On April 25, 1862 the Confederate State of Louisiana government decided to evacuate Baton Rouge and move the state government to Opelousas and then eventually to Shreveport. The next day on April 26 the city of New Orleans was occupied by the U. S. Navy fleet under Admiral David Farragut. Many of the citizens of Baton Rouge left in panic leaving by any means available to the western and northern parts of the state.
On August 5, 1862 the Confederate Army attempted to regain control of the State of Louisiana by recapturing the Louisiana State capital at Baton Rouge. Confederate Major General John C. Breckinridge planned an attack on the Union forces at Baton Rouge by land and water. A crucial part of his expedition was the Confederate States Ram Arkansas. The Arkansas would have played a key role in neutralizing the Union Gunboats and giving an advantage to the Confederate land forces. Due to engine failure the CSS Arkansas was not a facture in the battle and the Confederate army left the field short of a victory.
On Saturday May 26 at 1:30 pm Mr. Curvey (Chip) Landry will present a power point presentation on the Battle of Baton Rouge at the Young-Sanders Center in Franklin, Louisiana. Mr. Landry will present his lecture in uniform as a Confederate Captain of the Louisiana State Militia. Roland Stansbury, Director for the Center stated “Mr. Landry has been fascinated with the study of the War Between the States in Louisiana for the majority of his life and especially with the Battle of Baton Rouge. He has researched the Battle of Baton Rouge more intensely than most historians.”
Landry is retired from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office as commander of Bomb Squad and Hazardous Material Unit with 36 years of service. He is currently employed by the Louisiana Office of State Parks as a law enforcement specialist since 2005, currently assigned to Port Hudson State Historic Site. He is the Sexton of St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Baton Rouge and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Board of Trustees. Mr. Landry is a member/secretary for the Board of Directors of the Young-Sanders Center for the Study of the War Between the States in Louisiana.
The Young-Sanders Center for the Study of the War Between the States in Louisiana is located at 701 Teche Drive in Franklin, Louisiana. The Center is located one block from the St. Mary Parish Court House on Bayou Teche. Mr. Landry’s lecture on Saturday May the 26th at 1:30 pm is open to the general public with no admission fee. Refreshments will be served. For further information contact the Center at ysc1861@aol.com of call us at (337) 413-1861