The Day the War Stopped

James Linden Hogg has announced the upcoming release of A Day the War Stopped: The Story of a Civil War Truce.  It is a riveting new historical book by James Linden Hogg that delves into a remarkable yet lesser-known event in Louisiana’s past. 

In June 1863, at the height of the American Civil War, Lt. Commander John Elliot Hart of the USS Albatross received a Masonic funeral with the help of Confederate Freemasons in the cemetery of Grace Episcopal Church in St. Francisville, Louisiana. 

Now remembered in the town’s history as “The Day the War Stopped,” the unusual circumstances around Hart’s burial gave rise to a romantic legend, leading townspeople to commemorate his burial truce through an annual historical reenactment. 

In A Day the War Stopped, Hogg artfully unravels the tragic history behind the drama people remember annually. 

With a master storyteller’s touch, Hogg paints a vivid picture of naval warfare on the Mississippi River, the fateful moments leading up to the Union commander’s death, and how the memory of this unique episode has become a symbol of brotherhood even in times of conflict. 

The release of Hogg’s book coincides with the town’s annual reenactment which will occur on Saturday, June 7, 2025, making it a perfect companion for history buffs and those who appreciate local heritage. The book has several photographs and detailed analysis, making it a valuable addition to any Civil War collection. 

James Linden Hogg has recently been inducted into the prestigious Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.