William Hepworth Dixon, White Conquest: Volume 2

[54]

Chapter 6: invasion!

At break of day, while the Negro senators, yawning on their fever-moss, are yelling for more cocktails, Royal Street is being filled with soldiery, who pile arms in the roadway, and occupy the side-walks. The scene looms black. Already everyone seems to be awake and in the streets. The paths are thronged with citizens as well as soldiers, and ominous sarcasms pass along the line. Marines are marching from the quays, cavalry are prancing near the Custom House. Two Gatling guns are trained on the Levee, and a brass Napoleon guards the State House. Emory, holding the chief command, remains at the Arsenal, ready to advance on any point; and his lieutenant, De Trobriand, having massed his troops in St. Louis Street, with their right resting on the closed gates, their left extending towards the river, rides with a part of his brigade into Royal Street. Two thousand Federal troops are under arms.