Paulin Bordelon.
Ill laisse pour deplorer sa mort des enfants inconsolables et des amis qui regretteront long temps la perte qu’ils viennent de faire en las personne
de Paulin Bordelon, un des citoyens
les plus estimes de notre paroisse.
Oct. 12, 1861 p. 1
Died
On Thursday the 10th
inst., Prudent D’Artlys, in the 41st year
of his age. He was a native of Normandy, France.
M. B. breathed his last after a very short illness.
He was the proprietor of this paper, and his loss will be severely felt by his
family. The French press of Louisiana loses, also, in him one of its oldest
members.
Oct.
26, 1861 p. 1
DIED
On the 27th of September last, at
Culpepper Courthouse, Va., SIMON HENDERSON TAYLOR, aged 21 years.
Simon
H. Taylor.
SIMON HENDERSON TAYLOR was born in
Avoyelles, on the 29th day of June 1840, and has always resided in
our midst, except when absent for the purpose of persueing
his education. He was prepared for college at the High School of Prof. Lafargue, in Marksville, and, early in 1859 he entered the Sophomore class in the University of North Carolina, where
he quietly pursued his studies until the spring of the present year. Then the
political storm, which had been gathering for years, culminated, and, sweeping
in fury, over the land, forever severed the bonds which bound our once proud
Republic together. The tocsin of war broke the stillness, which had heretofore
reigned over our hills and valleys; and every breeze from the North wafted to
our ears the clang of arms, and the noise of energetic preparations to lay the
fair fields of the Southern States in waste, and to rob their happy people of
their God-given rights. Then the call to arms rang in clarion notes through the
utmost bounds of our Confederacy, and thousands of our chivalrops
sons of the South, with characteristic ardor rushed to the rescue.
Among the first who tendered their the
lamented deceased, he, together with the other Louisianians
at the University, long before, North Carolina seceded, held a meeting, at
which strong southern resolutions were adopted, heartily approving the course
which our State had taken, and offering the services of the gallant boys to
Gov. Moore. These resolutions were published in all the prominent journals of
our State, and are significant from the fact that the sentiments of youths are
apt to be colored by those of the community in which they live. The people of
the old North State were then in favor of the Union, and Simon Taylor had been
among them during the whole secession movement; but there was not hesitating,
no cooperation about him—the ring the true metal was there, and he openly and
boldly avowed himself in favor of the independent course, which the cotton
States land adopted.
Soon, however, the brave North Carolina’s
were awakened to the treachery of the Lincoln government, and almost
unanimously cast their lot with their Southern brethren. Immediately, the boys
of the University---foremost among which was the subject of this
sketch---organized a company, and tendered their services to Gov. Ellis; but,
at the urgent solicitation of president Swain, the Governor refused to accept
them, the President of the University alleging that the session had almost
closed and he thought it best for the young men, under his charge, to return
home, and then enlist with the full knowledge and approbation of their parents.
He graduated, and, about the 10th
of June last, returned home, from which he had been absent three full years,
but scarcely remained long enough to greet the warm friends of his boyhood. The
country needed his services, and he was not one who could prove a laggard of
such an hour. He enlisted in Capt. Pratts Company
from St. Landry, which formed a part of the 8th La. Regiment, under
Col. Kelly, and was immediately ordered on to assist in protecting Virginia,
whose hallowed grounds the Northern Vandals were preparing to invade.
From the very outset, however, misfortune
seemed to follow in the footsteps of the deceased. Soon after his arrival at Mannasas, he fell sick with the measles, and was sent to
Culpepper Court House to be treated. His health improved, and he promptly
returned to duty, but relapsed, and was again sent to Culpepper. After his
convalescence he was detailed as a guard to conduct some prisoners to Richmond,
and was then taken with typhoid fever. He lingered until the 27th of
September, when “Death came and pressed his weary lids, and brought his sick
heart rest.”
Mournfully the sad intelligence broke upon
our quiet village, and passed from one to another in whispered accents. If he
had an enemy among us, he lurked in secret, for there was a universal
expression of sincere heartfelt sorrow over his early death. Possessed of a
fine education and a vigorous constitution, no young man in our community had
brighter prospects before him, and doubtless the future often cheered his heart
with glowing visions of a long life of happiness and usefulness. But he is
gone. Death---that relentless king before whom the whole human race must bow
touched his warm heart with his icy hand, and the gentle spirit, shrinking from
his presence left its earthly home forever. A bright light has faded from the
family circle at the old homestead, where his aged parents and bereaved sisters
mingle their tears over his early grave; but his relatives are not alone in
their grief, for a host of devoted friends will ever mourn the loss and fondly
cherish the memory of the gallant Simon Taylor.
Nov.
2, 1861 p. 2
DÉCÉDÉS
A Marksville, le ler
Nov. a 5 heurs du soir,
EUGÈNE LUDOVIC, fils de fend d’Artlys
et de Arsene Roubleau.
Le seul enfant que Dieu leur
avait donne
a suivi de bien pres Je pere lans
la tomte.Il est mort a l’age de deux ans
et neif moie.
A la Rivière
Rouge, Jeudi 24 octobre, a l’âge de 4 ans 1 mois, JULES F. DUCOTÉ, fils de J.
C. Dubote et de Sidonia Couvillion.
Cette perte est
bien cruelle pour les
parents. Le Ciel ne leur avait donne
que ce sent fils.
DIED
In Marksville, on the
evening of the 6th. Inst., Mrs. Angela Barbin,
wife of Dr G. E. Elmer. She was in the 42the year of
her age.
