This specialized unit is dedicated to education of our members and the public about the civilian culture of the 1860's. One of several civilian units in with the ACWS, and other reenacting units, the DeSoto Parish Ladies Aid Society is an association dedicated to supporting the soldiers of the Confederacy. Historically, thousands of such aid/relief organizations existed on both sides of the conflict, largely composed of the wives, sisters, mothers, children, and sweethearts of soldiers who toiled on the fields of battle. These associations were formed to supply some comfort-such as mending, cooking, knitting bandages, doing laundry, writing letters home, and many other activities to soldiers from particular towns or districts. As an example, in December of 1861, the students at Mansfield Female College in Mansfield, DeSoto Parish, raised $95 to send to aid sick and wounded Louisiana soldiers in Kentucky with a presentation of Tableaux Vivants, followed by vocal and instrumental music. Another musicale at MFC was noted by the Shreveport Semi-Weekly News in April, 1863.

The DeSoto Parish Ladies Aid Society provides activities for members not interested in the military aspect of Civil War reenacting. This unit portrays the "home front" for those whose sons, fathers, husbands, and fiancées are away fighting the war. We are part of the Greater Louisiana Brigade and attached currently to the Tigers.

Please note that being a part of the Desoto Parish Ladies Society does not require any special commitment. You do not have to contribute money, time or effort. You can if you would like, but nothing is required. The Desoto Ladies Society can help organize activities such as meal planning, swap meets, teas, or the very basic things like helping to ‘decorate’ the camp to give it that ‘beautiful’ look. The basic goal is to give the civilian ladies within our unit an option. Let me give a simple example: Let’s say three young men from one family join our unit. Like Tonja Cooper and Dawn Beresovoys kids, their mothers want to participate, but would rather not dress as a man and take the field. Just by having the Desoto Parish Ladies Aid Society she can feel like she a part of the unit without having to take the field. Perhaps she would be interested in organizing a tea, or getting a small swap meet together or even by gathering funds for the Save-A-Tiger Fund! Every woman is welcome in out camp either dressed as a lady or as a soldier!

  Lady Dawn Beresovoy Lady Tonja Cooper                                                                                                                                Lady Crystal Killian