USA > Louisiana > Louisiana; comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, Volume II > Part 18
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consist as nearly as possible of eight companies, and was to be officered by a colonel, a lieutenant-colonel, a major, an adjutant, a quartermaster, a paymaster, a surgeon, an assistant surgeon, a ser- geant-major, a quartermaster-sergeant, a corporal of pioneers and 2 chief musicians. The brigade was composed of all the troops in the brigade district. The officers were brigadier-general, brigade- major, brigade-quartermaster. surgeon of staff, and an aide-de-camp for every two regiments. The brigade-major was also to serve as inspector. The division was to be composed of all the troops in the division district and was to be commanded by a major-general. The other division officers were division inspector, quartermaster, surgeon of staff, two aides-de-camp where the division consisted of not more than two brigades, with an additional aide for each bri- gade more than that number. The governor was made commander- in-chief, his staff to consist of an adjutant and inspector-general. quartermaster-general, surgeon-general, at least 4 aides-de-camp, with as many more as might be necessary. The adjutant and in- spector-general was to have the rank of brigadier-general, and was to receive a salary of $2,000 a year. The act further regulated the appointment or election of officers; provided for the discipline of the troops; fixed the time and place of company and special mus- ters, encampments, instruction, etc., and also provided for the or- ganization of volunteer companies and battalions. This law, with a few slight alterations, remained in force until 1861, when the necessary changes were made to put the militia on a war footing.
The War of 1812 was followed by a long period of peace, during which the militia was rarely called upon to perform any active serv- ice. Consequently the interest in military affairs waned, the drilling and other duties required by the state laws being executed in the most perfunctory manner. But in the early spring of 1845 the interest was suddenly revived by the prospects of a war with Mexico. On March 1, 1845, President Tyler approved a joint . resolution of Congress annexing Texas to the United States, and four days later the Louisiana legislature appropriated $2,000 for the purchase of 4 caissons and a brass 6-pounder for the Washington battalion : $250 for the artillery company of Baton Rouge; a like sum for the artillery company of Clinton; the 1st brigade was re- vived, and all over the state young men flocked to the headquarters of the militia organizations and offered their services. Louisiana troops were the first to go to the relief of Gen. Taylor at Corpus Christi. (See War with Mexico.) From the close of the Mexican war to the beginning of the Confederate war the Louisiana militia was maintained upon a more stable basis, and the year 1861 found the military organizations of the state well prepared for either defensive or aggressive operations.
The first attempt to reorganize the militia after the Civil war was on Aug. 25. 1868, when Gov. Warmoth approved a bill pro- viding that not less than 20 nor more than 60 citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 years in any parish might form themselves into a company with the approval of the governor, who was authorized
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to issue commissions to the captain and two lieutenants. From two to five companies in a parish might form a battalion, the gov- ernor to appoint the major, quartermaster and adjutant, and from six to ten battalions might form a regiment, the colonel, lieutenant- colonel and surgeon to be commissioned by the governor, the militia thus organized to be furnished with arms and equipments by the state. At the time this act was passed there was in force a law of Congress prohibiting any of the states that had "been in rebellion" from organizing or maintaining a force of militia. In Oct., 1868, the legislature passed a resolution asking the Congress- men from Louisiana to use their efforts and influence to secure the repeal of this law, but it was not done and the effort to reorganize the militia of the state ended in failure.