OBITUARY.
It is always painful to surviving friends to
have to record the death of those whom Providence calls away; but it is still
more so when we are called upon to pay tribute to the memory of a wife and
mother. Friends may sympathise in the grief that
overshadows the hearts of a bereaved husband and tender offsprings, and this distil
through their reflections the soothing oil of consolation; but still there
remains the weight of sorrows hanging about the heart which nothing but the
bright hopes of the Christian religion can remove.
Not very many days have passed since an aged
mother was called to her heavenly home by the voice of her maker, and scarcely
had she been received into that “house not made with hands eternal in the
heavens,” here a long afflicted daughter was transferred with her from this
world of trials, tribulations and sorrows, into that better cline where the
“wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.” Mrs. Angela Elmer, was
the daughter of the late Judge Barbin of this parish,
and of the late deceased Mrs. Cailleteau.
In May A. D. 1838 she was united in marriage with our fellow citizen the
respected and distinguished Dr. G. E. Elmer. The rewards of this marriage were
seven children two sons of who preceded her by some years to the spirit land.
As the remaining five grew apace toward ages of maturity, the icy hand of death
was laid upon her. The disease under which she suffered for long months pointed
to but one sad result, for it has ever been pronounced an approhrium
of the great medical art. Her companion exhausted all remedies with which after
many years of laborious researches, he was acquainted and finally took her to
New Orleans for the purpose of having her treated by the great Aesculapius of
modern times. After thorough examination it was found that she was beyond the
reach of art, and she returned home to linger out a few remaining days with there interesting family and friends, and to draw the
“curtains of the grave about her and to die.” Before death had entirely
paralyzed her faculties she spoke pathetically of her patriotic son Edmond with
when the toesin of revolutionary war was the first
sounded, went promptly forth to the remotest borders of the Confederacy to
defend its rights and honor. She called his name and with a mother’s
invocations committed him to the God of battles. But her generous heart was
rapidly ceasing to beat, her vision becoming be dimmed, and the immortal soul
of an affectionate sister, generous friend, a faithful wife and a kind mother
escaped its prison-house, of along suffering disease
and death, to rest at last in everlasting peace. She died on the 6th
inst., at peace wit the dreary world through which
she has passed, and with bright hopes of a full fruition of all the promises of
the Christian’s Bible. This ended a weary pilgrimage of forty- two years.
Let us tender to her surviving companion who
for thirty five years has toiled without ceasing to make himself useful, and a
benefactor to our people, our unfeigned sympathies in this the hour of his
direst tribulations! Whilst to his interesting offspring we point out the
virtues of female character that so long and constantly adorned the life of
their departed mother, as examples worthy of their imitation. E. N. C.
Dec.
14, 1861 p. 1
RUFFIN
GRAY
This noble young soldier was the second son
of our fellow citizen, the Hon. A. M. Gray. He was born in the parish of Point
Coupee, on Sunday the 21st day of August A. D. 1842. Subsequently ?
? moved
to this parish where he now resides. Ruffin was sent to the Marksville High
School soon after it was established and remained there arduously pursuing his
studies under the supervision of Prof. A. Lafargue.
Whilst he remained in this institution, he was known and respected as one of
the most exemplary boys that ever cheered the ? of a parent. His teachers admired him for his docility and
gentleness, whilst his comrades loved him for his proverbial amiability and
gentlemanly deportment. He was possessed of a fine, mind and, had he been
permitted to reach maturer years would have shown him self capable of great usefulness in the civil walks of life,
as he proved patriotic in the army of the Confederacy.
During the year of 1860 he became a cadet I
the Military Academy at Alexandria, and while there displayed the same
qualities of the head and heart, as had distinguished him at the Marksville High
School. At the end of the year he returned home having acquired a considerable
knowledge of military tactics.
In the ? of a few months war broke out between the remnant of the
United States and the Southern Confederacy. Ruffin had completed his eighteenth
year and felt his services. When Capt. L. A. Stafford, of Rapides was making up
his company, Rufflin bade when he could set out for
the seat of war. This last night this noble boy spent at home he sat up until
very late assisting his sister in making a small flag for his individual use.
On its little folds she inscribed these words: “Come on home.” On his way to
enlist, he was successful in getting two recruits to join him. He went on
immediately to Virginia ? he
remained in active services until smitten by the ruthless had of disease and
death.
The following is Capt. Stafford’s letter to
his father.
Manassas, Va. Nov. 28th
1861.
HON. A. M. GRAY,
Dear Sir—It is my
painful duty to inform you of the death of your noble son Ruffin. He died
yesterday morning about 10 o’clock very suddenly. He had been complaining for
some time of a little fever but was most all the time knocking about the camps
and taking a little medicine. The day before he died, he reported himself for
duty and superintended the hauling of wood for our camp. He was perhaps
imprudent that day and night and ate too much. Hew
was taken ill in the nigh again, and next morning was standing by the fire
getting one of his mess-mates to make him some tea; complaining of being
chilly, and said he had had a chill in the night when he was taken suddenly
ill---was immediately taken to his tent and died in ten minutes. When I
returned from a Court Martial I found my noble boy a corpse. I was too much
shocked to describe my feelings. He was a true specimen of the chivalrie and brave youths of the South. I would to God! I
had consolation to offer you and your family. I can only say he died in a noble
cause on the tented field ready and anxious to fight for his country. Noble
boy! If he had any faults I never discovered them. All the company loved and
respected him. He was buried this morning with the honors of war, on a
beautiful high hill where I buried two others of my company. They have been taken
home since. His name is roughly cut on a rock, which is at his head. He lies
buried about three and half miles from Manassas at a M. John Wells. I must
conclude by offering you my heart-felt sympathy at your irreparable loss.
