Ad of the Week – advertising blasts from the past!
How you can help NOLA History Guy – Things you can do right now!
NOLA Six Word Writing Challenge – Exercise your imagination!
A Little History… The Butcher’s Market, 1864
The Butcher’s Market, 1864. Marshall Dunham Collection, courtesy LSU Libraries Special Collections.
View of the Butcher’s Market section of the French Market, 1864. This photo is part of the Marshall Dunham Collection, courtesy LSU Library, Special Collections. This is one of the earliest photographs of the French Market. The photographer stands directly across from Jackson Square, looking downriver. For reference, this is the current location of Oscar Dunn Park.
The Market
The French Market originated with the indigenous tribes of the area. The French and Spanish constructed permanent buildings, and the structures in this photo date from 1813.
Butchers
The front set of buildings were the Halles de Boucheries, the Butchers’ Market. Farmers raised cattle and hogs away from the city, on open land along Bayou St. John, as well as down in St. Bernard Parish. The butchers bought whole sides of beef from the farmers, then cut them to order in stalls here in the market. The Butcher’s market opened before dawn. Shoppers came out early to get the best cuts of the day. By 11am or so, the heat of the day reached the point where the butchers closed their stalls. After buying meat, shoppers continued down the market to the produce vendors, then across the street to the bakers and dry grocery stores.
Construction
The lumber in the foreground is likely for one of the railroad buildings that went up here as the riverfront returned to its pre-war levels. Railroads operated in New Orleans since 1831 (the Pontchartrain Railroad). Tracks did not connect train stations and rail yards between Uptown and the Marigny until after the Civil War. We’re seeing the beginning of that process here.
Coffee
A Twentieth century photo of this building would show us the world-famous Cafe du Monde coffee shop. Coffee stands operated in the market in the 1860s, but they were not classic sit-down cafes. Workers in the market and along the riverfront walked up to windows (“stands”) to buy their coffee. Women pushed carts up and down Decatur Street, also selling coffee.
After the war, the city desired to “gentrify” the area around Jackson Square. They pushed the butcher’s stalls back from St. Ann Street. Cafe du Monde leased the front of the Butcher’s Market. This added to the appeal of living near the square.
Marshall Dunham
This photo is part of the personal collection of Marshall Dunham, a Union soldier from New York. He came down to New Orleans during the war, eventually being promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Major. He then received a commission as a First Lieutenant in the 77th Regiment, USCT. He collected many photos of the city, particularly from the photographer S. T. Blessing.
Next week, Thursday 17-September-2026, Derby and I will present The Forgotten Front – How New Orleans and the Gulf South Shaped the American Revolution. This is part of our Third Thursday Lecture Series at the Jefferson Parish Library, East Bank Regional Branch, 4747 W. Napoleon Avenue, Metairie. We’ll start at 7pm, and it’s free and open to the public.
We have so much fun with our tag-team talks!
Talk at the Deutsches Haus on 20-September!
Vintage Ad of the Week
“Pompano Pontchartrain Amandine” at Brennan’s French Restaurant, 417 Royal Street. Ad in the Times-Picayune, 10-September-1957. Note the branding the restaurant used at the time, “French Restaurant.” Brennan’s is, of course, Still There More!
How You Can Help NOLA History Guy
Things you can do RIGHT NOW to help us out!
Buy my books! Edward Branley is the author of six books on New Orleans history. They’re available from local booksellers and all the usual online suspects.
Buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi dot com. I just love this concept as a way to say thank you/tip creators you enjoy. Our idea of monetization is buying books and having us come to speak. If you see me at a coffee shop, stop and say hi. Otherwise, I’ll raise coffee cup to you if you treat me.
Become a patron. Yes, we’re on Patreon. A lot of creators use the platform for direct monetization, and that’s great for them. We don’t have “exclusive content” for patrons. Still, if you think our history stuff is worth a dollar a month, go join!
Napoleon’s Elite Cavalry – Chasseurs a Cheval at the depot
Another painting of Napoleon’s Elite Cavalry by Lucien Rousselot. We see Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard, at their regimental depot. It’s typical morning. Rousselot presents four Chasseurs in the scene, two officers, a sous-officier, and a trooper in the background. One of the officers speaks to the sous-officier, a Maréchal des logis (sergeant), who takes down his commander’s orders in his notebook. The NCO will then carry on with the day’s routine. The men in the front (we’ll get to the trooper in the rear in a moment) wear the redingote, a long, double-breasted coat with a full skirt. It’s likely not a cold day, because they’re not wearing uniform coats under the redingotes. Since they work this morning in the depot, not “walking out,” all four wear the same headgear, the bonnet de police, the regiment’s fatigue cap.
The NCO’s displays more color. His aiguillettes have red woven in, and his sword belt is red leather. The chevron of his rank is on the sleeve of his redingote. Note that he wears his aiguillettes on the left shoulder. The officers both wear theirs on the right.
Legion d’Honneur
The officer on the left waits patiently. He wears the ribbon of the Legion d’Honneur on his left breast. Unlike the sous-officier, his sword hangs from a leather “frog” attached to his belt. It’s tighter on his side than the NCO, whose belt is designed to carry his sword while riding.
