INDExtra

Confederate soldiers to camp downtown

by Dominick Cross

It's Living History Days and it's all part of the Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration at the Alexandre Mouton House/Lafayette Museum, 1122 Lafayette St. Living History Days is free and open to the public and will take place Saturday and Sunday.

If you happen to be downtown Saturday, here's a heads-up: You're not seeing ghosts of Confederate soldiers, you are not being shot at by them, and nor is your car being shelled by cannon fire.

It's Living History Days and it's all part of the Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration at the Alexandre Mouton House/Lafayette Museum, 1122 Lafayette St. Living History Days is free and open to the public and will take place Saturday and Sunday.

The Mouton Camp 778, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Pelican Battery Living History of Opelousas will literally set up camp on the grounds Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"They'll fire the guns and do all the stuff they do at encampments," says Phyllis Goff, curator of the Lafayette Museum. "It's very interesting. They put tents up and the guys that are dressed in their uniforms do their normal things like some will be outside of their tents cleaning their guns and others will be marching around."

Goff says the public is invited to ask questions of the soldiers about gear, lifestyle, etc., pertaining to the Civil War.

A lecture by Dr. William Arceneaux, "The Role of Governor Mouton and his son General Alfred Mouton, Hero of the Battle of Mansfield" is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.

Alexandre Mouton House/Lafayette Museum and the Lafayette Public Library are presenters of the Living History Days. Call 234-2208 for more information.