The Battle Of Baton Rouge

They are waiting for battle and listening carefully for the sound of the long roll. At your speed you are now at North Street. In the far distance to your left are nine cannon lined up wheel to wheel at the old Orphanage. Out of the corner of your right eye you can see something rising over the levee and heading over your head. These are huge eleven-inch cannon balls from the ironclad ram U.S.S. Essex. They are exploding around North 22nd Street. Stay off the bridge. Keep straight. Slow down. Look to your right. You may be able to see flags waving off the masts of Union gunboats on the river. One mile to your left, in a deteriorating neighborhood, a battle is raging. Let down your window and listen to the rumble of Yankee cannon. Hear the sharp barking of Rebel cannon. The sound is different because they are pointed at you! At 60 mph history will fly by you.