Daily Gazette & Comet [Baton Rouge , LA], April 3, 1860
We have received the following letter from Mr. John J. Drake, of Clinton, La.:
Clinton, La., March 31st, 1860.
Editor of the Gazette and Comet:–
Dear Sir:–On my way to this place from Baton Rouge Friday last, in the vicinity of Midway, on the Port Hudson railroad, I was startled by the noise of many voices in the adjacent woods. My curiosity took me in the direction of the noise; I turned my horse’s head and proceeded about five hundred yards from the road when I discovered a camp of Indians, not less in number I judge between one hundred and thirty and fifty. Such an unusual gathering at this time, when the race has nearly disappeared from the State, caused me to secrete myself as well as I could, and watch their actions. There was but few women among them. The men were fantastically dressed: decorated with feathers and had their faces painted. The place in which they were camped, was a ravine. They had a large fire, around which they were dancing in the wildest and most fantastic manner. I must confess that I was not only surprised but frightened at their appearance, and very soon returned to the road and on my journey. About two miles north of this point, I stopped at a house on the roadside, and was informed by the people there that they had visited the house the evening previous and hints were thrown out by some of the party that they would pass through your town, cross the river and go over to the Marangoin country. I have deemed it my duty to communicate these facts to you, that you may know how to receive them.
Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
John J. Drake.