Texas Republican
Marshal Texas
June 8, 1861
R. W. Loughery, Esq.
Dear Sir:—The Marshall Guards, after leaving home reached Swanson’s Landing, where they expected to take a boat the same day for New Orleans. They were disappointed, however, and did not leave there until Thursday morning. The steamers Texas and Fleta, were both above, and the company expected to take passage on the Texas; she did not get down until Wednesday evening, and when she came, she refused to land. She had on board Capt. Clopton’s company, the Star Rifles from Cass, besides considerable freight.
After the Texas left, the Guards, believing that she had other reasons besides that of low water, for refusing to take them, held an indignation meeting, and passed resolutions condemning the boat, and requesting their friends behind to withhold their patronage from her in future. They despatched two messengers that night to New Orleans, with their muster roll, one to go by Vicksburg, the other to go on the Texas. But when they reached Shreveport, they found that it was the intention of the Texas to take them down, and that she would wait their arrival, which she did. The company reached there on Thursday evening on the Fleta. The Guards appointed a committee to wait on the Captain of the Texas, for an explanation, which he gave to their satisfaction—the boat is therefore exonerated from all blame.
Our two Texas companies were received by the Shreveport Sentinels, and the three together, marched through several of the principal streets, then back to the wharf where several patriotic speeches were made. Col. Austin and Col. Landrum spoke for the citizens, and Capt. Clopton responded in behalf of his company, and T. P. Ochiltree for the Guards. Tom never appeared to a better advantage than on that occasion. He was loudly cheered by the citizens, and particularly when he alluded to their deserted streets, as the best evidence of the patriotism of their people, and, sir, the streets of Shreveport are deserted; inquire for some friend, and you were told he was at Pickens, in Virginia, or at some other place ready to die for the South. The ladies were present in great numbers, and when Tom concluded his speech, beautiful boquets fell at his feet, from all directions.
At 12 o’clock on Thursday night, our company went aboard the Texas, and she left immediately for New Orleans. Our company expecting to get a boat at Swanson’s, carried no provisions with them—but several gentlemen of the neighborhood were there, and went immediately home and sent in provisions by the cart-load, and continued to do so until we left. The company wish to return publicly their thanks to Capt. Winston, Levin Perry, Col. Hood, Maj. Andrews and others, for their kind and hospitable treatment; and particularly to Mrs. Mary F. Swanson, who furnished provisions in abundance, and also beds and blankets for the men to sleep on—and before we left on Thursday morning, she presented to Capt. Bass, for the use of the men, a considerable sum of money, and as the boat moved off, three cheers were given to the fair dame, that made the welkin ring. I heard several of the boys declare it would be a luxury to fight, and if necessary to die, in defense of the rights of such people as live in the neighborhoodof Swanson’s Landing.
M.