Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 11.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

Upon the return of Captain Palfrey and Mr. Urquhart, with final orders for moving the command, and with the necessary requisitions to complete the armament, for transportation, etc., extraordinary exertions were made to get away to Virginia at the earliest possible moment. The citizens, the ladies especially, came grandly forward and liberally supplied all that was necessary for the comfort of every man. Not satisfied with providing blankets, overcoats and articles of prime necessity, they lavishly supplied luxuries and small stores to an extent almost beyond the means of transportation. Splendidly equipped, with an unequaled quartermaster's, commissary, and medical department, the battalion was unequaled by any command in the South.

Twenty-one years ago, at 8 o'clock, upon a serene and beautiful Sabbath morning, the 26th day of May, the four companies composing then the Battalion Washington Artillery, in their soldierly uniform, fully equipped, bearing the superb flag presented by the ladies, preceded by their full band marched to Lafayette Square to be mustered by Lieutenant Phifer, C. S. A., into the service of the Confederate States for the term of the war. The line was drawn, and even at that early hour the square was filled with the families and friends of the brave fellows who were then about to become bound, for weal or for woe, for life or for death, to serve the cause they had espoused.

A finer body of the youth of New Orleans had never assembled; the impressive silence that prevailed in the well-disciplined ranks, and throughout the mass of spectators, during the entire ceremony of ‘mustering-in,’ gave evidence of the profound feeling that had possession of all—those who were witnesses as well as those who were more intimately concerned.

The impressive ceremony concluded, the battalion with side arms, their colors and band, attended divine service at Christ Church, the Rev. Dr Leacock officiating. His eloquent and impressive discourse was listened to by a crowded auditory, composed, for the most part, of the families, relatives and friends of the members. Many were affected to tears by the grandeur and solemnity of the occasion and of the reflection that many of those who were there so proudly prominent might, alas! be there for the last time, that in a few short hours they would take the last embrace and say farewell forever. Dr. Leacock concluded his impressive discourse with words of encouragement and advice, evincing a keen and sometimes almost worldly appreciation of the occasion. He enjoined upon all to remember that we were educated to be gentlemen, and it behooved all to bring back