The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1903-04-18
anniversary of the Battle
of Mansfield.

|
: The Gazette reproduces below
an account of the ceremonies at.
tending the celebration of the
thlrty-nlnth anniversary of the
battle OF Mansfield, taken from
the Mansfield Journal.
Many Confederates from this
section of the State participated
IN that memorable engagement.
the most decisive ever FOUGHT
on Louisiana soil since the ami
hllation of the British at Chal-
mette. The charge of the Louis
lanans in that battle will some
day be properly recognized by
history as one of the fiercest
and bravest ever made. Some
or the survivors of the Lost
Cause who reside in LAFAYETTE
parish and who took part in the
fight at Mansfield will perhaps
be interested to read the account
OF the celebration of it's anniyer
sary. The Journal saws:
NV ednesday was the thirty ninth anniver-
sary of the battle of Mansfield and it was
celebrated in the usual manner by our peo-
pie under the auspices of Mouton Camp.
United Confederate Veterans. plumber
or visitors, many of whom were veterans,
participated in the exercises.
At an early hour the stores and Offices
were closed and the people began to collect
IN and around the courthouse square.
After short business meeting of Mouton
camp procession was formed according
TO the program and marched to the cemetery,
where, after short and impressive prayer
from Kew. Moore, the melancholy duty of
decorating the graves of the Confederate
dead was performed. Owing to the great
scarcity OF flowers this part of the program
was not as fully carried out was desired,
oul suff1cient was done to show that the
leeds of the brave dead are still fresh in
he memory of the participants in the sad
lite.
he exercises over at the graves, the pro-
:ession wendell its way to the large session
lall of the college, where a large audience
lad already collected. The young ladies of
he institution furnished some appropriate
md excellent music, for which the audience,
sPecially'the veterans, had cause to feel
grateful.
The memorial address was delivered bv
Judge Julian Mouton, of Lafayette, a near
lnsman of the gallant general of that name
'ho was killed at the battle of Mansfield
nd tor whom the local camp of veterans
'as named The speaker acquitted him
elf well, creating the liveliest enthusiasm
mong his audience by his burning words
nd soul-stirring eloquence. In giving ex-
ression 10 his love of the Old South and
1e Lost Cause he showed himself TO be
'p'cal Creole and worthy the honored and
'storlc name he bears. He had the
eterans with him from the start and he will
= kindly remembered by them.
Miss Alice Abingdon, of Grand Cane,
eautiful and accomplished young lady,
no glories in the history of the Confeder-
e army and is loyal to the memory of the
onfederate dead, recited touching essay
10 did IT in such an easy graceful way as
capture and hold the attention of the vast
idience throughout the delivery.
Hon. r. II. Snyder of Tensas, de-
'ered short, practical address. The eff
rt was eN-temPore, but it was interesting.
he speaker urged the necessity for memo
al exercises in order to show to the world
at the Southern people do not believe
cir dead heroes fell fighting for the wrong.
AT this stage of the proceedings Judge
outon, in feeling manner, presented
outon Camp with a large portrait of Cen
al Mouton, which has received in behalf
the camp by Judge J. B. Lee. The pic
re represents the general in full uniform,
'nding erect, with his countenance in
ate of repose. The gift is appreciated by
e camp, and it will be carefully and
'ingly preserved, though not many of
members served under the general.
After the singing of Tenting on the Old
mp Ground, by class of college girls
. audience dispersed, each and all feeling
tier from the CONSCIOUSNESS of duty we'll
rformed.''