On May 27, 1863, Black Civil War hero André Cailloux perished bravely in battle. Along with the rest of the brave soldiers of color in his command, who lost their lives in the skirmish, Cailloux was left to rot on the Port Hudson battlefield for 47 days, as only the white fallen soldiers were collected during a 4-hour truce. Cailloux was brought home and finally laid to rest on July 29, 1863. It was the largest funeral procession in New Orleans History and unified mourners of all races.  

This evening, a candlelight vigil will take place at Le Musée de f.p.c., a McKenna Museum located at 2336 Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans. Le Musée is the only museum dedicated to preserving the history of free people of color in the United States.  

It has been 161 years since that historic procession, and the Reclaiming Legacy Project has called for unity in all churches, universities, and other organizations throughout the greater New Orleans area to toll their bells sixteen times, once for each decade since, beginning at 7 p.m. in recognition of the procession’s anniversary. The evening includes performances by OperaCréole and commentary on Cailloux, as well as registration for a reenactment of the procession that will be held next year.  

As a partner in the project, Xavier University of Louisiana will toll its bell in the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel in honor of Cailloux’s legacy. “Many are still unaware of Captain André Cailloux’s legacy and that of the 1st Louisiana Native Guard, and the sacrifices made on behalf of Black liberation in the United States,” said Robin G Vander, Ph.D., associate professor of English and African American & Diaspora Studies, the director of both the Women’s Studies and Performance Studies Programs, and a co-founder of the Performance Studies Laboratory (PSL) at Xavier University of Louisiana. “Cailloux’s funeral was unprecedented in terms of the sheer size of citizens who came out to honor him. It was the largest public acknowledgment of Black humanity to occur in the nation.” 

After the battle, the Union general in command refused to acknowledge the Black Regiment as their war dead. Even the Confederate general in command had offered to allow retrieval of their remains during a cease-fire. After over forty days, Cailloux and his soldiers finally had their bodies collected. 

Cailloux, a devout Catholic and pillar of the New Orleans community, served in the 1st Louisiana Native Guards as a captain. He was quickly known for his strength and bravery on the battlefield. Born into slavery, he secured his manumission [freedom] in his early twenties and became a successful businessman, family man, and community member. He’d been a member of the Society of the Friends of Order and Mutual Assistance, a Black social aid; his membership ring was how he was identified after his remains were finally retrieved, but the other, unidentified bodies were placed in a mass grave. 

Though the city was polarized due to the Civil War, Cailloux’s funeral brought white, Black, creole, and other residents together to lay the war hero to rest. An all-white marching band (42nd Regiment) from Massachusetts stayed weeks after the battle to play for his funeral. Father Claude Paschal Miastre delivered last rites, despite a threat of excommunication. Thirty-seven mutual aid societies attended.  

“Cailloux’s life story has so many lessons for us,” explained Dr. Vander. “His life—from enslavement to freedom, education, commitment to family, professionalism in his work, community engagement, fighting for freedom and rights for everyone—reflects the mission of Xavier University, the historic fabric of New Orleans, the contributions made by the Black community through agency and collective effort, and what we are working towards daily on this campus [at Xavier University of Louisiana].” 

Those unable to attend the vigil are encouraged to show solidarity by safely placing a tea light in the front window of their dwelling.  

Other partners and sponsors in the Reclaiming Legacy Project include McKenna Museums, Louisiana Creole Research Association, OperaCréole, and Women of Wakanda.  

On May 24, 2025, a Civil War reenactment of Cailloux’s historic funeral procession sponsored by the Reclaiming Legacy Project will be held. Louisiana Créole Research Association members will be available to assist in registering volunteers and reenactors for the 2025 event and a reenactment in recognition of the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865.