French Quarter in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Execution of Jean Baptiste Baudrau II

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 15, 2023

1. Execution Of Jean Baptiste Baudrau II Marker

Inscription.

Execution of Jean Baptiste Baudrau II. . , Jean Baptiste Baudrau II (1717-1757) was born on Dauphin Island to one of the early members of the Louisiana Colony founding party, JB Baudrau dit Graveline and Susanne, "the daughter of a great Chief of the Indian nation," likely Choctaw. He grew up at Pascagoula, was widely popular among the colonists and tribes, spoke their languages, and was "almost a giant" in size. He lived at the corner of Ursuline and Rampart Streets in New Orleans with his wife, Catherine dela Pointe, and their four children. He served Governor Bienville as a peace ambassador to many allied tribes. Governor Vaudreuil used Baudrau's leadership of local Choctaw allies to "guard settlements along the coast of Biloxi and on the Pascagoula River" against hostile attacks by chief Red Shoe's rebel faction in 1747-49. When he fell afoul of authorities by smuggling goods to Pensacola, Baudrau fled with his lover, Henriette Huet, in an ill fated attempt to escape the French colony and settle in Havana. Apprehended and jailed at the Cabildo, he managed a daring escape to live among the Creeks for five years, where he was assured safe shelter. In a most extraordinary concession, King Louis XV of France granted Baudrau a royal pardon., Thereafter he lived peacefully in the French colony until he was arrested for salvaging a wreck and jailed on Cat Island. When soldiers there mutinied against their tyrannical commander, they forced Baudrau at gunpoint to guide them to Georgia, afterwards giving him a signed letter absolving him of joining the mutiny. Ignoring the letter, Governor Kerlere had him unjustly broken on the wheel at Place d'Armes (Jackson Square) on June 7, 1757. Historians documented this as a tragic miscarriage of justice. Though innocent, Baudrau was scapegoated to deter low soldier morale at the outset of the Seven Years War. His defiled and quartered body was thrown into the Mississippi River floodtide near these steps. Thousands of descendants who honor him are alive today.

Jean Baptiste Baudrau II (1717-1757) was born on Dauphin Island to one of the early members of the Louisiana Colony founding party, JB Baudrau dit Graveline and Susanne, "the daughter of a great Chief of the Indian nation," likely Choctaw. He grew up at Pascagoula, was widely popular among the colonists and tribes, spoke their languages, and was "almost a giant" in size. He lived at the corner of Ursuline and Rampart Streets in New Orleans with his wife, Catherine dela Pointe, and their four children. He served Governor Bienville as a peace ambassador to many allied tribes. Governor Vaudreuil used Baudrau's leadership of local Choctaw allies to "guard settlements along the coast of Biloxi and on the Pascagoula River" against hostile attacks by chief Red Shoe's rebel faction in 1747-49. When he fell afoul of authorities by smuggling goods to Pensacola, Baudrau fled with his lover, Henriette Huet, in an ill fated attempt to escape the French colony and settle in Havana. Apprehended and jailed at the Cabildo, he managed a daring escape to live among the Creeks for five years, where he was assured safe shelter. In a most

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extraordinary concession, King Louis XV of France granted Baudrau a royal pardon.

Thereafter he lived peacefully in the French colony until he was arrested for salvaging a wreck and jailed on Cat Island. When soldiers there mutinied against their tyrannical commander, they forced Baudrau at gunpoint to guide them to Georgia, afterwards giving him a signed letter absolving him of joining the mutiny. Ignoring the letter, Governor Kerlere had him unjustly broken on the wheel at Place d'Armes (Jackson Square) on June 7, 1757. Historians documented this as a tragic miscarriage of justice. Though innocent, Baudrau was scapegoated to deter low soldier morale at the outset of the Seven Years War. His defiled and quartered body was thrown into the Mississippi River floodtide near these steps. Thousands of descendants who honor him are alive today.

Erected 2022 by Vancleave Live Oak Choctaw Tribe - Jackson County MS.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is June 7, 1757.

Location. 29° 57.387′ N, 90° 3.714′ W.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 15, 2023

2. Execution Of Jean Baptiste Baudrau II Marker

Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in the French Quarter. It is on St. Peter Street near Decatur Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located along the Mississippi River Waterfront, near Jackson Square Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Decatur Street, New Orleans LA 70116, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

on the Gulf Coast,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Transatlantic Slave Trade to Louisiana (here, next to this marker); Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu (within shouting

View of the Mississippi River near the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 15, 2023

3. View of the Mississippi River near the Marker

distance of this marker); Port of New Orleans (within shouting distance of this marker); Woldenberg Riverfront Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Washington Artillery Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Steamer New Orleans (within shouting distance of this marker); Oscar James Dunn (about 400 feet away); Welcome To Jackson Square (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Another marker is no longer nearby. New Orleans (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Jean Baptiste Baudreau II. (Submitted on February 15, 2023, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2023, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 9,484 times since then and 832 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2023, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.