August 17, 1845

About 11 o’clock yesterday forenoon business took us out of our office; and as we went down Camp, and on to the Post Office, we saw citizens grouped together at every corner, talking intently about – we then knew not what.  They seemed elated and in high spirits; and as they consisted promiscuously of both whigs and democrats, we knew that the cause of their rejoicing must be something more than a mere political party triumph.  When two men met, we could hear one tell the other, with a significant smile, to sharpen “Uncle Alexander” (the big sword), and the latter would remind his friend how necessary it now was for him to burnish up his old rifle, “rugged-muzzle Bess.” — We soon learned

                                   “What had caused this great commotion the city through.”

It was, at the time we speak of, publicly and very generally known that the veteran, Gen. Gaines, commanding the Southern military division of the United States, had made a demand on Gov. Mouton for one thousand men or more for the national service, and that the Governor promptly made a requisition on Gen. Lewis, commanding the first division of the Louisiana militia, for the required force, viz: two regiments of volunteers, of ten companies each – one of them to consist of musketeers and one of riflemen, and two companies of artillery with eight field pieces.  The requisition was of course immediately responded to, and will be put forthwith into execution.

It was the knowledge of this fact that caused the excitement amongst our citizens which we have attempted to describe; – it was this that made them seem as if

                                           Their souls were in arms and eager for the fray!

We understand that the whole of the artillery force of the city – a most effective and well-armed corps – have volunteered their services, and that they have been accepted.  Our gallant uniformed infantry companies are not, in the meantime, listlessly resting on their arms: calls for meetings of the officers of the Washington Regiment and Louisiana Volunteers may be seen in our paper to-day.  In fact, the question will not be “Who will be suffered to remain at home?”  but “Who will be permitted to enroll themselves amongst them, the defenders of their countrymen beyond the Sabine?”  Before tomorrow’s sun ascends the meridian, the draft, in mercantile phrase, will be honored, and were it numerically ten times the amount which it is, it would be met with the same alacrity and good-will.

This movement is said to be consequent upon authentic information which has reached Gen. Gaines, of the advance of 10,000 Mexican troops to a point within eight days’ march of General Taylor’s quarters.  We are not aware of the precise disposition which is to be made of the volunteer force; the great body of them, we believe, go to reinforce Gen. Taylor’s command.

We, like the rest of our citizens, have no apprehension for the result.  If a conflict comes, the vain and pusillanimous nation which excites it will inevitably be the sufferers.  Should their temerity carry them to such lengths, we trust they will be met at the outset by a force that will teach them the prowess of our people, and how ridiculously Utopian is the idea that leads them to believe they can cope with us in arms any more than in arts.  This humanity, as well as valor, demands of us; for, by a decisive stroke – one that will inspire them with a due degree of terror – thousands of poor wretches who may be dragged in chains from their homes, will, seeing the utter hopelessness of their cause, save their lives by at once making, in double quick time, an advance backwards.  Whatever, the strategy or maneuvering of our enemies, let them but provoke hostilities, and victory will certainly be found folded in the flag of our Union.

Source: The Daily Picayune, August 17, 1845.

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