White Hall Plantation/Union, Louisiana/Point Houmas

White Hall Plantation/Union, Louisiana/Point Houmas. Panel #13 Mississippi Riverwalk. , A) White Hall Plantation , Mile 166.0 AHP, One of the most effective Confederate gun batteries on the river was located near White Hall. When it was bombarded by the Union Ironclad, Monongahela in 1863, the vessel’s commander was killed and a young executive officer named George Dewey took command. Years later Admiral Dewey led the victorious American fleet at Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War in 1898., B) Union, Louisiana , Mile 166.7 AHP, Annual Christmas Eve bonfires have been a tradition here for many years. Wood was gathered for weeks in advance and stacked around poles on the levee. The fires were kindled with tall reeds called “Roseaux” which popped like firecrackers in the flames., C) Point Houmas , Mile 171.2 AHP, This area is named for the Human Indians, who settled here after the Tunica Indians drove them out of their east bank home. The Houmas were well-known amount the early French settlers for their rare combination of bravery and kindness. They treated their war prisoners with gentle courtesy and often consoled them for having the bad luck of being captured. A Frenchman who visited the tribe reported their unusual fondness for chickens, not to eat, but as pets. They had acquired a flock from a wrecked ship and allowed the domesticated birds free run of their village. The Houmas refused to sell their chickens to travelers who might eat them. By 1811 the Houma tribe numbered only about 80., Photo Credit: Preparing for Annual Christmas Eve Bonfire, Louisiana Office of Tourism