In 1877 the Federal troops were withdrawn from Louisiana, the administration of Gov. Nicholls was recognized by the national au- thorities, the law of Congress above mentioned was repealed, and on March 30. 1878, the state legislature passed an act for the revival of the militia. Assessors were directed to enroll the names of all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 years, and report the same to the governor, who was to be commander-in-chief of the state forces. Infantry companies were to consist of not less than 60 nor more than 100 privates, with a full complement of officers; cavalry companies were required to have not less than 40 nor more than 90 privates, and the maximum number of privates in an artil- lery company was fixed at 120. The militia organizations within the parish of Orleans were to constitute the "Louisiana State Na- tional Guard." and the rest of the militia was to be known as the "Militia of the State of Louisiana." A battalion of from two to six companies was to be commanded by a major, and one consist- ing of from six to eight companies by a lieutenant-colonel. The other officers were similar to those authorized by the old law of 1834, and an appropriation of $10.000 was made to carry out the provisions of the act. By the act of April 10. 1880, the entire militia force of the state was included in the "National Guard of the State of Louisiana;" the term of enlistment was fixed at four years, "unless sooner discharged for cause ;" commissioned officers were to be appointed only to such organizations as might be regu- larly organized under the law ; the governor was continued as com- mander-in-chief. his staff to consist of the adjutant. inspector, quar- termaster and surgeon-generals and an ordnance officer, each of whom should hold the rank of brigadier-general, and as many aides- de-camp with the rank of colonel, lieutenant-colonel or major as he might deem necessary to appoint. Under the operation of this law the Louisiana militia reached a high state of discipline and efficiency. Several companies-notably the "Washington Artil- lery" and the "Crescent Rifles" of New Orleans-visited cities in various sections of the United States, where they participated in competitive drills. winning prizes, honorable mention, and the en- comiums of the press.
The act of July 5. 1894, provided for the organization of a naval
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battalion to be attached to the Louisiana State National Guard and to be commanded by a lieutenant commander. The battalion was to conform generally to the laws of the United States and the dis- cipline of the U. S. navy, and the governor was authorized to take the necessary steps for carrying out the provisions of the act when- ever the national government should declare its readiness to supply a vessel of war, the necessary arms. equipments, etc. After the war with Spain the militia of the state was reorganized. In June, 1900, the Louisiana National Guard consisted of 17 companies of infantry, 10 companies or batteries of artillery, 1 troop of cavalry, and 5 divisions of naval militia, a total of about 2.000 men.
A thorough revision of the militia laws and a complete reorgani- zation of the Louisiana National Guard were contemplated by the act of July 6, 1904,-a long act of 114 sections, retaining many of the essential features of former laws. The governor was given power to order, whenever he considered it necessary, an enrollment of all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 and +5 years, who were to be divided into two classes to be known as the active and reserve militia. The active militia was defined as "the organ- ized and uniformed military forces of the State National Guard." and the reserve as "those liable for military service, but not in the State National Guard." Only one independent military organiza- tion in the state was recognized by the act. That was the Conti- nental Guards of New Orleans, which was permitted to maintain a separate existence on conditions that the officers pledge the serv- ices of the company when called upon by the governor. The Washington Artillery, in consideration of its 60 years of service, was placed in the reserve militia, to be known as the "Escort Guard of the Governor." and to obey only the orders of the gov- ernor issued through the adjutant-general. The maximum and minimum strength of infantry companies, battalions, regiments, brigades and divisions, cavalry troops and squadrons, batteries of artillery, and a signal corps, were clearly defined ; the men of each company, troop or battery were required to drill at least 24 times each year, with quarterly inspections, to be made by an officer of the National Guard or of the U. S. regular army. Military courts and prizes for marksmanship were provided for, and a hospital corps was authorized. the same to be suitably officered and equipped with ambulances, medical supply wagon, etc. While on active duty, each officer was to receive the same pay and allowances as officers of similar rank in the regular army, enlisted men to receive three times the pay for like grade in the U. S. army, and an allow- ance of 75 cents for subsistence for each day or part thereof. The general officers of the National Guard were set forth as follows: The governor to be commander-in-chief, with the rank of lieuten- ant-general : the adjutant-general, whose rank was to be that of major-general ; and the inspector, quartermaster, surgeon and com- missary generals, the chief of ordnance and the judge advocate, each of whom was to rank as a brigadier-general. Soon after the passage of the act Gov. Blanchard commissioned the following offi-
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cers for these positions : D. T. Stafford of Baton Rouge, adjutant- general ; G. MI. Hodgdon of New Orleans, inspector-general; F. F. Myles of New Orleans, quartermaster-general; W. G. Owen of White Castle, surgeon-general; John MeGrath of Baton Rouge, commissary-general; Arsene Perrilliat of New Orleans, chief of ordnance; and E. C. Fenner of New Orleans, judge advocate.
