Historical Marker

Civil War Earthworks

Historical marker location:
Madisonville, Louisiana
( Marker is at the intersection of Johnson Street and Third Street, on the right when traveling east on Johnson Street.)

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Audiobooks about the history of Louisiana.
Jazz music was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city's unique mix of African, Caribbean, and European cultures contributed to the development of this distinctive musical genre.
Louisiana random facts
St. Tammany Parish, located in southeastern Louisiana, has a rich and diverse history that spans over centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native Americans, including the Choctaw, Houma, and Chitimacha tribes. In the 17th century, French explorers began to settle in the region and establish relationships with the local tribes.

The area officially became known as "St. Tammany Parish" in 1810, named after the patron saint of the Choctaw tribe. During the 19th century, the parish experienced rapid growth with the arrival of European settlers, particularly from Germany and Ireland. The town of Covington, located in the heart of the parish, became a thriving center of commerce and trade.

St. Tammany Parish also played a significant role in the Civil War. It was occupied by Union forces early on during the conflict and saw skirmishes and battles throughout the war. After the war, the parish began to rebuild and diversify its economy, embracing agriculture, timber, and fishing as major industries.

In the 20th century, the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the nearby Gulf of Mexico brought new economic opportunities to St. Tammany Parish. As a result, the population grew and the parish became a popular destination for tourism, offering numerous recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.

Today, St. Tammany Parish continues to thrive as a vibrant and dynamic community, blending its rich history with modern development. The area is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and community spirit, making it an attractive place to live, work, and visit.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1699 - St. Tammany Parish is included in the French colonial territory
  • 1763 - The area becomes part of British West Florida after the French and Indian War
  • 1800 - St. Tammany Parish is incorporated as one of the original parishes of the Louisiana Territory
  • 1812 - Louisiana becomes a state, and St. Tammany Parish is officially recognized as part of the state
  • 1819 - Covington is established as the parish seat
  • 1834 - St. Tammany Parish is divided to create Tangipahoa Parish
  • 1840s - St. Tammany Parish experiences rapid growth due to its proximity to New Orleans and the expansion of the railroad
  • 1888 - Mandeville is incorporated as a town
  • 1964 - Slidell becomes an incorporated city
  • 2005 - St. Tammany Parish is heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina, causing significant damage throughout the area
  • 2010 - St. Tammany Parish’s population reaches over 240,000, making it one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana