Special events note Civil War events in Avoyelles

Three days of events this week will mark the 150th anniversary of a time during the Civil War when Avoyelles Parish was under attack by an invading army.
On Friday (May 16), the anniversary date of the Battle of Mansura, a book release of histories containing the Battles of Mansura and Yellow Bayou and a display of artifacts will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Nanny’s Restaurant in Marksville.
On Saturday (May 17), the anniversary date of the Battle of Moreauville, a day-long symposium on the Civil War in Avoyelles Parish is scheduled. Saturday activities will begin at 10 a.m. at Fresh Catch Bistreaux restaurant in Marksville with lectures by a guest panel of historians, including Carol Mills-Nichol and Fort DeRussy author Steve Mayeux. A lunch buffet will be offered by Fresh Catch Bistreaux for $10. To pre-register for the buffet, call the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism at 253-0585, 964-2025 or 833-4195. Following lunch, participants will caravan to Fort DeRussy. Doyle Jennings, director of the Marksville State Historic Site, and Civil War reenactor Angelo Piazza will meet the group. David Bettevy will show the group the Fort DeRussy Cemetery. A key feature of the event will be a reenactment of events that occurred at St. Paul the Apostle Church during the Battle of Mansura 150 years ago. The commemoration will end with a Mass at the church, where reenactors will guard the church entrance as they did in 1864. A cannon will be fired down Main Street after Mass by Mayor Kenneth Pickett, Judge Angelo Piazza and crew. St. Paul’s role in battle During the Union withdrawal in 1864, the U.S. commander posted guards at the church -- then located in Cocoville or Hydropolis, where the cemetery is today -- to protect it from damage. Many homes and other structures were damaged or destroyed during the retreat, including the Daughters of the Cross convent. Mother Superior Hyacinth wrote that the sisters of the order hid while the battle raged on the convent grounds as troops moved from Marksville to Mansura. During the battle, the interior of the chapel was damaged by bullets and soldiers, but a statue of the Blessed Virgin stood undamaged. That statue still stands in Presentation Chapel on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marksville. The St. Cecilia Chorale will perform during the Mass. They will include some songs from the Civil War period, sung in Latin. Piazza is coordinating the ceremony, which may include the eerie sound of a Scottish bagpipe playing as the cannon is rolled down Main Street by horse-drawn cart after the Mass. Battle of Yellow Bayou On Sunday (May 18), which marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Yellow Bayou, plans are being made for a ceremony to possibly be held after Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church in Simmesport. A wreath laying and 21-gun salute are being considered at the gravestone of Civil War General B. B. Simms. Further details will be announced.