Your sincere friend.
L. A. Stafford.
P. S.
We are expecting a fight everyday and should
get in an engagement rest assured my dear friend. I will revenge your boy’s
death to some extent.
L.
A. S.
This tribute in respect throughout is well
worthy of the generous heart of Capt. Stafford, and it is one which never would
have been bestowed had it not been merited by the young soldier. Other letters
were received announcing his unexpected and untimely death, and all breathe the
same spirit as to his noble qualities. Among them is
one from Lieut. Frank A. Kittel who was in no way
connected with the Company of Stafford Guards, and one, from one of his fellow
soldiers of that company Desolive Couvillion.
It should be consoling to the wounded
feelings of his surviving parents and friends to know that he had performed all
of his duties well to the last, and that he went to a soldier’s grave wept and
honored. Fond memories will linger about the name of Ruffin Gray and when the
story of the present war shall be told, such devotion and such names as his
will endear our freedom to us, and make us proud of the land and clime where
such heroes are born. All honor to the name and memory of the brave and
chivalrous Ruffin Gray!
E.
N. C.
DIED
In Mansura, on the 13th December,
MARIE LOUISE JOFFRION, wife of A. Saucier, aged 19 years and 25 days.
LOUISE gone forever and is now lingering in
the silent chambers of Eternity. What a consolation it is to know that she
passed along to go to her eternal grave, without dread, without sins and with a
hope overwhelmed with joy to knock at the silent waiting-hall of eternal
happiness. Joe.
Dec.
21, 1861 p. 1
OBITUARY.
Died in Moreauville, on Saturday morning
December 14th ROSA, second child of ANATOLE COCO and CLARISSE COCO,
aged 2 years and three months.
No
bitter tears for thee be shed.
Blossom
of being! Seen and gone!
With
flowers alone we strew the bed,
O
b’est departed one!
Whose all of life, a rosy ray.
Blushed
into dawn, and passed away.
Yes
thou are fled, ere guilt had power
To
stain they cherub soul and form,
Closed
is the soft ephemeral flower,
That
never felt a storm!
The
sunbeam’s smile, the zephyr’s breath
All
that it knew from birth to death
Thou
wert so like a form of light,
That
heaven benignly called thee hence.
Ere
yet the world could breathe one blight
O’er
thy sweet innocence;
And
thou, that brighter home to bless,
Art
passed, with all thy loveliness!
Oh ! hadst’
thou still on earth remained,
Vision
of beauty! Fair as brief!
How
soon thy brightness had been stained.
With
passion or with grief!
Now
not a sullying breath can rise,
To dim thy glory in the skies.
Thy
grave shall be a blessed shrine,
Adorned
with nature’s brightest wreath,
Each
glowing season shall combine
Its
incense there to breathe;
And
oft,upon the midnight air.
Shall
viewless harps be murmuring there.
And
oh! Sometimes in visions blest,
Sweet
spirit! Visit our repose.
And
bear from thine own world of rest,
Some
balm for human woes !
What
form more lovely could be given
Than thine, to messenger of heaven?
S. L. C.
Jan.
4, 1862 p. 2
Necrologe.
Décédé au Bayou des Glaize, le 28 decembre dernier. Mme
FÉLIÇIEN GRÉMILLION, nee AZÉMA MAYEUX, agee
de 36 ans.
C’est bien une verite
que cette parole de l’Ecriture: An milien
de la vinous somas dans la mort. Une
famille a qui Dien avat accorde ses plas grandes faveurs s’est trouvee tout a coupplongee dans le denil et la consternation. Samedi
matin, une femme jenne encore, entouree de son espoux et de sans interessants enfants, se livrait aux soins du ménage, lorsque le
terrible messager est venu la frapper soulainemnet et la ravir a la terre. A cette nouvelle inattendue, la contree s’est emne et chaena
s’est eerie: Que sommes-nous, o mon Dieu, ? Pauve. Anemn! ?
vieux auterus
de tes jours ne in presse rout plus contre leur sein qui conservait encore assez de ehaleur pourt’y rechamlfer. Fon espouse et tes
enfants ne te verront plus aupres d’eus et cependant ils t’estimainent tant! Mais il t’a faliu
partinl il t’a fallu obeir
aux decret eternals.
“Mme Féliçien Grémillion fill un des plus respectables eitoyens de notre paroisee. M. Augustin Mayeux, est morte a l’âge de 36 ans et nul ne pouvait pressentifr sa fin premature.
Elle emporte dan la tombe les regrets de tous ceux quir, comme
celui qui lui consaereees lignes, out conu et apprecie
ses vertus. Elle etait l’orgueil d’un bon pere et d’une
bonne mere qui seront consoles a la pensee qu elle
vit dans une vie meilleure; et son epoux et ses enfants
ne tronveront-ils pas. Eux aussi, un soulage-ment
a leur douleur, une treve a leurs
larmes? Oui le Dieu plein
de misericorde la leur envierra d’en haut.
P. P. N. Avoyelles 2 janvier 1862.
Jan.
11, 1862 p. 2
RIXE RATALE A VILLE PLATE—Samedie
dernier etnit jour de revune
a Ville Plate.
