Friday, March 25, 2011

Leaving Bossier Parish

In 1861, nearly 800 Bossier men departed the parish and headed off to war.

The June 19, 1861 issue of The Southwestern notes the Bossier Volunteers leaving town.
Captain Randolph's company of "Bossier Men" passed through this place en route to the wars last Thursday. Our citizens vied with each other in giving them a hospitable reception. The Shreveport Sentinels received them at the ferry landing, and escorted them to the boat, where R.J. Looney, Esq., delivered a neat address, which was responded to by Capt. Randolph. Lieut. Winans, on behalf of the ladies of Shreveport, in a few appropriate remarks, presented them with a wreath of flowers. We understand the ceremonies on the other side of the river were still more interesting, consisting of a barbecue and flag presentation, by one of Bossier's loveliest daughters, Miss Maples. We learn that some of the returned "Bossier Boys" have embraced this opportunity to prove themselves "Men".


The Bossier Banner also reported on the events at the Volunteers' departure.
On June 13, the Bossier Volunteers, under Captain E.G. Randolph, left. At the Cane place, Miss Mattie Maples presented the flag. Mrs. Cane gave a reception dinner, and Wesley P. Winans and Robert J. Looney delivered addresses. The company, numbering 104 men and 9 servants, left per steamer via New Orleans for Camp Moore, where it and other companies were organized into the 9th Louisiana regiment with Richard Taylor as colonel; E.G. Randolph as lieutenant colonel, and Wm. R. Peck, as major.


On June 13, the Bossier Volunteers, under Captain E.G. Randolph, left. At the Cane place, Miss Mattie Maples presented the flag. Mrs. Cane gave a reception dinner, and Wesley P. Winans and Robert J. Looney delivered addresses. The company, numbering 104 men and 9 servants, left per steamer via New Orleans for Camp Moore, where it and other companies were organized into the 9th Louisiana regiment with Richard Taylor as colonel; E.G. Randolph as lieutenant colonel, and Wm. R. Peck, as major.

The Bossier Banner of the 19th of April contained a headline "Off for Charleston," announcing the departure, on the 16th, of Ed. A. Lowry, Morgan O. Taliaferro, J.E. Jackson and Wm. G. Aarons. They joined the Caddo Rifles at Shreveport and went to Virginia, whither the Shreveport Grays had already gone.

A military ball was given at the courthouse in honor of the departure of Capt. Loudon Butler's company, the Bossier Boys, on Wednesday, May 8. Miss Maggie Moore presented the flag. This company left Shreveport the next day on the Grand Duke, arriving in New Orleans on the 12th, where it was mustered into service by the State authorities, but, owing to a disagreement between Gov. Moore and the Confederate secretary of war as to term of enlistments, Capt. Butler's company, together with many other companies, were disbanded at Camp Moore with all but a few members returning home and joining new companies as they were organized.

The Banner also reported on the events at the Volunteers' departure. On June 13, the Bossier Volunteers, under Captain E.G. Randolph, left. At the Cane place, Miss Mattie Maples presented the flag. Mrs. Cane gave a reception dinner, and Wesley P. Winans and Robert J. Looney delivered addresses. The company, numbering 104 men and 9 servants, left per steamer via New Orleans for Camp Moore, where it and other companies were organized into the 9th Louisiana regiment with Richard Taylor as colonel; E.G. Randolph as lieutenant colonel, and Wm. R. Peck, as major.

On September 22, the Robins Grays left, with Loudon Butler as captain. A barbecue was given by the friends of the company at Fillmore and Miss Emily Garrison presented the flag. This company went directly to Camp Moore, via Monroe and Vicksburg.

On September 25, the Vance Guards left, under Captain Richard Welcome Turner. Miss Lizzie Dickson presented the flag. A barbecue was given to the Guards at this place the day before their departure, and on the day of their departure another barbecue was given on the Bellevue and Minden road, between the residences of John W. Hudson and C.P. Thompson. The Rev. Baxter Clegg delivered a few friendly words of admonition and offered a prayer for their safety.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Spring newsletter

Our Spring newsletter is complete, so watch for it in your mailboxes. You can also click here to view it.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Louisiana Secession

On January 26, 1861, the state of Louisiana seceded from the Union. This caused immediate changes in the lives of residents in the Shreveport and Bossier area. One of those changes was visible in the Shreveport newspaper, The Southwestern. You can see in the January 30, 1861 issue, the paper's masthead features the American flag.

In the next issue (February 6, 1861), the flag has been removed. The editor notes that
As Louisiana is no longer a member of the federal government, we this day, as orderly citizens, lower the "stars and stripes" from our masthead! It is with heart-felt emotions, better imagined than portrayed, that we fold the saucy looking "star spangled banner" that we have always loved, and place the precious memento under our pillow.

From this description, we understand the notion that many newly seceded Confederates had - that the disagreement over slavery would be quickly resolved and peace negotiated. For currency notes printed by the Confederate States of America, each note was redeemable after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States of America. As the war progressed, it became clear to Confederate leaders that President Lincoln would only negotiate a complete surrender. In his book, The Atlas of the Civil War, James McPherson writes that "to every proposal for an armistice or preliminary terms, Lincoln replied that the Confederates must lay down their arms, give up slavery, and rejoin the Union." Bossier had an enslaved population of 8,000 individuals in 1860, much larger than the free white population of approximately 3,347. The abandonment of slavery was paramount for Lincoln and this was an issue that would directly affect the way of life for the residents in Bossier Parish.