Sons of Confederate Veterans to Host Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States Events at Historic Sites in Baton Rouge

The burning of the Louisiana Capital in Baton Rouge
in December 1862 by Northern invaders and vandals.

[La. DIv., Press Release]

Louisiana will see a momentous kick off to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States when the Louisiana Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) hosts two historic events in Baton Rouge on Saturday, January 15, 2011. The first event, at 9:30 a.m., will be a re-enactment of the surrender of the Federal garrison in Baton Rouge to Governor Thomas O. Moore and the assembled state militia companies. This historic event, which actually took place on January 10, 1861, involved the turn over of the garrison by Brevet Major Joseph Haskins after he realized he was greatly outnumbered by Louisiana Militia troops seeking to occupy the garrison by order of Governor Moore. The program will take place at the Federal Arsenal on the Capitol grounds and will include uniformed re-enactors portraying U.S. garrison troops and the state militia troops. Governor Moore, Colonel Braxton Bragg, Captain Henry Watkins Allen, and Major Haskin will also be portrayed.

The historic day will continue at 1:30 p.m. with a second program that will include a re-enactment of the Louisiana Secession Convention in the house chambers of the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. This historic event, which actually took place January 23-26, 1861, and resulted in Louisiana’s Secession from the Union, will include civilian clothed re-enactors portraying members of the convention’s delegation. The re-enactment will include the submission of the final ordinance, the voting process, and passage of the ordinance and will close as the individual portraying Governor Moore leads everyone outside of the capitol building to announce the results to the waiting crowd.

A short memorial service at the grave site of former Confederate Brigadier General, and Governor Henry Watkins Allen, there on the grounds of the Old State Capitol, will end the day’s events.

The SCV is the direct heir of the United Confederate Veterans, and the oldest hereditary organization for male descendants of Confederate soldiers. Organized at Richmond, Virginia in 1896, the SCV continues to serve as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization dedicated to ensuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved. Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces. The Louisiana Division is made up of over 30 Camps, or chapters, around the State and encourages Louisianans to seek out, attend and even participate in the Sesquicentennial Commemoration that will be taking place over the next four years.

           

“Although you anticipated a quiet Christmas, I hope it was a happy one to you all, and that you were filled with gratitude for the many blessings that surrounded you. Although distant, my heart and thoughts were ever present with you and my prayers were offered for Heavens choicest benefits for you all...." Letter from Robert E. Lee to his wife at Christmas, 1860