Und des fils de M. HYPOLITE FONTENOT, ainsie que quelques-un
des sos amis
avaient trop souvent bu, et las manuvaise
idée leur vint nous dit on,
de se render maitres du café de M. John Garaud, et de’en chaser le proprietaire. L’infortune jeune Fontenot et Garand en etaut venus
aux mains, celuis-ci frappa
Fontenot de son couteau, et lui
fit des blessures don’t il est mort Mardi dernier. Voila done, en
un mot, ou condusisent les exces de la boisson
On assure que M.
Garand a simplemnet agi a
corps defendant.
(Courier des Opelousas.)
Feb.
1, 1862 p. 1
DIED
In Marksville,on the 30th ult. Of
pneumonia, MRS. FABIUS RICORD, aged 21 years.
The deceased was a young and highly esteemed
resident of our town, loved by a husband and by all whose good fortune it was
to enjoy her friendship.
“Alight
has from our household gone;
A
voice we loved is stilled;
A
place is vacant at our hearth
Which never can be filled
A
gentle heart, that throbbed but now
With tenderness and love.
Has hushed its weary throbbing here.
To throb in bliss above.
Yes,
to the home where the angels are,
Her
trusting soul has fled.
And
yet we bend above her tomb
With
tears, and call her dead.
We
call her dead, but O! we know
She
dwells where living waters flow.”
Feb.
22, 1862 p. 1
Homicide---It
is too often our painful duty to record bloody scenes that take place in our little
village, and today we are adding a very melancholy one to the list already too
long. On Saturday last, at about one o’clock in the evening, Joseph A Cocke, a well known planter of
Bayou Jack, formerly of Red River in this Parish, and Augustin Deshautelle, a member of the Marksville District Militia
Company, met in front of Paul Michel’s Coffee House. They exchanged but a few
harsh words when at a distance of about four paces they instantly resorted to
their weapons. According to the general version of the affair, Cocke fired twice with his revolver, and Desheautelle replied by firing once with his double
barreled gun, loaded with shot lodging all the deathly contents in the right
breast of C., who one minute afterwards fell a corpse upon the coffee house’s
gallery.
Desheautelle
delivered himself up to the authorities, and on Tuesday last, Honorable E. N. Cullom after hearing the depositions of numerous witnesses
of the fatal encounter, admitted Desheautelle to
furnish bail in the sum of $2,500 for his appearance at the next Criminal
Court.
March
1, 1862 p. 1
Obituary.
Died on Tuesday, the 25th inst.,
at his father’s residence, in this Parish, MARÇELIN GRÉMILLION, aged 17 years.
Death is ever an unwelcome visitor: but when
he calls a youth all the very threshold of manhood into his dread domains,
naught can soothe the lacerated heart of parents and friends, save the
knowledge that the departed is happier in another and better world.
May this balm heal the sorrow of the
afflicted on the present occasion!
C…
Died in Alexandria, La.,
on the 15th inst., JAMES A WARNER, formerly Editor of the Central
Organ.
Died at Natchitoches, La.,
on the 18th inst., E. LEGENDRE. Editor of the Union published
at that place.
May
17,1862 p. 1
Open
Resistence To The Law.
The
Militia Under Arms.
There has been for a long time among our population
a party adverse to the accepted institutions of our country. That party was
daily gaining found, and it ?? ??(part of paper
missing) they would stand better chances in opposing the working of our State
organization. Its number reached from 100 to 150, it is said, and we have
already seen some of them at work.
They had lately one or two illicit meetings
in the vicinity of our village, and there resistence
to orders emanating from our military authorities had been discussed, when an
event created a burst of their whole scheme and required the military display
we have witnessed this week throughout the whole parish.
A party of Militia men composed of Capt. E. Joffrion, Scott Gray, Cyriaque
Gaspard, Orfila Normand and Collins, acting under
orders from Col. Cheney, proceeded early on last Sunday moving to the residence
of Mrs. Masters, near Marksville, and there arrested a man by the name of James
Dever just from New Orleans. They met with no
resistance from him, but while they were waiting for the prisoner
who was going to take his breakfast, came in Wm. Edwards, T. Jeff Edwards, Ant.
Denis and P. Battel who interfered in the matter of
the arrestation. Both parties were armed with guns
and revolvers and they immediately resorted to the free use of them. The fight
became general and CYRIAQUE GASPARD, a young man of great promise, fell dead
while he was aiming his gun at the aggressors. Scott Gray, a noble heart and an
ardent patriot, got seriously wounded in several places, three balls being
still in his body. On the aggressors side, WM. EDWARDS, T. J. Edwards and Ant.
Denis were wounded, the former seriously are we told. During the frightful
scene, Dever took sides against the representatives
of order, and after having shot his revolver several times he made good his
escape in the direction of Foulk’s Landing.
Such is, in a short sketch, the event that has thrown so many families into
sorrow and desolation and created so general an indignation among our people.
Our Military authorities called together the
Militia Regiment and explored the regions where they thought the guilty parties
had fled to. None yet have been found, and there is no other arrestation than that of some twelve men of minor guilt,
probably, and whose cases have not yet been examined.
We will closely watch the course of events,
and, in the meantime, we are in hopes that those whose minds have been deluded
will return to a better sense of their duties, and then, acting in a concert,
we the people of Avoyelles will deserve the imperishable honor of having helped
a cause so dear, so patriotic and which will at the end, come out undoubtedly
triumphant.
