The Constitutional
Alexandria, Louisiana
June 1, 1861
Some miscreants, on the night of Friday last, taking advantage of the absence of the patrol, consequent on the great fatigue undergone by all on that day, committed various nocturnal depredations, such as tearing down fences and letting cattle into honest citizens enclosures, carrying away vehicles, up-turning and breaking the same, tearing gates which were locked, from their hinges, breaking sign-boards, &c., &c., and with more diabolical cunning than success, tried to charge these mid-night depredations on the members of the Hope Fire Company. We trust the public is aware that the mission of this gallant company is, protection to all good citizens in their person and property, and that under their future title of the “Alexandria Hope Defencibles,” they will evince their readiness to do so on all occasions.
A man who is supposed to know the parties concerned in “Friday night’s transactions”— but, who refuses to give names until compelled to do so by the proper authorities, exonerates this company from any participation in it.