Chalon, Father Gabriel, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M. of New Orleans, Lyons, France, 1862 September 18

They still have three long months to wait for Odin but they will be patient. The Confederate troops are under the walls of Washington; they also hold Frederick, Maryland. General Stonewall Jackson has passed the Rubicon, i.e. the Potomac; they say at Baltimore, at Annapolis. Soon, if he goes in this fashion, he will be everywhere. General Robert E. Lee is in front of Washington. August 29-31 have been three fine days, Bull run, Manassas. Lieutenant-General Simon Bolivar Buckner is marching on Louisville. Lieutenant-General E. Kirby Smith is a few miles from Cincinnati. There is great panic. The federal attacked Madisonville on Monday, but they quickly re-embarked leaving many dead and carrying away many wounded. To revenge themselves their gunboat bombarded poor Madison in Little Texas. Perhaps Father Claude M. Dubuis, C.M. will find that his little church has been destroyed. Odin had no doubt learned that Donaldsonville was also bombarded. On the 23rd they are to put into execution the act of confiscation for those who will not take the oath. The city is agitated. If they conjure him away, he will try to land on his feet in Attakapas. There is no sickness. Father Stephen Rousselon is well. Their priests are not bad. Father Angelo Mascaroni is almost better since he learned about Garibaldi's discomfiture; Odin knows that Mascaroni does not busy himself with politics. Chalon fears that France will recognize the Confederacy too late for the interest of commerce. Someone gave him a box of cigars which Fathers Rousselon, Perché, and Cambiaso have made a hole in, but Dubuis will find some on his return. :: VI-2-f A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.