May
17, 1862 p. 2
Décédé
A Marksville, le Dimane
‘e 11 mai 1862 CYRIAQUE GASPARD a
l’age de 21 ans et 9 mois.
Quelle eprenve pour une si bonne famille! Perdre un fils bien a me et le perdre d’me maniere si terrible et si inattenduo! Pendant que son frere eneillait des lanriers dans les plaines de Corinth, Cyrique tombart martyr de la cause de del’order dans sa paroisse
natale. Ses
coneitoyens l onoreront sa memoire et les jeunes vierges den Avoyelles semeront
des fleurs sur son tombeau.
May
31, 1862 p. 1
OBITURARY
Died at Corinth, Miss., on
the 2nd, of May ultimate, AUGUSTE C. MARVE, second son of Mrs. A. Marve, of Hydropolis, aged 20
years.
The deceased was a native of this Parish and
first left Avoyelles, since the breaking out of the war, with Capt. Fenelon
Cannon’s Company of Cavalry. He left that Corps to enter the Alexandria Rifles.
Capt. Davidson, of the Crescent Regiment, which fronted the
enemy at the renowned battlefield of Shiloh. He fell suddenly and after
a few days illness died. He was one of the youngest of the company, and among
the first of its members to “yield his spirit into the hands of his Creator.”
June
21, 1862 p. 1
CRIME
BAYOU ROUGE—For a long time William C. Robert, Parish
Surveyor, and George Fitch were in bad terms. Although connected by family
ties, they being brother-in-laws. They lived upon the same plantation. Lately,
R. made threats against F. declaring that before long one of the two would be
killed, which unfortunately for ?, proved ? ? be the truth. On
Saturday, the 7th inst., he sent a challenge to F., which was
declined and on the ensuing Monday, by about 9 a.m. while he was gong to his field he met there F. who was armed with a gun.
F. asked him if it would not be proper for them to settle their quarrel;
whereupon R. assenting and aiming his pistol at F. the latter fired his gun and
lodged the deadly contents in the left side of R., who was killed upon the
spot.
This is the version we obtained of the
melancholy affair and publish it with all reserves. Fitch up to this date has
neither surrendered himself up to law nor been arrested.
Wilson C. Robert was a well-read man. He
amassed a large quantity of Lands while exercising his profession. He was
distinguished for an excessive st?nginess.
June
28, 1862 p. 2
DIED
At Marksville on the 24th inst.,
Françoise Normand, consort of the late Wm. Edwards, aged 47 years.
The deceased was a native of the Parish and ? dearly esteemed for the good
and shining qualities that adorned a wife, mother and friend. She was the idol
of a large circle of friends and numerous relatives and long will her memory be
revered by them all. Her sickness was a long, painful and lingering one, which
with her usual meekness and amiability of temper she bore with true Christian
fortitude and patience. Peace to her everlasting soul! A. D. L.
July
19, 1862 - Juillet 19, 1862 p. 2
DÉCÉDÉE.
Dimanche, 13 Juillet 1862, a Moreauville, JULIA LACOUR, a l’age de seize ans et quatre mois.
Succombant aux atteintes de cotte maladie terribls, la fievre Typhoide, la jeune enfant n’a put entrevoir le monde que dans son aurore. Dans troi jours
l’auge de la mort a eu moissonne cette tender fletur et les joies
de’une famille heurense jusqu’alors ont ete soudainement
interrompues. Oh! C’es un
spectacle dechirant que de voir mourir une
jeune fille!Le
tombeau recouvre beaute, jeunesse, vertns, tous tresors
inestimabled ne notre faible humanite. Son pere, ALPHONSE LACOUR, et sa mere n’auront plus leur enfant cherie ponr embellir et egayet le foyer domestique.
Ses amis ont
mele leurs pleurs et lurs regrets, a ceux d’une famille
eploree. J’ai voula moi aussi
laisser un temoiguage de ma douleur et de ma
sympathie pour les parents qui survivent
a celle qu’ils pleureront bien longtemps.
A.
H.
N.
Aug.
9, 1862 p. 2
DIED
On board the C. S. Streamer Musie at Gorton’s Landing, Red River, on the 5th
inst., of congestive fever, NARCISSE LANDERNEAU, a private in Captain M.V.
Singleton’s Compy. From the Parish
of St. Landry.
Aug.
16, 1862 p. 1
LIEUT.
MARÇELIN P. BORDELON.
The people of Avoyelles have seldom been called
to mourn the death of one so highly esteemed for his patriotism and private
virtues as Lieut. Bordelon.
When the rattle of the drum was first ?(torn out) in Louisiana he was engaged as ?(torn) of
the Clerks in the auditor’s office in Baton Rouge. Seeing that war between the
North and the South was inevitable, and not willing that others should endure
its toils and dangers without his assistance, he went immediately to New
Orleans for the purpose of joining the Chasseursapied
which was at that time organizing under Col. St. Paul of that city. This was in
the early part of May 1861. On arriving in the city he learned that Capt. R. M.
Boone was getting up a company in this parish and abandoning the intention of
joining the Chasseurs he returned home immediately. He went to his mother and
obtained her consent that he should enlist under Capt. Boone. His father, who
has since gone to his reward with the generatious
before the flood, and, who had ever been esteemed for his good qualities in all
the social relations of life, was even anxious that his noble boy should join
the army. Marçelin had been a dutiful son, and had
realized all the most flattering hopes of his public spirited father. At home
he had been hind to all, afiable in his intercourse wit his comrades-with the pablie-possessing
a sprightly mind and a generous heart. His morals were unexceptionable.
