JACKSON--In August of 1863, just less than a month after the Confederate surrender at Port Hudson, elements of the 6th New York Volunteers, 3rd Massachusetts cavalry and 2nd Vermont Battery were sent under command of Lt. M. Hanham to Jackson to recruit slaves to join the 12th Infantry Corps d’Afrique. They were met at Centenary College by Col. John L. Logan’s 11th Arkansas Infantry.

According to military records, the Union troops fired upon the Confederates from the College buildings, but were eventually driven from their cover by artillery. Over 800 soldiers were involved in this engagement, the largest of its kind in the Jackson town limits.

Throughout the weekend of Oct. 20-21, Centenary State Historic Site, the original site of Centenary College of Louisiana (1825-1908), will host their 6th annual re-enactment of this Civil War skirmish.

The event will commence with artillery and infantry drills throughout the morning and feature on-going camp life demonstrations leading up to the re-enactments at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

The site also has spacious, picturesque grounds, perfect for a family picnic.

Admission for the event is the normal park entrance fee of $4 for adults ages 13-61. Admission is free for children 12 and under and seniors 62 and over.

Centenary State Historic Site is located at 3522 E. College Street in historic Jackson, La., one block down from the Audubon Regional Library, Republic of West Florida Historic Association Museum, and Old Hickory Railroad Depot and Train Museum.

Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Centenary offers guided daily tours as well as periodic historic interpretive events. Stop by for a visit, or for more information call (225) 634-7925 locally or toll-free at (888) 677-2364.