Parish History:  Antone W. Radescich, 1932, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: March 4, 1932 Winn Parish Enterprise or Winnfield News-American

A. W. Radescich Is Speaker To Seventh Grade History Class

Reviews Civil War and Days Of Reconstruction As Known By Himself

Presenting a striking picture and ideal setting Antone W. Radescich, dressed
in Confederate uniform reviewed the years of the Civil War and the period of
Reconstruction in the south as witnessed and participated in by himself to the
seventh grade history of the local school last Tuesday morning.

Prominently displayed and proudly worn by Mr. Radescich was a medal given him
by the government for bravery and honor on the field during the mighty
conflict.  The iron gray of his hair harmonized with the gray of his uniform
while his eyes danced with excitement at memory of the old days.

His entire talk was a plea for world peace.  He pictured vividly the horrors
of war and the need of a universal peace.

"Free State of Winn" as it was known in those days, extended from the Red
River to the Ouachita, east and west, from a point just north of Alexandria to
the present Jackson Parish line, north and south, and was his home.  
Volunteering at the age of fourteen he left for active service with one
hundred twenty four others under the leadership of General (Colonel) William
Walker. Twenty of these men lived to return home.  Mr. Radescich fought in all
the principal battles and a majority of the skirmishes in this state. 
Stationed at New Orleans his company was forced to leave there when Admiral
Farragut captured and entered the city.  From New Orleans they retreated to
Franklin where they gave battle.  He was among those who survived the famous
battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill.

"Uncle Antone" as he is lovingly known, had the honor of serving on the staff
of General Dick Taylor, who is considered one of the outstanding generals of
the war.  General Taylor was the son of Zachary Taylor, the only president
from Louisiana and the brother in law of Jefferson Davis, president of
the Confederacy.

"Uncle Antone" was one of the leaders who restored the rule of the white man
during the Reconstruction period, which followed the war.  He participated in
the "Colfax Riot" when the negroes rose against the white people of the
section.

"The Ku Klux Klan cleaned up the Free State of Winn so completely that there
was not an indictment or a person put in jail for six years" he stated.  "The
lawyers have to find other occupations for a living" he added.

Cotton selling for one dollar and ten cents a pound during the war is a
condition to be wished for by the present day cotton raiser he explained.

With no malice in his heart for his enemy, the Yankees, he stood by and fought
the battles of his home land, willing and gladly so, to give the last drop of
blood that the Confederacy might survive he sees the issues of difference
between the north and south in clear retrospection and admits that is was best
that the South was subdued.

Miss Ada Napper the teacher of this class expressed her thanks for Uncle
Antone's talk stating that the class was fortunate to hear a man with such
high standards of loyalty who could and would present information on local
history.