Addicted to no vices, he commanded the respect of
every one and always dignified, he was justly esteemed a fine specimen of a
gentleman. His father might well center his hopes in such a son. In 1858 or
1859 he left Avoyelles and entered for a while Centenary College at Jackson La.
Here he remained about two sessions, during which he made very creditable
progress in his studies, and at the end of the time returned home having
learned to speak the English language fluently. His terms of service as deputy
Clerk in the office of Clerk of the District Court of Avoyelles, and in the
Auditor’s office at Baton Rouge had made him familiar with very much of the
business that is usually transacted in these offices, and at the time of his
enlistment as a private in the Atchaflaya Guards he
may be said to have been one of the most useful young men in the parish. As
such he took leave of us in May 1861. The short but eloquent speech which he
made to his friends at Mansura, as the company was leaving there for Simmesport, should never be forgotten by those who were
present. Raising himself in the buggy at full length,
he said in English first and then in French to the ladies and the masses that
surrounded him. “Farewell my friends. It would afford
me pleasure to remain with you, but the voice of my country calls and I must
heed. An unnatural foe seeks to deprive us of the Government of our choice, and
to this end is about to invade Southern soil, the land of our birth. I go to
meet him on the borders, before his footsteps shall pollute our soil. I will
return when the peaceful banner of Freedom shall float over the entirety of the
Southern Confederacy, or I will offer up my life in the effort to be free. Once
more and it may be for the last time; I bid you all a
soldier’s farewell.” These are the bole sentiments-these the patriotic
purposes with which Marçelin P. Bordelon
turned his back upon the friends of earlier days and the land of his birth. His
company formed a par of the Second Regiment of La.
Volunteers which was placed on the Peninsula under the command of Gen. Magruder. It arrived there in May 1861 where it remained
until it was deemed advisable to evacuate and leave the Peninsula to the enemy.
Private letters from the company all represented young Bordelon
as a gallant and faithful soldier always zealous in the cause of Southern
Independence. He had gone into the ranks as a private, and for meritorious
conduct had been promoted to the third Lieutenancy which position he held at
the time of his death. His career from beginning to end is one that may be
contemplated with admiration and pride by every lover of Southern Freedom. A
pure hearted, clear headed and ardently patriotic youth, he waited not to be
persuaded to enter the ranks, but resolutely sought the first occasion to
enlist as a defender of his country’s cause. He was never remiss, always at his
post, commanding the confident and love of the company, and finally ended his
short but glorious career triumphantly leading it against one of the most
deadly of the enemy’s batteries. His superior officers were sick and unable to
take command with one exception. Lieut. Jenkins had led them until he fell
mortally wounded, when the command devolved on Lieut. Bordelon,
who died, like Bozarris “cheering his band.” He lived
to see the enemies of his country routed and its Capital secure. It was the
object of his fond ambition. For eight long and perilous days had the contest
raged and as the roar of the cannon was dwindling to an echo and the enemy was
wending his way in inglorious flight, Bordelon fell.
No nobler death could have overtaken a chevalier. He was a native of Avoyelles
and was born on the 18th day of November A. D. 1838. He died on the
5th of July A. D. 1862 the anniversary of the death of the lamented
Col. Chas. D. Dreux. His example is eminently worthy
of imitation, and t the latest posterity the people should hold his name and
deeds in grateful remembrance.
E. N. C…
Aug.
30, 1862 p. 2
DÉCÉDÉS.
A Marksville, dans
les bras de son pere, le 24 aout
1862, a 4 heures de l’Après
midi, ROBERT RICORD, age de un an et un mois.
A Hydropolis, le
24 aout 1862 a 11 heures du
soir, CHARLES SERS, ne a Castres,
Dept. du Tarn, age de 47 ans et 4 mois.
Oct.
11, 1862 p. 1
Lieut.
Thomas Hickman Waddill
Lieut. Waddill was
born in the parish of Avoyelles on the 13th day of June A. D. 1842. and was the eldest son of the late Hon. John P. Waddill and of Mrs. J. M. Waddill.
The first branches of an education he learned under the tuition of the late
John McDonell, whose once thriving school is still well
remembered by the citizens of this parish. In the year of 1856 he left home and
entered St. Joseph’s College, situated at Bardstown in the State of Kentucky.
In 1857 he took leave of this institution and entered Georgetown College in the
same state and remained there pursuing his studies until the end of the first
session of 1860. He then returned home and commenced the study of the law under
the instructions of his paternal uncle, Wm. W. Waddill
Esq. Of the Avoyelles Bar. Immediately after the withdrawal of the State of
Louisiana from the Government of the United States, which occurred on the 26th
of January A. D. 1861, and when he beheld that war was inevitable, he set about
raising a company of volunteers in conjunction with Co. W. W. Johnson of this
parish. Before they had succeeded in completing it, Capt. R. M. Boone who had
antedated them in his efforts to raise a company, visited Marksville for the
purpose of recruiting. Whilst here and on the 23rd day of April
1861, our young patriot hero abandoned the design of raising a company him self, went into the ranks and became a member of the
Atchafalaya Guards. His zeal in the cause, his usefulness and his soldier-like
bearing were matters of universal remark and every one concurred in the
concession that he made a splendid soldier.
It was not long before he set out with his
company for Yorktown Va., the Atchafalays
Guards formed a portion of the 2nd Regt. Louisiana Volunteers, and
as among the very first companies that reached the seat of war on York River.
