Civil War Tours of New Orleans

03/07/2026

Spent the day scouting out a unique Civil War battle location for a possible tour this October. This won’t be your typical Civil War tour. Space will be very limited.

02/26/2026

Stay tuned for a very special and unique tour happening in October. A very limited number of tickets will be available for this experience

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

Did you have an ancestor who fought at Mansfield, LA and have their photo? If so …….

Help us with our new display at our museum that will feature your ancestors who fought in our battle! Click the link below to submit their information!

https://form.jotform.com/253505441961052

01/12/2026

We're hiring! We are looking for a new step-on tour guide to begin on February 19th. Applicants need to have a working knowledge on the Battle of Baton Rouge (1779), the West Florida Rebellion, and the Battle of Baton Rouge (1862). With a few rare exceptions, every tour begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. This is an independent contractor part-time gig, and guides are paid a flat rate per tour. These are guided bus tours that will begin and end along the riverfront in downtown Baton Rouge.

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01/10/2026

On this day in 1861, 165 years ago, the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, along with the Orleans Cadets, Louisiana Grays, Chasseures à Pied, Crescent Rifles, Louisiana Guards, and Sarsfield Guards, gathered on the neutral ground along North Boulevard in Baton Rouge, joined by the Pelican Rifles, Baton Rouge Fencibles, National Guards, Creole Guards, Delta Rifles, and Tirailleurs from East and West Baton Rouge Parish, to demand the surrender of the U.S. arsenal and barracks. After a tense day-long standoff, U.S. Major Haskin surrendered the post and all of its arms, munitions, and public stores. The seizure of all Federal property in Louisiana, including the Post Office, Customs House, along with the Marine Hospital, was all an effort to remove all Federal presence from Louisiana in preparation for a special session of elected representatives from around the State who were scheduled to meet in Baton Rouge on January 23rd to debate and vote on the question of secession. Governor Moore was of the opinion that, like what was happening at that time in Charleston and Pensacola, should any Federal soldiers remain in Louisiana, those Federal soldiers posed a threat to Louisiana's free exercise to vote on what course the State should take. However, by seizing Federal forts and the arsenal in Baton Rouge, the fate of Louisiana was sealed, and secession a forgone conclusion.

12/13/2025

Today in 1862, the Washington Artillery of New Orleans helped to hold the line and repulse multiple attacks by the Union army against the sunken road in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Here is where the Washington Artillery were posted during the battle.

12/01/2025

That time NCIS: New Orleans made mention of a particular Civil War tour

11/20/2025

Although these quotes pertain to Sherman’s march to the sea, the same Union soldiers who burned Georgia and South Carolina, first burned Louisiana during the Red River Campaign:

10/29/2025

Col Marshall Joseph Smith. His grave is in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans LA.

Colonel Marshall J. Smith (1824-1905), born in Warrenton County, VA, lost both of his parents at an early age and was raised by relatives in Fauquier County, VA, before entering St. Mary's College in Baltimore at the age of 13. Following graduation four years later, Smith entered the United States Navy as a midshipman. He traveled to East and West Indian waters before serving aboard US frigates Puritan and Cumberland during the Mexican War.

In the 1850s, Smith became involved with the mercantile business in Mobile, AL, but when the Civil War broke out, he abandoned his business and enlisted as a Confederate colonel. He played a prominent role in organizing the 24th Louisiana Volunteers, also known as the Crescent Regiment. While under Smith's command, the 24th LA was recognized for its actions at the Battle of Shiloh. As a result of poor health, Smith resigned from the regiment and spent his sick leave in Mississippi, only to return to service less than a year later when he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of artillery and ordered to Port Hudson to serve as chief of heavy artillery. He was present in the batteries when Admiral D.G. Farragut's fleet attempted to run by on March 14, 1863 and managed to stop all but the Hartford and a small vessel from passing through during the engagement. Smith was also in command of heavy artillery during the Siege of Port Hudson from May-July, 1863 and ultimately surrendered to Union forces as a result of the fall of Vicksburg and the garrison's sufferings. He was taken prisoner in July 1863 and sent to Fort McHenry, where he would remain in captivity for fourteen months until he was sent to the bay at Charleston for exchange. Smith spent the remainder of the war serving in front of Richmond. Following the war, he ventured to New Orleans, where he engaged in a number of successful businesses through the turn of the century