The chasseur in the rear wears “stable dress,” which consists of a short jacket and canvas duck trousers. While officers of the regiment employed civilian servants, this man is indeed a chasseur. It’s possible he is simply a regular trooper, tending to his horse. He may be an orderly, as the British would say, a “batman,” who is caring for an officer’s horse.
Writing Ideas
So, what happens from here? Once the day’s orders are communicated, where are the officers off to? Perhaps a staff meeting, or back to their offices. Clearly the officer on the left isn’t involved with either the NCO or the chasseur. There’s all sorts of possibilities here. They’re off to the same meeting. Maybe the officer needs a private word with his colleague, once the assignments are issued. Is it business-related? Personal? Is their relationship more involved than just members of the same regiment?
Portrait of Bernado de Gálvez, Viceroy of New Spain. This copy is part of the Cabildo’s Galvez exhibit. (author’s photo)
Portrait of the First Count of Gálvez
The equestrian portrait of Bernardo de Gálvez, Viceroy of New Spain, painted by Fray Pablo de Jesús y Jerónimo in 1796 CE. Now housed at the National Museum of History in Mexico City.
Upon entering the Gálvez exhibit at the Cabildo, guests are presented with this portrait of Bernardo de Galvez. While the focus of the exhibit is on Galvez’s time in New Orleans and on campaign against the British. This portrait presents him at the pinnacle of his career, as Viceroy of New Spain.
Spain to Louisiana to Mexico City
Gálvez was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Spanish army when he accompanied O’Reilly on his expedition to Algiers, where he was seriously wounded. He recovered, and was promoted to full Colonel. When it became clear that Spain would formally support the United States of America in their rebellion, Spain ordered Gálvez to New Orleans, to replace Unzaga. (As we’ve mentioned before, this was a logical move, as Unzaga was more of a diplomat and administrator.)
After his successes against the British, the Spanish Crown ennobled him, as Conde de Gálvez. This form of raising someone to the peerage is common in any countries. For example, Arthur Wellesley became Lord (later Duke of) Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars.
So, Galvez also received promotion to Lieutenant-General. King Carlos III appointed him Captain-General of Cuba on 20-May-1783. His father, Matías de Gálvez y Gallardo, was Viceroy of New Spain at the time. Matías died in October of 1784. The king appointed Bernardo to his father’s position. He arrived in Vera Cruz, Mexico, in May of 1785, and formally assumed the position in Mexico City in June of that year.
Of course, we Americans pretty much end Gálvez’s story at the end of the American Revolution. We move on to other things. Even our exhibit at the Cabildo closes before the 250th anniversary of his governorship!
The Battle of New Orleans had an important West Bank component.
New Orleans marks the “Glorious Eighth of January” of 1815 with ceremonies at the Chalmette National Battlefield, but the story of what happened on the West Bank is often ignored.
Some background: In March of this year, I had the privilege of presenting a lecture on the battle to the Friends of the Cabildo Walking Tour Guide training class. Prospective guides take a four-week course that includes an immersion in local history. I re-created that talk as Podcast 62. When I finished, Robi Robichaux, the coordinator of the class, suggested I expand my remarks on the events of the campaign in Algiers. Coincidentally, Don Costello of the Algiers Historical Society emailed me a few days later, asking if I would speak to the group. He had a cancellation, and knew I always have a subject or two in my back pocket to talk about. Little did he know I had one that hit this close to home!
Buy my books! Edward Branley is the author of six books on New Orleans history. They’re available from local booksellers and all the usual online suspects.
Buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi dot com. I just love this concept as a way to say thank you/tip creators you enjoy. Our idea of monetization is buying books and having us come to speak. If you see me at a coffee shop, stop and say hi. Otherwise, I’ll raise coffee cup to you if you treat me.
Become a patron. Yes, we’re on Patreon. A lot of creators use the platform for direct monetization, and that’s great for them. We don’t have “exclusive content” for patrons. Still, if you think our history stuff is worth a dollar a month, go join!
Ad of the Week – advertising blasts from the past!
How you can help NOLA History Guy – Things you can do right now!
NOLA Six Word Writing Challenge – Exercise your imagination!
A Little History… A Tale of Two (Spanish) Flags
There are two Spanish flags currently on display at the Cabildo at Jackson Square. The first is the flag of the Kingdom of Spain while under the rule of the Bourbon Dynasty. The second is the flag of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
The Bourbon Flag
The flag of the Kingdom of Spain (above) hangs in the “Hall of Flags,” the second floor gallery at the Cabildo at Jackson Square. The Cabildo, which is part of the Louisiana State Museum system, displays a series of flags that flew over Louisiana during the state’s history. The Spanish crown adopted this design as kingdom’s flag in 1785. So, this flag flew over New Orleans for the transfers of Louisiana in 1803. That’s why it hangs in the gallery, between the French flag of Louis XIV and the Tricolor of the French Republic.
Galvez and the American Revolution
Royal Standard of Carlos III of Spain in 1766
The Kingdom of Spain used the “Bourbonic Ensign” as a national flag and royal standard from 1760 to 1785. So, when Antonio de Ulloa arrived in New Orleans in 1766 as Spain’s first governor of Louisiana, his ships flew this flag. Same goes for O’Reilly, then Unzaga and Galvez. This flag presents challenges, particularly for military operations. That’s why the Spanish army units flew variants of the Burgundy Cross.
The Flag of New Spain
The Burgundy Cross was the official flag of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Government entities in New Spain flew the Cross of Burgundy in North America. Compared to the massive heraldic achievement of the ensign, this flag is clearly easier to recognize.
Vexillology
The study of study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags is known as Vexillology. While I’m no expert on flags, they fascinate me. We’ll be featuring more flag posts and discussions as we present more on Galvez and the American Revolution.
We’re implementing some changes to our website and other blog postings. Starting 1-September, NOLA History Guy dot com will feature new content. We’ll be presenting a series of illustrations of the French Army during the Napoleonic period. The work of artist and uniformologist Lucien Rousselot offers historic background and writing inspiration.
Additionally, we will present more articles featuring structures in the New Orleans area that have been the subject Historic American Buildings Survey projects.
Ad for Fall dresses from the “Audubon Shop” and handbags at Maison Blanche, in the Times-Picayune, 2-September-1970. Stores: Canal, Clearview, Gentilly Woods, Airline, and Westside.
How You Can Help NOLA History Guy
Things you can do RIGHT NOW to help us out!
Buy my books! Edward Branley is the author of six books on New Orleans history. They’re available from local booksellers and all the usual online suspects.
Buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi dot com. I just love this concept as a way to say thank you/tip creators you enjoy. Our idea of monetization is buying books and having us come to speak. If you see me at a coffee shop, stop and say hi. Otherwise, I’ll raise coffee cup to you if you treat me.
Become a patron. Yes, we’re on Patreon. A lot of creators use the platform for direct monetization, and that’s great for them. We don’t have “exclusive content” for patrons. Still, if you think our history stuff is worth a dollar a month, go join!
In six words or less, write a story about this image. (Peter Ehrlich photo)
Post your story to NOLAHistoryGuy.com on BlueSky, or to New Orleans Uncovered on Facebook. You can also email yours to nolasixwords@nolahistoryguy.com.
The first in our Napoleonic Elite Cavalry series is of three Guard Chasseurs a Cheval.
Napoleon’s Elite Cavalry – Chasseurs a Cheval on a Sunday
Three Chasseur à Cheval de la Garde Imperiale, in Sunday “walking out” dress, Paris, between 1804 and 1814. They walk past a cafe called Au Tambour d’Arcole.
Napoleon’s Guard Chasseurs wore Hussar-style uniforms. They wear an under jacket called a dolman, and an outer jacket called a pelisse. Because it’s a Winter day, they wear the outer jackets buttoned up for the cold. In the Spring/Summer, the pelisse would be draped over the left shoulder. The troopers on the left and right wear green dolmans and breeches with tasseled Hussar boots. Their pelisses are red. The man in the center is a trumpeter. He wears different colors, to stand out in the line. That way, an officer giving orders knows here he is, so he can use his bugle to call out the commands. The trumpeter wears a blue dolman and breeches. His pelisse is rose colored.
The Chasseur on the left is a sous-officier, an NCO. The chevron on his pelisse indicate he is a maréchal des logis, a sergeant. His uniform has more gold lace and ornamentation.
The third Chasseur is a trooper. The lesser amount of gold lace and ornamentation of his uniform, and that of the trumpeter, indicates he is subordinate to the sous-officier.
So, the maréchal des logis is likely older than his companions. Napoleon’s army had two levels of sergeant. The maréchal des logis corresponds to the same rank in the modern French army (and US forces) as an E-5. The next rank was maréchal des logis chef, a modern E-8/E-9.
Headgear
All three men wear cocked hats rather than the big, cylindrical Colbacks worn on campaign. The colback offers protection from sabre cuts and bullets. Since they’re walking out in Paris, these men wear a lighter, simpler cocked hat, with plumes matching their uniforms.
All three men carry their sabres, as is required for walking-out dress, but not the ornate purse or sabretache that usually hangs from the sword belt.
Story Ideas
So, who are these men to each other? The sous-officier is several ranks higher than the trooper and trumpter. Are they related? Perhaps the senior man has been in Napoleon’s guides for years, and his younger brother, a musician, enlisted in the same regiment. Maybe the other trooper is a cousin, or perhaps just a friend in the same troop who came along on this lovely Paris afternoon.
Did they come to the regiment as skilled horsemen? Did they learn how to ride when they enlisted? The Chasseur à Cheval de la Garde were the Emperor’s personal bodyguards. A detail chasseurs and an officer accompanied him everywhere. The rest of the regiment stood in the line of battle, usually in reserve. Bonaparte would personally commit his Guard at tipping points in battles, to ensure victory.
While in Paris, the Chasseur à Cheval de la Garde participated in countless military parades and reviews, proud to serve their Emperor.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
Recent Comments