Remained there for a few months, when he was ordered to a different field of
operations. The zeal of our hero never once altered but through every privation
and his every vicissitude he showed the ?(very faded)
gallant bearing, the same ardor in be??(faded, hard to
read)the cause, that he envinced when he first
enlisted. He was always cheerful in perfecting his duties and by his
gentlemanly manner, his affability and kind ?
(unable to read)he won the admiration and love
of all his companions in arms. He had enlisted for one year, but upon the
expiration of his term of service he re-enlisted for two years or the remainder
of the war. He than began to act as 2nd
Sergeant in which capacity he continued to serve until after the battle of
Richmond, when he was elected 2nd. Lieut. of his
company. About this time, the Louisiana Volunteers were Brigaded and
placed under command of Gen. T. J. Jackson. The 2nd Regt. La. Vols.,
henceforth consti (faded) apportion of
the 2nd Brigade of Louisiana Volunteers. The Capt. And 1st. Regt. Of the Atchafalaya Guards being
sick and absent the command of the company devolved upon Lieut. Waddill. He was thus acting on the 30th day of
Aug. last on the ever memorable plains of Manassas, valiantly and bravely
leading his men amid the leaden storm that greeted them, when he received a
mortal wound. Whilst it is a cause of deep sorrow, that one so generous and
brave, so kind and well beloved should fall a victim to northern outrages it
assuages the pangs that pierce our hearts to know that, he fell were a soldier
loves to fall, if fall he must, triumphantly leading his devoted band in
defense of his country and the rights of the loved ones at home.
His sufferings ended on the following
morning, the 31st of August, when e h, the Christian’s best friend
took him from the world. His remains were decently interred beneath Virginia’s
consecrated sod, and upon the head board that marks his place of everlasting
rest if inscribed by some friendly (unable to read) Lieut. T. H. Waddill,
aged 20 years. From a private letter indited by one
of is company, we learn that as an officer he was
endeared to this command, by his gentleness and courtesy. Though we lost many
gallant comrades, the death of none has cast so much gloom over the minds of
the company as the loss of this noble boy.” This is a brief but a befitting and
proud eulogium, which his bereaved relations and friends should find
consolation in. Lieut. Waddill was loved at home and
from his earliest boyhood exhibiting those frank and ennobling traits of
character which distinguished his career in the camp, and endeared him to all
his companions in arms.
His many private and social virtues, his
fervid and inspiring patriotism, his enduring devotion to the cause of Southern
independence, his bravery and gallantry on the field of battle and his heroic
death, have reared him a shrine in every heart and a monument in every
patriot’s memory.
“Whom
the gods love die young” was said of yore,
And
many deaths do they escape by this:
The
death of friends and that which slays even more,
The
death of Friendship, Love, Youth, all that is,
Except
more breath: and since the silent shore
Awaits
(?) last even those whom longest miss
The
Archer’s shafts, perhaps the early Grave
Which
men weep over may
be meant to save.”
The account given his bereaved mother of his
last moments by a friendly correspondent warrants the belief that our (?) was
sustained and (?) by an unfaltering trust, and approach’d
his grave like one that drapery of his couch about him and lies down to
pleasant dreams.”
E. N. C.
Nov.
8, 1862 p. 2
DÉCÉDÉ
Le 23 Octobre 1862
a 6 ½ heures du soir,
PIERRE AIMABLE ADHAMAR BEAUCLAIR, age de deus
ans et vingt ours.
Nov.
22, 1862 p. 1
DÉCÉDÉ
Eu cette paroisse, let 18 Novembre 1862 JEAN
BAPTISTE MARTIN GRÉMILLION, a l’age de 42 ans et 5 mois.
Quent la more parait sur le seuil
d’une famile il semble
qu’elle s’acharne la en choisir les victims. Ici nous venon deplorer la perte d’un homme dans la force de l’âge, d’un citoyen verneux et remlissant tous
ses devoirs de chretien.
Notre ami est
mort après une bien courte maladie, et cet evenement est
venu remplir de tristesse la communaute tout entiere. Dans ces
temps de terribles epreuves,
ou chaque jour arnonceaun deuil au foyer de nos, fils absents, il semblegait
que l’enducissement s
Empare des coears. Non, loin de la! Vous avez vu les hrmes qu’ont verses ceux qui snivaient notre ami jusqu a sa derniere demeuse. Combieu tous ( rest of sentence not
readable) le coup porte a une
famille don’t les malheurs inspirentle respect le plus profound. Un
pere avance enegage, avait remis a ce fils
les travaus importants qui s’executaient au Moulin a seie pur le compte du governement.
Ces trevaux sont
aujourd’buti suspendus, et ce respectable vieillard en voyant descendre
dans la tombe celui qui etait son baton de vieillesse,(?) se demander si Dieu ne tonchera pas le Coeur des
homes en lui epargnant ceux qui’il a dounes pour la defence du pavset qui ne sout pas la pour le consoler.
Nous melons nos larmes a celles de cette famille affligee,
et nous temoigaons ci l’expression de nos regrets a la porte d’un ami qui nous etait cher.
L. H. C.
Dec.
20, 1862 p. 1
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF H. N. WHITE COMPY. B. WASHINGTON ARTILLERY.
At a meeting of Atchafalaya Lodge F. &
A. M., held I their Hall at Simmesport La. On the 6th
December A. D. 1862, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
Whereas, it has pleased an Allwise Providence to remove from among us our late
Brother, Henry Nelson White, who fell nobly in the battle of Groveton Va., on
the 30th of August last, while manfully standing at his post in
defense of his country’s rights.
