Opelousas: Capital of Conferate Louisiana
OPELOUSAS
Capital of Confederate Louisiana
May 1, 1862 - January 23, 1863
After the Union occupation of New Orleans
and surrounding territory in the spring
of 1862 the state offices were moved to
Opelousas. From here Governor Thomas Moore
issued an address to the people urging them
to continue the struggle, and the state legis-
lature met here in December, 1862. But in Janu-
uary 1863, rumored Federal offensives caused
the removal of the capital to Shreveport.
On April 20 Union forces occupied Opelousas
but soon left to take part in the first
Red River campaign.
Submitted by @alwaysreadtheplaque.