The Civil War at Oakley Plantation, Sept. 8th-9th, 2012

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The sights and sounds of the Civil War once again come to Oakley Plantation at Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville, La. on September 8th-9th, 2012.
This year marks the 200th Anniversary of the Union raid on the nearby river port of Bayou Sara, La.

Activities will include reenactments each day along with Living History activities. The reenactment will be somewhat unusual as it will be extended from the usual crash of arms to begin the battle and a quick Taps at the end. Our period refugees will start fleeing the sacking of Bayou Sara which will eventually lead into both skirmish then battle. At the end wounded will be removed for our surgeons to work on in a demonstration area and locals come to identify their relatives as the aftermath of the battle. We hope this will lead to the visitor gaining a better idea of what the war was like and enhance the reenactors experience.

We provide hay, firewood, water, modern restrooms, ladies social, camping on the plantation grounds, and one meal prepared in the plantation kitchen from original recipes of the early 1800's.

Preregistration is required and numbers are limited. We are especially looking for Union or Confederate marines and sailors. Specialty Living History impressions are welcome. Authentic civilians are always welcome. Contact Audubon State Historic Site at 1-225-635-3739 or 1-888-677-2838 or email at audubon@crt.state.la.us

The Louisiana Office of State Parks and Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville, La. presents this program as part of the SesqueCentennial of the Civil War in Louisiana.

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Registration limits:

Due to space and needs we are placing a limit on participants as follows: 100 each of Union and Confederate Infantry, and 6 artillery pieces. We have unlimited registration for specialty impressions such as medical, signal corps, engineers, period civilian, etc. Preregistration though free is still required. Sutlers are welcome with no fees charged but again must preregister. Registration cut off is September 1st.

Set up may begin on Thursday Sept. 6th, 2012.

Location of the park:

The park can be located as Audubon State Historic Site, 11788 La. Hwy 965, St. Francisville, La. 70775. It is 30 minutes North of Baton Rouge, La. off U.S. Hwy 61. It is 1 hour South of Natchez, Ms. off U.S. Hwy 61.

Modern Conviences Nearby:

A few miles away is the town of St. Francisville. One of Louisiana's oldest towns, and in 1810 briefly the Capital of the West Florida Republic, within it can be found various Bed and Breakfast Inns. For those looking for something more modern there are two motels, fast food, restaurants, etc all available within the town. For those coming early there are area attractions such as the Port Hudson Battlefield, Centenary State Historic Site, and the Myrtles Plantation that is often seen on TV.

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Our background to the program. Bayou Sara was the old river port beneath the bluff of St. Francisville. Once the largest river port between Vicksburg and New Orleans, today little trace of the town remains.

"A dispatch to the Grenada Appeal, of the 28th September 1862, dated Bayou Sara 25th, says the National steamer Essex arrived here Saturday, and shelled the town, without doing any damage. They then landed two boat loads of soldiers and set fire to the town. All the houses on the levee were burned except two. After firing the front of the town, they went around pillaging all the houses that were not burned. While doing this some of the Pelicans fired upon them, but with what effect is not known. They then returned to their boats and steamed down the river, and are supposed to have gone for reinforcements to destroy St. Francisville. "

U.S. Sailor impressions are especially wanted. Period civilians are welcome to be our fleeing townspeople.

Preregistration is open and spaces are filling!

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We only have spots for 2 more cannons. Please remember all registration closes on September 1st, 2012.

Saturday Ladies activities include short workshops on language of the fan, bath salts, and an afternoon tea social. Louisiana State Parks Black Powder rules and regulations will be in effect and a copy of those can be sent on request.

This may be the last year for this program so we urge any Civil War reenactor interested in participating to consider attending this year.