Mobile Register

July 9, 1861

Page 2

THE FOURTH IN NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Delta gives the following account of the military review at Camp Lewis, near that city, on the 4^th instant:

The review came off at the hour appointed. The sickness of Mr. Soule deprived the crowd of the expected oration from him. But that ever ready and inexhaustible patriot and orator, Dr. Palmer, supplied his place, and entertained and edified the vast assemblage with a brief and most eloquent discourse upon the duties of citizens and the proud associations of the day.

After the oration the review was formed. There were about three thousand troops in line. Four companies had been ordered from the camp on special duty, which reduced the number in camp, but still there were enough to make a most imposing array. The line, when formed, occupied two sides of the large field. It consisted of about four hundred cavalry, two hundred and fifty artillery, and twenty companies of infantry, forming the brigades of Gens. Labuzan and Trudeau. We have not time or space to enumerate all the companies, but they were in full ranks and in their appearance and movements equaled the best troops we have ever seen. The largest battalions were the Orleans Guards, Col. Augustin, and the Battalion of Artillery under Major Theard. The fullest companies were the Garibaldians, in their gorgeous uniform; the Steuben Guards, composed exclusively of German citizens; the Leeds Guards, composed of the Employees in Leed’s Foundry—an admirably drilled and uniformed corps of stalwart young men; the City Guards, a new company, composed of merchants, commanded by that gallant and able officer, Capt. Race; the Continental Guards, in the old uniform of 1776, under Capt. Hodgkins; two companies of juveniles, etc. There were several fine horse companies from the country, well mounted and armed. The troops were reviewed by the Governor and Adjutant General and staff, in full uniform, were marched in column, and then dismissed.

There could not have been less than ten thousand persons present to witness this fine display of the military strength and organization of our city.

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]