A History of Des Allemands, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana & the Civil War

The following information was given to me in 1985 by Annabel Hogan, who believes it was written by the late Doris P. Candies for the dedication of the Civil War plaque on Hwy. 90 in Des Allemands.

      This peaceful bayou village was named after its body of water running through it, namely "Bayou Des Allemands" a French name meaning the "Bayou of the Germans". It was settled approximately 247 years ago, some 80 years before the Stars and Stripes were first raised at Place de Armes in 1803. The Germans and the Canadians are regarded as the founders of all settlements in Louisiana. The German settlement in Louisiana is often overlooked but once the "German Coast, " which started 25 miles above New Orleans and extended 40 miles up the river on the west bank, was well known as the place where the people who migrated from the land of the Rhine settled and later prospered.
      "German Coast" or "La Cote des Allemends" was first noted in a census taken in 1724. The first village was a mile and a half inland and the second was three quarters of a mile inland. It is believed that Carl Friedrich d'Arensbourg, who in June 1721 commanded a group of 250 Germans immigrating to Louisiana, founded the second village in 1721, and was regarded as one of the most famous of these settlers. The "German Coast" was bounded by Lake Maurepas on the north, Lake Pontchartrain on the east, and Bayou Des Allemands on the south.
      The German influence is still evident in St. Charles Parish. Direct descendants of the early settlers are still here, although their names may not sound like German.
      During the Civil War, 1861-1865, three skirmishes or battles, unimportant in themselves but historically significant as a group, occurred on the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Charles Parish. They were the skirmish near the St. Charles Courthouse; battle of Boutte; and Battle Des Allemands, which took place Dec. 4, 1862, between the 8th company, commanded by Capt. Ed Hall and the confederates commanded by McWalters, and resulted in the capture of an entire detachment of union soldiers.
      The 8th company was partly composed of the Germans originally from St. Charles Parish area who had enlisted in the 8th company in New Orleans and after their capture were recognized by some of their former friends. The Confederacy had a claim on them for military service, and considered them deserters. They protested saying their enlistment was one of their rights as citizens of the United States. Their captors (the confederates) would not listen and after a quick trial they were found guilty and condemned to be publicly shot as deserters. They were interred in a long trench under some trees beside the railroad track somewhere between Des Allemands and Boutte.
      The centennial observance of the Battle of Des Allemands took place Sept. 2, 1962. A Civil War plaque commemorating the 100th year of the skirmish was placed in a road side park along Hwy.90. The plaque was provided by the Tourist Bureau of the Department of Commerce and Industry.
      An historical marker commemorating the first German settlers of St. Charles Parish was unveiled. It was obtained through the efforts of the German Council of New Orleans in Honor and Memory of the Germans who settled this village and who defended it in 1862.

Land Grants

If you're looking for information on where your early ancestors lived in Louisiana get a copy of  "First Settlers of the Louisiana Territory, Grants from American State Papers, Vol. I and II, Orleans Territory" by Carolyn Ericson and  Frances Ingmire. When the United States took over the Louisiana Territory, everyone who had land acquired under French and Spanish governments had to have their titles to the land confirmed. Copies of the original documents can be found at Tulane University. These books will let you know if your ancestors lived here before 1803.

One of the first settlers in the Des Allemands area was Paul Toups. Vol II, page 88, number 74 reads, "The children of Paul Toups claim a tract of land, situated in the county of Acadia, at the place called les Coteau  de France, at about the distance of 3 and 1/2 leagues from the western bank of the Mississippi, containing 18 arpents in front and a depth of 2 leagues and one-half. Paul Toups, the father of the claimant, obtained from the Baron De Carondelet a regular warrant of survey for this land in the year 1796, for the purpose of establishing a vacherie; and the conditions of the warrant of survey having been complied with on his part. Confirmed."

In Vol. I, page 146, number 202,  "Joseph Enoul Dugues Livaudais claims a tract of land, situated in the county of Orleans, containing 3 leagues front on Bayou des Allemands, by one arpent in depth on the northern bank on said bayou, beginning at Petit Lac and extending as far as the lands of Michael Zeringue. It appears that the claimant petitioned Governor Miro for said land, for the purpose of raising stock and obtained in the year 1789 a regular warrant of survey for the quanity of land." 

News From Des Allemands, St.Charles Parish,LA--1881

14 July 1881--St. Charles Herald Newspaper

     A visit to Bayou Des Allemands was quite a treat we indulged in last Thursday, in company with our friend, Charles A. Baquie, Esq. The day was spent pleasantly with Mr. Charles L. Hopkins, who is a most amiable host. We were the subject of many attentions from George H. Addis, the efficient operator at that point. Mr. Hopkin's saw mill is in full operation and things look quite lively around the bayou. We wish our friends success.

Bayou Des Allemands items--

Des Allemands is improving, the latest addition is the Creole Saw Mill, situated only a short distance from the railroad depot, on an island, making quite a pretty appearance, known as "Paul's Island". The saw mill is the property of Mr. Charles L. Hopkins, managed by Messrs. Torres and Peringne. These gentlemen are experienced sawmill men. Their motto is cheap first class lumber. In connection with the mill, is the Schooner Success used for delivering lumber,etc.

