TRIUMPHANT RETURN- CELEBRATING A NEW AMERICAN SPIRIT
NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI
APRIL 24-25, 2015
WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL
Commemoration and Reenactment of the Return of United States Soldiers on the Natchez Trace Following the Victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
Just prior to General Andrew Jackson’s return on the Natchez Trace to his home the Hermitage in Tennessee, citizens of Natchez and nearby Washington, Mississippi Territory held victory balls for the general and his troops. General Jackson told his soldiers that they had “conquered the conquerors of Europe” by defeating the British to confirm their independence. Some British prisoners of war from the Battle of New Orleans were sent to Washington, Mississippi Territory to be held until exchanged. Though soldiers who marched to war at New Orleans identified themselves by their states or ancestry, they returned unified as one American people. The victory led to a new identity as one nation and to a new American spirit.
SCHEDULE
Friday, April 24, 2015
9 a.m.- Noon. ENCAMPMENT AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE. Historic Jefferson College, Washington, MS. Reenactors portray Jackson’s victorious troops in period camps. School groups and general public.
4:00 p.m. PARADE. Natchez, MS. Parade of soldiers through the historic town.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
9 a.m.- 2 p.m. ENCAMPMENT AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE. Historic Jefferson College, Washington, MS. Reenactors portray Jackson’s victorius troops in period camps. General public.
9:00AM – 4:00PM – Encampment open to the public.
10:00 – 10:30AM – Speech of an Indian, Presentation and book release by Chickasaw Elder, Robert Perry – West Wing Parlour. Book signing follows.
10:45AM – 12:00 noon – Panel discussion. Tony Turnbow, moderator, West Wing The Role of Adams & Jefferson Counties in the War of 1812 and the Creation of a New American Spirit
– Mimi Miller, Natchez Historic Foundation
-Lance Harris- Director, Natchez Grand Village
Smoyke Joe Frank- Local Historian
-Jessica Crawford- Southeast Regional Director, The Archaeological Conservancy
– Lou Ritten- Author, Fort Adams
12:00 – 1:00PM – lunch
1:00 – 3:00PM – Period Dance Lessons – West Wing Dining Hall.
5:30PM – Evening Colors
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. VICTORY BALL. West Hall, Historic Jefferson College, Washington, MS.
– Reception and heavy hors d’oeuvres in West Parlour.
– Arrival of General Jackson, Rachel Jackson, and Andrew Jackson, Jr. by carriage. General Jackson delivers a brief victory address.
– Period dance in the refectory. Music by the Booneslick Strings, of St. Charles, Missouri. Called by Martin Aubuchon of Dance Discovery of St. Louis, Missouri. (Period dress is suggested but not required).
VICTORY BALL tickets are $40 each. To purchase tickets, call VISIT NATCHEZ at 601-446-6345 or 800-647-6724.
SUNDAY, April 26, 2014.
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. PERIOD WORSHIP SERVICE. Historic Jefferson College. Jeff Sinclair portrays Andrew Jackson’s chaplain Rev. Learner Blackman. Open to the public.
REENACTORS WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE, CONTACT DR. BRYANT BOSWELL AT mtcreeklodge@aol.com AND CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Historic Jefferson College is located on the old Natchez Trace between the historic sites of Fort Dearborn and Washington Tavern where the 1815 victory ball was held. Neither site is open to the public; however, the buildings at Historic Jefferson College date from c. 1820.
PHOTOS FROM PAST NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY ASSOCIATION LIVING HISTORY EVENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL EVENTS:
Click on a link below:
DEFENDING THE NATCHEZ TRACE: SOUTHEAST AMERICAN INDIANS IN THE WAR OF 1812
EXPEDITION NATCHEZ 1813: BECOMING OLD HICKORY
NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY ASSOCIATION LIVING HISTORY AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES ARE FUNDED THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MARTY OWENS LIVING HISTORY FUND. TO DONATE, CLICK ON THE “DONATE” TAB BELOW, OR CONTACT US AT info@natcheztrace.org.