In the silent village, where the doors swung idly in the wind, nothing was heard but the tramp of soldiery and the lowing of cattle, wandering anxiously around the stables as if looking for their masters....The total amount of live-stock owned by the Acadians at the time of the deportation has been variously estimated by different historians, or to speak more correctly, very few have paid any attention to this subject....Rameau, who has made a much deeper study than any other historian of the Acadians, sets the total at 130,000, comprising horned cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs." Edouard Richard quotes the following from two contemporaries of the exiled Acadians.

"The Acadians were the most innocent and virtuous people I have ever known or read of in any history.

They lived in a state of perfect equality, without distinction of rank in society.

The title of 'Mister' was unknown among them.

Knowing nothing of luxury, or even the conveniences of life, they were content with a simple manner of living, which they easily compassed by the tillage of their lands.