In his message to the legislature on May 12, 1908, Gov. Blanchard said concerning the militia: "The naval brigade is in a satisfac- tory condition. Its organization is well kept up, its esprit de corps is good, there are very few resignations of officers, or discharges of men asked for, and no complaints showing dissatisfaction have reached me. The brigade consists of 644 officers and men. They have a good armory. There are several vessels of war, the 'Isla de Luzon' and the 'Alvarado' being the chief. The former of these was received from the United States navy department, assigned to the state at my request. She is a splendid addition to the naval arma- ment and takes the place of the 'Stranger,' which vessel was turned back to the navy department on the assignment of the 'Luzon.' On the whole, Louisiana's showing of a naval force is equal to the best of any of her sister states.
"The National Guard does not, I regret to say, make an equally good showing. That organization exhibits no improvement in the last four years, and this, too, notwithstanding annnal encampments have been held at which military instruction has been imparted. For some reason interest has abated, enthusiasm is wanting, the military spirit seems lacking. There has been and is much dis- satisfaction and complaint from the officers and men. Many of the former have resigned, and several companies have had to be mus- tered out. Attendance at drill exercises and at muster meetings has not been satisfactory.
"At the same time, though the condition described undoubtedly exists, the militia have been found effective as soldiers whenever called out to quell mobs, prevent lynchings and preserve and en- force law and order. This shows that the material composing the National Guard is all right, and all that is needed to give Louisiana as fine a body of citizen soldiery as can be found anywhere is or- ganization and the inculcation of a proper esprit de corps. High credit is dne the officers and men for services rendered the state on repeated occasions when called out.
"Much difficulty is found in raising and recruiting companies for the Guard. Especially is this true in New Orleans. Many em- ployers do not permit their employes to belong to the militia. Still more discourage service in the militia. Some business firms and corporations, I have it from good authority, go so far as to include in the set of questions to be answered by young men, who seek situations, whether or not they are members of any military organi- zation. Their being such is an objection. In this way, service in the militia is brought under a ban. This is a very regrettable con- dition of affairs and must be overcome if we are to have such a National Guard as the state deserves to have."
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Mill, a post-hamlet in the northwest corner of Winn parish, is about 4 miles northeast of Price's Salt Works, the nearest railroad station, and some 18 miles northwest of Winnfield, the parish seat.
Millburn, a money order post-town and station in the southwest corner of Avoyelles parish, is on the Southern Pacific R. R., 5 miles southwest of Bunkie. It is the shipping point for a considerable district and in 1900 had a population of 80.
Mill Creek, a money order post-hamlet in the southeastern part of Sabine parish, is situated on a branch of Bayou Toro, about 5 miles northeast of Christie. the nearest railroad station, and 12 miles southeast of Many, the parish seat.
Milldale, a post-village in the northern part of East Baton Rouge parish, is a station on a short line of railway that connects with the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R. at Zachary.
Miller, a post-hamlet of Washington parish, is situated on a branch of the Tchefunete river. 5 miles west of Franklinton, the parish seat and nearest railroad town.
Mill Haven, a post-hamlet and station in the eastern part of Ouachita parish, is on the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific R. R., 3 miles west of Bayou Lafourche and 7 miles east of Monroe, the parish seat, in the truck farming district that supplies the nearby markets of Vicksburg and Monroe with fruit and vegetables.
Millikens Bend, one of the oldest of the modern towns of Madi- son parish, was incorporated by an act of the legislature, March 21, 1861. It is situated on the Mississippi river, about 3 miles east of Talla Bena, the nearest railroad station, and 8 miles northeast of Tallulah, the parish seat. It is a shipping point for cotton and is the trading center of a rich farming section. Milliken's Bend was the base for important military operations at the begin- ning of the Vicksburg campaign in the early part of 1863, and a considerable engagement took place here on June 7, 1863, between the Federal gunboats and a Confederate force under Gen. McCul- loch, who attempted to capture the garrison under Col. Herman Lieb. The population in 1900 was 156.
Millikin, a post-hamlet of East Carroll parish, is a station on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern R. R., 10 miles northwest of Lake Providence, the parish seat. It has an express and telegraph station, and is the shipping point for the extreme northern part of the parish.
