P. G. T. Beauregard would determine the structure to be unsafe and unfit for habitation. The edifices towers were toppled and improvements began. The institution's main building is completed in Pineville, La. Col. W. T. Sherman accepts position as superintendent. Only later would Louisiana officially secede from the Union. Dr. Anthony Vallas acts as head until Col. George W. Lay becomes superintendent.
Student body disbands for enlistment.
Lay resigns to enlist in Confederate Army and Col. W. R. Boggs temporarily assumes head post. Seminary reopens under the Rev. W. E. M. Linfield as acting superintendent. Prof. William A. Seay becomes superintendent. Seminary closes after invasion of Red River Valley by Federal forces under Gen. Banks. Military equipment donated to Confederate Army, but library and other items destroyed by order of Gen. T. Kirby Smith of the U. S. Army.