From Assumption

From the New Orleans Delta, Sept. 18.

The chivalry of Assumption Parish, comprising of course, all the cowardly sugar lords of that section, wishing to give to the country a mark of their devotion to the cause of treason, not long ago, prevailed on Thomas O. Moore to dispatch to their assistance a troop of guerillas, in order to force their poor fellow citizens into the ranks of the Confederate army. Accordingly, a few hundred guerrillas, the flower of the Red River banditti, were sent there, and in a very short time all the fighting men up Assumption were herded into a camp not far from Napoleonville, and placed under the despotic sway of a rascally militia Colonel. The favorite punishment of this little despot consisted in ordering the poor men under his command to ascend to the top of the highest trees in the swamp and there to leave them exposed to the scorching rays of the sun for five or six hours at a time.

No longer able to bear the tyranny of their commander, about 150 men in the camp, having previously provided themselves with several rounds of buckshot, one morning, about ten days ago, chose out of their number a leader. Having loaded their guns they declared they would no longer fight against the United States Government, and took possession of the camp, ready to fight any force sent against them. But no one dared to approach them. On the third day they left for their homes.

The great Moore, it is said, has ordered to Assumption a large force of guerrillas in order to murder all the citizens loyal to the Union.

During their stay in Assumption, the guerrillas indiscriminately plundered those favorable as well as those hostile to the South Confederacy.

The people in Assumption and Lafourche have not tasted a mouthful of wheaten bread for the last three months. The country is entirely destitute of medicine of all kinds. In the room of Epsom salt, Turk's Island salt is now used.

The late brush at Bonnet Carre is represented in Assumption as a most signal victory won by the guerrillas. The traitors put down their loss at six killed and twelve wounded; that of the Federals at ninety three killed and two hundred wounded.

Source: The New York Times, September 28, 1862, Page 1

Submitted by Bob Franks

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