PELICAN BATTERY also known as the 5th Louisiana Field Artillery Living History Reenactment Unit OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA A Louisiana Non-Profit Corporation

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Members of the Pelican Battery pose at the Parrott during the Civil War Weekend at Acadian Village in Lafayette, Louisiana.  This photo was taken by Bones Cheatwood of 'Forgotten Images' in the authentic wet plate process.  Visit www.wetplatephotography.com to visit his  website and see more of his work. March 5, 2005

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FOR MORE INFORMATION pelican_battery@yahoo.com or contact Charles Lauret at 337-826-1622/337-351-0285 P.O. Box 721, Washington, LA 70589-0721 patriot1861@yahoo.com SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK---LINK BELOW

The Pelican Battery currently has one 10 pounder Parrott Rifle.

OUR PHOTO ALBUM

EVENTS SCHEDULE

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The Men We Portray - Veteran Members of the Original Pelican Battery

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RESOLUTION

Whereas, the 5th Louisiana Field Artillery Battery was organized, raised and established, primarily of men of St. James Parish, on October 31, 1862 as a volunteer artillery unit known as the Pelican Battery, and Whereas, the Pelican Battery, in response to the abuses of the United States' federal government against the People of Louisiana, quickly joined the Confederate service in defense of States' Rights and Constitutional Liberty, and Whereas, the Pellican Battery, fought bravely in its first action just days after organizing, when it fired upon four Union gunboats on Bayou Teche below Patterson, Louisiana on November 3, 1862, and Whereas, the Pelican Battery served with distinction at battles all across the great state of Louisiana, from the defense of the CSS Cotton on Bayou Teche to the Battle of Bisland, from Vermillion Bridge to Koch's Plantation, from Trinity to Harrisonburg in 1863, to the fights at Marksville, Mansura, Moreauville and Yellow Bayou in 1864, and Whereas, the Pelican Battery served in the Trans-Mississippi Department under the leadership of great Louisiana Generals Richard Taylor and Alfred Mouton, both of whom heaped praise on the battery for its excellent performance at the Battle of Bisland, and Whereas, the Pelican Battery was officially designated as the 5th Louisiana Artillery Battery on November 19, 1864, and Whereas, the Pelican Battery, having become a formidable battery, fulfilled it's duty well in defense of Louisiana until it's surrender near Tyler, Texas in June, 1865, Now, Therefore, it is hereby ordained by it's members that this organization shall be known as the "Pelican Battery", and that it may also be referred to as the "5th Louisiana Field Artillery".

MISSION STATEMENT      The objective of the organization is to accurately represent and portray the Pelican Battery during the War Between the States.  This organization shall be devoted to recognizing the bravery and devotion of all those Confederates who fought and sacrificed for the cause of liberty, and to honor them by reenacting in a manner and style that is authentic, professional, safe and educational for all of its members and the spectators who see them.

If you are interested in joining a living history unit that portrays Artillery during the War Bewteen the States, this unit is for you.  As a unit, we strive to preserve the honor and southern heritage of the original unit.  The unit was founded by veteran reenactors, whose goal was to form a family oriented living history unit which emphasized family values, adherence to authenticity, firearm safety, and historical research. Living history can be a very rewarding hobby for both amateur and professional historians alike, who desire a deeper insight into the lives of the men who fought the War, than can be gained solely out of books, lectures, and round tables.  It can be your “time machine” allowing you to experience first-hand what it was like to be on the artillery line, smell the smoke, get rattled by the cannon fire, sleep in canvas tents, cook on the open fire and simply share in the camaraderie of soldier life. It is not the intention of living historians to glorify war or belittle the terrible tragedy of the War, but it is their intention to gain a better understanding of the people of the period and their tremendous sacrifices both on the battlefield and on the home front.

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Some of Our Favorite Links!

Reenactment Units

Spaight's Battalion Reenactor's, Inc.

Brig. Gen. J.J. Alfred A. Mouton Camp #778 Sons of Confederate Veterans Opelousas, Louisiana

Spaight's Battalion - Slidell Battery

Louisiana State Militia - 10th Brigade

The Civil War Artillery Page

Louisiana Division Sons of Confederate Veterans

Camp Moore