Donnis and Priscilla Davis, clad in Civil War-era attire, made the rounds of Bogalusa schools last week giving students a taste of the battle and civilian life re-enactments that will take place at Cassidy Park this weekend as part of the Festival in the Park.

But apparently most folks at Bogalusa Middle School did not get word that the visitors were on the schedule Friday, so when a call came in that a man was seen entering the school carrying a couple of rifles, the staff jumped into high alert.

At the time, Principal Don McDaniel’s cell phone was at his desk, but he was not. A rather intense voice over the school intercom immediately called him to the office. Meanwhile, Consulting Educator Bill Murray and others fanned out in a quick and careful search for the purported intruder.

Civil War re-enactors Priscilla and Donnis Davis made the rounds of Bogalusa schools Friday giving students a little taste of what they can see at Cassidy Park during the Festival in the Park this weekend. The couple showed students period clothing and weaponry. Above, Davis shows Gessyca Clark, seventh grade student at Bogalusa Middle School, a Civil War sword. Advertisement

Minutes later, Murray walked into the library, saw the Davis’s with Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marilyn Bateman surrounded by Civil War paraphernalia, heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Well, that explains it.”

While he, in turn, explained what had happened to the folks waiting for students to arrive in the library, Charlette Fornea burst in with a cell phone to her ear. Superintendent Ruth Horne had asked her to get the license plate of the strange truck out front. She’d obliged, and noticed markings on the vehicle that prompted her to think that maybe an educational presentation was planned.

Fornea was also noticeably relieved when she verified that that was the case. About a minute later, McDaniel arrived in the library looking not too sheepish. He thought he’d arranged for word of the visit to get to the appropriate parties.

The word was certainly out by then, and soon the students started filing into the room to check out the Civil War-era clothing and, yes, weapons and more that the Davises had brought to pique their interest.  

The school staff settled back with security in mind. The unplanned drill hadn’t hurt, and the students were safe. The “civil” unrest soon subsided.

The Davises and the rest of Fenner’s Louisiana Battery re-enactors are now encamped in Cassidy Park. Today, other students will visit them on-site. That might be a little easier on the nerves of the staff than a widely unexpected school visit.

The re-enactment, held in conjunction with the Festival in the Park, will take place from noon through 5 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a dance at 7 p.m. Saturday and a church service on the stage at 8 a.m. Sunday.

It promises to be an entertaining, educational weekend of thundering cavalry, booming canons, period music and dance plus lots of arts, crafts and other festival fun.

Bateman and the Davises encourage the public to attend.

Festival in the Park

Friday, Feb. 5

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. school visits

Saturday, Feb. 6

9 a.m. – Officers’ call; camp and exhibits of Fenner’s LA Battery open to the public; festival craft and food booths open; Suttlers will have their wares for sale.

10 a.m. - Silent auction/raffle opens.

11 a.m. - Living History stations open. Ladies’ tea.

“Kraker Dan,” a seven-member band playing authentic 1800’s music, will be onsite throughout the day.

12 p.m. - Formation of the troops.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Skirmish of the Partisan Rangers in the “Battle of the Bogue” along the banks of the Bogue Lusa Creek.

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Camp open to public.

5 p.m. - Dinner for re-enactors

7 p.m. - Dance open to the public, with “Kraker Dan” onstage; 1800’s dances with instructors

Sunday, Feb. 7

8 a.m. — Church service at stage

9 a.m. – Officers’ call; camp and exhibits of Fenner’s LA Battery open to the public; festival craft and food booths open; Suttlers will have their wares for sale.

9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. – Church service onstage.

10 a.m. - Silent auction/raffle resumes.

11 a.m. - Living History stations open.

12 p.m. - Formation of the troops.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Skirmish of the Partisan Rangers in the “Battle of the Bogue” along the banks of the Bogue Lusa Creek—this is the finish for the weekend.

3 p.m. - Silent auction/raffle finishes; winners announced. Camp closes to the public.

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Festival crafts and food remain open.