"April, 24, 1862...[Major S. L. James, C.S.A.] During that evening General Lovell, to gratify the people, ordered me to call for 1,000 men to man these boats for a hand-to-hand fight with the enemy’s vessels, although General Lovell said it was impracticable. The citizens promised to have the men ready the next morning at 9 o’clock. I was authorized to take the boats that were left and make such arrangements as I thought necessary to carry out the plan. I published this order (with an appeal of my own to the people) in all the city papers. In the mean while I sent down cotton bales to protect the boats, and molasses barrels to put in their hulls to keep them afloat in the event they were penetrated by shot. I called upon General Lewis and other militia officers to assist me in carrying out this scheme which they failed to do, and I only received in response to the call 140 men, without arms, under Captain Dupiere. Hearing that the enemy’s vessels were at Camp Chalmette, about 5 miles below the city, I sent an officer to the landing, who ascertained that the citizens had burned a number of the boats and the owners of the others had gone off with them. I then ordered these 140 men to proceed to the Jackson Railroad depot to go to Camp Moore, and I then went to Camp Moore…"
Most of the militia had already been sent North with the bulk of the State Militia arms. For some reason General Lovell didn't inspire the State Militia to commit suicide.''
The 1st Louisiana Native Guard, all 965 of them, met the requirements of a Confederate soldier.
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David Upton