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The uniform descriptions in the below article are great.
Richmond Daily Dispatch
Jan. 22, 1861
The capture of the New Orleans Barracks.
The "capture" of the U. S. barracks at New Orleans, by a company of State troops, is thus described by the Delta:
On arriving at the place, the men marching without uniform or any arms whatever, they found in command an Orderly Sergeant of the United States Army, who, upon being informed of the nature of the demand upon him, very gracefully invited our men to walk in and make themselves perfectly at home, proffering any assistance in his power in the way of showing the officers over the grounds and buildings, &c. He did not deem it necessary to leave the place in consequence of the new state of affairs, but remained as before, with all but his actual authority. Yesterday he made an inventory of everything of any value on the premises, and formally surrendered them to the State of Louisiana, gravely stating that it would be mere folly in him to offer resistance "when the garrison was outnumbered more than one hundred to one." We believe that no one will doubt the sagacity of his conclusion.
The troops had received their undress uniform, under-clothing and shoes yesterday, but had no caps as yet; and when drawn up in a line, there was a motley array of silk hats, slouched tiles and glazed caps, all of which will soon be replaced by graceful Zouave cap. of navy-blue cloth. The undress uniform is a dark blue jacket, coming down to the hip, single-breasted, with five pelican buttons, and dark blue pants, with a stripe of yellow cord.
The exterior appearance of the Barracks, fronting on the river bank, four miles below Canal street, with its round brick towers and walls, must be familiar to our readers.--Within are two large divisions of ground, separated by a wall. The lower one contains twelve two-story brick buildings, constituting the United States Marine Hospital. The upper inclosure is the Barracks.
In front is the parade ground, a fine level sward. Four two-story frame buildings, their gables covering each other and forming a quadrilateral, are the barrack buildings. They were in a wretched state of ruin and neglect, two of them sunk in and ready to fall down at the first fresh breeze apparently. Two other buildings of the same kind are the mess rooms.
The State troops have been hard at work, putting things to right and scouring out Uncle Sam's neglected barracks, and we think it would be only fair if our State sends in a bill for these services to the Government of the Northern Republic.
The inventory of articles surrendered, furnished by the United States Ordnance Sergeant, includes two 12-pounder howitzers and six 6 pounders, suitable for field service. These, with about eight old flint-lock muskets, are about all the munitions of war on hand there. We suppose the arms for this company will be sent down to them to-day.
Richmond Daily Dispatch
Jan. 22, 1861
The capture of the New Orleans Barracks.
The "capture" of the U. S. barracks at New Orleans, by a company of State troops, is thus described by the Delta:
On arriving at the place, the men marching without uniform or any arms whatever, they found in command an Orderly Sergeant of the United States Army, who, upon being informed of the nature of the demand upon him, very gracefully invited our men to walk in and make themselves perfectly at home, proffering any assistance in his power in the way of showing the officers over the grounds and buildings, &c. He did not deem it necessary to leave the place in consequence of the new state of affairs, but remained as before, with all but his actual authority. Yesterday he made an inventory of everything of any value on the premises, and formally surrendered them to the State of Louisiana, gravely stating that it would be mere folly in him to offer resistance "when the garrison was outnumbered more than one hundred to one." We believe that no one will doubt the sagacity of his conclusion.
The troops had received their undress uniform, under-clothing and shoes yesterday, but had no caps as yet; and when drawn up in a line, there was a motley array of silk hats, slouched tiles and glazed caps, all of which will soon be replaced by graceful Zouave cap. of navy-blue cloth. The undress uniform is a dark blue jacket, coming down to the hip, single-breasted, with five pelican buttons, and dark blue pants, with a stripe of yellow cord.
The exterior appearance of the Barracks, fronting on the river bank, four miles below Canal street, with its round brick towers and walls, must be familiar to our readers.--Within are two large divisions of ground, separated by a wall. The lower one contains twelve two-story brick buildings, constituting the United States Marine Hospital. The upper inclosure is the Barracks.
In front is the parade ground, a fine level sward. Four two-story frame buildings, their gables covering each other and forming a quadrilateral, are the barrack buildings. They were in a wretched state of ruin and neglect, two of them sunk in and ready to fall down at the first fresh breeze apparently. Two other buildings of the same kind are the mess rooms.
The State troops have been hard at work, putting things to right and scouring out Uncle Sam's neglected barracks, and we think it would be only fair if our State sends in a bill for these services to the Government of the Northern Republic.
The inventory of articles surrendered, furnished by the United States Ordnance Sergeant, includes two 12-pounder howitzers and six 6 pounders, suitable for field service. These, with about eight old flint-lock muskets, are about all the munitions of war on hand there. We suppose the arms for this company will be sent down to them to-day.