Resolved, That we
bow with submission to this sad afliction in the full
belief that God orders all things well.
Resolved, That we
deeply feel for the bereaved Mother and Sisters of our beloved Brother, and
cherish the hope that their loss is his gain.
Resolved, That in
him our Lodge has lost a zealous and true Mason, Society a useful member, his
family a devoted son and brother, and our country a gallant and patriotic
Solider.
Resolved, That the Lodge Hall be draped in
mourning and the members wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
Resolved, That the
Secretary be instructed to forward a copy of there
resolutions to the family of our deceased Brother, and that they be published
in the Avoyelles Pelican.
J.
G. Calliham
P.
J. Whitley
F.
H. Babbit
Committee
By order of J. B. Robinson W. M.
F. H. Babbit secty. Pro
tem.
July
3, 1863 p. 2
DIED.
At the Military Hospital, Chattanoga, Tenn. April 9, 1863, private DAVID JOHNSON, a
member of Co. A, 16th La. Aged 18 years and 5 months.
The deceased was born in our midst, in the
parish of Avoyelles, on the 12th of November 1844, and was educated
at the Marksville High School, under our own direction, till the tocsin of war
rung through the land.
Inheriting from his parents that love of his
country which brought him after so short and so glorious a career to an
untimely end, young Johnson was about seventeen when he left as a volunteer for
the seat of war. He highly distinguished himself in many a battlefield and at
the ever memorable day of Shiloh drew the admiration of his regiment for the
coolness and bravery he displayed. This young hero’s enthusasim
for his country’s cause and his achievements during the war are worthy of
record and they almost border on romance. Well may our old and respected
friend, Colonel W. W. Johnson, and his patriotic lady, be proud of having
raised so noble and so gallant a son for these glorious times. The have never
been heard to murmur at the irreparable lose they sustain. There
son died while assisting to repel the invader from our land, and many a parent
would be proud it such a destiny as David Johnson’s was reserved for those they
have brooded in their bosoms. David died
far from the loved ones of home, but Sheldon, his eldest brother, still faces
the enemy in the long contested struggle and will, it is our fond hope, be
spared to his family, his country and his friends.
Editor
DÉCÉDÉE
Mardi 30 Juin 1863
a Mansura, en cette paroisse, EUGÉNIE BORDELON, epouse
d’ISIDORE PORET. Une foule nombreuse a suvii le convcide cette mere par evcellence, morta an moment ou elle etait le plus nec-ssanine a an jeune famille.
Sun epoux, assoutume au malbeur et qui par
education et par experience de la vie sait ce que c’est
gue la sonffrunce,
accepters sans murnmurer le coup que
las Providence vient de lui porter et nous en avons la certitude a armera de nouvelles forces. Sec enfants grandirent en( rest not readable).
June
14, 1862 p. 1
MARRIED.
At the residence of Capt.
B. A. Robert, on Thursday, the 12th inst., Theodore R. Robert, of
Rapides Parish, to Miss. Martha D. Rice of South Carolina.
We have been unable to attend the select
party on that occasion, although a special invitation was extended to us, but
we were represented at the wedding. Our Junior Editor was delightfully pleased
with the way everything was conducted at the hospitable mansion of our friend
the Captain. The luxuries of the table, the brilliant array of beautiful ladies
in the dancing room, the bride in her full beauty, intelligent and noble as a
Southern Lady always is, were enough to call forth the admiration of those
present. The bridegroom did not forget the sparkling champagne and the sweet
cakes that found their way to our sanctum and we were made happy for one
moment. Cannot our friend expect more lasting felicities!
Avoyelles Pelican, Marksville, La. March 16, 1861- Jan. 16, 1864 Successions
Zélia Ducoté w/o Pierre Ducoté
March 16, 1861 p. 1
vol. XVII. #46
Freeman
P. Hitchborn Feb. 9, 1861 March 16, 1861 p. 1
vol. XVII #46
Marie
Lafon w/o Louis Ingouf Sept. 1861 Oct. 5, 1861 p. 1
vol. XVIII #23
Joseph
Guillot &
Nancy Guillot his
wife Sept. 21,
1861 Oct. 5, 1861 p. 1
vol. XVIII #23
Éliza Ducoté ,
dec.
widow/ Jean Baptiste Lemoine Aug. 31, 1861 Oct. 5, 1861 p. 1
vol. XVIII #23
Nicholas
R. Fisher
Sept. 29, 1861 Oct. 5,
1861 p. 1
vol. XVIII #23
Marguerite
Guillory Nov. 16,
1861 Nov. 16, 1861 p. 2
François
Roy
Dec. 7, 1861 Dec. 7,
1861 p. 1
Prudent
de Beaute alias d’Artlys Nov. 30, 1861 Dec. 7, 1861 p. 1
AZélia Juneau
dec. w/o Valérien Moreau Jan. 4, 1862 Jan. 4, 1862 p. 1
Joseph
A. Corke March 29,
1862 March 29, 1862 p. 1
J.
B. David
April 19, 1862 April
19, 1862 p. 1
Désiré Juneau June 28,
1862 June 28, 1862 p. 1
Wilson
C. Robert
June 21, 1862 July 5,
1862 p. 2
Françoise
Normand July
5, 1862 July 5, 1862 p. 2
Ellen
Aymond
wid./o Chas. Fouquière dec. July 5, 1862 July 5, 1862 p. 2