Miltenberger, Ernest, soldier, was born in the city of New Or- leans in 1834, and was educated in Massachusetts, after which he spent some time in foreign travel. At the commencement of the Civil war he returned to his native city, and in June, 1861, entered the Confederate army as second lieutenant of Company E, 10th Louisiana infantry, serving with his regiment in Virginia until in Dec., 1861, when he was forced to resign on account of ill health. Soon after returning home he regained his health sufficiently to reenlist in Company A, Orleans Guard battalion, under Gen. Beauregard's call for 90 days' men. The battalion joined Beaure- gard's forces at Corinth and took part in the battle of Shiloh, after
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which Col. Miltenberger's health again failed and he returned home on furlough. In the spring of 1862 he served with the home guards at New Orleans, and after the fall of the city rejoined his command at Vicksburg and served until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Fle then served on the staff of Gen. H. W. Allen in the Trans-Mississippi department, and when Gen. Allen was elected governor he appointed Col. Miltenberger to a place on his staff with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In Jan., 1865, he was appointed by Gov. Allen to accompany Gen. Polignac, who had been appointed by Gen. E. K. Smith, as a special commissioner to France to obtain aid for the Confederate cause from the Emperor Napoleon. . On this occasion Col. Miltenberger bore a letter from the governor to Napoleon, referring at length in a pathetic manner to the ties binding Louisiana to France, and warning Napoleon that if the Confederacy fell France's chances for success in Mexico would be materially lessened. The commissioners were delayed for some time in obtaining transportation, and upon arriving at Cadiz learned that Duke de Morny, upon whom they had depended to intercede with the emperor, had died while they were at sea. They proceeded to Paris, however, where they obtained an audi- ence with Napoleon. who informed them that on two occasions he had tried to induce England to join in giving aid to the Confed- eracy, but declared that it was then too late to assist the South, as the news of Lee's surrender had already been received in Europe. Col. Miltenberger remained in Europe until about the close of the year 1865. After the war he served three terms as judge of the second recorder's court of New Orleans, and in 1882 he organized the Southern insurance company, of which he was made president.
Milton, a post-village of Lafayette parish, is located in a rich rice growing district on the Vermilion river, about 8 miles south- west of Lafayette. the parish seat and most convenient railroad town. The population in 1900 was 54.
Minden, the capital of Webster parish, is located at the junction of the Louisiana & Arkansas, the Minden East & West, and the Shreveport & Northeastern railroads. The pioneer settler of Min- den was a locksmith named Deck, who located in the vicinity in 1822. Shortly after that Adam L. Stewart located near the present town site, but it was practically an unbroken wilderness until 1837, when Charles H. Veeder. a native of Schenectady, N. Y., who had served in the war of 1812, came into Claiborne parish, and settled at Minden with the determination of making it a town and center of trade. He succeeded in obtaining an appropriation from the state for an academy at Minden, and later aided in organizing the Minden academy. While the seat of justice of Claiborne parish was at Overton he endeavoured to have it changed to Minden, but without success. In 1837 Veeder and a man named Drake had some difficulties about their lands, and the former, fearing that any action on Drake's part might injure the town of Minden, made con- cessions in the interest of the town. Several stores had been erected there, donations had been made for school purposes and the village
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had begun to prosper. Minden was incorporated on March 13, 1850, while still in Claiborne parish. Col. Lewis and his wife donated the cemetery to the town. The Minden Iris was the first newspaper printed within the bounds of what is now known as Webster parish. The Minden Herald was the second, and the town clerk was ordered to keep a complete file of this paper. The loan of the seminary bell was obtained by the town and anyone was to ring it in case of fire. Under the act of March 9, 1855, the old town of Warsaw was embraced within the limits of Minden. Three years later W. A. Drake donated to the city the Male seminary property and trees were ordered planted in the grounds. During the first year of the war business seems to have been carried on as usual. On April 25, 1861, the town authorities appropriated $250 for ammunition and captains of patrol were appointed as a measure of protection. From March, 1863, to July 14, 1864, there are no town records. In 1869 a sum of money was appropriated to buy a lot and build a town jail. After the parish of Webster was organized the town council was asked to donate the town hall for the use of the parish, but the request was declined, though the first meeting of the parish police jury was held there.