The old reliable, Felix Roux's Saw Mill is becoming, notwithstanding it saws a great deal of lumber for the railroad company, it also furnishes lumber to numerous schooners and luggers for Barataria, Grand Isle, and other points. First class lumber cheaper than it can be had elsewhere. Taking into consideration fair treatment and sociable disposition, after having dealt with him once you will be sure to come again. Who says Felix Roux, familiarly known as "old Pap" is not up to snuff, he is having built, now nearing completion, a store immediately opposite the railroad ticket office, when completed will add greatly to the improvement of our little village.  Mr.William Klienpeter, is a carpenter, a good one, too, but he complains that "Old Pap" won't give him a watermelon.

Miss Corrie Hoffman, of Bay St. Louis, Miss. has been on a one month visit to her sister, Mrs. Addis. She returned home only a short time since. She made a host of friends here and all regretted to see her leave. She has promised to come again this winter.

The Misses Fossier have also returned to New Orleans, but we hope to see them again before long. We regret very much to hear of Mr. Emile Fossier being called to New Orleans on account of his brother's serious illness. We hope it may not prove so bad and that he will pass the crisis all right. Mt. Emile Fossier is a permanent resident here now, his agreeable and sociable qualities made him a great favorite with us all.

Next week I will give you a genuine fish story. We have got the papers for it too. It knocks the spots out of that Boutte rattlesnake story told at Boutte sometime ago. Judge Friedman probably remembers something about it.

If you are not already acquainted with our mutual friend, M. L. Dasch, you should immediately do so and get a mess of those Livingston tomatoes. He takes a great pride in raising the Livingston species, to use slang, they are just the boso.

We had the pleasure of a visit from Mr. S. Lozano, representing the Singer Manufacturing Co. If the Singer Co. don't sell machines in these parts, it ain't his fault, he is a thorough businessman. The company ought to be proud of so valuable a man for their business.

We all take great delight in reading the "St. Charles Herald." So it is a welcome visitor and should meet success everywhere. Until next week, I bid you good Saw Dust. 

Inquest Records Book #1 March 1877--Dec1886

Page 4--Inquest was held on the body of an unknown white man on 27 Apr 1877. His body was found floating in the Mississippi River in front of the Ezra Davis Plantation. The verdict was that he came to his death by some violence inflicted by unknown means and afterwards thrown into the river. No papers being found or other means of identifying him the jurors ordered him buried. Jurors were E. Mann?as, William Richardson, William ? Trasly, Louis Clairborne, Jacques ? Giles, Jr. and Coroner Clement Colly.

Page 5--Inquest was held on the body of Samuel Field on 22 May 1877 at Bayou Des Allemands, before justice of the peace, acting as coroner. The verdict was that he came to his death accidentally by drowning when he fell from a steamboat in Bayou Des Allemands. Jurors were E. Fassier, Jr., Timothy Aikens, John Brown, James Taylor, Felix ? Roux, and Domingo Pitre, 4th Ward Justice of the Peace.

Page 6--Inquest was held on the body of Francois George on 2 Jun 1877 at about 100 yards from the 20 mile post on the Morgan Louisiana and Texas Railroad, by the justice of the peace acting as coroner. The verdict was that he came to his death by a long standing sickness and old age. He was lying dead about 11 yards from his house which burned down the same night. He was 75 or 80 years old. Jurors were Timothy Aikens, Domingo Pitre, Jr., Peter Robinson, Cuezer McCoy, ? Branch, and Domingo Pitre, 4th Ward Justice of the Peace.

School Board News

In April 1880 the school board had a balance of $160.35 in its treasury. A bill was received from Mr. Delphine Rouselle for seven school desks and seats, one teacher's desk and one door lock for school No. 6 for $12. The 10 teachers for 1880 were Miss Amanda Perkins, Miss Nellie Seymour, Mrs. Kate M. Haggerty, Miss Ada Seymour, Miss Mary M. Caulfield, Miss E. Jennie Pursell, Mrs. Mary E. Pendergast, Miss Ida Tharp, Miss Henderson, and Miss Leila P. Bruce.
In Feb. 1881 the school board members were Emile Post, Owen McLesson, W. T. Henry, J. S. Brady, W. J. Youngs, and Leon Sarpy. The board again authorized 10 schools to be opened for a term not to exceed four months beginning in March. The teachers were to be paid not more than $40 per month and the superintendent was to be paid $200 a month.
At the April 1881 meeting the teachers were named. They were Miss Amanda Perkins, Miss Nellie Seymour, Mrs. K. M. Haggerty, Miss Ada Seymour, Mrs. S. N. Marshall, Mrs. E. J. Pursell, Miss Laura Culpepper, Miss Mary Tharp, Miss Rose Fleming and Miss Leila P. Bruce. The school house in Bayou Des Allemands had been rented since the last meeting.
In June 1881 the school term was extended an additional month. The Board voted to sell the Davis Place school with the proceeds to be used to erect a school on board property at Boutte Station. Mr J. L. Boutte, Sr. was appointed to replace Mr. W. T. Henry who had moved.
In Oct. 1881, the superintendent notified the board that the lot and schoolhouse at Davis Place had been sold for $200.
A committee from the Congregation of Mount Zion Baptist Church of the 4th Ward appeared before the board relative to the contemplated erection of a schoolhouse for black children at Boutte Station. The board entered into an agreement with the congrgation that they may use the school building for church purposes in return for repairs and upkeep of the building.