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Archiver > Southern-Trails > 2001-03 > 0983672042


From: "Charles A. Wyly" <>
Subject: Re: Migrations Part 1 One more time
Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2001 20:14:02 -0600


Hi,
finally had time to find my Louisiana map. Follow La. Hiway 6 from
Nacitoches to Hagewood and Robeline, Just out of Robeline to the north
was the first Spanish Capitol of Texas before the French took over. my
map shows a Los Adaews Commemorative area in that area.Follow 120 to
Zwolie, oldest Spanish town in La.

I was in Fort Polk with some from therewho spoke a Cajun Spanish, not
French. They could talk to El Paso Spanish and to Opelausis French, some.
from both towns. From Robeline follow Hwy 6 towards Many. About half way
from Robeline to Many, south side of the road is Old Fort Jessup and one
cruising at 70 will probably miss it. A paved loop south exits a few
miles from the Fort on each side.

Several 1 and 2 story homes of civilians face that road. Some of the
houses are Cypress and their owners , or at the land owners supplied the
Fort cooks with fresh fruits, vegetables, fish,
eggs, and chickens complete with feathers, as well as cattle driven in
and raised locally. The old 2 story Fort headquarters is on the south
side of this bypass or loop. There is a guided tour , free, of the
displays from early 1800's there. In one upstairs room a few women sew
Historic costumes for the guides who are trained in Northwestern Univ. in
Natchitoches
There is also an outside tour on Asphalt paths. There may have been a
front gate fee but I do not remember it.

Also, on this trail is a Kitchen with a large fireplace where Gen. Taylor
and other famous officers of that time sat and drank coffee and planned
some activities. Near it, in a canyon is a set of Concrete through which
water ran and some stood - some piers 5 feet high as I remembeer them.
Maybe taller. There was a camp and training and fireing range grounds of
1600 acres there. Now , tell me that Fort Jessup had nothing to do with
the few hundred "New Orleans Greys" from all over the U.S. who Gen.
Andrew Jackson discharged and gave them Gray uniforms and a U.S. Army
rifle superior to theold Brown Bess Muskets that the British used in 1787
and a trader sold them to Santa Anna. Like King's Mountain in N.C. , the
Texans could shoot Mexican soldiers from out of their musket range.
Jackso told the men to go as individuals or small groups to Texas and get
land. They were officially civilians.

A complete New Orleans Gray Uniform is on display in St. Louis Cathedral
in the Old French Quarter , complete with everything they carried. Fort
Jessup also has some lists of Officers and men. Irish in 1960's still
attended St. Patrick's cathedral as the French and Arcadians payed them 5
cents a day to drain swamps for rice and sugar cane and fight snakes and
gators. They furnished their own tools, food, guns, and medical care and
shelter. Slaves ate , had Doctors, and cabins, whether they could farm
that day or not. the Irish did not. have such Fringe benefits. I am not
sure that one could prove the Grays did much in Texas in uniform. They
were too fond of independence and a uniform would sure make them
conspicuous.

Go near Christmas and see the Christmas Lights on the Cane River pre 1800
port from the buildings older than New Orleans. Fort Jessup was a
pleasant stop for us.

Now, if you believe in Global warming, explain the 20 feet sections of a
petrified palm tree 4 or 5 feet across at the gate and ticket office in
Hodges Gardens. The entire area should be in full bloom next month- peach
trees are blooming here now.

Take care,
Charles A. Wyly










On Wed, 28 Feb 2001 23:38:28 EST writes:
> List, this did not copy and paste on the ones I received from the
> list. I do
> hope you have not received this for the third time. This is the
> information
> Celia sent to the Wise Co. List.
>
> <>
>
> Charles, I took out my handy TX Road map. Highway LA 6 and TX 21
> are the
> roads crossing from Many, LA to San Augustine, TX. We used to
> travel Highway
> 21 from Alto to Madisonville quite often when my in-laws were
> living. I do
> know that that is El Camino Real, a very nice woodsy, river bottom
> drive. I
> do not see any evidence of Ft. Jessup on this map. Now this map may
> be old
> enough to be called an antique. I do see Patroon a little further
> north,
> between Milam and Shelbyville. Neither do I see East Hamilton, but
> I'll bet
> my husband the fisherman probably knows exactly where it is.
> Hopefully I
> will get to visit Ft. Jessup one of these days.
>
> Pat
>
>
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