In 1872 a large portion of the business center of the town was destroyed by fire. Minden has a number of fraternal lodges; the Methodist circuit was established in 1856; the Baptist society was organized in 1844; the Cumberland Presbyterian congregation was formed in 1849; the Catholic church was opened in 1879, and the Episcopal Society existed without organization as far back as 1853. Minden is located in a fine cotton district and is an important ship- ping point, as 10,000 bales of cotton pass through the town to Shreveport and other markets each year. After the railroads were built through Minden it took new life, cotton compresses were erected, and the cotton industry is one of the most important. Today it is the supply and shipping town for all the surrounding country ; it is one of the growing towns of northwestern Lou- isiana, has 2 banks, telephone, telegraph and express offices, a money order postoffice, and a large retail trade. In 1900 the popu- lation was 1,561, and in 1908 the estimated population was over 2,000.
Mineral, a post-hamlet in the southeast corner of De Soto parish. is situated on Bayon Saint Michael, about 5 miles northeast of Sodus, the nearest railroad station, and 16 miles southeast of Many, the parish seat.
Mineral Resources .- (See Geology, Iron, Oil, Sulphur, etc.)
Minerva, a post-village of Terrebonne parish, is a station on the division of the Southern Pacific R. R. that runs from Schriever to Houma, four miles south of the former. It is a trading and ship- ping point of some consequence, and in 1900 reported a population of 70.
Mink, a post-hamlet in the southern part of Natchitoches parish, is about 6 miles northeast of Jerguson, the nearest railroad station, and 25 miles south of Natchitoches, the parish seat.
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Mint .- A branch of the U. S. mint was established at New Or- leans by act of Congress in 1835. The building, which is of the Ionic order, 282 by 108 feet, 3 stories high, is located on the site of old Fort Charles, at the corner of Royal and Esplanade streets, and was erected by the general government at a cost of $182,000. Work on it was begun in Sept., 1835, the first coins were struck in 1838, but it was not until 1844 that the machinery was all in position and ready for business, giving the mint a capacity of $5,000,000 a month. From that time until the Civil war the New Orleans mint coined all denominations of gold and silver pieces. On Jan. 31, 1861, the institution was taken possession of by the state authorities, there being in its vaults at the time the sum of $118,311. After the war the mint stood idle until the passage of the Bland-Allison law, which restored the silver dollar to the nation's coinage. At the second session of the 45th Congress pro- visions were made for reopening the mint, but the yellow fever epidemic of that year caused a delay. In Dec., 1878, Henry S. Foote took charge as superintendent, and coinage operations com- menced on Feb. 20, 1879. Mr. Foote died on May 19, 1880, and was succeeded by M. V. Davis on June 11. The director's report for that year says the New Orleans mint coined 400,000 silver dollars monthly. For several years following the coinage was confined to silver dollars and $10 gold pieces, but in 1892 the coin- age of half dollars, quarters and dimes was authorized and has continued since, the amount each year varying according to the demand for subsidiary coins and the facility of obtaining bullion. Heaton says the 3 cent silver piece authorized by Congress in 1851 was coined exclusively by the New Orleans mint.
Mira, a village of Caddo parish, is a station on the Texas & Pacific R. R., 5 miles south of the Arkansas boundary and about 30 miles north of Shreveport, the parish seat. It has a money order postoffice, telegraph station. express office and telephone facilities, and in 1900 had a population of 56.
Miro, Estevan, 5th Spanish governor of Louisiana, was born in the province of Catalonia, Spain, in the year 1744. He came to Louisiana about the beginning of the Spanish domination, and was made colonel of the regiment of Louisiana. In the conquest of West Florida he was second in command to Gov. Galvez, and when the latter was called to St. Domingo he became provisional gov- ernor. On July 14, 1785. he succeeded to the office of gov- ernor, "on account of his services as governor ad interim during the absence of titular Gov. Count de Galvez while commanding the army in the late war." He granted an extension of time to the British subjects of West Florida, in which they were to settle up their affairs and get out of the district, and recommended more liberal regulations regarding the commerce of the province of Lou- isiana. On June 2, 1786, he issned his Bando de buen Gobierno, ordering that no work should be done on the Sabbath nor on holy festival days except in cases of the most urgent necessity ; that the shops should be closed during divine service ; no negro dances were
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